APRIL 2026 WRAPPED

Welcome to the latest edition of Spyre’s monthly wrap up, where we share our latest news, insights, construction updates and project releases.

MARKET INSIGHTS

The South East Queensland (SEQ) property market continues to demonstrate strong underlying momentum, particularly across Brisbane and the Gold Coast where the premium apartment sector is benefiting from a powerful combination of population growth, lifestyle migration and constrained supply. Population forecasts indicate an additional 2.2 million residents will move into SEQ by 2046, with Brisbane alone expected to absorb more than 460,000 people, reinforcing long-term housing demand. This demographic expansion—largely driven by interstate migration from southern states—has been a key catalyst for sustained price growth and buyer competition. In Brisbane, apartment values have surged in recent years, highlighting strong demand for higher-density living close to amenities, employment hubs and major infrastructure investment, including the lead-up to the 2032 Olympics, which continues to underpin confidence in the medium-term outlook.

At the premium end, both Brisbane and the Gold Coast are experiencing a structural shift toward luxury apartment living, particularly among downsizers, high-income professionals and interstate migrants seeking lifestyle-driven locations. On the Gold Coast, premium apartment prices have reached record levels, supported by persistent undersupply and strong demand for high-quality, well-located product. Over the longer term, values in the luxury segment have seen substantial growth, reflecting the region’s evolution into a nationally recognised lifestyle destination. Forecasts suggest apartments will play a critical role in meeting future housing needs, while ongoing construction constraints are likely to keep supply tight. This imbalance between supply and demand is expected to continue placing upward pressure on prices, particularly in the premium segment where product quality, design and location remain key differentiators.

In contrast, Melbourne’s bayside markets—particularly Hampton and surrounding suburbs—present a more measured but fundamentally strong outlook, characterised by affluence, tightly held stock and long-term capital growth potential. Hampton remains a highly desirable coastal suburb approximately 14km from the CBD, with a demographic profile dominated by established owner-occupiers, professional families and high-income households. While recent price movements have softened slightly in line with broader Melbourne conditions, the area continues to benefit from limited supply, low vacancy rates and long average holding periods, all of which support price resilience over time. This period is increasingly being viewed as one of stabilisation, with improving affordability beginning to attract renewed buyer interest. Collectively, this positions the Hampton and broader bayside market as a compelling long-term proposition, complementing the higher-growth conditions currently evident in South East Queensland.

To gain a deeper understanding of how these market dynamics translate into real opportunities, we invite you to explore the Spyre Portfolio. Our curated collection of projects across South East Queensland and Melbourne’s bayside reflects a considered approach to location, design and long-term value—aligned with the evolving expectations of today’s premium buyer.

To find out what's next for SPYRE in 2026, be sure to register your interest HERE to receive our pre-release information.

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Last month, we celebrated an unforgettable evening at Arc, welcoming purchasers and investors through the newly unveiled City Display Residence. It was a pleasure to celebrate this exciting milestone alongside our extended project team and future residents, all coming together ahead of Arc’s completion later this year. A huge thank you to everyone who has played a part in bringing this landmark riverfront address to life. We can’t wait to deliver an architectural icon to Brisbane’s riverfront in a few months time.

ARC has a limited final release of residences now available for private inspection. To find out more about the few remaining opportunities, register your interest HERE.

IN THE PRESS

NATURE BASED CITIES

Spyre’s Watts & Wright development has become the first project in Queensland to achieve exemplary accreditation under the Nature-Based Cities (NBC) framework. For Spyre, however, the milestone is less about chasing certification and more about formalising an approach already embedded within its design philosophy, according to Spyre design director Kent Pinel.

“We’re incredibly proud that Watts & Wright is Queensland’s first project to achieve exemplary accreditation,” Pinel said.

“For us, though, this wasn’t a pivot; it was a natural extension of how we already design.” Pinel said the principles underpinning Nature-Based Cities—connection to landscape, purposeful design and a focus on liveability—closely aligned with the developer’s long-held ethos. “We believe that architecture should elevate everyday life and that connection to nature is fundamental to that,” he said. “This thinking is embedded from day one through the selection of design partners, the way we brief and how we rigorously challenge and refine design outcomes. NBC simply provides a framework that validates and sharpens what we already hold as good, responsible design practice.”

REFINEMENT NOT REINVENTION

While sustainability frameworks can sometimes be perceived as complex or burdensome, Pinel said the Nature-Based Cities process was structured and constructive. “The process itself is structured, but importantly, it’s not prohibitive,” he said. “Because these principles are already embedded in how we work, the scoring and documentation became a natural extension of the design process rather than an additional burden.” Working alongside an NBC ESD consultant, Spyre’s internal team mapped the project against the scorecard, creating what Pinel described as a valuable feedback loop. “What was particularly valuable was identifying areas where we could push further, even within an already high-performing scheme,” he said. “It became a genuinely productive exercise for the team—not just validation, but refinement. It sharpened our thinking and will continue to inform how we approach future projects.”

