Laurence Dragomir

A closer look at Melbourne's booming hotel sector

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A project <a href="/news/talking-the-talk-386-412-william-street-melbourne">first covered by Urban.com.au way back in 2013</a> has found a new purpose, with owner MIT Group Holdings joining the growing chorus of developers adapting their development intentions to commercial use.

Spanning a 4,000 sqm site at 386-412 William Street on the northern cusp of Melbourne's CBD, the development to be known simply as '388 William' will see a change of use from residential to commercial, with the original hotel component retained as per approved plans.

Already this month we have seen Charter Hall apply for a <a href="/news/charter-hall-unveils-1-5-billion-redevelopment-of-555-collins-street">dual commercial tower scheme across 555 Collins Street and 55 King Street</a> on the western edge of the Hoddle Grid, superseding a failed residential scheme.

Founders of MIT Group Holdings, Shesh Ghale and his wife Jamuna Gurung have retained Elenberg Fraser as the architects for 388 William, with only minor cosmetic changes to the endorsed design and change of use sought. This is to allow for the creation of contiguous flexible floorplates of up to 2,800 sqm.

<blockquote>
"We are just in-filling between the towers for the bigger floor plates required by offices, so we're working in anticipation of approval."

- Shesh Ghale, via the <a href="http://www.afr.com/leadership/afr-lists/rich-list/how-the-rich-invest-shesh-ghale-and-the-stroll-that-saved-him-millions-20190204-h1atyf">AFR</a>
</blockquote>

Overall, 20,000 sqm NLA of A-grade office space will be provided across levels 2-10 with MIT Holdings seeking tenants for the office space - Colliers International and JLL have been charged with the leasing campaign.

A five-star hotel with 290 keys will occupy the remaining floors above, while retail will also be provided to the lower floors within the shell of the existing former Mazda dealership.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/388w_office.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="A reimagined 388 William Street. Image: Sinclair Brook" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="487" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/388w_office.jpg?itok=od17WXD8" title="A reimagined 388 William Street. Image: Sinclair Brook" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A reimagined 388 William Street. Image: Sinclair Brook</figcaption></figure>388 William will be targeting a 5 Star Green Star Rating and 5 Star NABERS Energy Rating and featuring a high-tech building management system. Tenants in the building will also have access to the hotel facilities which are set to include a pool, gym, Rooftop Bar, amongst others.

Sinclair Brook has been appointed to manage the project on behalf of MIT with site works expected to commence this year and targeting a 2022 completion. 
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388 William joins the growing chorus of office developments in Melbourne

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Charter Hall has announced it has submitted a planning application for a $1.5 billion office development at 555 Collins Street, Melbourne via its Prime Office Fund (CPOF). Charter Hall acquired the site in October 2018 from previous owner Fragrance Group, who failed to get its 46-storey apartment tower off the ground. 

Located on the prominent corner of Collins and King Street, the 555 Collins Street development occupies a 4,620 sqm site with almost 50m of frontage along Collins Street and 100m of frontage to King Street including the 
adjoining CPOF owned 55 King Street.

Pending development approval and tenant pre-commitments, the combined site provides a unique opportunity for CPOF to stage a redevelopment across the two parcels of land, with a separate application for demolition of the existing Enterprise House on site already submitted.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/555c_collins_st.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="555 Collins Street. Image: Charter Hall"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="750" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/555c_collins_st.jpg?itok=Lmp3-XxX" title="555 Collins Street. Image: Charter Hall" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>555 Collins Street. Image: Charter Hall</figcaption></figure>Charter Hall has engaged local architects Cox Architecture to partner with global design and architecture firm, Gensler on the project. The collaboration brings together the partners’ innate local knowledge with a unique global viewpoint of leading workspace design trends. 
According to Charter Hall, the new commercial tower and future precinct represents a rare opportunity to create a lasting legacy of premium grade office buildings in a pivotal location.

Stage 1 of the proposed redevelopment will deliver approximately 45,000 sqm of Premium Grade, technology-enabled office space spanning 35 levels.

The proposed design includes an activated ground plane with connections between Collins Street, King street and Flinders Lane, a premium retail hub with food and beverage outlets and a landmark health and wellbeing offering.

The building will be one of the city’s most sustainable office buildings, targeting 6 Star Green Star, 5 Star NABERS Energy and Platinum WELL certification.

Cox Architecture and Gensler's vision for the precinct responds to a simple question; "what makes a great building?" In responding to this, the development team have taken a people-first approach at 555 Collins Street  - ensuring it becomes a statement of values and beliefs, designed to unlock the full potential of its tenants.

Charter Hall has appointed JLL and Colliers as conjunctional leasing agents for the project, with completion targeted for mid-2022.

<h2>What they say...</h2>

<blockquote>
“Our approach to workplace design is entrenched in extensive research into what tenants truly want and need, now and in the future. Through this people-centric approach, we are committed to creating workplace experiences which are designed to foster community, an instinctive way of working and ultimately result in a better workday for our tenant customers.

