Sky Garden is the recently completed residential complex located above The Glen shopping centre in Melbourne&#39;s Glen Waverley.

Golden Age wanted Rothelowman to create three distinctive buildings of three different characters, based of five natural elements.

Urban recently sat down with Rudy Darmawan, senior associate at Rothelowman, to discuss the project.

JR: What was the design brief for Sky Garden?

RD: The proposed development will be a key landmark for The Glen shopping centre and the greater Glen Waverley precinct.

A designated principal activity centre, Glen Waverley has the infrastructure and amenities necessary to support significant development in line with the planning objectives of the City of Monash.

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The proposed development is envisioned as a home for owner-occupiers attracted to the unique opportunities and lifestyle to be found in a vibrant, growing Glen Waverley.

JR: Was there a previous project in particular you took design inspiration from?

RD: The highly contextual response takes design cues from its surrounds.

The urban forms respond to their immediate surrounds, adjacent buildings and contextual boundaries through controlled urban gestures, setbacks and interfaces.

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The architecture is clean, contemporary, reflective and vibrant. Each tower draws inspiration from one of three natural elements: Gold, water and fire. The organic composition generates a calm, restrained outcome that contrasts with the varied,active landscapes and streetscapes of the surrounding precinct.

JR: What was the biggest challenge when conceiving the design of the building?

RD: The complex interfacing with the existing active shopping centre, and the compressed programme.

JR: What part of the project were you most looking forward to seeing when the development was completed?

RD: We believe the future evolution of our cities will see developers further embrace the untapped potential of projects like Sky Garden that integrate retail and entertainment precincts.

It means people can shop and be entertained right below their apartment. To live above projects, like The New Glen Shopping Centre, is an opportunity that very few people will come across in the short term.

From a design perspective, these are interesting developments. There is a lot of complexity in the design as the servicing, access and exits of various uses need to be separated. The success of this kind of project is contingent on the quality of the design and the convenience and value it offers. Consumers will make their choice based on these attributes.

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The collection of buildings is visually elevated above The New Glen Shopping Centre and is architecturally designed to be collegial, yet each possessing its distinct character; similarly detailed and distinguished by fluid forms, modulation and colours.

Each building has been expressed as a sculptural form that has evolved and been contextualised to hold a symbiotic relationship with the movement of the podium forms, context and greater retail precinct. This consideration extends to each of the ground floor entry lobbies, the design of which relates to the curvature and materiality of each corresponding tower.

The sculptural shapes of the buildings are designed to be appreciated when seen up close as well as from a distance. Their colours have been inspired by the changing hues of the sky.

The colours respond to the skyline, the sun rising in the Dandenongs to the east to the sun setting to the city in the west. The eastern-most tower is a burnished bronze, the western-most tower is a sunset blush and the central tower is an indigo blue, picking up on the sky during the day.

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The proposed development is envisioned as a home for owner-occupiers attracted to the unique opportunities and lifestyle to be found in a vibrant, growing Glen Waverley.



Joel Robinson

The design details: How Rothelowman designed Glen Waverley's Sky Garden

Sky Garden is the completed Glen Waverley residential complex developed by Golden Age Group.

Spanning&nbsp;three towers designed by the regarded architecture firm Rothelowman, Sky Garden sits above the new and improved $430 million redevelopment of&nbsp;The Glen shopping centre.

The communal showpiece is the aptly named sky garden. Located above the podium levels linking each tower, the sky garden features&nbsp;a bar,&nbsp;kitchen and private dining spaces,, veggie gardens, a kids playground and large lawns with water features.

Urban recently sat down with Golden Age&#39;s sales and marketing director Dandan Zhao&nbsp;to discuss the project.

Why did you choose to acquire the residential element of The Glen from Vicinity?

Sky Garden is a landmark and unpreceded feat of a project we are incredibly proud of. At Golden Age, we are always looking for new ways to do things and we saw an opportunity to partner with Vicinity Centres to deliver a residential component to an existing shopping precinct in a way that has never been done before in Australia, making this project the first of its kind.

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Developing within air rights was a fairly new phenomenon within Australia when we launched Sky Garden in 2018 but its location ticked all the boxes. For all stakeholders involved, including Vicinity, it was an incredibly ambitious project with a combined value close to $1 billion but it has paid off in spades.

Did you keep the same architecture plans? If not - what was the design brief for Rothelowman?&nbsp; (If so - what did you like about the plans?)

When we bought the air rights site from Vicinity, the development contained three towers (A/B/C). Originally, Towers A &amp; B were conjoined in an elbow shape almost reading as a large L-shaped building.

We briefed Rothelowman to create three distinctive buildings of three different characters based on the five natural elements. This created separation between the buildings so that they architecturally stood on their own with three different glazing colours.

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Both the indoor and outdoor common area amenities were also redesigned to suit our vision for Sky Garden and the garden itself was completely overhauled taking on numerous iterations. We also replanned the apartments so that they catered to the size and layout that our target market prefers, taking experience from our past projects including Sky One.

<a href="/news/vic/the-design-details-how-rothelowman-designed-glen-waverleys-sky-garden">Read more: How Rothelowman designed Sky Garden</a>

What were the key features you wanted to achieve in the development? 

It is a unique project as it is the first time an air-rights transfer above a shopping mall has allowed for a development of such scale within Australia - it&rsquo;s also reflective of a growing trend towards the Asian &lsquo;apartments above mall&rsquo; model.

