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Vicinity Centres and Gandel Group, owners of Chadstone Shopping Centre, have appointed <a href="/builders/hickory">Hickory</a> as head contractor for the hotel development which will join the 10-storey office tower completed as part of the last round of construction works.

Located at <a href="/developments/chadstone-vic-3148">1341 Dandenong Road</a>, the hotel forms a key anchor of the Chadstone master plan with AccorHotels managing the 250-room hotel under its MGallery by Sofitel brand, adding a further dimension to the shopping, dining and entertainment centre.

The hotel is being built to capitalise on the 23 million visitors that visit Chadstone each year, including an estimated 350,000 international tourists.

Designed by <a href="/architects/bates-smart">Bates Smart</a>, the 12-storey hotel will become the first to target a 5 -tar Green Star rating using the new generation Green Star – Design/As Built v1.1 rating tool.

The hotel will also feature health and wellness facilities, including a day spa, gymnasium and rooftop infinity swimming pool, plus two restaurants, lounge bar, and a ballroom capable of hosting functions for up to 400 people.

Demand for the hotel will be driven by business travellers, tourists and visitors to both Chadstone and the commercial offices of the 17 international and national businesses located on-site, as well as the nearby Monash precinct employment hub which employs 75,000 people.

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1xWAKxStfO0" width="560"></iframe>

As part of the build, Hickory is targeting a compressed construction timeline, which will be achieved via the implementation of Hickory's patented building technology HBS. Hickory will incorporate large prefabricated elements such as stairs and walls within the build.

Additionally Hickory are employing a dust management plan to control, monitor and identify all dust-generating activities during all stages of the construction to aid in minimising disruption to customers or impacting the surrounding Chadstone community.

Construction and management of the hotel will create more than 1,300 new jobs, including 1,250 jobs in construction and 120 ongoing roles in the operation of the hotel, boosting employment in the Monash area.

Heavy noise excavation works have already been completed on the site with the main hotel construction to begin next week. Hickory is targeting a 14 month construction schedule with the hotel due to open in the second half of 2019. 

Further works underway or about to commence at Chadstone Shopping Centre include:

<ul>
<li>The revamp of the East Mall which will see a new Victoria’s Secret flagship store opening in late 2018. </li>
	<li>The expansion of the Coles Car Park which will see the reconfiguration of two access points to ease traffic congestion, as well as a new pedestrian walkway.</li>
	<li>A new look Food Atrium which is currently being renovated on the Lower Ground.</li>
	<li>A new Visitor Lounge for visitors to enjoy which will provide spaces for VIP events, champagne on arrival for special groups and roving multilingual team members to answer questions.</li>
</ul>
<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/east_mall.png" rel="gallery-all" title="A snapshot of some of the upcoming or underway developments at Chadstone. Images: https://www.chadstone.com.au/development"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="201" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/east_mall.png?itok=aY-N65JQ" title="A snapshot of some of the upcoming or underway developments at Chadstone. Images: https://www.chadstone.com.au/development" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A snapshot of some of the upcoming or underway developments at Chadstone. Images: https://www.chadstone.com.au/development</figcaption></figure>Both Federal and State Government's are also investing in stronger public transport links to the centre with options for both light and heavy rail being floated in respective budget announcements.
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Laurence Dragomir

Hickory appointed to build Chadstone's MGallery by Sofitel hotel 

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Perri Projects in conjunction with joint venture partner Wingate Property, has received development approval for a $150 million mixed-use project on the edge of the Melbourne CBD opposite Carlton Gardens. This project will include 70 apartments across 20 levels of residential plus premium commercial and hospitality on the ground floor and podium levels.

Located at 23-29 Victoria Street, the plans also include significant improvements to the public realm in line with City of Melbourne’s Urban Forest strategy with a large-scale rejuvenation of the surrounding area.

Perri Projects recruited Woods Bagot to create a design that responded to the significance of the site, adjacent to the UNESCO world heritage Carlton Gardens ensuring future residents will have permanent unobstructed amenity and outlook across the gardens.

Woods Bagot's design for the site brought together its Melbourne, London, and New York studios to reference aspects of each of the cities, in the project.

<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/carlton_gardens_render_-_low-res.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Perri Projects' approved development opposite Carlton Gardens. Image: Supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="384" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/carlton_gardens_render_-_low-res.jpg?itok=3MlBSiGT" title="Perri Projects' approved development opposite Carlton Gardens. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Perri Projects' approved development opposite Carlton Gardens. Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure>As part of the Victoria Street project, Perri Projects is also proposing major public realm improvements including a new boulevard interface to McKenzie Street and reworking the current traffic island intersection into an Urban Forest public space in line with City of Melbourne’s Urban Forest Strategy.

The strategy acknowledges the crucial roles green spaces play in Melbourne with its parks, gardens, and tree-lined streets contributing to liveability and quality of life for residents. 

Together Perri Projects and its architects worked closely with council to achieve the permit, with the developer having previously worked collaboratively with City of Melbourne on culturally significant projects such as West Melbourne Waterfront.

The developer's vision for the site marks the latest iteration of its ‘Tailored Living’ series following its collaboration with Woods Bagot at The Englefield in South Yarra, which upon completion will feature seven penthouse-style residences aimed towards the upper end of the market. 

According to Perri Projects, Melbourne represents a long-term focal point for the developer and the Carlton Gardens project reflects its confidence in the city. The development team continues to work closely with City of Melbourne and other major stakeholders on the wider rejuvenation of the surrounding area.

