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Those who pushed for Fishermans Bend to host a primary school will be feeling somewhat chuffed with the news that the Hayball-designed project has scored a gong at the World Architecture Festival in Berlin.

South Melbourne Ferrars Street Primary School as it will be known, cleaned up in the Education – Future Projects category, beating out an international field of projects to claim the prize. 10 other entrants were vying for the title, encompassing architects from countries which included Vietnam, Taiwan, Russia, UK, Turkey, Morocco and Bangladesh.

Held late last week, the World Architecture Festival is a three-day event for architects and interior design professionals, culminating in the presentation of awards for design merit across dozens of categories.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image38_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hayball's winning entry alongside fellow WAF finalists"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="345" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image38_6.jpg?itok=_Kdg_ENm" title="Hayball's winning entry alongside fellow WAF finalists" width="580"></a>
<figcaption>Hayball's winning entry alongside fellow WAF finalists</figcaption></figure>On news of Hayball's win, firm Director Richard Leonard issued the following statement:

<blockquote>
It’s an incredible honour to be recognised on a global scale for our work on South Melbourne Ferrars Street Primary School in Victoria, Australia in the Education – Future Projects category at the WAF Awards. As the first vertical school in the state, the project is both experimental, innovative and enthralling.
What we’re most proud of is the combination of a learning hub with a community centre for the local residents to enjoy, which embraces the connection between learning and recreation, students and neighbours.The school will be the educational home to 525 students and will include an early learning centre, multi-purpose community rooms and indoor and outdoor multi-purpose sports courts across a sleek, light-filled building spanning five storeys.
Inside, the school invites students to learn in an open atrium that connect the ground floor to the ceiling, offering endless possibilities to all who enter.
In a precinct that is one of Australia’s largest urban renewal areas and expected to swell to 80,000 residents over the next 40 years, future proofing educational facilities is a critical factor in ensuring a suburb can evolve and behave according to the needs of its residents. With this primary school which offers more than the traditional spaces for learning, we’re building a new model for education that caters to more than just students, but the broader community.
<cite>Richard Leonard, Director, Hayball</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/img_8436.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Early works have been completed"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="346" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_8436.jpg?itok=dwNaXLY0" title="Early works have been completed" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Early works have been completed</figcaption></figure>Kane Constructions have completed early works onsite, with a contractor for the main works to be announced shortly.

The project's <a href="http://www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/Pages/Schools/South-MelbourneFerrars-St.aspx">website</a> indicates that the new facility is expected to be operational by January 2018, with student enrolments open from the latter part of 2017. Spanning five storeys, South Melbourne Primary School will be Victoria’s first vertical school with $44 million allocated to the project over the 2016-2017 State budget.

In collaboration with City of Port Phillip, Hayball have also created a new streetscape/public realm for the Ferrars Street Education and Community Precinct. Over a 5,000sqm site, the school and surrounds have been designed as a showcase for common integrated education and communal facilities, while also considering the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and ease of access to nearby public transport.
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silvermb

Hayball's South Melbourne vertical school wins on an international scale

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The period between local Council elections and year's end looks likely to throw up further key planning approvals, in light of four significant towers that are all but approved.

A Notice of Decision (NOD) has been issued for each of the projects during November, all but assuring they will gain final approval within weeks. Each planning application has been covered by Apartments.com.au over the course of the last year, with the quartet split between traditional residential apartment towers and student accommodation digs.

All in all, roughly 320 apartments and 1,000 student beds can be expected across the four projects.

<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_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Box Hill can expect two new entrants. Images: Savills and Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="283" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image35_7.jpg?itok=D3A9CLQt" title="Box Hill can expect two new entrants. Images: Savills and Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Box Hill can expect two new entrants. Images: Savills and Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure>Box Hill's apartment market will benefit from dual residential towers that have received a Notice of Decision.

9-11 Prospect Street is the tallest of the quartet, with Artisan Architects designing the 26 level apartment tower that will hold just shy of 200 apartments. Owner Box Hill Investments (Vic) Pty Ltd has recently listed the 1,475sqm development site with Savills, with the expectation that the plot, which is surrounded by some of the suburb's largest towers, will be snapped up quickly by an established developer.

Over Whitehorse Road, and Melstone Wellington Pty Ltd is also in luck with the entity's 16-22 Wellington Road site also receiving the tick from City of Whitehorse.

Designed by Elenberg Fraser, 16-22 Wellington Road entered planning as a 14 level apartment tower containing 133 dwellings.

Covering a 1,700sqm site, 16-22 Wellington Road continues to add to the area's appeal with developers. Wedged between Whitehorse Road and Box Hill Hospital, Wellington Road has been subject to increased construction activity of late, and will in time see the arrival of taller residential towers, including 16-22 Wellington Road, <a href="/new-apartments/5-9-wellington-road-box-hill">5-9 Wellington Road</a> and <a href="/buildings/whitehorse-trio-845-851-whitehorse-road-box-hill">845-851 Whitehorse Road</a> which shares a Wellington Road frontage.

<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/image28_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The inner city student accommodation additions. Images: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="371" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image28_6.jpg?itok=hjn-Ci3L" title="The inner city student accommodation additions. Images: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The inner city student accommodation additions. Images: Hayball</figcaption></figure>Carlton and North Melbourne will also receive a boost, with separate Hayball-designed student accommodation projects receiving a Notice of Decision in recent days.

Haymarket roundabout is the setting for 1 Flemington Road which at planning weighed in at 22 levels. The tower's distinctive wave facade will mask near on 400 student beds for Brisbane-based outfit Blue Sky Funds.