Designed in collaboration with multi-award winning architect Rothelowman, interiors by DKO Architecture, and featuring landscaping by Aspect Studios, Sky Garden originally launched to market with 555 one, two and three-bedroom spacious residences across three towers. The number of residences has since dwindled to 536 apartments due to demand from downsizers seeking larger floor plans, leading to a number of amalgamations.

Residents have access to a 4,000 square metre outdoor podium garden complete with a relaxation zone, entertainment lounges, BBQs, vegetable gardens, a designated children&rsquo;s play area and outdoor fitness areas.

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Other amenities include a luxurious pool, a two-storey fully equipped gym, private dining rooms with BBQ in the terrace which can be booked for private functions, a private cinema, two gaming rooms and a library, alongside more than 240 speciality retail stores and a fresh food market hall situated in The Glen below.

Where have buyers come from, and who is the development appealing to?

The majority of buyers come from local suburbs, particularly the South Eastern suburbs that are within 10 km of the project.

We&rsquo;ve had buyers who are local and want to be within walking distance to Glen Waverley Secondary College or Glen Waverley Primary, including families and grandparents, as well as downsizers who like the convenience of living atop a world-class shopping centre and don&rsquo;t want to sacrifice their lifestyle by moving into a small and standalone apartment.

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Then we have professionals who either work nearby or work in the city and are attracted to the connectivity of the project - it has been a true assortment of buyers which is expected given the nature of this project, it quite literally caters to all buyer demographics.

In many cases, families and friends have bought together. There are also people who bought for their parents to downsize, or for children as their first home. Many investors purchased with the idea that this could be their future retirement option or holiday home.

Numerous investors have selected Sky Garden over other projects because they believed its location, amenities and quality would guarantee appreciation overtime.

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Sky Garden is the completed Glen Waverley residential complex developed by Golden Age Group

Everything a buyer needs to know about Sky Garden in Glen Waverley: Five minutes with Golden Age Group

Sixth Ave is the latest Bayside development by the Aultun Group, who pride themselves on identifying development sites close to desirable amenities.

The 59 townhouse development in the sought-after Chelsea Heights&nbsp;has been designed in keeping with its Bayside location&nbsp;by Point Architects. Led by Edgar Grech, Sixth Ave was the first project in the area.

Urban recently sat down with Point Architects director Edgar Grech to discuss&nbsp;the design details of Sixth Ave.

JR: What was the brief of Sixth Ave from Aultun Group?&nbsp;

EG: To develop an open plan neighbourhood community that has active street presence. It was also important to develop efficient two&nbsp;and three&nbsp;bedroom housing for all cross sections of the community.

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JR: Where did you take your inspiration from?

EG: Our inspiration was taken from a contemporary design approach&nbsp;

JR: What was the biggest challenge when designing Sixth Ave?

EG: Ensuring that the internal amenity had opportunity for substantial landscaping, that every residence had a sense of address and most dwellings provided the opportunity to have a backyard and sense of place.

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JR: What do you think buyers will like most about the design?

EG: The development provides design variety in dwelling sizes and bedroom numbers. It&rsquo;s not a generic one type design in floor plan and facade.&nbsp;

JR: How important was matching the townhouses to fit in with the Bayside suburb?

EG: It fits in form and scale, however, it provides a modern approach.

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JR: How important was it to have sustainability features in the Sixth Ave townhomes?

EG: Sustainability is what we all want. We feel this is not an option but an integral part of the design.

JR: Which part of the project are you most looking forward to seeing when completed?

EG: Apart from the architecture, the openness and ease of movement of the development.

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The 59 townhouse development in the sought-after Chelsea Heights has been designed in keeping with its Bayside location by Point Architects

Point Architects discuss the vision behind Chelsea Heights townhouse development Sixth Ave

Expat buying at the top end of the market are leading the way of the changing market.

That&#39;s the view of Colliers Residential director Peter Kerras, who says across Australian media you could say we have a strong fascination with the Australian housing market &ndash; however it doesn&rsquo;t seem to be the case when he speaks to expats.

&quot;A lot of expats who are living in Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, and London to a lesser degree, have no issue with apartment living, because they&#39;ve been doing it for a number of years,&quot; Kerras says, adding that it&#39;s around 80 per cent of expats now buying at the top level.

Kerras, who has been selling apartments across Sydney for over three decades, says for some time we have seen overseas purchaser numbers reduce.

&quot;Previously across our projects we saw a lot of offshore buyers with many based in China,&quot; Kerras says.

&quot;Currently however we are seeing more expats wanting to return to Australia and are actively buying off-the-plan&rdquo;, Kerras noted.

The current strength has been seen far and wide across Sydney&#39;s main prestige areas, from the&nbsp;Upper&nbsp;North&nbsp;Shore to the likes of Vaucluse and Double Bay in the east.

There were three expat buyers in the&nbsp;Avance&nbsp;developed Merrinda at&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.urban.com.au/developments/kurraba-point-nsw&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1621557175455000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGj5PeMYw8_2JO51pjdtC9Uyy_mfw" href="/developments/kurraba-point-nsw-2089" target="_blank">Kurraba Point</a>, the boutique development of just 14 apartments.

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There&#39;s only one apartment remaining in the boutique block designed by PBD Architects.

Kerras says developments now have to cater for a different need.

&quot;Larger developments with more investor focused apartments were the norm for a time, however now the pendulum has swung the other way and we are seeing the downsizers buying larger units or amalgamating apartments.&quot;

Kerras noted the further driver of the downsizer demographic, who are now getting a lot more for their houses as Sydney house prices continue to reach record highs.

