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Revised plans for one of suburban Melbourne's largest developments that Apartments.com.au <a href="/news/malverns-super-development-site-subject-to-a-considerable-application">touched upon during August</a> are now available for public comment.

The site in question sits adjacent to Malvern Railway Station and has a principal address of 641-675 Dandenong Road. At 4,739 square metres the land holding was offered for sale during 2017, with Kokoda Property subsequently revealed as the purchaser.

Dubbed <a href="https://www.kokodaproperty.com.au/en/residences/malvern/">Malvern Collective</a>, Kokoda Property carries imagery of the initial design on its website. The Jackson Clements Burrows-designed development seen below has been replaced by a more modest revised application which sees lower than initially intended built form across the site.

The highly angular initial design for the scalene-shaped site has also been tempered to resemble more traditional buildings with a 'defined' roof.

<h2>641-675 Dandenong Road application summary</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/image89aq.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Dandenong Road perspective. Image: JCB Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="325" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image89aq.jpg?itok=2nJ7-Dtj" title="Dandenong Road perspective. Image: JCB Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Dandenong Road perspective. Image: JCB Architects</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>4,739 square metre site with three street frontages</li>
	<li>Expected build value: $80 million</li>
	<li>Proposed: 17 and 10 storey buildings with the taller at 55.9 metres</li>
	<li>265 apartments: 94 x 1BR, 154 x 2BR, 16 x 3BR, 1 x 4BR</li>
	<li>5 level basement with option for a subterranean link to Malvern Railway Station</li>
	<li>Provisions for 371 vehicles and 203 bicycles</li>
	<li>Existing 'Angel Tavern' to be restored</li>
	<li>7 retail tenancies amounting to 1,137 square metres with ability to increase if required</li>
	<li>753 square metre commercial tenancy</li>
</ul>
Jackson Clements Burrows on Malvern Collective's form:

<blockquote>
The unique qualities of the site have determined the proposals siting, massing and overall form.

With interfaces to Glenferrie Rd, Dandenong Rd, Station Place and the rail corridor to the north, the lower podium is characterised by a series of articulated columns that set the rhythm of the pedestrian experience and whose datum closely aligns to that of the adjacent heritage buildings. The columns also fluctuate in depth to provide protection from traffic to the south, the summer sun to the north and visual privacy on the oblique approach.

The upper forms are conceived as a series of undulating peaks that strategically lower to sensitive interfaces and minimise overshadowing to the south. The chamfered forms allow the implementation of generous east and west facing terraces which offer select apartments ‘gardens in the sky’.

The mostly light coloured curtain walls and associated fins are articulated as the main facade element with the enclosed areas recessed back from the outer envelope. This provides permeability through the extremities of the building and a depth to the facade through the use of light and shadow.
</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/image92_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The initial Dandenong Road design cited via Kokoda's website"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="259" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image92_8.jpg?itok=bPqY5nnT" title="The initial Dandenong Road design cited via Kokoda's website" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The initial Dandenong Road design cited via Kokoda's website</figcaption></figure><h2>Kokoda Property true to their word when it comes to infill development</h2>

During 2017 Kokoda Property prompted calls for <a href="/news/kokoda-property-calls-for-in-fill-development-in-the-eastern-middle-ring">more in-fill development sites in what it calls "Melbourne’s undersupplied eastern middle-ring"</a> in order to fill the demand for quality apartments and townhomes in the leafy suburbs.

At the time Kokoda Property Sales and Marketing Director Sam Tucker spoke of the underlying demand for apartment developments across Melbourne's eastern middle-ring suburbs, driven by wealthy downsizers. This has been reflected in the recent projects undertaken locally by the developer.

Malvern Collective joins a boutique current apartment development dubbed The Mowbray at Camberwell's 553-555 Burke Road and the recently completed Trentwood at 25 Trent Street, Glen Iris as examples of kokoda Property's shift in focus to inner eastern Melbourne suburbs.

<h2>641-675 Dandenong Road development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Kokoda Property Group (Malvern Development Partnership Pty Ltd)</li>
	<li>Architect: Jackson Clements Burrows Architects</li>
	<li>Urban Planning: Contour Consultants</li>
	<li>Landscape Plan: Tract Landscape Architects</li>
	<li>Cultural Heritage Statement: Archaeology At Tardis</li>
	<li>Traffic Impact Assessment: GTA Consultants</li>
	<li>Waste Management Plan: Leigh Design</li>
	<li>Utility Services: Intrax Consulting Engineers</li>
	<li>Noise and Vibration Consultants: Octave Acoustics</li>
	<li>Heritage Consultant: Lovell Chen</li>
	<li>Urban Design Consultant: Message Consultants</li>
	<li>Site Survey: Bosco Jonson</li>
</ul>
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silvermb

Malvern's mega development site curtailed but still imposing

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An amendment to North Sydney's planning scheme has been initiated in recent days as Legacy Property looks to capitalise upon a site located in a boom development corridor.

253-267 Pacific Highway is subject to a Planning Proposal that would yield a substantial development across a 1,469 square metre corner site. Plans have been drawn up that seek to unlock the well positioned site's potential by way of a new mixed-use development.

Aided by PTW Architects and GM Urban Design and Architecture, Legacy Property hopes to establish a new site-specific height control and FSR control, resulting in a high-density, dual building outcome.

<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/image87_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Pacific Highway perspective. Image: PTW Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="369" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image87_6.jpg?itok=QhSh9qqb" title="Pacific Highway perspective. Image: PTW Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Pacific Highway perspective. Image: PTW Architects</figcaption></figure>The result sees a conceptual building envelope spanning 67 metres with a smaller mid-rise reaching 22 metres.

Commercial, residential, retail and community uses are envisaged for the development. 89 residential apartments are included, as is 1,667 square metres of office space over four levels; 253-267 Pacific Highway holds a total Gross Floor Area of 10,477 square metres.

Public benefits are outlined and sees the inclusion of affordable rental housing (3 x 1 bedroom apartments and 1 x studio apartment) and the dedication of both office and community floor space for Council use.