<h2>What they say:</h2>

<blockquote>
Working with a global team of architects will ensure our Carlton Gardens project will reflect the complex cultural fabric of the suburb and deliver an impressive architectural addition to the neighbourhood. The building’s offering is rare – premium residential accommodation with protected northern aspects over the gardens and heritage precinct.

This is a CBD address on the doorstep of the cultural-mecca suburbs of Collingwood, Fitzroy, and East Melbourne. The significance of the site is undeniable and heavily guided our design approach to remain congruent with Carlton’s urban language.

We are currently advancing plans with some very exciting hospitality operators and will have more announcements on this aspect of the project soon.

- David Scalzo, Managing Director Perri Projects 
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
Wingate is thrilled to have partnered with Perri Projects on this unique project and is delighted with the successful planning outcome. It is an important first step in bringing to life this visionary building which we believe will become iconic on the Melbourne skyline.

- Ryan Levin, Managing Director Wingate Property
</blockquote>

 
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Perri Projects receives approval for $150m Carlton Gardens project

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The second site of Richmond High School is on track to open in time for the commencement of the 2019 school year, with the Academic Building now topped out.

Earlier this week, Minister for Education James Merlino and Member for Richmond Richard Wynne toured the $43 million school which will cater for 650 Year 7-12 students.

The new Richmond High School is located across two sites comprising an academic precinct on Griffith Street and a sports precinct on Gleadell Street.

<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/img_9668.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Griffith Street Campus' academic building has topped out. Image: Supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="395" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_9668.jpg?itok=DAv6_4Wc" title="The Griffith Street Campus' academic building has topped out. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Griffith Street Campus' academic building has topped out. Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure>With the roof of the Griffiths Street campus now complete, the second campus will be ready for Term 1, 2019 and will cater for the second intake of Year 7 students in addition to students moving into Year 8.

The Griffiths Street Campus will have four levels featuring learning and staff facilities, as well as outdoor spaces for learning, gathering and play.

The Gleadell Street campus includes general purpose teaching spaces, four competition-standard netball courts including one indoor, as well as new showers and toilets, a canteen and administration area.

According to architects Hayball, the atrium is "the physical and symbolic heart of the academic building, a single unifying space that brings everyone in the school together." The idea of connectivity extends to the exterior of the building which has been designed to express a ground plane strongly connected to the landscape.

Internally, specialist space will be evident across the four levels with the school shifting from traditional classrooms and teaching models to learning spaces that are targeted, purposeful spaces promoting a range of activities and experiences catered to staff and student needs.

The school has been designed to provide a hub for the community. At the Griffiths and Gleadell Street campuses, spaces for students to learn, gather and play can be used by community members, including the outdoor amphitheatre, three external netball courts, performing arts facilities and café environment.

<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/img_9558.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The already completed Gleadell Street campus. Image: Supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="364" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_9558.jpg?itok=rREf733g" title="The already completed Gleadell Street campus. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The already completed Gleadell Street campus. Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say:</h2>

<blockquote>
The topping out of the building marks a significant milestone in the construction of Richmond High School, and importantly, provides students, teachers, and community members an opportunity to celebrate the campus so close to completion. As the second Richmond High School campus materialises, it’s clear how excited everyone is.

During the design phase, Hayball had the great benefit of working with the Richmond High School reference group. Now that the designs are coming to life, there’s a sense among the local community that this is truly a school for them.

- David Tweedie, Hayball Director
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
This is another great milestone for our community, who fought against this school’s closure and fought for it to be built again. This school is not only providing much needed education assets for our area, it’s bringing new resources for the wider community.

- Richard Wynne, Member for Richmond 
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
We’re getting on with the job of opening the second campus of Richmond High School with the facilities on track to open Term 1, 2019. Richmond High School is one of 70 new schools we’re building in Victoria and is a school that should never have been shut in the first place.

- James Merlino, Minister for Education
</blockquote>
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Richmond High School's Academic Building tops out

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Parramatta City Council has given the green light to Dexus to develop a 33-storey office tower at 140 George Street, Parramatta adding to the growing number of office developments within Sydney’s fastest growing city.

The 138m tower will be located on the corner of George and Charles Streets, with the design seeking to capitalise on the site’s unique riverside location along a key stretch of the Parramatta River that contains the ferry terminal and provides views to the north over the river as well as back to Sydney’s CBD.

<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/37446032635_24ebaa980c_b.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="140 George's street interface along Charles Street. Planning Image: Bates Smart"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="488" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/37446032635_24ebaa980c_b.jpg?itok=ITXsquIT" title="140 George's street interface along Charles Street. Planning Image: Bates Smart" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>140 George's street interface along Charles Street. Planning Image: Bates Smart</figcaption></figure>140 George Street will deliver 45,700 sqm of A-Grade office space to the Parramatta office market, providing large, open, contiguous floorplates to maximise fit out flexibility, daylight access and views.

<blockquote>
This development will deliver a world-class office building and strongly supports Parramatta’s growth as a place to invest and to do business. Parramatta continues to attract quality tenants who are enticed by the city’s dynamic workforce, interconnected transport options and vibrant lifestyle offerings.

- Ross Du Vernet, Dexus Chief Investment Officer
</blockquote>

The Bates Smart design considers how the building could benefit the overall well-being of its occupants through the incorporation of high-quality services and exercise facilities such as a gymnasium and swimming pool. Retreat spaces are offered with outdoor terraces, a café and open spaces to capture the sun and fresh air.

