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At its recent Future (Planning) Committee, the City of Melbourne resolved to provide conditional support to Cbus Property's office development at 311 Spencer Street.

The Woods Bagot designed tower will occupy a 5,136 sqm site with a frontage to Spencer Street of approximately 55m, yielding an above ground GFA of 107,129 sqm.

As mentioned in an <a href="/news/flinders-street-west-set-for-further-change">earlier article</a>, Victoria Police will be vacating their current premises at 637 Flinders Street to occupy the 40-storey tower, which will link to the existing City West Police Complex at 313 Spencer Street via a bridge. Victoria Police will sublease part of the tower to the Australian Federal Police, thus allowing for the redevelopment of the ADF offices at 383 La Trobe 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/170217_311spencerstreet_aerial_dusk.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aerial of the new headquarters for Victoria Police designed by Woods Bagot. Image: Cbus Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="580" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/170217_311spencerstreet_aerial_dusk.jpg?itok=M8xzItta" title="Aerial of the new headquarters for Victoria Police designed by Woods Bagot. Image: Cbus Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aerial of the new headquarters for Victoria Police designed by Woods Bagot. Image: Cbus Property</figcaption></figure>In addition to office accommodation, the tower program will include 2 levels of amenities, seven levels of above ground parking and four basement levels with provision for 600 parking spaces. These above ground parking levels will be shrouded in a combination of glazing and louvres. A public foyer, police museum (to the street) and 526 bike spaces with end-of-trip facilities (to the rear) will be provided to the ground floor.

According to the Council's report the development's setbacks will avoid a ‘wall of towers’ due to the existing setbacks of the City West Police Complex and the future development potential of the adjoining Spencer Outlet Centre. Additionally the tower's form and orientation help to reduce the impact of the building's mass as does the facade articulation which distinguishes it from its neighbour.

<blockquote>
The proposed development readily meets the podium height and setback requirements of DDO10 and the proposed built form offers a public benefit in the form of an office building that significantly exceeds the Floor Area Uplift requirements to justify a plot ratio of greater than 18:1. The overall high quality of the architecture ensures (sic) that the built form presents a balanced and engaging design response at ground, podium and tower levels subject to conditions.

The proposal will make a positive contribution to the western end of the Central Business District and generally satisfies the requirements of the Melbourne Planning Scheme.
<cite>Report to the Future (Planning) Committee</cite>
</blockquote>

While the development's plot ratio of 20.86:1 is in excess of the Capital City Zone's (CCZ) plot ratio of 18:1, the proposal's delivery of commercial office space as a public benefit satisfies the requirements necessary to achieve the proposed Floor Area Uplift. This is as per the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning's (DELWP) How to Calculate Floor Area Uplifts and Public Benefits. The public benefit calculations are based on a GFA of 107,129 sqm resulting in;

<ul>
<li>Value of Floor Area Uplift: $9,399,500</li>
	<li>Value of Public Benefit: $166,870,500</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/170217_311spencerstreet_hover_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The new tower for Victoria Police will rise up to a height of 169 metres. Images: Cbus Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="448" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/170217_311spencerstreet_hover_0.jpg?itok=mbf5o1HR" title="The new tower for Victoria Police will rise up to a height of 169 metres. Images: Cbus Property" width="580"></a></figure>While the proposal awaits final approval from Planning Minister Richard Wynne, Cbus Property has appointed Probuild as the Preferred Contractor to deliver the new headquarters for Victoria Police.

<blockquote>
This construction is of major significance to Victoria and the commercial building industry. We are thrilled to be working with Cbus Property and Victoria Police to deliver such an important project. Typically our largest markets have been in retail and residential sectors, however we’ve been preparing to enter large-scale commercial and civic projects by seriously adding to our technical and resource capabilities for a long time now.
<cite>Probuild</cite>
</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/170217_311spencerstreet_southern_cross.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="View along Spencer Street towards the proposed office tower. Image: Cbus Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/170217_311spencerstreet_southern_cross.jpg?itok=4-a7V9jg" title="View along Spencer Street towards the proposed office tower. Image: Cbus Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>View along Spencer Street towards the proposed office tower. Image: Cbus Property</figcaption></figure>Pending Departmental approval, 311 Spencer Street will begin construction ASAP targeting a 2019 completion date. In the context of the surrounding precinct's forecast construction, it will be interesting to see what happens with the Spencer Outlet Centre in the next 3-5 years. Watch this space.
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Laurence Dragomir

Top Cop Shop: 311 Spencer Street gains City of Melbourne support

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Once derided as the derriere of Melbourne's CBD, the west end is undergoing a marked revival with a slew of residential projects about to begin. This revival largely can also be attributed to the ongoing development of Docklands and the redevelopment of what is now Southern Cross Station, with the resultant epicentre of Melbourne's CBD slowly shifting to the area around King and Spencer Streets. 

A snapshot of some of the largest of these projects which will transform the face of Melbourne from a westerly aspect can be seen below;

<h2>555 Collins Street</h2>

<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/555collins_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="555 Collins Street. Images: Bates Smart"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="317" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/555collins_0.jpg?itok=9NIVdgHj" title="555 Collins Street. Images: Bates Smart" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>555 Collins Street. Images: Bates Smart</figcaption></figure>One of the latest projects to hit the market following a colourful history at planning. Once the site of the beautifully crafted Federal Coffee Palace, <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">555 Collins Street </a>currently stands as the empty concrete edifice dubbed Enterprise House.

Initially seeking planning exemption for a commercial building of 400m, owner Harry Stamoulis sold the site to Fragrance group who tried for a 90-storey, 300m tower designed by Bates Smart. That was reassessed following backlash during the planning process and was eventually replaced with a 47-storey pleated tower rising from a tapering base.

624 apartments constitute the tower.

<blockquote>
555 Collins Street will provide a dynamic and elegant residential tower regenerating a prominent, but neglected corner site within Melbourne’s CBD. The tower form is distinguished by a unique tapered podium which allows for the creation of an increased public realm and generous retail precinct.

The tapered base also means daylight can filter into the internal spaces, while at night, light will illuminate the surrounding precinct. A continuous pedestrian loop will link the development with the adjacent building, expanding public amenity and creating a contemporary addition to Melbourne’s collection of laneways.

