M Group
Good Match for Apartment Investors
As Perth’s population continues to increase, an emerging culture of apartment dwellers are opting to avoid the urban sprawl and take up residence in well-located and lifestyle-centric environments that support the notion of building up rather than out.
While this market shift is spurring property buyers to secure a good apartment investment, one of Perth’s most respected boutique apartment developers says buyers should be discerning with their choices, as all apartments do not represent the same investment outcome.
Mr Lloyd Clark from M/Group, the parent company of boutique apartment developer Match, believes boutique and distinctive developments will always attract a premium.
“Well-located apartment projects comprising of 30-40 residences with an abundance of amenity at the doorstep will always have more appeal than large-scale ‘cookie-cutter’ environments. It is resonant of the new of owner-occupiers that include downsizers and young professional couples and don’t want to compromise their lifestyle by moving out to the large land estates in the ‘burbs’,” he said.
“These people want to live in signature spaces and developers such as Match have been actively stepping up in terms of design to ensure maximum appeal and enduring returns of investment.”
Match rose in prominence some 15 years ago by successfully undertaking a series of high profile heritage renewal projects and giving new life to some of Perth’s most beautiful and historic buildings.
The company is currently behind the restoration of the famous Dalgety Woolstores in Fremantle, named Heirloom, and has introduced a range of distinctively designed apartment projects to the market located in various locations around Perth’s suburbs.
“We have built our business on identifying strategic sites in well located environments and then designing signature properties that take cues from the environment and the market,” Mr Clark continues.
“We have introduced beautiful product in areas such as Mount Lawley, Guildford, Leederville, Fremantle, Como, Port Coogee and Subiaco with a view of enhancing the streetscape and contributing to the culture of the areas.”
Match works with some of the city’s most respected Architects and designers, including CCN Architects, David Barr Architects, Oldfield Knott Architects and award-winning Architect Geoffrey Warn of Donaldson & Warn Architects.
As a result of the company’s approach to design and development, its projects maintain a steady flow of enquiries through all market conditions.
“The market is most definitely in a state of divide; on one side there are a number of large-scale apartment projects, many of which are backed by first-time developers looking to maximise land availability and density opportunities. People are correct in being concerned about value proposition of these projects. Many of them will struggle to achieve the required pre sales and,
therefore, will not go ahead,” Mr Clark adds.
“Match sits on the other side of the fence. We have stayed true to our grass roots and focused on unique and well-located sites for boutique projects. Developments like ours will continue to attract strong buyer interest. Where large-scale projects are currently in limbo, we have commenced construction of a number of new apartment projects and in the process of releasing more.
For more information about Match apartments visit www.itsamatch.com.au.
James Collis to Spearhead Asset Investments for M/Group
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M Group
James Collis to Spearhead Asset Investments for M/Group
Highly reputed property acquisition specialist, Mr James Collis, has joined M/Group as director of its income funds business with a sole focus on increasing the company’s income asset capacity.
Mr Collis will target the acquisition of strategic high quality properties, in all markets including retail, commercial and industrial, with strong revenue streams and blue chip tenants. His work will boost M/Group’s existing investment portfolio of property development and land funds and broaden the company’s investment base across an extended range of product.
Mr Collis believes the company’s latest investment focus will create a niche proposition in the Western Australian investment market.
“There are some really good quality properties on the market at the moment and, at the same time, people are looking to invest in secure, income producing assets,” he said.
“M/Group is targeting assets Australia-wide with a value proposition of around $10million to $30million. These tenanted assets provide investment opportunities for small to moderate-level investors, providing access to a low-risk investment class usually reserved for large-scale transactions.”
M/Group intend to utilise its retail funds management license to allow these new opportunities to be available to a broader market who may not traditionally have access to this investment class. The company’s asset funds will target annual returns of circa 8% with a minimum investment requirement from $10,000.
M/Group initially entered the asset funds market in 2013 with the acquisition of the strategically located Officeworks building in Bunbury. The asset incorporated a blue-chip tenant, long lease and high forecast returns. The fund was fully subscribed within just weeks of its release
The appointment of Mr Collis follows a succession of oversubscribed investment funds managed by the company, including development product in Leederville, Como and Fremantle.
M/Group Managing Director, Mr Lloyd Clark, said Mr Collis’ credentials are strongly aligned to the company’s success in identifying and procuring strategic investment opportunities. He said his appointment supports the company’s continual growth through the introduction of new and highly sought after product.
