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A shortage of housing, rising demand and the return of investors may well be the start of something significant for Greater Sydney’s apartment market—a new development cycle, one unlike any the city has experienced before.
With supply pipelines squeezed, interest rates steadying and affordability pushing buyers towards medium and high-density housing, the question being asked is whether Sydney is about to enter a residential supercycle.
That’s the topic of discussion for a panel of seasoned operators at The Urban Developer’s Greater Sydney Residential Developer Summit, taking place in Sydney on May 14.
Few names carry more weight in apartment development circles than Justin Brown. Over three decades, he’s helped shape the off-the-plan sales landscape in Australia—first with Colliers International’s residential arm, and later as co-founder of CBRE Residential, where he worked alongside David Milton to build a trans-Asia-Pacific powerhouse in project marketing.
These days, Brown’s focus is on Abadeen, the development firm he founded that has delivered more than $3.5 billion in residential projects. With a background that bridges site acquisition, design and delivery, Brown is well-placed to assess how developers can respond to market momentum—and where the real opportunities lie.
Allen Sammut’s name is synonymous with high-end apartment living. What started as an apprenticeship under his father at Sammut Homes has grown into one of the country’s most awarded private development businesses.
Today, the Sammut Group boasts more than 40 industry awards and a reputation for luxury apartments that are as much about detail as they are about design. From Cronulla to the Gold Coast, the family-run business has grown its footprint, and Allen takes a hands-on role for every project. His take on the evolution of buyer expectations—and what’s driving the top end of the market—is grounded in decades of delivery.
Tim Spencer is responsible for some of the country’s most ambitious masterplanned communities. From Norwest Business Park in Sydney to Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast, Spencer’s role at Mulpha has been to bring big-picture thinking to precinct development.
With a focus on placemaking, biodiversity and long-term value creation, Spencer is a vocal advocate for precinct-scale planning as the antidote to fragmented housing delivery. As pressures mount to deliver more homes in well-serviced locations, his insights on integrated development, regeneration and creating community will be critical.
Having led project sales for some of London’s most iconic residential developments—including Battersea Power Station and Southbank Place—Freya Watson brings a global perspective to off-the-plan strategy. Now based in Australia, she heads up JLL’s national residential project sales team, working alongside developers to drive sales velocity and optimise project outcomes.
Watson’s understanding of buyer trends—both local and offshore—offers valuable insight into what’s resonating in the market today. Her view on pricing, product positioning and investor sentiment will be particularly timely as developers recalibrate sales campaigns for a new cycle.
Apartment developers are facing a pivotal moment. The data suggest supply won’t meet demand for years, yet the path to delivering stock has never been more complex.
From planning constraints to changing consumer preferences, market dynamics are shifting—and the operators who adapt first will be best positioned to lead the next wave.
This panel brings together the developers, sales leaders and precinct planners shaping the city’s medium and high-density future. Whether you’re active in apartments or simply watching the cycle turn, this is the session that will unpack what’s next for Sydney’s residential market.
Don’t miss it. May 14. Sydney. The future of apartments is up for debate.
