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The Royal Society of Victoria has floated an ostentatious bid to deliver Melbourne's tallest skyscraper on one of the city's smallest land plots.

Dubbed 'Magic' the tower is slated to stand at 330 metres, surpassing Eureka Tower at 297 metres and the approved but yet to be built 1 Queensbridge at 323 metres. Decibel Architecture has joined forces with the Royal Society of Victoria to champion the project.

The scheme would be the nation's and the southern hemisphere's tallest skyscraper if realised.

The land area earmarked for the tower is a triangular vacant plot approximately the size of a tennis court on the corner of La Trobe and Victoria streets at the northern tip of the city, directly opposite Carlton Gardens and the Royal Exhibition Building. The development would also serve to allow Royal Society of Victoria to:

<ul>
<li>Support citizen science, technology, and science clubs across Melbourne and Victoria</li>
	<li>Enhance and upgrade the heritage-listed home of the RSV to meet modern accessibility requirements and be fit for the 21st century public engagement required.</li>
	<li>Develop a science engagement centre and science café</li>
	<li>Create a perpetual endowment fund, enabling the RSV’s purpose, projects and awards programs to be supercharged for the next 160 years</li>
</ul>
<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image24_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="RSV's envisaged skyscraper at the northern end of town"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="376" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image24_4.jpg?itok=iQRp8TAs" title="RSV's envisaged skyscraper at the northern end of town" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>RSV's envisaged skyscraper at the northern end of town. Image: Decibel Architecture</figcaption></figure>'Magic' is directly opposite S P Setia's twin-towered Shangri-La Hotel and apartment development at 308 Exhibition Street. When built, both of the towers at S P Setia's project will stand beyond the 200 metre mark in height, yet are comfortably dwarfed by Decibel Architecture's scheme.

Royal Society of Victoria notes that the skyscraper would serve a dual purpose. In addition to allowing for the upgrade of its adjacent home, the tower would also be a showcase for technology.

Decibel Architecture's Dylan Brady <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-12/magic-melbourne-tower-would-be-australias-tallest-building/9754652">said of the team's aspirations</a>:

<blockquote>
We intend to attract the minds of people like Elon Musk, like Richard Branson like Bill Gates, who all have philanthropic-driven understandings of value, who would love a fantastic apartment with a brilliant view knowing that the profit of their apartment is being channelled into the scientists and the science outreach programs of the Royal Society of Victoria for the next 160 years.

This is not a development play, this is not a large corporation making a lot of money and running away, this is a community-driven, purpose project.
</blockquote>

According to the development team the skyscraper is feasible from an engineering perspective, with the next step potentially a tilt at planning approval.

This may prove a more difficult step in the tower's process given the various heritage and planning overlays that would require approval from Heritage Victoria, the Federal Government from an aviation operations standpoint, and the Victorian Government.
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silvermb

Royal Society of Victoria floats a plan for Melbourne's tallest skyscraper 

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Already a prolific developer in the area, Central Equity is preparing to launch what could be Southbank's only new major apartment release for the year.

Central Equity has dubbed 71-87 City Road Focus Apartments and intends to launch the project this year. Registrations are open for the development which will eventually sit at the southern end of Southbank between two hotel developments under construction, namely Holiday Inn Express and Adina Southbank.

<a href="/buildings/focus-melbourne-81-city-road-southbank">Focus Apartments</a> is a 50 level skyscraper that holds approval for just under 600 apartments, split between 252 one, 208 two and 131 three bedroom apartments, with a singular four bedroom apartment capping the project. Central Equity's final apartment balance for the project has yet to be revealed.

Southbank's overall apartment market has seen limited new apartment projects released over the past 18 months due to softening investor demand, although projects such as Palladium Tower and Melbourne Square are still substantial projects in their own right.

<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/image213_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Central Equity's soon to launch City Road development"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="761" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image213_0.jpg?itok=h8fvH5Bh" title="Central Equity's soon to launch City Road development" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Central Equity's soon to launch City Road development</figcaption></figure>Central Equity initially sought to create a larger tower at across 71-87 City Road. When it <a href="/news/central-equity-breaks-the-mould-71-87-city-road-southbank">first hit planning</a> under the design guidance of Doig Architecture it was to have been 67 levels and 225 metres.