<blockquote>
The architectural design proposal sets a framework for the building to establish high quality workplace environments through key design principles. This framework creates a comfortable and enjoyable workplace whilst ensuring long term commercial viability of the building.

The floors have excellent daylight penetration via a large facade to core wall ratio, long north facing orientation of floorplate; high levels of air quality through an advanced mechanical ventilation system; excellent outlook and views along Parramatta River to Sydney CBD; inter-floor connectivity through glazed firestair on the floorplate; multi-use spaces within the building with external terraces for relaxation and breakout areas which all contribute to creating a high level of occupant amenity.

- Bates Smart
</blockquote>

In addition, naturally-lit stairs are provided to enable easy movement between each floor. The slender floor plate with an end core will ensure all occupants have great access to natural light and the sweeping views across Parramatta.

At street level, the base of the tower will be activated with a range of facilities offering amenities accessible to all the occupants of the surrounding commercial precinct. 
With a focus on sustainability, the high-quality façade design balances access to natural daylight against thermal performance. The building will target a 5 Star Green Star Design and 5 star NABERS Energy performance.

Parramatta City Council aims to revitalise the river foreshore as part of a staged 20 year redevelopment. A river Quay with an upgraded ferry terminal, new outdoor entertainment area and terraces and a world class public square are part of a new vision to activate Parramatta River.

The draft ‘City River Strategy Master Plan’ encompasses 31 hectares on the Parramatta River foreshore and proposes major changes for the regeneration of Sydney’s second largest CBD. The River City Plan positions Parramatta River at the front and centre of Parramatta City Centre as redevelopment occurs.

The plan proposes a world-class public domain and a high-quality collection of new buildings that are seamlessly knitted together by a dense network of accessible and active spaces.

<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/parramatta_city_river_plan.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Vision for the Parramatta City River Strategy Design and Activation. Image: Parramatta City Council"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/parramatta_city_river_plan.jpg?itok=zaGAWpVW" title="Vision for the Parramatta City River Strategy Design and Activation. Image: Parramatta City Council" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Vision for the Parramatta City River Strategy Design and Activation. Image: Parramatta City Council</figcaption></figure><h2>PROJECT TEAM</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: DEXUS</li>
	<li>Architect: Bates Smart</li>
	<li>Project Management: Savills</li>
	<li>Structure: Enstruct</li>
	<li>Facade Engineer/ESD/Waste: Arup</li>
	<li>Traffic: Arup</li>
	<li>Building Services: NDY</li>
	<li>Fire Engineering: Defire</li>
	<li>Quantity Surveyors: Slattery</li>
	<li>Planning: Robinson Urban Planning</li>
	<li>Landscape Architect: Turf</li>
	<li>BCA Steve Watson &amp; Partners</li>
</ul>
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Dexus receives greenlight for 140 George Street Parramatta

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DKO Architecture and SLAB Architecture's Campbell Street project in Collingwood has claimed gold in Architectural Design (Commercial and Residential), at the Good Design Awards hosted in Sydney.

The 60th Anniversary of the Awards attracted a record number of entries, with only 260 projects selected to receive a Good Design Award, after being whittled down from 536.

The jury commented that the project was a “great use of space, wonderful use of exterior, wonderful use of the metal-as decoration”, with the project's location in Collingwood playing an important role in the design approach.

<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/120_campbell_highres-28.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Campbell Street's rooftop terrace encompasses views of its Collingwood context."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/120_campbell_highres-28.jpg?itok=eY6Wk8l6" title="Campbell Street's rooftop terrace encompasses views of its Collingwood context." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Campbell Street's rooftop terrace encompasses views of its Collingwood context.</figcaption></figure>Designed by Jesse and Seada Linardi (DKO Architecture/Slab Architecture) the house is a study in pushing multi-residential architecture and vertical living to the limits, within its environment while offering an alternative typology to living in a contested urban landscape.

<blockquote>
The project provokes questioning and curiosity and challenges conventional notions of multi-residential development … if everyone was this creative in designing high density housing on small inner city sites our cities would be better places. Collingwood is almost cult-like in its community. It’s active, eclectic, unpretentious and accepting of culture, values and diversity.

- Jesse Linardi, Design Director from DKO Architecture
</blockquote>

The Campbell Street project cleverly configures this space in Collingwood into two light filled, three-bedroom vertical dwellings with footprint dimensions of 4m in width and 9m in length, totalling 36 sqm per dwelling across a site area of only 72 sqm.

Each six-level apartment features a basement, ground-floor garage and rooftop terrace plus a light well spanning the height of the property that illuminates each home. Campbell Street’s exterior has a jewel-like appearance with metal studs and a perforated, powder coated, operable steel screen.

<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/122_campbell_highres-14.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The warmth and softness of the interiors is in contrast to the dark steel exteriors."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/122_campbell_highres-14.jpg?itok=zeaos21h" title="The warmth and softness of the interiors is in contrast to the dark steel exteriors." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The warmth and softness of the interiors is in contrast to the dark steel exteriors.</figcaption></figure>The interior design of Campbell Street is a deliberate and curated juxtaposition between the bold exterior presentation, and the softness and calmness of the interior living experience.

The project represents a density of 140 dwellings per hectare compared to the average Melbourne city lot size in 2016 of 400 sqm.

