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Last week saw the release of the State Government's strategy for Melbourne's future growth through to 2050, simply called '<a href="http://www.planmelbourne.vic.gov.au/" target="_blank">Plan Melbourne</a>.' The plan identifies key areas for future growth in the form of National Employment Clusters, Activity Centres (Metropolitan and Regional) and various Urban Renewal Projects at the CBD's doorstep.
One such project is East Richmond Station/Cremorne, originally mooted in the now defunct Melbourne 2030 plan, it brings us to the subject of today's article - <a href="http://www.cremorne2025.org/">Cremorne 2025</a>, an urban design studio run by <a href="http://www.artdes.monash.edu.au/#">MADA</a> investigating and addressing a broad range of current and future challenges for facilitating population growth future within urban renewal projects as well as the implications for established centres like the city of Melbourne. Put simply the idea of building up within the existing urban fabric of inner city suburbs rather than building out into rural areas. 
"The studio’s aim is to achieve visibility and to instigate wider public discussions concerning current and future challenges of growing cities. We want to inform the public beyond the borders of the academic world and the discipline."
<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/cremorne2025_Phase2a.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Phase 2 - Image source: http://www.cremorne2025.org/"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/cremorne2025_Phase2a.jpg?itok=-owx5F-N" title="Phase 2 - Image source: http://www.cremorne2025.org/" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
As the<a href="http://www.cremorne2025.org/" target="_blank"> Cremorne2025.org</a> website states, not many people are actually aware of Cremorne's existence, wrongly attributing it as Richmond, partly because up until 1999 it was a locality within Richmond. It's best characterized as an industrial zone, sprinkled with the odd low-rise residential (Floor Area Ratio of 0.95), with its most distinguishable features and landmarks being the various roof forms of the old red brick warehouses, the Nylex sign atop the old malting storage silos, as well as the more recent addition of <a href="http://www.dealcorp.com.au/era-apartments-commerical">Deal Corp's ERA apartments</a>, an 11-storey complex designed by <a href="http://www.plusarchitecture.com.au/portfolio/4254/">Plus Architecture</a>.
The studio proposes a Four Phase strategy for the area with the most intense and highest density development occurring at East Richmond Station, towards the centre of the site and straddling the M1 freeway adjacent to the Yarra River and the re-establishment of Cremorne Station which existed north of Balmain Street from 1859 until 1864. It also investigates various scenarios of adaptive re-use for the silos, warehouses and terraces through 'injecting' program into the existing shells or adding on top of or laterally to.
<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/PlanMelbourneInnerCityDiagram.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title=" Department Of Transport, Planning And Local Infrastructure, 2013"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/PlanMelbourneInnerCityDiagram.jpg?itok=FH84V1uL" title=" Department Of Transport, Planning And Local Infrastructure, 2013" typeof="Image"></a>
The studio tests various FAR densities and building scales (between 1-30 storeys &amp; 4-44 storeys) and attempts to improve and distribute the mix of program throughout the precinct a bit more evenly, resulting in a greater level of activity and street life at all hours of the day. 
The lack of open space and underutilised open space is addressed with the introduction of linear &amp; pocket parks, beautified pedestrian routes and other forms of open space within the body of the area and larger open space below the M1 as part of a new Northbank precinct as well as new connections over Punt Road through to Gosch's Paddock and Olympic Park beyond.
Beyond the master plan, groups of students investigate the possibilities of various new villages and precincts - moving from a macro scale study to a more micro - exploring how these new 'villages' and streets might one day look and how people might navigate the streets based on research into existing pedestrian and vehicular movement patterns throughout the study area and supplementing these with additional modes of transport such as rail and river ferry.  
<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/Phase4%20model.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Phase 4 - image source: http://www.cremorne2025.org/"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Phase4%20model.jpg?itok=VVpnoKJM" title="Phase 4 - image source: http://www.cremorne2025.org/" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
Overall the studio's research-driven proposition is a mature and well considered response to the principles and objectives of Melbourne 2030 &amp; its successor Plan Melbourne - increased density within an area rich in built history that does not compromise its neighbourhood character in paving the way for future growth - a good balance of new &amp; old, anchored by the idea of adaptive re-use. Cremorne2025 doesn't become a suburb dominated by high-rise and nor is it over developed - the higher density zones are generally located around transport corridors. It offers various residential typologies appealing to all aspects of the market and considers the commercial realities of concepts such as building over the freeway - which may seem questionable from a planning point of view but allows for the development of new public space, offsetting the negative impacts of overshadowing the Yarra and the southern bank.
There are some fantastic ideas that are articulated very well through simple but effective diagrams and supporting imagery so I would highly recommend taking the time out to <a href="http://www.cremorne2025.org/" target="_blank">sift through and absorb all the information</a> - I could try and summarise it all but I don't believe I would do it any justice as I think the work produced is really worth appreciating.
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Laurence Dragomir

The Creme de la Creme - Cremorne2025

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	During the formative years of my architectural education I had a lecturer for one of the obligatory technology subjects who used to make a very clear distinction between "wood" &amp; "timber" - "You burn wood and you build with timber."  The term "wood' actually refers to the materials natural state before undergoing a process of modification at the hands of man (or these days machine) to become the "timber" that you purchase down at your local Bunnings or Masters (depending on your allegiances).</div>
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	Architects employ timber for many reasons - some for the warmth it brings to a space, others to provide a more 'natural' finish - a counter balance to manufactured glass and steel.  During my time at Kerstin Thompson Architects we employed a timber veil, to the new <a href="http://www.kerstinthompson.com/index.php?id=38">Marysville Police Station</a> in the form of alternating radial profiled battens, "recalling the local timber industry, surrounding forests and the heritage of timber buildings that were most strongly associated with Marysville's built past, now lost.  The timber veil allowed for a much softer and permeable interface with the 'Marysville Heart' Park to the north - balancing transparency to public areas and the privacy required of certain aspects of Police operation.  The Silvertop Ash battens were sealed but allowed to grey over time, giving the impression that the building has been there for longer than it has.
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	This softer, natural finish is becoming more prevalent throughout metropolitan Melbourne as an increasing number of architects incorporate timber into their designs, some going so far as to clad entire building exteriors as seen below.
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	<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_6112.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Princess Street, Kew apartment complex."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Img_6112.jpg?itok=vyDXgNFv" title="Princess Street, Kew apartment complex." typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
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	Structurally, timber is a cheaper alternative to steel construction and up until more recently has been limited to buildings much smaller in stature - with precast concrete taking centre stage on high rise construction projects. Enter CLT (cross laminated timber veneer), a multi-layered,lightweight, loadbearing, solid timber panel that allows high rise buildings to go up in a fraction of the time usually required, best demonstrated in Melbourne by Lend Lease's <a href="http://www.forteliving.com.au/">Forte project</a> at Docklands - the world's tallest timber apartment building and a precursor to the direction of the future wharf structures to come at the western end of Victoria Harbour's peninsula.</div>
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	Above all else timber is visually stimulating and provides a welcome change to a typical Melbourne urban setting.  With that in mind expand the images below to fully appreciate some of Melbourne's finest buildings which employ timber in one form or another.  All images taken credited to Apartments.com.au staff.</div>
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Wooden you know it - architecture and timber