The eventual permit at 50 levels saw almost 200 apartments and approximately 75 metres shaved off the tower form. Three years will have passed since its initial planning submission during mid-2015 to when it is launched for sales as Focus Apartments.

Central Equity will target both owner-occupiers and investors for the tower, which includes multiple colour schemes, balconies for each apartment and floor-to-ceiling double glazed windows. Amenities onsite will include a pool, sauna, gym, theatre, resident lounge, and barbeque area whilst concierge services are also intended.

<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_0103_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ground works on Melbourne Grand "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_0103_1.jpg?itok=HQzBk89j" title="Ground works on Melbourne Grand " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ground works on Melbourne Grand</figcaption></figure>With the approaching the launch of Focus Apartments, Apartments.com.au's Project Database shows only 268-274 City Road as Central Equity's sole high-rise project in waiting among a quartet of sizeable apartment towers.

It is an approved Doig Architecture-designed scheme spanning 55 levels or the best part of 190 metres. 475 apartments are included within 268-274 City Road, as it retail at ground level, 215 car spaces, 313 bicycle bays and communal facilities for residents at level 8.

Both City Road projects aside, Central Equity has the remaining two high-rise developments under construction. Southbank Place fronting Kavanagh Street is approximately half height and includes 500 plus apartments, whilst Melbourne Grand on Lonsdale Street is at the very infancy of its construction and includes approximately 650 apartments.

Central Equity also has a number of current land releases in Melbourne's west.
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Central Equity brings its Focus back to Southbank

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Two expanding Sydney suburbs are in the process of attaining planning permits for apartments projects that will further bolster their respective development credentials.

CBD-based Lateral Estate and design firm Urban Link are behind both projects which are currently available for public viewing, yet both projects have taken differing planning paths to date. Lateral Estate during April lodged intentions for a 1,347 square metre site at 32-38 Montgomery Street, Kogarah.

Expected within the Stanisic Architects-designed 13 storey building are 74 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/image178_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="32-38 Montgomery Street, Kogarah. Planning image: Stanisic Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="579" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image178_1.jpg?itok=BoM7zEO6" title="32-38 Montgomery Street, Kogarah. Planning image: Stanisic Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>32-38 Montgomery Street, Kogarah. Planning image: Stanisic Architects</figcaption></figure>Colliers moved the site on late last year via s ales campaign, with the exiting four level commercial and residential building likely to make way for Lateral Estate's development. Carrying a development cost north of $31 million, the project consists of one and two bedroom dwellings.

Also included is an expansive rooftop terrace and staggered green internal courtyard.

Lateral Estate's Kogarah project is in addition to recent apartment developments across Liverpool, Carlingford and Erskenville. The developer also has an extensive list of forthcoming apartment developments, plus a site in Melbourne's Fishermans Bend which is slated to carry a high-rise project.

<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/image180_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="32-38 Montgomery Street, Kogarah. Planning image: Stanisic Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="324" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image180_1.jpg?itok=M7tDdCIr" title="32-38 Montgomery Street, Kogarah. Planning image: Stanisic Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>32-38 Montgomery Street, Kogarah. Planning image: Stanisic Architects</figcaption></figure>Homebush's 40-42 Loftus Crescent has taken a differing planning path, with its latest iteration coming after an initial 2016 submission.

Design practice Urban Link Architects is driving an expanded apartment offering for the project with additional floors boosting the intended apartment count to 88. The development finds itself in an increasingly popular apartment strip around the Loftus Crescent/Bridge Road intersection.

The project's 88 apartments are split between 17 single, 67 double and 4 triple bedroom options, with 12 adaptable apartments rolled into the revised design.

At the time of its submission during 2016 the Homebush application was headed by Multipower Group.

<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/image177.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="40-42 Loftus Crescent, Homebush. Planning image: Urban Link"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="378" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image177.jpg?itok=mtix6JOg" title="40-42 Loftus Crescent, Homebush. Planning image: Urban Link" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>40-42 Loftus Crescent, Homebush. Planning image: Urban Link</figcaption></figure>
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Kogarah and Homebush in line for further apartment projects

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Last week alone three new hotels were confirmed for Melbourne, adding to the seemingly unrelenting boom in hotel development which has and will continue to deliver thousands of new rooms/suites citywide.