349 square metres is expected to be seeded to Council as affordable office space for ‘start-up’ businesses whilst further space at ground level is earmarked for community facilities.

Continuous active edges will be provided to Pacific Highway and West Street. Church Lane as the least active of the site's three frontages will be widened and activated.

<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/image86_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hero perspective. Image: PTW Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="360" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image86_8.jpg?itok=hd4KFLjn" title="Hero perspective. Image: PTW Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Hero perspective. Image: PTW Architects</figcaption></figure>253-267 Pacific Highway aside, Legacy Property has been an active player in the greater North Sydney development scene in recent years, having had dealing in the North Sydney - Crows Nest - St Leonards urban renewal corridor.

Miller Street in North Sydney, Oxley Street in Crows Nest and St Leonards' 617-621 Pacific Highway have all fallen under the Legacy Property umbrella, although the developer did not see any of the sites through to completion.

Two sites were divested after Legacy Property's successful attempts to create development uplift whilst the Crows Nest land holding was compulsorily acquired during 2016 in order to facilitate the new Crows Nest Metro Station. It too received the green light for 100 apartments over 13 levels prior to its acquisition.
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Legacy Property sees opportunity in North Sydney

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Toga Group is pushing through with the mass redevelopment of Redfern's Surry Hills Shopping Village.

After a competitive design process which saw a consortium headed by architecture firm SJB lead all comers, a detailed development application is in motion for the sprawling Redferm site on the corner of Cleveland and Baptist streets.

The heritage listed former Bank of NSW building at 397-399 Cleveland Street is to be retained and surrounded by 8 new buildings. In line with the site's existing use, a mass of retail is included, as is commercial office space, basement parking for 345 vehicles and 157 apartments.

A key plank of the design's success is the inclusion of extensive public domain works.

<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/image77_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Terrace houses fronting Marriott Street. Image: SJB"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="310" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image77_3.jpg?itok=a-1cn95I" title="Terrace houses fronting Marriott Street. Image: SJB" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Terrace houses fronting Marriott Street. Image: SJB</figcaption></figure><h2>A slow road</h2>

Toga Group first surfaced as the development partner of choice for the prominent 12,244.1 square metre development site during 2015, when Coles elected to maintain its presence onsite. When the site was listed for sale during 2014, the Wesfarmers-owned Coles exercised first rights over the shopping centre with an eye toward redevelopment.

The development process has now progressed to the point where a detailed development application landed with City of Sydney late last month. Initially touted as capable of handling 300 apartments, the expected 157 apartments are well short of initial intentions.

Coles and Toga Group's joint application has a construction value of $149 million.

Coles is making a habit of pursuing development opportunities on the eastern seaboard. The Surry Hills complex joins additional current Coles developments in <a href="/developments/lindfield-nsw-2070">Lindfield</a> in Sydney and <a href="/new-apartments/the-mark-441-glen-huntly-road-elsternwick">Elsternwick</a> plus <a href="/buildings/261-271-bridge-road-richmond">Richmond</a> in Melbourne.0

<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/image81a.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Site overview. Image: SJB"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="332" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image81a.jpg?itok=2csuqkcG" title="Site overview. Image: SJB" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Site overview. Image: SJB</figcaption></figure><h2>Design prowess</h2>

Toga Group's Redfern site was subject to a competitive design process, with a trio of other design consortiums losing out to a team including SJB, Architect Prineas and Aspect Studios.

Design teams trumped for the Redfern site include Bates Smart/Chenchow Little/Luchetti Krelle, DKO Architecture/Archer Office/Hames Sharley/Tribe/Aspect Studio and the Woods Bagot/Alexander &amp; Co/Christopher Owen Landscape Design trio.

The Competitive Design Alternatives Report made not of the winning team's positive design outcomes.

<blockquote>
The Selection Panel also noted that the scheme included delightfully whimsical elements that provided a distinctive identity and character.

There was a genuine understanding of the character of the area and a lot of thought had gone into the design of the apartments, even down to the uniquely shaped windows. The planning strategy that enabled apartments to be no more than one stair flight from communal garden areas was also commendable.

There was considerable thought to materiality and detailing, with more intricacy and articulation to the lower levels and street frontages, supporting upper levels with less variety in material or colour. The design is also potentially suited to modularisation, although this would require further investigation.
</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/image7a9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Non successful participants in the design competition"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="237" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image7a9.jpg?itok=nRlINv55" title="Non successful participants in the design competition" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Non successful participants in the design competition</figcaption></figure>
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Toga Group takes Redfern's Surry Hills Shopping Village down the development path

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Peak industry body Urban Taskforce Australia (UTA) last week went on the offensive, criticising aspects of Sydney's planning system which it believes leads to dull apartment design.

Far from the international design competitions which define many of inner Sydney's landmark towers, the criticism was levelled at many of greater Sydney's municipal councils 

At a recent forum dubbed Innovative Apartments, UTA's sentiment was that of disappointment in Sydney's 'tick a box' planning system. UTA maintains that the rigidity and increased regulations governing the design of apartment buildings has stymied innovative design outcomes.

UTA CEO Chris Johnson said in a pointed media release:

<blockquote>
Over the last decade the government rules and guides for the design of apartment buildings has become more complex, leading to a tick a box planning assessment process that is leading to less innovation and design diversity.

At a recent Urban Taskforce forum on how to balance regulation and innovation in the design of apartment buildings the Mayor of Burwood, John Faker, called for more innovation and diversity in design. Mark Raggett of Melbourne architects ARM Architecture demonstrated how a strong culture of architecture in Melbourne has made innovative design the accepted way to design apartment buildings.

The debate was timely as a growing negative attitude from community groups about apartments seems to be partly based on the dull look of many apartments that all look the same.
</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/image54_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A selection of Burwood apartment projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="470" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image54_11.jpg?itok=a-xAvlwk" title="A selection of Burwood apartment projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A selection of Burwood apartment projects</figcaption></figure>UTA makes note of the excessive number of controls and guidelines in place, plus as many as 25 specialist reports required by most councils that must demonstrate compliance prior to an application gaining approval.

Consequently the onus has shifted away from premier design outcomes to one of appeasement.

