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Lendlease has scored a blue chip tenant for Melbourne Quarter, with financial services giant  AMP signing on.

No stranger to Docklands, AMP will take 9,720sqm of space within the currently under construction One Melbourne Quarter on 699 Collins Street. AMP already maintains a sizeable presence at 750 Collins Street within the wider Batman's Hill precinct.

Already tethered to the new 13-storey commercial tower are engineering firm Arup and Lendlease itself, with the project acting as the developer/builder's Victorian headquarters.

<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_9620.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="One Melbourne Quarter's October construction progress. "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="382" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_9620.jpg?itok=LUu1craT" title="One Melbourne Quarter's October construction progress. " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>One Melbourne Quarter's October construction progress.</figcaption></figure>The tower is currently midway through its structural phase, and is slated for completion during September 2018. As part of the first commercial tower's delivery, a sky park will be built and will look over Collins Street, providing a much needed burst of greenery to this section of Batman's Hill.

Ultimately the precinct will include extensive open public spaces plus 40 new retail shops and cafes/restaurants. Aside from the 24,000sqm plus of premium office space within 699 Collins Street, future Melbourne Quarter commercial towers at 681 Collins Street and 691 Collins Street are expected to add a further 104,000sqm of space to the area.

Commenting on AMP's move, Lendlease’s Managing Director for Urban Regeneration and Infrastructure Development, Mark Menhinnitt understands that Melbourne Quarter is competing against a raft of commercial proposals in Melbourne's CBD.

<blockquote>
Signing a blue-chip tenant like AMP to join us in the heart of the Southern Cross precinct demonstrates how this project promises to revitalise Melbourne’s corporate identity. One Melbourne Quarter brings together the latest thinking in sustainability and technology, offering businesses new, collaborative ways of working with a genuine focus on employee health and wellbeing.

More than half the precinct is dedicated to open green space including a Skypark, an elevated new public park on Collins Street that has been a key draw card for businesses. Following AMP’s commitment, One Melbourne Quarter will have only one more floor to lease, reflecting the strong market interest in the project.
</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/image2mq.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Lendlease's vision for Melbourne Quarter"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="366" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image2mq.jpg?itok=-5tFHQDU" title="Lendlease's vision for Melbourne Quarter" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lendlease's vision for Melbourne Quarter</figcaption></figure>According to Lendlease, the Denton Corker Marshall-designed One Melbourne Quarter will target leading sustainability outcomes in water consumption, waste management, and indoor environmental quality.  A 6 Star Green Star rating and a 5 star NABERS energy rating is the expected outcome.

The pending two commercial towers are designed to be considerably taller than One Melbourne Quarter. All in all 12,000 workers are expected across the three towers once Melbourne Quarter's commercial component is complete.

681 Collins Street was granted a permit during March of this year and is now in the pool of potential projects seeking a pre-commitment whilst 691 Collins Street is still being assessed by the Planning Minister's office, having been submitted during June.
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silvermb

Lendlease woos AMP to Melbourne Quarter

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What was appearing across Melbourne's skyline a decade ago?

There certainly wasn't the stupendous number of high-rise towers or low-rise apartment apartment buildings at construction relative to today, but nonetheless a robust construction sector was churning out a respectable number of new and interesting projects.

See below a retrospective construction overview at this corresponding period a decade ago.

<h2><a href="/new-apartments/docklands-vic-3008">Docklands</a></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/image110y.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Docklands was a hive of construction activity, and still is"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="289" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image110y.jpg?itok=A6T7C5Nh" title="Docklands was a hive of construction activity, and still is" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Docklands was a hive of construction activity, and still is.</figcaption></figure>The then National Foods had its new headquarters taking shape at 737 Bourke Street whilst AXA Australia's adjoining campus-style development at 750 Collins Street was nearing construction completion. It's fair to say that upon completion neither were aesthetically astonishing buildings.

Victoria Harbour also kept construction rolling in the latter stages of 2007; the most notable build was ANZ's new global headquarters at 833 Collins Street. In a nice piece of symmetry their new tower adjoining 833 Collins Street is at roughly the same level of construction a decade later.

Digital Harbour was also tasting construction with then contractor Baulderstone working on the modest Life.Lab building. It feels like preciously little has occurred within Digital Harbour since.

<h2><a href="/new-apartments/melbourne-vic">Inner city</a></h2>

Some key projects were on the go in inner Melbourne during late 2007, and none were more noteworthy than the expansion of 'Jeff's Shed.' Once more, a decade later and another expansion of the complex is in progress.

<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/image310y.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The MECC expansion during 2007"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="219" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image310y.jpg?itok=cOXAc-NY" title="The MECC expansion during 2007" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The MECC expansion during 2007.</figcaption></figure>Neo 200 was nearing construction completion, thus taking its place as one of the CBD's early residential towers; how residential living through the CBD has flourished since. <a href="/builders/multiplex">Multiplex</a> was pushing through with the dual-towered commercial-oriented CBW development fronting Bourke and William, with 79,500sqm on its way to being delivered.

