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Developer Lendlease has announced that it has secured International Workplace Group’s (IWG) co-working brand, Spaces at its Melbourne Quarter precinct within Melbourne's Docklands urban regeneration project.

Spaces will occupy approximately 7,000 sqm of space across two buildings comprising, one floor within the recently completed One Melbourne Quarter, and upon completion, more than 4,000 sqm across two floors at Two Melbourne Quarter, currently under construction.

As part of their tenancies, Spaces will also utilise the business lounge facilities in each building’s lobby providing extensions of their workplace with members also having access to the precinct’s wi-fi enabled Sky Park.

<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/mq_towers.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Spaces will be occupying 7000sqm across two buildings at Lendlease's Melbourne Quarter. Images: Lendlease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="404" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mq_towers.jpg?itok=bkdniqqz" title="Spaces will be occupying 7000sqm across two buildings at Lendlease's Melbourne Quarter. Images: Lendlease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Spaces will be occupying 7000sqm across two buildings at Lendlease's Melbourne Quarter. Images: Lendlease</figcaption></figure>Overall, Spaces will provide 700 flexible workstations when it moves into One Melbourne Quarter in May and Two Melbourne Quarter once it is complete in mid-2020. Space will join future Melbourne Quarter tenants AMP and EnergyAustralia,and Arup and Lendlease, who have already taken occupation of their respective workspaces within One Melbourne Quarter.

According to Spaces, its model allows customers to pay only for the space they need, scaling operations up or down to boost employee productivity in their choice of work environments.

Meanwhile, construction is continuing in earnest at Melbourne Quarter with Two Melbourne Quarter's floorplates and core now well above street level and the first panels of facade now installed on East Tower. 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/tmq_construction_progress.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Construction progress at Melbourne Quarter. Images: Urban forum member redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="216" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/tmq_construction_progress.jpg?itok=4xDRYuIh" title="Construction progress at Melbourne Quarter. Images: Urban forum member redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Construction progress at Melbourne Quarter. Images: Urban forum member redden</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say...</h2>

<blockquote>
Spaces’ presence at Melbourne Quarter will provide businesses with more adaptable and dynamic places to work. Lendlease is designing precincts with flexible workspaces that provide transport connectivity, outdoor green spaces and retail amenity in one location.

Spaces will introduce a broad range of organisations to Melbourne Quarter, presenting an exciting proposition for the precinct’s existing workforce and retailers.

- John Burton, Lendlease’s Managing Director, Urban Regeneration
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
There is a workspace revolution underway in Australia and businesses of all sizes are waking up to the strategic and financial benefits that flexible office space can provide.

This will be the fourth Spaces co-working centre located in Victoria and we are extremely excited to be located in the new Melbourne Quarter Precinct. This year, the growth of flexible working is predicted to rise across Australia, as more office-based activity is demanding greater choice and flexibility in the workplace, for businesses, organisations and their employees.

- Damien Sheehan, Head of IWG, Spaces parent company in Australia &amp; New Zealand
</blockquote>

 

 
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Laurence Dragomir

Lendlease welcomes co-working operator Spaces to Melbourne Quarter

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Wuzhong International (Australia) is making its first foray into the Australian residential property market with Bowen &amp; Queens. Located at 2 Bowen Crescent, South Melbourne, the 19-storey residential development has been designed by Plus Architecture and comprises 214 apartments offering views over Albert Park Lake, Port Phillip Bay, the city and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Urban.com.au spoke to  Director of Wuzhong International (Aust) David Yihou Shen about the Bowen &amp; Queens development and its ambitions in the Australian market into the future.

<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/bq_inline_images.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Bowen &amp; Queens exterior and interior. Images: Floodslicer"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="240" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bq_inline_images.jpg?itok=n0NPuuCF" title="Bowen &amp; Queens exterior and interior. Images: Floodslicer" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bowen &amp; Queens exterior and interior. Images: Floodslicer</figcaption></figure>Urban.com.au: What prompted Wuzhong to choose Melbourne as the Australian city for its first foray into the Australian market? 

David Shen: Melbourne is well known globally as being the world’s most livable city and is therefore an attractive prospect for global developers. As a developer we think Melbourne is the place to be and expect the market will keep growing over the next decade or so as the population grows.

Bowen and Queens is our first apartment development in Melbourne, however we have done a boutique size project in Carrum Downs which consists of 23 lots land subdivisions and 21 townhouses.

U: And following on from that what was the appeal of South Melbourne?

DS: We love South Melbourne! We set up our Australian HQ at 1 Queens Road, Melbourne about 6 years ago; it is effectively 100 metres from our Bowen &amp; Queens project. South Melbourne is a dynamic and very liveable suburb; it has parks, markets, restaurants and cafes everywhere.

The location is arguably in the city but without the noise of the busy CBD. Our project is off St Kilda Road but away from all the traffic, and of course residents will get the amazing views to the bay, to the park and to the Albert Lake.

U: What was Wuzhong's vision for the Bowen &amp; Queens site and its brief to Plus Architecture?