&quot;There aren&#39;t too many options for a house-sized apartment at that top end&quot;, Kerras said. He&#39;s been seeing more amalgamations of apartment in yet to be complete developments.

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Kerras recently sold two amalgamated apartments in The Bond in Bond Junction to an Australian expat doctor living in Hong Kong.

The Koichi Takada-designed development by Capital Corporation will have 80 apartments and a rooftop cinema by its mid-2023 completion.

The expat had initially been seeking a house in Vaucluse, however the additional cost&nbsp;of land tax in the premium harbourside suburb and a weaker rental yield led the buyer to secure two apartments in The Bond.

There&#39;s also been&nbsp;amalgamations at Northview, a boutique project in St&nbsp;Leonards&nbsp;located in Chandos Street&nbsp;which has nearly sold out.

There were only two one bedders, which were bought together and amalgamated to make a 170 sqm apartment. There was another amalgamation, which saw the total number of apartments downgraded from 12 to 10, well before construction even started.

Prices started from $2.25 million and went up to $3.45 million, selling at around $20,000 per sqm.

Kerras says investors are very different from what they used to be.

&quot;The yield of a property was the number one criteria for investors, however that has now completely changed.

&quot;In the prestige area, it&#39;s more about&nbsp;a quality product, from a quality developer with longevity that they can pass on to their&nbsp;children.&quot;

&quot;They&nbsp;are&nbsp;happy to get a yield of around&nbsp;2&nbsp;to 2.25 per cent a year return and put&nbsp;approximately&nbsp;30 to 40 per cent&nbsp;deposit&nbsp;down on the apartment as a safer place to&nbsp;spend&nbsp;their money,&nbsp;as banks in some countries are charging you to keep&nbsp;money in the bank.&quot;

Peter Kerras, who has been selling apartments across Sydney for over three decades, says for some time we have seen overseas purchaser numbers reduce.



Expats pour in to luxury off the plan Sydney apartment market as Merrinda at Kurraba Point nears sell-out

Just 10 days after launching&nbsp;their Surfers Paradise residential tower One Cannes, Marquee Development Partners saw 65 per cent of the apartments snapped up.

There were more than $55 million worth of sales in the week and a half following its end of April launch of its 78 two, three and four bedroom apartments, which only received council sign off three weeks ago.

The development, designed by Plus Architecture between Broadbeach and Surfers, is Marquee&#39;s second successful project along Cannes Avenue following their sellout Cannes Waterfront Living.

The remaining One Cannes apartments, each featuring water views which are showcased&nbsp;through the floor to ceiling glass windows,&nbsp;start from the low $800,000&#39;s, with the four to five bedroom penthouses priced between $2.39 million and $3.5 million.

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Marquee&#39;s sales director Azura Griffen said the majority of buyers have been local downsizers who are looking to sell their large family home, as well as existing apartment owners who are looking to upgrade. 
 
&ldquo;We have had a high number of purchasers who are already accustomed to apartment living, but who are upgrading to One Cannes for its premium location, unrivalled level of luxury interiors and 5-star amenities,&rdquo; Mrs Griffen said. 
 
&ldquo;We are thrilled with the rapid response to One Cannes, and it just goes to show that owner-occupiers have that strong desire for the luxury living amenities &ndash; and it appears we have exceeded their expectations,&rdquo; Griffen added.

&ldquo;It is a fundamental belief of ours that well-considered design improves the way we live.

Marquee are well regarded as creating projects with the onsite amenities at the forefront. One Cannes has been no exception.

The ground floor is home to a riverfront infinity pool surrounded by cabanas and sun lounges, as well as a full-sized gym, sauna, and a yoga and pilates studio, oriented toward the adjoining parklands.

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Marquee drew inspiration from the QANTAS first class lounges for their business lounge, boardroom, private offices and meeting rooms. There are also working offices for solo use. 
 
&ldquo;From the outset we wanted to raise the bar on work-life-balance on the Gold Coast, allowing One Cannes residents to balance work commitments whilst enjoying their coastal lifestyle,&quot; Griffen said. 
 
The One Cannes development marks Marquee&rsquo;s seventh project on the Gold Coast, bringing its total portfolio value of completed and future projects on the Gold Coast to more than $400 million.

For more information from Marquee, visit <a href="https://marqueedp.com.au/">their website here</a>.

&nbsp;

There were more than $55 million worth of sales in the week and a half following its end of April launch

Buyers snap up apartments in Surfers Paradise development One Cannes

First home buyers have been attracted to&nbsp;Sixth Ave, the Aultun Group townhouse development in the heart of Bayside Chelsea Heights south of Melbourne.

Sixth Ave was Urban&#39;s most popular project for first home buyers across Q1 2021, with Aultun Group managing director Bruce Yang previously telling Urban that&nbsp;affordability of the townhouses was just as important as quality.&nbsp;

Designed by Point Architects, prices start from just $599,000 for a two bedroom townhouse.

Urban recently spoke to Brigit King, a first home buyer at Sixth Ave, about why she chose to buy in the development.

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JR: What first drew you to Sixth Ave?

BK: The Bayside living was the biggest drawcard.

JR: How long had you been searching for a property?

BK: I had&nbsp;been looking for over a year now but only seriously for the past couple of months

JR: Were you always looking for a townhouse?

BK: Location is always my first priority

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JR: Which townhouse configuration did you opt for and why?

BK: I went for the two&nbsp;bedroom, two bathroom townhouse. It is what best suits my lifestyle at the moment

[smartcode_project:default project_id=32136 project_image_fid=93831]

JR: What advice would you have for other first home buyers?

BK: Get in the market as soon as you can.