It along with <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">42-50 La Trobe Street</a> represents Blue Sky Funds' dual-pronged push into the Melbourne student accommodation sector. Incidentally 42-50 La Trobe Street bares a striking resemblance to the other student accommodation tower to has been given the nod, namely 599-605 Swanston Street, Carlton.

It at planning included 628 beds over 20 levels, for provider Urbanest. 599-605 Swanston Street joins a fellow Carlton and CBD outlet in representing Urbanest's Melbourne locations.

Both student accommodation applications were subject to changes post their initial submission, with final design renders yet to be made public.
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Four significant projects receive the NOD

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<h2>Comment</h2>

The humble podium can be a tough task to master.

There are plenty of misses, in both old and new builds, scattered around the inner city… as there are exemplary podium design outcomes. The latest project to put itself forward as a shining example of what an authentic, interactive and aesthetically excellent podium can be is 308 Exhibition Street.

<a href="/news/sp-setias-northern-statement-308-exhibition-street">Recently covered by Urban.com.au</a>, 308 Exhibition Street is the joint work of COX Architecture and Fender Katsalidis Architects for developer SP Setia. As interesting as the tower form is, the intended project's podium is worthy of individual praise.

It acts as the main conduit between the development and street level, and provides the opportunity to introduce a human scale to the site which for many years has been devoid of activity, given its use as an annex to one of Telstra's main Melbourne major data centres/telephone exchanges.

<blockquote>
At ground, the proposal integrates and strengthens the existing public realm and through site connections, maximizing opportunities to activate and enliven street edges and then inviting pedestrian movement into and through the heart of the site.

A verdant public forecourt extends the greenery of the gardens into the development; an urban sanctuary at the gateway of the CBD.
<cite>308 Exhibition Street urban context report</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/image18_14.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="308 Exhibition Street's podium. Planning image: Cox/FKA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="393" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image18_14.jpg?itok=doRvdYgC" title="308 Exhibition Street's podium. Planning image: Cox/FKA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>308 Exhibition Street's podium. Planning image: COX/FKA</figcaption></figure>At street level, 308 Exhibition Street's podium is split between lower ground and ground levels, owing to the site's slope. A plaza, hotel lobby, bike share space and childcare lobby are the main activating areas across lower ground, whereas ground itself is a mixture of retails spaces, lobbies and an upper landscaped plaza.

In the true sense of a mixed-use project, 308 Exhibition Street's podium also encapsulates an indoor/outdoor childcare centre, bike station, apartments, hotel suites, a lounge and restaurant, sky lobby, pre-function spaces, a ballroom, terrace, various resident/hotel amenities and car parking shrouded by the podium structure itself.

Externally the podium is clad with pre-fabricated composite steel panels in a ceramic finish. The underside of the panels features strip LED lighting. Watertight removable planter boxes are most prominent over the podium, and diminish as the podium morphs into the towers proper; this is a nod to the Carlton Gardens directly opposite.

<blockquote>
The development of 308 Exhibition Street creates a unique opportunity to provide a high quality address to the northern entry to Melbourne’s CBD, link to the adjacent parkland precinct and add to the network of iconic streets and laneways throughout the CBD.

The proposal includes: a generous entry plaza, activated building edges, new laneway, animated landscapes comprising plantings, art and water elements as well as ‘greened’ buildings with extensive podium level landscapes.

The internal laneway is located on the southern boundary and links from Exhibition Street in an east west direction to Burton Street. This legible and generous link is animated by a dynamic digital screen to provide a themed and dynamic illuminated experience to the public and residents guests and visitors.
<cite>T.C.L Landscape Design</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/image19_12.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Cutaway podium diagram. Planning image: COX/FKA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="346" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image19_12.jpg?itok=vZ4cP1Wl" title="Cutaway podium diagram. Planning image: COX/FKA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Cutaway podium diagram. Planning image: COX/FKA</figcaption></figure>308 Exhibition Street is not the only prospective podium of great merit in Melbourne at the moment.

Other noteworthy pending builds with inviting and aesthetically pleasing podiums include <a href="/buildings/queens-place-157-a-beckett-street-and-370-queen-street-melbourne">Queens Place</a>, <a href="/buildings/conservatory-9-23-mackenzie-street-melbourne">Conservatory</a>, <a href="/new-apartments/elysium-54-clarke-street-southbank">54 Clarke Street</a>, Box Hill's <a href="/new-apartments/sky-one-box-hill-545-563-station-street-box-hill">Sky One</a>, <a href="/buildings/capitol-grand-241-toorak-road-south-yarra">Capitol Grand</a> South Yarra and of course the freshly approved Jean Nouvel inspired <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">383 La Trobe Street</a> with its mesmerisingly multi-coloured arcade. Another podium of great design merit is Fridcorp's prospective <a href="/developments/south-yarra-vic-3141">627 Chapel Street</a> tower which is understood to be under appeal.

It could be argued that all of the above projects will create a demonstrably better public realm outcome/interface when they are realised.

Conversely, there are some podium failures in recent times, with the finger being pointed toward at clutch of towers lining the northern end of Elizabeth Street. With recent changes to planning laws enacted, the hope and expectation is that the above examples will become the norm, rather than the 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/image79_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Podiums with intent: 54 Clarke Street, Queens Place and 383 La Trobe Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="374" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image79_3.jpg?itok=beBRcbmp" title="Podiums with intent: 54 Clarke Street, Queens Place and 383 La Trobe Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Podiums with intent: 54 Clarke Street, Queens Place and 383 La Trobe Street</figcaption></figure>
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When the podium works... it really works

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Anyone who has traversed the former Pentridge site in recent times can attest to how unsophisticated and unwelcoming the first tranche of apartment and townhouse projects are within the former prison's grounds. More than that it's the failure of these projects to adequately integrate with their surrounds that is perhaps most disappointing.

