Shaping Australia’s Next Generation of Luxury Developments

1. Shaping Australia’s Next Generation of Luxury Developments Sydney’s ultra-luxury property market is charting its own unique course. A mix of scarcity, lifestyle allure, and a rising wave of high-net-worth buyers is transforming the way prestige developments are conceived, promoted, and purchased. Abadeen Executive Chairman and Founder, Justin Brown, will explore the forces fueling this demand, the emerging opportunities, and the evolving meaning of luxury living.

2. Q: Why has Sydney’s ultra-luxury property market remained so resilient? The market benefits from a structurally tight supply, with prime sites almost impossible to replicate. Slow planning processes, high construction costs, and the rarity of true blue-chip land ensure premium properties remain scarce. Demand at this level is largely driven by owner-occupiers, whose numbers are growing steadily. With their long-term outlook, they help maintain value through market cycles. From a real estate property developer's perspective, carefully planned release strategies through private placements and staged launches help absorb market volatility and preserve pricing integrity. Combined with Sydney’s exceptional lifestyle, stability, and global appeal, the market’s strength continues to endure. Q: Off-market transactions are a hallmark of prestige property sales. What advantages do they offer buyers and sellers? Both on-market and off-market channels play important roles. On-market sales provide broad exposure, public benchmarking, and visible competitive tension. They are ideal when establishing a new reference price or showcasing a precinct on a larger scale. Off-market sales, however, offer privacy, precision, and control. They attract a smaller pool of qualified buyers who set the pace and negotiate the terms that truly matter. This approach protects residents’ privacy, minimises on-site disruption, and maintains a consistent brand experience. Buyers benefit from early access to rare properties and the ability to quietly shape the outcome to their preferences.

3. For high-value trophy assets or pre-release opportunities, I favour off-market transactions. They allow for a customised, personalised experience that delivers optimal results for both buyers and sellers. Q: Luxury buyers expect more than just location. Which features and amenities truly drive demand? At Views and Villages, simplicity meets precision. Expansive, protected views, optimal orientation, and a connected neighbourhood that buzzes with life every day of the week. Privacy and a sense of arrival are essential. Homes feature generous indoor–outdoor living spaces, a primary kitchen alongside a dedicated catering area for effortless entertaining, state-of-the-art wellness facilities, secure multi-car garages with EV infrastructure, and building services that deliver five-star quality without drawing attention. Technology should seamlessly enhance the experience, intuitive, invisible, and reliable. Acoustic and thermal performance matter just as much as the finest marble. Designing homes is our craft. Every detail is considered, because it’s these nuances that determine how a home truly lives and breathes. Q: Beyond Sydney, are there emerging luxury markets in Australia that high-net-worth investors should watch? We’ve expanded our focus to Melbourne, Perth, and Queensland, where we see strong, sustained demand for premium owner-occupier properties in the right locations, mirroring the demographics of Sydney’s luxury market. Think Melbourne’s inner bayside and eastern suburbs, Perth’s western neighbourhoods and riverfront precincts, and select Brisbane and Gold Coast areas where scarcity is real and community amenities are well-developed.

4. Q: What has been your most remarkable sale, and what made it unique? Over the past 30 years, I’ve been fortunate to play a part in Australia’s premium apartment renaissance—from Bennelong, the Hyde Park precinct, and Barangaroo in Sydney, to HMAS in Melbourne, and waterfront precincts across South-East Queensland and Perth. Collectively, these transactions exceed $200 million in property sales, including a significant portion of development opportunities valued at up to $750 million. Q: What is one piece of advice you always give high-net-worth buyers? Focus on the Sydney new developments first. At this level, the reputation and reliability of the team matter as much as the postcode. Choose the best location and views, but your first filter should be the people delivering the project. If you trust the team and the product, act early and buy with confidence.