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'Thought into Form', <a href="http://www.artdes.monash.edu.au/#">Monash Art Design &amp; Architecture</a>'s (MADA) inaugural publication was this week launched by Dean, Shane Murray. The publication showcases the work of the faculty's staff and students, giving an insight into the processes and methodology of art, design and architectural learning at an undergraduate level and providing 'the starting point for discourse about how the multidisciplinary will help shape and inform our future.'  Apartments.com.au was invited to the launch at ACCA, an evening which included keynote speakers such as John Warwicker, Professor of Design MADA &amp; editor of Thought Into Form; a jetlagged but highly entertaining Juliana Engberg, Artistic Director, Australian Centre for Contemporary Art; Roger Wood, Wood Marsh Architecture; Tara McDowell, Director of Cultural Practice at MADA.  All of whom discussed the possibilities and future of collaborative creative practice.
MADA located within Building F at Monash's Caulfield Campus, which it shares with the <a href="http://www.monash.edu.au/muma/">MUMA </a>gallery (which this author was lucky enough to work on), providing a studio based curriculum which promotes multidisciplinary learning and the cross-pollination of ideas throughout the various schools which make up the faculty - a step away from the typical model of art, design and architectural schools which have generally confined themselves to the walls which house them.
<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/Image4_12.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Stills taken from MADA's event flyer. Images © Monash University"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Image4_12.jpg?itok=CzuOfExW" title="Stills taken from MADA's event flyer. Images © Monash University" typeof="Image"></a>
The three schools, while sharing a common brand in the form of MADA have also been given their own identity by a team led by Professor John Warwicker and are likely to evolve and adapt over time at the hands of John's communications students. A more comprehensive write up on the branding and ideology can be found <a href="http://desktopmag.com.au/features/mada-%E2%80%94-thought-into-form/#.UkQiScZi1W8">here</a>.
Initially, I wasn't quite sure what direction to take with this article but eventually decided to provide a bit of a commentary on architectural pedagogy in Melbourne, based on my own architectural education. 
I studied architecture at RMIT's city campus between 2005-2009, where we shared levels 11 &amp; 12 of Building 8 with landscape architecture students and held joint exhibitions but otherwise had little to no involvement with them.  The focus was on research, investigations in form and materiality and the implications of these on the architecture that you developed with the ultimate aim of having students position themselves amongst the school's "pillars of architecture". The vast majority of work produced was speculative with no real world outcomes, which meant plenty of models and drawings either thrown away or locked away never to see the light of day despite the hours spent slaving away to produce them.
The learning was largely driven by the idea of the individual and despite working in groups, you were ultimately assessed as an individual. This isn't limited to RMIT - it has more-or-less been considered 'the norm' in architectural education the world over. 
“Built environment is a product of teamwork, the educational setting still places emphasis on individualistic work.”
“We are trained and we train architects as individualistic creative people to develop their senses and design ability to create a better world. However, as any practicing architect would argue the act of architecture in the real world is all about teamwork, starting with a client, and working with other professionals, including  officials, colleagues and builders.” – Hana Alamuddin, architect, extract from Architectural Education Today, Cross Cultural Perspectives. 
How you were trained as an architect at university wasn't a true representation of the 'real world' of an architect. You are not trained to work with others from different disciplines despite the fact that as an architect you will need to work with teams of consultants made up of structural, civil &amp; services engineers, landscape architects, builders etc. There was no scope for developing the skills to be able to competently collaborate with other disciplines, nor was there really ever the platform to allow for this to occur.
RMIT's award winning,brand-spanking new, Sean Godsell-designed and aptly named <a href="http://www.designhub.rmit.edu.au/about/overview">Design Hub</a> is a step in the right direction - providing a place for cross-disciplinary collaboration in research, at a post graduate level and a public interface for displaying the outcomes. 
So how is MADA's architecture school, launched in 2008, different?  This is best summed up by the following description, taken from MADA's website:
Art, design and architecture students have designed products to help people with disabilities, created installations that comment on social issues. and developed emergency relief structures. The applications are limitless.
<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/Image5_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A new working space - RMIT Design Hub. Image © seangodsell.com"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Image5_11.jpg?itok=B0tj7hIA" title="A new working space - RMIT Design Hub. Image © seangodsell.com" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
This is evident in projects such as the <a href="http://architectureau.com/articles/stawell-steps/">Stawell Steps</a> project - a collaboration between Japanese artist Hiroshi Nakao and Monash architecture students under the supervision of <a href="http://www.nmbw.com.au/">NMBW</a> principal, Nigel Bertram. Part spillway, part brick ruin and part playground it successfully and carefully marries architecture, art and landscape to provide a multi-faceted installation that can be sat, walked or climbed on. The 'Steps' were developed over the course of a semester, with a prototype being built in MUMA's Ian Potter Sculpture Courtyard before a more permanent installation being built in Stawell. 
The Stawell Steps were shortlisted in the Regional Category at the AIA Victorian Chapters architecture awards - an award won by Marysville Police Station (another project I was fortunate enough to work on). What does that mean? Well, like Brett Seakins, who did the write up of the steps for Architecture Australia (linked in the previous paragraph), I can't help but be envious of what the Monash students have been able to achieve - something I wasn't able to until I began working in an architectural office... 
 
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Thought into Form and why it should MADA