While developed only a few short years ago, they are almost symptomatic of a different time and/or attitude toward quality integrated development.

Yet there is hope that the vast majority of Pentridge can become a quality urban regeneration project that adequately addresses the needs of both residents and the general public. This is on the back of developer Shayher Group's recent announcement that they will facilitate the development of a large tract of land in the heart of their 6.7 hectare site for the purposes of a community piazza.

<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/image15_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Pentridge Coburg's public realm perspective. Image: pentridgecoburg.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="322" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image15_8.jpg?itok=V5nR6o17" title="Pentridge Coburg's public realm perspective. Image: pentridgecoburg.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Pentridge Coburg's public realm perspective. Image: pentridgecoburg.com.au</figcaption></figure>This exercise in placemaking by way of a sprawling piazza is on face value a leap in the right direction that will go a long way to promoting the site's strengths, while also providing the wider community with increased amenity, green spaces and services. It could be argued that this underpins the fundamentals of placemaking; that is the "creation of quality public spaces that contribute to people’s health, happiness, and well being."

Shayher Group's plan is to have markets, community events and performance spaces supporting laneway retail zones and a dining precinct within the walls of the old Pentridge. Integral to the piazza are landscaped gardens, with existing and new built form including a two-level boutique shopping precinct surrounding the piazza.

The developer will this month lodge four separate planning applications with either Moreland City Council or Heritage Victoria, with the expectation of beginning works during 2017. Shayher Group's placing of the spotlight on the communal aspects of the Pentridge development follows on from their announcement during August that TFE Hotels will operate an Adina Apartment Hotel onsite.

By signing on Adina to the new Cox Architecture-designed hotel (which includes B Division) and in adding a five screen cinema complex, a greater diversification of patrons/customers will be attracted to Pentridge.

<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/pentridge_public_realm_render_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Pentridge Coburg's public realm perspective. Image: pentridgecoburg.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="322" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/pentridge_public_realm_render_2.jpg?itok=JO4_bmcL" title="Pentridge Coburg's public realm perspective. Image: pentridgecoburg.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Pentridge Coburg's public realm perspective. Image: pentridgecoburg.com.au</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
We are excited to confirm open spaces, beautifully landscaped gardens and active retail offerings will characterise the piazza, bringing a sense of vibrancy and community to Pentridge, as well as offering a new space for locals to gather for events, picnics, markets and festivals.
The site’s centralised location makes it the perfect spot for an activated centre to complement the vibrancy of Coburg, providing the opportunity to introduce new integrated residential and food and retail offerings into the existing area.
<cite>Anthony Goh, project spokesman, Shayher Group</cite>
</blockquote>

Pentridge is unique in that it provides an opportunity to integrate heritage and new buildings across a massive site in a suburban location.

It's expected that 14 new buildings will be delivered across the site. Not only is it a chance to appropriately meld heritage aspects of Pentridge with new built form, but also an opportunity to brings existing heritage structures up to scratch via restoration. Perhaps though, the expectation that Pentridge can act as a catalyst and provide a positive outcome for the immediate community is the best outcome of all.
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Placemaking at Pentridge for an improved social and design outcome

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Queens Road is likely to lose one of two major vacant development sites in the near future, with 31 Queens Road now resting with City of Port Phillip's planning department.

Alongside a site adjoining Bayview Eden Melbourne which was once subject to a hotel proposal, 31 Queens Road is one of the two 'missing teeth' detracting from the thoroughfare which is itself undergoing a construction spurt. Queens Road Projects Pty Ltd is the entity looking to gain approval for the 16 level residential tower.

Set within the Plus Architecture-designed tower are 155 apartments. Externally, Plus Architecture have chosen a tubular or curvaceous expression which is designed to set the tower apart from its angular neighbours.

Costed at near on $45 million, the proposal would add to the hundreds of apartments in the development pipeline along Queens Road, which at the moment is equalling St Kilda Road in terms of development activity.

<h2>31 Queens 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/image10_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A curved addition to Queens Road. Planning image: Plus Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="323" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image10_8.jpg?itok=v777WXB3" title="A curved addition to Queens Road. Planning image: Plus Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A curved addition to Queens Road. Planning image: Plus Architecture</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Vacant site area: 2,320sqm</li>
	<li>Proposed 16 level tower at 49.9 metres to roof</li>
	<li>155 residential dwellings: 33 x 1BR, 109 x 2BR and 13 x 3BR</li>
	<li>3 basement levels: 178 car parking spaces, 60 bicycle spaces and 155 residential stores</li>
	<li>Ground floor communal facilities: gym, pool and spa, cinema, lounge and games room, and a private dining room</li>
	<li>Rooftop terrace</li>
	<li>Estimated cost of development: $44,970,000</li>
</ul>
<h2>Design rationale</h2>

<blockquote>
The majority of buildings within the area are free standing rectangular objects interspersed with a number of exemplary designed buildings from the last century. 31 Queens Road sits between two such examples with the Expressionist Newburn Flats at 30 Queens Road and the Art Deco Brookwood Flats at 32 Queens Road.