Architects at the Innovative Apartments forum made note that apartment design was being driven by an excessive number of rules which has neagted merit based assessment, with one unnamed architect going as far as to say that the rigorous approvals process was ‘taking away the soul of Sydney’.

Acting NSW Government Architect, Olivia Hyde, who also presented the the forum, outlining the NSW Government’s focus on design excellence through a number of publications, policies and design review processes. Hyde also noted that many councils were using guides as rules despite government documents saying this should not be the case.

UTA's emphasis on design would see "a special design excellence approval path that would bypasses the excessive number of rules that are forcing low common dominator designs rather than encouraging innovative solutions through merit assessment.

The state government must establish a pathway for innovative apartment building design that local councils can use to enrich their neighbourhoods.”

<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/image55_13.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="ARM Architecture's Orbis has been identified as a design benchmark"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image55_13.jpg?itok=R8aH0v5h" title="ARM Architecture's Orbis has been identified as a design benchmark" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>ARM Architecture's Orbis has been identified as a design benchmark</figcaption></figure>Lead image: Sydney Aerial Photography
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Urban Taskforce labels Sydney's apartment aesthetic as dull

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Apartments.com.au's Project Database has reached a noteworthy milestone, pushing past 3,700 listings in recent days.

This equates to 3,700 projects of differing uses that are currently active across Australia and which fall within four broad categories; Planning Assessment, Approved, Registration &amp; Sales or Under construction. Apartments.com.au's Project Database represents the country's largest publicly accessible database of live development projects.

The Project Database has seen rapid expansion over the course of 2018.

Reflective of the rebirth of this website from Urban Melbourne to Apartments.com.au earlier in the year, the Project Database is now an all-encompassing platform that includes all major cities across Australia, supplemented by a growing number of regional centres such as Gold Coast, Geelong and Newcastle. The 3,700 milestone is a quantum leap forward from the roughly 1,400 solely Melbourne projects within the database at the turn of 2018.

Incidentally the 3,700th database listing happens to be an application for property developer Mattioli Group's new Melbourne headquarters. Kavellaris Urban Design conceived the mid-rise at 226-232 High Street in Kew; it includes retail at ground level, commercial office space and a dual level four bedroom apartment.

<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/image99_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Number 3,700. Image: Kavellaris Urban Design"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="346" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image99_4.jpg?itok=Iszo8REO" title="Number 3,700. Image: Kavellaris Urban Design" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Number 3,700. Image: Kavellaris Urban Design</figcaption></figure>Reflecting the growing dominance that higher density housing has assumed across the nation, 3,290 or 88% of projects in the Apartments.com.au Project Database are residential.

Thereafter 286 commercial projects are included, as are 186 hotel or serviced apartment developments. The latter category has mushroomed over the course of 2018, as developers capitalise upon the favourable conditions in the market for short stay accommodation.

It is though residential that is the undisputed king of the database. Despite certain markets such as inner city Melbourne and Brisbane which are at the bottom of their respective apartment cycles, Apartments.com.au is still keeping tabs on 539 separate apartment and major townhouse developments across Australia which are at Registration &amp; Sales.

Whilst 3,700 is a hefty database figure, hundreds of further projects have been identified and will be added through to the end of 2018. Particular focus will fall on Brisbane and surrounds over coming months in order to make Apartments.com.au's Project Database more accurately reflective of the considerable backlog of approved developments evident across Brisbane.

Next stop 4,000!
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Urban.com.au's Project Database reaches 3,700 active developments

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Two projects touted by their respective developers as being exceptional developments in waiting have instead been put on the market as permitted opportunities.

In <a href="/new-apartments/north-melbourne-vic-3051">North Melbourne</a>, <a href="/developers/fridcorp">Fridcorp</a> has chosen not to develop <a href="/new-apartments/3-15-shiel-street-north-melbourne">3-15 Shiel Street</a>, which until recently had been dubbed Wild Apartments. In light of approval being granted during May, Fridcorp along with joint venture partners Daniel Besen and Wingate had expected to launch the project to market this year.

The associated media release at the time of approval specified an expected September sales campaign launch with construction slated to begin in the first quarter of 2019. Despite earlier intentions of seeing the project to fruition, <a href="https://www.cbremelbourne.com.au/properties/3-15-shiel-street-north-melbourne/">CBRE City Sales has been instructed to move the 1,311 square metre site on</a>.

Approval is in place for the $65 million residential project in North Melbourne’s evolving Arden Urban Renewal precinct. <a href="/architects/fraser-partners-0">Elenberg Fraser's</a> design for Shiel Street includes 82 one, two and three bedroom apartments over nine levels, supported by 70 basement car parks and an extensive rooftop terrace.

During May Fridcorp founder and director, Paul Fridman said “North Melbourne is a new market for Fridcorp but, together with Daniel Besen and Wingate, we saw an opportunity with the Victorian Planning Authority’s proposed Arden precinct to deliver quality medium-density housing in Melbourne’s inner-ring that will provide long-term investment potential and growth for owner-occupiers and investors."

Fridcorp picked up the North Melbourne site from fellow developer <a href="/developers/samma-property-group">SPEC Property</a> during 2016 and went about reworking the previously permitted design onsite with Elenberg Fraser.

<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/image105_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="3-15 Shiel Street. Image: Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image105_2.jpg?itok=40vCl4BK" title="3-15 Shiel Street. Image: Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>3-15 Shiel Street. Image: Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure>Also offered for sale is <a href="/developments/abbotsford-vic-3067">Abbotsford's 329 Johnston Street</a>.

The <a href="/architects/fieldwork">Fieldwork-designed</a> application had initially sought a mixed-use outcome incorporating retail, medical suites, offices and 41 serviced apartments in a building veiled in expanded mesh. In order to gain approval the design was trimmed to seven levels, with the serviced apartment component dropped in favour of an increased net leasable area of 6,517 square metres.

Based on a cross laminated timer design, 329 Johnston Street was to have provided a carbon-neutral construction method with an abbreviated construction time frame.