<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/stc_20070908.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A sought after Melbourne address in the making"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="436" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/stc_20070908.jpg?itok=d-Y5iCp_" title="A sought after Melbourne address in the making" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A sought after Melbourne address in the making.</figcaption></figure><a href="/developers/salta-properties">Salta</a> was also working on what would become one of Melbourne's most sought after addresses, namely 150 Clarendon Street in <a href="/new-apartments/east-melbourne-vic-3002">East Melbourne</a>.

<h2>A St Kilda Road marvel</h2>

The curves that made Balencia an eventual award-winning design were nowhere to be seen during 2007; the <a href="/developers/sunland-group">Sunland Group</a>/<a href="/developers/pellicano-group">Pellicano Group</a> joint venture's core was barely above ground.

In time it too would become one of Melbourne's most sought after addresses. Post its completion, Balencia would go on to win awards such as The Australian Institute of Architects Frederick Romberg Award for Residential Architecture - Multiple Housing for the year 2009.

<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/image710y.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Construction and the finished product. Image: RealestateVIEW"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="228" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image710y.jpg?itok=425jlSzZ" title="Construction and the finished product. Image: RealestateVIEW" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Construction and the finished product. Image: RealestateVIEW.</figcaption></figure><h2>
<a href="/new-apartments/south-yarra-vic-3141">South Yarra</a> in vogue</h2>

Much can change in a decade in South Yarra. After a period of inactivity, 2007 witnessed works begin in earnest on South Yarra's premier development site. 

It would become Vogue South Yarra, the suburb's tallest, and it still remains so. That mantle though will in time go to <a href="/buildings/capitol-grand-241-toorak-road-south-yarra">Capitol Grand</a> which is on its way to becoming suburban Melbourne's tallest at 50 levels and 178 metres.

<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/image1010y.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Vogue and a render of its successor, Capitoal Grand. Images: Buchan Group and Multiplex"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="329" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image1010y.jpg?itok=LOvZUsQ7" title="Vogue and a render of its successor, Capitoal Grand. Images: Buchan Group and Multiplex" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Vogue and a render of its successor, Capitoal Grand. Images: Buchan Group and Multiplex.</figcaption></figure><h2>Greater Melbourne</h2>

A building that would become a contender for the worst in Melbourne for both design and construction longevity began its move upward during late 2007. <a href="/new-apartments/brunswick-vic-3056">Brunswick's</a> 108 Union Street is abysmal in just about every way and speaks of a period where design sophistication was not what it is now.

<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/image1410y.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="U108 began in earnest during 2007. Image: RealestateVIEW"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="200" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image1410y.jpg?itok=5R9cmdZU" title="U108 began in earnest during 2007. Image: RealestateVIEW" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>U108 began in earnest during 2007. Image: RealestateVIEW.</figcaption></figure>Doncaster Hill's Westfield was in the midst of a truly massive construction programme, with only Eastland's expansion matching the project for sheer size in the past decade. Nearby in <a href="/new-apartments/box-hill-vic-3128">Box Hill</a> and the Eastern Health building was tasting low-rise expansion; in a sign of how rapidly the design and planning landscape has changed, Epworth Eastern is now pushing for high-rise tower in close proximity to the Eastern Health building.

Closer to the city and The Well in <a href="/new-apartments/camberwell-vic-3124">Camberwell</a> was at construction. A decade on and the mixed-use development still remains one of the few major projects to be built in the suburb, with Aerial Camberwell being the obvious exception.

<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/wdx_20070913.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="But a few of the cranes utilised on Westfield Doncaster"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="412" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/wdx_20070913.jpg?itok=15blZsLu" title="But a few of the cranes utilised on Westfield Doncaster" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>But a few of the cranes utilised on Westfield Doncaster during 2007.</figcaption></figure>
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Melbourne under construction - a decade ago

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Growland has sought to increase the size of all bar one of the six tower than constitutes their <a href="/buildings/victoria-square-8-hopkins-street-footscray">Victoria Square development</a>.

Hand in hand with the developer revealing it had <a href="https://urban.melbourne/development/2017/09/12/growland-aims-local-buyers-victoria-squares-second-stage-launched">effectively sold out the Footscray project's first tower release</a> during September, a revised planning application was put before Maribyrnong City Council seeking to add between 4-5 levels across five separate buildings. The revised application also sees a near fourfold increase in commercial space across the development.

Currently, Growland are pursuing sales for Victoria Square's most recently released tower which has been dubbed VS02.

