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Rockley Gardens is an 8-storey residential development that has been designed as a carefully curated residence comprising of 49 apartments, 1 retail tenancy and associated parking.

Located within South Yarra at 339 Toorak Road, Rockley Gardens is the new flagship residential development by Metacorp, the Australian division of International Developer AlloyMDT.

It has been designed by architects, Elenberg Fraser with a unique ‘hanging garden’ façade designed by landscape architects, Oculus.

The development overlooks the historic Rockley Gardens, which stretches east and west along Rockley Rd, and features perimeter garden beds, a fully fenced playground, park tables and seats as well as a public toilet. Taking design cues from its park side location, Elenberg Fraser has entwined the façade of Rockley Gardens with a patterned form of individual planter boxes.

<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/lobby.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Lobby of Rockley Gardens"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="322" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/lobby.jpg?itok=nmKqvCm-" title="Lobby of Rockley Gardens" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lobby of Rockley Gardens</figcaption></figure>These have been designed to provide both privacy and softness to the façade of the building, acting as a buffer, with the planter boxes melding into the leafy surrounds while providing a green and verdant outlook from within the apartments.

Formally, the development is articulated as a series of stacked volumes which provide the development with a base, middle and crown not unlike typical tower typologies, with the tower element setback from Toorak Road, creating a two-storey podium which is consistent with the streetscape, with a high degree of permeability.

Designed with the downsizer market in mind, Rockley Gardens’ are configured to maximise living spaces and outlook. Some 2 bedroom/2 bathroom apartment configurations range from 100sqm with a 70sqm terrace and 3 bedroom apartments from 150sqm with a 51sqm terrace.

Picture hanging rails will discretely run through all living spaces for residents to display their choice of artwork. This curatorial theme will be continued into the Rockley Gardens foyer entrance, where a significant private work will be commissioned from a renowned Melbourne artist.

Further reinforcing the project's creativity, Elenberg Fraser has also commissioned a lighting installation by ‘articolo’. Nicci, the designer of articolo lighting is committed to creating beautiful Australian made, handcrafted architectural lighting.

Rockley Garden’s proximity to a number of highly regarded institutions such as the Royal South Yarra Tennis Club, the South Yarra Library, Cinema Como and only minutes away from South Yarra's dining and shopping strip, wine bars, cafes and gourmet grocers ensures a high level of amenity for residents within the development.

The development is also well serviced by tram route number 8 which trundles past, and is only 7 minutes walk to South Yarra Station and 10 minutes to the Yarra River for cycling, jogging and walking enthusiasts.

<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/view5_opt1_upd.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rockley Gardens provides a retail frontage to Toorak Road."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="580" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/view5_opt1_upd.jpg?itok=V5Uj_ZqQ" title="Rockley Gardens provides a retail frontage to Toorak Road." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rockley Gardens provides a retail frontage to Toorak Road.</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
Every aspect of Rockley Gardens has been mindfully curated. Buying early off the plan is advisable, and affords purchasers the opportunity to add their own individual input into apartment plan and layout. It is envisioned that Rockley Gardens will become an enviable address for a lucky few.
<cite>Bryce Patterson, Capital Property</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
We wanted to create a curated home experience. Two colour schemes are available, a warm/dark/European scheme with feature green marbling throughout, and a lighter/bright/Gallery scheme with gray marble.Rockley Gardens kitchens will make striking statements in luxe functionality with marble clad range hoods, splash backs and island benches. Miele appliances will feature in the kitchens with plenty of bespoke cabinetry throughout.
<cite>Greta Mak, Interior Designer, Elenberg Fraser</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
The 'hanging gardens' concept draws inspiration from the site's location, bordering the adjacent park and is an integral element of the building's architecture. Working closely with Elenberg Fraser, Oculus conceived the 'hanging gardens' as not just a screening element ensuring privacy to apartments, but also something which provides an immediate green outlook from within the apartments. Additionally the 'hanging gardens' have been designed as an extension of Rockley Gardens - there is no fence - providing visual interest from the park and passersby on Toorak Road. In some ways the park acts as a backyard to the development.
<cite>Claire Martin, Landscape Architect and Senior Associate, Oculus</cite>
</blockquote>

Rockley Gardens is accepting registrations of interest for private appointments.

To register, see <a href="/new-apartments">Off The Plan on Urban.com.au</a>.
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Laurence Dragomir

The Hanging Gardens of South Yarra

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Cbus Property has sought to challenge the concept of typical apartment design with the completion of Assembly, a low-rise, architecturally designed development on the fringe of the CBD. It is the first in a series of design-led apartment projects by the developer and has been targeted at the owner occupier market.

Bordered on three sides by Capel, Courtney and Queensberry Streets in North Melbourne, Assembly creates a boutique address across four distinctive buildings, in a unique residential enclave.

<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/fullsizerender_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Assembly as seen from the corner of Capel and Queensberry Streets."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fullsizerender_0.jpg?itok=sux_zfkE" title="Assembly as seen from the corner of Capel and Queensberry Streets." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Assembly as seen from the corner of Capel and Queensberry Streets.</figcaption></figure>The $80 million development has been designed by architects Woods Bagot and comprises 138 apartments across a series of highly crafted metallic forms, organised around a central common landscape, with the smallest building containing just 20 units.

Adrian Pozzo, CEO of Cbus Property has identified that the Gen X and Y market is largely under-serviced by property developers and is focusing his strategy on servicing this demographic, citing the demand for design-led, generous, fringe CBD apartments.

Assembly is almost completely sold out with only three of the 138 apartments left for sale.

<blockquote>
Assembly is a different kind of project for Cbus Property and one we can be proud of.
We deliberately chose a low rise design to respond to the surrounding area and create a community residential feel. The market has responded enthusiastically to this unique project, with only three apartments left for sale.
There is an owner occupier market in the inner fringe that has largely been forgotten as the industry has raced to fill investor and downsizer needs. There are a lot of young professionals, couples and affluent singles in Melbourne willing to pay more for generous, well-designed and quality apartments where they can live and entertain.
Providing this type of owner occupier product is a focus for our business in the current market, as we can see this segment is greatly under served.

<cite>Adrian Pozzo, Chief Executive Officer, Cbus Property</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/fullsizerender_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A common internal landscape ties the four volumes together."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="773" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fullsizerender_6.jpg?itok=d__ccDk-" title="A common internal landscape ties the four volumes together." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A common internal landscape ties the four volumes together.</figcaption></figure>Creating a development both unique to its surroundings but with an element of familiarity, Assembly draws on North Melbourne’s architectural vernacular and the materiality of the area, comprising a series of low rise sculpturally formed buildings interconnected by common landscaped laneways. The intent was to create a collection of distinctive buildings, of a similar architectural expression which foster a community feel.

In order to address the requirements of residents and the planning scheme with regard to privacy, natural light and ventilation, a strategy was adopted to split the site into four buildings. This allowed ample separation between the buildings which in turn provided access to natural daylight and ventilation in apartments.

Through the crafting of raw, honest materials, which draw on the surrounding neighbourhood, the buildings have their own individual identity via the use of a variety of tones for the metal and zinc external cladding. This provides the development with a contemporary industrial aesthetic.

<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/fullsizerender_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The metallic forms of Assembly with steel reveals to windows."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="773" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fullsizerender_2.jpg?itok=Yk89Qhm8" title="The metallic forms of Assembly with steel reveals to windows." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The metallic forms of Assembly with steel reveals to windows.</figcaption></figure>Woods Bagot Principal and lead designer Peter Miglis said it was important to express this meticulous crafting through the design of the development.

<blockquote>
We wanted to build on the history of North Melbourne, with its light industrial warehouses, as well as the neighbourhood’s emerging sense of cool. The design draws inspiration from the North Melbourne skyline's silhouette of pitched church roof profiles and re-imagines them with a contemporary twist.

Carefully considered elements and details are brought poetically together from the walls, cladding, window reveals to the ceilings, providing a sensitive human scale for residential living. The individuality of each building enables occupants to identify their own home within the overall development.

Assembly seeks to discover a more personalised and intimate scale through the use of punch windows in each apartment which frame a view and create a piece of art within the interior experience,

Drawing on the architecture of the area, Assembly features a series of laneways that make the buildings permeable. Each building features its own foyer and once residents step off the lift, there is a view back down onto the central courtyard, making the entire space enjoyable for its inhabitants.
<cite>Architect Peter Miglis, Principal, Woods Bagot</cite>
</blockquote>

Inspired by the local warehouse architecture, the interiors have been considered with a robust, industrial material palette employed consistently throughout. The concrete soffits to living spaces provide apartments with an industrial feel which expresses the construction process employed.