“Over the last twelve months, M/Group has identified strategic opportunities to support business growth through diversity of opportunities. Last year we introduced a land development division led by John Wroth, and our property management and construction companies continue to build momentum,” Mr Clark said.
“James’ background and experience represents an excellent fit for M/Group’s development as a vertically integrated business. We are extremely pleased to welcome James onto the team.”
Under the direction of Mr Collis, M/Group is currently negotiating the acquisition of some $60million worth of income producing assets with the release of new funds anticipated for later in the year.
For more information on income investment funds please contact James Collis on (08) 9324 3855 or James.Collis@MGroup.com.au
Pushing Boundaries for Sublime Results
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M Group
Pushing Boundaries for Sublime Results
Striking architecture, innovative new building products and a layout initiative that provides more investment flexibility than ever before, combined with an outstanding beach and riverside location that is close to the Perth rail network and less than one kilometre from Fremantle’s café strip. It is not surprising that M/Construction’s most recent apartment building project, Sublime, has received such strong market response.
Sublime is located on Lime Street in North Fremantle. It is inspired by the neighbouring ‘Dingo’ flourmill and creates a bold streetscape statement with vivid red sunscreens, intensified by a neutral colour scheme and modernist industrial feel.
In contrast to the building’s exterior, the interiors are understated with white cabinetry, walls and stone bench tops, against timber-look flooring and extensive glazing. All apartments are fitted with Bosch appliances and Rogerseller tapware.
Developed as a mixed-use complex by M/Construction’s parent company, M/Group, and designed by award-winning Architect, David Barr of David Barr Architect, in collaboration with Oldfield Knott Architects, the building features 12 one and two bedroom apartments with signature high ceilings, large balconies and quality fixtures.
An additional four ground floor studios, which had originally been earmarked for retail/commercial purposes, were recently subject to a landmark decision by the City of Fremantle to enable dual commercial/residential zoning through the introduction of an innovative ‘loose-fit’ installation that easily allows for conversion from a studio apartment to a shop and back, with little intervention.
According to M/Construction Director, Mr Michael Read, the duel function tenancies provide an affordable opportunity for people looking to live, invest or establish businesses in North Fremantle, and is one of many innovations that have been integrated into the construction of the Sublime apartments.
“M/Construction has a policy of new product research and testing. We pride ourselves on being proactive in identifying building efficiencies and offer expertise, material options and logistics, specific to the site,” he said.
“This approach was recently demonstrated with M/Construction’s appointment to construct two new staircases inside Perth Arena, the aim being to seamlessly integrate the new staircases with the existing building fabric and cause minimal disruption to the operation. We conducted a lot of research and identified a new product being used in Europe called “Jesmonite”, which is as strong as concrete but much lighter to enable manual lifting and installation without the need of a crane or use of heavy lifting equipment. The material was tinted to match the surrounding podium blue colour and fabricated off-site in moulds, which meant construction could be coordinated around the busy and changing schedule of international and local events happening every week.
“As a company, we are often called on to complete unique and diverse jobs or projects where attention to detail is paramount. Sublime and the Perth Arena staircases are certainly two of these projects.”
M/Construction was established in 2010 to specifically support a notable increase in demand for genuine design-construction integration and property customisation. It is part of the successful Perth property group, M/Group, which was born in the boutique apartment market and has since evolved into a highly effective vertically integrated organisation that maximises in-house expertise to effectively identify, procure, construct and market development opportunities.
M/Construction independently built repute through the completion of third party construction contracts before being engaged to undertake projects internally.
Today, all companies operating within the Group infrastructure intrinsically provide benefit to each other through input, experience and insights shared between company associates. Like its parent company, M/Construction is steered by design detail, quality and project control.
This focus has significantly contributed to M/Construction’s success, enabling it to stand out in the competitive building environment and tackle unusual projects, such as Sublime.
“Sublime features a unique mansard roof. This style of roofing is rare in Perth and required meticulous setting out, which impacted on joining trades and timelines. The project also used an Eastern States cladding material called “Maxline 340” that required specialised trades and made-to-order materials,” Mr Read continued.
“The building process required perseverance, long lead times and diligent coordination, but the outcome is impressive and the results speak for themselves.”
The sales success of Sublime has been unparalleled, with over 80% of the one and two bedroom apartments selling prior to completion, and strong interest for the four studios, yet to be released.