<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/image1kud.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A new Dynon Road perspective. Planning image: KUD"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image1kud.jpg?itok=hHKeQXZh" title="A new Dynon Road perspective. Planning image: KUD" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A new Dynon Road perspective. Image: Scharp</figcaption></figure>Under plans currently on display with Maribyrnong City Council, the tallest tower across the development would increase from 24 to 28 levels. It along with the adjoining and unchanged 24 level building constitute Stage 1 of Victoria Square, and are defined by their white horizontal exterior.

The remaining four towers across Stages 2 and 3 are all earmarked for an additional five levels of apartment living. Stage 2's blue-glazed towers front Hopkins Street whilst the development's envisaged final release includes twin 19 level towers across the site's northern perimeter.

An increase in office space from 887sqm to 3,164sqm across Stage 2 is a concession to the objectives within the Footscray Metropolitan Activity Centre framework, which seeks a diversified land use within the wider Joseph Road Precinct.

All in all Victoria Square's final outcome would see as many as 1,066 apartments delivered, plus the aforementioned 3,164sqm of office space and over 2,700sqm of retail space spread across 20 separate retail tenancies. 

<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/image4_18.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A new vista beckons for Footscray. Planning image: KUD"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="361" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image4_18.jpg?itok=cFLr5PL8" title="A new vista beckons for Footscray. Planning image: KUD" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A new vista beckons for Footscray. Image: Scharp</figcaption></figure>The project's exterior continues to evolve as well, as described by Kavellaris Urban Design within the planning documents:

"The three separate stages incorporate the swaying/shifting floor plates as a common architectural language but have differing material palettes. The central towers (stage 1) incorporate a solid expression of white concrete and perforated metal screens, whereas stage 2 and 3 (southern and northern respectively) incorporate a lighter reflective glass language.

Both stage 1 and 2 towers share a singular podium built form which incorporates a landscaped terrace at the roof level. The podium has been designed to capture the various curvilinear architectural expressions and explores suburban parks and public spaces typologies.:

Imagery created by design agency Scharp also points toward the impending bulk headed for the wider Joseph Road Precinct. Should it be approved, Victoria Square's tallest tower at 28 levels would still be shadowed by taller towers already approved for the urban renewal area.
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Growland pushes Footscray's Victoria Square to new heights

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City of Melbourne intentions for a reimagined University Square are now available for viewing. The significant piece of public space at 190-192 Pelham Street is in line to receive a total makeover, bringing the green landscape into a 21st century.

With the surrounding area rapidly bulking up and receiving a new Metro line and station, City of Melbourne's long held plans for the site have taken on added impetus. This is doubly so given that 40% of Elms which form part of University Square have reached the end of their useful life expectancy.

In partnership with the University of Melbourne and the Victorian Government, the reworked University Square is now in its third phase of consultancy, which was submitted for consideration during September. They were promptly placed on <a href="http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/building-and-development/property-information/planning-building-registers/Pages/town-planning-permits-register-search-results.aspx?appid=282456">public display</a>.

<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/image39_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Enhanced green spaces for University Square"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="247" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image39_8.jpg?itok=kn2y49GC" title="Enhanced green spaces for University Square" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Enhanced green spaces for University Square</figcaption></figure><h2>Lord Mayor Robert Doyle's take on the project</h2>

<blockquote>
To recognise the Square’s role and location as a gathering space for residents, students, visitors and workers, the University Square Master Plan has drawn on extensive community feedback to guide the design of this space; to craft a 21st century park.

We want to create a larger park and make the landscape more user friendly and engaging. Over time, many of the elm trees at University Square have declined; a legacy of the drought from 1998 to 2007.

In response we will increase the tree canopy and species diversity by planting more than 250 climate-appropriate trees and add a rich understorey, while preserving the Square’s existing trees during transition. In the years ahead we can look forward to a new urban forest and the new avenues that will emerge for future generations of Melburnians to enjoy.

In addition to creating vibrant social spaces that respond to the needs of our community, we will increase the size of University Square, create new plazas and activity areas, capture stormwater, install solar energy and WiFi.
</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/image43_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="An aerial of University Square's development zones"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="350" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image43_6.jpg?itok=lRlyIpwn" title="An aerial of University Square's development zones" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>An aerial of University Square's development zones</figcaption></figure>University Square's redevelopment can be broadly broken down into the following categories:

<ul>
<li>1 - Planning for trees: Create a new urban forest at University Square, with the addition of almost 250 new trees</li>
	<li>2 - Barry Street new park spaces: Increase the size of the square by closing Barry Street to traffic and car parking</li>
	<li>3 - Leicester Street road within a park: Reduce the width of Leicester Street and maintain northbound traffic only to retain essential bus services, bicycles, and traffic while enlarging the square</li>
	<li>4 - Plaza and Grattan Street: Build a new heart for University Square in a re-designed plaza. New features include diverse trees and gardens, a recessed basketball half-court, table tennis and chess boards</li>
	<li>5 - Water Terrace A transition from the Plaza to The Green will be created with a Water Terrace. The new space will include trees, gardens and aquatic plantings with a focus on water</li>
	<li>6 - The Green: Expand and improve the square’s much-loved lawn area</li>
	<li>7 - Pelham Street park front and biodiversity corridor: Replace the current single central entrance with a new park entrance and address at Pelham Street. Pelham Street itself will be transformed into a green corridor linking University and Lincoln squares</li>
	<li>Creating social spaces: Design and locate park elements that meet the needs of social, accessible and connected spaces in the new park including seating</li>
	<li>Building a living laboratory: Provide opportunities and infrastructure that encourages research and prototyping in fields such as alternative energy sources, biodiversity, air quality and heat-island-effect</li>
	<li>Integrated public art vision: Integrate art into University Square from the design phase through a strategic creative vision that enables art to be a fundamental component of the site’s design</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/image44_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The planned Water Terrace"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="419" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image44_2.jpg?itok=9uxtO-9T" title="The planned Water Terrace" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The planned Water Terrace</figcaption></figure>Whilst the application for a planning permit plays out, City of Melbourne are preparing top implementation certain aspects of the Master Plan.

The first stage of University Square's redevelopment will see both Leicester Street and Pelham Street come in for some attention. Sections of Leicester Street adjacent to University Square will be demolished in favour of a new 5m wide north-bound lane and dedicated bicycle path/pedestrian thoroughfare.

Pelham Street, on the other hand, will receive a new park entrance and pedestrian crossings, plus new garden beds and seating, whilst also relocating the temperance fountain to the new Pelham Street entrance.
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University Square goes ultra green 

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Fueled by an investor-driven market, the CBD and Southbank ruled the apartment sales market over recent years. That was then, but now the mantle rests with Melbourne's inner eastern suburbs, where developers have jumped upon a recurring project format which gives their project the greatest chance of success.

Low-rise developments with spacious apartments designed for the owner-occupier. Simple really?

Simple or otherwise, the proliferation of low-rise three to five level apartment buildings in suburbs such as Hawthorn, Malvern and Glen Iris demonstrates the strong consumer uptake of projects which shy away from smaller, investor-driven apartment formats. 21 Riversdale Road is the most recent example of the strength of the inner east apartment market.

Agent Marshall White Projects has just revealed they signed off on $12 million in sales during a single day for the luxury residential project in Hawthorn which features 22 oversized apartments. This high mark was achieved one month prior to the project’s public launch and before any sales or marketing material was made available.

The $32 million project is being developed by Moda, whilst Ewert Leaf undertook the design; the practice has made a habit of creating highly successful low-rise apartment schemes in Melbourne's southern and eastern suburbs for some time now.

Director of Marshall White Projects, Leonard Teplin denotes 21 Riversdale Road's features which are apparent across many of the current batch of apartment projects in Melbourne's east - oversized, light-filled apartments with high-quality finishes, designed to attract the owner occupiers and the ability customise floor plans to create larger apartments.

95% of the early purchasers were local downsizers from either Stonnington and Boroondara.

<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/image5mwh21_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="21 Riversdale Road's open plan living space. Image: Marshall White Projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="390" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image5mwh21_0.jpg?itok=VdclnC0a" title="21 Riversdale Road's open plan living space. Image: Marshall White Projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>21 Riversdale Road's open plan living space. Image: Marshall White Projects</figcaption></figure><h2>Commentary by Leonard Teplin</h2>

<blockquote>
The success of a project is dependent on its ability to understand the needs of the market and deliver a product that not only meets, but exceeds those needs.

21 Riversdale Road is a prime example of what happens when developers get it right – when you create a quality project and invest the time and resources early on, the development speaks for itself and you end up spending less on sales and marketing down the track.

Projects located within Melbourne’s wealth belt affords the benefits of connectivity and proximity to lifestyle amenities, while also offering the quiet leafy streets that are favoured by the downsizer market.
</blockquote>

<h2>The format for success</h2>

Assessment of the Apartments.com.au Project Database shows the strength on the low-rise luxury apartment market through the inner eastern suburbs.

Adding locales such as Camberwell, Hawthorn East, Kew, Malvern East and Toorak to the aforementioned suburbs Hawthorn, Malvern and Glen Iris reveals a clear cut penchant for low-rise apartment projects. Across these 8 suburbs, 136 apartment projects are in various stages of development, and of those only 27% have six or more levels.

Restrictive planning controls coupled with the target market's appetite of low-rise luxury living across Stonnington and Boroondara in particular is plain to see.

<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/image34_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A sample of current apartment project in Melbourne's inner east"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="467" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image34_11.jpg?itok=6OutAFXr" title="A sample of current apartment project in Melbourne's inner east" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A sample of current apartment project in Melbourne's inner east</figcaption></figure>
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Melbourne's inner east keeps the apartment light burning bright

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Fishermans Bend's overall development activity has slowed almost to the point of stagnation over the past year, as the collective development industry waits for the release of the draft framework for the urban renewal area.