- Bates Smart
</blockquote>

555 Collins Street is currently at sales and registrations.

<h2>West Side Place</h2>

<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/gold_residences.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Gold Residences at West Side Place. Image: Far East Consortium"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="375" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/gold_residences.jpg?itok=lYWSSdJ_" title="The Gold Residences at West Side Place. Image: Far East Consortium" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Gold Residences at West Side Place. Image: Far East Consortium</figcaption></figure>Stage 1 of West Side Place comprising two 200m + towers including a Ritz-Carlton hotel, and is set to commence construction in coming months following a successful sales campaign, with few apartments remaining. Developer Far East Consortium is now pushing ahead with the next stage - The Gold Release Residences - set for launch on June 3rd via Colliers.

Rising 72-storeys for an approximate height of 245m, the Gold Release will sit to the east of the Ritz Carlton with a laneway separating the two towers and frontage along Lonsdale Street. A fourth and final tower of 69-storeys and approximately 235m high will complete Far East's regeneration of two city blocks, which it began with its Upper West Side development on the site of the former Lonsdale Street power station.

<blockquote>
The Gold Release is the newest stage within the Ritz-Carlton precinct offering one and two bedroom residences up to level 70 and featuring expansive views across Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne’s city skyline and beyond. The Gold Release represents sophistication, elegance, value, quality and status. Everything that is synonymous with West Side Place and the Ritz-Carlton.

Designed to maximise natural light, residences are available right up to the clouds at level 70, across the following three offerings of Sky Residences, Central Residences, and Garden Residences.

- Far East Consortium
</blockquote>

<h2>Premier Tower</h2>

<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/premier_tower.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Premier Tower construction progress. Photo: redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="321" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/premier_tower.jpg?itok=-jX3Ks1g" title="Premier Tower construction progress. Photo: redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Premier Tower construction progress. Photo: redden</figcaption></figure><a href="/buildings/premier-tower-134-160-spencer-street-melbourne">Premier Tower</a> replaces the old Savoy Hotel on one of Melbourne's more prominent corners. The site is now at piling following initial demolition and excavations, with the result a 249m tower and 600 plus apartments.

Fragrance Group are behind the Elenberg Fraser-designed tower, with Multiplex the head contractor.

<blockquote>
We know you’ll agree that when you hear the phrase ‘less is more’ the first person that springs to mind is Beyoncé. No? Well – our new mixed-use building 134 Spencer Street provides the link between the two. At once a building that is the essence of first principles design – created entirely by parametric modelling – meanwhile its spiralling curves recall the twists and turns of a woman dancing in black cloth.

The deceptively complex form is the result of our research into wind, solar and massing criteria – the form is the best possible solution to all of those requirements. On top of that – we’ve taken the heritage surrounds into account, stepping down from the podium to meet them at eye level. This building is just another step in the westerly shift of the CBD.

- Elenberg Fraser
</blockquote>

<h2>299 King Street</h2>

<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/firs9645_299kingst_el03_parkview.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="299 King Street and surrounds. Image:CBRE"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="223" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/firs9645_299kingst_el03_parkview.jpg?itok=qRECk-TJ" title="299 King Street and surrounds. Image:CBRE" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>299 King Street and surrounds. Image:CBRE</figcaption></figure>Initially receiving approval for a height of 208m - down from the initial proposal of 83-storeys and 269m - owners Farinia on sold the site with approval for a residential scheme by Plus Architecture to Aurumstone Group. Aurumstone has since engaged Elenberg Fraser to rework the scheme in readiness for a imminent sales campaign.

Gone is the pearlescent façade which would produce a pink, bluish, purple effect depending on how light was cast over the tower. Likewise the tower's form has been rationalised with curvaceous lines and a bulge in form toward its peak.

<h2>Collins House</h2>

<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/collins_house.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Collins House construction progress. Photo: redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="286" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/collins_house.jpg?itok=wR8gtWqR" title="Collins House construction progress. Photo: redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/buildings/collins-house-melbourne-460-466-collins-street-melbourne">Collins House construction</a> progress. Photo: redden</figcaption></figure>Hickory is progressing construction works on the narrow site of what will eventually become Australia's slimmest tower, containing 267 dwellings. To deliver Golden Age's 60-storey residential tower and to deal with the site's small footprint, Hickory will be employing its innovative HBS construction method

The project will be serviced by a single tower crane, with major elements including façade and floors fabricated off-site and rapidly assembled on arrival at Collins Street. As such Hickory anticipates the overall construction programme on the Bates Smart designed tower will be reduced by up to 30%.

<blockquote>
The 60 level Collins House project incorporates the grand heritage façade of Melbourne’s historic Maker’s Mark building with a sleek contemporary tower.  Located on a small site footprint in central Melbourne, Hickory’s construction method for the project incorporates our own volumetric structural system, allowing building componentry to be erected more efficiently than a conventional formwork approach would have allowed.

Once complete, the 204-metre project will boast 271 luxury apartments ranging from two and three bedrooms to double storey loft apartments over a single basement level.  Communal facilities for residents include Collins Terrace on Level 3, a private indoor / outdoor space with private dining and gourmet kitchen and the St James Club on Level 27, a private club space with fitness facilities, outdoor deck, dining room and bar.

- Hickory
</blockquote>

<h2>600 Collins Street</h2>

<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/06_collins_melbourne_corner_plaza_hires.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="600 Collins Street base and plaza. Image: ZHA "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/06_collins_melbourne_corner_plaza_hires.jpg?itok=RsjW4isc" title="600 Collins Street base and plaza. Image: ZHA " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>600 Collins Street base and plaza. Image: ZHA</figcaption></figure>Developer Landream has applied to amend the approved plans to include a six star hotel in the tower with a marketing campaign not too far off for the ZHA and Plus Architecture designed tower. The development distinguished by 3-stacked vases, will deliver a plaza to Collins Street and laneway to the west of the site activated with retail and a gallery space.

^00 Collins was approved with 420 apartments in place, although that final release will likely see this number change.

<blockquote>
The design has been defined by Melbourne's rich and diverse urban landscape, reinterpreted in a contemporary solution driven by the logical division of its overall volume that will enhance the city's public realm with generous communal spaces. We are honoured to be working with our partners in Melbourne to deliver this project for the city.