Dubbed <a href="https://329johnston.com/">Sol House</a>, Pirovich describes 329 Johnston Street as "seeking to achieve Passive Haus, giving future occupiers of the building a happier and healthier place to work, rest and play. As part of the new development we are setting the building back at ground level and ceding over 200 square metres of the site to the public realm."

Savills have instead been appointed to market the 1,912 square permit approved corner site.

<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/image112_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="329 Johnston Street. Image: Fieldwork"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image112_3.jpg?itok=iOdx7cKQ" title="329 Johnston Street. Image: Fieldwork" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>329 Johnston Street. Image: Fieldwork</figcaption></figure>Pirovich joins fellow developer <a href="/developers/alpha-14-property-group">Alpha14 Property Group</a> in offering for sale a permitted commercial site within City of Yarra.

Alpha14 Property Group had advanced <a href="/developments/collingwood-vic-3066">Collingwood's 71-93 Gipps Street </a>to construction tender with the intent of beginning construction on the 1,579 square metre site this year. Instead the site and Hayball-designed office building have been listed for sale with Colliers, incorporating an approved net leasable area of 8,426 square metres.

It is likely that the offering of both permitted and prospective office-driven development sites within City of Yarra will increase due to the torrent of commercial applications currently within the municipality.

<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/image111_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" style="text-align: center;" title="Gipps Street opportunity. Image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image111_6.jpg?itok=guQSDWLm" title="Gipps Street opportunity. Image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figure><figcaption>Gipps Street opportunity. Image: Hayball</figcaption></figure>
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Fridcorp and Pirovich opt to drop their respective development opportunities

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Melbourne-based Chapter Group has underlined its aggressive expansion plans by announcing the acquisition of four separate development sites.

In light of the recent launch of the developer's super luxury <a href="/buildings/ukiyo-2-porter-street-prahran">Ukiyo Prahran</a> apartment project, Chapter Group's unveiling of the four new opportunities is a vote of confidence in Melbourne's apartment sector. Covering Fitzroy, Toorak, Windsor and Armadale, the new prospects carry a combined end value in excess of $400 million.

Fitzroy's 411-421 Smith Street shapes as the largest of the quartet, and will be developed in unison with Abacus Property Group and Crema Group.

The Smith Street holding is a renovated two-storey brick complex leased to Kathmandu &amp; Bellroy, with leases through to 2022. Expected is a mixed-use residential, commercial and retail development spanning the roughly 1,800 square metre site and holding an end value in the $100 million range.

<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/image68a.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="411-421 Smith Street. Image: TCI Teneketzis"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="343" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image68a.jpg?itok=vI_ggWwo" title="411-421 Smith Street. Image: TCI Teneketzis" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>411-421 Smith Street. Image: TCI Teneketzis</figcaption></figure>Also on the agenda is a site on Toorak's Malvern Road. Having already partnered with developer Sin Heng Chan on <a href="/buildings/the-springfield-30-springfield-avenue-toorak">The Springfield</a> nearby, the duo have nabbed a 1,450 square metre site at 727-729 Malvern Road with intentions of creating 11 high-end apartments within a build valued at $12 million.

Further sites on Windsor's High Street and Armadale which both run in excess of 2,000 square metres in size are also in the developer's pocket.

According Chapter Group's media statement, the site purchases and intended developments are "congruent with Chapter Group’s vision of providing Melburnians with thoughtful homes that deliver design excellence, outstanding quality and unparalleled liveability. Chapter Group Director Dean Lefkos says " Our aim is to build high-quality projects in super prime locations that will provide residents with long-term gain, as opposed to projects and sites that will simply afford us short-term success.

These suburbs are recognised for their unparalleled lifestyle offering and demonstrated strength in capital growth year on year. Pricing expectations have also favoured within our parameters in recent months with vendors recognising the current environment and more prepared to agree to a reasonable deal."

The quartet of sites is also a boon for K2LD Architects; the practice is responsible for all of Chapter Group's projects to date, and have been nominated as architects for the above sites according to the developer's website.

<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/image70_12.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ukiyo Prahran hero perspective. Image: Chapter Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="338" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image70_12.jpg?itok=fxOFyLgD" title="Ukiyo Prahran hero perspective. Image: Chapter Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ukiyo Prahran hero perspective. Image: Chapter Group</figcaption></figure>In a further sign that Chapter Group is confident in the prospect's of Melbourne's high-end residential sector, Ukiyo Prahran is due to launch its sales campaign.

On the Porter Street, Percy Street and High Street corner, Ukiyo consists of 12 half and full floors apartments, with the top three levels of the ten level building earmarked as penthouses. Ukiyo holds an end value of $40 million and falls into a pocket of Prahran that is seeing a strong level of residential activity, with developers ITUM and SP Setia also pursuing current apartment developments.

Chapter Group's Prahran project also sees retail at ground level plus two full floors dedicated to commercial space.

Ukiyo's living options are split between  2, 3 and 4 bedroom configurations.

<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/image71_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ukiyo Prahran interior. Image: Chapter Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="323" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image71_8.jpg?itok=90O-nvFt" title="Ukiyo Prahran interior. Image: Chapter Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ukiyo Prahran interior. Image: Chapter Group</figcaption></figure>
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Chapter Group launches Ukiyo Prahran, adds four new development sites to its portfolio

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Five significant and very distinct projects across Melbourne now share a common link in that they have all called for construction tenders in the past week.

The sporting, commercial, residential and retail developments have a combined construction value in excess of half a billion dollars, with their combined end value comfortably pushing past the billion dollar mark. Further projects of significant size and stature are also currently at construction tender, with the latest five underlining the still robust nature of Melbourne's construction scene.

The five projects expected to become reality are outlined below:

Poly Centre Melbourne

<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/image47_13.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: Poly Australia"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="880" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image47_13.jpg?itok=-x7Pg9aC" title="Image: Poly Australia" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: Poly Australia</figcaption></figure>Poly Developments Australia looks set to make good on earlier indications that it would initiate construction of Poly Centre Melbourne at 1000 La Trobe Street this year.