In the shadows of the State Government announcement of these permanent planning controls, the three prospective projects below have in one way, shape or form broken the quiet spell of development related news within Fishermans Bend over recent days.

<h2>272-280 Normanby Road</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/image15norma.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Slightly varying designs for Normanby Road. Planning images: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="237" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image15norma.jpg?itok=P-eoi8QQ" title="Slightly varying designs for Normanby Road. Planning images: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Slightly varying designs for Normanby Road. Planning images: Hayball</figcaption></figure>A reworked design for 280 Normanby Road Pty Ltd's intended tower has gone before City of Port Phillip, with Council's October report on the project still recommending that it does not support the application in its current form. The 40 level mixed-use development was previously considered by Council during August 2016.

Included within the current scheme are 289 apartments (down from 396), an affordable housing component, 5 retail tenancies, 4 commercial tenancies, resident amenities and a 342sqm ground floor level community room. A through block link between Normanby Road and Munro Street along is also on the agenda.

"The amended plans satisfactorily address a number of Council concerns with the original application regarding tower setbacks, loading bay design, car park layout...but does not meet the new Local Policy for employment or affordable housing. The amended plans do not respond to Council concerns regarding tower height, and changes to the podium and tower façade treatments.

Council indeed want the tower dropped to 35 levels at the most, regardless of the fact it's in a 40 level height limit area.

Aesthetically the tower has seen its design merits lessened somewhat with its exterior simplified relative to earlier versions of the Hayball-designed tower, with Minister Wynne to have the final say on the tower.

<h2>68 Buckhurst Street </h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image13buck.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="South Melbourne's latest site up for purchase. Images: Colliers"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="225" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image13buck.jpg?itok=YeXWBqUm" title="South Melbourne's latest site up for purchase. Images: Colliers" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>South Melbourne's latest site up for purchase. Images: Colliers</figcaption></figure>The right to deliver 1,000 plus apartments is in the offing, with Colliers &amp; Savills jointly listing for sale one of Fishermans Bend's largest development sites.

Approval is in place for a quartet of Fender Katsalidis Architects-designed residential towers, installing 68 Buckhurst Street as one of the urban renewal area's largest permitted sites to be offered for sale. As many as 1,004 apartments can be realised under the permit, with the ability to have the project delivered over stages likely to be an attractive selling point.

Spanning 9,478sqm, 68 Buckhurst Street's design outcome supersedes earlier versions for the site; one of which included 1,312 apartments, 1,055 bicycle bays and 772 car parking spaces.

Prospective buyers have until November 2nd to submit their Expression of Interest for the site which is in close proximity to the currently under construction South Melbourne Primary School.

<h2>2-28 Montague Street</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image16cymazda.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Movement on the Mazda site. Image: McGlashan Everist"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="348" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image16cymazda.jpg?itok=G8SkB294" title="Movement on the Mazda site. Image: McGlashan Everist" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Movement on the Mazda site. Image: McGlashan Everist</figcaption></figure>Developer Tim Gurner last week flagged the likelihood of 2-28 Montague Street heading down the path of redevelopment in the medium term.

GURNER's acquisition of the 10,000sqm island site will eventually lead to a $1.5 billion mixed-use, multi-tower project which is weeks away from planning submission. Having used COX Architecture on a number of current projects within City of Yarra, GURNER has again turned to the design practice for the Montague Street project.

Surrounded by a variety of towers which are at planning or approved, 2-28 Montague Street is expected to house thousands of apartments, childcare facilities, serviced apartments, a 4.5 star hotel, commercial office space and over 9,000sqm of retail space.

<blockquote>
We are very keen to play an important role in Melbourne’s regeneration and the evolving urban landscape, so this represents an opportunity for us to really sink our teeth into urban renewal. The size of this site is aligned with our vision to create projects that are iconic and recognised both around Australia and internationally.

Our focus will be to price the first few stages strategically, offering a high-end product at an affordable price, so that we can quickly move through to construction of the ground level retail plane, and start contributing to the area’s regeneration as soon as possible
<cite>Tim Gurner: GURNER founder and director</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
The site will be the ‘front row’ not only for excellence in architecture but also in how an activated groundplane will weave together old and new, providing amenity and a genuine magnet for the surrounding neighbourhoods even beyond the building.

The location will provides the benchmark, the precedent and the catalyst for the link between the rejuvenated South Melbourne and newly envisioned Fishermans Bend precinct.
<cite>Philip Rowe: director of Cox Architecture.</cite>
</blockquote>
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Fishermans Bend's development scene rumbles back to life

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Based on the flow of planning applications into Oakleigh, the suburb was identified by Apartments.com.au as <a href="/news/pellicano-group-cements-oakleigh-as-an-upcoming-apartment-hotspot">an emerging apartment hot spot</a> at the turn of 2016.