DS: The location of Bowen &amp; Queens was carefully selected. The site has easy access to the city, beach, and suburbs. We chose this particular site because it is surrounded by parks and in a bigger context, it fits in with the natural elements of the nearby bay too.

We briefed Plus Architecture to enhance the healthy lifestyle that this site can offer. It’s designed for ease of living, and to encourage a healthy lifestyle with all the nearby parks. The Bowen &amp; Queens was crafted around the concept of nature – this is seen through the use of curves throughout that embrace the surrounding area.

U: There has been a lot of commentary recently around the state of the residential market in not just Melbourne but Australia as a whole. What are your thoughts on this and do you expect it to have an impact on sales in Bowen &amp; Queens?

DS: The market is slower than the last several years, this is a fact. The market is going soft due to tightening lending regulations. The demand is still there though thanks to the growing population. Melbourne still has very high population growth. While the sale rate will be lower than what we experienced in the previous years, I don’t think it will impact on the sale prices. Good stock is sought after and popular in every climate.

U: What buyer demographic do you expect Bowen &amp; Queens to appeal to?

DS: Local buyers and owner occupiers will be the main demographic we will be targeting. The finish of the building will be a high quality and local buyers who can attend the display suites will fully understand the quality and the craftmanship of the building.

U: Looking beyond Bowen &amp; Queens, what are Wuzhong's intentions for future projects in Melbourne and are you also looking at opportunities in other Australian cities?

DS: We have a full pipeline built up for the next 5 years already; not just in apartments but also in land subdivisions as well as commercial projects. Our focus is in Melbourne only as we think Melbourne market is a particularly exciting market to be in within Australia.
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Wuzhong's David Shen discusses Bowen and Queens

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Melbourne looks set for another bumper year in 2019 with a host of key projects around the city - of both the small and tall variety - changing not only the skyline's silhouette but more importantly its ground plane.

Today's piece focuses on a selection of projects which in some way will contribute to improving Melbourne's built environment and public realm. These projects represent a cross section of skyscrapers and key public realm projects.

<h2>435 Bourke Street</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/435_bourke_street.png" rel="gallery-all" title="435 Bourke Street. Image: Cbus Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="483" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/435_bourke_street.png?itok=cCtrBuco" title="435 Bourke Street. Image: Cbus Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>435 Bourke Street. Image: Cbus Property</figcaption></figure>Cbus Property delivered an early Christmas package to the City of Melbourne when it submitted an application for a $1bn 55-storey commercial tower at 435 Bourke Street, in the heart of the Melbourne CBD.

Designed by Bates Smart, the development comprises approximately 64,500 sqm of premium grade office space on the corner of Bourke and Queen Street.

Cbus amalgamated sites at 140 and 150 Queen Street, 423 Bourke Street and 27 McKillop Street to allow for the development. 

According to Cbus, it intends to launch 435 Bourke Street in early 2019 and commence construction later this year pending planning approval.

Read more <a href="/news/cbus-property-submits-planning-application-for-its-landmark-435-bourke-street-site">here</a>.

<h2>Southbank by Beulah / The Green Spine</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/southbankbybeulah.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Green Spine - the competition winning entry for Southbank by Beulah. Image: UN Studio"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="568" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/southbankbybeulah.jpg?itok=xUv8mVto" title="The Green Spine - the competition winning entry for Southbank by Beulah. Image: UN Studio" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Green Spine - the competition winning entry for Southbank by Beulah. Image: UN Studio</figcaption></figure>Beulah International revealed the six entries in its Southbank by Beulah competition during its symposium in July 2018, before Cox Architecture + UN Studio's Green Spine scheme as the winning design.

The design team and Beulah then embarked on a study tour which included stops in Shanghai and New York to assist in informing the design.

It is expected that following a process of design refinement and development a planning application will be lodged for the site at 118 City Road, Southbank.

Should the project retain a maximum height of 356m and should it be viewed favourably by the Planning Minister's office, construction could commence on what would become Australia's tallest tower in 2020 at the earliest.

The winning concept for Green Spine featured a mix of uses including residential, commercial, hotel, a school and a highly permeable ground plane which extends the Southbank Boulevard linear park (see below) into the site and extends up the length of the towers.

For more details on the Green Spine and to view the other entries <a href="/news/southbank-by-beulah-the-winning-design-for-australias-tallest-tower-revealed">click here</a>.

<h2>Yarra Pool</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/wowowa_v01-overview-1024x576.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="WOWOWA + Yarra Pools' concept for a public pool at Enterprize Park. Image: Yarra Pools"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/wowowa_v01-overview-1024x576.jpg?itok=8-cgUwOj" title="WOWOWA + Yarra Pools' concept for a public pool at Enterprize Park. Image: Yarra Pools" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>WOWOWA + Yarra Pools' concept for a public pool at Enterprize Park. Image: Yarra Pools</figcaption></figure>Designed by WOWOWA and inspired by urban river swimming projects both locally and globally, Yarra Pools is a community-led proposal which seeks to transform an under-utilised section of the Yarra River's Northbank into a thriving community facility centred around water-based activities.

The proposal would include (amongst other things) wetlands, a natural leisure pool, 50m lap pool, kids pool, cafe and pavilion.