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"Catch a ride to the end of the highway. And we'll meet by the big red tree. There's a place up ahead and I'm goin'. Come along, come along with me"
These lyrics are synonymous with US rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival's Up Around the Bend but would also seem equally at home in the Napthine Government's Draft vision for Fishermans Bend.  Released on Monday the draft signals the beginning of the community consultation process (which runs until November 22), allowing Victorians to provide feedback before the release of the Strategic Framework Plan in 2014.
Fishermans Bend has been designated as the area bound by Lorimer Street to the North, Todd Road to the West, Williamstown Road to the South and Boundary Street linking City Road to the east, with the West Gate Freeway slicing through as demonstrated by the Places Victoria image below.  It will be identified by four suburbs of various scale and densities; Lorimer, Montague (City of Melbourne LGA) Sandridge and Wirraway (City of Port Phillip LGA)
<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/Fishermans%20bend.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Fisherband Bend split into four mini precincts"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Fishermans%20bend.jpg?itok=e0mw22wb" title="Fisherband Bend split into four mini precincts" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
The Fishermans Bend urban renewal project was first announced in July 2012 by Planning Minister Matthew Guy as a project of State Significance in response to the continued growth on the outskirts of the city in the form of urban sprawl, but also as a means of providing affordable housing closer to existing jobs, services, public spaces and public transport.  In one foul swoop 250 hectares of mostly industrial land was rezoned to Capital City Zone - expanding the existing zone by 50% to allow for the development of apartments and offices intended to accommodate 80,000 residents and 40,000 workers in 40 years time.  Putting these figures into perspective the 2011 census lists Southbank's population as sitting at just over 11,000 people, Docklands at just shy of 6,000 and the whole Melbourne Central area sitting at just under 94,000.  Upon completion somewhere around 2020 after a 25 years of construction, Docklands is forecast to become home to 20,000 residents and 60,000 workers.
Not unexpectedly Fishermans Bend immediately drew comparisons with the much-maligned Docklands project (an article for another day) and was derided as another Docklands waiting to happen - doomed to fail before it had even begun.  Perhaps on the surface such a comparison would seem logical and warranted however closer analysis suggests that isn't exactly the case. For starters Docklands was a blank canvas of Government owned land immediately adjacent to the CBD that lay dormant for decades, boasting little to no critical  infrastructure with only the benefit of Spencer Street Station on its door step.
Fisherman's Bend on the other hand comprises 1000 plots of land owned by various developers and industries serviced by roads, buses and the 109 tram. The best comparison I can think of for Fishermans Bend is Southbank.  It too started life as a former industrial area and in the space of 25 years has become a high-rise suburb that has activated the banks of the Yarra, but unfortunately whose back streets are very much traffic sewers and not pedestrian friendly. 
With Docklands the State Government and it's development arm, Docklands Authority, had ultimate control over how the area developed as it owned the land and could subdivide plots of various sizes and sell them off to whom they saw fit.  Yet the precinct forged ahead in an uncontrolled, ad-hoc manner, rather than beginning with Docklands Stadium and expanding organically from there.  The Southbank scenario isn't ideal either, with a Structure Plan only being drafted up some 20 years after the fact  and long needed  community infrastructure only now infiltrating its way into the area. Development at Southbank has largely been informed by the various zonings and overlays which make up the Melbourne Planning Scheme and have resulted in cookie cutter towers upon podiums of parking with no life at street level and quality urban design severely lacking.
With Fishermans Bend in its entirety being rezoned Capital City Zone, the challenge of controlling which areas are developed and when beyond simply being able to acquire the land necessary to provide community facilities, open space and the infrastructure required to service the area becomes excessively difficult.  As does providing the right mix of residential typologies that are not only affordable but also result in a quality built environment which promotes and fosters high level urban design and architecture, particularly when the development will be largely developer driven. I suppose in an ideal scenario Lorimer and Montague, boasting the best proximity to Docklands and Southbank would be first cabs off the rank followed by Sandridge and Wirraway.
<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/FBend%20Header.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="An aerial perspective of Fishermans Bend with development laid out"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/FBend%20Header.jpg?itok=7zPS6x7n" title="An aerial perspective of Fishermans Bend with development laid out" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
So let's take a look at the plan...
The Draft Vision for Fishermans Bend is informed by the following 10 key moves: 
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	1. Grow Central Melbourne around the Yarra River</div>
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	2. Link the city to the bay</div>
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	3. Integrate with the rail network</div>
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	4. Connect the inner city</div>
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	5. Extend Melbourne’s parks to the bay</div>
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	6. Deliver new boulevards</div>
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	7. Create a network of local parks and green spaces</div>
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	8. Create a walkable and cycle friendly place</div>
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	9. Create centres for local communities</div>
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	10. Create distinctive and diverse neighbourhoods</div>
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	Summary of the Draft Vision
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		High-rises of greater than 18-storeys prevalent in Lorimer</li>
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		Low-rise of 4-storeys to the southern boundaries of Montague, Sandridge and Wirraway at the interface with existing residential areas</li>
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		Maintaining various existing grains within the urban fabric, with consolidation of sites and subdivision of sites discouraged</li>
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		Built heritage to be celebrated and integrated within new developments </li>
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		The introduction of linear parks to connect the inner city park network with the bay</li>
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		Greater variety in residential typologies</li>
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		Potential for 2 x Metro Stations within Sandridge and Wirraway as part of an extended Metro system</li>
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		Extension of the Collins Street tram route 48 from Victoria Harbour over the Yarra and down Plummer Street to the bay</li>
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		The creation of street lined boulevards along Lorimer Street, Plummer Street and Williamstown Road</li>
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		Potential for 4 x new schools - one per suburb</li>
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This poses questions such as  will the Southbank depot need to be expanded ?  Is duplication of the 109 tram route worth investigating?  I catch the 109 to work every morning and during peak times we're akin to sardines particularly if there's a delay - how will it cope with 80,000 extra people?  Will a levy be introduced where by developers contribute an amount (say 5-8%) towards investment in infrastructure?  Will the Collins Street team bridge incorporate a shared path for pedestrians? The bridge will have to be operable and/or of a gradient to allow for watercraft to pass below.
If ferries are introduced will trams get priority in terms of right of way? Should the sites destined for metro stations be acquired by  the state government now and then sold back to developers with their own zoning perhaps with no height limits in place, allowing for an integrated Transit Oriented Development with a commercial component to help offset the cost of the stations and tunneling. What model will the schools adopt?  Vertical or a more traditional stand alone model?
Summary of the Design Guidelines (note these are discretionary)
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		Laneways at no greater than 100m intervals</li>
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		Vehicle access and services to secondary streets</li>
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		Podiums to 5 storeys or 20m in height with towers setback 10m from boundaries or other towers</li>
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		Frontages over 30m in length to be broken up either in a formal sense or through materiality</li>
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		No blank walls with artworks being implemented as a 'last resort'</li>
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		A wrap of program around above ground parking levels particularly to primary streets with screening to secondary streets only </li>
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		Encourage a mix of uses through out the day</li>
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		Encourage landscaped podiums</li>
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		Awnings to provide shelter on new and existing buildings</li>
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These are all to be expected and seem fairly obvious strategies to employ, with most already existing in some form or another within the Melbourne Planning Scheme.  Yet the evidence of these controls being implemented successfully on a large scale is generally lacking.  The key to achieving the right outcomes I believe comes down to how vigilant CoM, CoPP and DPCD are in enforcing Floor Space Ratios.  Yes developments should be judged on their individual merits but if the basic principles are applied equally we won't end up with 30-storey towers built on 300sqm sites to all boundaries resulting in blank facades and a poor pedestrian environment.
A question that will no doubt be raised soon enough is what effect will these guidelines have on existing planning applications?  Urban.com.au will investigate the impacts at  a later date so stay tuned.
With all the above in mind, I believe the most crucial aspect to ensuring Fishermans Bend's success will be how it develops and achieves the critical mass required to make it a desirable place to visit, live and work, and whether it can realistically offer the right mix of different residential typologies to appeal to Melburnians from all walks of life. The responsible authorities have to stay the course and stick to the plan once it's finalised while being careful to avoid the danger of introducing so many controls  that the area seems manufactured and monotonous rather than something which has developed organically and evolved over time.
The Project Control Group consisting of  Places Victoria, the Department of Transport Planning and Local Infrastructure, the Office of the Victorian Government Architect, Port of Melbourne Corporation, the City of Melbourne and the City of Port Phillip should be commended for developing a long-term vision for what is an ambitious project, however the hard work essentially starts now. It's one thing to develop a plan that ticks the right boxes, but much harder to implement particularly when so much of the plan relies on private investment.  Hopefully lessons have been learnt (both good and bad) from projects such as Southbank, Docklands, Dandenong and of course the Melbourne CBD, none of which were built in a day but if Fishermans Bend is to meet the expectations of the Government's vision, then it cannot be rushed.
So come on the risin' wind, we're goin' up around the bend.
Further information on Fishermans Bend can be found here:
<a href="http://www.fishermansbend.vic.gov.au/">http://www.fishermansbend.vic.gov.au</a>
<a href="http://www.fishermansbend.vic.gov.au/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&amp;blobheader=application%2Fpdf&amp;blobkey=id&amp;blobtable=MungoBlobs&amp;blobwhere=1370918553209&amp;ssbinary=true&amp;blobheadername1=Content-Type&amp;blobheadervalue1=application/pdf&amp;blobheadername2=Content-Dispostion&amp;blobheadervalue2=attachment%3B+filename%3Ddraftvision.pdf">Fishermans Bend Draft Vision</a>
<a href="http://www.fishermansbend.vic.gov.au/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&amp;blobheader=application%2Fpdf&amp;blobkey=id&amp;blobtable=MungoBlobs&amp;blobwhere=1370918552400&amp;ssbinary=true&amp;blobheadername1=Content-Type&amp;blobheadervalue1=application/pdf&amp;blobheadername2=Content-Dispostion&amp;blobheadervalue2=attachment%3B+filename%3Dinterimdesignguidelines.pdf">Fishermans Bend Design Guidelines</a>
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We're Goin' Up Around The Bend