JR: Did you take advantage of any government incentives?

BK: I have the first home buyers grant to help me

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JR: Did you have a set of criteria that your first home had to meet?

BK: Location, minimum 2 bedroom and having an ensuite was high on my wants list

JR: What made you decide to buy off-the-plan rather than an existing dwelling?

BK: The offer was too good to not take. The real-estate market at the moment is booming and the price and location is what sold me.

Sixth Ave was Urban's most popular project for first home buyers across Q1 2021

Why first home buyers are choosing the Chelsea Heights development Sixth Ave

The Gold Coast apartment market is one of the most active in Australia, as much for developers as it has been for buyers.

From planning documents to approvals and sales successes, Urban have wrapped up all the moves&nbsp;across the Gold Coast in April.

FORME lodge plans for luxury Burleigh Heads development

The latest news came from developer FORME, who lodged plans for a second Koichi Takada-designed boutique residential complex in Burleigh Heads at the end of April.

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The 17-level tower of just 30 apartments on the sought after The Esplanade is high-end luxury, with interiors being handled by MIM Design.

For more information on the project, <a href="/news/qld/tower-reveal-burleigh-heads-set-for-new-koichi-takada-apartment-tower-by-forme">click here</a>.

Cala Dei sales launched

Having sold out of all of their stock across their whole portfolio, the South East Queensland developer Spyre Group officially launched sales at Cala Dei in Coolangatta. 
 
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Cala Dei, which will replace the Komune Resort on Marine Parade, will comprise 31 apartments across its 12 levels designed by&nbsp;bureau^proberts. It will sit in landscaping by CUSP.

For more information, <a href="/news/qld/spyre-group-officially-launch-new-coolangatta-tower-cala-dei">click here</a>.

The Lacey Group secure approval for The Monroe at Palm Beach

The Gold Coast-based developer&nbsp;Lacey Group&nbsp;have been given the green light by the City of Gold Coast for its $32 million&nbsp;Palm Beach development&nbsp;The Monroe.

The project of 33&nbsp;apartments and a beach house on the exclusive&nbsp;Jefferson Lane has been designed by&nbsp;Plus Architecture&nbsp;and is located adjacent to the Palm Beach Surf Club. 
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Lacey Group know the area well, having had success on the same street where they sold out The Jefferson, the $32 million development of 46 apartments.

For more information, <a href="/news/qld/lacey-group-secure-approval-for-the-monroe-at-palm-beach">click here</a>.

88 Burleigh sells half its apartments

Allure Property Corporation have secured the sales of over half of their apartments in their&nbsp;boutique apartment development 88 Burleigh within just&nbsp;four weeks of the project launch.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=92609 project_image_fid=157097]

Local and interstate downsizers with an existing connection to Burleigh Heads have been the drivers in the $55 million worth of sales, with the average price point around $2.65 million.

Place Projects agent Bruce Goddard said there were 360 inquiries within the first two weeks of its launch.

For more information, <a href="/news/qld/88-burleigh-sells-half-its-apartments-within-four-weeks-of-launch">click here</a>.

Cru Collective secure Kirra Beach site

The Gold Coast developer&nbsp;CRU Collective&nbsp;is jumping on the hype that has been surrounding&nbsp;Kirra Beach&nbsp;in recent years.

Cru, who sold out their $40 million Siarn&nbsp;Palm Beach development&nbsp;in September last year, have acquired a prime 635 sqm corner site at 2 Musgrave Street, on the corner of Musgrave and Winston Street.

For more information, <a href="/news/qld/cru-collective-secure-kirra-beach-site-for-new-boutique-apartment-tower">click here</a>.

Devine Development Group lodge plans for Alba Residences

The longstanding Queenslander developer Devine Development Group have lodged plans for a $105 million apartment project Alba Residences at North&nbsp;Burleigh.

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Set on the dress circle Esplanade facing the beach, the 21 level tower designed by&nbsp;bureau^proberts&nbsp;will comprise half and full floor residences catering for the top end of the market, with prices starting from $2.25 million.

For more information, <a href="/news/qld/another-apartment-tower-lodged-in-hot-gold-coast-market">click here</a>.

Urban have wrapped up all the moves across the Gold Coast in April

Gold Coast apartment development insights: What happened on the GC in April?

The primarily Melbourne-based developer Auriton are set for their first residential apartment tower in Queensland.

They snapped up a prime 1,095&nbsp;sqm development site at 2932-2934 Gold Coast Highway in late March&nbsp;and have just lodged plans to the City of Gold Coast council for Rivea, an $80 million tower&nbsp;with 108 apartments.

It has been designed by the renowned architecture firm Rothelowman, who are calling the 30-level tower&nbsp;a vertical community.&nbsp;The design incorporates just four apartments per floor for the most part, with 14 sqm balconies located on each corner of the building.

<img alt="" height="685" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/auriton_high_tower_2.jpg" width="1200" />

The layout favours liveability over style, which Rothelowman says is a local approach to coastal living.

The cross ventilated breathable building will feature a mid-rise garden with gym, office space, formal dining room or board room. The ground level, beside the lobby, will be a swimming pool with day beds and outdoor lounge area facing the Nerang River.

Crowning the building will be a 29th level, four bedroom penthouse with its own home office and a multi purpose room.

Auriton are targeting everyone from local buyers to international investors, retirees and holiday home buyers.

Construction is expected&nbsp;to commence in early 2023, with completion slated for mid 2024.