Winners of the Awards will be showcased to the general public during Vivid Sydney, from 25-27 May 2018 at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay. DKO will display a model of Campbell Street as part of the showcase.
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DKO and Slab Architecture snare gold for Campbell Street

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Four years after a fire tore through the Stokehouse, the popular venue has reclaimed its prominent location on St Kilda's foreshore. The new design which reimagines the Stokehouse’s exterior, is the result of a collaborative effort between Sydney-based Industrial Design studio TILT, Robert Simeoni Architects and owners, the Van Haandel Group.

The building doesn’t try to imitate its predecessor, instead, the design draws on cues taken from the site's beachside context, paying homage to the jetty via a blackened timber-clad façade. Raw elements such as leather, concrete and brick form a connection between the building and the artificial sand dunes. The dunes conceal the ground floor from street level, while also raising Stokehouse and creating the sense of a floating volume.

<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/20170536_jg_0511.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Stokehouse appears to float above the sand dunes. 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/20170536_jg_0511.jpg?itok=LsP8pDjR" title="The Stokehouse appears to float above the sand dunes. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Stokehouse appears to float above the sand dunes. Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure>The restaurant is spread over two levels, and has been provided with a fresh new look, taking advantage of the views over St Kilda beach, just a few metres away.

The new precinct also houses casual bar and grill Pontoon, and fish-and-chip kiosk Paper Fish. TILT undertook the façade design, manufacturing and installation process which is expressed as a series of horizontally bi-folding screens located outside the restaurant’s windows. The screens provide protection from the sun, and can be raised to encompass unobstructed bay views.

<blockquote>
TILT was engaged to design, manufacture and install a series of bi-folding screens for the iconic Stokehouse restaurant rebuild in Melbourne. The screens sit outside the restaurant windows and provide protection from the sun, but can be raised to highlight beautiful ocean views. The beachside location is a demanding environment for mechanical structures.

The design utilises marine grade stainless steel for the fabricated structural elements, which is paramount for longevity and reliable performance. The screens provide a distinctive yet functional façade that offers uninterrupted views. This unique design retains the character of the building, while considering the comfort of patrons – a combination that results in the greatest commercial success.

- TILT
</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/20170536_jg_0686.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Stokehouse's operable facade controls the comfort of patrons. 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/20170536_jg_0686.jpg?itok=It0NELtn" title="The Stokehouse's operable facade controls the comfort of patrons. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Stokehouse's operable facade controls the comfort of patrons. Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure>The coastal location is a demanding environment for mechanical structures and so the use of marine grade stainless steel was used for the façade’s fabricated structural elements essential for durability and reliable performance within a beachside context.

TILT and Robert Simeoni Architects have created a new identity and recognisable aesthetic for the Stokehouse, with the operable screen, which has a practical application that considers and ensures the comfort of patrons.
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St Kilda foreshore's Stokehouse reborn

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Kerstin Thompson Architects (KTA) have transformed the former Victoria Police Mounted Branch stables on Southbank into world-class teaching and learning facilities for students of the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Fine Arts and Music following an $18 million make-over.

The refurbishment is an exemplar of adaptive re-use and continues KTA's affinity with working with the fabric of heritage structures, since its inception in 1994. The stables were purpose-built in 1912 as part of the old Police Depot, which included a hospital, barracks and drill hall.

<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/the_stables_jg.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Stables within its Southbank context. Image: John Gollings"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/the_stables_jg.jpg?itok=3X75ARas" title="The Stables within its Southbank context. Image: John Gollings" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Stables within their Southbank context. Image: John Gollings</figcaption></figure>The Stables were officially open on Monday 14 May by Creative Industries Minister Martin Foley, who said the re-purposing and redevelopment of The Stables was part of a long-term plan to transform Southbank into "one of the world’s leading arts precincts."

The University of Melbourne’s acquisition of The Stables site was made possible through the significant support of the State Government, with the $18 million refurbishments undertaken through the significant support of generous philanthropists including The Ian Potter Foundation, The Myer Foundation and Martyn &amp; Louise Myer. 

The Stables feature a new visual arts wing with 170 studios and flexible exhibition spaces and the former riding school has been converted into a 260-seat multipurpose arts wing for theatre, dance, music theatre and music performances.

The heritage features of the former police stables had been maintained through the preservation of its bluestone mounting yards, red brick façade and iconic octagonal roof and skylight, formerly referred to by Mounted Branch staff as ‘The Dome’.

<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/the_stables_dome_tm.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The iconic 'dome' has been preserved within the 8m refurbishment. Image: Trevor Mein"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/the_stables_dome_tm.jpg?itok=Wh65a8_B" title="The iconic 'dome' has been preserved within the 8m refurbishment. Image: Trevor Mein" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The iconic 'dome' has been preserved within the 8m refurbishment. Image: Trevor Mein</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
The Former Mounted Police Stables and Former Riding School have been transformed to VCA’s School of Art. Once home of the horse is now home of 150 under- and post-graduate students. One of the largest metropolitan stables, this heritage-listed building is significant for its police use and distinguished by cellular organisation of its stalls, sublime repetition of structure and light-filled volumes by way of clerestory windows. Its bones formed an ideal fit with the university’s need for studios and a performing arts space.

An urban cornerstone of the university’s Southbank campus, the distinctive form of the octagon marks the intersection of Dodds and Grant Streets. It hinges the two wings of the facility into a v-formation to create the southern end of the central courtyard. The Dodd Street wing – former stables – is dedicated to studios and the Grant Street wing – former riding school – to performing arts space. It’s linked with the existing Grant Street theatre via a new steel canopy. The ground floor of the octagon forms the ceremonial entry and access to both wings and the campus courtyard. Exploiting its geometry, it can be divided into seminar, exhibition and event spaces as required through a series of sliding panels.