The formwork used during the construction visible on the soffits. These complement the timber floors while the open plan kitchen and living areas are loosely defined by kitchen bulkheads. The finishes used for the balconies extend to the periphery of living areas acting as an extension of the living spaces, while projecting bay windows highlight and frame views beyond.

The communal rooftop terrace has also been carved into the building as a result of strict planning requirements and features timber bench seating, plants and BBQ area for residents. The CBD views from this area are expansive and impressive, allowing residents a glimpse of the hustle and bustle and bright lights of the city beyond.

<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/fullsizerender_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The view of the north of the city from the rooftop."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fullsizerender_8.jpg?itok=uOhhBANI" title="The view of the north of the city from the rooftop." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The view of the north of the city from the rooftop.</figcaption></figure>Assembly adds to Cbus Property's growing repertoire of quality, inner city apartment projects, including Volaire in West Melbourne, which is about to start construction in September and caters to the same demographic of owner occupiers, Classic East Melbourne and a yet-to-be-revealed project in Collingwood.

Woods Bagot, in collaboration with SHoP Architects of New York, has been engaged by Cbus Property to deliver the design for Collins Arch at 447 Collins Street. Cbus Property held a ceremony to mark construction commencement on Collins Arch this morning.

<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_arch.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Collins Arch, 447 Collins Street. Image courtesy Woods Bagot + SHoP"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/collins_arch.jpg?itok=RksT1UqZ" title="Collins Arch, 447 Collins Street. Image courtesy Woods Bagot + SHoP" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Collins Arch, 447 Collins Street. Image courtesy Woods Bagot + SHoP</figcaption></figure>
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Woods Bagot and Cbus Property's Assembly

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The wheels are turning on a variety of projects at MAB Corporation's NewQuay precinct, with their latest release racking up some impressive numbers..

Urban.com.au recently took the opportunity to interview MAB Corporation's General Manager of Residential, David Allt-Graham regarding their twin-towered Elm &amp; Stone project, in addition to the company's plans for the balance of the site. Located at 395 Docklands Drive, Elm &amp; Stone is the work of DKO Architecture. 

With a slant toward young professionals, Elm &amp; Stone offers a selection of loft apartments in the heart of Docklands and has been designed to appeal/cater toward the needs of a younger generation. MAB Corporation will also develop 221 suites within the golden tinged towers for Ascott Limited and the Qatari Investment Authority, which will be operated under the Quest Apartment Hotels banner.

Quest NewQuay is due to commence construction early next year and open during 2019. It will be the largest hotel in the Quest network, offering studio, one and two bedroom apartments, as well as facilities such as conference rooms, a business lounge, gymnasium and an outdoor terrace.

<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/elm_and_stone_brooklyn_loft.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Elm &amp; Stone's 'Brooklyn' loft apartment. Image courtesy MAB"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="397" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/elm_and_stone_brooklyn_loft.jpg?itok=QY8EUQJ1" title="Elm &amp; Stone's 'Brooklyn' loft apartment. Image courtesy MAB" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Elm &amp; Stone's 'Brooklyn' loft apartment. Image courtesy MAB</figcaption></figure>The conversation transpired as follows:

Urban.com.au: What features aside from the loft format define youthful preferences, and how are they applied to Elm &amp; Stone?

David Allt-Graham: Flexibility is the key to creating apartments that adjust to our evolving lifestyle. Young professionals want flexible spaces to suit a range of furniture sizes and configurations. Flexible interior colour palettes allow residents to use their imagination and create their own distinctive style. 

The interiors are contemporary yet timeless. They feature concrete ceilings, strip and track lighting creating ambience throughout, clever storage solutions and integrated appliances which enhance the minimalist and clean design.  Planter boxes have been included on some balconies creating the ideal environment to grow herbs or add colour with floral arrangements.

Bedrooms have additional Juliet balconies with sliding doors that can be opened to the morning sun and fresh harbour breeze.

The amenities at Elm &amp; Stone foster a sense of community for young residents, including a zen-garden, outdoor pool with barbeque and dining facilities, gymnasium as well as a ground floor lobby and library. Health and wellbeing is a major priority for younger buyers so it was a significant priority for MAB too.

UM: Will hotelier Quest be occupying the southern or northern building, and will private residences and Quest guests use common facilities? What communal facilities are on offer?

DA-G: Quest will be occupying the southern building, the serviced apartments will be completely separate from the private residences, including the entrances and communal facilities.

Elm &amp; Stone’s communal facilities include:

<ul>
<li>A garden on level 4 with a water feature and plenty of plants such as Chinese Elm trees. This has been designed to be a passive space for residents to unwind, read a book or relax.</li>
	<li>On level 6 there is an outdoor pool deck and dining facilities (BBQ, tables etc), which is a more active space for residents where they can enjoy the uninterrupted northern sun. However, if residents wish to swim laps indoors, Elm &amp; Stone will offer reciprocal rights to the development next door which will have an indoor pool (it is yet to be built).</li>
	<li>The ground floor lobby has a gymnasium, open staircase and a library. These visually-connected spaces aim to create a sense of activity and energy as soon as residents walk into the building.</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/mabc8986_elm_stone_ea01_pool.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Elm &amp; Stone rooftop podium pool. Image courtesy MAB Corporation"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="340" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mabc8986_elm_stone_ea01_pool.jpg?itok=Q9oaTYLr" title="Elm &amp; Stone rooftop podium pool. Image courtesy MAB Corporation" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Elm &amp; Stone rooftop podium pool. Image courtesy MAB Corporation</figcaption></figure>UM: What percentage of dwellings are dedicated to lofts and are they found over the building's lower levels?

DA-G: Lofts occupy 22 percent of the building, and are located on the bottom six levels of the building, with 17 levels in total.

UM: How has buyer interest/sales progressed to date and what colour scheme/options have proven most popular? 

DA-G: It has become a bit of a trademark of MAB to offer a selection of different schemes instead of the traditional ‘light’ and ‘dark’ options. Buyers appreciate having choice when it comes to style and interior design.

At Elm &amp; Stone, the Upper East Side theme has overwhelmingly been the most popular (80% of buyers). Upper East Side is fresh and breezy with a focus on natural light. It includes clean lines of white metal, timber joinery and gold metallic highlights. This palette is versatile, created to adapt to various current and future design trends.

Buyers have also lent towards the Soho design, which is more sophisticated with darker tones, or Brooklyn, which is a bit more eclectic with stainless steel benchtops. 

Almost 40 percent of stock is sold. To date, we’ve sold 16 of the 31 lofts, all three townhouses and 36 of the 123 apartments.

UM: What does MAB have planned for The Quarter? Will it remain commercial or are MAB exploring other uses?

DA-G: The Quarter is still in planning, however MAB is currently working towards the site being a mixed commercial and retail site. MAB’s vision for NewQuay is to be a truly mixed-use precinct, one that people can live, work, shop and play; The Quarter will be an important addition in helping MAB to achieve this.

UM: Banksia appears to be making good progress - when does MAB anticipate completion?

DA-G: Banksia is tracking well and is on schedule for completion by the end of 2017 along with NewQuay Central Park.

UM: Is there a general timeline for NewQuay West to begin and can any further info on the precinct be divulged? 

DA-G: We have submitted a Development Plan application for NewQuay West and will proceed with a planning application after the Development Plan is approved.

The development of the Western Precinct has commenced with construction of the Ron Barassi Senior Reserve, and will be progressively developed until 2025. More details will be available once the Development Precinct is approved.
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Elm & Stone plus what lies ahead for MAB at NewQuay

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With a sizeable amount of development activity expected to occur in the immediate area over the next few years, it's an appropriate time to have a look at one of Melbourne's eyesores. Collins Square, Melbourne Quarter, North Wharf (not shown in model) and the former Convention Centre site are at varying stages of development, Crowne Plaza to my thinking should be next in line.

Keep in mind these concepts are very high level and have been developed in a matter of a few hours; unfortunately I'm a bit too time poor at the moment to dedicate more time and brain cells.

In addition to the Crowne Plaza building I've also looked at the parking structure along Flinders Street within the former WTC complex. With the news that Victoria Police will likely vacate the complex in favour of new digs on Spencer Street, this would provide a perfect opportunity to reassess the complex of buildings completely. I'll leave the concept for a complete overhaul for another time.

<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/wtc_crowne_plaza.png" rel="gallery-all" title="WTC Northbank and Cronwe Plaza."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="227" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/wtc_crowne_plaza.png?itok=LRzQMJ0c" title="WTC Northbank and Cronwe Plaza." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>WTC Northbank and Crowne Plaza.</figcaption></figure>These two sites were considered for the various opportunities they present. The car park's footprint could be maximised further with the addition of additional office space above, while also allowing for stronger links to the Mission to Seafarers building via the introduction of open space.