Yarra Pools is currently seeking support to advance the project through a community-led, multi-staged design and construction process. You can read more about the Yarra Pool concept <a href="/news/wowowa-and-yarra-pools-unveil-public-pool-proposal-for-melbournes-northbank">here</a> or give your feedback on the new design <a href="https://yarrapools.typeform.com/to/IPZews">here</a>.

<h2>Southbank Boulevard + Dodds Street </h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/sthbank_blvd.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The City of Melbourne's Southbank Boulevard project is now underway. Image: City of Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="336" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/sthbank_blvd.jpg?itok=sQWKEQQk" title="The City of Melbourne's Southbank Boulevard project is now underway. Image: City of Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The City of Melbourne's Southbank Boulevard project is now underway. Image: City of Melbourne</figcaption></figure>The first stage of City of Melbourne's significant project for Southbank has commenced with tram infrastructure works already completed between St Kilda Road and Sturt Street. 

Construction is now underway on the remainder of Southbank Boulevard between Sturt Street and City Road. This portion of the project will be undertaken in a number of stages and will see the west bound carriageway discontinued to create new public open space, and the current east bound one way carriageway converted to two way traffic.

The first stage is due to be completed in August of this year. Upon completion, the six stages of the project will create 2.5 hectares of public space and neighbourhood parkland within Southbank, which has become Melbourne's most densely populated suburb.

<h2>Elizabeth Street South</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/elizabeth-street_south.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Work is set to commence on Elizabeth Street South in the coming months. Image: City of Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="327" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/elizabeth-street_south.jpg?itok=a7n5fZW6" title="Work is set to commence on Elizabeth Street South in the coming months. Image: City of Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Work is set to commence on Elizabeth Street South in the coming months. Image: City of Melbourne</figcaption></figure>Work is finally set to commence by the middle of this year on the City of Melbourne's long mooted pedestrianisation of Elizabeth Street South which will replace a stretch of road surface with a new tree lined public space.

Originally due to begin early last year, the project was delayed to allow for construction of an office development at 276 Flinders Street.

The 10-storey development is nearing completion and has direct frontage to the section of Elizabeth Street to be transformed, limiting Council's ability to build the new public space immediately while maintaining pedestrian safety around the construction site.

The City of Melbourne has set aside $2.2m to complete the project which will include the creation of better public realm with new bluestone paving, street furniture, lighting, trees and drainage improvements. 

<h2>Market Street Park</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/market_st_park_collins_street_interface.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Market Street Park will deliver much needed open space into the heart of the city. Image: City of Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/market_st_park_collins_street_interface.png?itok=C1SNgDwu" title="Market Street Park will deliver much needed open space into the heart of the city. Image: City of Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Market Street Park will deliver much needed open space into the heart of the city. Image: City of Melbourne</figcaption></figure>Being delivered as part of Cbus Property and ISPT's $1.3bn Collins Arch development currently under construction, the Oculus-designed park along Collins and Market Streets will add much needed green space to the heart of Melbourne's CBD. 

To facilitate development of the park, City of Melbourne is contributing part of the Market Street road reserve while Cbus Property and ISPT are contributing part of their development site.

The new 1,900 sqm park comprises five distinct zones; Collins Street Interface, Northern Lawns, Playful Terrace, Central Plaza, and City Garden.

Upon completion the park will be vested back to the City of Melbourne for public use and management.

<h2>Melbourne Square - Public park, Hilton Hotel and future stages</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/melbourne_sq_update_jan19.png" rel="gallery-all" title="L-R: Melbourne Square Public Space | Floodslicer; Indicative model showing future stages | Colliers; Construction photo | Urban forum member redden "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="132" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/melbourne_sq_update_jan19.png?itok=gV2JrG16" title="L-R: Melbourne Square Public Space | Floodslicer; Indicative model showing future stages | Colliers; Construction photo | Urban forum member redden " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>L-R: Melbourne Square Public Space | Floodslicer; Indicative model showing future stages | Colliers; Construction photo | Urban forum member redden</figcaption></figure>Construction at Melbourne Square is racing ahead at OSK Property's $2.8 billion Melbourne Square project in Southbank.

The six-tower project comprises four residential towers, an office building and a hotel sited around a new central public space.

The first stage is 75% sold and features two residential towers of 231m and 179m respectively, the public park and a full line Woolworths - Southbank's first full line supermarket.

The 3,700sqm park has been designed by Taylor Cullity Lethlean and encompasses more than 20 per cent of the overall site  Read more about the park <a href="/news/melbourne-square-to-add-some-much-needed-green-infrastructure-to-southbank">here</a>.

It was also recently reported in the <a href="https://www.afr.com/real-estate/commercial/hotels-and-leisure/hilton-to-return-to-melbourne-with-600room-flagship-at-melbourne-square-20190117-h1a6c5">AFR</a>, that OSK was negotiating with Hilton Hotels &amp; Resorts to operate a 600-room flagship luxury hotel with an anticipated opening date of 2022.
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Melbourne's Headline Acts for 2019

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Oz Property is looking to add to its growing medium-density portfolio with its latest development, the aptly named Shelley St, located on the corner of Shelley and Garfield Streets in <a href="/new-apartments/richmond-vic-3121">Richmond</a>. The <a href="/developments?architect=DKO%20Architecture">DKO Architecture</a>-designed development comprises nine three-storey townhouses sited around a communal landscaped courtyard garden. 