- Michele Pasca di Magliano, Zaha Hadid Architects. 
</blockquote>
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Apartments galore set to breathe new life into the western CBD 

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During my many visits to display suites I generally meet with real estate agents, architects and developers and am taken through the display suite or sit down for a chat.

My visit to The Springfield in Toorak was a bit of a departure from the norm. I was greeted onsite by Architects David and Tisha Lee of K2LD and we walked around the verdant 2,400 sqm site which they are developing in partnership with The Chapter Group into 19 residences set amongst a green landscape.

I first met David Lee a couple of years ago to discuss another joint K2LD and Chapter Group project - <a href="/news/the-next-chapter-collection-xi">Collection XI</a> - a project David says was a "learning experience" which the team "took many lessons from" when it came to conceiving The Springfield.

<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/hero-img.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Springfield, Toorak has been designed to sit amongst nature. Image: K2LD "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="368" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/hero-img.jpg?itok=MRJ5n6aA" title="The Springfield, Toorak has been designed to sit amongst nature. Image: K2LD " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Springfield, Toorak has been designed to sit amongst nature. Image: K2LD</figcaption></figure>The conversation about The Springfield site begins with the garden.

David and Tish spoke about how upon a visit to the site they knew immediately that it was the right site for their next development and had already conceived an idea in their mind as to how it would manifest - maximise northern exposure to natural sunlight in living areas, utilise its quiet garden setting which has informed the architectural approach and also draws inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water  - a building that completely immersed itself in the natural landscape.

<blockquote>
The good building is not one that hurts the landscape but one which makes the landscape more beautiful than it was before the building was built.

- Frank Lloyd Wright
</blockquote>

Likewise, The Springfield according to the Lee's "will not appear to stand on solid ground, but rather merge with the treetops."

<blockquote>
A respect for the natural surrounds and a desire to celebrate living, entwined with the pursuit of excellent craftsmanship. These are the ingredients that make for the highest quality of living.

- Tisha Lee, Architect K2LD
</blockquote>

For David and Tisha, The Springfield provided another opportunity to deliver a project not only as developers but also as the architects, enabling a greater balance between negotiating design imperatives with commercial imperatives, resulting in a better outcome and less compromise.

Taking on the dual roles also allowed David and Tisha to involve themselves in the sales aspect, dedicating time in their schedules to meet with prospective purchasers at the display suite (by appointment only) to address their practical concerns such as one instance involving an oven tray and whether it would fit in both the oven and the sink.

They were also able to take the display suite fit-out a step further by building a fully working kitchen and powder room for visitors to the site with the same specified Molteni &amp; C Dada’s VVD kitchen that will be installed in the finished product.

<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/kitchen_final.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Interior render of Molteni &amp; C Dada’s VVD kitchen fit-out. Image: K2LD"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="313" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/kitchen_final.jpg?itok=I3Yjoxlz" title="Interior render of Molteni &amp; C Dada’s VVD kitchen fit-out. Image: K2LD" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Interior render of Molteni &amp; C Dada’s VVD kitchen fit-out. Image: K2LD</figcaption></figure>Tisha's annual travels to Milan for Design Week informed and inspired the specification of the Vincent Van Duysen honey-coloured timber, 5m long marble bench top and Gaggeneau ovens and appliances.

Molteni Dada premiered their VVD kitchen at the 2016 Milan Furniture Fair and "The Springfield is the first development in the world to have specified these kitchens outside of Italy," says Tisha. 

The ability to specify finishes, materials and appliances is a luxury they would not have otherwise had, had David and Tisha not been involved as developers. 

While The Springfield is aimed at downsizers within Toorak and surrounds, when designing the residences David and Tisha were designing for themselves and their family and friends - would they be satisfied as prospective purchasers?

Would The Springfield be a development they would recommend to family and friends? Asking certain questions of themselves led to greater degree of rigour in the design of the residences and ultimate composition of The Springfield.

Residences within The Springfield will vary from 160 sqm (two bedrooms) in size to 250 sqm (three bedrooms) with two Penthouses, of 300 sqm and 400 sqm, respectively with one of the penthouses already being snapped up.

Despite the early success one downside to being both developer and architect is you also take on further stress. But David and Tisha assure me they wouldn't have it any other way.

<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/orrong_living_final_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Interior of living spaces showing relationship with outdoors paces. Image: K2LD"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="320" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/orrong_living_final_2.jpg?itok=wAlSZaXg" title="Interior of living spaces showing relationship with outdoors paces. Image: K2LD" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Interior of living spaces showing relationship with outdoors paces. Image: K2LD</figcaption></figure>
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Architects as developers - K2LD discuss The Springfield

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With Victoria Police vacating 637 Flinders Street in 2019 to relocate to shiny new digs at Cbus Property's 311 Spencer Street, Sydney-based owners Anton Capital are seeking to offload the site a mere two years after initially acquiring it. 

The site has strong potential as a development site for high-rise residential or office space, however marketing material from CBRE suggests a push for residential use. This is a clear shift away from its current use as a commercial building which forms part of the World Trade Centre Complex and one wonders what will become of the complex's identity should new owners pursue a residential scheme such as that depicted below.

The sale of 637 Flinders Street follows the sale earlier in the year of the three river facing buildings of the World Trade Centre by Asset1 to "private interests with connections to Malaysia" according to the <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/business/property/abacus-kkr-and-riverlee-group-sell-world-trade-centre-in-melbourne-20170208-gu8ho4">Sydney Morning Herald</a>.

Whatever the sites' final fate, one thing is for certain, it would appear change is imminent. Already there is an application to demolish the pedestrian overpass over Flinders St, which has been closed off since construction started on Melbourne Quarter. It will be removed in the coming months if the City of Melbourne agrees.

According to <a href="http://www.docklandsnews.com.au/editions/article/pedestrian-bridge-to-go_13007/">Docklands News</a> "the $870,000 project will remove the pedestrian bridge, make good of the WTC facade and install a new window to the opening of the facade after the bridge has been demolished."

<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/image8_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Indicative concept for 637 Flinders Street. Image: CBRE"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image8_11.jpg?itok=vDmPm-Yl" title="Indicative concept for 637 Flinders Street. Image: CBRE" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Indicative concept for 637 Flinders Street. Image: CBRE</figcaption></figure>For years the World Trade Centre (WTC) stood alone at the periphery of Flinders Street save for the Mission to Seafarers and the disused docks and in a way remains a relic of an era when for the most part Melbourne turned its back to the Yarra.