Similarly one of the great criticisms of the Crowne Plaza building is it's relationship (or lack thereof) to the Yarra River and how it forms a visual and physical barrier between the city and the river. To address this I looked at separating the existing structure into what would effectively be two separate buildings.

<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/image13_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ideas diagram for Crowne Plaza's rebirth"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="321" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image13_10.jpg?itok=QfI_fYy2" title="Ideas diagram for Crowne Plaza's rebirth" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ideas diagram for Crowne Plaza's rebirth</figcaption></figure>Separating the building would allow sunlight through to the promenade and reduce the visual bulk when viewed from Southbank, while opening up new views to the developments beyond. Further to this the provision of a north facing park is suggested, with retail interfaces and access to sunlight during midday.

This would most likely have to be raised public space which would terrace down to the Northbank promenade to allow for vehicular circulation and entry, and to accommodate a porte cochere and parking below.

The 'new' towers would be reskinned with a modular facade system which creates serrated edges to the tower forms maximising views to the bay and city. Tower 1 would accommodate hotel rooms and facilities with a consistent vertically static expression across up the facade, an extrusion of the floor plate the full height of the tower.

This would be capped with a green roof and rooftop hotel facilities and amenities such as infinity pool, bar, function space, etc.

<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/diagrams_wtc_page_3.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Crowne Plaza diagrams"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/diagrams_wtc_page_3.png?itok=r0MdU19K" title="Crowne Plaza diagrams" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Crowne Plaza diagrams</figcaption></figure>Tower 2 is more mixed use with a combination of residential apartments and hotel which employs a similar facade strategy, but with a sense of movement applied to it drawing on the movement and currents of the Yarra River. Hotel rooms would be located in the lower levels with apartments above. New circulation and services and VT cores would be built to the north.

For the expansive WTC car park, the addition of 10 new office floors would result in a structure with an overall height of 98 metres which would not provide any additional overshadowing to the Northbank promenade. Locating the core to the west where the existing car park core also resides deals with the intense western sun particularly in summer.

A greenwall treatment, envisaged as a vertical extension of the new neighbouring park between the car park and the Mission to Seafarers, would give the elevation depth and soften an otherwise sheer concrete wall.

<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/diagrams_wtc_page_2.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Office tower diagrams"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/diagrams_wtc_page_2.png?itok=wzQ0BcQy" title="Office tower diagrams" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Office tower diagrams</figcaption></figure>A "shadow gap" between the car park and new office levels helps reinforce the idea of a podium or base with tower on top. Providing a wrap of office and ground floor retail to Siddeley Street would go some way to helping activate the street beyond being just a thoroughfare for vehicular traffic passing through the WTC Complex.

These ideas for redevelopment are merely that, but my hope is they provoke some thought. With surrounding areas undergoing a development renaissance, Crowne Plaza will soon enough become an even worse blight on Northbank's evolving landscape. It a prospect worth avoiding.

To finish off I shall leave you with an aerial render of the two sites in context.

<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/wtc_cp_finish.png" rel="gallery-all" title="In-situ with Melbourne Quarter, 7-23 Spencer St and Collins Square"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="325" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/wtc_cp_finish.png?itok=q51jGzCw" title="In-situ with Melbourne Quarter, 7-23 Spencer St and Collins Square" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>In-situ with Melbourne Quarter, 7-23 Spencer Street and Collins Square</figcaption></figure>
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A new Jewel in the Crowne along Northbank?

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An innovative online tool is aiming save time and money for people buying, selling, developing or renovating property. Landchecker is a property planning tool that helps real estate agents, property developers and home owners do their due diligence. On an interactive map, users can see what planning zones or overlays their property is under, and what rules apply to them.

Launched this month by founders of dynamic Melbourne architecture agency <a href="/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>, and property developer <a href="/developers/moda-corp">Moda Corp</a>, Landchecker collects all relevant information about a property so people can easily perform due diligence before they invest and also keep property records up-to-date. The state Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade, The Hon. Philip Dalidakis MLC, was present at the Landchecker launch last week, as part of digital innovators launch in the new offices of Landchecker digital creators, Papercloud.

Mr Leaf and his Landchecker co-founders, Toby Ewert and Ed Farquharson, along with technical partner Simon Holland (from Papercloud), chief technical officer Tim Asquith and general manager Jim Leaf, developed the tool over 18 months.

A registered architect with a degree in architecture and property development, Mr Leaf understands the commercial reality of developer-driven projects. He said Landchecker reflected Ewert Leaf’s focus on problem-solving to deliver fast, commercially viable and cost-effective solutions.

<blockquote>
People are often unaware of the planning controls that affect their home so this tool enables them  to quickly check their land for any underlying constraints or opportunities. As architects and developers, we found we were assessing data through several different websites  which became time consuming and frustrating. Landchecker aggregates this information on a single platform. 

Homebuyers often don’t understand where to find this information and currently it is found through  several different websites. We are helping people to access it quickly in a user-friendly, legible manner.

In a society where transparency is becoming a critical part of business, we think it will become  popular with financial institutions and mortgage brokers as a means of creating loyalty with customers. Would you bank with someone who didn’t tell you that your house was in a flooding overlay if they had the capacity to do so? 

Landchecker will ensure people are better prepared when they meet with agents or legal  representatives because they will be able to ask the right questions – for example, what impact  does this heritage overlay have on the value of this property or its potential for redevelopment?’

Property professionals can subscribe to the service and access a real-time map, which enables them to toggle on and off relevant attributes, and to white label reports to assist with generating business. We are currently integrating permit data, which will also show applications pending and approved. This will be an upgrade to our standard suite of information.

Architects are always trying to innovate and make processes better. If you value your  time then this removes all the headaches around accessing planning data and allows you to use it as a tool to drive business.

- Landchecker founder and Ewert Leaf co-director Will Leaf

 
</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/ltor_co-founders_ed_farquharson_toby_ewert_will_leaf_tim_asquith_jim_leaf_and_simon_holland_sept_2016_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Co-Founders Ed Farquharson, Toby Ewert, Will Leaf, Tim Asquith, Jim Leaf and Simon Holland."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="756" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/ltor_co-founders_ed_farquharson_toby_ewert_will_leaf_tim_asquith_jim_leaf_and_simon_holland_sept_2016_3.jpg?itok=qt7uG3oQ" title="Co-Founders Ed Farquharson, Toby Ewert, Will Leaf, Tim Asquith, Jim Leaf and Simon Holland." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Co-Founders Ed Farquharson, Toby Ewert, Will Leaf, Tim Asquith, Jim Leaf and Simon Holland.</figcaption></figure>Anyone can access the site and purchase a property report for a given address and discover all the relevant  planning controls, such as zones, overlays, schools, bushfire and flood-prone areas and places of cultural sensitivity.

Landchecker is expected to strike a chord with people who are curious about their property value, but have no desire to sell. And it could revolutionise buyers’ relationships with banks.

Landchecker will launch in Victoria from September 10, before rolling out nationally later this year.

An individual report will cost $5.99. Landchecker Pro offers sole traders a monthly subscription with unlimited report downloads and access to real-time maps for $49, while companies (per office)  will pay $249, for a monthly subscription with unlimited report downloads and access to real-time  maps. Businesses who sign-up to Landchecker Pro before the end of the year will automatically receive the sites planning permit upgrade, free when it launches in 2017.

For further information, visit www.landchecker.com.au 
 
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Landchecker online tool aims to revolutionise property market

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Lendlease's Melbourne Quarter development, located within the Batman's Hill precinct of Melbourne's Docklands is aspiring to be a sustainable new city neighbourhood that will cater for 3,000 future residents in approximately 1,690 dwellings across three towers.

The three residential towers have been designed by Melbourne architectural firm Fender Katsalidis Architects. The first residential building, known as East Tower, will feature a wide variety of one, two and three bedroom apartments and is currently at sales. Located at 628 Flinders Street, the 40-storey development will offer views of the city and bay and will feature hanging gardens climbing the full height of the building.