Oakleigh's apartment-driven regeneration has now taken a step forward with the official launch of another major apartment project. Mount Waverley-based developer Pellicano has pulled the trigger on Alke, their latest residential project that will add 89 dwellings along Oakleigh's Atherton Road.

With an end value of $53 million, Alke is the result of a stint at planning which culminated with a win for Pellicano at VCAT.

Subsequent to the project's approval, Pellicano chose to drop the number of apartments within Alke from 115 to 89, in order to provide larger dwellings and better meet local demand stemming from Oakleigh and surrounding suburbs.

<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/image6alke.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Oakleigh's new edition - Alke."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="327" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image6alke.jpg?itok=dPCmYhPe" title="Oakleigh's new edition - Alke." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Oakleigh's new edition - Alke.</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
Oakleigh holds a great significance to Pellicano and we want to uphold our history by bringing a more premium product to the area, adding value to the urban context and providing long-term, quality homes for its inhabitants.

These generously sized and well-designed apartments provide a great opportunity for contemporary, community-focused living within an established neighbourhood. Due to the area’s rich history and strong community, we are seeing a lot of interest from local downsizers and local first home buyers.

Many second and third-generation Europeans, who want to stay in their established community and continue to enjoy the abundant amenity but without the hassle of looking after a large family home, are looking to move into these larger, well-appointed apartments. The local primary schools and close links to relatives also make it attractive for the young families looking for a home.
<cite>Nando Pellicano: Pellicano managing director</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
Our interior arm created a scheme that offers residents the opportunity to express their own personality though the selection of furniture, artwork, and accessories.

The communal areas are light-filled and landscaped with vegetation, offering spaces for social interaction or quiet respite, and adding to the quality of life for Alke residents.
<cite>Tristan Wong: SJB director</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image5alke.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Alke's finer street level treatment"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="725" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image5alke.jpg?itok=QHCrUUru" title="Alke's finer street level treatment" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Alke's finer street level treatment</figcaption></figure><h2>The design</h2>

After various planning machinations, architecture firm SJB has settled Alke's design; two six level buildings set above a common podium level sweep away from one another, with a low-rise third building also part of the development.

Each building consists between 14-45 apartments, with the larger buildings bisected by a podium top communal garden space. Externally the project is finished in brick snap panels which speaks to Oakleigh's traditional housing finish, floor to ceiling glazing and perforated metal screens for shading and privacy.

Internally Pellicano have split the 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments into different categories; Garden Loft Residences, Terrace Homes and 3 bedroom Penthouse sized residences. Interior schemes carry timber floorboards, contrasting lines plus soft grey and white colour schemes with an overtone of industrial detailing.

The almost ubiquitous trendy cafe will also account for Alke's retail 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/image7alke.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Alke's communal terrace"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="327" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image7alke.jpg?itok=N2_Xd7w6" title="Alke's communal terrace" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Alke's communal terrace</figcaption></figure><h2>Oakleigh bulks up</h2>

Alke joins Oros as projects currently at sales within Oakleigh. 

Oros will eventually become a sprawling development accounting for a 9,605sqm site fronting Dandenong Road; its 348 apartments are joined by a serviced apartment contingent and in excess of 2,000sqm of retail space. Conversely Alke is more conservative in scale and closely cited to Oakleigh's retail and commercial heart, plus Oakleigh Station.

Combined they will add 400 plus apartments to the suburb which has only one considerable apartment project approaching construction completion, namely 8 Degrees at 83 Drummond Street which consists of 54 apartments.
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Alke adds another buyer option to the strengthening Oakleigh apartment market

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Prospective Kensington development sites continue to drift toward higher density residential outcomes. 

The latest to do so is Naser Group's 347-367 Macaulay Road which is now at planning, with the developer hoping to create 55 overly large two and three bedroom apartments within a new C-shaped, six-storey building. The site itself is currently home to an ordinary single storey warehouse which abuts the mid-rise Kensington Warehouse Apartments complex to the south.

Designed by Pitch Architecture + Developments, 347-367 Macaulay Road draws heavily upon the area's brick warehouse heritage, which is evident across the design's lower levels. Grimbos Building surveyors is also associated with the project.

Received by City of Melbourne during August, Pitch Architecture + Developments refer to the project as <a href="http://pitchad.com.au/sky-house/">Sky House</a> on their website, perhaps indicating the name that the project will carry down the track.

<h2>347-367 Macaulay 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/image11_19.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Macaulay Road perspective. Planning image: Pitch Architecture + Developments"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="330" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image11_19.jpg?itok=HEqOegS1" title="Macaulay Road perspective. Planning image: Pitch Architecture + Developments" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Macaulay Road perspective. Planning image: Pitch Architecture + Developments</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Site area: 2,011sqm with 55m main street frontage</li>
	<li>Proposed 6 level building</li>
	<li>55 dwellings: 23 x 2BR, 32 x 3BR</li>
	<li>Estimated cost of development: $26 million</li>
	<li>103 car parking spaces and 55 bicycles across two basement levels</li>
</ul>
<h2>Naser/Nascon expanding</h2>

347-367 Macaulay Road is the latest project for Naser Group Property, who's director Mohammed Naser is also director of Nascon Group.