The Docklands redevelopment zone changed all that as it sought to extend Melbourne's CBD down to the water, although it could be argued some buildings didn't learn from the Trade Centre but that's a topic of discussion for another day. 

The area surrounding the WTC has seen minor infill development with only Flinders Wharf apartments and a refurbishment of the complex's river frontage being undertaken. More recently the demolition of the former World Congress Centre has opened the door to redevelopment with approval in place for a three tower residential scheme. 

Previous concepts such as those depicted below suggested a desire to retain the WTC Complex as a hub of commerce but with new development to renew the site, including over site development on the Sidderley Street car park.

Though the likelihood of a tower of that scale seems fanciful in the current planning climate, it did act as a catalyst for improvements to the rest of the precinct shifting the focus away from the vehicle to the pedestrian.

The tower was aimed at luring KPMG, who eventually settled on its HQ just around the corner, occupying Collins Square's tallest building. 

<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/65_23-04-2014_2423.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Proposal for KPMG's new HQ and further commercial buildings at the WTC."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="184" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/65_23-04-2014_2423.jpg?itok=ivA3MUm6" title="Proposal for KPMG's new HQ and further commercial buildings at the WTC." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Proposal for KPMG's new HQ and further commercial buildings at the WTC.</figcaption></figure>Another commercial scheme for the former convention centre site was approved in October 2012 and included two COX designed A-Grade commercial office towers of 26 and 20 storeys providing 88,325 sqm of office space and 377 car parking spaces.

This never proceeded after failing to attract an anchor tenant and was at one stage pitched at Victoria Police. 

<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/capture.png" rel="gallery-all" title="COX scheme for two towers on the former World Congress Centre site. Image: Planning Report"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="350" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/capture.png?itok=rShePCBV" title="COX scheme for two towers on the former World Congress Centre site. Image: Planning Report" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>COX scheme for two towers on the former World Congress Centre site. Image: Planning Report</figcaption></figure>Despite a few failed attempts and while 637 Flinders Street awaits a new owner to draft up a concrete proposal, there are a number of projects in the pipeline likely to get underway in the next year or so that will go some way to transforming the area. These are listed below;

<h2>Crowne Plaza</h2>

<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/crowne-plaza-hotel.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Crowne Plaza set to undergo a $20-30 million dollar refurb. "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/crowne-plaza-hotel.jpg?itok=Pl4uL7ib" title="Crowne Plaza set to undergo a $20-30 million dollar refurb. " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Crowne Plaza set to undergo a $20+ million dollar refurb.</figcaption></figure>There is currently a $20-30m tender out for an overhaul of Crowne Plaza Melbourne which adjoins the World Trade Centre. The exact nature of these works is yet to be confirmed but further improvements to the riverside and street level experience would be a good start.

<h2>731-739 Flinders Street</h2>

<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/731_flinders_street.png" rel="gallery-all" title="731-739 Flinders Street, Docklands. Image: Riverlee"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="381" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/731_flinders_street.png?itok=MUR4NNL1" title="731-739 Flinders Street, Docklands. Image: Riverlee" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>731-739 Flinders Street, Docklands. Image: Riverlee</figcaption></figure>The latest proposal for Riverlee's site at 731-739 Flinders Street is currently at planning awaiting a decision from Planning Minister Richard Wynne, following the submission of a revised mixed-use scheme prepared by Fender Katsalidis Architects which superseded an earlier approved commercial building.

The 13,200sqm Northbank site includes the historic Goods Shed 5 and will comprise a mix of residential, hotel and retail uses.

<blockquote>
The proposal includes extensive public works, refurbishment of the wharf, restoration of the historic crane and delivery of a new public park. The development will be sympathetic to the Shed's industrial past, while adding significant amenity to the area for the community.

The leasehold was secured in 2011, and the freehold was purchased in 2015 from State Government. The project is currently in the planning stage; planning approval has been granted for the previous scheme - a commercial mid-rise 25,000sqm building.

- Riverlee
</blockquote>

You can read about the initial scheme in greater detail <a href="/news/a-reborn-north-wharf-adds-to-melbournes-swelling-hotel-numbers">here</a>.

<h2>614-666 Flinders Street, Melbourne Quarter</h2>

<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/5bdccf00-e747-11e5-a571-7f3805729a0f_1_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Quarter's Residential neighbourhood to Flinders Street on the left. Image: Lendlease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/5bdccf00-e747-11e5-a571-7f3805729a0f_1_0.jpg?itok=op6W-yDJ" title="Melbourne Quarter's Residential neighbourhood to Flinders Street on the left. Image: Lendlease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Quarter's Residential neighbourhood to Flinders Street on the left. Image: Lendlease</figcaption></figure>A project which has had a lot of air time on Apartments.com.au in the last 12 months. Lendlease's Melbourne Quarter features a residential neighbourhood of with frontages along Flinders Street that will accommodate 3,000 future residents in approximately 1,690 dwellings across three towers.

The three apartment towers have been designed by Fender Katsalidis Architects with the first building, known as East Tower currently at sales.

Located at 628 Flinders Street, the 40-storey (136m) development will feature hanging gardens climbing the full height of the building.  A second tower, West Tower will rise a similar height while a shorter 58m building will be built adjacent to the Batman’s Garden park.

Already the first stage of restoration works have been undertaken to the heritage listed red brick and bluestone wall along Flinders Street which also acts as the primary entry into the site from the south.