- Kerstin Thompson Architects
</blockquote>

KTA's transformation of the stables involved a series of interventions to the heritage fabric which required a delicate balancing act of careful conservation and restorative works to existing floor surfaces and stall fronts, and significantly more transformative changes in the sectional qualities of the space in order to accommodate new programme.

Staff offices, seminar rooms and a central conference room characterised by the now-revealed original steel trusses, are located at the first floor, with an oculus framing the structure from the entry below.

The original double-storey central void was partly in-filled to accommodate upper level studio spaces, utilising the higher ceilings and natural light afforded via the clerestory windows with circulation moved to the perimeter. 

New studio partitions provide the school with adaptable spaces which enable flexibility of use as exhibition space, for example outside of their everyday use as studio space.

According to the architects, one of the most significant challenges was the integration of building services. The adopted solution worked two-fold - it ensured minimal impact on the original heritage fabric and provided place-making opportunities for the courtyard by locating much of the plant within a series of brick-faced panel 'urban blocks'

Other key projects in the Southbank campus redevelopment include the recently-opened Buxton Contemporary, and a new state-of-the-art nine-storey building for the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music – The Ian Potter Southbank Centre – which will open in 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/kerstin-thompson-banner-19tlnj5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Kerstin Thompson within the refurbished Stables. Image: Giulia McGauran"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="290" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/kerstin-thompson-banner-19tlnj5.jpg?itok=ynI2EPT4" title="Kerstin Thompson within the refurbished Stables. Image: Giulia McGauran" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Kerstin Thompson within the refurbished Stables. Image: Giulia McGauran</figcaption></figure><a href="http://precinct.finearts-music.unimelb.edu.au/2018/05/11/welcome-to-the-stables-a-new-world-class-arts-facility-in-melbournes-arts-precinct/">Click here</a> for an in depth tour of the building by KTA Principal, Kerstin Thompson.

Lead image: Trevor Mein
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KTA lends its design nous to 'The Stables'

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The fourth and final tower within Far East Consortium's (FEC) $1b West Side Place multi-tower development has been released. Located on Spencer and Lonsdale Streets, West Side Place is directly opposite FEC's now complete Upper West Side neighbourhood.

Known as The Park Release, the 70-storey mixed-use tower follows the success of the 72-storey Gold Release fronting Lonsdale Street. The approx. 235m high building will accommodate 684 apartments and a 4-star 312 room Dorsett branded hotel, offering views across the Flagstaff Gardens.

As part of the redevelopment of the 12,000 sqm former Age site, a new laneway will be developed connecting Lonsdale St and Little Lonsdale St, providing restaurants and an extensive number of retail sites focused around a central landscaped public realm.

The Park Release features a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments all designed to maximise natural light and completed with high-end quality fit-outs.

Residential amenities are located on levels 9 &amp; 10 and include a residential lounge, private dinning rooms, wine tasting room with wine cellar, garden terrace with BBQ facilities, rooftop cinema, virtual golf, lap pool, plunge pools, gymnasium and yoga and pilates spaces and more.

<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/wsp02.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Park Release draws on its location adjacent to West Side Place's central park. Image: Far East Consortium"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="414" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/wsp02.jpg?itok=Dtqv-Rwq" title="The Park Release draws on its location adjacent to West Side Place's central park. Image: Far East Consortium" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Park Release draws on its location adjacent to West Side Place's central park. Image: Far East Consortium</figcaption></figure><h2>The Park Release Quick Facts</h2>

<ul>
<li>70-storeys, approx. 235m in height</li>
	<li>684 apartments</li>
	<li>4-star Dorsett hotel comprising 312 suites</li>
	<li>Over 3,000 sqm ground floor retail space</li>
	<li>Over 475sqm of park and open space</li>
	<li>Views over Flagstaff Gardens and the city skyline</li>
	<li>World-class amenities including lounge, private dining rooms, rooftop cinema and more.</li>
</ul>
Meanwhile, head contractor Probuild is ramping up construction on Stage 01 with the erection of two tower cranes and the formation of the first core.

Stage 01 comprises a total of 1,359 apartments and Melbourne's first Ritz-Carlton hotel across two towers - the 81-storey Tower 1, which will house the Ritz-Carlton and the 64-storey Tower 2 which will rise to heights of 270m and 211m, respectively.

Stage 01 of West Side Place is scheduled for completion in 2022.

<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/wsp_probuild.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Probuild is progressing with construction of stage 1. Image: Probuild"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="582" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/wsp_probuild.jpg?itok=xSX3j6jM" title="Probuild is progressing with construction of stage 1. Image: Probuild" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Probuild is progressing with construction of Stage 01. Image: Probuild</figcaption></figure>
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The Final Stage of West Side Place released as construction ramps up on stage 01

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ICON Developments in partnership with Camlen Property Group have breathed new life into an office building, following an extensive refurbishment which has created a unique offering within Canberra’s Civic precinct.

10 Hobart Place is driving the trend for building owners to refurbish existing property to meet growing market demand in the capital, in order to enhance tenant amenity and attract tenants. Through this refurbishment, two of the building’s ten floors have been radically transformed into chic and flexible workspaces.

With many adjacent buildings being redeveloped into multi-residential projects, 10 Hobart Place provides a point of difference within Canberra's burgeoning Civic precinct, surrounded by a range of commercial, retail and residential buildings. 