Competition between design practices and developers to attract these new hotel operators is intense, and much along the lines of Melbourne's residential market, the competition and desire to discern one development from another has seen hotel design taken strides forward in terms of sophistication.

DKO Architecture is currently enjoying immense success in hotel design, not only locally but on a pan-Asian scale. Of the three hotels revealed last week, DKO is responsible for designing Hyatt Place Melbourne Springvale.

<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/image211_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="DKO Architecture's newly unveiled Springvale influence"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="481" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image211_0.jpg?itok=7mEUKAOn" title="DKO Architecture's newly unveiled Springvale influence" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>DKO Architecture's newly unveiled Springvale influence</figcaption></figure>On the intersection of Springvale, Centre and Dandenong Roads, and situated within the Monash Employment and Innovation Cluster, Hyatt Place Melbourne Springvale will see a 200-key hotel completed by 2020. DKO Architecture's Springvale project is in addition to two Marriott hotels and two boutique hotels under their design control.

Their gaggle of Melbourne hotel projects, which includes a forthcoming Southbank announcement, is in addition to a strong current catalogue of 4-star hotels designs throughout South East Asia and New Zealand.

DKO Architecture have noted that the ability to swiftly adapt to changing user preferences has seen their work in the hotel design field bloom. Their response has been to take a bolder stance regarding hotel design, whilst also "acknowledging and anticipating future design trends in the hotel market."

One such trend has been the rise of the Chinese tourist which continues to propel visitor numbers, whilst also changing the nature of hotel design; DKO Architecture note that a greater emphasis is now placed on food and beverage offerings. In a broader sense, the practice notes that "hotel design trends evolving to become more personalised, connected, and flexible enough to address different cultures with growing tourism."

<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/fourpoint_dko-24645_preview.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fourpoint_dko-24645_preview.jpeg?itok=Afa_bNrB" title="Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
Hotels are incredibly complex buildings as there are so many different components: back of house, front of house, restaurants and bars (that often need to be used in different ways throughout the day). Therefore flexibility of space becomes increasingly important in addressing the needs of different tourism markets such as the Chinese.

Why do we have so much Hotel work? We understand that from a design point of view, the hotel in Docklands needs to feel different to a hotel in South Yarra and through Sydney.

At DKO we have a lot of apartment projects which has translated to apartment/hotels in a single project with serviced apartments. But more and more this is translating to stand alone hotels with increased tourism.
<cite>DKO Architecture’s Principal, Koos de Keijzer</cite>
</blockquote>

The aforementioned food and beverage offerings are pivotal as around 50% of hotel revenue currently being generated is via food and beverage offerings, with predictions seeing that figure rise to 80% by 2020.

Fewer guests are choosing to work in their rooms, leaning toward communal spaces which in part has led to the mushrooming of ancillary revenues. 

<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/image171.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="869" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image171.jpg?itok=K-53BLp5" title="Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
This trend assists with the rising food and beverage revenue. 
From a design perspective, we need to be mindful as to the flexibility of the space. For example, the breakfast space is often hidden away following service then goes into a la carte. Food and Beverage will help create identity for a venue.

It has it owns story, its own aesthetic.
<cite>Michael Drescher, DKO Interior Design Director</cite>
</blockquote>

Hotels have also strayed away from "template-style design" to be more reflective of their locations. 

The hotel room/suite is also experiencing change with DKO Architecture noting that open bathrooms are on the outer, whilst flexibility is key to catering for differing cultural backgrounds. Hand in hand with flexibility is an increased design aesthetic, which in the case of DKO Architecture's recently completed Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands has resulted in a brooding design 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/image167_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Docklands' Four Points by Sheraton interior"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="385" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image167_1.jpg?itok=MCGshUiB" title="Docklands' Four Points by Sheraton interior" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Docklands' Four Points by Sheraton interior</figcaption></figure>
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DKO Architecture on the changing face of hotel design

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Steller's intended development of a low-rise South Melbourne corner site has taken another step closer to fruition with Ewert Leaf producing a new design for 200-204 Wells Street.