Extensive analysis of these allows the proposal to draw inspiration from them to create a more contextual response. The design techniques shared with them include: jutting out of the side elevations to orientate views toward Albert Park and curvilinear forms softening building edges. The overall massing of our proposal balances the surrounding building heights, which vary greatly from almost 20 stories down to a few stories.

The curvilinear shape of the massing provides that side elevation articulation, it responds with the internal planning, and creates a varying silhouette against the sky. The circular in plan form adjusts as it grows vertically, and the number of curved segments reduce into larger circles at the top of the building. The jutting circular forms create apartments with great amenity and interesting spaces.
<cite>Town planning submission, Plus Architecture</cite>
</blockquote>

Citing the likes of SOM's Al Sharq Tower and Hetherwick Studio's Learning Hub as design leads, Plus Architecture's Queens Road edifice will see five different shades of glazing over the tower. Also present is precast concrete with applied finishes and wintergarden louvres to match tinted glazing.

The application was lodged during September.

<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_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Design leads alongside 31 Queens Road. Planning image: Plus Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="390" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image13_11.jpg?itok=4DhM3PZX" title="Design leads alongside 31 Queens Road. Planning image: Plus Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Design leads alongside 31 Queens Road. Planning image: Plus Architecture</figcaption></figure>31 Queens Road adds to the healthy number of residential projects along Queens Road. <a href="/buildings/the-arthur-14-queens-road-melbourne">The Arthur</a>, <a href="/buildings/lakeside-77-queens-road-melbourne">Lakeside</a> and Queens Domain are at construction while <a href="/buildings/victoriana-melbourne-20-queens-road-melbourne">Victoriana</a> and <a href="/buildings/k1-residences-melbourne-1-union-street-melbourne">K1</a> are waiting in the wings with their respective sales campaigns about to commence.

<h2>31 Queens Road development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Queens Road Projects Pty Ltd</li>
	<li>Architectural plans and design response: Plus Architecture</li>
	<li>Landscape plans: John Patrick Landscape Architects</li>
	<li>Arboricultural Preliminary Assessment: Greenwood Consulting</li>
	<li>Traffic Impact Report: Traffix Group</li>
	<li>Sustainable Management Plan: Green Rate</li>
	<li>WSUD report: Adams Consulting Engineers</li>
	<li>Wind report: SLR Consulting Australia</li>
	<li>Waste Management Plan: Leigh Design</li>
</ul>
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The long-dormant 31 Queens Road heads to planning

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Asian Pacific Group is preparing to move ahead with <a href="/new-apartments/west-melbourne-vic-3003">West Melbourne's</a> largest residential project.

Partnered by <a href="/developers/ironfish-developments">Ironfish Developments</a>, the duo are behind <a href="/buildings/melbourne-village-377-spencer-street-west-melbourne">Melbourne Village</a>, with signage for the project appearing onsite in recent days. At 83-113 Batman Street, Asian Pacific Group's purchase of the site a year ago came with planning approval for a <a href="/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>-designed 522-apartment scheme.

Covering 3,800-square metre plot and with a secondary frontage to Spencer Street, imagery for Melbourne Village shows a new exterior look which differs considerably to the Bruce Henderson Architects design.

<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/apg9305_melbourne-village_el01_elevated-towards-docklands_a1cmyk_skyextension-crop.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aerial view of the intended project. Image: melbournevillage.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="310" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/apg9305_melbourne-village_el01_elevated-towards-docklands_a1cmyk_skyextension-crop.jpg?itok=IHtYuIo2" title="Aerial view of the intended project. Image: melbournevillage.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aerial view of the intended project. Image: melbournevillage.com.au</figcaption></figure>83-113 Batman Street first appeared on the planning horizon during 2012 when West Melbourne was less of a high-rise magnet. Two residential buildings of 31 and 41 storeys were initially requested, although Asian Pacific Group snared the approved site with dual 27-level residential towers permitted.

The site went back to planning during September of this year, encompassing the revised design and was promptly approved during October.

Although shorter than <a href="/buildings/the-spencer-420-spencer-street-west-melbourne">The Spencer</a> which will stand at 131 metres upon completion, Melbourne Village can become the suburb's biggest development by apartment numbers. Should Asian Pacific Group and Ironfish Developments push through with anywhere near the approved 522 apartments, Melbourne Village will comfortably surpass The Spencer and <a href="/developers/trenerry-property">Trenerry Property's</a> <a href="/buildings/west-end-185-rosslyn-street-west-melbourne">Rosslyn Street</a>, both of which have total apartment numbers in the 400's.

Marketing material for the project suggests that both towers will be set above a village-like podium.

<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/image5_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="An early site design by Bruce Henderson Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="259" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image5_8.jpg?itok=476DYZvK" title="An early site design by Bruce Henderson Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>An early site design by Bruce Henderson Architects</figcaption></figure>With registrations of interest now open for Melbourne Village, it becomes Asian Pacific Group's fourth Melbourne project in play.

The developer along with Ironfish found rapid success with <a href="/buildings/whitehorse-towers-850-whitehorse-road-box-hill">Whitehorse Towers</a> atop <a href="/new-apartments/box-hill-vic-3128">Box Hill</a>, which sold out promptly. With that project well into construction, Asian Pacific Group also has a stake alongside <a href="/developers/golden-age-group">Golden Age Group</a> in <a href="/buildings/opera-450-st-kilda-road-melbourne">Opera St Kilda Road</a> and <a href="/buildings/collins-house-melbourne-460-466-collins-street-melbourne">Collins House</a>. Both are in their early construction phase.