DESIGNING FOR EXPERIENCE

Central to the Watts & Wright design approach was a prioritisation of living quality over maximum yield—a position Pinel said allowed the team to fully engage with frameworks like NBC without compromise. “At Spyre, we prioritise the quality of the apartment and the living experience over pure yield,” he said. “The accreditation reinforced decisions around deeper landscape integration, more considered materiality and a built form that responds to climate and environment in a meaningful way. “These are not add-ons—they’re fundamental to how the building performs and feels.” Rather than viewing sustainability measures as trade-offs, Pinel said they contributed to a more resolved and liveable outcome. “The value is realised in the experience of the resident, not just the efficiency of the plan,” he said.

Future residents of one of the Brisbane River’s most prestige apartment buildings are now able to walk through a preview of their new boutique homes. A fully built preview of a unit in ARC Residences Toowong has been finished by developer Spyre Group, revealed over the weekend after a special early preview for purchasers. Until now, buyers had only been working with off-the-plan renders of the future project, which is now near the end of its construction.

Only seven homes are left for purchase across the 24-unit tower, with interested parties now able to book an appointment to see what the homes will be like for themselves. Spyre founder Daniel Laruccia said this represented an important milestone for the project: offering potential buyers an example of their work’s quality, at a time of high demand for boutique inner-city homes. “This is the moment ARC shifts from concept to reality,” he said. “Buyers can now walk through the space and properly understand the quality, scale and level of detail that has gone into every residence.

“With construction well advanced and only a limited number of residences remaining, we expect strong interest as buyers look to secure a position in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held new riverfront developments ahead of completion.”

Constructed by Graya, designed by Bureau^Proberts and with landscape architecture by CUSP, ARC’s absolute riverfront position offers views from St Lucia to South Brisbane; with a facade made to curve with and reflect the nearby water. Only one ‘St Lucia’ residence remains at $6m, with five three-bedroom ‘City’ units for sale at prices above $8.5m. The final property yet to go for sale is the penthouse residence. While it has yet to go on the market, it is understood to sell for an estimate of more than $20m.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

MORAY HOUSE

Construction at Moray House is advancing steadily across all levels, with final stages of fit-off and finishes now well underway. Level 1 has reached completion of lighting and services final fit-off, with appliances and tapware installed and currently being tested, while Level 2 is progressing through similar final service installations.

On Level 3, services, painting, and carpentry works continue, with scaffolding now removed and façade planter systems filled, revealing the building’s emerging character. Levels 4 and 5 are focused on internal finishes, including final stone installation and ongoing services fit-off, alongside the continued fit-out of the wellness room and steam facilities.

Level 6 is nearing completion of services, including mechanical condenser installation and building commissioning, with glazing subsills in place and sliding doors soon to follow. Rooftop works are also progressing, with softscaping, screening, and services installations well underway. Across the site, car lift installation continues, façade screening is being completed, and scaffold removal, patching, and painting works are further enhancing the building’s presentation.

HAMPTON LTD

Works are progressing steadily across Buildings A and C. In Building A, waterproofing and tiling have commenced in the wet areas, wall and ceiling insulation have now been completed, and plaster installation is underway throughout.

In Building C, structural steel is being installed to support upcoming window installations, with windows now beginning to be fitted across the ground and first floors. Acoustic insulation has been installed within the intertenancy walls, while intertenancy fire-rated plaster is also currently in progress.

ARC RESIDENCES

Finishing works are progressing well across the building. The ground floor lobby painting is nearing completion, while Level 4 final client defect works are close to being finalised. Inspections of minor defects are currently underway on Levels 5 and 6.

Level 7 is receiving its final finishing touches, with carpet installation now commenced on Levels 8 and 9. Tile installation has begun on Level 10, and on the Private Roof Terrace, pool tiling is nearly complete.

WATTS & WRIGHT

Construction at Watts & Wright continues to progress with strong momentum, marked by the successful pour of the ground floor slab, a significant milestone for the project. The vehicle entry ramp to the basement has now been completed, while preparations for crane erection are underway. Vertical construction has commenced up to Level 2, supported by the installation of perimeter scaffolding, and staged decommissioning of the de-watering system has begun as the site advances above ground.

ECHO BY SPYRE

Construction at Tugun continues to progress, with piling works now complete. The project will now transition into the next phase, with bulk earthworks set to commence across the site. At the same time, additional site sheds will begin arriving as the team further establishes its onsite operations and presence.