The vision for the site is to create a workplace experience like no other, where people will feel connected, inspired and engaged with their working day, and we are excited by this innovative methodology and how this development will shape the future of workplace.” 

- Simon Stockfeld, Charter Hall’s Regional Development Director
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
“CPOF is actively growing its existing $5.4 billion portfolio of high quality assets. A redeveloped 555 Collins will further enhance CPOF’s portfolio quality and total return metrics and deliver our Fund investors a coveted new Premium Grade office building in the tightly held western core of Melbourne’s CBD, a location favoured by major corporate, legal and government occupiers.” 

-  Matthew Brown, CPOF Fund Manager
</blockquote>
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Charter Hall unveils $1.5 billion redevelopment of 555 Collins Street

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Located in close proximity to entertainment, food and retail precincts of Acland, Fitzroy and Chapel Streets, SAINT introduces a unique hybrid typology to St Kilda’s apartment market.

Designed by SJB the five-storey complex comprises 51 apartments and four townhouses, with SAINT's defining feature its striking brick exterior, which adds a tactile response to the streetscape.

In conceiving the building's architectural and urban response, the design team adopted cues from the area’s signature brick walk-up flats, using masonry and steel to provide a contemporary interpretation of the neighbourhood’s architectural vernacular.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/mr_a_21193_saint_ap_4001.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="SAINT's highly tactile urban response. Image: Aaron Puls"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="437" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mr_a_21193_saint_ap_4001.jpg?itok=IWrPhrvr" title="SAINT's highly tactile urban response. Image: Aaron Puls" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>SAINT's highly tactile urban response. Image: Aaron Puls</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
“SAINT is a medium-sized, modest residential project and the hand-laid brick throughout directly connects materiality, craftsmanship and a domestic scale of construction.

The project aims to create a strong residential community. We encouraged walkability and social interaction by allowing for extensive, light-filled corridors, walkways and gardens.

Cliff makes these rectilinear geometric forms that are strong and planar with organic-looking erosions in them. We worked closely with him on how they could be integrated to almost become part of the structural components of the building.

The beauty of this artwork is that it gives something back to the streetscape, while also engaging with the development’s residents.

We wanted to create a journey punctuated with landscaped moments. From the street front to the rear of the development where the red-brick townhouses are, you journey past and through light-filled and green garden environments that break the walk.

SAINT is about moments – providing visual cues that are strong, simple and highly crafted. You journey from outside to in and the materiality comes with you. It was about taking little moments and marrying the interiors and the architecture.” 

- Tristan Wong, SJB director of architecture 
</blockquote>

The buildings are arranged around private landscaped areas, including an internal courtyard, gardens to the rear of the townhouses and a rooftop garden on level three. According to the architects, the courtyard incision performs multiple functions – it provides light and ventilation to residences, common spaces and a ground level walkway, and a micro-ecosystem.

Defining the project’s Carlisle Street elevation, two cantilevered forms clad in grey brick levitate over a sculptural colonnade created by Melbourne artist Cliff Burtt. Called Section, Burtt’s work is a series of ‘eroded’ Corten steel columns that lead into the building itself, seemingly supporting it.

SJB were determined to fully integrate the work of a local artist into the development, in a way that didn’t feel like simply a token gesture, and which would contribute to St Kilda’s reputation as a vibrant artistic community.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/mr_a_21193_saint_ap_245.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The material paeltte draws on surrounding vernacular. Image: Aaron Puls"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="884" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mr_a_21193_saint_ap_245.jpg?itok=2ILwpYbG" title="The material paeltte draws on surrounding vernacular. Image: Aaron Puls" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The material paeltte draws on surrounding vernacular. Image: Aaron Puls</figcaption></figure>Internally, the apartments and townhouses showcases two unique monochromatic and natural themes defined by the materiality of the exterior and Burtt’s sculpture. A warm bronze palette is inspired by Cliff’s Corten steel while a darker coloured palette speaks to the exteriors’ masonry and black steel. The interiors include timber flooring, matching veneer treatments with porcelain benchtops, vanities and tiling.

The architects sought to create a good example of hybrid multi-residential living, proving that art and architecture, craftsmanship and sustainability, can be seamlessly integrated to create a healthy, happy community. It's fair to say they have succeeded.

Lead image: Aaron Puls
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No sinner - SJB's latest apartment project brings a craftman's touch to St Kilda

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The City of Melbourne via its Future Melbourne Committee last night resolved to provide support for an amended design to Lendlease's Melbourne Quarter Tower in Docklands.

Replacing an earlier endorsed scheme for a 27-storey office building of 92,086 sqm (GFA), the revised design would instead rise 32-storeys above Wurundjeri Way for an overall height of 147.15m and a GFA of 101,998sqm, thus making it Docklands' tallest building.

Height and GFA aside, the form of the tower has also changed with Woods Bagot adopting a 'curved' sweeping form that is concave in plan to the west and a concave to the east. This replaces DCM's more rectilinear scheme which also included a protruding volume at its summit, known as the 'Sky Room'.