Through the use of brick and a saw tooth roof line, the development has been designed to pay homage to Richmond's industrial past and the site's former use as a warehouse.

Established in 2007, Oz Property believe in delivering sustainable, considered developments around key activity zones for a rapidly evolving and growing Melbourne market. With a strategy of appointing Melbourne's leading architects, builders and planners, Oz Property aims to consistently deliver high quality projects based on sound financial outcomes.

Previous projects delivered by Oz Property around Melbourne include Panorama on Lakeside, Balaclava Residences, On the Park and Highwood.

<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/ebp_ozproperty_balaclavaresidences-6031.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The recently completed Balaclava Residences designed by Cera Stribley Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/ebp_ozproperty_balaclavaresidences-6031.jpg?itok=eXq9pgsT" title="The recently completed Balaclava Residences designed by Cera Stribley Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The recently completed Balaclava Residences designed by Cera Stribley Architects</figcaption></figure>Urban.com.au sat down with Oz Property Director, Raghav Goel to discuss the company's latest project, and get a bit of insight into the business's approach to site acquisition and development.

Urban.com.au: How do you approach site acquisition? Do you seek out sites based on whether you have already determined that you want to develop a townhouse or apartment development? Or do you let the site determine that?

Raghav Goel: It's very adapted. We have had preconceived notions before but you quickly realise that's not the way to approach it. We tend to focus on where we can add value. Any site that has an existing permit is much harder for us to add value to because it has already had a lot of work done so we try to focus on sites off market and ones that don't have a scheme in place already.

We love medium-density development and it's something that we're keen on continuing to develop. For us there's no set formulas in site acquisition.

U: And to follow up on that, you develop properties all over Melbourne, there's no particular region or suburb that you're fixated with.

RG: And that's what excites us - that challenge of doing something new, something different each time. We have a very strong relationship with our consultants and that's something we tend to carry forward. It's amazing how the same architect and consultant team can come up with a completely different scheme for a different location. 

U: You've previously worked with DKO and SLAB on The Workshop in Collingwood and this has carried through to Shelley St.

RG: We've got that relationship working with DKO going back almost ten years now, and Shelley St is probably our sixth project working with them. They also did Highwood with us and we also worked with them on Ascot Vale Road before Caydon purchased the site. That's a relationship we've maintained and as our businesses grow the whole approach tends to evolve, which is exciting isn't it?

U: One thing DKO do very well is design a project within its context. Looking at the design response to a project in Collingwood compared to say Ringwood or Richmond, it's evident the context is considered. At Shelley St this association with the context comes through in the saw tooth profile and brick exterior, which draws on the industrial nature of its locale.

RG: (DKO) have been fantastic and SLAB as well, in how they do things and it really is a true collaboration in every sense of the word. In the beginning you tend to sit around a table - much like we're doing right now - and just come up with ideas.

We provide our architects and consultants with really simple briefs at the beginning of a project, and with the brief for Shelley St one of the critical aspects was we really wanted to provide independent street access to each townhouse and we wanted something standalone so that it almost feels like a terrace but with a contemporary and environmentally sustainable approach... natural daylight, ventilation etc.

How we ended up with the saw tooth (roofs) how we ended up with the brick (exterior) that came from the architect's expression of how they saw the site. And the project feels like it just belongs in Richmond, doesn't it? We're quite pleased with the design and looking forward to seeing it realised.

U: With these more urban townhouse typologies we're seeing them developed almost as a hybrid - they're an ensemble of individual townhouses which collectively form a cohesive composition but appear more like an apartment building. 

RG: I'd say it's probably about the balance of medium-density development. Definitely these have individual street access and frontages but the architectural form and expression is a 'whole' and that's how they read together on the streetscape. That's just as critical because if you were doing a standalone house, with a saw tooth form, all brick with such large windows, its probably going to stand out. 

Something like this on a corner site, in an urban location you get the added benefits of a communal courtyard space through the middle which provides a sense of security and a sense of community for people who want it. It's interesting how some people don't like the idea of neighbours, so (Shelley St) gives you the option of engaging with your neighbours if you want, but also retreating back into the privacy of your own home if that's what you prefer. 

An apartment building with a shared and enclosed corridor will never provide you with that, and townhouses tend to allow for that more commonly, which is good because it appeals to a slightly different market - the owner-occupier - who have been there and done that, and now realise what they want. 

<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/001-161128_harmsworth_st_v01_hero_final-1600x1143.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Workshop, Collingwood. Image: Oz Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="414" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/001-161128_harmsworth_st_v01_hero_final-1600x1143.jpg?itok=7DdxF7KC" title="The Workshop, Collingwood. Image: Oz Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Workshop, Collingwood. Image: Oz Property</figcaption></figure>U: What buyer type would you see buying into Shelley St?