The Sublime boutique apartment project is valued at approximately $4million, and was completed on time and to budget.
This outcome is consistent with M/Construction’s experience in the apartment building market. The company works predominantly on mid size mixed-use multi-residential apartment projects ranging between $4million to $15million.
“Creating distinction in the competitive building sector is not easy. However, we are really proud of our capacity to look outside the square and work closely with our clients during the early stages of development to achieve excellent results,” Mr Read said.
“We have a great reputation in achieving quality building outcomes, and our growing portfolio of work supports our credentials. We were the recipients of the 2015 Master Builder Excellence in Construction Award for Best New Builder, and our success is further evidenced by the number of repeat clients who continue to entrust us with developments throughout Western Australia, and we always welcome the opportunity to be involved in new and interesting projects that set new benchmarks in design and construction.”
Sublime one and two-bedroom apartment are priced from $499,000, with the dual use studios scheduled for released at prices starting from $375,000.
For more information on purchasing one of these apartments please call 0432 660 066 or email info@itsamatch.com.au
Sublime Innovation Converts Retail to Studio
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M Group
Sublime Innovation Converts Retail to Studio
In a landmark decision by the City of Fremantle, a design innovation introduced by boutique property company, Match, will enable four street frontage studio apartments to be used for either residential or retail/commercial purposes within the recently completed Sublime apartment complex.
Sublime is a mixed-use concept development located on Lime Street in the heart of North Fremantle. It is walking distance to the North Fremantle train station, Leighton Beach and Swan River, as well as metres from the cliffs of ‘Rocky Bay’.
The development sold over 80% of the one and two bedroom apartments prior to completion just weeks ago, with the four remaining dual-use studios held back from the market pending approval from the City of Fremantle.
Mr Lloyd Clark, Managing Director of Match parent company, M/Group, said the City’s approval of this new zoning is significant, and will provide property owners with the flexibility to follow property market trends or lifestyle preferences.
“The decision to allow for dual usage in the Sublime studio apartments is a planning first and will introduce a level of investment security that has never been possible before,” Mr Clark said.
“This opportunity has only been achieved by the introduction of an innovative ‘loose fit’ design installation that can easily allow for conversion from a studio apartment to a shop and back with little intervention. It is of enormous significance to investors or first home-buyers looking to live in a prime location with future prospects.”
Sublime is designed by award-winning Architect, David Barr of David Barr Architect, in collaboration with Oldfield Knott Architects. The structure creates a striking streetscape statement with oversized balconies and vivid red sunscreens, intensified against a neutral colour scheme. The building takes on a modernist industrial feel, with a colour palette inspired by the neighbouring ‘Dingo’ flourmill.
Internally, the studio apartments are understated with clean white interiors, cabinetry, walls and stone bench tops. All apartments are fitted with Bosch appliances and Rogerseller tapware
Architect David Barr believes the duel function tenancies provide an affordable opportunity for people looking to live, invest or establish businesses in North Fremantle.
“The studios are designed to deal with the constraints of a modest scale, through the use of borrowed internal space for cooking, living and outdoor entertaining. Two large translucent sliding screens are strategically placed to open up and incorporate the courtyard space providing an expanded sense and function of space. When closed, the screens provide privacy and light within the living room. Each apartment also contains cleverly located storage that functions as both storage and division of space between bedroom and living zone. The units are unique and very efficient,” he said
“The studios are incredibly well located in North Fremantle, 200m from the river, 300m from the Indian Ocean, 400m to the Fremantle / Perth train line and less than one kilometre to the North Fremantle strip.”
The Sublime studio apartments are sized at 55sq.m and with the capacity for disability compliance bathrooms that support residential or commercial usage such as shops, cafes or offices.
They are attractively priced from $375,000 and scheduled for release in late February.
For more information or to submit an Expression of Interest prior to release, contact us on 0432 660 066 or info@itsamatch.com.au
M/Land Announced as Part of Company Expansion
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M Group
M/Land Announced as Part of Company Expansion
M/Group (formerly Match) has taken another strategic step towards further diversifying its property company portfolio with the introduction of a land development company, M/Land.
M/Land will focus on identifying and developing boutique infill and green field sites throughout Perth. It is being led by former Port Bouvard Limited chief executive, Mr Johnno Wroth as Director, who brings a background of development approval and delivery across a diverse range of projects.