What shapes as the first high-rise for both developer and architect is also set to continue the very well established relationship between the duo. The partnership has yielded hundreds of apartments over numerous sites predominantly across Melbourne's South Eastern suburbs.

Steller landed the South Melbourne plot after it was offered for sale via a Lemon Baxter campaign during late 2017. The sale came after approval was granted during June 2017 for an Artisan Architects-designed tower containing 174 apartments.

That scheme included a Gross Floor Area of 21,857 square metres over 20 levels.

<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/image154_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Lemon Baxter's sales image for the Wells street site"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="347" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image154_1.jpg?itok=3stxkgms" title="Lemon Baxter's sales image for the Wells street site" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lemon Baxter's sales image for the Wells Street site</figcaption></figure>Reflective of a number of pending residential towers surrounding Steller's site, the apartment balance has been reworked to better suit current market conditions. The approved 174 apartments are likely to shrink to 84 according to Ewert Leaf, split between 36 single, 36 double and 12 triple bedroom apartments across its 18 levels.

The nearby <a href="/buildings/the-eighth-south-melbourne-22-kings-place-south-melbourne">8 Palmerston Crescent</a> for Crema Group also spans 18 levels and consists of only two and three bedroom apartments. 

The apparent dramatic reduction in Steller's Wells Street apartment numbers can also be attributed to the inclusion of commercial office space and a marked increase in space associated to amenities. Ewert Leaf note the tower's Net Saleable Area as at 6,907 square metres, equating to an average apartment size of just over 82 square metres across 84 apartments.

200-204 Wells Street finds itself on the eastern border of South Melbourne, and is within walking distance to the under construction Anzac Station. The area is becoming increasingly popular with developers owing to its location and abundance of relatively modern low-rise buildings suitable for redevelopment.

<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/1-3-596x727.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ewert Leaf's first high-rise project in the making"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="707" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/1-3-596x727.jpg?itok=CP1gP6dy" title="Ewert Leaf's first high-rise project in the making" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ewert Leaf's first high-rise project in the making</figcaption></figure>Ewert Leaf describes the project as follows:

<blockquote>
The development comprises 84 apartments, 3 levels of office space and 2 levels of shared communal facilities for the residents of the building. These communal facilities include hotel style offerings of pool, day spa, lounges, café, restaurant and private dining options. 

The podium features angled concrete planes, which are glazed or clad with a perforated mesh, creating an undulating form which wraps the corner site and draws your eye around the building.

To emphasise the slenderness of the tower, the form has been broken down into concrete frames which wrap a number of levels, creating a simple and unified form. The concrete is further utilised in a ribbed pattern on the east and west facades.

Perforated mesh screens to the balconies create winter gardens and enable residents to use these spaces all year.
</blockquote>

200-204 Wells Street is Steller's first high-rise pursuit in a catalogue of developments that reaches past 50.

Currently, Apartments.com.au is tracking 30 developments under the Steller umbrella. The Wells Street tower aside, other sizeable pending projects for the developer include <a href="/buildings/13-15-chesterville-road-cheltenham">Chesterville Road</a>, <a href="/buildings/13-15-taylor-street-moorabbin">Taylor Street</a> and Elsternwick's <a href="/buildings/eva-elsternwick-village-apartments-241-glen-huntly-road-elsternwick">Glen Huntly Road</a>.
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Steller and Ewert Leaf combine for a reworked South Melbourne apartment tower

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Footscray's latest apartment tower headed for approval has given cause to assess where exactly the bulk of apartments can be expected within the boom suburb in the years to come.

Much of the development spotlight falls upon Joseph Road Precinct, with the latest development landing on its western boundary. <a href="/new-apartments/7-wightman-street-footscray">7 Wightman Street</a> was recommended for approval earlier this month after a revised application saw its height cut to 14 levels.

The Metaxas Architects-designed tower is likely for a 735 square metre site and could add a further 57 apartments and commercial space to the precinct which to date has approval for 3,786 apartments and an affordable living building at 6 Neilson Place consisting of 60 dwellings.