<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/redbrick_wall.png" rel="gallery-all" title="New entry aperture through heritage wall into Melbourne Quarter. Image: Lendlease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="333" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/redbrick_wall.png?itok=zC01ob7T" title="New entry aperture through heritage wall into Melbourne Quarter. Image: Lendlease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>New entry aperture through heritage wall into Melbourne Quarter. Image: Lendlease</figcaption></figure><h2>7-23 Spencer Street</h2>

<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/21041-72201.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="Approved development plan for 7-23 Spencer Street. Image: Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/21041-72201.jpeg?itok=bsdG0t7Q" title="Approved development plan for 7-23 Spencer Street. Image: Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Approved development plan for 7-23 Spencer Street. Image: Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure>Elenberg Fraser initially developed a master plan comprising four towers for the redevelopment of the site for owners Riverlee who cleared and on sold the site with permit for three towers to Nuway Wy for around  $100m.  The master plan development concept proposes three towers that will accommodate:

<ul>
<li>A total of 1060 apartments;</li>
	<li>1340sqm of ground level retail space (787sqm in the north podium and 553sqm in the south podium)</li>
	<li>51 car parking spaces in the podium</li>
	<li>160 bicycle parking spaces</li>
	<li>Total Gross Floor Area of 84,098sqm</li>
	<li>The plot ratio is 9.9:1, based on a site area of 8486 sqm.</li>
	<li>Tower 1 and 2 will be located to the south of Siddeley Street and will rise 27-storeys (RL 88.8m max.) accommodating 245 and 208 apartments respectively. </li>
	<li>Tower 3 will be located to the north of Siddeley Street and will rise 43-storeys (maximum RL 110.1m max) accommodating 487 apartments</li>
</ul>
Following the demolition of the existing structure, the site has been turned into a temporary park until such time as the site is ready to be developed. Each tower will be subject to separate planning applications once designs have been resolved.
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Flinders Street West set for further change

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Over the course of the last week <a href="/developers/osk-property">OSK Property</a> has released images of a <a href="/news/southbank-set-to-gain-a-new-park">new Southbank park</a> within its Melbourne Square development. The large public park will occupy more than 20 per cent of overall site and will be one of the first stages of the project to be delivered.

OSK Property engaged landscape architects, Taylor Cullity Lethlean (TCL) for the park, who are perhaps best known locally for their award-winning work at Birrarung Marr, the Australian Garden in <a href="/developments/cranbourne-vic-3977">Cranbourne</a>, Sidney Myer Music Bowl and the National Arboretum in <a href="/new-apartments/canberra-act">Canberra</a>.

<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/oskh9386_melbourne_square_ea05_park_boulevard_entrance.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Square's towers rising behind the new park designed by landscape architects TCL. Image: OSK Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/oskh9386_melbourne_square_ea05_park_boulevard_entrance.jpg?itok=EqECtm-t" title="Melbourne Square's towers rising behind the new park designed by landscape architects TCL. Image: OSK Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Square's towers rising behind the new park. Image: OSK Property</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
Melbourne Square’s dynamic public realm will be a centerpiece for Southbank, one that can be actively programmed for events, or enjoyed at leisure. The park is part of a network of gardens inspired by Melbourne’s iconic Royal Botanic Gardens and qualities from other cities such as Paris, Berlin and Spain.

As this is such an urban environment, we have created vistas and seating nestled among the greenery. Generous promenades and plazas encourage the Italian tradition of promenading – taking an evening walk with family and friends. It’s about creating opportunities for residents of Melbourne Square and other buildings in <a href="/new-apartments/southbank-vic-3006">Southbank</a> to engage with nature.

- TCL Managing Director, Perry Lethlean
</blockquote>

An amphitheatre-inspired space is created via a gently rising slope which includes a water feature, cascading down the pathway leading visitors up to the café terrace, providing a gateway for visitors into the development. Stairs connect to an elevated terrace, with views over the lawns and gardens and a number of retail and alfresco dining offerings.

Melbourne Square will add to the area’s continuing transformation along with the City of Melbourne’s commitment to create a new parkland development for Southbank Boulevard. The large park will be actively programmed upon completion to host events for Southbank residents such as markets and cultural activities.

Citing the City of Melbourne's 2015 Places for People report, Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said one of the key drivers for projects such as Council's Southbank Boulevard Rejuvenation and OSK Property's Melbourne Square park was to address the imbalance in the number of residents in the densely populated suburb with access to green open space.

<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/sthbnk_blvd.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="City of Melbourne's Southbank Boulevard rejuvenation. Image: City of Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/sthbnk_blvd.jpg?itok=d-jAlw_7" title="City of Melbourne's Southbank Boulevard rejuvenation. Image: City of Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>City of Melbourne's Southbank Boulevard rejuvenation. Image: City of Melbourne</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
In the past 25 years, I’ve seen Southbank go from a wasteland of old factories and warehouses to Melbourne’s densest suburb, and the only City of Melbourne suburb in Australia’s 20 densest suburbs. That has meant that Southbank has less open space than any other postcode in the municipality, at just three square metres per resident.

Our 2015 Places for People report revealed that just 18 per cent of Southbank residents accessed open space locally compared with 90 per cent in Docklands and 31 per cent in the central city.

That’s why the City of Melbourne tries, wherever and whenever possible, to turn asphalt into green open space in the inner city: it’s for the benefit of those residents who are purchasing with the confidence of employment and recreation but not always on the basis of open space

- Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, "Rejuvenation of Southbank Boulevard to reinvigorate suburb with green space" Domain, May 19, 2017 
</blockquote>

<h2>IN BRIEF</h2>

• Large public park spanning 3,700 sqm will provide Southbank with much-needed green infrastructure 
• On completion Melbourne Square will comprise six towers, retail outlets including a supermarket, childcare and health services 
• Residents will have access to a 48-metre long swimming pool, private gardens, gymnasium, entertainment facilities 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/osk_property_melbourne_square_aerial_park_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Square's 3,700sqm park will help add to Southbank's livability. Image: OSK Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/osk_property_melbourne_square_aerial_park_2.jpg?itok=qFfIzF42" title="Melbourne Square's 3,700sqm park will help add to Southbank's livability. Image: OSK Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Square's 3,700sqm park will help add to Southbank's livability. Image: OSK Property</figcaption></figure>
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Melbourne Square to add some much needed green infrastructure to Southbank

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Virtual reality is currently making a comeback after an initial showing in the early to mid 90's. The uptake in the industry particularly with architects is high, with a number of firms using it not only as a design tool to test concepts and ideas quickly but also to communicate designs to clients as part of the design process for example the sign-off on materials and for planning purposes.

During my time at Grimshaw we used both the Oculus and Vive headsets on a number of projects including the <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">Olderfleet project at 477 Collins Street</a>. It was very useful in really getting an understanding of the proportions of various spaces, how certain materials worked together, the junctions between various elements and the overall composition of these spaces.