The Design Statement by Rothelowman

2934 Gold Coast Hwy provides an opportunity to craft a unique residential tower development that capitalises on its locality and context. Located at the pinch-point between the Nerang River and the Pacific Ocean the site is afforded a number of quintessentially Gold Coast attributes that the design seeks to enhance and exploit. The &ldquo;east-west&rdquo; focus of the City is a natural consequence of its linearity (the bias of the linear city as opposed to the concentric city). The subject site capitalises on its orientation to enhance this &ldquo;eastwest&rdquo; concept through view focus (mountain range and ocean), site movement linking beach to river and tower form symmetry and arrangement.

<img alt="" height="960" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/auriton_3.jpg" width="760" />

The scheme focuses on enhancing the urban realm in an area somewhat burdened by the intensity of city scaled infrastructure (a highway, light rail overlay etc). It does this by focusing on humanising the ground-plane through a generous and considered street building approach layered in domestically scaled detailing, landscape integration and materiality.

The design offers up an open, permeable and generous forecourt to the street in a manner that seeks to improve the pedestrian experience of the area. This unique (yet modest) approach to contributing to the city at the street level is fundamental to creating a relaxed walkable and &lsquo;people centric&rsquo; development. Combining with the ground the tower form is expressed at the city scale as an elegant, elemental and layered series of facades that favour liveability and domestic performance over random form making. The design seeks to be explicit in its response to the local environment through extended eaves for shading, operability of glazing and the activation and treatment of all facades (a &ldquo;building in the round&rdquo;).

Accents and focus are dedicated to the communal areas of the tower which occur at the ground, centre and crown. These landscaped spaces offer relief in the elevation of the building ensuring visual cues to the subtropical approach of the design. 2934 Gold Coast Hwy provides for a positive, contextually driven, domestic addition to the skyline of Surfers Paradise. A liveable, elegant and confident architecture that favours the local over the generic.&nbsp;

About the developer

Auriton Group&nbsp;is a rising Australian business group covering commercial and residential real estate development, land planning and fund investment and management.

Auriton have three current projects in market in Melbourne, having completed 10 previously, with developments ranging from a townhouse community in Blackburn to the La Trobe St tower The Peak.

In Sydney Auriton developed a 130 apartment development in Beecroft in 2017 and are currently planning a project in Botany.&nbsp;

The primarily Melbourne-based developer Auriton are set for their first residential apartment tower in Queensland.

Tower reveal: Auriton set to make move to Gold Coast market with Rivea tower

The luxury Gold Coast tower Shoreline, to be located between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, will be one of the most striking buildings on the Gold Coast when it is completed in late 2022.

The design of Shoreline&#39;s podium was inspired by the architectural works of the Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto, creating a rhythm reflective of the natural waves of the Gold Coast foreshore.

Urban recently spoke with BDA Architecture&#39;s Patrik Pelikan to discuss the design details of Shoreline.

JR: What was the brief from Marquee for Shoreline?&nbsp;

PP: BDA has established a meaningful&nbsp;relationship with Marquee Development Partners&nbsp;over the last three&nbsp;projects. For past projects, Marquee and BDA have worked together to create a standalone and significant design outcome specific to the location.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22057 project_image_fid=150839]

The brief for Shoreline was to create luxury apartments without compromise, that take full advantage of the panoramic views whilst respecting the unique character of Old Burleigh Road and its Norfolk Pine colonnade.

In an urban context, Marquee&rsquo;s ambition was to activate and embellish the southern laneway to anchor the project within the cultural&nbsp;fabric of the Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise.

JR: What interested you most about the project?

PP: Every design process is a journey of discovery and innovation. In the beginning this meant we focused on the spatial planning of the unit plans. Maximising view lines, whilst adding extra width to the apartments by introducing a modulated party wall.

Within the urban context we wanted to protect the existing Norfolk Pines within the street frontage, whilst breathing&nbsp;new life into the Laneway.

<a href="/developments/gold-coast-qld?source_news_article_id=100300&amp;ref=news_body_link"><img alt="" height="797" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/gc_newest_tile_jpeg_9.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

JR: Where did you take your inspiration from? Did any previous projects/works jump to mind?

PP: We generally start with a blank canvas and explore different strategies during at the concept stage. Shoreline has a presence that makes it quite unique, requiring a very site-specific response.

The laneway allowed us to move the buildings core to the far end of the site, providing the opportunity create apartments uninterrupted by a lift/stairs core.

The same logic has sculptured the facades. By placing all the structural elements into the fa&ccedil;ade skin, the apartments are design free of structural columns.

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Maximising the glass frontages&nbsp;opens the views right up towards the city skyline and the ocean side whilst creating clean lines within the facade. The outcome is a well-ordered, soft and slender tower form that focuses on the experience of the spaces within, looking out.

JR:&nbsp;What was the biggest challenge when designing the development?

PP: The ground floor and the podium were clearly the biggest challenge for the Shoreline project. For one we wanted to preserve one if not both of the Norfolk Pines within our street frontage. These trees are a vital part of the unique character of Old Burleigh Road.

On the other hand, the activation and embellishment of the laneway was not supported by the council as we first anticipated. This however opened a new conversation and direction for the project, resulting in an expansion of the program for the communal facilities and strengthening the street presence of the building.

JR: Which is your favourite part of the project?

PP: We are very excited by the apartment layouts and can&rsquo;t wait to see them take shape.

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In a linear progression, the spaces of the apartments are aligned from inland to beachside. At the end of it, you have arrived in a spacious living room with a bespoke ambience amongst the Gold Coast skyline, looking out across the endless Pacific Ocean.