Asian Pacific Group's increased push into residential apartments supplements their successful hotel drive over recent years by way of their Art Series Hotel Group.
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Melbourne Village to become West Melbourne's next big apartment project

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Melbourne University and Australian Catholic University are expected to host two new buildings that will further enhance their respective academic capabilities. With both projects at planning assessment, either build is still some time from fruition.

In Carlton, The Graduate Union of the University of Melbourne is planning to expand their services provided by way of a new building accommodating 136 studio apartments. Gladstone Terraces which fronts University Square at 197-235 Bouverie Street will be retained as part of the development, and remain largely in tact.

Three floors to the rear of the site will host a new cafe, administration and membership/function spaces, with the remaining floors dedicated to residential apartments. The height of the project is 37.6 metres, with a gym, laundry and 33 car parks found within a five level basement.

<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_12.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="University Square perspective of the proposed building. Planning image: MGS"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="347" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image4_12.jpg?itok=ewxgkkFe" title="University Square perspective of the proposed building. Planning image: MGS" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>University Square perspective of the proposed building. Planning image: MGS</figcaption></figure>Purchasing the site during 1957, the Graduate Union have near on 60 years later chosen MGS Architects to lead the regeneration project. 

Carrying a development cost of $20 million, The Graduate Union hopes that 197-235 Bouverie Street will in due course be able to better service the expanding accommodation needs for postgraduate, alumni and visiting academics. 197-235 Bouverie Street is unique in that it becomes the first project in recent years to service this very niche requirement.

In nearby Fitzroy, Australian Catholic University is pursuing a sizeable redevelopment of its St Patrick's campus. Located at 115 Victoria Parade and 28-42 Young Street, the project's centrepiece is a planned tower at 59.45 metres in height.

Lyons Architecture have been installed as design lead, with the enhanced Development Plan set to guide future planning permit applications onsite.

<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/image1_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Lyons have created a new Victoria Parade showpiece. Planning image: ACU"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="262" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image1_6.jpg?itok=uVcqgFMv" title="Lyons have created a new Victoria Parade showpiece. Planning image: ACU" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lyons have created a new Victoria Parade showpiece. Planning image: ACU</figcaption></figure>The tower's likely internal layout is set to include teaching and learning spaces, office accommodation and a student hub set above 7 levels of basement car parking. 

Currently an at-grade car park, 115 Victoria Parade will arc over the existing campus building at 28-42 Young Street, providing it with three additional levels. It's expected that the new build will add approximately 25,000sqm of space to Australian Catholic University's campus.

Described as a landmark mixed-use development within associated planning documents, the tower is a key plank in Australian Catholic University's planned growth in student and teacher numbers, as well as increased research activities. By 2020 it's expected that 10,700 equivalent full-time students will be on campus.
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Two tertiary institutions line up new build projects

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With preliminary construction works underway, Lendlease have completed the sale of their first offering within the multi-towered Melbourne Quarter development.

Announced yesterday was the sale of the precinct's first commercial tower to Lendlease-managed affiliate, Australian Prime Property Fund Commercial. The transaction comes at a point of near full tenancy for the commercial tower dubbed One Melbourne Quarter.

Upon completion, initial signatory Arup will also be joined by Lendlease within the 13 level commercial tower, with the latter absorbing four floors across the Denton Corker Marshall-designed, 26,400sqm complex.

Updated project renders accompanying yesterday's announcement also better highlight the tower's activated frontage to Collins Street, perhaps the project's single biggest positive.

<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_0471.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Quarter's onsite works gather momentum"><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_0471.jpg?itok=Y3WtWWqx" title="Melbourne Quarter's onsite works gather momentum" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Quarter's onsite works gather momentum</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
The sale of this building brings the vision of Melbourne Quarter to life and will drive increased momentum for the project. We continue to witness the city shift its commercial centre west along Collins Street, with many leading national and global enterprises already having made the move. It’s a very exciting time for the project.

As we did with our global head office move to Barangaroo in Sydney this year, we will be consolidating our Melbourne offices to bring our Victorian people together at One Melbourne Quarter in 2018.
<cite>Kylie Rampa, Chief Executive Officer for Property, Lendlease</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
We are delighted to provide our institutional investors access to this exciting integrated precinct, which will offer unique public space, including Melbourne’s first Skypark, and direct access to a variety of transport options.

The investment is consistent with APPF Commercial’s strategy to up-weight into efficient, sustainable and people-centric buildings, and complements the Fund’s recent acquisition of Darling Square and its interests in International Towers One, Two and Three at Barangaroo in Sydney.
<cite>Josh McHutchison, Managing Director of Australian Investment Management, Lendlease</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/1mq_hero_shot_75_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A new Collins Street perspective. Image: Lendlease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="687" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/1mq_hero_shot_75_0.jpg?itok=WECrAkWk" title="A new Collins Street perspective. Image: Lendlease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A new Collins Street perspective. Image: Lendlease</figcaption></figure>As the last vacant site fronting Collins Street within Batman's Hill, One Melbourne Quarter's frontage has been amped up.

Passers-by will be greeted by a cavernous entry to the precinct, defined by a Sky Park perched above Collins Street. 980sqm of retail space will also bolster Batman's Hill's retail offerings, complimenting the neighbouring Collins Square retail zone.

Melbourne Quarter will also include 106 car parking spaces and extensive cycle facilities while targeting a 6 Star Green Star Design and As Built rating plus a 5 star NABERS energy rating.