Virtual reality also has applications in the realms of sales and marketing of projects with some agents using VR to sell their product

Projects Director at Marshall White Leonard Teplin has previously offered the following insight with regard to the advent of virtual and augmented reality and the opportunities they present when it comes to apartment marketing. 

<blockquote>
This generation has changed the game; they are heavily reliant on the digital sphere and entrust it with major life decisions. People plan dates, book accommodation and apply for jobs with people they’ve never met and in places they’ve never been, online every day – so why would we expect any less of them when it comes to purchasing property.

Virtual reality is the perfect solution for taking your product interstate or internationally, without having to build display suites or rely on printed or digital advertising material.

You're providing buyers with a fully immersive experience of the apartment and we expect more and more developers to embrace the concept.
</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/techne_mq_hires-1-5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Quarter's interactive display suite. Image: Supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="355" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/techne_mq_hires-1-5.jpg?itok=XUzu9QMh" title="Melbourne Quarter's interactive display suite. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Quarter's interactive display suite. Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure>A developer I spoke with recently believes that with their luxury development in the inner city in particular, nothing quite contends with the ability to provide clients with the opportunity to physically walk through a space and touch the surfaces. In one instance a potential client even brought in an item to the display suite to ascertain whether or not it would fit in the sink and oven.

Developer <a href="/developers/lendlease-development">Lendlease</a> has developed two distinct interactive display suites for its Melbourne Quarter development in Docklands, to provide buyers with a different perspective. The first is the Melbourne Quarter Leasing and Information Centre, designed for business-focused stakeholder interactions, briefings and meetings, while the second - the Melbourne Quarter Apartment and Sales Display Centre - has been designed to interact with prospective purchasers through technology which showcases what life within a Melbourne Quarter residence will look like. 

<blockquote>
Virtual reality goggles give buyers the chance to step inside residential amenities like swimming pools, gyms, spas and our New York-style Skypark before they have been built to experience the precinct in real time and scale.

- Lendlease, Managing Director for urban regeneration, Mark Menhinnitt
</blockquote>

Melbourne Quarter Leasing and Information Centre 

•The Digital Lendlease story wall is a series of five iPads that visitors can use to explore Lendlease projects, including a project overview, sustainability credentials, awards and imagery.

•Three projectors display imagery and videos of Melbourne city and Melbourne Quarter branding across two walls in the sales office providing an immersive projection experience. The “View” setting shows views from the top level in the commercial tower controlled via a jog wheel

Melbourne Quarter Apartment Sales and Display Centre

•Controlled by an iPad, a 3D digital printed model of Melbourne’s CBD highlights amenities surrounding Melbourne Quarter, such as transport routes, cafes, restaurants and parklands.

•The East Tower viewline app is an interactive app shows the views from each level of East Tower.

•Used across the residential and commercial centres, virtual reality headsets give users the experience of actually being in Melbourne Quarter’s Skypark, Neighbourhood Park and resident amenity facilities

<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/melbourne_quarter_photos_by_lucas_dawson_46_of_156.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="VR headsets allow for immersive experiences and views. 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/melbourne_quarter_photos_by_lucas_dawson_46_of_156.jpg?itok=Y-HWLuzC" title="VR headsets allow for immersive experiences and views. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>VR headsets allow for immersive experiences and views. Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure><h2>COMMENT</h2>

While there are obviously a number of benefits associated with virtual display suites over the more traditional suites such as the cost of fit-out and the ability to showcase a project internationally with nothing more than some equipment, a laptop, a tablet or mobile and a headset.

It also allows for real time changes to be made and the testing of various material palettes then and there, right on the spot. However VR at this point in time is not without its limitations. One being the inability to touch and feel materials, feel the warmth of the sun, the ability to pull drawers and push doors and physically measure a space or a kitchen bench or bring in a tray to see if it fits in the oven.

Older purchasers in particular are more drawn to the physical rather than the digital and so a display suite fit-out still has a target audience. 

I'm of the view that the traditional display suite isn't dead just yet but moving forward will be supplemented by more and more digital media such as augmented reality and virtual reality.
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Is the display suite of the future virtual?

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After 25 years Melbourne-based practice Fender Katsalidis Architects (FK), best known for designing some of the most recognised buildings in the city have launched their first ever book; Working Architecture. The publication traces the evolution of the practice and its work while providing an opportunity to reflect on its history and the significant projects completed to date.

<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/fk_book.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Fender Katsalidis: Working Architecture. Image: Uro Publications"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fk_book.png?itok=h-2k-vLN" title="Fender Katsalidis: Working Architecture. Image: Uro Publications" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Fender Katsalidis: Working Architecture. Image: Uro Publications</figcaption></figure>31 projects have been selected from the FK portfolio, as exemplars which also reflect founding directors Karl Fender and Nonda Katsalidis’ attitude towards design excellence and innovation across as range of sectors from the arts, commerce, bespoke houses and through to apartment design, where the practice has had a significant influence on Australia’s built environments.

FK has helped shape and enhance the quality of Melbourne’s architecture through its many residential buildings from the early years of the practice through to the present day. These include FK’s early works such as the Melbourne Terrace Apartments and Republic Tower, and more recently Eureka Tower and Australia 108, all of which continue to attract residents and generate commercial interest and investment in the central city.

The Republic Tower on the corner of Queen and LaTrobe Streets is seen as a pioneer in high-rise residential living within Melbourne. Completed in 1999 its off-form concrete, stainless steel and glazed form anchors the street corner from atop a 5-storey timber lattice podium which plays host to an ever changing body of artwork - one of the first buildings in the city to do so.

<blockquote>
... Republic has excited the debate about city living. On one hand it is a place for individuals and groups to live and work, but it is also an exercise in urbanity and urban design especially. 
The building reinforces a tall, central city plan: the inner grid of Melbourne is like an island, like a Manhattan. In that context, these high-rise towers montage as the city design: together, not separately, they are the aesthetic of the city.What distinguishes Republic Tower from most of its neighbours is the confident expression of structure and building that is evident in the design, along with the unremitting act of providing good living spaces. 
NFK’s work is distinguished by its expressed buildability: it’s almost an ‘architecture for architects’ culture, where the structure of beams, columns, steel and concrete – and the materiality of tiles, glass and textures – are composed without further complexity.