Mr Wroth says M/Group shares his philosophy of looking outside the square to meet the market and maximise the potential of development sites of various scales and sizes.
“Smaller sites tend to be ignored or don’t receive a great deal of development attention. M/Land, however, see these sites as opportunities to take a less conventional approach to development and offer greater innovation and amenity, effectively filling the gap between an apartment and traditional home site,” he said.
“Together with the Government’s support for greater infill density and long-term population forecasts, strategic opportunities for small lot infill subdivisions and group housing sites now exist, which is great news for landowners looking to reinvest in their property or capitalise on land assets.”
M/Land’s goal is to create environments that reflect the design-inspired features synonymous with sister apartment development company, Match. It is currently working on a pipeline of some 250 lots with an end value of around $60 million and will also offer development management services and joint venture opportunities.
M/Group Managing Director, Mr Lloyd Clark, said the introduction of M/Land forms part of the company’s ongoing growth strategy and reflects an organic expansion that has taken place over 15 years. He believes the new land opportunities are likely to attract the attention of land buyers and investors alike.
“M/Group’s business model has always been sound and measured. It has supported consistent growth for over a decade and the company is currently inviting investors to invest in land development funds with targeted investment annual returns of between 18% and 25%,” he said.
“M/Group is also exploring the prospect of growing its capital base and shifting its fund raising focus from project level to building increased corporate capital.”
M/Group comprises of five operating business units, including established boutique apartment developer, Match, real estate and property management services, M/Property, construction firm, M/Construction, finance broking company, M/Finance and M/Land.
M/Land is forecast to launch its land development projects in 2016.
For more information visit www.mlandestates.com.au
Heirloom Statement
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M Group
Heirloom Statement
Comments by Managing Director of M/Group, Lloyd Clark
How are sales progressing at Heirloom?
Heirloom exceeded rigorous sales targets earlier in the year with over 70% of apartments selling ‘Off-the-plan’ prior to the commencement of construction.
People have been really excited about the potential of owning an apartment with unique heritage features that cannot be duplicated, add to that being located in the heart of Fremantle, sales have been unsurprisingly high ever since.
Currently, almost all of the project’s standard one and two bedroom apartments have sold out, and we are now promoting specialty product that we have just released, such as our lofts warehouse apartments with views across the Fremantle Harbour and ocean or into the light-filled atrium with saw tooth roof structure.
How does Heirloom offer buyers coastal living?
It simply doesn’t get more ‘coastal’ than Fremantle! Heirloom is located along the gateway of the City of Fremantle and on its most important Port. Life at Heirloom will give people extraordinary access to the Swan River, Fremantle Marina, not to mention some of Perth’s most beautiful beaches and beach reserves.
Throw in a bit of Fremantle urban character with its nightlife, cafes and restaurants, and you have one fantastic coastal living proposition.
Starting Prices?
We currently have a limited supply of one and two-bedroom apartments starting from $495,000 and $695,000 respectively. However, the Heirloom lofts, which are sized between 60sq.m and 130sq.m, range in price from $525,000.
Only a 10% deposit is required on purchase, with the balance due on completion of the apartment.
Expected completion date?
Heritage renewals are not like every build, they require a great deal of attention-to-detail and expertise. When construction commenced on Heirloom in July of this year, Match’s extensive experience in heritage renewal projects led us to the appointment of reputed national top-tier Construction Company, Built, to oversee the building process.
It’s so great to see all the scaffolding around the old warehouse and signature design pieces, such as the light-filled atrium, starting to come to life. We anticipate completion of the project in late 2016.
Number of apartments, configuration, design features, inclusions etc.
The Dalgety Woolstores provided an enormous space to house the diverse range of Heirloom apartments. The vast range of apartment designs stretch across an enormous space.
Within the mix, there are only 27 Loft apartments left, which comprise of top-floor split-level spaces with harbour and ocean views from the building’s harbourside.
The apartments have been designed to incorporate a blank canvas set against a backdrop of heritage features, with abundant natural light and high ceilings that stretch to 5.8metres high.
There is a raw character and ample space that could easily accommodate any decoration style and preference.
Lofts comprise a mix of two-bedroom, two-bathroom with mezzanine lofts and two-bedroom, two bathroom, study with mezzanine lofts.
Original heritage features include exposed brickwork, century old wooden beams and warehouse-style framed windows.