One Melbourne Quarter is the first of seven commercial and residential buildings destined for Lendlease's Melbourne Quarter. Future offering within Melbourne Quarter include 681 Collins Street which is at planning and encompasses 55,000sqm of commercial space, and multiple approved residential towers with 1,600 plus apartments in the pipeline.

The total value of the precinct weighs in at $2 billion.
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Lendlease steps in on One Melbourne Quarter

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The weather may not be upholding its end of the deal, but it is indeed Spring… and Spring means buying season.

Invariably there's a boost in the number of new apartment projects released for public perusal, as developers jostle to get their projects off the ground in a traditionally strong period for sales.

While many new projects have been recently released for sales, seen below is a selection of higher density apartment projects which are at registrations or which have just tipped into their sales campaign.

<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/image7_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="999 Box Hill and Central Park"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="315" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image7_11.jpg?itok=ckH4z-3Q" title="999 Box Hill and Central Park" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>999 Box Hill and Central Park</figcaption></figure>As has become the norm, Box Hill features prominently. 999Box Hill is the latest Hayball-designed apartment project for the suburb, with Lindellas Real Estate tasked as the selling agent.

Also in the works is Central Park Box Hill, with Apartments.com.au covering the 12-14 Nelson Road planning application extensively. H&amp;F Property is the developer behind the project, with Central Park Box Hill set to include three separate interior schemes and a rooftop amenities area featuring a pool and sauna which overlooks Box Hill Gardens.

In Heidelberg, Cape Residences is nearing the starter's gun and is also taking registrations from prospective buyers. Developed by Fenn Projects and created by Peter Brown Architects, the project will include 31 dwellings. Cape Residences is poised to join Villa and Forge, which is the latest apartment development released within Heidelberg.

<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/littleprojects_hedgeleymalverneast_atriumdeck_lr-882x585.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hedgeley is headed for Malvern East"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="385" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/littleprojects_hedgeleymalverneast_atriumdeck_lr-882x585.jpg?itok=0yTguO1p" title="Hedgeley is headed for Malvern East" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Hedgeley is headed for Malvern East</figcaption></figure>Hedgeley Malvern East shapes as one of the larger projects due to be released for sale.

Located at 60 Belgrave Road, Malvern East, Hedgeley will be the reincarnation of the former Dairy Bell site. Including one, two and three bedroom apartments, the project is the work of Little Projects and features Adeb, SJB and Jack Merlo as key members of the design team.

Fresh to sales is Seamstress Brunswick East with EST8 Agency appointed as sales agent for the 32-apartment project backed by K7 Developments.

<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/seamstress_external_1200x946.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Seamstress Brunswick East"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="457" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/seamstress_external_1200x946.jpg?itok=uc6rJsUC" title="Seamstress Brunswick East" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Seamstress Brunswick East</figcaption></figure>​Moving further west and the already robust Moonee Ponds and Essendon apartment markets are in for a boost.

Editor Moonee Ponds is a new development which will in time add to the hundreds of apartments under construction in the suburb while Buckley&amp;Co is the latest apartment project to development surge surrounding Essendon Station.

Designed by RotheLowman and addressed 18 Buckley Street, the project carries approval for 47 apartments and 3 townhouses; the final dwelling mix will be revealed upon the projects launch.

<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/image98.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Cbus Property's Holme Apartments"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="374" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image98.jpg?itok=LFjYvKQC" title="Cbus Property's Holme Apartments" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Cbus Property's Holme Apartments</figcaption></figure>Of course there are a swag of upcoming projects in the not too distant future. Among the larger on the radar are Cbus Property's Holme Apartments project at 61 Wellington Street, Collingwood which includes 154 dwellings.

Also of note is the 412 St Kilda Road with UEM Sunrise initiating the sales suite process recently. Expected within the ARM Architecture conversion of the existing building onsite is as many as 180 apartments.

412 St Kilda Road is in addition to <a href="/news/victoriana-looks-to-trump-the-competition-along-queens-road-and-st-kilda-road">Victoriana on nearby Queens Road</a>, with registrations open for the ultra luxury project.
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Spring in the suburbs: new apartment projects line up

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The wider public now has a chance to see what developer SP Setia has in store for its prime development site on the northern edge of the CBD fronting Carlton Gardens.

These are the first images made available of the proposed application that carries a nominal development cost of $250 million, with the total value of the project much higher. Having secured the site earlier in the year, SP Setia now hopes to gain approval for the twin towers which are greater in height than Rialto.

After teaming up to devise the similarly scaled <a href="/buildings/queens-place-157-a-beckett-street-and-370-queen-street-melbourne">Queens Place</a> development at 350 Queen Street, firms Cox Architecture and Fender Katsalidis have united once more to create the mixed-use scheme for the Exhibition Street plot which Telstra offloaded following the telco's decision to not develop the site.

<h2>308 Exhibition Street 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/image4_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression of 308 Exhibition. Planning image: COX/FKA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="1267" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image4_11.jpg?itok=vohudetd" title="Artist's impression of 308 Exhibition. Planning image: COX/FKA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist's impression of 308 Exhibition. Planning image: COX/FKA</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Site acquired by SP Setia for $101 million earlier in 2016</li>
	<li>Site area: 4,140sqm covering 288-308 Exhibition Street</li>
	<li>Planned 70 storeys towers measuring 254m from La Trobe Street</li>
	<li>504 hotel rooms and 16 hotel residences</li>
	<li>500 plus apartments</li>
	<li>330 vehicle bays and 254 bicycle bays</li>
	<li>3 retail tenancies combining for 437sqm</li>
	<li>Estimated cost of development: $250 million</li>
</ul>
Billed by CBRE City Sales during the site's marketing campaign as a "generational opportunity to activate and redefine a CBD precinct, offering the potential for a world-class mixed-use tower", SP Setia have lived up the hype surrounding the site.