The precinct has been designed with a strong environmental focus, with more than half of the 2.5 hectare site dedicated to open public spaces including Melbourne’s first elevated Skypark, a neighbourhood park, a new public square and a series of retail laneways which upon completion will connect to the existing CBD.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/aerial_view_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Quarter aerial view. Image courtesy of Lendlease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/aerial_view_0.jpg?itok=IoIa2LQB" title="Melbourne Quarter aerial view. Image courtesy of Lendlease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Quarter aerial view. Image courtesy of Lendlease</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
Melbourne Quarter, with its residential neighbourhood next to a thriving commercial district, offers the opportunity to live next to work, which is increasingly appealing for young professional owner occupiers and investors with a keen eye on the leasing market.
Lendlease prides itself on the high quality of its apartment designs. Melbourne Quarter’s competitively priced apartments will provide a range of one, two and three bedroom city residences, with added value in their design features, location and amenity compared to what our CBD competitors are offering. We are already receiving strong market interest for Melbourne Quarter’s East Tower.
Melbourne Quarter aspires to set leading standards as an environmentally sensitive and sustainable development, that will see all residential towers target a 5-Star Green Star rating.
<cite>Mark Menhinnitt, Managing Director for Urban Regeneration, Lendlease</cite>
</blockquote>

Apartments.com.au recently spoke to Ben Christie, Lendlease's Head of Apartments, about the residential component of the project and how Lendlease are seeking to distinguish their product in an overcrowded market.

Apartments.com.au: Could you outline the smart technologies that are being implemented across the residential towers?

Ben Christie: The ability to connect our residents to the wider community is something we've been looking to introduce and they'll able to do that via an app. It'll be a project specific app that can be accessed via an iPad or iPhone and allow residents to book the extensive communal facilities which that are in the buildings which comprise 'Club MQ'. With 'Club MQ' we're looking at setting a new benchmark with the level of amenity that we're providing and this will be available in the first tower and then the two other towers will share from that.

UM: Is the provision of a concierge/hotel style facilities designed to attract more owner-occupiers rather than investors?

BC: They tend to attract both, in my experience. Certainly we've seen a growing market for time-poor professionals that want to live in the city or close to the city and the services that our concierge will provide, will help those time poor professionals, who live busy lives with the things they need to do. Additionally it will also assist families, which are a growing demographic in apartments who are also time poor, trying to spend extra time with each other so they'll probably use services for ordering food, collecting mail, having laundry picked up and so on.

We think these buildings will attract young professionals and families, with a greater number likely to be young professionals and time-poor executives but it will also be attractive to investors because the concierge service will assist in achieving premium rentals as tenants so our assumption is that it will be attractive to tenants as well, which makes it attractive to investors.

UM: It could be argued that many other more recent residential developments employ a concierge and smart technology. What makes Melbourne Quarter different?

BC: I think what you're touching on there is right and concierge services aren't a new phenomenon. The difference here at Melbourne Quarter is the level of service that we'll be providing and the level of amenity we'll be providing at 'Club MQ' as part of the project. Customers, tenants and purchasers alike are becoming far more discerning and are demanding more of their buildings and more from the services the buildings provide, so our point of difference is that rather than just a standard concierge service we're providing a luxury concierge service in very much a hotel-style offering.

The concierge you might see historically in buildings don't go to the full extent that we feel our customers now seek. The added benefit of the service is that it acts a security service as well: we'll have two full time concierges on-site, 7 days a week.

<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/view04_mq_squre_elevated_v2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Quarter neighbourhood square. Image courtesy Lend Lease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/view04_mq_squre_elevated_v2.jpg?itok=MNdNJAQk" title="Melbourne Quarter neighbourhood square. Image courtesy Lend Lease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Quarter Neighbourhood Park. Image courtesy Lendlease</figcaption></figure>UM: What is the anticipated construction commencement for East Tower? Will the delivery of Melbourne Quarter be staged or will a common podium for the project be delivered in one hit? Is there a nominal completion date for the whole project?

BC: We're starting with Arup's tenancy as we have a commitment there but Lendlease being a mixed-use developer, we have the ability to deliver these buildings simultaneously. We have only recently received planning approval for the residential buildings but we've had a lot of strong activity in our sales process and it's been very encouraging from the market, from both investors and owner occupiers but we haven't finalised a date for the commencement of the residential towers as yet. At this stage we have a conservative completion of 2022 or around 6 years of construction, but we'd like to and are aiming to deliver it faster.

We at Lendlease have significant experience in large-scale urban regeneration projects and so we can deliver commercial, residential and retail infrastructure simultaneously and our staging plan will be such that it will be very customer focused to engage people at the ground plane both within the commercial and residential components. And that is one of the important factors when delivering these types of complex projects. Each neighbourhood could be built independently of one another but they won't be. The team have received a lot of interest from prospective tenants for the commercial buildings and the feedback thus far has been positive.

Laurence, it is interesting when you ask about the decoupling of residential to commercial. Certainly, the residential buildings are focused somewhat to Flinders Street and the commercial buildings are somewhat focused to Collins Street and then we have an extensive laneway with a lot of retail offering which links the two, so they are intertwined.

One of the reasons, I'd like to add is that Melbourne Quarter will be home to 3,000 residents when it's complete and a lot of those residents could easily be people that work at Melbourne Quarter as well. With a lot of our mixed-use projects around the world we find that people like to live near where they work so often we attract young professionals that work at Arup or any other tenant we might secure who also live in one of the residential buildings.

It provides a very efficient lifestyle, it works for the investors, it works for the tenants. Imagine you were working at Arup, you're going home to your apartment in Melbourne Quarter and you can order your dinner when you leave the office and it's there when you get home. There's some great things you could do with our concierge service.

<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/view14_flinders_entrance_lobby_final.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Flinders Street entrance lobby. Image courtesy Lend Lease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="331" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/view14_flinders_entrance_lobby_final.jpg?itok=vfkDGSRW" title="Flinders Street entrance lobby. Image courtesy Lend Lease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Flinders Street entrance lobby. Image courtesy Lendlease</figcaption></figure><h2>Club MQ</h2>

Lendlease has provided Apartments.com.au with a summary of the facilities available to all residents as part of Club MQ, including:

<ul>
<li>Hotel-style grand arrival entrance to Club MQ (off Flinders Street), with undercover drop-off and concierge service.</li>
	<li>Secondary pedestrian lobby to the Club MQ and apartments off the precinct Neighbourhood Park (access via the new laneway connecting Collins and Flinders Streets).</li>
	<li>Swimming Pool (25 metres in length).</li>
	<li>Spa and change room amenity.</li>
	<li>Steam room.</li>
	<li>Sauna facilities.</li>
	<li>All-purpose gym.</li>
	<li>Multipurpose function/yoga room.</li>
	<li>Residents library and lounge.</li>
	<li>Theatrette for 20 people.</li>
	<li>Three internal private dining areas featuring outdoor terraces and BBQ amenity.</li>
	<li>Access to other precinct amenities includes Melbourne Quarter’s Skypark, Melbourne Square, Neighbourhood Park and a diverse retail offering within the Melbourne Quarter precinct.</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/club_mq_gym.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Club MQ facilities. Image courtesy Lend Lease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="484" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/club_mq_gym.jpg?itok=RquEx_kJ" title="Club MQ facilities. Image courtesy Lend Lease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Club MQ facilities. Image courtesy Lendlease</figcaption></figure>While the residential component is at sales and marketing, Lendlease aren't wasting anytime getting on with the rest of the development. Arup's 3-storey office tenancy within the One Melbourne Quarter building is currently under construction, delivering a new sky park above Collins Street with a second 27-storey commercial building at 681-701 Collins Street, recently submitted for planning consideration with an end value of $550 million.

The delivery of the $2 billion Melbourne Quarter project is anticipated to generate approximately 15,000 construction jobs over the life of the project. On completion, its commercial offices are expected to be home to around 10,000 workers.

<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/view_27_skyrooms_from_collins_st.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The 27-storey office tower at 681-701 Collins Street. Image courtesy Lendlease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="1137" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/view_27_skyrooms_from_collins_st.jpg?itok=PjgOfqLb" title="The 27-storey office tower at 681-701 Collins Street. Image courtesy Lendlease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Quarter Tower from Collins Street. Image courtesy Lendlease</figcaption></figure>
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Lendlease forges ahead with Melbourne Quarter

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Population and employment growth is propelling Box Hill to become its own mini city. In addition to bustling retail, restaurants, health and education facilities, Box Hill also sports the <a href="http://www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/Building-Box-Hill">busiest transport hub</a> in Melbourne’s east with more than 20,000 train commuters a day.

Add the <a href="http://www.economicprofile.com.au/whitehorse/economy/employment#geography">13,000 jobs</a> on the go and a population set to increase by <a href="http://www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/Building-Box-Hill">26 percent in the next 5 years</a>, and Box Hill is being eyed off by developers and home buyers alike.