Internally the new scheme also features four x three-storey terraces above level 21, where the low-rise lift banks drop-off, though City of Melbourne believes these could be better expressed externally to aid in reducing the visual mass of the tower further.

<blockquote>
"Noting the visibility of the form particularly from across the Fairfax building, we encourage the more direct expression of the terrace and common areas where the low rise lift drops off above Level 21. The expression of 
these spaces in the elevation would greatly enhance the presentation of this long elevation through creating ‘moments’ of interest centrally within the façade, with depth, shadow play and vegetation visible. A shift to a legible winter garden or louvred glazing approach would be strongly encouraged."

- City of Melbourne's Urban Design team
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/mqt_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A reimagined Melbourne Quarter Tower. Image: Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="884" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mqt_0.jpg?itok=512liRq0" title="A reimagined Melbourne Quarter Tower. Image: Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A re-imagined Melbourne Quarter Tower. Image: Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure>The City of Melbourne's Urban Design team was otherwise supportive of the design changes highlighting the curvilinear form as adding to the diversity of the architecture in the area.  According to the Urban Design Team, the introduction of fins to add shade and depth and an ordering grid was also a welcome addition however, encouraged further development of this.

Meanwhile, work continues on another Woods Bagot-designed commercial tower in the precinct - the 25-storey Two Melbourne Quarter, with the first of the facade panels installed.

Two Melbourne Quarter joins Fender Katsalidis' East Tower which is shooting up to its eventual height of 143m and 41-storeys.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/redden_2mq.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="L-R: Two Melbourne Quarter | East Tower. Images: redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="216" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/redden_2mq.jpg?itok=3D2McpxK" title="L-R: Two Melbourne Quarter | East Tower. Images: redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>L-R: Two Melbourne Quarter | East Tower. Images: redden</figcaption></figure>Lendlease has already completed One Melbourne Quarter and stage 1 of the SkyPark, with the second stage to be delivered as part of Melbourne Quarter Tower.

With City of Melbourne's support in hand, the final planning hurdle to overcome remains Planning Minister Richard Wynne, although this would appear to be a mere formality.

It is expected Lendlease will look to secure an anchor tenant or significant pre-commitment for Melbourne Quarter Tower prior to commencing construction.
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City of Melbourne provides support for revised Melbourne Quarter Tower

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This week Apartments.com.au reaches a significant milestone with our podcast cracking a half century. My guest today is Catherine Sietkiewicz, Senior Content Manager at <a href="http://www.neuemedia.com.au/">Neue Media</a>. In a wide ranging chat Catherine and I discuss:

<ul>
<li>Catherine's role at Neue Media and her history with the company having started there from day 1</li>
	<li>What Neue Media does and what a typical day looks like in the Neue Media office</li>
	<li>Moving to Melbourne from Auckland</li>
	<li>The change from freelancing to full time work.</li>
	<li>Catherine's flexible working arrangements and Neue Media's support of flexible working</li>
	<li>Catherine's perceptions/observations of the property and development industry</li>
	<li>How her view and experience of Melbourne has changed as a result of working within the industry.</li>
	<li>Her favourite neighbourhoods and features of Melbourne including her love of the Yarra River.</li>
</ul>
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/614472516&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe>

Look out for next week's podcast with Andrei Dolnikvo, CEO and Founder of <a href="https://www.binyan.com.au/#/">Binyan Studios</a>.

Click <a href="/guides">here</a> to listen to all 49 previous podcasts.
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Podcast - Episode 50: Neue Media's Catherine Sietkiewicz

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This week I sit down with Lucent Development Manager Sophie Whittakers. This follows on from Apartments.com.au being invited on <a href="/news/urban-goes-onsite-with-lucent-at-lt-miller-nightingale">a site tour of Lt. Miller &amp; Nightingale last month</a>, which Sophie was kind enough to facilitate. 

Sophie and I chat about a range of topics including:

<ul>
<li>How Sophie and her team went in the Oxfam 100km Trek</li>
	<li>Sophie's professional background from studying interior design to working abroad at an architecture firm to studying construction management and;</li>
	<li>Sophie also provides a bit of background on how she found herself working at Lucent and its history</li>
	<li>Has planning become a bit of a box ticking exercise in Victoria</li>
	<li>Are planning outcomes clearly communicated in the planning scheme</li>
	<li>We touch on Lucent's next project - <a href="/buildings/the-stewart-collective-269-stewart-street-brunswick-east">The Stewart Collective</a> and;</li>
	<li>I also ask Sophie which projects (if any) she admires or would have liked to have worked on.</li>
</ul>
Listen below for the full interview.

<blockquote>
"Density is an important thing, because we can't keep continuing to have cities sprawling out the way they do..."
</blockquote>

<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/603737448&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe>
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Podcast - Episode 49: Lucent's Sophie Whittakers

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MAB’s 7 Ormond development at University Hill has proven to be a success with medical professionals including specialists in paediatrics, psychology, gastroenterology and endoscopy snapping up suites in the $18 million project.