Interestingly however, within the discourse around the street address, we have created this moment where you exit the ground floor street lobby. The screens enclosing this double storey space evoke the moment when you first step out from the filtered views of the vegetation canopy fringe onto the sun-soaked shoreline with its sparkling waves and pristine sands of the Gold Coast beaches. This is one element that everyone living in or visiting Shoreline will experience.

JR: How important were the amenities to the overall development of the project?

PP: Marquee Development Partners is one client&nbsp;that does not compromise on the amenities in their projects. Shoreline residents will have access to the top floor with its amenities including a residents rooftop bar and lounge,&nbsp;a gym and wellness area including sauna and outdoor deck, overlooking the beaches and the Gold Coast skyline.

A north-west facing pool area on level four, with incorporated screen planting will provide a secluded and shaded area to relax and enjoy the coastal breezes whilst having a dip.

Within&nbsp;the discussion of the street activation, a communal office space has been introduced and linked to the double storey lobby, allowing the residents to work from a corporate like environment close to home.

The design of Shoreline's podium was inspired by the architectural works of the Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto

Shoreline design details: Five minutes with BDA Architecture on the luxury Gold Coast development

Construction has commenced at Arches Maribyrong, the contemporary apartment development&nbsp;by Rising Sun Developments.

They've secured over 60 per cent of sales, with the majority of buyers being first home buyers and owner-occupiers who already live in the west.

The affordable price tags saw first home buyers snap up apartments which are priced&nbsp;from $385,000 for one bedders, $485,000 for the two beds and three bedrooms from $895,000.

&nbsp;

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There are 36 apartments across its nine&nbsp;levels. Completion is expected before the end of 2022.

Aside from the price, the development's&nbsp;other biggest driver is its location, just 200 steps from&nbsp;Highpoint Shopping Centre, one of the biggest shopping centres in Melbourne.

The Sloane Street project also sits&nbsp;within the Highpoint Major Activity Centre,&nbsp;a precinct designated for major growth by the government.

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Featuring interiors by the local interior design firm Golden, each apartment features a kitchen with Smeg appliances and Terrazzo benchtops,&nbsp;integrated fridge options and LED lighting. Select apartments have a butler's pantry and walk-in closets.

Crowning the development is a 360-degree sky garden, complete with barbecue facilities and lounge and dining seating. There's a further&nbsp;garden on the level six podium.

The Sloane Street development also sits within the Highpoint Major Activity Centre, a precinct designated for major growth by the government

First home buyers snap up apartments as Arches Maribyrnong construction commences

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/smith-by-valli-collingwood-224-228-smith-street-collingwood-vic-3066">Smith Collingwood</a> is a new boutique apartment development bringing a refined, design-led approach to one of Melbourne’s most established inner-city neighbourhoods.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pandolfini-architects">Pandolfini Architects</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/lisa-buxton-interiors">Lisa Buxton</a>, Smith by Valli sits on iconic Smith Street and comprises just 22 residences tailored toward owner-occupiers seeking a more considered style of apartment living.

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The design of Smith focuses on a north-facing orientation across all residences, a relatively uncommon feature in dense inner-Melbourne settings. Each apartment has been planned to maximise natural light and outlook, alongside a material palette defined by warm tones, custom joinery, and a full suite of Gaggenau appliances.

The development comprises a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, with pricing currently ranging from just under $1 million to around $4.85 million for the premium penthouse-level residences, reflecting growing demand for luxury owner-occupier product in Melbourne’s inner urban market.

Residents will also have access to a private rooftop garden designed as an elevated retreat above the city, &nbsp;featuring curated landscaping, veggie boxes, intimate seating areas and spaces for relaxed gatherings. Sustainability has also been integrated into the project through a 7-star energy rating and two secure bicycle facilities for every residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140747 project_image_fid=367529]

Smith by Valli sits in the heart of one of Melbourne’s most established retail and hospitality strips, within walking distance of venues such as Falco Bakery, Carnation Canteen and Alimentari, alongside parks and everyday services. With a Walk Score of 99, the location reinforces the project’s positioning toward buyers prioritising walkability and access over car dependency.

With only a limited number of residences, Smith reflects growing demand for smaller, highly curated apartment developments that prioritise design quality, liveability, and connection to neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=140747]

Smith by Valli delivers a refined collection of luxury residences to Melbourne’s inner north

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/far-east-consortium">Far East Consortium</a>’s 640 Bourke Street stands as a testament to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">Melbourne</a>’s ability to bridge its storied past with a bold vision for the future.&nbsp;

Rising above the heritage-listed Eliza Tinsley building, the development reflects a broader shift toward adaptive reuse in the city, where historical assets are retained and reinterpreted as part of new residential development.

Designed by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/640-bourke-street-melbourne-640-bourke-street-melbourne-vic-3000">640 Bourke Street</a> incorporates the Eliza Tinsley building as its foundation, housing a grand gallery and lobby space that serve as both a functional and symbolic centrepiece. The heritage façade informs the tower’s design, creating a connection between Melbourne’s past and its contemporary skyline.

"It's a significant asset and wants to be celebrated and experienced by all residents every single time they go in and out of the building," Rothelowman Principal Stuart Marsland said.

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Above this historic base, the 68-storey tower will deliver just over 600 residences, a notable reduction from earlier schemes, reflecting a deliberate move toward larger-format apartments and a stronger owner-occupier focus.

Unlike traditional CBD developments that prioritised investor stock, 640 Bourke Street has been repositioned to respond to changing buyer expectations.