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Following on from <a href="/news/the-pencil-skyscraper-464-collins-street-in-depth#content" target="_blank">Mark's comprehensive article on the development at 464 Collins Street yesterday</a>, I have the privilege of providing you all with a follow up article aptly named "How do you solve a problem like 464?" More specifically I am referring to the sheer concrete wall abutting the western boundary of the site, broken up only by two slivers of glazing; a pet hate of the Apartments.com.au crew.

464 Collins Street is not alone in this regard and this article should in no way be construed as an attack on the building or project architect Bates Smart for that matter, whose work I generally admire. Rather the intent is to highlight what we consider to be a problem that is becoming more prevalent with new buildings along shared boundaries - the dreaded blank wall.

This commonly occurs on smaller city sites housing residential towers designed to achieve the maximum yield or commercial towers with a side core arrangement hoping to maximise floor plate efficiency. As a result of this insatiable need for more and more apartments/office space in the city coupled with Floor Space Ratios unofficially going out the window (pun definitely intended) some time ago, means setbacks from boundaries are becoming somewhat of an endangered species. This basically limits the possibility of any windows to habitable rooms along the site's boundary and you guessed it we're left with a blank 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/eEYx88.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Star &amp; Sky as seen from Elizabeth Street. Image credit Ryan Seychell."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/eEYx88.jpg?itok=zlWF4NEh" title="Melbourne Star &amp; Sky as seen from Elizabeth Street. Image credit Ryan Seychell." typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Star &amp; Sky as seen from Elizabeth Street. Image credit Ryan Seychell.</figcaption></figure>The most recent crop of buildings to be adorned with this must have architectural accessory are Melbourne's answer to Mary-Kate &amp; Ashley Olsen (better known as Melbourne Star and Melbourne Sky above), developed by Brady Group and designed by Peddle Thorp Architects. Both buildings' service cores are located to the east and west boundaries of the greater site, the towers only being separated (just) by Sutherland Lane.

Consequently a pedestrian walking along Elizabeth Street is presented with a great big blank wall making up about 50% of the eastern elevation, a sliver of glass, and a facade nominal setback consisting of a series of windows and balconies which will lose any amenity that they may currently have once the adjoining site is redeveloped.

Melbourne Star &amp; Sky highlight the problem developers and architects on tight sites have to contend with perfectly; you either build all the way to the boundary and have no windows or you setback a minimal distance (usually 1.5m) and risk the loss of what natural light and means of ventilation those apartments possess to any future development.

<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/08jj.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="464 Collins with a kinetic energy facade applied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/08jj.jpg?itok=LZIS6Wlj" title="464 Collins with a kinetic energy facade applied" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

<figcaption>464 Collins with a kinetic energy facade applied</figcaption></figure>So just what can be done with a blank concrete wall along a shared boundary considering there's the possibility that at some point in the not-too-distant future another building will cover cover the precast facade. Using 464 Collins Street as my subject I had a crack at some potential treatments for the blank concrete wall to the west. While the urban art and embossed precast make grand visual statements that may fall foul of planning authorities, the kinetic energy facade strikes a balance between subtle visual interest and intense facade activation.

Consisting of small aluminum tiles bound by lengths of wire, the facade treatment seems fluid, reacting to wind movement in a constantly changing manner providing an interface between built form and the natural environment. Current examples include <a href="http://www.uap.com.au/art/infrastructure/brisbane-domestic-terminal-car-park/" target="_blank">Brisbane Airport's car park</a> and Marina Bay Sands Singapore. The beauty of such a facade application is that when required it could be easily removed utilising 464 Collins Street's building mechanical unit with minimal fuss.

Ultimately though once again it's a matter of heightened planning policy and enforcement; I wouldn't be holding my breathe...

Click for a larger view and enjoy the renders including some context shots!
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How do you solve a problem like 464?

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Open House Melbourne 2013 entered its fifth year on the ever growing Melbourne events calendar this weekend. Boasting over 100 buildings open to the public all over town, it is a stark contrast to the eight that opened their doors along the Swanston Street spine during the event's inception.

For the second year running I volunteered my services and having completed a shift at Trades Hall in Carlton last year I found myself stationed at Urban Workshop, located at 50 Lonsdale Street in the 'East Precinct.' We had over 400 visitors walk through the doors and take a guided tour of the ground floor lobby by historian Michelle Summerton, as well as the 33rd floor offices of Australian Super who managed the operation of the building for OHM2013.

<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_0123_lo-res_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Urban Workshop Streetscape"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/IMG_0123_lo-res_0.jpg?itok=57EuKVLK" title="Urban Workshop Streetscape" typeof="Image"></a>

<figcaption>Urban Workshop Streetscape</figcaption></figure>The site has a rich history forming part of the notorious 'Little Lon' red light district and once featured a network of laneways that dissected the site in amongst 10 cottages. One of these lane ways is retraced on the paving in the foyer spelling out 'Little Leichardt". The name of another laneway pays homage to a colourful character in Melbourne's past, brothel owner, Madame Brussels.