RG: If you look at say, The Workshop in Collingwood - which again DKO and SLAB designed for us - it's interesting because we thought the demographic there was going to be young professionals, potentially 30-somethings looking at their second or third home because those were loft-style apartments... split level of about 70-80 square metres. In the end we actually saw a whole lot of 20-somethings who were really excited to get into the market and saw that they could either live in it or have it as an investment property as well.

Coming back to (Shelley St) we aren't ruling that out although we think it will probably be suited more towards 30-somethings, potentially with kids or with kids on the way. But you know, you tend to see instances where they get support from mum and dad so you can't rule anything out.

U: You mentioned the development has a central courtyard. Does that mean the townhouses have a dual aspect or in the case of the corner a triple aspect?

RG: There's actually three streets, so there's obviously Shelley and Garfield but then there's also a laneway along the rear off Shelley Street, which provides individual access to the four townhouses at the back and then the five along Garfield although the fifth is a bit hidden. 

That was critical because we wanted to maintain that streetscape, and there's an existing building adjacent to the site so we wanted to drop down in scale with the townhouse on the end. It's similar to what we did at Balaclava (Residences) as well. Interestingly when you walk down the street, it's almost as if the building has always been there but it's brand new, it sits comfortably in the streetscape. That's what excites us about medium density - it's not something bold and brash that changes the dynamic of the streetscape. As you walk you subconsciously realise there's something pleasant on the street.  

I think that's the direction Melbourne is going in and the type of streetscapes we're likely to see across the city in the future - well designed medium-density. Don't get me wrong, we can all appreciate Melbourne's skyline and its striking buildings but I think it's critical for our inner-suburbs to evolve architecturally.
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1 on 1 with Oz Property's Raghav Goel

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Late last week, Target Australia moved into its new eight-storey headquarters within the Williams Landing master planned community. Developed by Cedar Woods, the new building comprises 12,960 sqm pf A-Grade commercial space accommodating 850 Target employees and featuring a ground level cafe. The new building was completed by Hacer Group in November 2018

Williams Landing is located in Melbourne’s booming western corridor and has been designated as a Priority Development Area by the Victorian Government. According to Cedar Woods, Target’s move to Williams Landing reflects the area’s attractiveness as a growing commercial destination and will support job creation, benefit existing local businesses and attract other leading companies to the area. Upon securing Target as the anchor tenant for 10 years, Cedar Woods sold the building to Centuria Metropolitan REIT for $58.39 million.

Situated in the heart of the Williams Landing Town Centre, Target’s new headquarters is located directly opposite the Williams Landing Train station, providing employees with a 28-minute express service to Southern Cross Station. Employees are also within walking distance of the Williams Landing Shopping Centre, including Woolworths and a variety of licensed restaurants.

Target’s move to Williams Landing was celebrated on site at a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the significant milestone with Wyndham City Council Mayor, Cr Mia Shaw, and representatives from Cedar Woods, Centuria Metropolitan REIT and other key stakeholders present.

Target’s relocation has been a catalyst for further growth at Williams Landing, with Cedar Woods recently stating it has a pipeline of over 20 commercial and residential sites in the Williams Landing town centre.The developer previously announced the completion of pre-sales at 111 Overton Road strata offices, currently under construction, and the pre-sale of 107 Overton Road to Hellenic Property Investments, which is fully leased to the Victorian State Government.

<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/cw_target.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The completed HQ for Target Australia. Image: Cedar Woods"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/cw_target.jpg?itok=nazDE8gG" title="The completed HQ for Target Australia. Image: Cedar Woods" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The completed HQ for Target Australia. Image: Cedar Woods</figcaption></figure>The opening of the Target Australia HQ caps off a big week for Wyndham, following the announcement last week of a new Western Melbourne team entering the A-League competition, and with it investment in <a href="/news/western-melbourne-group-successful-in-its-a-league-bid">a new 15,000-seat stadium and wider mixed-use precinct</a> as part of a major urban renewal undertaking in Tarneit. 

<h2>What they say...</h2>

<blockquote>
“We’re extremely excited to welcome all 850 Target employees to their new premises in Williams Landing. This is the first of three commercial office buildings under development in the area which has become an emerging commercial precinct outside of Melbourne’s CBD.

With the rise in economic activity and more commercial buyers looking and investing in the west, it’s encouraging to see Williams Landing becoming a thriving commercial hub in Melbourne’s western fringe.

Target’s relocation represents an exciting time for the Williams Landing community. Due to the ongoing strength of the suburb, with its affordability and growth prospects, Williams Landing is becoming increasingly attractive to purchasers, investors and businesses alike.”

- Lloyd Collins, Cedar Woods Victorian State Manager
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
"On behalf of my councillor colleagues and the people of Wyndham I’m thrilled to officially welcome Target Australia’s National Headquarters to Williams Landing. This is a wonderful opportunity for our city.”

- Cr Mia Shaw, Wyndham Mayor
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
"We’re delighted to have Target Australia, which is backed by Wesfarmers, as a tenant for the next 10 years. This is a high quality, fit for purpose, first generation asset and it is a landmark project we’re proud to be a part of.