10 Hobart Place totals 4,500 sqm of lettable space offering flexible tenancy areas with office space catering for tenants from 65 sqm to 530 sqm.

<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/dmc_6193.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The refurbished interiors of 10 Hobart Place. Image: ICON"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/dmc_6193.jpg?itok=0UF6dBxw" title="The refurbished interiors of 10 Hobart Place. Image: ICON" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The refurbished interiors of 10 Hobart Place. Image: ICON</figcaption></figure>The charm of its 1960’s exterior has been maintained, with the redesign of 10 Hobart Place delivering modern office accommodation with an industrial-inspired aesthetic, including polished concrete floors, exposed ceiling services and glass internal corridor partitioning.

Canberra’s Civic precinct has experienced a significant amount of development activity in recent years in a bid to revitalise the city and make it a more vibrant and attractive place to work, live and visit, and to continue to attract investment.

Working with peckvonhartel on the redesign, ICON has updated end of trip facilities, building amenities, services and tenant spaces to set a new standard for commercial occupiers in the heart of Canberra’s CBD. 

The building now offers new premium end-of-trip facilities, including separate male and female showers, lockers and change rooms, as well as bike storage.

<blockquote>
Through this refurbishment, we wanted to stay true to what makes the city unique. Located at the heart of the CBD and surrounded by so much of what gives Canberra its distinct character, the building represents professionalism and style within a corporate business environment.

As a design-focused developer, we always endeavour to create iconic projects that will stand the test of time, and by combining old and new, we believe that 10 Hobart Place does just that. Through this refurbishment we were able to offer cutting-edge office accommodation as well as contribute to the wider urban renewal we have been witnessing in the city.

We really wanted to attract vibrant professionals and establish a creative community within the building which in turn will have a positive impact on the precinct. To promote this cohesion, we have introduced a ground floor café and an 80’s themed basement bar called ‘88mph’ which has been well received by tenants.

- Ashley Murdoch, ICON Developments
</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/dmc_7105.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="10 Hobart Place's premium end-of-trip facilities. Image: ICON"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/dmc_7105.jpg?itok=hjoKxd0e" title="10 Hobart Place's premium end-of-trip facilities. Image: ICON" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>10 Hobart Place's premium end-of-trip facilities. Image: ICON</figcaption></figure>Canberra's Civc precinct has become a highly sought after office market by both the private and public sector, having undergone a transformation in recent years into a mixed-use precinct, adding a diverse mix of residential and ground floor retail amenities within an established office location. 
Within the 10-storey building, two floors have concurrently been refurbished however further tenancy options from 180 square metres are available for lease.

The building is located in close proximity of the ACT Magistrates and Supreme Courts, The Australian National University (ANU) Action Campus, and Canberra Shopping Centre.
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ICON breathes new life into a 1960's Canberra office building

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Based around the core theme of "It's all in the detail" for 2018, the 32nd annual DesignBUILD expo wrapped up last Friday, with a number of topics being discussed by industry experts over the course of the three day event, which took place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. 

Amongst them, was the Build-to-rent model and the a key role it could play in addressing Australia’s housing crisis. However, there was a general consensus that for this to be implemented successfully the tax system needs to adapt and more government incentives would need to be introduced, according to industry experts speaking at the event.

Also a hot topic at DesignBUILD was the advent and adoption of prefabrication as another potential solution to the housing affordability crisis due to its efficiency, lower costs and construction time.  The biggest challenge facing the industry in making this type of construction more mainstream in Australia, however, is educating consumers of the time and cost benefits of prefab construction without the quality suffering.

<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/1w8a2243.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="DesignBUILD 2018 was centred around the theme &quot;it's all in the detail&quot;. Image: Supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="580" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/1w8a2243.jpg?itok=uiLhnBRZ" title="DesignBUILD 2018 was centred around the theme &quot;it's all in the detail&quot;. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>DesignBUILD 2018 was centred around the theme "it's all in the detail". Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure>DesignBUILD comprises a trade exhibition for manufacturers and suppliers, alongside two seminar and education programs.

Apartments.com.au was on hand during day two and attended two of the seminar presentations, exploring topics in innovation, with presentations on new products and materials leading change in global build and design solutions as well as insights into prefab construction, and whether it is a threat or an opportunity for building and construction.

Two of the presentations Apartments.com.au attended are outlined below;

<h2>Future Proofing Commercial Buildings: How design and construction needs to adapt for the workplace of the future</h2>

<ul>
<li>Anneke Thompson - Colliers International</li>
	<li>Eliza Owen - CoreLogic</li>
	<li>Nick Travers - Technē Architecture and Interior Design</li>
	<li>Tim Phillips - Tilt Industrial</li>
	<li>Prof. Des Smith - Deakin University</li>
</ul>
Professor Smith argued that trends for workplace design come and go but it's critical that the shell of the building is well designed and robust enough that it is still standing in 100 years time. He used the DCM-designed Melbourne Exhibition Centre as an example where the architects designed the shell for others to then come in and curate - everything below the structural supports for the immense roof.

Nick Travers discussed some of the learnings that could be taken from the office's experience in the hospitality sector and how these could be applied to the design of workspaces particularly when retrofitting old warehouse shells or within other adaptive re-use projects for offices.

Colliers' Anneke Thompson, who chaired the discussion spoke about the importance of a well-designed workplace and the culture it creates in ensuring staff retention for businesses.