The current development was designed by John Wardle, Hassell and NH Architecture and was to be constructed by Grocon, yet after a fresh tender process Multiplex ultimately built the complex which became the new home of the Department of Human Services and Australian Super amongst others. The redevelopment incorporated two 19th century buildings into the revitalised streetscape, including what was one of Melbourne's first pubs. Prior to construction commencing, an archeological dig was undertaken on site uncovering over 300,000 artifacts, which are now on display in an installation curated by local artist Rosslynd Piggot, on the ground floor.

For now here are some shots I took from the street and from up on level 33 for those of you who missed out. Ciao.

Related links:

<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.madamebrusselslane.com.au/">http://www.madamebrusselslane.com.au</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.openhousemelbourne.org/">http://www.openhousemelbourne.org/</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.johnwardlearchitects.com/projects/project/14-the-urban-workshop">http://www.johnwardlearchitects.com/projects/project/14-the-urban-workshop</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.nharchitecture.net/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id=496&amp;Itemid=496">http://www.nharchitecture.net/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id=496&amp;Itemid=496</a></li>
</ul>
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OHM 2013: Building E16 - Urban Workshop

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A lot has happened since my last concept article (<a href="/news/blockhead-concept-this-little-piggy-went-to-market-on-his-fixie">This Little Piggy went to Market (on his fixie)</a>): Kevin Rudd is now Prime Minister, Australia has lost The Ashes but is fighting for respect, The Maroons are State of Origin champions and Hawthorn lost to Geelong while Essendon has run out of steam yet again.

All the while I've been lying in bed at night thinking about Station Pier, Port Melbourne. This article forms part of a series of articles focusing on Port Melbourne's past, present and future. As the name suggests I'll be focusing on a possible future for at least part of the site.

I may revisit the pier itself for another article at some stage, however I have decided to focus on the area highlighted in red below, closest to Waterfront Place.

<figure><img alt="" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/pictures/article-images/Existing%20site%20plan.jpg"></figure>My concept for the site consists of seven parts as seen on the map below:

<figure><img alt="" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/pictures/article-images/site%20plan_edit-01_1.jpg"></figure><ol>
<li>A museum and visitor centre focusing on the history of the pier</li>
	<li>A raised sloping park with public parking underneath, replacing the current open air car park and nature strip</li>
	<li>New paved square</li>
	<li>Overpass and raised public concourse allowing for courier/truck access through and underneath the development</li>
	<li>8-storey apartment building with retail at ground and concourse levels + 2 rooftop gardens and pergola structure</li>
	<li>55-storey Hotel and apartments with retail and commercial space at ground and concourse levels + garden on rooftop</li>
	<li>65-storey apartment tower atop a 3-storey shared podium, retail at ground and concourse levels</li>
</ol>
While the height of the towers may be significantly beyond any other development in the area, they sit to the south of the existing residential area and west of the beach; overshadowing of the beach only really occurring late in the afternoon, which particularly in summer, might not be such a bad thing. As per previous concepts dreamt up for Apartments.com.au, I have tried to provide a reasonable balance between private and public spaces.

The idea is the development would act as a gateway for visitors arriving via sea (standing out from a distance) while also activating what is an otherwise series of 'dead' spaces. The concept won't appeal to all, but hopefully it serves its purpose in provoking thought for a complex that could be so much more.

Hope you enjoy the images below, click for them for a full screen view.
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Blockhead Concept - Pier-ing into the future

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Following <a href="/news/anstey-in-colour">Anstey in Colour</a> and <a href="/news/anstey-in-development">Anstey in Development</a>, the final instalment is… "This little piggy went to market (on his fixie)". Today we look at Brunswick Market (661 Sydney Road), its immediate derelict neighbours on Florence Street and the potential development opportunities that exist within the precinct.

The strategy covers a number sites, which are but a short stroll or fixie ride from Anstey Station and Sydney Road. See Google Maps image below, with site highlighted in a rich shade of Brunswick Green.

<figure><img alt="" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/pictures/article-images/Site.jpg"></figure>As John Batman once declared on the banks of the Yarra, to whomever was listening "This is the place for a village!" So too do we at Apartments.com.au decree that this is "the place for a village!"

The strategy behind the plan is simple: live local, grow local, buy local - a self sustained village of sorts. The market traders could live within any one of the 5 apartment buildings or shop top homes, the fruit and vegetables would be grown on-site and sold on site, with the Brunswick Market housed in a new building fronting Sydney Road, integrated with an urban farm to the rear that spills out onto Florence Lane (nee Street).

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/05_overall%20aerial_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Anstey Village overview"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="263" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/05_overall%20aerial_0.jpg?itok=hWLqsZqT" title="Anstey Village overview" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Anstey Village overview</figcaption></figure><h2>Key features</h2>

<ul>
<li>A rebuillt Brunswick Market.</li>
	<li>A Multi-storey urban market housed within a glass house.</li>
	<li>5 apartment buildings ranging in height starting from 3 storeys fronting Sydney Road and rising to 13-storeys facing Breese St, employing a variety of materials to break down the visual mass and create an identity for each tower element.</li>
	<li>The pedestrianising of Florence Street with a strong interface between it and the new market / multi-storey urban farm.</li>
	<li>Shoptop housing along Florence Lane with a mix of retail spilling onto the laneway with plenty of bicycle parking.</li>
	<li>An expansive rooftop park.</li>
	<li>North facing sky gardens interspered between apartments.</li>
</ul>
Whereas my last renders for <a href="/news/the-future-of-vertical-farms-in-melbourne">integrated vertical farming</a> were more about exploring a notion, Brunswick Village is certainly a more viable commercial concept. Regardless of whether the site is owned by state, private of institutional interests the concept could proceed given the acquisition of a minimal number of adjoining sites.

Without burdening readers with a thorough business case, development would roll out as follows. The current vacant carpark would be developed initially, with profits from residential unit and retail space sales to fund the still running market redevelopment. Stage two involves redeveloping the market space fronting Sydney Road to the north of Florence Street. The new market would move into this area and stage three would see the remainder developed, delivering additional multi-stotey urban market space along with a signature circular residential building.

There you have it, the potential to deliver a redeveloped market with improved urban outcomes whilst having the market run continually in some way, shape or form throughout the construction process.

Next up is a <a href="/news/blockhead-concept-pier-ing-into-the-future">revamped Station Pier</a>. Feel free to leave your suggestions as to what you'ld like to see next. Enjoy the images below.
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Blockhead concept - This little piggy went to market (on his fixie)

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Market Square is the first in a series of articles I will be writing for Apartments.com.au that will be looking at the adaptation, regeneration and development of buildings, structures and sites through conceptual interventions in the form of pretty pictures.

The concept for Market Square, located at 447 Collins Street investigates the possibility of redeveloping the former National Mutual Plaza into a bustling urban oasis in the middle of the Melbourne CBD, that in part pays homage to the site's previous life as the Western Market.