Planned are dual towers set above a green podium; one tower containing 5-star hotel suites for an intended international hotel operator and the other private luxury apartments. Documents lodged for the development emphasise SP Setia's intent "to provide a development of the highest quality incorporating the best quality architecture, landscape design and environmental sustainability."

Lodged as a master plan permit application, the development team will provide a heightened degree of design detail as conditions to any permit, should the project receive the green light from the Planning Minister.

Across the development, a host of public and private facilities have been included. Retail spaces, a 1,370sqm child care centre, restaurants, lounge/bars, a 548sqm ballroom and 1,333sqm of pre-function and function space headline the project's lower level offerings.

Scattered across the tower are also a yoga studio, gym, pool and sauna, residents wine cellar, cigar lounge and library and outdoor garden spaces.

<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/map-excellence.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Home of SP Setia's development aspirations. Image: 308exhibition.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="229" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/map-excellence.jpg?itok=JHSu-bKJ" title="Home of SP Setia's development aspirations. Image: 308exhibition.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Home of SP Setia's development aspirations. Image: 308exhibition.com.au</figcaption></figure>Arguably the project's main design feature, a curving sky bridge will link the towers across levels 49 and 50, with the structure slated to include communal spaces among other features.

According to the lodged Urban Context Report, "The Client and the Design Team (FKA and Cox in association) have developed the preliminary concepts in close consultation with DELWP and MCC. Over a series of presentations and meetings the tower forms, setbacks, building separation and ground floor activation have been refined."

In further addressing potential development obstacles, an aviation statement has been included within the lodged documents. It outlines 308 Exhibition Street's incursion into the prescribed OLS area by 55.75m, whilst falling 35.75m short of the PANS‐OPS barrier.

OLS breaches have become somewhat common in recent times, and may not necessarily present an issue for the soaring application as its moves through the approvals process.

<h2>308 Exhibition Street development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Urban Context and Design Response: Cox Architecture &amp; Fender Katsalidis</li>
	<li>Landscape plans: TCL Landscape Architects</li>
	<li>Traffic and Transport Assessment: GTA Consultants</li>
	<li>Waste Management Plan: Leigh Design</li>
	<li>Wind Statement: MEL Consultants</li>
	<li>Environmentally Sustainability Design Strategy: Aurecon</li>
	<li>Structural Engineering Statement: Irwinconsult Engineering Consultants</li>
	<li>Aviation Statement: Thompson GCS</li>
	<li>Heritage Advice: Lovell Chen Heritage Consultants</li>
</ul>
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SP Setia's northern statement: 308 Exhibition Street

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sunland-group">Sunland Group</a> has officially lodged plans for its first Gold Coast apartment project since the departure of the Abedian family from the company three years ago, unveiling a new high-rise proposal for a prominent Broadbeach corner site on Old Burleigh Road.

The application was submitted by an entity directed by Tom Jamieson, stepson of longtime Sunland leader Soheil Abedian, and Riaz Rezvanipour, brother-in-law of Sahba Abedian, Soheil’s son.

Sunland acquired the 1,283 sqm site on the corner of Old Burleigh Road and Armrick Avenue for $9.5 million late last year and is now seeking approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/99-101-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">42-storey tower with 81 apartments</a>.

<img alt="First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fea2946d-90ee-4cfc-babe-2a8ad5db2cb6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers.png?VersionId=BV0fihJw31nDIQ8ozY_h3GbS8mxDyhnm" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/contreras-earl-architecture">Contreras Earl Architecture</a>, the proposed tower at 99-101 Old Burleigh Road would deliver a predominantly larger-format apartment mix aimed at the owner-occupier market. Plans include 17 two-bedroom apartments, 55 three-bedroom apartments, and nine four-bedroom residences across 35 residential levels.

The development also incorporates three basement levels, four podium parking levels, two levels of communal recreation facilities, and rooftop plant and equipment. A total of 189 car spaces are proposed, significantly exceeding the 90 spaces required under the planning scheme.

The architecture adopts a sculpted, curvilinear form, with deep wraparound balconies and integrated landscaping intended to soften the tower’s vertical expression. The planning report states the building’s “slender footprint/form provides a complimentary yet varied built form within the local streetscape” and contributes to “a varied, yet ordered skyline.”

Contreras Earl noted in its Architectural Statement that from the early stages, the project addressed a fundamental challenge: how to accommodate the required residential yield while avoiding the conventional model of a tower sitting on a rigid, fully resolved parking podium.

“The most direct response would have been to consolidate parking into a singular, flat podium and extrude a repetitive tower above,” the statement said. “While efficient, this approach would result in a consolidated built form with limited engagement with the surrounding landscape and public realm.”

Instead, the conventional podium model was “deliberately rejected”. The architects described the base of the building as “a landscaped architectural condition where structure, planting and circulation are integrated”.

“Rather than presenting a continuous built mass, the base of the building is articulated through a series of concrete planter elements that organise the podium into a fragmented system,” the statement said. “This approach reduces the perceived bulk of the lower levels while establishing a more permeable interface with the streetscape and adjacent open space.”