<h2>Changes in Buyer Expectations: From the cookie cutter to bespoke materials, fixtures and fittings with an artisanal appeal</h2>

<ul>
<li>Stephen Crafti</li>
	<li>David Allt-Graham - MAB Corporation</li>
	<li>Debbie Ryan - McBride Charles Ryan</li>
	<li>Jeff Provan - Neometro</li>
</ul>
Moderated by Stephen Crafti, one of Melbourne's most prolific architecture and design writers, the presentation focused on the changing attitudes towards apartment living and how people's expectations and demands have changed since the early 90's.

David Allt-Graham spoke about MAB's experience in Docklands and the changing demands of prospective buyers, particularly with regard to amenities and communal areas. Discussing MAB's latest project, Escala within the NewQuay precinct, Allt-Graham spoke about how they aimed to bring in elements of the CBD to the design while commenting on the impacts of the new Better Apartment Design Standards (BADS) might have on the market.

Debbie McBride spoke of the firm's use of colour and the impact it can have on purchasers - a feature that provides a distinguishing quality to a development- and how this played out on the QVII and Quays developments, working with different developers. On the topic of apartment standards, McBride noted that despite QVII being a highly lauded project, if you were to apply the BADS rigorously then most of the apartments wouldn't comply yet they are well designed and highly sought after.

There was a general consensus amongst the panel that although the BADS would raise the quality of apartments being delivered at the lower end of the market, one unintended consequence is that it might hinder design innovation at the upper end.

Beyond the speaker sessions, a range of new products and service providers were on display, with fixtures, fittings, electricals and new home innovations. International exhibitors showcased innovations in bamboo whilst local supplier, Aircharge shared new ways to power electronic devices. Plant walls and interior décor ideas were also in abundance.

<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/244a8392.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="One of the many panel discussions at DesignBUILD 2018. 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/244a8392.jpg?itok=MC2NKuzP" title="One of the many panel discussions at DesignBUILD 2018. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>One of the many panel discussions at DesignBUILD 2018. Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
DesignBUILD is about bringing together people who are talking about the big topics that the industry is starting to deal with, and most importantly looking to drive change.

With the Australian population continuing to swell at such a fast rate, this is a crucial time for the architecture, building, construction and design communities to come together and discuss some of the big challenges faced by their industries, and that’s what DesignBUILD is all about. We’re delighted to be able to bring together experts from across the country and provide this forum of discussion.

We can’t wait to come back next year with an even bigger and better program. Each year DesignBUILD grows and we welcome more attendees, we can’t wait to see what else we can achieve.

- Pia Argiratos, Conference Director  
</blockquote>

DesignBUILD 2019 will be on next year from Tuesday 14 May – Thursday 16 May 2019 at the International Convention Centre Sydney, Darling Harbour.
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DesignBUILD wraps up for another year

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sunland-group">Sunland Group</a> has officially lodged plans for its first Gold Coast apartment project since the departure of the Abedian family from the company three years ago, unveiling a new high-rise proposal for a prominent Broadbeach corner site on Old Burleigh Road.

The application was submitted by an entity directed by Tom Jamieson, stepson of longtime Sunland leader Soheil Abedian, and Riaz Rezvanipour, brother-in-law of Sahba Abedian, Soheil’s son.

Sunland acquired the 1,283 sqm site on the corner of Old Burleigh Road and Armrick Avenue for $9.5 million late last year and is now seeking approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/99-101-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">42-storey tower with 81 apartments</a>.

<img alt="First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fea2946d-90ee-4cfc-babe-2a8ad5db2cb6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers.png?VersionId=BV0fihJw31nDIQ8ozY_h3GbS8mxDyhnm" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/contreras-earl-architecture">Contreras Earl Architecture</a>, the proposed tower at 99-101 Old Burleigh Road would deliver a predominantly larger-format apartment mix aimed at the owner-occupier market. Plans include 17 two-bedroom apartments, 55 three-bedroom apartments, and nine four-bedroom residences across 35 residential levels.

The development also incorporates three basement levels, four podium parking levels, two levels of communal recreation facilities, and rooftop plant and equipment. A total of 189 car spaces are proposed, significantly exceeding the 90 spaces required under the planning scheme.

The architecture adopts a sculpted, curvilinear form, with deep wraparound balconies and integrated landscaping intended to soften the tower’s vertical expression. The planning report states the building’s “slender footprint/form provides a complimentary yet varied built form within the local streetscape” and contributes to “a varied, yet ordered skyline.”

Contreras Earl noted in its Architectural Statement that from the early stages, the project addressed a fundamental challenge: how to accommodate the required residential yield while avoiding the conventional model of a tower sitting on a rigid, fully resolved parking podium.

“The most direct response would have been to consolidate parking into a singular, flat podium and extrude a repetitive tower above,” the statement said. “While efficient, this approach would result in a consolidated built form with limited engagement with the surrounding landscape and public realm.”

Instead, the conventional podium model was “deliberately rejected”. The architects described the base of the building as “a landscaped architectural condition where structure, planting and circulation are integrated”.

“Rather than presenting a continuous built mass, the base of the building is articulated through a series of concrete planter elements that organise the podium into a fragmented system,” the statement said. “This approach reduces the perceived bulk of the lower levels while establishing a more permeable interface with the streetscape and adjacent open space.”