<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/image123_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="7 Wightman Street by Metaxas Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="358" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image123_1.jpg?itok=pVHsrRfZ" title="7 Wightman Street by Metaxas Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>7 Wightman Street by Metaxas Architects</figcaption></figure>Originally submitted during March 2017, approval was sought for the delivery of an 18 level building consisting of 85 dwellings. In its revised form the tower is near on 60 metres in height and includes 16 one bedroom, 36 two bedrooms and 5 three bedroom apartments.

Adding 7 Wightman Street to all approved developments within the designated urban renewal area thus far, future residents will be spread over nine developments, consisting of 22 separate towers. The tallest is approved at 32 levels, whilst Growland has the highest number of towers in a singular development at 6.

Limited further suitable development land within Joseph Road Precinct suggests it will max out somewhere beyond 4,000 apartments.

Conversely 35 additional apartment and townhouse projects of varying sizes constitute the balance of projects Apartments.com.au is tracking in Footscray outside of Joseph Road Precinct.

<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/image33_5_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Marketing imagery associated with the sale of 10 Moreland Street within Jospeh Road Precinct"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="329" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image33_5_0.jpg?itok=FjL1qmKk" title="Marketing imagery associated with the sale of 10 Moreland Street within Jospeh Road Precinct" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Marketing imagery associated with the sale of 10 Moreland Street within Jospeh Road Precinct</figcaption></figure>These 35 projects stand to add a further 4,155 higher density dwellings to Footscray's residential stock. The majority of these projects spread across the balance of Footscray are small in stature and hold between 12-30 apartments; there are some notable exceptions though.

Biggest of all is R&amp;F Property Australia's <a href="/news/live-city-footscray-begins-construction-pushing-r-fs-current-apartment-pipeline-beyond-3-000">Live City - Kinnears site</a> development which is slated for 1,400 apartments, and is ably supported by future developments such as <a href="/buildings/cowper-residences-footscray-34-cowper-street-footscray">Cowper Residences</a> and <a href="/buildings/b2-72-napier-street-footscray">Napier Street</a> in terms of size.

With Joseph Road Precinct approaching capacity and smaller apartment projects dotting Footscray's periphery, future developments of notable size will for the most be confined to the Barkly Street/Droop Street axis and super sites such as Banco Group's 1.4 hectare former Ryco plot at 11-19 Whitehall Street.

The scheme by JAM Architects (seen below) located on Donald Street just behind Droop Street is one such example of the scale of projects Footscray's core cane expect in the years to come.

<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/image121_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A JAM Architects scheme for Donald Street "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="664" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image121_0.jpg?itok=IjWOYs_O" title="A JAM Architects scheme for Donald Street " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A JAM Architects scheme located just behind Droop Street</figcaption></figure>
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Where Footscray's future 8,000 apartments will be located

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At the turn of the year Apartments.com.au <a href="/news/burbank-advances-plans-for-werribees-riverbend-site">highlighted Burbank's bid to redevelop</a> an underutilised Werribee land tract by way of a multilevel Rothelowman-designed apartment building.

Now dubbed <a href="/buildings/riveredge-59-comben-drive-werribee">RiverEdge</a>, the $47 million development is freshly approved and forms the first phase of Burbank Group's staged development fronting Comben Avenue. The apartments will replace a Wyndham City Council-owned public car park and will be delivered via a development agreement struck between Council and developer.

Construction tenders for the development have been called, and Burbank Group will this month launch the 100 one, two and three bedroom apartments to market. Their project timeline sees construction commencing during 2019, with completion scheduled for late 2020.

<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/image186_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rothelowman's design influence has reached to Werribee"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="621" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image186_2.jpg?itok=TWi6pNWk" title="Rothelowman's design influence has reached to Werribee" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rothelowman's design influence has reached to Werribee</figcaption></figure>RiverEdge also includes two ground floor retail tenancies, car parking across a basement level and above ground, 34 bicycle bays and a rooftop terrace overlooking Werribee River. 

Burbank's associated press release goes on to highlight their satisfaction in contributing to Werribee's transformation:

<blockquote>
Werribee is in the heart of Wyndham, one of Melbourne's fast-growing corridors, and this growth is likely to continue with Werribee’s population expected to increase by around 68 percent to around 70,000 people by 2036. The area is benefiting from significant infrastructure investment including road upgrades, as well as the redevelopment of Wyndham Park and the Riverbank Promenade masterplan, and we’re excited to be part of this revitalisation.