The idea came about after a panel on the Godfrey and Spowers designed building came <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/concrete-slab-falls-10-storeys-20120130-1qp08" target="_blank">crashing down</a> in January 2012. Following which, owner's ISPT engaged consultants Aurecon to complete an assessment of the structural integrity of the tower and its facade.

<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/03_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A bustling urban oasis in the middle of the Melbourne CBD"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/03_2.jpg?itok=-MVxD5Pt" title="A bustling urban oasis in the middle of the Melbourne CBD" typeof="Image"></a>

<figcaption>A bustling urban oasis in the middle of the Melbourne CBD</figcaption></figure><h2>The Site</h2>

Before I go any further, here is a brief rundown of the site:

<ul>
<li>The current 1960's international style marble facade building replaced the former Western Market following its demolition in 1961.</li>
	<li>The Western Market, established in 1841 and operating for 90 years before its closure, was Melbourne's first official fresh fruit and vegetable market. Market Street is named after it.</li>
	<li>The site is zoned as CCZ1 (Capital City Zone 1) meaning a permit is required to:</li>
</ul>
<ol style="font-style: italic;">
<li>To construct a building or construct or carry out works which will cast a shadow across the north bank of the Yarra River between 11.00 am and 2.00 pm on 22 June. A permit may only be granted if the responsible authority considers the overshadowing will not prejudice the amenity of the Yarra River corridor.</li>
	<li>To construct a building or construct or carry out works which would cast a shadow between 11.00 am and 2.00 pm on 22 March and 22 September over public space, public parks and gardens, public squares, major pedestrian routes including streets and lanes, and privately owned plazas open to the public. A permit may only be granted if the responsible authority considers the overshadowing will not prejudice the amenity of those areas.</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>See <a href="http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/melbourne/ordinance/37_04s01_melb.pdf">Schedule 1 to the Capital City Zone</a> for more info.</li>
	<li>Additonally the usual <a href="http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/melbourne/ordinance/43_02s01_melb.pdf">Design Development Overlay</a> applies to the site.</li>
	<li>Basic Planning Property report for the site can be found <a href="http://services.land.vic.gov.au/landchannel/content/propertyReport?reportNo=3">here</a>
</li>
	<li>Currently no Heritage Overlays apply to the site</li>
</ul>
While ISPT consider the current building's future following the exit of the final tenants mid-year (there has been talk of retaining it and carrying out remedial works to the facade) I have decided in this instance to knock it down and go tabula rasa on its derriere.

You're probably asking "but why Laurence? what's wrong with the current building?" "have you no architectural conscience?" "Tabula, Rasa? Derriere? Good god man what are you on about?"

All very good questions. Here I see an opportunity to inject some much needed sheltered, green space into the heart of the CBD.

<h2>Project Summary</h2>

The key elements of the scheme are as follows:

<ul>
<li>A 4,000sqm, sunken (relative to Collins Street), north facing public park, accessed via stairs and bleachers along Collins and featuring a community garden</li>
	<li>A large timber 'Urbarn' Market (Urban + Barn, gee aren't I clever) paying homage to the site's former life as the Western Market</li>
	<li>A 45-storey office tower raised above a 12-storey public 'podium' housing your stock standard bars, cafe, restaurants etc. plus a publically accesible, tiered, urban farm stepping up from Collins Street. The tower is topped off with a roof top garden and 80m light shard.</li>
	<li>A 12-storey high, concrete verandah over the park on a monumental scale akin to the Grande Arche in Paris providing shelter from the weather and framing the view of the significant beaux-arts former Port Authority Building to the south.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Method behind the madness?</h2>

I tried to be strategic in orienting the tower to run north-south versus the current building which is sited to run east-west. This was done as a means of reducing the visual bulk from the river and the amount of overshadowing for a tower of its height even is it's not ideal from an ESD point of view.

I have attempted to control the amount solar gain through the faceted triple skinned glazed facade which is also intended to act as a wind mitigator, by reducing the amount of 'flat' surface area.

The provision of an urban park was partly done to offset any loss of amenity to the Northbank as a result of the tower's height, which is taller than the current building due to the amount of site area given over to public programme.

I also liked the idea of inserting a park into Melbourne's main street amongst the corporate towers.

I think I've rambled on enough for now, so until next time when I will be tackling Station Pier in Port Melbourne. Please enjoy the site chronology and images below - let me know what you think. Peace out.
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Blockhead Concept - 447 Collins Street / Market Square

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> has lodged plans for a $750 million, three-tower mixed-use precinct that would complete the long-running redevelopment of Carlton's former Carlton United Breweries site.

The proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/185-195-queensberry-street-carlton-vic-3053">46-78 Bouverie Street and 185-195 Queensberry Street</a> spans a 6,468 sqm site, the last remaining undeveloped parcels within the former brewery's 2007 masterplan.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the development will comprise two purpose-built student accommodation towers and a third build-to-sell apartment tower above a shared commercial podium and basement.

Across the three towers, SP Setia is proposing 606 build-to-sell apartments and 1,499 student accommodation units containing 2,009 beds.

The apartments will sit in the tallest tower, which will rise nearly 200m and 55 storeys. It will become&nbsp;one of the more substantial new build-to-sell apartment projects at the northern edge of Melbourne's CBD.

The apartment mix is weighted toward smaller inner-city product, with 188 studios, 206 one-bedroom apartments, 192 two-bedroom apartments and 20 three-bedroom apartments

<img alt="First look: SP Setia plans three-tower finale for Carlton’s former CUB precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8271bc87-1b0a-41b7-ac73-a425ee375261" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/3_2.png?VersionId=G4lw23o90B1boX4k4dj7rdz2ZEajS9wy" />

Part of the precinct will be a large-scale&nbsp;3,684 sqm supermarket and a further 2,198 sqm of speciality retail, creating close to 5,900 sqm of new commercial space within the precinct.

But one of the biggest components of the proposal is what sits between the buildings.

Around 4,650 sqm, or roughly 72 per cent of the site, will be publicly accessible open space, incorporating plazas, pedestrian connections, landscaped laneways and retail spill-out areas.

The ground plane is intended to finally complete pedestrian connections envisaged when the CUB masterplan was first approved nearly two decades ago, stitching together Victoria Street, Queensberry Street, Bouverie Street and Swanston Street through the former brewery precinct.

Urbis said the development would "complete the CUB precinct", with the public realm providing important north-south and east-west connections through what is currently the final undeveloped portion of the masterplanned site.

SP Setia is also exploring a new linear park within the Bouverie Street road reserve, with the concept to be developed further with the City of Melbourne through the planning process.

The proposal is being pursued through the Victorian Government's Development Facilitation Program under Clause 53.23 for significant residential development with affordable housing.

The planning report acknowledges the proposed heights exceed those contemplated under the original Comprehensive Development Plan and masterplan, but argues the built-form context has changed considerably over the past two decades.