This is already proving to be a strong asset for Centuria Metropolitan REIT. We saw Williams Landing as an emerging metropolitan market twelve months ago when we purchased the property and have witnessed strong growth over this period.

We have a great working relationship with Cedar Woods, and we’re looking forward to doing business with them again in the future.”

- Doug Hoskins, Centuria Metropolitan REIT (CMA) Acting Fund Manager
</blockquote>
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Target Australia Moves Into New Headquarters in Williams Landing

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International designer hotel owner operator, Ovolo, has been appointed as hotel manager for <a href="/developments?developer=Perri%20Projects">Perri Projects</a>' $50 million <a href="/developments/south-melbourne-vic-3205">South Melbourne hotel</a>, expected to open in 2020. Located at 183-199 Moray Street, the project comprises 100 rooms spanning six floors based around Ovolo’s ethos of ‘effortless living'.

Founded by Girish Jhunjhnuwala in 2002, Ovolo Hotels has become one of Hong Kong’s largest independent owner, operator hospitality firms. The company says it keeps in touch with the modern traveller through award-winning interior designs, detail-driven comforts, focused all-inclusive service and cutting-edge en suite technology, all done in Ovolo Hotel’s signature style.

<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/170516_smh_v01_hero_final.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ovolo South Melbourne will open in 2020. Image: Perri Projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="464" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/170516_smh_v01_hero_final.jpg?itok=8LAfI-8f" title="Ovolo South Melbourne will open in 2020. Image: Perri Projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ovolo South Melbourne will open in 2020. Image: Perri Projects</figcaption></figure>Ovolo says the <a href="/developments/south-melbourne-vic-3205">South Melbourne</a> project represents a new phase of growth for the company, made possible through a shared vision with Perri Projects and is confident it will be well-received by the growing pool of higher-end established housing and major commercial office buildings emerging in South Melbourne.

According to Perri Projects, Ovolo’s international track-record for delivering innovative, design-led destination hotel concepts that empahasise lifestyle aligned with Perri Projects’ vision for the site. With a planning permit already in hand, Ovolo’s appointment paves the way for construction to commence in the second half of 2019.

Perri Projects has been keeping busy with a growing development pipeline of projects including a <a href="/new-apartments/23-29-victoria-street-melbourne">$150 million tower opposite the Carlton Gardens</a>, and its most significant, the West Melbourne Waterfront along the banks of the Maribyrnong River.

Following support from The City of Melbourne, Amendment C221 was considered and adopted by the Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne mid-year, allowing for the project to progress. To this end, Perri Projects has engaged Woods Bagot, NH Architecture and Oculus for this significant 'place making project' which boasts over 250 metres of frontage along the Maribyrnong River.

Perri Projects says Amendment C221 will ensure the 2.8-hectare West Melbourne Waterfront site is successfully rezoned to Mixed Use, paving the way for a "dynamic, master-planned urban renewal precinct to revitalise the area into a pre-eminent waterfront destination."

<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/40_wmw_render-16.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artisit's impression of West Melbourne Waterfront. Image: Perri Projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="271" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/40_wmw_render-16.jpg?itok=W56U5ovB" title="Artisit's impression of West Melbourne Waterfront. Image: Perri Projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artisit's impression of West Melbourne Waterfront. Image: Perri Projects</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say...</h2>

<blockquote>
“We are delighted to partner with Ovolo to realise our original vision for this site as a mixed-use lifestyle precinct featuring destination bars and restaurants, as well as leisure, event and function facilities.

Ovolo hotels are internationally renowned for their high-end, high-energy designs that blend form and function to ensure each hotel delivers a unique experience for guests and visitors. Ovolo is well established and revered, yet agile and bold enough to challenge convention and break the mold on new sites, ensuring that each design complements and enhances the location of their hotels.”

- David Scalzo, Managing Director of Perri Projects
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
“Ovolo is a proud owner and operator of hotels and this HMA will be the start of a new chapter in order to take our disruptive lifestyle designer hotel collection to the next level in Australia and internationally.

Ovolo is committed to ensuring our guests can expect the unexpected from us and like all our sites, Ovolo in South Melbourne will stand alone from a design perspective, but the experience will be unmistakeably Ovolo.

The underlying demographic of South Melbourne has been evolving steadily as creative industries in particular look to take advantage of the central location and raw industrial edge the suburb has to offer.

But while the suburb is on the rise with those in the know, local hospitality amenity has not kept pace with this change, and we believe Ovolo South Melbourne with its bars, restaurants and even a roof-top function and events space will be uniquely placed to provide a focal point for those local communities.”

- Dave Baswal, COO &amp; CFO of Ovolo Australia
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
“The Hotel Management Agreement with Perri Projects represents a natural evolution for our business as we continually look to expand our offering in new markets.

While we each bring our respective expertise in property development and hospitality management to this project, this partnership was forged through our mutual affinity for delivering truly unique projects and a shared vision for the South Melbourne site."