Burbank has been based in Altona in Melbourne’s West since 1983 so we understand the unique urban fabric of Werribee and we’re keen to deliver a project that takes advantage of its surrounding areas.

We’re particularly passionate about the city centre revitalisation and have a proven track record following our partnership with the City of Greater Dandenong and Development Victoria on the Metro Village 3175 project which was part of the Dandenong city centre revitalisation.
<cite>Jarrod Sanfilippo, Manager Director of the Burbank Group</cite>
</blockquote>

RiverEdge and Burbank Group's wider riverfront development form part of a $250 million plan championed by Wyndham City Council that will transform a quartet of Council-owned sites. Among the sites due for redevelopment is Pelligra Group's <a href="/news/synott-street-adds-further-weight-to-werribees-transformation">Synnot Street mixed-use building</a> which will see Holiday Inn gain a Werribee presence.

The pending launch of RiverEdge will be followed by stage two of the project which sees a design team come together later in the year.

<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/image187_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The future Wyndham Park"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="350" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image187_3.jpg?itok=LAzm0m1P" title="The future Wyndham Park" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The future Wyndham Park</figcaption></figure>Stage two will also incorporate a new 8,300 square metre Wyndham City Community Learning Hub over five levels, in addition to hundreds of new apartments. A tower of 20 levels is envisaged as part of the second stage.

Burbank Group's development in its entirety acts as a backdrop (as seen above) to the redevelopment of Wyndham Park. The recreation and events space is considered by Wyndham City Council as being of regional significance and Concept Design approval during March.

Wyndham Park and Burbank Group's emerging precinct lie diagonally opposite one another, separated by the Werribee River.
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Werribee receives a leg-up as Burbank Group moves on RiverEdge

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Gamuda Land has overseen 661 Chapel Street's delivery and will this month welcome the tower's first residents.

The developer's first foray into the Australian market has seen 661 Chapel Street positioned as one of Melbourne's elite residential developments. The flagship project caters specifically for the owner-occupier market, with a pared-back number of apartments plus expansive communal facilities reflective of this.

Sales figures for the project reflect Gamuda Land's positioning of the project; owner-occupier overwhelmingly account for the majority of buyers with 15% of purchasers flowing from New South Wales.

<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_0398.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="661 Chapel Street standing above its neighbours"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="836" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_0398.jpg?itok=Ltxw8r9U" title="661 Chapel Street standing above its neighbours" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>661 Chapel Street standing above its neighbours</figcaption></figure>Gamuda Land initiated its maiden Melbourne project by securing the site along with a permitted Bird de la Coeur Architects-designed scheme, and went about rejigging the internal spaces within the design. In the process, the development's permitted 169 apartments were amalgamated and expanded to yield a final figure of 116.

With the financial weight of parent company Gamuda Berhad behind the project, construction was initiated during April 2016 prior to development's sales campaign; head contractor Crema Constructions and project manager/superintendent PDS Group guided the project to completion one month ahead of schedule.

Gamuda Land's willingness to begin the physical delivery of the project early is now bearing fruit, racking up a string of sales in recent weeks as buyers now have the luxury of inspecting the final product.

Sales for 661 Chapel Street have now surpassed 70%.

<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_0402.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ground level lounge and library"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_0402.jpg?itok=KGXCYUG2" title="Ground level lounge and library" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ground level lounge and library</figcaption></figure>Urban.com.au toured the completed project last week just prior to the initiation of settlements.

A grand porte-cochère leads into the concierge area and a string of communal facilities across the ground floor. In line with the project's stature, the finishes are elegant and spacious, with a collection of artworks curated by Mars Gallery soon to take their place.

Urban.com.au <a href="/news/gamuda-land-engages-mars-gallery-to-curate-661-chapel-st">spoke with Mars Gallery Director Andy Dinan</a> earlier in the year regarding the growing trend of collaborations within shared spaces which has in turn created a growing number of opportunities for artists to be brought on for commissioned work in a curatorial, or consulting role.  661 Chapel Street is very much active in this sense.