Combined the two property entities have developed a string of apartment projects across Melbourne. Most recently completed was Ivanhoe's The Orchard which holds 39 apartments, with Fitzroy North's Fitz &amp; Co and <a href="/new-apartments/moore-21-moore-street-moonee-ponds">Moore Apartments</a> in Moonee Ponds both currently under construction.

After a long stint at planning Nascon Group also successfully gained a mid-2017 permit to develop an <a href="/new-apartments/21-yarra-street-heidelberg">88-apartment, Artisan Architects-designed tower</a> in the heart of Heidelberg.

347-367 Macaulay Road adds to the Naser Group/Nascon Group stable, but distinguishes itself by intending to add larger than average apartments to Kensington. Smallest sized apartments within the proposal begin at 73sqm internal, with the largest loft apartment covering 162sqm of internal 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/image13_19.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Design aspects of the proposed building. Planning image: Pitch Architecture + Developments"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="323" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image13_19.jpg?itok=-_u5p4bz" title="Design aspects of the proposed building. Planning image: Pitch Architecture + Developments" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Design aspects within the proposed building. Planning image: Pitch Architecture + Developments</figcaption></figure><h2>Kensington higher density</h2>

Kensington is not flush with development sites, but certain pockets are lending themselves to redevelopment.

Traditionally a light commercial and/or industrial stronghold, the area surrounding 347-367 Macaulay Road is receiving increased apartment-based proposals. A stone's throw away, both <a href="/new-apartments/51-61-hardiman-street-kensington">51-61 Hardiman Street</a> and <a href="/new-apartments/28-32-albermarle-street-kensington">28-32 Albermarle Street</a> are at planning and combined could potentially add a further 92 dwellings to this emerging development pocket.

Isolated higher density developments such as <a href="/new-apartments/2-22-gatehouse-drive-kensington">2-22 Gatehouse Drive</a> and <a href="/new-apartments/2-22-gatehouse-drive-kensington">265-271 Racecourse Road</a> will likely add to Kensington's future apartment stock, but the area most likely to see pronounced development is a stretch of land alongside Hobsons Road that is now receiving its first taste of construction, by way of River Walk Kensington.

A likely construction hot spot in years to come, the vast stretch of land fronting Hobsons Road is adjacent to the West Melbourne Waterfront urban renewal 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/image35_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Macaulay Road with fellow Kensington projects. Construction image: Hacer"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="392" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image35_10.jpg?itok=NlbYtaNr" title="Macaulay Road with fellow Kensington projects. Construction image: Hacer" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Macaulay Road with fellow Kensington projects. Construction image: Hacer</figcaption></figure>
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Naser Group goes for the Sky in Kensington

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A planning application before City of Monash has sidestepped the traditional 'mixed-use' format, instead opting to label the pending project as a ‘multi-age precinct’ development.

BC Mount Waverley Project Pty Ltd is pushing through with the application across 445-467 Blackburn Road Mount Waverley, which also abuts the Monash Freeway. The Box Hill North-based entity was created during 2015 to purchase the property and existing 4-star Hotel Bruce County, with the intent of delivering a larger development onsite.

And that development consists of the ‘multi-age precinct’ which would cater specifically for both children and the elderly, whilst adding short, mid and long-term accommodation options.

445-467 Blackburn Road is the work of Marchese Partners, whose last major Melbourne design effort was <a href="http://www.marchesepartners.com/project/v1/">Village Docklands V1 Tower</a> which was completed during 2005.

<h2>445-467 Blackburn 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/image17_15.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rendered perspective. Planning image: Marchese Partners"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="403" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image17_15.jpg?itok=31RaBTvf" title="Rendered perspective. Planning image: Marchese Partners" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendered perspective. Planning image: Marchese Partners</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Current use: Hotel Bruce County, conference centre, restaurant, car park</li>
	<li>Site area: 6,353sqm with 2 street frontages</li>
	<li>Proposed: U-shaped building rising to 10 levels or 32.4m</li>
	<li>Hotel: 120 rooms and 8 serviced apartments</li>
	<li>Retirement village: 60 independent living units</li>
	<li>47 apartments and 10 townhouses</li>
	<li>A medical centre and retail outlet</li>
	<li>Single basement level for 135 cars</li>
	<li>Child care centre for 140 children. 589.9sqm indoor area and a 320.9sqm terrace</li>
	<li>Amenities: central courtyard, gym, swimming pool, hydro therapy area</li>
</ul>
<h2>Design Philosophy excerpts</h2>

<blockquote>
The architectural detailing of the proposed building is exceptional in quality, which is a rare occurrence in the middle and outer ring suburbs of Melbourne. As a result, the proposed development makes a significant contribution to the neighbourhood, presenting a well-resolved design with highly articulated facades and active ground level interfaces.