- Norman Day, Architecture Australia – January 2000 (Vol 89 No 1)
</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/fkmed_9445_3923.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Republic Tower. Images: John Gollings"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="529" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fkmed_9445_3923.jpg?itok=nq33PlP5" title="Republic Tower. Images: John Gollings" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Republic Tower. Images: John Gollings</figcaption></figure>A few hundred metres down the street near the market, another FK project marks the corner and defines the streetscape; Melbourne Terrace. Accommodating 60 apartments over seven floors the building is distinguished by its robust, masculine exterior once again employing Katsalidis' signature off form concrete, steel and glazing to produce what is still considered one of the best examples of medium-density, city living in Melbourne if not Australia.   

<blockquote>
One of the first new apartment blocks to be constructed in central Melbourne in the early 1990s, it promoted the benefits of medium/high density city living, sparked a regeneration of its immediate locale adjacent to the Queen Victoria Market and provided a successful residential model for the city’s redevelopment policies. Katsalidis’s design invokes exuberant decorative and formal effects to enrich the urban facade, using copper-etched vertical slabs, weathered copper cladding, mannered window surrounds, glass blocks, brutalist and expressive concrete forms often with serrated edges, and a highly articulated roof line. Internally the large building bulk is divided into four discrete sections and each given a unique name, Equus, Mondo, Roma and Fortuna. This has the benefit of creating a more intimate experience for its inhabitants and also reduces the scale of the building’s management and overheads. Peter Corlett’s bold sculptures announce each of the building’s entrances and highlight its baroque and playful qualities

- Australian Institute of Architects
</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/fkmed_9228_3283.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Terrace. 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/fkmed_9228_3283.jpg?itok=O84V9iWb" title="Melbourne Terrace. Image: John Gollings" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Terrace. Image: John Gollings</figcaption></figure>The tallest of FK's projects in Melbourne (to date) commands the Melbourne skyline, rising 297m or 91-storeys above Southbank and is embodied with visual references to its namesake, the Eureka Stockade. Upon completion in 2006, Eureka claimed the title of tallest residential building in the southern hemisphere - a point of contention for our friends up on the Gold Coast - in addition to becoming Melbourne's tallest building and relegating the Rialto to second spot in the process.

<blockquote>
Eureka Tower is a symbol of the transcendence of high density living over what has traditionally been the low suburban density mindset of Melbourne. In this respect, Eureka is an unlikely and remarkable example of Melbourne`s acceptance of high density sustainable living. Public/Cultural Benefits Eureka provides an internationally regarded symbol of place and purpose, heralding recognition of the need for a high density approach to sustainability in our built environment. 583 families will activate and enrich this precinct, with ground level amenities existing through convenience retail and restaurants, and a public observation facility at its peak. Built Form to Context Relationship The site had a permit for two towers. The idea of stacking them created the statement, but also reduced the wind/shadow impacts. Designed to stand tall and interact with Rialto Towers as a pair of sentinels to Melbourne`s river precinct - it`s glazing colour is similar and its form is visually arresting and changing from various vantage points.

- Fender Katsalidis
</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/fkmed_99021_3202.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Eureka Tower. Image: John Gollings"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="260" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fkmed_99021_3202.jpg?itok=DPkv23zY" title="Eureka Tower. Image: John Gollings" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Eureka Tower. Image: John Gollings</figcaption></figure>A series of high-profile projects are currently underway which seek to build upon the FK legacy as the practice continues to shape Melbourne’s city and skyline. Eureka's sister building, the 317m Australia 108 is currently under construction on Southbank, while dual apartment towers of 79-storeys on Queen Street in the CBD (in collaboration with Cox Architecture) are currently at sales and marketing. Another residential tower, Paragon is set to be built down the road on the former Celtic Club site opposite Republic Tower. Further FK designed buildings are popping in Docklands, South Yarra, Port Melbourne, Ivanhoe and even as far as Box Hill.

As FK looks to the future as it embarks on an ownership restructure with the addition of seven directors, Apartments.com.au asked the firm about its legacy and the future of high-rise design in Melbourne:

<blockquote>
The FK team is driven by the desire to create an architecture which contributes meaningfully to both the built environment and the community.  It strives to enrich living opportunities and typologies within the city through the highest level of design quality.

High rise, high density residential architecture is recognised as a key platform of sustainable city living.  With increasing numbers of high rise buildings completed in Melbourne, purchasers, port authorities and public at large have become more sophisticated in their expectations and accordingly the levels of excellence and innovation will need to keep rising to new heights.
</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/fkmed_1288_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Australia 108. Images: Floodslicer"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="237" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fkmed_1288_11.jpg?itok=CPLXt2ag" title="Australia 108. Images: Floodslicer" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Australia 108. Images: Floodslicer</figcaption></figure>For a glimpse into the future of the FK's growing body of work refer to the below project listings from within Apartments.com.au's database.

Fender Katsalidis: Working Architecture is published by Uro Publications and will be available for purchase from www.uropublications.com in late May 2017.

Lead image:  Melbourne Terrace – John Gollings
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Fender Katsalidis reflects on the last 25 years while looking to the future with book launch

Tower Wars Episode V: The Office Strikes Back

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Trenerry Property has unveiled 'The Spencer', the latest of four apartment buildings within its boutique West End development: a future-ready mixed-use development and self-sufficient community located on a former brownfield site in West Melbourne.

According to Trenerry Property West End will transform the 9200sqm former Australia Post site into a vibrant, connected hub for living, playing, staying and working.

The Spencer is located on the eastern side of the site, sitting on the corner of Dudley Street and Bluestone Lane. It has been designed as a formally regular tower rising 11-storeys flanked on either side by podia of differing heights, with a restrained aesthetic comprising an exposed brick skin. The upper three levels or 'crown' element are enveloped in a clear glazing providing a light weight capping atop a robust base. CHT were the principal architect for the project working in tandem with Hecker Guthrie who designed the interiors.

The Spencer will accommodate 102 apartments across its 11-storeys and while it contains West End’s most affordable apartments, this according to designers Hecker Guthrie, has not come at the expense of quality or liveability.