The Grand Library, in particular, is an area "designed to capture light and create a sense of calmness." 'The Relic' - a cardboard sculpture with an industrial aesthetic by acclaimed artist Daniel Agdag who works entirely in cardboard and is known for his attention to detail, will feature in this space.

According to Dinan, it was critical that the artworks selected were 'an appropriate fit for the spaces.' In the context of the Grand Library this extended beyond The Relic to the adjoining wall, which will feature a print of a photo by Agdag while a catalogue of his work will also sit within the space.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_0408.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="661 Chapel Street's pool which cantilevers above the Port Cochere"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_0408.jpg?itok=JwbE86T3" title="661 Chapel Street's pool which cantilevers above the Port Cochere" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>661 Chapel Street's pool which cantilevers above the porte-cochère</figcaption></figure>Beyond the statement Grand Library, further amenities include a meeting room, multiple dining areas, cinema, sauna and an outdoor barbeque area. Also present is an extensive wine cellar capable of holding thousands of bottles.

Most impressive though is the cantilevered pool which from below juts out above the project's entrance and frames the 30 level tower form above.

All communal areas and western-facing apartments will maintain unfettered view toward Melbourne's skyline, owing to the adjacent heritage-listed Melbourne High School and sporting oval. The apartments themselves are finished to a high quality and have extracted the most space from the tower's curving form which has resulted in almost triangular living areas.

<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_0412.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A completed apartment interior"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_0412.jpg?itok=YOqJRuI9" title="A completed apartment interior" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A completed 661 Chapel apartment interior</figcaption></figure>Gamuda Land has flagged an announcement and further information regarding 661 Chapel Street's immense penthouse later this month. It is expected the crowning residence will be positioned as one of Melbourne's elite living spaces.

On the back of the success of 661 Chapel Street, Gamuda Land have confirmed they intend to seek out further Melbourne projects. Although no specific sites are in the developer's keep, they continue to run the ruler over prospective projects across Melbourne which would be in line with the standing of the completed South Yarra development.

A push into other Australian markets is also being considered.

<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_0413.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="661 Chapel Street's skyline view is equal to any "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_0413.jpg?itok=YWwKrEkn" title="661 Chapel Street's skyline view is equal to any " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>661 Chapel Street's skyline view is equal to any</figcaption></figure>
</body></html>

Gamuda Land seeks further Melbourne development opportunities as 661 Chapel reaches completion

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The jury for what shapes as Melbourne's largest single phase project has been announced. 

Southbank by Beulah is likely to see over 220,000 square metres of space split between hotel, residential, commercial, entertainment and technological uses. But before the $2 billion plus project can advance the process of selecting a winning design will play out.

Touted as the first major mixed-used design competition of its calibre for Melbourne, Southbank by Beulah will see seven highly credentialed individuals settle upon a winning design.

Jury panel notables include:

<ul>
<li>Jill Garner, Jury Chair and Victorian Government Architect</li>
	<li>Marc-Heinrich Werner, CEO of BMW Group Australia</li>
	<li>Prof Thomas Kvan, former Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Melbourne and the Director of Australian Urban Research Information Network</li>
	<li>Cameron Bruhn, the Editorial Director of Architecture Media</li>
	<li>Adelene Teh and Jiaheng Chan from Beulah International</li>
</ul>
Jill Garner is the headline appointment to the jury. She was the first female to take on the role of Victorian Government Architect and co-founded design practice Garner Davis.

She along with the balance of the jury will choose the successful design partnership that will deliver the mass-scale development of 118 City Road. The prominent 6,191 square metre site which also fronts Southbank Boulevard will see the following firms pitch to win the right to have their names associated with Southbank by Beulah:

<ul>
<li>Bjarke Ingels Group with Fender Katsalidis Architects</li>
	<li>Coop Himmelb(l)au with Architectus</li>
	<li>MAD Architects with Elenberg Fraser</li>
	<li>MVRDV with Woods Bagot</li>
	<li>Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) with Conrad Gargett</li>
	<li>UNStudio with Cox Architecture</li>
</ul>
<h2>Comment</h2>

Beulah international's bid to bring to fruition the Southbank development by way of an invited design competition is undoubtedly a move to generate an air of prestige around the project, which is perfectly fine but it does raise a number of pertinent questions.

