From rooftop-picked greens to chef-driven classics, Newstead’s newest lunch ritual is here just in time for spring.

Long lunches and Newstead are a natural pairing, and Evra is setting the scene with the launch of its brand-new lunch menu. Just in time for spring, the offering brings together executive chef Kelvin Andrews’ seasonal philosophy, a rooftop farm that supplies greens and herbs daily, and trusted producers from across the country.

On the menu you’ll find dishes that balance elegance with ease — think smoked salmon crumpet with dill and crème fraîche on a buckwheat base, vitello tonnato with thinly sliced veal and house-made tuna sauce, and the always-classic steak frites with peppercorn sauce. Seafood lovers can dive into spanner crab pasta with XO butter, or the delicate Abrolhos Island scallop Rockefeller, while those after something heartier might be tempted by roasted lamb cutlets with red pepper caponata.

It’s a menu designed for long afternoons that stretch into early evenings, made to share or savour solo, always with a glass of wine in hand. Lunch is served Thursday through Sunday from 12noon — the perfect excuse to gather your people, settle in, and enjoy Newstead’s newest midday ritual.

Book your table here.

Across Australia’s premium suburbs, a sophisticated demographic shift is reshaping the luxury property landscape. Empty-nesters with substantial equity built over decades are increasingly looking to transition from large family homes to thoughtfully designed apartments—and developers are taking notice.

This “rightsizing” movement represents one of the most compelling trends in today’s property market, driven by affluent buyers who refuse to compromise on quality while seeking more manageable, functional living spaces.

“There’s a growing recognition that this market demands a very specific type of high-quality product,” explains Richard Temlett, national executive director of research at property advisors Charter Keck Cramer, who has been analyzing this emerging segment. “We’re seeing a fundamental shift in what luxury apartment living means.”

The numbers reflect this evolution. In Sydney’s most coveted locations, premium apartments with harbour and bridge views are achieving up to $100,000 per square metre, while Brisbane’s river and CBD-facing properties command around $50,000 per square metre. These price points signal a market that values quality, location, and design sophistication above all else.

What’s particularly interesting is how these buyers approach space differently than traditional apartment purchasers. Rather than simply wanting smaller homes, they’re seeking more intelligent design—spaces that work harder and live better.

“Empty-nesters don’t necessarily want smaller floorplates,” Temlett observes. “They want liveable, more functional, well-designed space.” This translates to two, three, or four-bedroom configurations with flexible secondary living areas, quality entertainment spaces, and the kind of views and outlooks that enhance daily life.

This demographic brings unique characteristics to the market. Largely unaffected by interest rate fluctuations, these cash buyers represent a stable, premium segment with exacting standards. They’ve built substantial wealth over time and are willing to invest significantly in properties that deliver on both lifestyle and long-term value.

Their expectations extend beyond square meterage to encompass superior fixtures, fittings, and finishes. They gravitate toward developers with proven track records and established reputations, viewing their apartment purchase as both a lifestyle choice and a reflection of personal taste.

Projects like Luminare Newstead and it’s House-Sized Sub-Penthouse which is currently for sale, exemplify this evolution, offering four bedrooms, uninterrupted river views, and wellness-focused rooftop amenities. Currently accepting best offers through September 22nd, the development by Cavcorp demonstrates how builders are adapting to meet this discerning market.

“Buyers in the top end of the market have an astute appreciation for the rarity of locations like Newstead, which has continued to drive demand for product in this area that meets their needs,” notes sales agent Ari Shahbazifar.

The recent launch of a $5 million penthouse in the award-winning LeBain building further illustrates this trend. The four-bedroom, three-car space penthouse features river and city views, plus a rooftop equipped with sauna, magnesium spas, and Technogym fitness center—amenities that speak to a more holistic approach to luxury living.

While building costs have increased substantially—rising 30 to 50 percent since the pandemic—this segment has proven resilient. The intersection of supply constraints and strong demand has created opportunities for developments that truly understand what these buyers value.

“They’re a very discerning market with an increasing awareness of the importance of design quality,” Shahbazifar explains. “There’s more pressure on what’s available, which means developers who get it right are seeing strong response.”

This rightsizing trend represents more than a temporary market shift—it signals a fundamental evolution in how affluent Australians approach their living arrangements. The focus has moved beyond simply accumulating space to curating experiences and prioritizing lifestyle enhancement.

For developers, this presents both opportunity and challenge. The market exists, the buyers are qualified, and the appetite for quality product is strong. Success lies in understanding that these purchasers aren’t just downsizing—they’re upgrading to a more intentional way of living.

As this segment continues to mature, expect to see more developments designed specifically around the needs of sophisticated empty-nesters who refuse to compromise on quality while embracing a more streamlined lifestyle. The luxury apartment market is evolving, and the rightsizers are leading the way.

For the next three weeks, Brisbane’s riverbanks will be transformed into a vivid playground of colour and form as internationally acclaimed design duo Craig & Karl debut their large-scale installation Walk this Way across three of the city’s landmark bridges.

Stretching across the Neville Bonner Bridge, Goodwill Bridge, and the brand-new Kangaroo Point Green Bridge, the project sees giant inflatable arches and bold graphics animate the everyday, inviting passers-by to walk through, linger, and see the city in a new light. The installation is part of this year’s Brisbane Festival, which runs until September 27.

A Homecoming of Sorts

For Craig Redman and Karl Maier, who grew up in New South Wales and the Gold Coast and first met as students at Griffith University in Brisbane, the project is as much a return as it is a debut. “We developed our design sensibilities in Brisbane,” says Redman. “That bright Australian light, the super high contrast—it’s always been in our work.”

Their collaboration, now nearly three decades strong, has taken them to New York and London, with commissions for global heavyweights like LVMH, Apple, Nike and Google. Their signature: bold, witty, and unabashedly colourful interventions that reimagine public spaces from Seoul to London.

Double Vision

Coinciding with Griffith University’s 50th anniversary, the duo is also presenting Double Vision, an exhibition at the Griffith University Art Museum that traces their creative journey. While not a retrospective, the show reflects on their early experiments while showcasing new work that leans toward immersive installations. “It’s a nod and a thanks to each other,” says Redman of their long-standing partnership.

Reviving Expo 88 Energy

For Walk this Way, childhood memories of World Expo 88 were a guiding influence. “It felt like you were experiencing the whole world in one place,” recalls Maier. That same spirit of wonder runs through their Festival projects—transforming familiar structures into moments of joy and optimism.

As Redman puts it: “Good public art tells the story of a place. It integrates into the city and shifts your mood, even if only for a moment.”

A Festival at Full Stretch

This year’s Brisbane Festival is the most ambitious yet, spanning 23 days, featuring over 2,200 artists, 23 productions, and more than 1,000 performances—nearly half free to the public. Against this backdrop, Craig & Karl’s kaleidoscopic bridges promise to be among the Festival’s most memorable sights: playful, bold, and distinctly Brisbane.

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