Positioned between the Austin Hospital in Heidelberg and the Northern Hospital in Epping, 7 Ormond is surrounded by universities, private schools and a major retail precinct in a rapid growth corridor 18 km north of the Melbourne CBD.

In the last seven months, the first stage has seen 16 out of 22 suites sold, with approximately 60% of the sales attributed to medical occupants, many of whom are relocating or expanding from medical suites located in Melbourne’s north.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/mabc9791_bundoora_precinct_ia01_lobby_updated.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Interior render of 7 Ormond lobby. Image: Supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mabc9791_bundoora_precinct_ia01_lobby_updated.jpg?itok=5fhp_Gxe" title="Interior render of 7 Ormond lobby. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Interior render of 7 Ormond lobby. Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure>Dr Luke Sammartino, one of the busiest paediatricians in Melbourne’s north, purchased a 150 sqm suite after outgrowing his current clinic, with the new location allowing him to open a multi-modal ‘one stop shop’ clinic.

Joining Dr Sammartino at 7 Ormond will be Professor Antonio Paolini, a Clinical Neuroscientist and the CEO of higher education provider ISN Psychology, who was one of the first purchasers in the development.

According to Professor Paolini, the appeal for him was 7 Ormond's strategic location within an emerging medical hub, and its proximity to the existing teaching facilitie nearbys.

MAB released the second stage of 7 Ormond in February and says it expects to draw further interest from medical professionals.  Stage two will have its own entry, dedicated lift and amenities with office suites ranging in size from 65 - 130 sqm.

Construction commenced on 7 Ormond in November last year and is expected to be completed in September 2019.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/mabc10235_9_ormond_e01_hero.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The low-rise development has been a big hit with the medical sector. Image: Supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="348" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mabc10235_9_ormond_e01_hero.jpg?itok=Kv_-flec" title="The low-rise development has been a big hit with the medical sector. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The low-rise development has been a big hit with the medical sector. Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say...</h2>

<blockquote>
“There are many reasons we are excited to be moving to 7 Ormond - the schematics of the building are absolutely beautiful. University Hill is becoming a medical precinct and this particular purpose-built building will allow us to expand to have five additional staff.

7 Ormond has afforded us the flexibility of size and location and is easy to get to from north, south, east and west with plenty of car parking. The proximity to other medical professionals will also provide a sense of collegiality within a commercial hub environment.”

- Dr Luke Sammartino, Paediatrician
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
“Bundoora, and especially University Hill, is well positioned as a major access point for a growing population. The medical hub emerging at Bundoora and 7 Ormond, will help us grow our service offerings and utilise cutting edge treatment options for mental health. 

We were also impressed by the design of the building - its elegant exterior and position presents an element of style and tranquility.”

- Professor Antonio Paolini, Clinical Neuroscientist and CEO of ISN Psychology
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
“University Hill in Bundoora is definitely becoming a key medical precinct within Melbourne’s fast growing northern suburbs. MAB is pleased to contribute well designed and flexible office space that enables medical professionals to grow their practices.” 

- Raphael Poggi, Development Manager MAB
</blockquote>
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MAB attracts medical professionals to its University Hill development

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In this week's episode, I chat to Castran Gilbert Directors Michael Lang and David Howard about the current state of the market. We cover a lot of points from Michael's <a href="/news/debunking-the-bad-market-myth">Debunking the 'bad market' myth</a> piece that he penned on Apartments.com.au at the beginning of the month.

Topics covered also include the factors which come into play when looking at the health of the market, the types of development models which tend to perform well in any market and why the current conditions reflect a 'normal' market not a catastrophe.

<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/596562852&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe>
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Podcast - Episode 48: Castran Gilbert's Michael Lang and David Howard on the state of the market

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Construction has commenced on GPT Group's $300 million office development at 32 Smith Street in Parramatta with representatives from the development team and anchor tenant QBE on hand to mark the occasion at a ground breaking ceremony last Friday.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/0d3a9232.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="L-R: Matthew Faddy, GPT Head of Office &amp; Logistics Renee Roberts, QBE Australia Pacific Chief Operating Officer Mark Curzon, Director at Fender Katsalidis. Image: Supplied" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="451" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/0d3a9232.jpg?itok=grpuRi-B" title="L-R: Matthew Faddy, GPT Head of Office &amp; Logistics Renee Roberts, QBE Australia Pacific Chief Operating Officer Mark Curzon, Director at Fender Katsalidis. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>L-R: Matthew Faddy, GPT Head of Office &amp; Logistics Renee Roberts, QBE Australia Pacific Chief Operating Officer Mark Curzon, Director at Fender Katsalidis. Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure>The 29-storey tower has been designed by Fender Katsalidis Architects (FKA) and joins the growing chorus of projects reinvigorating Parramatta and reinforcing its credentials as a design-led city.