- Girish Jhunjhnuwala, Ovolo CEO and Founder
</blockquote>
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Perri Projects and Ovolo combine for South Melbourne hotel

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A new retail and dining precinct at Riverside Quay in Melbourne recently opened as part of Mirvac's revitalisation of the precinct, following the completion of 2 Riverside Quay.

The culinary precinct now comprises 10 new eateries located along the ground plane of Riverside Quay’s four commercial buildings. According to Mirvac, the existing Southbank Promenade restaurants together with the new retailers will create "an enhanced, vibrant food and beverage offering, emulating the ambience and buzz of Melbourne’s famous laneways."

Six Degrees Architects was engaged by Mirvac to assist in the revitalisation of Riverside Quay, with McGregor Coxall responsible for designing the public park, working in tandem with City of Melbourne. The project involved various stages of analysis and design including the production of a series of studies and feasibility reports along with a detailed set of design guidelines for future retail tenants.

Urban.com.au spoke with Mark Healy, Director at <a href="/architects/six-degrees-architects">Six Degrees</a> regarding the office's design strategy for revitalising the public realm.

<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/mirvac_riversidequay-857.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A revitalised Riverside Quay. Image: Supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="169" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mirvac_riversidequay-857.jpg?itok=TOpYDq8D" title="A revitalised Riverside Quay. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A revitalised Riverside Quay. Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure>Urban.com.au: What was the brief from Mirvac for revitalising the precinct and how did you approach the site? Who were the intended users? Office workers? Residents?

Mark Healy: Six Degrees’ approach was to bring the ‘Melbourne laneway culture’ across the Yarra to Southbank. The spaces between the buildings of Riverside Quay were reimagined as laneways with small scale ‘fine grain’ tenancies activating the ground plane. Each of the new tenancies were designed with different personalities reflecting the evolution of Melbourne’s laneways. - to capture some of the character found along Melbourne laneways. The positioning of the new foyer entries in convenient  pedestrian locations also reinforced the activation of the laneways. Riverside Quay is a dynamic retail precinct that has become a destination in its own right. It not only caters for the local residents and office workers, but is now bringing people across the river. Mirvac were incredibly supportive of the design.

U: Could you describe the process and collaborating with the City of Melbourne on the new space?

MH: with a lot of our urban design work, the planners at City of Melbourne were very supportive of the strategy. This project is comprised of many small projects, or many small decisions, which gradually accumulate and create significant change. This is exactly what Rob Adams and his excellent team have been doing in the CBD for the past 30 years.

U: What were some of the challenges with the site, noting the new park sits to the south of the commercial buildings so solar access in winter is limited?

MH: The north-south orientation of the laneways gives direct sunlight during lunchtime hours in a similar way to Melbourne’s most famous lanes like Centreway and Degraves. The buildings to the south of the park are well placed to bounce light down to the public realm below. This is especially important during Melbourne’s cold and grey winter months when solar access to the ground is limited.

U: What were some of the opportunities the site presented?

MH: The larger space between buildings 1 &amp; 2 (1 Southbank Blvd &amp; 4 Riverside Quay) allowed for a small square or “piazza” to be created where we were able to place a mature tree and permanent shade structures as a focus to the tenancies that surround it.

U: It can be argued that Southbank is lacking in quality open space, although this is starting to be addressed. How does the public realm at Riverside Quay tie into the emerging public realm within Southbank? 

MH: We wanted to give the pedestrian experience of discovery that Melbourne laneways offer. The new park, designed by McGregor Coxall, is a very welcome addition to this area of Southbank.  
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Six Degree's Mark Healy talks Riverside Quay 

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For our first podcast of 2019, I sit down with Cindy Rabone (Senior Interior Designer), Chivonne Hollis (Executive Manager) and Emma Alessi (Senior Interior Designer) of SORA Interiors, which is the sister design office to CHT Architects, hence the name Sora, which in Latin means 'sister.'

The trio discuss the challenges and opportunities of becoming a standalone office such as fielding an Archisoccer team that is performing better than your parent office, in addition to some of the types of projects they are currently working on.

The PANTONE Color of the Year for 2019 also rates a mention. That's Living Coral (PANTONE 16-1546) for those of you playing at home.

<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/562731882&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=true&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe>
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Weekly Podcast - Episode 45: SORA Interiors

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Stage 1 of Greenland Australia's nbh at Lachlan’s Line in the north-west Sydney suburb of <a href="/new-apartments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> has officially topped out, with the developer hosting a ‘topping out’ ceremony to mark the occasion.

Signifying the structural completion of the highest floor within the development, the ceremony was hosted on top of the 17-storey Nexus building with key representatives from <a href="/developers/greenland-australia">Greenland Australia</a>, project builders Ganellen, and other project consultants in attendance.

The first stage of the $220m master-planned project, designed by <a href="/architects/bates-smart">Bates Smart</a>, comprises 592 apartments spanning four towers of 17, 14, 14 and 11 storeys and supported by 5,000 sqm of retail space.

The development’s residential towers – known as Habitat, Hideaway, Hearth and Nexus – will wrap around the future Lachlan’s Square, which is set to become the community’s key retail destination, lined with supermarkets, food emporiums and essential services, as well as day care and playground facilities for young families. 