With the 117m <a href="/buildings/whitehorse-trio-845-851-whitehorse-road-box-hill">845-851 Whitehorse Road</a> receiving a Notice of Decision and Golden Age's purchase of a 7344sqm site at 517-521 Station Street, planning confidence within Box Hill is also on a high. Box Hill's massive growth is also underpinned by the fact that <a href="http://www.domain.com.au/news/box-hill-booms-upwards-with-apartments-as-suburban-grows-up-20160630-gptv7k/">1,200 units</a> were approved in the suburb during 2015.

Hayball shapes as the dominant architecture practice in the municipality, with 18 projects completed or underway in the City of Whitehorse. Box Hill alone holds 11 for Hayball, including <a href="http://www.chloeboxhill.com.au/">Chloe</a>'s 96 apartments and <a href="http://taohome.com.au/">Tao Home</a> with 82 units and a focus on Chinese senior living. These projects continue the firm's approximately 6 year involvement in the area, beginning with the award winning Jade Apartments student accommodation project for Jeff Xu's Golden Age.

<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/john_street_rhiannon_slatter_screen-2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Jade Apartments, Box Hill. Image courtesy Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="773" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/john_street_rhiannon_slatter_screen-2.jpg?itok=GdIrm_hZ" title="Jade Apartments, Box Hill. Image courtesy Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Jade Apartments, Box Hill. Image by Rhiannon Slatter</figcaption></figure>Urban.com.au met with Hayball director Eugene Chieng at the firm's Sturt Street offices to discuss their involvement in Box Hill, having completed over a dozen projects and with another half a dozen on the books in the 80-100 dwelling range. Chieng identifies a number of factors which have contributed to the growth in Box Hill, breaking down the components that make Box Hill such an emphatic apartment stroghold.

According to Chieng it's a combination of the suburb's culture, and the desire of government at local and state level to turn Box Hill into a thriving activity centre. This is seen in the number of mixed-use developments which are predominantly residential in nature, but with extensive retail at ground level.

However there has also been an increase in the number of developments which have a component of hotel and/or serviced apartments. 

Box Hill has also undoubtedly a hub for Australians of Chinese descent, with the area a magnet for Chinese-backed investment and development.

With so many apartment developments at sales and marketing and with more in the pipeline, Chieng says developments need to offer a point of difference to distinguish themselves in a competitive market. To this end Hayball have designed 82 apartments within 19-21 Poplar Street in Box Hill for developer Sunbright Investment Australia. 

Known as TaoHome, Chieng believes the project has been envisaged as a new way of living; an apartment community that’s designed especially for seniors, with shared facilities like a rooftop walking track, traditional Chinese Wellbeing Centre and Mahjong area also included. The tailoring of TaoHome for a specific demographic also sees Chinese satellite TV, universal power plugs for Chinese appliances and Fotile kitchen rangehoods to accommodate Chinese stir-frying. 

<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/tao_home_communal_lounge_low_res.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Tao Home communal lounge. Image courtesy Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="349" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/tao_home_communal_lounge_low_res.jpg?itok=TJ2rvV0y" title="Tao Home communal lounge. Image courtesy Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Tao Home communal lounge. Image courtesy Hayball</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
Culturally it is widely common practice for the Chinese to look after their parents but the younger generation here in Australia generally don't want to live with their parents, so Tao Home has been designed in response to this. TaoHome offers the opportunity for multi-generational living.

The apartments have been designed so that they can be combined or left separated for privacy. The idea is not too dissimilar to  a granny flat. - Eugene Chieng, Director, Hayball
</blockquote>

Chieng describes the project as a "very collaborative process" with a client that was very open minded, which was required for a project that was very lateral in its way of thinking. The project still contains traditional apartments but also dual key apartments which include a number of features for elderly care.

The project is 80% sold with completion on the 8-storey building expected in early 2018.

Another Hayball project, Chloe Apartments at 15-17 Irving Street features 96 high end 1 and 2 bedroom apartments over 9 levels for Cubick Property. Chieng says the project has been well received with apartments almost sold out. The project offers views to the adjacent Box Hill Gardens across the road as well as towards the city, and features a 'Rooftop Club' offering residents indoor and outdoor dining, lounges and a fireplace.

Chloe is more 'western' in its approach particularly in light of TaoHome, says Chieng and more investor and owner-occupier driven. Chloe has been tendered and construction is commencing soon.

<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/chloe-1-847x1024.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Chloe, Box Hill. Image courtesy Cubick"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="701" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/chloe-1-847x1024.jpg?itok=vZtp3I5E" title="Chloe, Box Hill. Image courtesy Cubick" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Chloe, Box Hill. Image courtesy Cubick</figcaption></figure>Hayball's experience and body of work in Box Hill has seen the firm field several enquiries and approaches by new and return clients for developments in Ringwood. Its appeal lies in the new train station and bus interchange, in addition to Eastland's expansion which includes associated community facilities.

Ringwood much like Box Hill has also been identified as an activity centre where density is appropraite. Hayball are particularly interested in working on multi-generational and highly mixed-use projects in the area says Cheing, building on the office's work on TaoHome - creating more meaningful retirement developments with less high care and greater shared facilities, either via a vertical village model or townhouse typology. 

Urban.com.au will continue to follow the progress of Box Hill and Ringwood with a keen interest.
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Hayball's Eugene Chieng discusses the rise of Box Hill 

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ROTHELOWMAN has designed RPM Real Estate Group’s new headquarters with the company’s mobile workforce in mind and with a desire to create an office with a "bit of soul." The relocation comes as a result of RPM’s rapid growth.

Due to a high proportion of RPM salespeople working in­-house just one day a week, ROTHELOWMAN has been faced with the challenge of designing a space that caters to this dispersed and mobile workforce.

The layout of the new headquarters replaces the traditional four­-wall office with a series of breakout workstations that encourage collaboration and connectivity and allow for easy on­-the-­go use by team members, visitors and clients.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_3549.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="RPM Office Melbourne interior. Photo by Rachael Dere"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="356" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_3549.jpg?itok=CrFoCzH6" title="RPM Office Melbourne interior. Photo by Rachael Dere" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>RPM Office Melbourne interior. Photo by Rachael Dere</figcaption></figure>The new headquarters has been developed to cater for RPM’s rapid growth. The company has experienced a 370 per cent increase in revenue over the last four years, and has sold 25 per cent of all residential lots available across Melbourne’s metropolitan growth areas over the 2014/2015 period.

Located across two storeys (levels three and five) of a commercial South Melbourne building, the workplace design combines the people­-oriented, sophisticated and approachable nature of the RPM business, along with the company’s high proportion of salespeople operating primarily offsite. One third of RPM team members operate primarily outside of the company’s South Melbourne headquarters and are only in­-house one day a week.

The integration of highly adaptable and cleverly integrated breakout workspaces by ROTHELOWMAN allows RPM to better manage its non-­traditional workforce. This challenge is further enhanced by the unorthodox layout of the office, being located across two non-­consecutive levels of a commercial building.

Urban.com.au spoke to ROTHELOWMAN head of interiors Andrew Wales who says the biggest logistical challenge for the office was working out how to cater for a dispersed workforce in a way that did not look temporary. The last thing the design team wanted to do was create spaces that would only be used 20 per cent of the week.

According to Wales the team challenged this by implementing ‘breakout areas’ that are power connected, which allow for easy on­ the­-go use by team members, visitors and clients.

ROTHELOWMAN’S interior design incorporates strong graphics and confident colours to artistically communicate the strength of the business and the friendly nature of its people. The office layout is a design representation of the company's services as a suburban real estate agency. A main walkway lined with custom designed lamps, reminiscent of street lamps, provide a demarcation between work areas. This demarcation replaces four-wall offices.

<blockquote>
We proposed a design to RPM which effectively reflects their company values: intelligent, people-oriented, sophisticated, well connected with unrivalled knowledge about their industry to share with others. The aim was definitely not to squeeze as many people into the space as possible, but rather to enhance this open, cooperative and research driven organisation. It’s actually quite rare among real estate agencies to employ this type of open-­plan design, but RPM is not a stock standard business.

The approachable nature of RPM is also articulated in the light-weight appearance of furniture and joinery details within the reception and client lounge. The furniture is not solid and corporate, but more the kind of furniture you would have in your living room.
<cite>Andrew Wales, Head of Interiors, ROTHELOWMAN</cite>
</blockquote>

A liberal use of the colour black including on the few office walls is a direct reference to the business. Wales notes that black can be "quite confronting, but it’s not if you get it right," adding that "(it )results in a space and business that looks strong, confident and bold, creating a marriage of brand and business."

Another major element of RPM’s company culture reflected in the design is the high level of customer service offered to clients. On site is a large outdoor area, presentation room and lounge, plus meeting rooms with a full-­size working bar all for the purposes of client entertainment and enjoyment. User experiences are further enhanced through the curated selection of materials including timber, stone and steel, with several custom-­made furniture pieces by Jardan and Stylecraft.