"The discussion was all around making 640 Bourke Street the best residence to live in, to be much more focused on the people in the building rather than people looking at the building," Marsland explained.&nbsp;

This shift is evident in the development’s interiors, which emphasise practical luxury with spacious layouts, high ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing sweeping views of Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay.&nbsp;

“What it's meant for 640 Bourke is we've actually reduced the number of apartments. We've increased the overall size of the apartments. We don't have any studios in here, and what that does for a project is it elevates it," Lauren Sheldon, Far East Consortium’s Director of Sales and Marketing, said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365687]

Rothelowman Associate Jun Chang added, "We were given the opportunity to be more generous. The apartments became bigger and squarer than any other apartments which had been designed in the CBD before that."&nbsp;

Amenities spanning more than 3,000 sqm across multiple levels further reinforce this focus on resident experience. These include a pool, gym, co-working areas, and a range of hospitality-inspired spaces such as a whisky lounge, library, and private dining rooms, many drawing reference from traditional bathhouses and Melbourne’s laneway culture.

"We wanted to make both the pool and the gym area to be absolutely destinational, and when you traverse across to these spaces, there is a gentle familiarity to the beautiful notions of the hammams and the Roman baths, a gentle nod to history," Chang noted.

At street level, the project contributes to the ongoing transformation of the western CBD, with upgrades to Langs Lane and the introduction of retail, hospitality, and gallery spaces designed to activate the precinct and strengthen its connection to the surrounding city fabric.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365689]

The location places residents within walking distance of Southern Cross Station, Flagstaff Gardens, Queen Victoria Market, and the Docklands waterfront, positioning the development within a rapidly evolving inner-city neighbourhood.

"We believe it's the best site left in the city of Melbourne," Craig Williams, Executive Director at Far East Consortium, said.&nbsp;

640 Bourke Street is Far East Consortium’s 14th building in Melbourne’s western CBD.

"A very elegant designed building. It's going to be a Melbourne statement for many, many years to come."

One-bedroom apartments are priced from around $640,000, with 640 Bourke Street targeting completion in 2029.

Renders shown are Artist's Impressions correct as of May 2026.

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Heritage-led design anchors Far East Consortium’s 640 Bourke St, Melbourne

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD Group</a> has set a new residential price record in Queensland with the $30 million sale of the penthouse at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-burleigh-88-the-esplanade-burleigh-heads-qld-4220">ONE Burleigh</a> development in Burleigh Heads.

The sale equates to around $37,500 per sqm.

The two-level, 800 sqm penthouse, featuring five bedrooms, five bathrooms, five car spaces, and a private infinity pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean, was acquired by a Gold Coast-based entrepreneur, highlighting continued demand for ultra-premium beachfront product.

Selling agent Freddie Tehle of PRD Burleigh Heads said the result reflects tightening supply of high-quality, large-format apartments in Burleigh.

“There’s very limited opportunity to secure this level of scale and absolute beachfront position in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/burleigh-heads-qld-4220">Burleigh Heads</a>,” Tehle said.

“Buyers are increasingly seeking apartments that genuinely replace a standalone home, and this penthouse delivers that with its size, privacy, and direct ocean frontage.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146358 project_image_fid=323057]

The sale comes as construction progresses on ONE Burleigh, a boutique development of 17 full-floor residences at 88 The Esplanade, scheduled for completion in early 2027.

Developed by MAYD Group and designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/mas-architecture-studio">MAS Architecture</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/sici-design">Sici Design</a>, the project has been positioned as a collection of house-sized beachfront apartments, each occupying an entire floor with around 381 sqm of internal and external living space.

When construction commenced, MAYD director Todd Mould pointed to the long-term resilience of premium coastal real estate as a key driver behind the project.

“Real estate, particularly at the premium end, remains one of the most resilient and proven long-term investment avenues,” Mould said.

“Our ambition is that anyone who buys a MAYD-built product can genuinely feel the care, craftsmanship and commitment we bring to every detail.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146358 project_image_fid=323055]

Each residence has been configured with four bedrooms, multiple living zones, a private office, and expansive ocean-facing terraces. Interiors draw on a restrained material palette, including travertine stone, timber joinery, and integrated premium appliances.

Interior designer Sici Design said the approach was to reflect the project’s coastal setting through both materiality and spatial planning.

“ONE Burleigh is our vision of luxury living, designed to bring the essence of Burleigh Heads' vibrant coastal beauty into an unparalleled residential experience.”

Residents will have access to a suite of wellness-focused amenities, including pools, sauna facilities, and dedicated relaxation spaces, reflecting a broader shift toward lifestyle-driven apartment design on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146358 project_image_fid=323052]

The project occupies a southern Esplanade site with uninterrupted beachfront frontage, an increasingly rare offering in Burleigh Heads, free from the Norfolk Pines that line much of the coastline and often limit direct ocean outlook.

Mould said the design intent was to balance that outlook with a sense of retreat.

“Living at ONE Burleigh is about how your day naturally unfolds, morning light across the ocean, coffee on the balcony, and being in Burleigh but elevated above the noise.”

The result further reinforces Burleigh Heads’ emergence as one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held and supply-constrained beachfront markets, where boutique, owner-occupier-focused developments are increasingly setting new price benchmarks.

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MAYD Group sets Queensland record with $30 million penthouse sale at ONE Burleigh in Burleigh Heads

Apartment developers in the Gold Coast are finding new, creative ways to differentiate themselves from competing projects, as new supply starts to flow through up and down the Coast.