<img alt="Sunland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="923fad8d-c960-4527-8fbe-975cf1ddf88d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%2010.32.03%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=pngwb0hYOIUpq9vDw6F2EsOiVuHF3DiX" />

&nbsp;

The site sits within the High Density Residential Zone and inside the City of Gold Coast’s unrestricted “HX” building height area, where the planning framework anticipates intensified residential development tied to the expanding light rail corridor. The planning report notes the area is undergoing “transition toward more intense development forms” given its proximity to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, and high-frequency public transport infrastructure.

Positioned directly opposite Broadbeach Park and within walking distance of Florida Gardens light rail station, the development would sit among a rapidly evolving stretch of Old Burleigh Road that has become one of the Gold Coast’s most active apartment development corridors.

The application joins a growing pipeline of luxury residential projects reshaping Broadbeach, including nearby developments by 5Point Projects, Polycell, and Graya.

The planning report argues the project contributes toward the Gold Coast’s long-term housing targets under the South East Queensland Regional Plan, which forecasts the need for more than 100,000 additional high-rise dwellings across the city by 2046.

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-4" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-1" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-1" dir="auto">
The Abedian family departed Sunland Group in late 2023, ending a four-decade association with the company, and subsequently established the private development firm Abedian &amp; Co. The group is currently delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/greenmount-residences-cnr-hill-street-and-marine-parade-coolangatta-qld-4225">Greenmount Residences</a> at Rainbow Bay and recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/18-mary-avenue-14-18-mary-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">18 Mary Avenue</a> in Broadbeach.
</section>

Joel Robinson

First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach new apartment market with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans

The Minns Labor Government has established the new Bays West Delivery Authority to lead the development&nbsp;of the Bays West Precinct and Blackwattle Bay Precinct.&nbsp;

The Authority is charged with creating Sydney’s newest precinct, a thriving, connected, sustainable hub with White Bay Power Station as its cultural heart. Its vision is to build on the area’s natural, cultural and industrial history to shape a vibrant new neighbourhood.

The precinct will deliver up to 8,500 well-located homes, including a minimum of 10 per cent affordable and essential worker homes. Combine new housing with public open space, opening public access to the waterfront for the first time in more than 100 years, while retaining important deep-water facilities to support Sydney’s working harbour.

Located just minutes from the Sydney CBD and connected to a world-class metro, ferry, walking and cycling links, the Bays West precinct will rebalance housing growth towards well-serviced inner-city locations and help tackle the state’s housing crisis.

The Bays West Delivery Authority,&nbsp;an agency of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, will report to the NSW Minister for Lands and Property who already has oversight of major precinct renewal projects including at Blackwattle Bay and Barangaroo.

As part of the broader Bays West transformation, the Minns Government recently announced that a proposal from Lendlease to redevelop part of the Bays West Precinct has progressed to Stage 2 of the NSW Government’s unsolicited proposals process.

<img alt="Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2ed71eb9-d8e8-4fa7-b9d1-de4531dcf2f3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%209.42.31%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=IDryFIbped9SNDg72LEN_EecvhUsOPvp" />

The Minns Labor Government has also confirmed the Bays West precinct will have a new suburb name. This will be the first major suburb built in close proximity to Sydney’s CBD in decades and will encompass the area currently being referred to as Bays West, including Glebe Island and the White Bay Power Station. Served by a new Metro station just five minutes from the CBD, it will become one of the most populous suburbs in the Inner West and one of Sydney’s premier cultural destinations.

An early works program is taking shape, which&nbsp;includes the first stages of an international design competition.&nbsp;

The aim of the Bays West&nbsp;International&nbsp;Design Competition is to&nbsp;ensure design excellence is embedded in the project from the start. The competition will deliver an&nbsp;urban framework that defines the character, ambition and long-term identity of&nbsp;this&nbsp;former industrial precinct as it transitions to a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable residential&nbsp;neighbourhood.

The competition will be led by the Bays West Delivery Authority in partnership with Government Architect NSW.&nbsp;

It will launch with an invitation for a global Expressions of Interest, before moving to an invitation-only stage that will be assessed by a panel that&nbsp;will provide advice to Cabinet who will select a winner.

Premier of NSW, Chris Minns said the establishment of the new Authority is the first step in transforming the Bays West precinct into a vibrant, livable suburb minutes from the Sydney CBD and two stops from Hunter St Station on the Metro West line.

“The Authority will deliver well-located homes close to the heart of the city and integrate the new precinct with Blackwattle Bay and the new Sydney Fish Market.

“This is a generational opportunity to build a new suburb on the city’s edge and open the harbour foreshore to the public for the first time in a century.”&nbsp;

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the new Bays West Delivery Authority established by the Minns Government will turbocharge the development of Sydney’s newest suburb.

“The Authority is working at a record pace to deliver an international design competition, planning pathways and a financial model so that this development benefits Sydney with well-designed homes in a central location, close to public transport, jobs, entertainment and essential services.

“If we want Sydney to stay liveable and affordable, we need to be bold about using underutilised government-owned land to deliver homes for the future while making sure essential working harbour functions can be accommodated.”

Bays West Delivery Authority established to "turbocharge" Sydney’s newest suburb

Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.

A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.

Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.

“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.

Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.

“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.

The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.

It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.

The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.

One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.

Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.

The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.

Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.

Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.

Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.

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Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.

“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”

Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.

Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.

Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.

400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.

The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.

Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" />

“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.

The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”

The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" />

The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.

According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.

“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.

A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.

Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" />

All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.

The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.

Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.

The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.

Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" />

Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.

The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.

"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.

The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.

The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" />

Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.

Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.

Mark Baljak

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