Urbis said the three towers would instead create a stepped transition between Carlton and the Hoddle Grid, rising progressively from the 94.1-metre Tower One along the Queensberry Street edge to the 199.44-metre Tower Three closer to the established CBD-scale buildings to the south.

<img alt="SP Setia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e885a07a-592c-40fc-bf82-e6dbaf32da54" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.52.24%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=7s_ErUkSKAdY1mAWp3GRZgMNCGtwhk5m" />

SP Setia plans to deliver the development across three stages.

Stage One would deliver the basement, podium and retail areas for the entire precinct alongside the first student tower. Tower Two would follow in Stage Two, before the 606-apartment Tower Three is delivered as the final stage.

If approved and delivered, the project would close out a redevelopment process that has been underway since the former brewery masterplan was approved in 2007, adding more than 2,600 student beds and apartments to a precinct already home to Swanston Central, the Barak Building, RMIT Design Hub and several large student accommodation developments.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

SP Setia plans three-tower finale for Carlton’s former CUB precinct

Melbourne developer Lowe Living is seeking to add to its growing bayside apartment pipeline, filing plans for a boutique eight-residence development in tightly held Middle Park.

Lowe Living, which has built much of its development portfolio across Melbourne's affluent bayside and south-east suburbs, is behind the plans for the 730 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/123-125-erskine-street-middle-park-vic-3206">123-125 Erskine Street</a>, just off Armstrong Street and within the Armstrong Street Neighbourhood Activity Centre.

The developer is seeking approval for a five-storey residential building above two basement levels, with just eight large-format apartments and 18 car spaces.

“This is a deliberately very different proposition for us,"&nbsp;Tim Lowe, Co-Founder of Lowe Living, said.

"Eight residences is exceptionally boutique, but that's precisely what this site calls for.

“There is a strong community in Middle Park and the surrounding suburbs who have spent decades building a life here. They no longer want the maintenance of a large period home, but they aren't prepared to compromise on space, quality or location. We think there is a real opportunity to capture that hyper local market. A site like this rarely comes to market.”

<img alt="Lowe " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="875fe572-0f14-4d90-9e11-55b28dd07731" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.42.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GDNQRv9BfpR9r1zkZ5UDyUM4ZvpIksut" />

The low-density proposal has been designed by Cera Stribley and is being progressed through the Victorian Government's Great Design Fast Track pathway, having already secured eligibility from the Minister for Planning.

The Office of the Victorian Government Architect supported its eligibility after finding the proposal demonstrated consistency with the program's seven design principles, while the project's financial feasibility has also been independently confirmed by Invest Victoria.

The project is targeting the downsizer market, with the planning documents describing the homes as larger-format residences and noting the two penthouses could otherwise have been configured as four separate apartments.

<img alt="Lowe 2" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="60ab0987-2da6-4175-adac-315dcf6053c6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.43.15%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=bOCPH0B2MFwlmaRW.TTCF9TzyifgVoQI" />

The site has dual frontage to Erskine Street and Canterbury Place and currently comprises a collection of commercial buildings used as offices, including a former heritage bakehouse, a former stable, a later gabled addition and a central courtyard.

It sits within the Commercial 1 Zone and the Armstrong Street Commercial Precinct heritage overlay, with the existing property classified as a contributory heritage place.

Heritage has subsequently played a significant role in Cera Stribley's design.

The front section of the former bakehouse facing Erskine Street will be retained, including its return walls, street-facing hipped roof and chimneys, while the Erskine Street façade and part of the western return wall of the former stable will also be incorporated into the new development.

Levels four and five will be set back five metres from the retained stable façade, while bricks removed through demolition are proposed to be salvaged and reused within the new building where possible.

<img alt="Lowe 3" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e97927a9-a2de-4a0f-83b6-65451238abfa" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.43.06%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=VR44AChLrX9q1XPB9GvVQV.ALXXbe4gC" />

Rather than presenting as a single five-storey building to Erskine Street, Cera Stribley has broken the development into a series of distinct forms.

A three-storey infill element will sit between the retained bakehouse and stable façades, with the upper levels recessed behind the heritage fabric. Canterbury Place will similarly feature two three-storey podium forms, separated by a central pedestrian accessway, before the upper two levels step back from the street.

A pedestrian through-link will run through the centre of the project between Erskine Street and Canterbury Place, creating entrances from both sides of the site and introducing landscaping and communal areas through the ground plane.

Landscape architect Acre has designed planting across the ground level, private terraces and upper levels, including a feature canopy tree at level three and integrated planting and arbours across the level four terraces. Five existing Erskine Street trees are proposed to be retained.

Sustainability is also a significant component of the Great Design Fast Track application. The apartments are targeting an average eight-star NatHERS rating, with no residence below 6.5 stars, while the project has achieved a 75 per cent BESS score. Seven of the eight apartments are designed for cross-ventilation, with the remaining residence using mechanically assisted natural ventilation.

The plans also incorporate an 8kWp rooftop solar system, a 5,000-litre rainwater tank and infrastructure allowing future electric vehicle charging for every residence.

Lowe has a strong portfolio across Melbourne's blue-chip suburbs. They recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House by Lowe Living</a> in Camberwell, their first development in the Stonnington LGA.

Lowe Living unveils Middle Park apartment development

Article summary

<ul data-end="888" data-start="289">
	<li data-end="442" data-section-id="8tsh6o" data-start="289">DVB Projects is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway at 137 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach.</li>
	<li data-end="573" data-section-id="1nyxl3e" data-start="443">The 34-level tower will comprise just 49 ultra-luxury residences, including half-floor, full-floor and penthouse apartments.</li>
	<li data-end="717" data-section-id="oiyimj" data-start="574">The launch follows strong demand at DVB's nearby Sea Glass project, which is more than 50 per cent sold and currently under construction.</li>
	<li data-end="888" data-section-id="epk9o9" data-start="718">The development adds to the transformation of Old Burleigh Road, with premium beachfront apartment projects continuing to reshape the tightly held Broadbeach strip.</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/dvb-projects">DVB Projects</a> is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway on the Broadbeach site as the Sydney developer moves closer to bringing the ultra-luxury project to market.

The 34-level tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/137-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">137 Old Burleigh Road</a> will comprise just 49 residences, ranging from half-floor apartments through to full-floor homes and a penthouse. The launch follows the strong sales performance of DVB's nearby Sea Glass development. More than half of the apartments at Sea Glass, on the other side of Broadbeach, have been snapped up, well ahead of its late 2027 completion

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2944b4be-c84e-4b54-8dc1-c712e76704c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E02_Exterior_Street%20Level%20Entrance.jpg?VersionId=YoNig7pRdrE3HCue7sUj78LzJteeQf3H" />

The start of demolition at 137 Old Burleigh Road signals DVB Projects’ underlying confidence in the Gold Coast’s luxury beachside apartment sector.

“We see the Gold Coast as one of the most compelling lifestyle markets in Australia, particularly at the premium end where demand continues to deepen,” said Dean Brown, Managing Director of DVB.&nbsp;

“This project has been carefully designed to respond to that demand - delivering large-format residences with a level of quality, privacy and amenity that is still relatively rare in the apartment market on the beachside."