Developer BIG Projects brought in the renowned Sydney-based design studio YSG Studio to craft the interiors for The Frederick, BIG Projects' new Mermaid Beach project and YSG Studio's first move into the multi-residential development space.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110588 project_image_fid=5346]

It was a strategic move for BIG Projects to bring in a Sydney eye to the development.

“Our role is to give our design partners the space and freedom to explore,” says Matt Barrett, Director of BIG Projects.

“We wanted YSG Studio to capture the essence of Nobby’s, to design a building that embraces life, light and connection, while creating a genuine sense of place.”

There are only 39 apartments in The Frederick, including a striking beach house, just 100 metres from the booming Nobby Beach precinct.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110588 project_image_fid=5347]

Yasmine Ghoniem, Director of YSG Studio, says their vision&nbsp;for The Frederick "reinvents coastal living."

“Nobby’s has such an iconic energy, it’s one of those rare pockets of the Gold Coast where the community, the beach, and the streets all feel connected,” Ghoniem says.

"Responding to the neighbouring coastline, soothing curves add a relaxing regional overlay, while unique detailing really sets it apart. It’s a place that feels lived in from the moment you step inside.”

A standout feature of The Frederick is its rooftop terrace, an uncommon inclusion for a boutique, low-rise building, where amenity is typically concentrated at ground level.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110588 project_image_fid=5360]

Positioned to capture panoramic views from the hinterland to the ocean, the rooftop has been designed as a series of intimate zones. It includes a pool, sauna, sun decks, workspaces and dedicated entertaining areas.

“The rooftop was conceived as a collection of spaces where residents can unwind and connect, an extension of the Nobby’s lifestyle,” Barrett says.

Architecture for the project was led by Plus Studio, with landscape design by LDG Landscape Architecture.

SRQ Projects Director Nick Clydsdale, who is handling sales at The Frederick, says the majority of enquiry is coming from South East QLD and Victorian buyers who have been actively searching between Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach for some time.

"They’ve reviewed a number of projects, however this one has stood out for its unique detailing and compelling design,"&nbsp;Clydsdale says.

Site demolition is slated for this month, with construction commencing soon after. BIG Projects is targeting a late 2027 completion.

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Sydney’s YSG Studio makes Gold Coast multi-residential debut with BIG Projects at The Frederick

Melbourne-based property developer ALTA Property has this week achieved planning approval for the adaptive re-use of a former commercial tower into a $200 million, 169-apartment project at 10 Queens Road, one of the last developable sites along the Albert Park Lake-fronting boulevard.&nbsp;

Set within one of Melbourne’s most sought-after precincts and designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fraser-partners-0">Fraser and Partners</a>, the illustrious building will offer unparalleled views across Albert Park Lake, Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne CBD.&nbsp;

The mix of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom residences will be complemented by a ground-floor amenity featuring private dining, a lounge bar, gym and wellness spaces, co-working, outdoor communal gardens, and retail.&nbsp;

The 17-storey building is a masterclass in adaptive re-use, with the existing commercial building’s façade, shell and internal structure to be retained, before high-end residences are built from the ground up in a newly built Albert Park facing addition to the building.&nbsp;

Sitting atop the building will be two 320+sqm penthouses with private rooftop terraces, which are expected to be priced between $9 - $11 million.&nbsp;

<img alt="ALTA Property achieves permit approval for $200 million Queens Road tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aa11211b-5581-43f9-940c-fc84d30a0e61" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/C_04.png?VersionId=Yhf5p_1EgGDu_zOIMFgvA8Ug8j3sTFQs" />

Architecturally, the building will feature a curved, geometric façade that celebrates and elevates the existing structure, with warm, muted tones which were selected to extend the materiality of the existing building rather than contrast it.&nbsp;

Interiors will bring together three metre high ceilings with waffle concrete in some spaces, natural timber, granite and Australian materials, culminating in crafted, generous and considered spaces that are defined by authenticity.&nbsp;

The adaptive re-use means that the Queens Road project will be a sustainability led, high-quality finished product, with a 62% saving in carbon emissions by re-using the existing structure rather than knocking it down and rebuilding.&nbsp;

ALTA Property was launched by Nigel Givoni in 2023, bringing over 25 years of experience in multi level residential delivery.&nbsp;

Melbourne’s property market growth is currently led by apartments. According to RPM VIC Apartments &amp; Townhomes Market Report (April 2026), units are outpacing houses, especially in the middle ring suburbs where median prices hit $757,500 – a four-year high that represents 2.9 percent growth quarter-on-quarter.&nbsp;

<img alt="ALTA Property achieves permit approval for $200 million Queens Road tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="647e13d7-b4bc-433a-9bc9-fe3c3dd4f2ec" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/V_06.png?VersionId=ou4NUCWUgA3NAy.6CQJlEdKX50j3dOk6" />

For ALTA Property Founder Nigel Givoni, this performance speaks to the confidence he has in the Melbourne market.&nbsp;

“Queens Road represents a rare opportunity to continue to shape our presence in the Melbourne market.,"&nbsp;Givoni says.

"With a considered project team and a premier site along one of the city’s most sought-after boulevards, we look forward to contributing to the fabric of this established address.

“Other Australian markets are getting a lot of attention, but I believe the depth of value in Melbourne is being overlooked. The fundamentals are strong, population growth is steady and, based on our preliminary conversations with a leading builder, construction costs are beginning to normalise, creating further opportunity."

Givoni says the project is a&nbsp;highly considered example of adaptive re-use, delivering quality, high-end residences, premium hotel-inspired amenities and an architecturally striking façade, all achieved without the need to remove the existing structure.

"We are really looking forward to the market’s response,” he said.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

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