Located on a 2,439 sqm gateway site on the corner of Smith and Phillip streets, 32 Smith Street, is just a stone's throw away from the $1.2 billion Riverbank cultural and entertainment precinct, and the $2 billion Parramatta Square.

Parramatta Square represents NSW's largest urban renewal project and will upon completion, provide new chambers for Parramatta City Council, a public library and a vertical campus for Western Sydney University.

These projects,together with pother major commercial and residential projects, including the restoration of the historic, 700-seat Roxy Theatre are leading the charge for Parramatta as it sets its sights on becoming Sydney’s second CBD. 

On the design front, FKA have conceived a tower which it says gracefully opens up the site’s ground level to the public with a set-back podium and two softly rounded, pebble-like forms that encourage pedestrian usage.

According to FKA, the tower is simple in form and has been shaped as a building in the round, with its curved pebble form reducing glare and wind to create a "friendly sculptural tower."

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/fkmed_17020_6262.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="32 Smith Street's forecourt. Image: Supplied" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="425" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fkmed_17020_6262.jpg?itok=VZacbr8g" title="32 Smith Street's forecourt. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>32 Smith Street's forecourt. Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure>The Fender Katsalidis design was selected from a competitive jury process led by the Parramatta City Council with its sense of civic contribution amongst the design's strong points.

The tower is imagined as a glazed form which rises above this civic ground level, creating what will become the most translucent building on the Parramatta skyline.

32 Smith Street has also been designed with an eye on the future. Its car parking is raised 12m above ground, to a full-height storey, allowing for future conversion to commercial programme.

Located above the car parking is an “oasis level” featuring an outdoor terrace that provides views to the Parramatta River, as well as a datum which responds to the existing scale of the street wall, highlighting the base of the tower.

At its summit, the building is crowned by a tree-lined open-air terrace, allowing tenants elevated views of Parramatta River and the emerging Parramatta skyline beyond.

Insurer QBE will move into the building as its major tenant, when it is completed in late-2020.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/fkmed_17020_6266.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="32 Smith Street's street level interface. Image: Supplied" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="420" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fkmed_17020_6266.jpg?itok=TqahkZNf" title="32 Smith Street's street level interface. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>32 Smith Street's street level interface. Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say...</h2>

<blockquote>
“GPT is excited to be delivering such a well-designed and future thinking asset into Parramatta. 32 Smith will be Parramatta’s standout office building and will play an important role in the transformation of the Parramatta CBD that is now underway.”

- Matthew Faddy, GPT’s Head of Office &amp; Logistics
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
 “Parramatta is currently undergoing a marvellous urban renewal and it’s notable for the quality of design on a number of significant cultural and commercial projects. 

We are extremely proud of this project and believe it makes a significant contribution to the design-led renewal of Parramatta. Both the City of Parramatta and the NSW Government are driving this with a strong vision for the city to become a world-class business, arts and education centre with excellent design underpinning the emerging precinct.

We recognised the way pedestrians currently move around the site, which is on Parramatta’s primary north–south axis, and wanted to both open up the corner and provide a strong visual connection to the river.

The pedestrian flow-lines began to shape the podium into soft, pebble-like forms. These open up the river vista and create an impressive north-facing urban ‘room’, an open-air gathering space given shelter and shade by the building’s main tower form.

We worked hard at transforming the existing street wall into one cohesive, dynamic public realm and commercial environment.”

- Mark Curzon, Fender Katsalidis director
</blockquote>

 
</body></html>

32 Smith Street's construction continues the rise of Parramatta

Melbourne’s City Circle tram loops past a dense matrix of culture, education and commerce, but few intersections offer as much access in so little walking distance as the northern end of King Street.

Here, Aspire Melbourne rises 64 storeys from the edge of Flagstaff Gardens, with immediate connectivity to tram and train networks, and pedestrian access to Queen Victoria Market, Marvel Stadium and Melbourne’s major university precincts.

Developed by ICD Property with design by Fraser &amp; Partners, Aspire Melbourne brings 570 apartments to one of the CBD’s most spatially balanced positions, directly between civic green space and key employment infrastructure.

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Everything from retail and dining to sporting events, art, theatre, and festivals, or the serenity of the city’s gardens, is within walking distance of Aspire.

Melbourne's thriving coffee culture is showcased in the CBD's cobblestoned laneways, with popular cafes such as Brother Baba Budan, Krimper, Stagger Lee's, Higher Ground, and Manchester Press all nearby.

For culinary enthusiasts, Melbourne offers a variety of dining experiences. Highly recommended establishments include Maha, Farmer's Daughter, Coda, and MoVida Next Door, offering everything from Middle Eastern dinners to a night out.

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Getting around Melbourne is as effortless as finding a great cup of coffee, thanks to the city’s clean, reliable and extensive public transport network. Aspire’s curved tower is a short walk from Melbourne Central Station, Southern Cross Station and the Free Tram Zone, offering seamless connections across the CBD and out to suburban precincts.