Having appointed agents Colliers International and JLL to land tenants for the 33,000 plus square metre office tower, a construction tender for the development was released yesterday. Both Colliers International and JLL are also handling leasing duties for sister Sydney development, <a href="/developments/sydney-nsw-2000">Poly Centre Sydney</a>.

With approval already in place, architect Woods Bagot looks to have reworked the outer expression of the tower, which would account for a portion of land within the wider Digital Harbour precinct.

Melbourne Park Stage 3

<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/image46_13.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: NH Architecture and Snøhetta"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image46_13.jpg?itok=pZ12_EOt" title="Image: NH Architecture and Snøhetta" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: NH Architecture and Snøhetta</figcaption></figure>Announced last year, the third and final stage of Melbourne Park's transformation is due to become reality.

A build value of in excess of $200 million reflects Stage 3's stated of $271.55 million. With Stage 2 works on the new Rod Laver Arena eastern entry pod all but complete, NH Architecture and Snøhetta have jointly conceived the final stage which includes a new multi-purpose 5,000-seat show court/arena, central public terrace, function and media centre, broadcast studios and logistics hub.

Expected to make pedestrian access around the sporting precinct far easier, the works are set to create 600 jobs during construction and underpin thousands more jobs in our tourism and hospitality industry upon completion.

Wills Place

<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/image52_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: Shangyi Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="399" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image52_8.jpg?itok=4AykAuNX" title="Image: Shangyi Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: Shangyi Property</figcaption></figure>With a sales campaign that began during mid 2015, Wills Place has the peculiarity of being the project that has spent the longest time in the Apartments.com.au Project Database without advancing to construction.

That though is set to change with a fresh construction tender looking to add the 35 level residential tower component behind a classic 1930’s heritage facade at 17 Wills Street in the northern section of Melbourne's CBD. Shangyi Property is backing the tower with CHT Architects creating the building which is slated to include 200 apartments.

CHT Architects' design replaces an earlier scheme onsite that would have included a unique and substantial void in the tower form for use as an elevated park.

Richmond Plaza

<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/273_20-12-2017_3343_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: SJB"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="341" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/273_20-12-2017_3343_1.jpg?itok=rIckl0-o" title="Image: SJB" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: SJB</figcaption></figure>The long approved Richmond Plaza redevelopment has sparked to life with Coles Group Developments initiating a construction tender.

Coles is already undertaking a mass redevelopment of their <a href="/new-apartments/the-mark-441-glen-huntly-road-elsternwick">Elsternwick location</a>, with Richmond now poised to follow. Approximately 300 apartments are included within the SJB-designed scheme, as is commercial space and in excess of 7,000 square metres of retail opportunity.

The ground plane of the sprawling site will be opened via the inclusion a series of laneways and new access points.

Prospect Apartments

<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/image55_12.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="734" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image55_12.jpg?itok=ATkNtVlR" title="Image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: Hayball</figcaption></figure>Irrepressible Box Hill is also due for another major residential tower as R&amp;F Property Australia initiates a tender for the delivery of Prospect Apartments.

Having secured the site with a permit in place, the Chinese-backed developer went about reworking the project as evidenced by new architect Hayball's tower above. As many as 193 apartments are included within the 25 storey tower, with 2,860 square metres of predominantly office space accounting for the podium levels.

R&amp;F Property Australia's move on their Box Hill site follows on quickly from the launch of the first stage of Footscray's <a href="/buildings/live-city-124-188-ballarat-road-footscray">Live City</a>; that development will yield as many as 1,500 apartments for the developer.
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Billions worth of new construction activity beckons for Melbourne

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Construction works on Western Sydney University's new purpose-built vertical campus in Liverpool wrapped up in the second quarter of 2018. The 10-storey build at 100 Macquarie Street was undertaken by Binah Constructions and can now accommodate thousands of students over the course of an academic year.

The latest in a national shift toward vertical education facilities, Western Sydney University's project was a joint design effort between Mosca Pserras Architects and Woods Bagot.

Part of the University’s ‘Western Growth’ initiative, 100 Macquarie Street is located within the fastest growing area in the Sydney region. In addition to providing learning outcomes, the 16,820 square metre facility will also providing opportunities for local enterprise and institutions to grow in conjunction with the university.

The weekend passed saw Western Sydney University hold an open day onsite, showcasing 100 Macquarie Street's focus on nursing, social sciences, social work, anthropology, community welfare, criminology and policing programs.  Learning spaces are also intertwined with ancillary facilities such as a library, student hub, symposium space and student services area.

<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/image36_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="100 Macquarie Street in an evening glow. Image: Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="423" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image36_6.jpg?itok=56nPeAyA" title="100 Macquarie Street in an evening glow. Image: Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>100 Macquarie Street in an evening glow. Image: Trevor Mein</figcaption></figure>Whilst Mosca Pserras Architects provided base building design input, Woods Bagot were tasked with creating a wider brief and subsequent interior design that "exemplifies a blended learning approach through a highly connected and collaborative environment, delivering a dynamic and brand-aligned City Campus for 2,500 students."

As Woods Bagot’s regional Education sector leader, Alan J Duffy provided in depth commentary on the new Liverpool landmark.

<blockquote>
The design delivers a vertical campus building that both enables and exemplifies creativity, choice and critical thinking for the next generation of social science and nursing and midwifery graduates.

Now that the building is open and in use, it is a privilege as designers to see the students using the space in a way that actually extends how it was intended – customising and using space in their own way.

Just as the Georges River connected communities over time in the Liverpool catchment area, the internal stairs connect campus occupants between floors, encouraging interaction and collaboration. The meandering activity along the bold, vibrantly red stair will be visible from the streetscape, exemplifying the idea of learning on display and creating positive presence.

This is a world-leading campus for Liverpool that not only gives our students an enriching and unparalleled learning experience, but one that is embedded in the economic, social and civic life of the city.
</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/image37_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The signature red staircase. Image: Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image37_11.jpg?itok=qojA9mSg" title="The signature red staircase. Image: Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The signature red staircase. Image: Trevor Mein</figcaption></figure>Woods Bagot's wider design concept for the new campus centered around the idea of “connectography”, the melding of globally-minded, technology-driven “connectivity” with that of “geography”, which in 100 Macquarie Street's case references the location of Liverpool and its relationship back to the City.