Brown says the site itself is "exceptional."

"Old Burleigh Road is one of the most tightly held beachfront strips, and opportunities to deliver a project of this scale and calibre in this location are extremely limited.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="398f377a-c037-455e-9250-0c5e0d84c35b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/I12_FF%20Balcony.jpg?VersionId=NwOiRWGMubR1c8wthuEfggklcja7al9." />

The project will comprise 40 half-floor residences of approximately 260 sqm, alongside eight full-floor residences spanning around 524 sqm.

A single penthouse will crown the building, featuring a private pool, barbecue area, indoor gym and dedicated entertaining spaces.

Residents will have access to a resort-style suite of amenities, including a 20-metre pool with daybeds, a gymnasium, hot and cold plunge pools, a sauna, and private residents’ lounge and dining facilities.

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1642bb0-9a66-4427-a022-dfc0988c6287" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/A02_Pool%20to%20View.jpg?VersionId=c0IXPyn_Gp_Kn3XCwzMrqIVkAdCEwVXP" />

Sales agent Todd Matheson, of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/pezet-matheson">Pezet Matheson</a>, which is marketing both 137 Old Burleigh Road and Sea Glass, said 137 Old Burleigh Road would address a clear gap in the market for genuine luxury products.

“There are very few opportunities on the Gold Coast where buyers can secure a residence of this size and quality in a new building,” Matheson said.

“What we’re seeing is a growing cohort of downsizers and interstate buyers who still want space - they’re not willing to compromise on living area, entertaining or finishes.

“This project has been designed with that buyer in mind. It offers the scale of a home, combined with the convenience and security of apartment living, in one of the coast’s most desirable positions.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="59aae0ca-5639-4320-8aca-d0bf60f48e43" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E01_Exterior%20Hero.jpg?VersionId=DS8Zfy2WtgUEtdfe0TEUuf1W1GfcZq8S" />

Located on a 1,156 sqm site one block from the beachfront, the development will replace an ageing walk-up building and is expected to contribute to the ongoing transformation of the Old Burleigh Road strip into one of the Gold Coast’s most prestigious residential corridors.

With the development moving into the delivery phase, 137 Old Burleigh Road is slated to hit the market later this year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145141]

DVB Projects to launch second Broadbeach apartment tower as demolition commences

<a data-end="327" data-is-only-node="" data-start="250" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/norus-projects" rel="noopener" target="_new">Norus Developments</a> has lodged plans for a new apartment development in Clayton that would add further momentum to the suburb's emerging Green Street corridor.

Plans have been lodged for the consolidated site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1359-1365-centre-road-clayton-vic-3168">1359-1365 Centre Road</a>, where Norus is seeking approval for 218 apartments across a 12-storey apartment building designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/life-architecture-and-urban-design">Life Architecture</a>.

The proposal sits within the Clayton Major Activity Centre at the threshold of the planned Green Street corridor, a landscaped pedestrian connection intended to improve links through the precinct towards Clayton Railway Station.

The development would replace the site's existing collection of low-scale residential and commercial buildings with a single consolidated building, introducing significantly greater housing density to this part of Centre Road.

A retail tenancy is proposed at ground level to activate the Centre Road frontage, accompanied by transparent street interfaces and landscaping intended to create a more pedestrian-focused edge to the development.

<img alt="First look: Norus Developments plans landscape-led apartment project for Clayton’s emerging Green Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a5a763a-d9e9-4253-af2f-88008de27ebf" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Clayton%20a.png?VersionId=S2WJJbat1XVkZwB9SnYtygirXgWHiklX" />

The building has been designed with stepped massing and upper-level setbacks to manage its transition towards surrounding residential properties. The planning report describes the approach as one that integrates the building into the landscape rather than treating landscaping as a secondary element.

"A strong landscape and public realm strategy underpins the proposal," Urbis states in the planning report.

"Public benefits include an affordable housing contribution, a new pocket park, generous landscaped setbacks, deep soil planting and integrated Water Sensitive Urban Design."

The report adds that these elements are intended to create "a permeable, pedestrian-focused ground plane that enhances walkability, supports urban cooling and reinforces the emerging Green Street character."

Biophilic and passive design principles extend through the residential levels, with planting, daylight, natural ventilation and views towards landscaped areas forming part of the amenity strategy.

Parking would be concentrated away from the public realm, with 145 car spaces proposed from the rear laneway rather than dominating the Centre Road frontage.

The proposal follows an extensive pre-application process with the City of Monash. Three formal meetings were held between the project team and Council from December 2025 to March 2026, with the scheme evolving through several concept iterations before the current design was lodged.

The project arrives as Clayton prepares for substantial change around its established activity centre and the wider Suburban Rail Loop precinct. Its position on Centre Road places the development within an existing concentration of shops, services and public transport, while the Green Street connection is intended to strengthen pedestrian access towards Clayton Railway Station.

First look: Norus plans landscape-led apartment project for Clayton’s emerging Green Street

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> has officially commenced construction on Bronze on Chevron, celebrating the sod turning of its first-ever Gold Coast development and marking a significant milestone in the company's continued expansion across South East Queensland.&nbsp;

Following the successful delivery of premium residential developments throughout Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bronze-on-chevron-8-mawarra-street-chevron-island-qld-4217">Bronze on Chevron</a> represents Gardner Vaughan Group's entry into the Gold Coast market. Bronze will deliver 119 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments above two ground-level retail tenancies.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367193]

The recent sod turning ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor Mark Hammel, President of the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club, Cassandra Sedgman, project consultants, purchasers, project partners and invited guests to celebrate the commencement of construction.&nbsp;

Gardner Vaughan Group Chief Executive Officer Simon Betteridge said Bronze on Chevron represented an exciting new chapter for the business.&nbsp;

"We've spent almost four decades building homes that respond to the way people want to live, and we're excited to bring that experience to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chevron-island-qld-4217">Chevron Island</a>," Betteridge said.

"Bronze on Chevron is particularly significant because it marks Gardner Vaughan Group's first development on the Gold Coast following many successful projects across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367183]

Betteridge said the ground breaking is a proud moment for the&nbsp;team and their purchasers, who can now see their future homes beginning to take shape.&nbsp;

"As both developer and builder, we're able to oversee every aspect of the project from design through to construction, ensuring the quality and attention to detail Gardner Vaughan Group has become renowned for."&nbsp;

Designed by acclaimed architectural practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a>, Bronze on Chevron has been thoughtfully designed to complement Chevron Island's evolving streetscape while embracing its relaxed coastal lifestyle.

The development will offer generous residences with refined interiors, premium finishes and resort-style amenities, with completion anticipated in early 2029.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=107520]

The development will offer generous residences with refined interiors, premium finishes and resort-style amenities, with completion anticipated in early 2029

Laurence Dragomir

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