The use of residential-­style furniture reinforces the concept of an office space that is both corporate but also laid back with ROTHELOWMAN drawing on its experience in residential and hospitality projects to help inform how the spaces are designed. As Wales puts it a workspace is a living space ­ people can spend more time in the office than they do at home, so it has to be more than just a place to go to work. It has to provide opportunities which facilitate and encourage good working relationships while also providing spaces to work alone.

The design has also considered future growth and expansion with the capacity to accommodate an increase in staff numbers of around 15% based on RPM's ambitions and aspirations. Beyond this says Wales RPM's mobile staff would be required to split their time across two days. Overall, the innovative layout and interiors of the new RPM headquarters are visual proof of the company’s strong growth and its approach to real estate in Melbourne. The result is a layout and interior palette that is sophisticated and modern but also approachable and a strong representation of the RPM Real Estate business itself.

<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/rothelowman-rpm-rachael-dere-01.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="RPM Office Melbourne interior. Photo by Rachael Dere"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/rothelowman-rpm-rachael-dere-01.jpg?itok=EA6gTF-v" title="RPM Office Melbourne interior. Photo by Rachael Dere" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>RPM Office Melbourne interior. Photo by Rachael Dere</figcaption></figure>
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Designing for a mobile workforce: RPM's new head office by ROTHELOWMAN

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Sales and marketing agents Marshall White have shifted their focus to virtual reality as a selling tool due to shifting preferences and expectations from prospective buyers.

Based upon recent project marketing experiences, younger generations heavy reliance upon the digital sphere has allowed Marshall White to sell out projects without a physical display suite.

As sales agent for <a href="/buildings/no-308-308-carlisle-street-balaclava">308 Carlisle Street</a>, Marshall White managed to sell all apartments within the project without a display suite or budget toward traditional print advertising. All 45 apartments were sold in under six weeks with the majority of purchasers aged between 25 and 30.

Marshall White believe buyers were drawn to location, enticed by what they term "a refined sales campaign" that simply put forth the advantages of a well-connected lifestyle coupled with an apartment of quality.

<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/00117814_img_02_1600x.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="308 Carlisle Street exterior. Image courtesy Marshall White"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="314" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/00117814_img_02_1600x.jpg?itok=X5DzXEgI" title="308 Carlisle Street exterior. Image courtesy Marshall White" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>308 Carlisle Street exterior. Image: Marshall White</figcaption></figure>Urban.com.au spoke to Leonard Teplin, Projects Director at Marshall White, who sees this as an opportunity to better invest the hundreds of thousands of dollars developers would spend on lavish display suites into innovative alternatives that are not only cost and time effective, but more authentic and impactful.

<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?

Buyers are overloaded with choice and bombarded with advertisements, which has made them less perceptible to traditional marketing tactics. In order to be effective you must know your audience, what they value, who they trust, where they source their information – these things often hold more significance than their gender or profession and allow us to develop tailored marketing strategies that resonate with our buyers on a deeper level.

An integrated approach simplifies the sales process and leverages technology, videography, photography, renders, brand partnerships, and direct marketing to achieve a far more cost effect result within the shortest possible time frame.
<cite>Leonard Teplin, Projects Director, Marshall White</cite>
</blockquote>

While digital marketing has hit the mark with younger buyers, Leonard Teplin acknowledges print media as still maintaining an integral role to play in the sales process with older purchasers.

In order to access the virtual reality display without a physical display suite, prospective buyers would visit the Marshall White offices where all the necessary technology is in-house. A interactive display of approximately 72 inches occupies a space within Marshall White's offices and the general consensus has been positive, particularly for buyers who would otherwise struggle to visualise themselves in a prospective apartment space.

<blockquote>
What we've tried to do is create a 3D experience where the buyer puts on the headset which allows them to stand in the kitchen or bathroom and get a real sense and feel for the space. 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.

<cite>Leonard Teplin, Projects Director, Marshall White</cite>
</blockquote>

Earlier this year the agency in tandem with <a href="/developers/moda-corp">Moda Corp</a> sold all 27 luxury apartments at High &amp; Spring in the same time frame as 308 Carlisle without any traditional or digital advertising, achieving a sales average of approximately $1,050,000 per apartment. This was done via Marshall White's database of existing clientele and interested parties.

Teplin believes that if a client is prepared to work with them in delivering a product to the market, then in those circumstances traditional advertising becomes obsolete as there's already a ready made audience for that particular type of property.

<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/arch2a.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="High &amp; Spring has proven successful without traditional advertising. Image courtesy Marshall White"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="279" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/arch2a.jpg?itok=hzPtPpRR" title="High &amp; Spring has proven successful without traditional advertising. Image courtesy Marshall White" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>High &amp; Spring has proven successful without traditional advertising. Image: Marshall White</figcaption></figure>Looking further ahead at the potential implications of the Victorian Government's soon to be introduced apartment standards and their impact on the market, Leonard Teplin expects an increased number of sites would be considered 'undevelopable' due to excessive setback requirements.

Teplin argues that minimum ceiling heights of 2.7 metres are "fine but we need to make sure the planning scheme gets adjusted accordingly so that mandatory height limits in certain zones (such as Residential 1: 9 metres) can cater for three levels at 2.7 metres."

Most sites will reduce in value, says Teplin, and the government may not care about this but if implemented in its current form, there will be a long period of no development (like <a href="/new-apartments/sydney-nsw">Sydney</a>) whilst the price of housing goes through the roof.

Sites will only start to stack up financially once the rate per square metre gets to "ridiculous levels like Sydney… these proposed amendments will kill what little affordability there is left in the market."
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Discussing the future of the apartment market with Leonard Teplin

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Wulff Projects and architecture firm Fieldwork have teamed up to deliver Newry Street, a boutique collection of 12 contemporary townhouses located in a leafy pocket of Richmond. just off Burnley Street. 

The area is home to an eclectic architectural mix that includes some of the oldest homes in Melbourne, converted warehouses and charming Victorian terraces. Designed by Fieldwork with a focus on natural amenity, these three and four storey walk-up townhouses feature roof terraces and views over the street and city beyond, adding a new architectural layer to the suburb's rich tapestry. 

The design employs a rich material palette of white brick, timber cladding and steel wire mesh screens to support the growth of vegetation.

<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/newry_canterbury_frontage.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Canterbury Street frontage. Image courtesy Wulff Projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="233" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/newry_canterbury_frontage.jpg?itok=gEAbDz1u" title="Canterbury Street frontage. Image courtesy Wulff Projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Canterbury Street frontage. Image courtesy Wulff Projects</figcaption></figure>Newry Street's architecture is inspired by Richmond’s heritage, drawing upon its architectural character and materiality. Redefining the area’s classic late 19th century terrace home, each Newry Street townhouse features bedrooms on the ground and first floor, with living areas on the upper floors that lead to terraces with sweeping views.

The traditional verandah is reimagined as two outdoor areas, with a sheltered terrace and a magnificent rooftop space. From its highly considered context, to its innovative use of form and space, Newry Street has been designed to "capture the essence of Richmond" reimagining its unique character for modern living.

<blockquote>
Our aspiration is to create a place where we truly want to live. A building that is respectfulto its heritage context while being a bold and contemporary striking piece of architecture.

- Quino Holland Architect &amp; Director, Fieldwork
</blockquote>

Each townhouse has been crafted as a seamless integration of colour and materials, design and functionality. At each entrance, architecturally detailed alcoves reinforce the idea of individual addresses, with climbers and vegetation softening the distinctive brick façades. 

A continuous skin of white brickwork wraps around the Newry Street façade, referencing the area’s industrial heritage and providing a tactile quality to each elevation. This history is further referenced in the use of timber battens at the ground level entrances which will gradually fade to a muted tone over time.

Each townhouse features a large rooftop space, most with unobstructed, vistas over Richmond and panoramic views towards the city to the west. Accessed via a dedicated external stair, this outdoor deck includes a built-in barbecue encouraging residents to utilise the space for entertaining visitors.

<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/newry_rooftop.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Newry Street's large rooftop areas provide views towards the city. Image courtesy Wulff Projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="239" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/newry_rooftop.jpg?itok=Te47-3sW" title="Newry Street's large rooftop areas provide views towards the city. Image courtesy Wulff Projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Newry Street's large rooftop areas provide views towards the city. Image courtesy Wulff Projects</figcaption></figure>On the level below, the balcony offers views of the neighbourhood and providing passive surveillance to the street, with protection from the elements allowing natural ventilation to each townhouse. Large, glazed sliding doors blur the lines between indoor and outdoor and create adaptable and flexible living spaces.