<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/nbh_construction_progress.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="nbh at Lachlan's Line progress. Image: Supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/nbh_construction_progress.jpg?itok=Pe1v7YNg" title="nbh at Lachlan's Line progress. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>nbh at Lachlan's Line progress. Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say...</h2>

<blockquote>
Macquarie Park’s strong business community and central location means it is fast becoming one of Sydney’s most sought-after residential suburbs.

The area is well serviced by major transport connections such as the nearby North Ryde Metro Station, which is only 200 metres from site, with nbh residents to have direct access to the CBD via the Metro when it reopens for business in mid-2019, courtesy of a new footbridge which is being built by Landcom.

Frequent bus services also run along the Epping Road corridor, and ultimately, these transport links will used by over 12,500 residents in the new Macquarie Park, which is set to become a highly connected urban village with a bright and promising future. Ganellen have been exceptional to work with and their team has ensured this project has remained on or ahead of schedule throughout.

The standard of their build is first-rate and will be integral in ensuring ‘nbh at Lachlan’s Line’ is a highly desirable community for the people of north-west Sydney when it completes in the second half of 2019.

- Sherwood Luo, Greenland Australia’s Managing Director
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
For a global Fortune 500 company such as Greenland to adapt and grow into the Australian market in such a short time is impressive.The relationship we have developed with Greenland Australia ensures our teams remain on track for an early completion, just as we did on Greenland’s Primus Hotel project in the Sydney CBD.

This success is a credit to Greenland and their ability to work dynamically with us at a local level, despite their global scale and footprint.

- Peter Maneas, Ganellen CEO
</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/nbh_topping_out_nexus_building_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Representatives from the project team at the topping out ceremony. Image"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/nbh_topping_out_nexus_building_1.jpg?itok=lZIh3XFc" title="Representatives from the project team at the topping out ceremony. Image" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Representatives from the project team at the topping out ceremony. Image</figcaption></figure>
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Ganellen tops out Stage 1 of Greenland's Macquarie Park project

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Country Garden Australia’s first project, ‘Ryde Garden’, in Sydney’s North Ryde, has officially reached completion, with the company stating Ryde Garden's completion represents a very important milestone for the company. The $580m residential development comprises 830 apartments across three high-rise towers of 12 to 28 storeys, situated on a 17,580 sqm site within the North Ryde Station Urban Activation Zone. 

Construction of Ryde Garden commenced in May 2016 with <a href="/developments?builder=Watpac">Watpac</a> delivering the expansive <a href="/architects/bates-smart">Bates Smart</a>-designed development, with buyers now moving into the first of three towers, with settlement of the other two towers also recently announced. Ryde Garden will ultimately become home to around 2,500 residents, who will enjoy uninterrupted views encompassing the city and the surroundings.

The development is set around a central landscaped 4,000 sqm park designed by Aspect Studios also designed the landscaped rooftop gardens which come complete with BBQ’s. Further resident amenity has been provided by way of parking for 730 cars and 336 bikes, a private 30-metre lap pool, gymnasium, childcare facility, street level retail and concierge.

Ryde Garden is also conveniently located in close proximity to Macquarie Centre, restaurants, cinemas and other lifestyle facilities and well served by the North Ryde (underground) Station connecting the development to Macquarie University and Chatswood.

<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/ryde_garden_0252.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The development is centred around a 4,000 sqm park. Image: Supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/ryde_garden_0252.jpg?itok=nrPWNZE2" title="The development is centred around a 4,000 sqm park. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The development is centred around a 4,000 sqm park. Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say...</h2>

<blockquote>
Ryde Garden is a fine example of Watpac’s expertise in delivering multi-use developments and we’re pleased to have been able to bring this project to life for Country Garden Australia. The construction process required disciplined project management capabilities, given at its peak 550 workers were working on site each day, contributing to a monthly turnover of around $21 million.

The complexities of building three towers in a two and half year period required meticulous planning and engagement, and I congratulate the Watpac project team for their efforts and commitment to delivering an outstanding development for Country Garden Australia. Country Garden Australia envisioned a precinct that would be enjoyed by residents and the local community alike, and I congratulate them on achieving this.

We’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with their team and thank them for entrusting Watpac with their first project in the country. We look forward to continuing this relationship into the future and hope there are many more projects together to follow.

- Martin Monro, Watpac Managing Director
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
It’s incredibly exciting to see a labour of love come to fruition after a lot of hard work from our internal team and all of our project stakeholders. We are extremely proud of this project, especially given it’s our first in Australia.  It’s proof of our capabilities in delivering masterplanned communities that locals are proud to call home.

It’s also testament to our versatility and capacity to deliver across various asset classes, as we are better known for large-scale house and land communities featuring major infrastructure and amenity, such as our ‘Windermere’ project outside Melbourne, which has just commenced site works.

We are really looking forward to the Ryde Garden community developing as all three towers become inhabited.  For us, it’s not just about building houses, but more about developing engaging communities... that’s why we build.

- Dr Guotao Hu, CEO of Country Garden Australia
</blockquote>
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Watpac delivers Country Garden Australia’s first project

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Laurence Dragomir

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