This notion of connectography permeates the design, with organic forms and circulation pathways key design focuses. Each floor contains flexible learning spaces, connected via a distinctive and voids which form a continuous meandering vertical link; this in turn encourages informal meetings and social congregation. 

The project's most visible design feature is the fire engine red angular staircase which sits directly behind the transparent double glazed facade. The stair in part emphasises the vertical nature of the design where "the community can visually connect with the internal activities occurring in the building." 

Wood Bagot's all-encompassing design approach extends to the ground plane where further flexible spaces can accommodate orientation days, public announcements, industry presentations and pop-up events, in turn fostering greater engagement with the community .

<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/image38_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Facility in use. Image: Trevor Mein"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image38_11.jpg?itok=OO1qPz8n" title="Facility in use. Image: Trevor Mein" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Facility in use. Image: Trevor Mein</figcaption></figure>
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Profiling Woods Bagot's role in Western Sydney University's new Liverpool campus

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Gold Coast's latest tower in waiting could provide future residents with ultimate flexibility.

Britannia Ave Project Pty Ltd is pushing for dual land use recognition for 36-38 Brittania Avenue, Broadbeach, allowing the project to be considered as both as a typical residential development and as a short-term accommodation development. Applied to each of the tower's 88 apartments, the dual recognition would effectively allow future buyers ownership of their given apartment(s) plus the sanctioned flexibility to offer the property for short and medium-term leasing.

The bid to secure two residential land uses for the tower is opposed to having "the building operate as a traditional ‘hotel’ style development." 

Dubbed Encore Broadbeach, 36-38 Brittania Avenue's apartment mix consists of 22 three bedroom and 66 two bedroom apartments. Spanning 25 storeys, the 88 apartments incorporate some 198 bedrooms, with 96 car parking spaces to service the 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/image26_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Broadbeach's latest addition by HHH Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="1053" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image26_11.jpg?itok=Pk9gBtxm" title="Broadbeach's latest addition by HHH Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Broadbeach's latest addition by HHH Architects</figcaption></figure>Design duties fell to Hamilton Hayes Henderson Architects for the 1,214 square metre site.

Reflective of the likelihood that a proportion of dwellings will always be in use as short stay accommodation, 36-38 Brittania Avenue is laden with amenities. Across podium levels two and three, communal features include a pool, residents’ lounge, reading terrace, gym, multiple formal dining areas, a trio of  BBQ areas, yoga lawn and landscaped areas over both levels.

From an overall design perspective, Hamilton Hayes Henderson Architects considers the tower as unique and almost ethereal. "The tower form sits above the lower floors like an extra-terrestrail object - a colourless minimalist abstracted repetitive form above a coloured complex decorative three storey building.

The simple 'black' and 'white' form visible against the sky can be read as a continuous white ribbon that climbs around the dark glass pillar."

<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/image29_19.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aerial overview of the Brittania Avenue site"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="374" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image29_19.jpg?itok=vt8cDBUJ" title="Aerial overview of the Brittania Avenue site" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aerial overview of the Brittania Avenue site</figcaption></figure>Submitted with Gold Coast City Council only last week, 36-38 Brittania Avenue is the latest in a string of residential towers to hit planning within the municipality of late. Last week Apartments.com.au <a href="/news/bassar-group-to-test-broadbeachs-luxury-apartment-market-depth">reported on developer Bassar Group's bid</a> to add to Broadbeach's skyline with a luxury residential tower, and <a href="/news/pointcorp-adds-a-luxury-burleigh-heads-project-to-its-boom-portfolio">Pointcorp's push to realise a mid-rise tower</a> in Burleigh Heads.

The upswing in planning submissions for high density residential projects in locations such as Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, Southport and Burleigh Heads is reflective of the confidence in which developers are currently eyeing the Gold Coast region.

A decision on the merits of Britannia Ave Project Pty Ltd's application is expected during November.
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Dual purpose on Broadbeach; Gold Coast's latest tower unveiled

Preliminary data by research giant Charter Keck Cramer reveals a 54 per cent decline in Build to Sell apartments across Australia's capital cities, while the Build to Rent boom continues with a 378 per cent increase over the last five years.

Charter Keck Cramer's upcoming National State of the Market Report - Key Metropolitan Areas, scheduled for release in September, will reveal&nbsp;a dramatic transformation in apartment supply patterns across Australia's capital cities between FY2016-2020 and FY2021-2025.

The Build to Sell (BTS) apartment sector has experienced a substantial contraction, with total supply falling by 54 per cent compared to the previous five-year period. The decline represents a reduction of 149,200 apartments across all capital cities.

<img alt="BTS Charter Keck Cramer" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3db2ddf3-e7c0-481f-b8b9-63efb365cb80" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-08-20%20at%2011.26.34%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=bsQl8inhZA7FeiPamnGvw1tse0obBdSd" />

Sydney led the downturn with a decrease of 73,600 apartments, followed by Melbourne (-42,800) and Brisbane (-26,800). Perth and Adelaide also recorded significant declines of 6,400 and 2,400 apartments respectively. Only Gold Coast and Canberra bucked the trend, with modest increases of 500 and 2,300 apartments.

In stark contrast, the Build to Rent (BTR) sector has emerged as a major force in the apartment market, recording a remarkable 378% increase in supply. This growth added 8,590 apartments across the capital cities during FY2021-2025. Melbourne dominated BTR growth with 6,160 additional apartments, while Sydney contributed 2,100 units. Brisbane and Canberra also recorded growth of 800 and 330 apartments respectively. Gold Coast and Perth recorded minor declines, while Adelaide maintained steady levels.

<img alt="BTR CKC" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ca13ffd4-ab93-4828-afd2-4c3dccbd2b51" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-08-20%20at%2011.28.54%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=SXNnpcJuFD36ViWOwF6izBBqcQc3NWao" />

“These preliminary findings indicate a fundamental shift in Australia's apartment development landscape, with traditional Build to Sell models giving way to institutional Build to Rent developments,” said Richard Temlett, Charter Keck Cramer’s National Executive Director of Research.