The 10 storey building height proposed in this part of the site presents a robust interface to the Monash Freeway exit ramp and Blackburn Road, defining this corner and recognising the prominence of this location by proposing a key built form marker for the locality.

The proposal makes a positive contribution to the public realm by providing attractive and activated frontages to all street addresses. The commercial address to Blackburn Road will be retained and new food and drink premises and health care services fronting the central courtyard will promote activity and engagement within the site.
<cite>Urban Context Report and Design Response: Hollerich Town Planning</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image18mp.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rendered perspective. Planning image: Marchese Partners"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="359" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image18mp.jpg?itok=OzA9NqEe" title="Rendered perspective. Planning image: Marchese Partners" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendered perspective. Planning image: Marchese Partners</figcaption></figure><h2>Mount Waverley's largest</h2>

445-467 Blackburn Road inserts itself as Mount Waverley's largest project in development. Apartments.com.au is tracking six other projects within the suburb, but all pale into insignificance relative to 445-467 Blackburn Road's overall size.

Current notable projects within Mount Waverley include further commercial buildings slated for the Axxess Corporate Park on Gilby Road and the intended mixed-use development spanning 170-174 Highbury Road. The latter was well publicised as early works ran into issues during the excavation process, resulting in damage to adjoining properties.

Also in the works for Mount Waverley is Pace Development Group's 554-558 High Street Road; awaiting a VCAT hearing, Pace took the proposal to VCAT because Council did not decide upon the application within the required 60 day timeframe

445-467 Blackburn Road on the other hand was lodged with City of Monash earlier this year, and only began its advertising stint last week.
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Mount Waverley earmarked for a ‘multi-age precinct' development

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Brunswick East's popularity continues to cut through with apartment buyers, as Jameson Capital has noted with the recent launch of B.E. Apartments.

Acting as a capital partner to date, Jameson Capital has turned its hand to development with 11-15 Brunswick Road, a 1,724sqm site that is located in an already established apartment pocket. On the eve of the project's launch, Apartments.com.au chatted with Jeremy Urbach, director of Jameson Capital regarding Melbourne's latest apartment release.

The development has been well publicised in that Jameson Capital has chosen to offer 10 of the project's 97 apartments at a 5% deposit rate, half the norm. Designed to aid first home buyers and those looking to buy again, Jeremy Urbach told Apartments.com.au that at the time of launch earlier in September, 7 of the 10 incentivised apartments had been accounted for with 5 of those first home buyers.

Dubbed 'Your Path Your Start' the incentive has also served to increase the profile of the development in a competitive off-the-plan apartment market.

<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/image9aa.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Exterior perspective. Image: Jameson Capital"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="381" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image9aa.jpg?itok=C1pSTYwN" title="Exterior perspective. Image: Jameson Capital" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Exterior perspective. Image: Jameson Capital</figcaption></figure>Asked if the incentive could be rolled out across future projects, Jeremy Urbach explains that at this point the scheme is restricted to the Brunswick East project.

'Your Path Your Start' is much like Jameson Capital's role as developer of B.E. Apartments; a meeting of opportunity with the capital capacity to deliver. Jeremy Urbach states that Jameson Capital's chief role will remain that of a financier and capital manager, but the numbers stacked up to step in as developer when the site was offered for sale with a permit in place.

B.E. Apartments has a completion value of $60m, with a targeted internal rate of return of 30.2% gross.

With sales now underway a shortlist of builders has been compiled, with the successful head contractor expected to be onsite during the first quarter of next 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/image10aa.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rothelowman's design influence. Image: Jameson Capital"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image10aa.jpg?itok=LvQXrdC6" title="Rothelowman's design influence. Image: Jameson Capital" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rothelowman's design influence. Image: Jameson Capital</figcaption></figure>Post site acquisition, Jameson Capital enlisted Rothelowman to overhaul the existing permit. Although the previous permit was adequate, Jeremy Urbach explains that as a continuation of an existing relationship, Rothelowman were tasked with redesigning the project to meet the Better Apartments Design Standards criteria.

The resultant B.E. Apartments now has no saddleback configurations, increased daylight access and increased sellable area, although the redesign did add an extra 10 months to the development's timeframe.

Apartments were also made larger, with single bedroom apartments between 50-53sqm, whilst the largest three bedroom dwelling comes in at 105sqm.

Another point of difference is the work of street artist Ghostpatrol which will feature on the building's exterior and within the project's common areas. B.E. Apartments will also include ground floor retail space and a rooftop terrace holding an unimpeded CBD sight line.
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The right fit, the right time: profiling Jameson Capital's B.E. Apartments 

<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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