<blockquote>
In creating The Spencer, we’ve provided an abundance of carefully selected components that ensure the highest standard of living. Instead of designing The Spencer to include only the simple necessities required in a home, we’ve created these apartments with what residents want at the forefront of our thinking. Inclusions and design details not usually seen in apartments are standard features at The Spencer. Joinery acts as built-in furniture as well as being functional storage, a dining table is nestled underneath the island benches and kitchens include abundant appliances.

In creating The Spencer, our signature soft modernism design has been refined to offer life within the space of each apartment. These are residences we’d love to live in and that’s a true sign of design with integrity and heart.
<cite>Hecker Guthrie</cite>
</blockquote>

Urban.com.au spoke to Hecker Guthrie Associate, Stacey Van Harn about the inspiration for The Spencer's interiors.

Urban.com.au: What was it like collaborating on a project of this scale with so many other talented designers?

Stacey Van Harn: It was great to see the results that each of the different interior designers presented for their buildings. In some ways, it really highlighted the design zeitgeist of the current time but just as much it was interesting to see how we each took the brief in our own direction.

Working alongside your peers is also a great opportunity to reflect on what makes a Hecker Guthrie design desirable, to both our client and the purchasers, what points of difference can we create etc.

UM: How were the interiors informed by not only their immediate context but the building's exterior?

SVH: Hecker Guthrie’s response to the brief was more so to provide a timeless design and neutral interior that will allow the end user to make the space their own. It is less about fashion and more about creating a space that will stand the test of time and do it well.

The Architect (CHT) made a strong point of utilising real/genuine materials in their architecture and this is certainly an approach that aligns with HG. We are so glad to see the use of real granite benchtops and the like in our project alongside the architects brick and metal finishes.

UM: What was the process like for designing The Spencer? Was the exterior conceived first and the interiors responded? Or were the designs happening in parallel?

SVH: Whilst the architectural design process started before the interiors a lot of the design development has occurred in parallel. We worked together with CHT to develop up the planning of the different apartments to ensure the building design as well resolved.

UM: How do you design with affordability in mind but not at the expense of quality?

SVH: There is always give and take when it comes to cost vs design and achieving the right balance is about compromising in the right places. It is really about keeping your initial design ideas always at the forefront of the process and investing in quality materials and what is important to this project in particular.

UM: What is the target market you are designing for on The Spencer?

SVH: We always strive at HG to produce a design outcome that could suit a varied array of end users. With this particular project, you will see in some of our earlier conceptual presentations that we actually set out to create spaces that would appeal to the three designers working on the job,

Myself (Stacey, in her 30’s) Hamish (in his 40’s) and Paul (in his 50’s). This wasn’t about necessarily designing something for ourselves but creating something we would be proud of and would appeal to this varied demographic of purchasers.

<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/trenerry_property_urba9462_west_end_ia05_the_spencer_lobby.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Spencer's lobby. Image: Trenerry Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="483" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/trenerry_property_urba9462_west_end_ia05_the_spencer_lobby.jpg?itok=5jDJ98yQ" title="The Spencer's lobby. Image: Trenerry Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Spencer's lobby. Image: Trenerry Property</figcaption></figure><h2>The Spencer overview</h2>

<ul>
<li>Site footprint approx 1209sqm</li>
	<li>Height: 11-storeys, 36.5 metres</li>
	<li>102 apartments</li>
	<li>45 x 1 bedroom apartments ranging from 47.5 - 73.5sqm (excluding balcony)</li>
	<li>44 x 2 bedroom apartments ranging from 64.5 - 83sqm (excluding balcony)</li>
	<li>12 x 3 bedroom apartments ranging from 86.5 - 119.5 square metres (excluding balcony)</li>
	<li>1 x 4 bedroom apartment spanning 166sqm (excluding balcony)</li>
</ul>
Construction on the entire West End development is slated to commence in July 2017 and be completed by late 2019.
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Hecker Guthrie discusses West End's latest building: The Spencer

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One of Melbourne's largest developments in waiting has been given a boost with Malaysia's Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) officially taking a 49% stake in Melbourne Square.

The largest sovereign pension fund in Malaysia and the investors behind London's Battersea Power Station redevelopment have taken the stake as developer OSK Property ramps up sales for the project. EPF's stake in the Kavanagh Street, Southbank amounts to $154 million. 
With EPF on board, OSK Property can progress with the first phase of their initial Australian project which will deliver apartments, retail spaces, specialty stores and a childcare centre. A central sloping green park will also form part of the first stage, with updated renders showing a refined scheme accounting for the sprawling open-air car park.

Latter stages will also feature a hotel, commercial office tower and further apartments that aim to activate and regenerate the backstreets of Southbank. 

<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/osk_property_melbourne_square_skyline_to_bay_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The first stage of Melbourne Square will feature two residential towers. Image: supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="288" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/osk_property_melbourne_square_skyline_to_bay_0.jpg?itok=ZsrBL5G8" title="The first stage of Melbourne Square will feature two residential towers. Image: supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The first stage of Melbourne Square will feature two residential towers. Image: supplied</figcaption></figure>Melbourne Square has been designed by Cox Architecture, with Carr Design providing their expertise for Stage 1 interiors and Taylor Cullity Lethlean chipping in for the extensive landscaped public space which accounts for almost 20% of the site. 

Stage one of the project comprises two glazed elliptical residential towers accommodating over 1000 apartments. The development team's confidence in Melbourne Square is evident with Multiplex being engaged to provide early contractor involvement.

<h2>WHAT THEY SAY</h2>

<blockquote>
The Melbourne property development befits EPF's long-term objectives and will be a good addition to our overseas portfolio. This is EPF's second development venture overseas after Battersea in London.

The increasing demand for residential property in Melbourne, Australia will enable EPF to generate returns for its members.
<cite>- EPF CEO Datuk Shahril Ridza Ridzuan</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
We believe that Melbourne Square will be an important project for the world's most liveable city, providing the delivery of much-needed critical community infrastructure including a public park and network of green spaces. Partnering with EPF is a key milestone in progressing this project that will become a central point for Melburnians.
<cite>- OSK Holdings CEO / Group Managing Director Tan Sri Ong Leong Huat</cite>
</blockquote>

 Melbourne Square is currently in a pre-sales phase with construction of Stage 1 set for this year.
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Malaysia's EFT weighs into the local market with a stake in Melbourne Square

<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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Laurence Dragomir

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