In light of other cities such as Sydney maintaining regular design competitions, should design competitions be mandated for all Melbourne projects over a certain value?

Is there any evidence to suggest that design competitions produce better outcomes than what architecture firms currently across Melbourne are capable of producing? Is it merely a grandiose self gesture to implement design competitions?

It could be argued that an increased number of design competitions and review panels could lift design standards for new buildings, but is this not already achieved via the standard planning channels that are arguably more rigorous across Melbourne than elsewhere.

Here in Melbourne, a design competition looks to be as much a marketing tool as a vital mechanism in the pursuit of design excellence. 
</body></html>

Southbank by Beulah gains its design jury; should they become commonplace?

<html><body>
Darlinghurst design practice Cottee Parker JPRA has emerged as the successful firm behind developer Landmark Group Australia's latest Sydney apartment project.

Having entered planning during mid April, the application seeks to transform an underutilised Waterloo site into an enclave of 139 apartments. Holding an estimated development cost in excess of $43 million, the intended project consists of two mid-rise residential buildings across an expansive 4,980 square metre site.

Adjoining a mid-rise residential build recently completed by Henley Constructions, the existing low-rise commercial complex onsite would be make way for Landmark Group's development.

The site in question was offered for sale via a Colliers International campaign held during late 2017. Stage 1 Development Approval was already in place, allowing for a Total Gross Floor Area of 10,956 square metres for the site which forms part of the burgeoning Green Square Town Centre precinct.

<h2>219-231 Botany Road, Waterloo 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/image170.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The development's intended courtyard. Image: Cottee Parker JPRA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="281" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image170.jpg?itok=qzn__Y5B" title="The development's intended courtyard. Image: Cottee Parker JPRA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The development's intended courtyard. Image: Cottee Parker JPRA</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Site area: 4,979.8sqm with 1 frontge</li>
	<li>Part 6, part 7 storey development: 21.7m at highest point</li>
	<li>139 apartments: 51 x 1BR / 69 x 2BR / 19 x 3BR</li>
	<li>115 car parking spaces over 2 basement levels</li>
	<li>2 retail tenacies: 255sqm</li>
	<li>In excess of 800sqm of common green areas</li>
	<li>Proposed FSR 2.19</li>
	<li>Proposed GFA: 10,885sqm</li>
</ul>
A range of apartment formats are included within the proposal, ranging between 50-99 square metres. Each building can expect between 5 and 8 dwellings per floor.

At ground level an expansive garden area is situated between the proposal's respective building wings, with further deep planting and open lawn areas expected along the western boundary of the site.  A public art wall will be integrated as part of the Botany Road frontage.

For Landmark Group the Waterloo application shapes as their latest in a 20 year development history, and adds to the <a href="http://landmarkgr.com/our-projects/">numerous projects</a> the developer has undertaken in recent times.

<h2>Cottee Parker JPRA succeed</h2>

A quartet of architecture firms vied for the Botany Road site via an invited design competition; they were DKO Architecture,  WMK Architects and PBD Architects along with Cottee Parker JPRA.

The competitive design process saw Cottee Parker JPRA succeed due to their scheme which was judged to best demonstrate the ability to achieve design excellence. Cottee Parker JPRA was also the only submission "where the advice and input of a Landscape Architect was apparent in the overall resolution of the project".

The proposals which failed to make the cut varied significantly from one another. WMK Architecture's scheme presented as almost corporate in style to Botany Road, with heavy reliance upon brick finishes for internal facing facades.

PBD Architects' scheme was heavily reliant upon horizontal bands whilst DKO Architecture's was atypical in that vaulted archways were a clear design highlight to Botany Road.

<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/image174_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="WMK above, PBD and DKO's arched concept"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="555" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image174_0.jpg?itok=lzSs6uJo" title="WMK above, PBD and DKO's arched concept" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>WMK above, PBD and DKO's arched concept</figcaption></figure>
</body></html>

Landmark Group aligns with Cottee Parker JPRA for its upcoming Waterloo development

<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

Mark Baljak

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