Internally the spaces benefit from access to natural light which streams in from large windows and doors which open to views of Richmond. Metal screens bring an extra layer of depth and articulation to the façade with their angular geometry.The exterior design language continues internally with a considered use of materials to create textured layers and elegant finishes.

<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/newry_interior.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Newry Street living spaces. Image courtesy Wulff Projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="176" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/newry_interior.jpg?itok=nLHAqyNa" title="Newry Street living spaces. Image courtesy Wulff Projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Newry Street living spaces. Image courtesy Wulff Projects</figcaption></figure>Newry Street Townhouses development team

<ul>
<li>Developer: Wulff Projects </li>
	<li>Architect: Fieldwork</li>
	<li>Interior Design: Samantha Eades</li>
</ul>
 
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Newry Street setting the standard for inner city townhouses

Longstanding Gold Coast and Canberra developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/morris-property-group">Morris Property Group</a> is continuing to roll on with its Glitter Strip apartment pipeline, seeking to return to Mermaid Beach with a new 68-apartment development.

Morris, founded by Barry Morris in 1978 and one of the Gold Coast’s most prolific apartment developers over the past two decades, has filed plans for a 12-storey mixed-use building at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/36-seabeach-avenue-mermaid-beach-qld-4218">34-36 Seabeach Avenue</a>, on the prized eastern side of the Gold Coast Highway.

The 1,227 sqm site occupies a prominent corner position at Seabeach Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway, opposite the Mermaid Plaza retail and office precinct and around 140 metres walking distance from the future Mermaid Beach South light rail station.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fraser-partners-0">Fraser &amp; Partners</a> has designed the project, which will comprise 68 apartments across a mix of 48 two-bedroom and 20 three-bedroom residences.

The building will rise 12 storeys, reaching a maximum height of 36 metres, with the apartments accounting for a total of 156 bedrooms. The development application also seeks approval for short-term accommodation across the 68 apartments, while two office tenancies are proposed at ground level.

The plans show 108 car spaces across the development, with parking accommodated at ground level and within a three-level basement accessed from Seabeach Avenue.

<img alt="Seabeach Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c2175c99-12fd-4a3c-9be1-89bbf258a90d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-20%20at%202.59.41%E2%80%AFPM_0.png?VersionId=iNLzWcE6gaAE76rafhEXfHve.4g4Se0p" />

Resident amenity will be concentrated on level two, where Fraser &amp; Partners has designed a recreation deck with a swimming pool, 90 sqm pool terrace, outdoor barbecue area and gym.

The broader communal offering will also incorporate landscaped spaces, with the planning documents noting the amenity has been designed to provide areas for recreation, social interaction and outdoor living.

The proposal would continue the transformation of the Gold Coast Highway corridor through Mermaid Beach ahead of the arrival of the light rail.

The site is zoned Neighbourhood Centre and sits within the Mermaid Beach/Broadbeach Light Rail Corridor neighbourhood plan. While the prescribed building height is 24 metres, the site is identified within an Urban Neighbourhood context providing for a 50 per cent height uplift to 36 metres.

Planning documents describe the stretch of the Gold Coast Highway between Broadbeach and Nobby Beach as increasingly characterised by medium and high-rise development, with the proposed Morris tower joining projects including Ventura, The Alfred, Oceans and Otto.

<img alt="Seabeach Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="911f193f-e381-4a55-be08-58be87fcf978" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-20%20at%202.59.48%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=oxVvLJaY.SOXEdXrIcogfyEXDfvCmmpM" />

The development would mark Morris Property Group's latest investment in Mermaid Beach, where it has already delivered two apartment projects.

Otto, at 1 Bondi Avenue on the western side of the Gold Coast Highway, comprises 70 apartments across nine storeys. The project was completed in 2019 and includes a residents' gym, recreation deck and swimming pool.

Morris also developed Oceans at 46 Ocean Street, a nine-storey, 70-apartment build-to-rent development completed in 2019. Oceans was the group's first build-to-rent project and incorporates commercial space at ground level.

The two existing Morris projects sit further north along the same Gold Coast Highway corridor as the proposed Seabeach Avenue development. Fraser &amp; Partners' planning analysis specifically identifies both Otto and Oceans among the established built-form precedents surrounding the site.

<img alt="Seabeach Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="14925119-7b71-4812-8149-340317512c7c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-20%20at%203.00.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=aEJqYuw_nTCjcin17BSD0piB1EFotTlj" />

Mermaid Beach represents only part of Morris' considerable Gold Coast footprint.

The family-owned developer has been particularly active in neighbouring Broadbeach, delivering projects including Sierra Grand, Eclipse, Synergy, Qube, Koko, Opus and Malo, while its current pipeline includes Maison and the two-tower Crest development.

Further south, Morris has also developed a string of projects in Burleigh Heads, including Element, Boardwalk and Sandbar, while Essentia expanded its footprint north into Surfers Paradise.

The Seabeach Avenue application has been lodged by PMM Broadbeach Pty Ltd and seeks a development permit for a Material Change of Use for multiple dwellings, short-term accommodation and office uses. Zone Planning Group prepared the planning application, with Fraser &amp; Partners commissioned as architect.

The project comes as the developer continues to expand its Gold Coast pipeline while retaining a significant presence in Canberra. Morris now has more than $2.5 billion of development in its national pipeline and has delivered more than 7,000 homes during its near five-decade history

Joel Robinson

First look: Morris Property Group returns to Mermaid Beach with new Seabeach Avenue apartment development

<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787272340808000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3hvFB2uWTRfEyEcpTSnnK9" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis" target="_blank">Fortis</a>&nbsp;is continuing its stronghold on Sydn​ey’s eastern suburbs apartment market, launching&nbsp;in September&nbsp;its latest boutique&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/double-bay-nsw-2028&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787272340808000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0GI5S9-wNeiLUnM-d1uYkw" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/double-bay-nsw-2028" target="_blank">Double Bay</a>&nbsp;development,&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-william-double-bay-55-william-street-double-bay-nsw-2028&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787272340808000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2YNouJQcFjiTTgVHbgDLA-" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-william-double-bay-55-william-street-double-bay-nsw-2028" target="_blank">55 William</a>.

55 William presents&nbsp;just eight north-facing&nbsp;two-bedroom, three-bedroom and full-floor&nbsp;residences to the market, priced from $4.5 million.

The upcoming launch comes just weeks after Fortis secured approval for the $80 million development, its third eastern suburbs approval in two months. Construction is already underway, with completion targeted for 2028.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152579 project_image_fid=376250]

55 William adds to a growing concentration of Fortis projects in and around Double Bay, a market the developer has become increasingly active in over recent years.

Fortis previously completed the nine-residence Marmont on New South Head Road, while it is currently developing a mixed-use residential and retail project at 12 Cross Street. Its wider Double Bay footprint also extends into commercial and retail development.

The developer's broader Sydney residential pipeline is particularly concentrated across the eastern suburbs, with projects spanning Doub​le Bay, Ro​se Bay, Wo​ollahra, Dar​ling Point, Poi​nt Piper and Eli​zabeth Bay.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152579 project_image_fid=376253]

At 55 William, Fortis has again turned to MHN Design Union, the architecture practice behind several of its eastern suburbs projects, while London-based 1508 London has been appointed to handle the interiors and Wyer &amp; Co the landscaping.

The six-level building will comprise a combination of two and three-bedroom apartments, including a garden residence, full-floor apartments, a sub-penthouse and penthouse. Each residence will have secure basement parking and private outdoor space.

A rooftop terrace for all residents, along with select apartments, enjoys views across Double Bay Harbour and toward the Sydney skyline.

Ceiling heights will reach up to three metres&nbsp;in select residences, while the kitchens will feature natural stone and integrated Gaggenau appliances.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The boutique nature of the project reflects the type of stock Fortis has increasingly targeted across Sydney's eastern suburbs, where larger apartments and smaller buildings are being pitched primarily toward local owner-occupiers and downsizers.

Fortis Group General Manager Ed Eve said the developer continues to see demand from buyers wanting to remain in the eastern suburbs but move into newer, lower-maintenance housing.

“We're seeing continued demand from local owner-occupiers and downsizers looking for high-quality homes that allow them to remain in the eastern suburbs, close to the lifestyle and community they know,” Eve said.

55 William is also one of the early projects to respond directly to the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms. Fortis had previously secured approval for just two townhouses on the 599 sqm site before revising the scheme to eight apartments following the planning changes.