"This transition reflects changing investor preferences, regulatory environments and housing affordability challenges across major metropolitan areas.”

The complete Charter Keck Cramer National State of the Market Report – Key Metropolitan Areas will provide comprehensive analysis of these trends, their underlying drivers and implications for developers, investors and policymakers when released in September.

Joel Robinson

Build to Sell apartment supply drops 54% in five years across Australian capital cities

Verso Development Group is seeking to bring over 1,100 apartments to the heart of Brisbane's Toowong, with plans filed for a $1 billion, triple tower development known as Toowong Central.

The landmark urban regeneration project "aims to reshape the core of Brisbane’s inner-west riverside suburb."

Covering over 1.4-hectares across&nbsp;Sherwood Road, High Street, and Jephson Street, Toowong Central has been designed by KHA and will comprise three towers rising 49, 55, and 58 levels.

<img alt="Toowong Central" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="48611e3d-7123-4b99-b2cb-bfa4bc98024f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenities.png?VersionId=yKBexB.BgCkq4OET8fHDkWs0d3DjxOKJ" />

According to the Urban Context Report prepared by Urbis, Toowong Central is positioned as a “city-defining precinct reclaiming Toowong as ‘the best destination in the west’,” with a vision to deliver density differently, strengthen Toowong’s identity, and lead subtropical urban design.

There will be a wide range of apartment configurations, from one-bedrooms to five-bedroom penthouses, as well as short-term accomodation offerings. The design prioritises pedestrian permeability, with an activated public realm featuring a central civic plaza, laneways, and street-level retail and dining.

“The central square’s structure, programming, scale and location creates a social anchor - shaped by its edges, flexible for use, and animated by a diversity of experiences throughout the day and into the evening,” the Urban Context Report noted, reinforcing the project's ambition to become a vibrant community destination.

Design excellence was pursued through an international design competition, attracting entries from renowned practices such as UNStudio and BIG. KHA’s winning design distinguished itself with a ceremonial approach to the public realm, integrating terraces, tiered seating, and green infrastructure to promote social interaction and resilience.

The development builds upon two existing approvals: the 25- and 20-storey towers of the Aviary Toowong proposal, and a separate 25- and 24-storey approval at 88 Jephson Street. Consolidation of these fragmented landholdings under a precinct-wide approach allows for increased community value and cohesive urban integration.

Urbis Director Nicholas Stevenson said Toowong Central will bridge the gap in Toowong's current experience, unlocking the potential of the wider precinct.

"Overcoming experiential constraints and leveraging contextual advantages – Toowong Central will redefine Brisbane's inner west.”

<img alt="Toowong Central" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73f7a702-625d-452d-9df2-30a0863ac1e8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/master.png?VersionId=TZdh6wxGC_8IIroXpdkZfuhlS8mFZnea" />

Toowong Central’s ambition extends beyond residential and commercial outcomes. Uses under consideration include a world-class hotel, university facilities, a museum, and health and wellness services, reflecting its role as a western gateway to Brisbane’s growing innovation corridor between the CBD and the University of Queensland.

Urbis Managing Partner James Tuma said Brisbane has no greater opportunity to showcase the future of urban living than Toowong – a sustainable, economically vibrant, and people-centric place that embodies the best of Brisbane.

[The plans] gives us a glimpse into our future as a globally relevant, youthful, entrepreneurial, and distinctly subtropical city.”

$1 billion Toowong Central to deliver 1,100 apartments to undersupplied Brisbane market

In <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/runaway-bay-qld-4216">Runaway Bay</a>, new townhouse-scale waterfront residences are rare - but ones built to the standards found on Sovereign Island are almost unheard of.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/ocean-suites-on-jennifer-10-12-jennifer-avenue-runaway-bay-qld-4216">Ocean Suites on Jennifer</a>&nbsp;changes that, delivering a calibre of construction and detailing that places its seven villas well above the typical market offering in this northern Gold Coast pocket.

Ocean Suites on Jennifer will be move-in ready before Christmas this year, giving buyers the chance to spend the summer on the water in one of Runaway Bay’s rare new waterfront residences.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138718 project_image_fid=214444]

The development is a collaboration between <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/stuart-osman">Stuart Osman Design</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sand-side-developments">Sand Side Developments</a>, with construction by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/alroe-constructions">Alroe Constructions</a>.

Architect Stuart Osman says the intent from the outset was to create a home people would be drawn to. “When you build anything, the design is to make you want to go hang out in this house,” he says.&nbsp;

Ocean Suites on Jennifer’s design features a front façade softened with planter boxes, rear pool areas, and rooftop decks looking over the water.&nbsp;

Inside, voids and high skylights bring daylight deep into the centre of each home, while ceiling heights of 2.85 metres maintain a strong sense of volume.

Each four-level residence spans 345 to 388 sqm, with layouts accommodating multi-generational living - a ground-floor bedroom suite for older family members and upper levels for the rest of the household. A lift connects all floors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138718 project_image_fid=214435]

For Andrew Erwin, Director at NPA, the project’s appeal lies in both its location and the detail in execution.&nbsp;

"At Ocean Suites, you’ve got a canal-front setting with direct Broadwater access and a level of finish you’d normally only see in the city’s most prestigious addresses. The four-level layouts, the glass-framed living areas, the private pools, even the extended kitchens, every part of it has been designed with the buyer in mind,” he says.

Those buyers have so far been a mix of Gold Coast locals and interstate purchasers, many seeking a lock-up-and-leave holiday home or a downsized residence without sacrificing space for visiting family.&nbsp;

Older households with teenage children are a recurring profile, drawn to layouts that support multi-generational living and the ability to host extended stays.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138718 project_image_fid=214432]

Material selection reinforces the project’s quality-first ethos, with every home appointed to a premium standard. Kitchens and ensuites feature engineered stone surfaces, complemented by prestige oak engineered timber floors, Victorian ash hardwood staircases, and soft loop-pile carpet.