This inner-city accessibility is complemented by Aspire’s rare proximity to green space. The tower directly overlooks Flagstaff Gardens, the city’s oldest park, with Fitzroy Gardens and the Royal Botanic Gardens also nearby, framing the CBD in natural beauty.

Just 11 minutes on foot, Queen Victoria Market adds another layer of amenity. A longstanding hub of culture and commerce, it offers fresh produce, gourmet foods, artisanal goods and vibrant multicultural fare, all woven into the daily rhythm of city life.

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To the west, the CBD’s entertainment quarter features Marvel Stadium, just 750 metres from Aspire, ideal for sports fans and major events.

To the south, Crown Casino along the Yarra River offers entertainment, dining and family-friendly activities, accessible in under 10 minutes by tram.

The Arts Centre Melbourne, a hub for visual art, theatre, music and performance, is also within easy reach by public transport or car.

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For families looking to set up roots in the CBD, education options abound within a one-kilometre radius of Aspire.

The prestigious Haileybury opened its Melbourne CBD campus in January 2017 offering Melbourne's first Early Learning Centre to Year 12 private school campus in the CBD.&nbsp;

<a href="/developments/north-melbourne-vic-3051">North Melbourne</a> Primary School, South Melbourne Primary School, Ozford College, and Simonds Catholic College are among the other choices, while universities like Victoria University, La Trobe University, and Monash University are less than 600 metres away.

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A limited selection of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments remain for sale, with pricing starting from $647,000.

“The Melbourne CBD apartment market has evolved in response to both the strong growth of the overall city as well as the increasing attraction of the CBD which offers unique lifestyle appeal, especially to the fast-growing cohorts of young professionals and university students,” <a href="/project-marketer/colliers">Colliers</a>&nbsp;Managing Director Residential Tim Storey said.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=2575]

Joel Robinson

On the fringe of Flagstaff Gardens: Aspire Melbourne's prime location

The onset of the pandemic was a tough time for developers across the country.

In Western Australia, development came to a grinding halt.

“There had been little to no increase in the cost to build for about 12 to 13 years before the pandemic,” Gavin Hawkins, Executive Director of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/edge-visionary-living">Edge Visionary Living</a>, one of Perth’s premier developers, told Apartments.com.au.

“Everything then went up overnight. Costs escalated, and so did the prices buyers had to pay. Pair the cost increase with the lack of available builders, and any project worth upwards of $100 million had to be paused because it wasn’t feasible to deliver.”

There were also a series of builder insolvencies, while many tier-one firms shifted their focus away from residential towers. “A lot of the large builders had taken on major government contracts for hospitals, schools and transport infrastructure, which offered lower risk and steadier returns. That left very few willing or able to deliver large-scale apartment projects in WA,” Hawkins said.

As a solution-driven business, Edge decided they would bring construction in-house.

“The builder-developer model is a more common model in the eastern states, but it hasn’t really been done in WA before,” Hawkins says. In the middle of 2023, they established Edge Construction, hiring senior staff members from reputable tier-one builders.

“We showed them our pipeline of projects, which de-risked the process somewhat, and now we have a 45-strong construction team working across our six projects currently under construction.”

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Edge’s portfolio is arguably one of the most enviable in the state, with a diverse spread both geographically and in terms of density.

In Crawley, the team is approaching completion of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/broadway-on-the-bay-crawley-168-broadway-crawley-wa-6009">Broadway on the Bay</a>, just 21 riverfront apartments in an eight-level building. North of Crawley, Edge is also soon to complete <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/claytons-mindarie-beachfront-mindarie-50-alexandria-view-mindarie-wa-6030">Claytons Mindarie Beachfront</a>, an 89-residence community comprising apartments, penthouses, and two-storey townhouses.

One of Edge’s most notable developments is <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-dunes-beachfront-residences-scarborough-1-reserve-street-scarborough-wa-6019">The Dunes</a>, a landmark project on the iconic Scarborough beachfront. Its 223 residences are spread across two buildings that will also feature a lagoon pool, wine cellar, and a series of formal and informal dining and lounge areas, reinforcing its positioning as one of the suburb’s most ambitious residential undertakings.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134709 project_image_fid=248321]

Edge’s Fremantle project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/muse-at-artisan-place-fremantle-19-burt-street-fremantle-wa-6160">Muse at Artisan Place</a>, is also breaking new ground as the first, and most premium stage, of a new residential precinct in the city’s east end. They have two of the four buildings, Muse West and Muse East, under construction, which will deliver 153 of the broader Artisan Place precinct that will eventually comprise 277 residences.&nbsp;

Not forgetting the CBD fringe, Edge has also commenced the build of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lumiere-south-perth-35-mends-street-south-perth-wa-6151">Lumiere</a>, a mix of 115 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments in a striking curved building by Hilliam Architects in South Perth. Lumiere also leans heavily on resident amenity, with an infinity heated pool with cabanas, a gym with a sauna and yoga deck, billiards room and cocktail bar, a residents’ lounge with fireplace and dining area, and a street-level café and wine bar.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=101025 project_image_fid=250028]

Edge is doubling down in South Perth, having recently acquired a site on Harper Terrace, the last privately held riverfront block in South Perth’s Mends Street precinct. Hawkins says the team had been working for years to secure the adjoining block, which had four separate owners in an original apartment building. Then the neighbouring cleared block came up for sale, allowing them to create a prized and unrepeatable 4,000 sqm-plus site.