<img alt="Sunland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="923fad8d-c960-4527-8fbe-975cf1ddf88d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%2010.32.03%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=pngwb0hYOIUpq9vDw6F2EsOiVuHF3DiX" />

&nbsp;

The site sits within the High Density Residential Zone and inside the City of Gold Coast’s unrestricted “HX” building height area, where the planning framework anticipates intensified residential development tied to the expanding light rail corridor. The planning report notes the area is undergoing “transition toward more intense development forms” given its proximity to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, and high-frequency public transport infrastructure.

Positioned directly opposite Broadbeach Park and within walking distance of Florida Gardens light rail station, the development would sit among a rapidly evolving stretch of Old Burleigh Road that has become one of the Gold Coast’s most active apartment development corridors.

The application joins a growing pipeline of luxury residential projects reshaping Broadbeach, including nearby developments by 5Point Projects, Polycell, and Graya.

The planning report argues the project contributes toward the Gold Coast’s long-term housing targets under the South East Queensland Regional Plan, which forecasts the need for more than 100,000 additional high-rise dwellings across the city by 2046.

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-4" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-1" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-1" dir="auto">
The Abedian family departed Sunland Group in late 2023, ending a four-decade association with the company, and subsequently established the private development firm Abedian &amp; Co. The group is currently delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/greenmount-residences-cnr-hill-street-and-marine-parade-coolangatta-qld-4225">Greenmount Residences</a> at Rainbow Bay and recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/18-mary-avenue-14-18-mary-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">18 Mary Avenue</a> in Broadbeach.
</section>

Joel Robinson

First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach new apartment market with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans

The Minns Labor Government has established the new Bays West Delivery Authority to lead the development&nbsp;of the Bays West Precinct and Blackwattle Bay Precinct.&nbsp;

The Authority is charged with creating Sydney’s newest precinct, a thriving, connected, sustainable hub with White Bay Power Station as its cultural heart. Its vision is to build on the area’s natural, cultural and industrial history to shape a vibrant new neighbourhood.

The precinct will deliver up to 8,500 well-located homes, including a minimum of 10 per cent affordable and essential worker homes. Combine new housing with public open space, opening public access to the waterfront for the first time in more than 100 years, while retaining important deep-water facilities to support Sydney’s working harbour.

Located just minutes from the Sydney CBD and connected to a world-class metro, ferry, walking and cycling links, the Bays West precinct will rebalance housing growth towards well-serviced inner-city locations and help tackle the state’s housing crisis.

The Bays West Delivery Authority,&nbsp;an agency of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, will report to the NSW Minister for Lands and Property who already has oversight of major precinct renewal projects including at Blackwattle Bay and Barangaroo.

As part of the broader Bays West transformation, the Minns Government recently announced that a proposal from Lendlease to redevelop part of the Bays West Precinct has progressed to Stage 2 of the NSW Government’s unsolicited proposals process.

<img alt="Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2ed71eb9-d8e8-4fa7-b9d1-de4531dcf2f3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%209.42.31%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=IDryFIbped9SNDg72LEN_EecvhUsOPvp" />

The Minns Labor Government has also confirmed the Bays West precinct will have a new suburb name. This will be the first major suburb built in close proximity to Sydney’s CBD in decades and will encompass the area currently being referred to as Bays West, including Glebe Island and the White Bay Power Station. Served by a new Metro station just five minutes from the CBD, it will become one of the most populous suburbs in the Inner West and one of Sydney’s premier cultural destinations.

An early works program is taking shape, which&nbsp;includes the first stages of an international design competition.&nbsp;

The aim of the Bays West&nbsp;International&nbsp;Design Competition is to&nbsp;ensure design excellence is embedded in the project from the start. The competition will deliver an&nbsp;urban framework that defines the character, ambition and long-term identity of&nbsp;this&nbsp;former industrial precinct as it transitions to a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable residential&nbsp;neighbourhood.

The competition will be led by the Bays West Delivery Authority in partnership with Government Architect NSW.&nbsp;

It will launch with an invitation for a global Expressions of Interest, before moving to an invitation-only stage that will be assessed by a panel that&nbsp;will provide advice to Cabinet who will select a winner.

Premier of NSW, Chris Minns said the establishment of the new Authority is the first step in transforming the Bays West precinct into a vibrant, livable suburb minutes from the Sydney CBD and two stops from Hunter St Station on the Metro West line.

“The Authority will deliver well-located homes close to the heart of the city and integrate the new precinct with Blackwattle Bay and the new Sydney Fish Market.

“This is a generational opportunity to build a new suburb on the city’s edge and open the harbour foreshore to the public for the first time in a century.”&nbsp;

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the new Bays West Delivery Authority established by the Minns Government will turbocharge the development of Sydney’s newest suburb.

“The Authority is working at a record pace to deliver an international design competition, planning pathways and a financial model so that this development benefits Sydney with well-designed homes in a central location, close to public transport, jobs, entertainment and essential services.

“If we want Sydney to stay liveable and affordable, we need to be bold about using underutilised government-owned land to deliver homes for the future while making sure essential working harbour functions can be accommodated.”

Bays West Delivery Authority established to "turbocharge" Sydney’s newest suburb

Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.

A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.

Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.

“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.

Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.

“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.

The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.

It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.

The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.

One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.

Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.

The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.

Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.

Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.

Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.

“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”

Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.

Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.

Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.

400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.

The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.

Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" />

“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.

The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”

The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" />

The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.

According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.

“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.

A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.

Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" />

All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.

The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.

Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.

The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.

Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" />

Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.

The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.

"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.

The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.

The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" />

Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.

Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.

Laurence Dragomir

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