Premium lighting, statement pendants, ceiling fans, and Fujitsu ducted air conditioning elevate both comfort and design. Each residence also includes a suite of high-end appliances as standard - Fisher &amp; Paykel integrated fridges, Bosch ovens, induction cooktops and dishwashers, Vintec wine fridges, and Franke sinks.

Beyond the interiors, residents enjoy an enviable lifestyle with rooftop terraces, private plunge pools, fire pit areas, outdoor showers, smart home automation, laundry chutes, and private pontoons.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138718 project_image_fid=214452]

With no additional upgrade costs, Sand Side Developments underscores its no-shortcuts approach, delivering homes where luxury and amenity come as standard.

Osman adds that the kitchen has been designed as “the main hub of the house” with six metres high skylights above a galley-style layout that “makes it feel bigger, brighter, whiter” and “brings light into the centre of the home.”

Both architect and builder emphasise a shared commitment to delivering the intended design without compromise. “Working with Alroe’s structural team and their construction team, it’s been great to make sure that the look and feel that was originally intended is the result achieved at the end of the project,” Osman says.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138718 project_image_fid=214453]

Outdoor living has been given equal consideration, with rooftop terraces designed for entertaining with a fire pit and bar, and spacious undercover patios featuring private plunge pools.

The marine access is as carefully executed as the homes themselves. An eight-metre gangway leads to a six-metre private pontoon capable of mooring vessels up to 30 feet, just 300 metres by water from the Broadwater.&nbsp;

Even the orientation of each villa has been optimised to capture long views down the canal, across the Broadwater, and south to Main Beach.

With construction in its final stages, just three of the seven villas remain, priced from $3.365 million to $3.695 million.

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Sovereign Island standards come to Runaway Bay with Ocean Suites on Jennifer

Without local developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a>, it could be argued that the small suburb of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a> would be left behind when it comes to both new housing and retail opportunities.

Gardner Vaughan, one of South East Queensland’s most reputable builder-developers, has been based in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a> for the last decade. They plan to maintain their presence in the northern <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/brisbane-qld">Brisbane</a> suburb, just seven kilometres from Brisbane Airport and nine kilometres from the city, with the development of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/danby-lane-nundah-village-5-danby-lane-nundah-qld-4012">Danby Lane</a>, the first major project in several years in the heart of the town centre.

GVG will retain one of the commercial spaces in the new mixed-use building for their office headquarters. It will be located in the commercial podium, alongside several other new office spaces. Below will be a street-level retail precinct designed to reinvigorate the local economy, and above, 84 brand-new apartments.

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Over 60 percent of the apartments have already been snapped up, with buyers eager to secure one of the rare new apartments in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a>, as well as to benefit from Gardner Vaughan’s solid reputation and long-standing presence in the local community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112531 project_image_fid=320117]

Gardner Vaughan identified the site at the corner of Buckland Road and Danby Lane for its proximity to key amenities. Within 400 metres of the development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a> Village offers a variety of cafes, restaurants, and pubs. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a> Train Station, just 400 metres away, provides a quick 20-minute train ride into Roma Street.

The development has also attracted young families, drawn to the proximity of not one, but twelve parks, with Boyd Park and Oxenham Park being the most notable. Established families have shown interest due to the close proximity of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a> State School and Mary MacKillop College.

The one- and two-bedroom apartments in the building have already been snapped up, while the larger three- and four-bedroom apartments—ranging from a generous 117 sqm to nearly 200 sqm—remain highly sought after. There are also just three exclusive luxury penthouses left to sell.

With its in-house construction capability, Gardner Vaughan has already commenced construction on-site and expects to complete the building by March 2027. It's hard to see another opportunity to buy brand new in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a>, where creating a site anywhere near the scale of the Danby Lane is becoming more and more difficult.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112531]

Why Danby Lane is the focal point for change in Brisbane's Nundah

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/metro-property-group">Metro Property Group</a>’s flagship townhouse development, Citrine Townhomes in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/rochedale-qld-4123">Rochedale</a>, has reached another key construction milestone, with the first stage of townhouses now in the defects phase.

All building works for Stage 1 are complete, with the internal roads asphalted, line marking finished, and the bin store slab poured.&nbsp;All essential services, including permanent power, sewer, gas, and water, are now connected and operational.

The defects process is expected to continue until late-August.

<img alt="Citrine Townhomes, Rochedale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f48ad1d8-7bb2-424a-a378-2caa4d34c27d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/017%20-%20%20ROLLEY%20PHOTO%20MEDIA%20%20%20-24072025.jpg?VersionId=o5BC3LgYTwxcufsjldO8mkPww3gix1NC" />

Stage 2 is also moving forward steadily, with all townhouses sheeted, the first coat of paint applied, and joinery installed throughout. Tiling has been completed on six of the seven blocks, and the pool is scheduled to be pebblecreted by the end of August.

Stage 3 continues to gather momentum, with external cladding completed on three of the eight blocks. All townhouses have been fully roughed-in for electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning, and the first two blocks have now progressed to internal sheeting.

Stage 1 and 2 are 100 per cent sold and there are now just 10 four-bedroom townhomes left in Stage 3, priced from $1,125,000.

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Residents at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/citrine-townhomes-rochedale-311-gardner-road-rochedale-qld-4123">Citrine Townhomes</a> can also look forward to high-quality shared amenities. The residents' facility will feature a pool, landscaped areas, and a BBQ space, contributing to a lifestyle-focused community environment.

Metro’s fully furnished display home has generated strong interest locally, reinforcing the market’s confidence in the project. Stage 1 and 2 are completely sold out and Stage 3 has officially launched and is selling fast. Just 10 townhouses remain for sale in the development.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136295 project_image_fid=273134]

The broader Citrine development comprises 90 three and four-bedroom townhomes designed across two to three levels, offering a contemporary contrast to Rochedale’s surrounding single-family homes.

Located just 17 km from Brisbane CBD, Citrine is within walking distance to schools, parks, and the popular Rochedale Village, home to Coles, medical services, and dining options.

Metro Property Group remains on track for project completion, with settlements forecast for Stage 1 in October/November 2025, Stage 2 in November/December 2025, and Stage 3 in January/February 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136295]

Mark Baljak

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