The plan is to launch Harper on Swan, an 11-level building with around 71 apartments, mostly three-bedroom residences, to the market soon. Hawkins says the downsizer market in particular continues to be resilient in WA. “Now their homes are up to double what they were four years ago, and they are ready to take advantage of that and move into a new apartment,” Hawkins says.

“With strong population growth, full employment, and limited supply in the new apartment space, WA is well positioned heading into 2026.”

Edge’s portfolio is arguably one of the most enviable in the state, with a diverse spread both geographically and in terms of density.

How EDGE Visionary Living navigated the pandemic, and came out stronger: Five minutes with Gavin Hawkins

Construction has officially commenced at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/botanical-turner-2-forbes-street-turner-act-2612">Botanical Turner</a>, one of Canberra’s most anticipated new residential communities, with site works well underway in preparation for the piling rig to arrive in November. &nbsp;

Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/amalgamated-property-group">Amalgamated Property Group</a> in partnership with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/base-developments">Base Developments</a>, Botanical Turner builds on the team’s proven track record of delivering landmark projects across Canberra and beyond. It is being brought to life by the highly respected team at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/milin-builders">Milin Builders</a>, known for delivering a number of award-winning projects across the ACT.&nbsp;

Almost 50 per cent of the residences have already sold during Stage 1, signalling both the strength of &nbsp;buyer confidence and the rarity of Botanical’s offering.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149632 project_image_fid=338672]

Graham Potts, Principal and Founding Director of Amalgamated Property Group, said the market response affirms the vision for Botanical.&nbsp;

“To see construction now underway is a milestone for both our team and our buyers. Nearly half &nbsp;of the residences have been secured in this first stage, which validates our approach of creating &nbsp;homes that are both distinctive in design and generous in scale. Botanical is more than a &nbsp;residential project, it’s a contribution to the future of Canberra’s inner north, designed to hold its &nbsp;value for generations to come.”&nbsp;

Proving popular with owner-occupiers, Botanical Turner offers a broad range of floorplans with one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences designed for flexibility. The project has drawn the attention of downsizers in particular, who value the low upkeep, leafy inner-north location, and forward-thinking considerations for storage and functionality.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149632 project_image_fid=338671]

Designed by award-winning <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB Architects</a> (2023 International Interior of the Year at World &nbsp;Architecture Festival and 2024 Premiers Prize at NSW Architecture Awards), Botanical Turner &nbsp;makes a statement in both presence and liveability. The building’s bold geometric form is layered in a palette of red brick, terracotta and crisp white.

Carefully integrated communal spaces, including a landscaped courtyard, arched walkways &nbsp;and open thoroughfares, give residents a sense of connection and ease, while the abundant &nbsp;amenities reflect the expectations of a discerning market backed by Amalgamated’s lifestyle-led approach. These include a concierge, indoor lap pool set among greenery, spa, sauna, &nbsp;steam room and a fully equipped gym.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149632 project_image_fid=338674]

Keenan Veraar, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/lj-hooker-project-marketing-act-0">LJ Hooker</a>, said Botanical Turner has exceeded expectations in terms of demand.&nbsp;

“Botanical Turner has attracted strong early interest and I believe that is because of three key factors; its beautiful build form, the generous apartment sizes, and buyers know they are purchasing into a project backed by one of Canberra’s most respected development partnerships,"&nbsp;Veraar said.

"Amalgamated and Base have delivered time and again, and that consistency gives people confidence. SJB Architects has created outstanding projects interstate using similar &nbsp;tones and materials, all of which have been incredibly well received. That pedigree reassures &nbsp;our buyers that Botanical will set a new benchmark for Canberra.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149632 project_image_fid=338672]

Dennis Milin, Principal of Base Developments and Milin Builders, said construction progress is advancing on schedule.&nbsp;

“Off-site works and site servicing are nearing completion, with excavation and preparation for &nbsp;piling equipment in progress to allow for the commencement of basement earthworks," Milin says.

"With decades of delivery experience and a longstanding partnership with Amalgamated, we’re &nbsp;committed to bringing SJB’s vision for Botanical Turner to life. The project will be defined by the &nbsp;same uncompromising standards and attention to detail that underpin every one of our developments.”&nbsp;

Apartments at Botanical start from $600,000.

&nbsp;

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Construction commences at Botanical Turner as stage one reaches 50 per cent sold

Design-led property developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/orchard-piper">Orchard Piper</a> has achieved $125 million in sales prior to publicly launching its latest Toorak Village development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-toorak-place-7-19-carters-avenue-toorak-vic-3142">One Toorak Place</a>, to market.