Situated one street back from Double Bay's water's edge, the project enjoys an enviable harbourside setting within walking distance of Double Bay Village and the ferry wharf.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152579 project_image_fid=376252]

Fortis has increasingly made the eastern suburbs a major focus of its Sydney pipeline. Beyond Double Bay, it recently completed the 14-residence Piper in Point Piper and has projects underway or planned across Rose Bay, Woollahra and Darling Point.

The developer recently secured approval for Verano in Rose Bay, a six-level development comprising 21 two, three and four-bedroom apartments, also designed by MHNDU.

55 William&nbsp;is soon to be release to the market with VIP appointments commencing early September,&nbsp;with residences priced from $4.5 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152579]

Fortis continues eastern suburbs push with 55 William launch

UAE-based developer Arada has unveiled plans for a $2 billion twin-tower apartment development in Broadbeach, marking its first move into Queensland as it continues its rapid expansion across Australia.

Arada will develop 952 apartments across two towers on a prominent site opposite the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the project targeted for completion ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The project represents Arada's largest commitment to the Australian market since arriving in the country in 2024 and significantly expands a local pipeline that has now grown to eight projects and more than 5,000 homes.

It will also be the first major Queensland project delivered by Roberts Co since the tier-one contractor was acquired by Arada Group in 2025.

Plus Studio has designed the Broadbeach development, which will comprise one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two towers connected by a landscaped podium.

A significant resident amenity offering will include lagoon and lap pools, a gym, sauna and steam room, alongside a mist room, infrared room and salt scrub facilities. Communal terraces, private dining areas, a library, residents' lounge and work-from-home spaces are also planned. Around 1,200 sqm of retail and hospitality space will occupy the ground floor.

The site puts Arada in one of the Gold Coast's most active apartment markets, directly opposite the convention centre and within walking distance of Pacific Fair, The Star Gold Coast and Broadbeach's dining and retail precinct.

It also has immediate access to the Gold Coast light rail network and sits just a few blocks from the beach.

Arada Group Chief Executive Ahmed Alkhoshaibi said Broadbeach represented an opportunity for the developer to expand beyond its initial NSW pipeline.

“Broadbeach is a world-class address that gives us the canvas to create a community of exceptional design and lifestyle quality that genuinely enriches the daily lives of the people who call it home,” Alkhoshaibi said.

“This is our first development outside New South Wales, and it reflects our growing ambition to grow in key urban markets around the country.”

Alkhoshaibi said bringing Roberts Co into the project would give Arada greater control over the development and construction process.

“Delivering this project through Roberts Co, our own tier-one construction business, means we can bring the quality, pace and accountability that our buyers expect.”

The move into Broadbeach comes as Arada accelerates its Australian expansion following its entry into the market two years ago. The developer has assembled a pipeline of eight projects comprising more than 5,000 homes, while the acquisition of Roberts Co last year gave the group its own Australian construction capability.

Globally, Arada has a development portfolio valued at $50 billion comprising more than 55,000 homes across the UAE, United Kingdom and Australia.

The Gold Coast is emerging as the next major market for the developer, with strong population growth and infrastructure spending ahead of the 2032 Games continuing to underpin significant apartment development across the coastal strip.

Arada plots $2 billion Broadbeach towers in major Queensland move

Sydney’s downsizer market is changing, with a growing cohort of buyers prioritising the right home over simply finding a smaller one.

Coronation Property Head of Sales Cam Porter says the traditional idea of downsizing does not necessarily reflect what many buyers are now looking for, particularly those moving from established family homes across Sydney.

Instead, he says they are increasingly becoming “right-sizers”, seeking lower-maintenance homes without sacrificing the space, amenity or quality they have become accustomed to.

“We are increasingly seeing buyers who are not motivated by the idea of simply moving into a smaller property,” Porter says.

“They are right-sizers. They want a home that is easier to manage and better connected, but they still expect generosity, quality and a floorplan that supports the way they live.”

It is a subtle but important distinction in a market where apartment developers are increasingly targeting established owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377495]

For many of these buyers, moving from a house to an apartment is not driven by a desire to dramatically reduce their living space. Instead, the appeal is in removing some of the maintenance associated with a larger home while retaining generous living areas, storage and enough flexibility to accommodate family and friends.

Coronation’s sales team is seeing buyers place particular importance on natural light, practical storage and additional rooms that can be used as guest bedrooms, home offices or secondary living spaces.

Kitchens and dining areas are also playing an increasingly important role, particularly for buyers who regularly entertain or have children and grandchildren visit.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377494]

“These buyers still want their home to feel generous,” Porter says.

“They may want less maintenance, but they are not looking for less life.”

The challenge for the broader housing market is providing enough of the right stock to encourage that move.

While much of the discussion around Sydney’s housing shortage has centred on the number of homes being delivered, Porter says the diversity of those homes is equally important.

Older homeowners can remain in large family houses for longer when they cannot find an appropriate alternative in the neighbourhoods where they have built their lives.

“The decision is rarely as simple as wanting fewer bedrooms,” Porter says.

“People are weighing up their connection to a neighbourhood, the space they need for family, the quality of the home and whether it will continue to work for them over the long term.”

It also has implications beyond the downsizer market. Providing suitable apartments for smaller households can free up established houses for families who need the additional bedrooms and land, creating greater movement through the housing market.

<h2>Lillian targets the next stage of apartment buyer</h2>

It is a buyer Coronation is targeting at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lillian-erskineville-9-metters-street-erskineville-nsw-2043">Lillian</a>, its new collection of apartments, terraces and penthouses at Erskineville Village.

Designed by Silvester Fuller, Lillian has been shaped around larger living spaces, natural light and flexible floorplans, alongside landscaped areas, wellness amenity and communal spaces for residents.

The development will form part of Coronation’s broader Erskineville Village precinct, which will combine new homes with green space, retail, hospitality and new pedestrian connections.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377688]

McPherson Park will sit at the centre of the precinct, creating a significant new green space alongside the project’s retail and hospitality offering.

For Porter, the opportunity is to give buyers another housing option without forcing them to leave the part of Sydney they already know.

“People should be able to change the type of home they live in without having to change their entire life,” he says.

“For many buyers, Lillian offers the opportunity to remain connected to the Inner West and the city, while gaining access to a more convenient, walkable and considered way of living.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377687]

Coronation will explore the changing <a href="https://lillianresidences.com.au/news/lillian-x-space-x-downsizers-event-27-august/">right-sizer market at an event on August 27</a>, bringing together experts across property, design and lifestyle.

Held in partnership with SPACE, Poliform and Downsizer.com.au, the event will include a property market outlook from economist Michael Blythe alongside discussion around the considerations facing buyers planning their next move.

Attendees will also be able to learn more about the residences and amenity planned at Lillian Erskineville.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135149]

From downsizing to right-sizing: What Sydney buyers want from their next home

Family-owned builder and developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/omaya">Omaya</a> is bringing its 27-storey The Maybelle development to market, with the 229-apartment tower rising alongside Ismay Reserve near North Strathfield.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-maybelle-21-parramatta-road-homebush-nsw-2140">The Maybelle</a> will comprise one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with its height providing elevated outlooks towards the Sydney skyline and Harbour Bridge, while other residences will look across neighbouring Ismay Reserve.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/squillace-architects">Squillace Architects</a>, the tower combines its parkside setting with proximity to the established retail, dining and transport amenity around North Strathfield.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376196]

Residences will feature open-plan living spaces and a choice of two interior schemes, while communal amenity is spread across two elevated levels of the building.

Level 8 will be home to the Garden Pavilion, a full-floor resident space incorporating communal entertaining and breakout areas, seating and recreation spaces. Further up the tower, a landscaped Sky Terrace on Level 14 will provide another communal area with panoramic views towards the Harbour Bridge and Sydney skyline.

At ground level, the development sits directly alongside Ismay Reserve, where lawns, walking paths, children's play areas, picnic spaces and recreational facilities extend the green space available immediately around the project.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376194]

The Maybelle is also within walking distance of North Strathfield and the Bakehouse Quarter, which provides a mix of cafés, restaurants, shops and everyday services.

Existing rail and bus services provide connections across Sydney, while the future North Strathfield Metro and access to the M4 will add to the transport options available around the precinct. Walking and cycling routes also extend via Powells Creek towards Sydney Olympic Park and its sporting, entertainment and parkland precincts.

Families are also well positioned for access to a broad selection of established schools and education options across Strathfield and the surrounding Inner West.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376181]

Omaya has operated in Sydney for more than 35 years, managing projects from acquisition and design through to construction and delivery. The family-owned company is both developer and builder of The Maybelle.

Apartments start from $560,000, with the development protected by 10-year Latent Defects Insurance.

Construction is well underway, with completion expected by the end of 2026 and move-in anticipated from Q1 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134873]

Laurence Dragomir

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