The milestone was reached with the sale of a four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom apartment to a Toorak local for $13.75 million, achieving per square metre rates of $37,000.

Another notable recent transaction is the sale of a four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom residence to Toorak local Paul Rosen for $12.65 million in July representing a square meter rate of $43,174.&nbsp;

In May, the development made history with the record-breaking penthouse sale of more than $20 million, to Group CEO at Accent Group Limited Daniel Agostinelli and his wife Lynette.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140659 project_image_fid=352237]

Orchard Piper Director Luke McKie said the record breaking achievement and sales success reflects the demand for thoughtfully designed, luxury residences and the unique lifestyle proposition of a serviced residential building that offers the scale of a home, but with added lifestyle benefits, high security and amenity.

“The early purchasers of this project are very familiar faces to Orchard Piper. Many of them are Toorak locals who have waited years for the right project to buy into. They understand how rare this offering is, and trust us to deliver them an outstanding property.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140659 project_image_fid=352236]

Developed in collaboration with joint venture partner NPACT (a partnership between James Packer’s family office and Todd Nisbet), One Toorak Place introduces a new model of hotel-style residential living to the suburb.&nbsp;

Located at 7-11A and 17-19 Carters Avenue, the development includes a collection of two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences and penthouses, boutique commercial suites, curated retail and an integrated hospitality precinct by acclaimed restaurateur Chris Lucas.

Delivered in his signature style, the precinct will be curated to reflect the spirit of the neighbourhood and the lifestyle of its residents. Lucas will also design a suite of bespoke services for residents of the building, including in-residence private dining, cellar concierge services and priority access to all Chris Lucas restaurants.&nbsp;

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/kerry-hill-architects">KHA (Kerry Hill Architects)</a>, residents will enjoy access to hotel-style five-star services and amenities, including concierge, a 25-metre lap pool, full-service gym, sauna, steam room, and hot and cold therapies. Also included are a dedicated resident lounge, resident meeting room, a golf simulator, and practical facilities such as dog-wash and car-wash bays.&nbsp;

One Toorak Place is Toorak’s largest planning approval to date, occupying the 3,589 sqm former Mercedes-Benz Toorak site. With a total of 5,000 sqm of premium land under development across two projects in Toorak Village, Orchard Piper’s contribution to the precinct is set to surpass $550 million in value, reinforcing its long-term commitment to design-led renewal in the area.&nbsp;

Construction on One Toorak Place is expected to commence towards the end of 2025.&nbsp;

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The development is now over 30 per cent sold by value in under three months, with significant sales including a record-breaking $20 million penthouse, and two four-bedroom apartments for $13.75 million and $12.65 million. 

Orchard Piper achieves $125 million in pre-launch sales at Packer-backed Toorak Village development

The first large-scale residential community built on the Gold Coast’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/isle-of-capri-qld-4217">Isle of Capri</a> in more than 30 years is nearing sell-out, with limited villas now available in the exclusive island enclave.

Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/monaco-property-group">Monaco Property Group</a> and built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/greyburn">Greyburn</a>, Capri Villas brings 48 architect-designed homes to one of the Gold Coast’s most sought-after addresses. The gated community combines privacy, security and premium design in a central location.

Michael Kollosche, Managing Director of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/kollosche-new-projects">Kollosche</a>, said security and lifestyle are front of mind for today’s buyers.

“Capri Villas offers the comfort of a home, the convenience of a central location, and the confidence that comes with a gated community.”

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With only a handful of villas remaining, the sales momentum reflects both strong buyer demand for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/capri-villas-81-salerno-street-isle-of-capri-qld-4217">Capri Villas</a> and a broader shortage of new, move-in-ready boutique homes on the Gold Coast.

The villas span two levels, each with three bedrooms, generous living areas and high-end finishes such as marble kitchens with Gaggenau appliances. Solid concrete construction underpins the design, while landscaped courtyards extend living spaces outdoors. Practical inclusions like secure garaging, ducted climate control and ample storage enhance everyday comfort.

Residents also have access to resort-style facilities within the gated grounds, including a swimming pool with cabanas and day beds, landscaped outdoor entertaining areas with barbecues, and a residents’ lounge.

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“Opportunities like this don’t come up often,” Kollosche added.

“Capri Villas combines security, design and location in a way that is rare on the Gold Coast and the level of interest we’re seeing reflects that.”

Isle of Capri is an island community tucked in behind Surfers Paradise, offering residents a quieter lifestyle while remaining close to the action. Linked to the beachfront by bridge, the suburb is favoured for its walkability, with Capri on Via Roma (including Harris Farm Markets) providing dining, cafes and essentials just 800 metres away. Beaches, restaurants and entertainment are close at hand, while transport connections add to the suburb’s appeal.

Capri Villas are located at 81 Salerno Street, Isle of Capri. Two-level, three-bedroom villas are priced from $2.4 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=139511]

Laurence Dragomir

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Laurence Dragomir

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