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Little more than a week after <a href="/news/clifton-hill-in-for-a-dose-of-the-high-life-with-17-levels-planned">unveiling plans for Queens Parade's first high-rise</a>, Apartments.com.au can report on a second intended tower expected to grace the thoroughfare.

Prevalent local developer Gurner has gone to planning with a substantial proposal for 26-56 Queens Parade, seeking approval for a 16 level apartment tower over what is now a low-rise commercial premises.

476 dwellings are called for over the 8,500sqm site which is close to both Alexandra Parade and Brunswick Street. Purchased off-market by Gurner during January for in excess of $40 million, the estimated cost of the project is nominated as $85 million.

Sited with City of Yarra’s Gasworks Precinct, the current building is highly recognisable due to its pink façade, and holds a 120m frontage to Queens Parade.

It's been reported that Gurner has approached one international and three Australian architecture firms in a competitive design process with an aim of delivering a high quality built form outcome onsite. Which architect has the task of delivering the design remains to be seen.

<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/ftznorth.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The site in question. Image: GURNER"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="266" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/ftznorth.jpg?itok=RECS0DCE" title="The site in question. Image: GURNER" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The site in question. Image: GURNER</figcaption></figure>Factoring in those projects at planning or with planning approval, and apartment living is set to take hold along Queens Parade. Gurner, Salta Properties, Wulff Projects and TLC Aged care as noteworthy developers active along Queens Parade, with as many as 1,000 new dwellings in the pipeline.

Nearby and the sizeable former 4-hectare Gasworks site is <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/business/property/fitzroy-gasworks-back-in-play-20160426-gof0pl">speculated to be heading toward development</a>, with Places Victoria looking to facilitate change over the underutilised land.

The only recent apartment development of note to grace Queens Parade is Graphite at 58 Queens Parade. Developed by BPM, Graphite was completed during 2015 and sees 46 apartments over 5 levels.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image58_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Spanish Club's intended transformatiom. Image: Warren and Mahoney"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="406" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image58_2.jpg?itok=c5CD1MFb" title="Spanish Club's intended transformatiom. Image: Warren and Mahoney" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Spanish Club's intended transformation. Image: Warren and Mahoney</figcaption></figure>26-56 Queens Parade's 476 dwellings are in addition to Gurner's seven projects found within the Apartments.com.au Project Database, which amount to some 670 apartments.

Of those, 375 apartments are under construction by way of 107 Cambridge Street, Ikebana and 24-28 Stanley Street. 74 Eastern Road is awaiting construction after a successful sales campaign while 278-282 Kings Way, 7 Bowen Crescent and The Spanish Club at 57-61 Johnston Street are also at planning.

Gurner was also tied to <a href="https://developmentsites.melbourne/footscray/1-warde-street">1 Warde Street, Footscray</a> with the site which carries approval for 388 apartments now offered for sale with CBRE City Sales.
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silvermb

Doubling up on Queens Parade as Gurner seeks approval for 476 dwellings

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In light of Michael Banak's recent appointment to the role of Principal at national design firm <a href="/architects/rothelowman">RotheLowman</a>, Apartments.com.au thought it an opportune time to chat with the Michael given his extensive credentials in sustainable workplace design.

Holding a membership with the Green Building Council of Australia and accreditation as a Green Star professional, Michael Banak also participated in the Australian Institute of Architects’ mentoring program. Partnering with fellow Principal Ben Pomroy, the duo will spearhead RotheLowman's expansion into the commercial office sphere with a view toward technologically intelligent and sustainable workplace solutions.

Encompassing topics such as RotheLowman's current commercial-driven workbook, evolving expectations and emerging sustainability trends, the chat transpired as follows.

Apartments.com.au: How many current commercial projects are in design on a national scale. Is commercial design a growing sector within RotheLowman?

Michael Banak: RotheLowman is currently working on 14 wide-ranging commercial projects from large-scale office to boutique and mixed-use commercial outcomes. These projects are at varying stages from concept design through to construction across our three national offices.

Our collaborative architecture and interior design teams are specialists at embedding organisational culture into our architectural solutions and as a result it’s a sector that’s expanded in our business. My recent appointment combined with the existing knowledge of our established commercial team has allowed us to provide an increased offering specialising in business spaces.

UM: RotheLowman is particularly strong in residential design in Melbourne. Are there any commercial projects in Melbourne on the radar?

MB: We are also working on a major office development in <a href="/new-apartments/south-melbourne-vic-3205">South Melbourne</a> pending town planning. This project will showcase the firm’s commercial knowledge through an innovative design featuring flexible and efficient office space; green roofs and break-out terraces; atrium spaces with communication stairs that frame key city views; and cutting edge mechanical and lifting systems.

<a href="/new-apartments/richmond-vic-3121">Richmond</a>-based <a href="/developments/burnley-vic-3121">East Edge Botanicca</a> is in planning; cutting-edge strata offices settled amidst the beauty of the Yarra River designed to elicit the professionalism of a tightly held corporate hub. Offices and communal spaces transition the outdoors in using light interplay and generous balconies, while sleek finishes, restrained warehouse-inspired design and communal green hubs facilitate professional interaction.

<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_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="East Edge Botanicca. Image: ROTHELOWMAN"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="245" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image17_6.jpg?itok=QZ6l8Ntk" title="East Edge Botanicca. Image: ROTHELOWMAN" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>East Edge Botanicca. Image: RotheLowman</figcaption></figure>We have recently completed a refurbishment of the RPM Real Estate Group headquarters for a company that has experienced a 370 per cent increase in revenue over the last four years, and has sold 25 per cent of all residential lots available across Melbourne’s metropolitan growth areas over the 2014/2015 period.

The design reflects the people-oriented, sophisticated and approachable nature of the RPM business in a unified manner that overcomes the physically divided office and high proportion of dispersed workers.

UM: Advancing technology has become more prevalent in commercial design. What are the current prevailing technologies influencing green building design?

MB: New technologies I’ve observed in green office buildings, firstly, include connectivity. Ease of communication between workers provides efficiency and therefore reduced use of environmental resources. These technologies allow greater user control of their environments.

The user for example can dial into the office before or after work and control lighting, heating and sound, this can be set to change for different times of the day, moods or seasons. Other technologies that I’ve begun to see regularly integrated include low emittance windows and smart glass; cool roofs and photovoltaic (solar) cell technology that can be used as a thin film applied to glass.

UM: Net Zero commercial buildings. Are they viable, should or will they become the norm via legislation? Is the onus on the architect or the developer to create such an outcome?

MB: Net zero buildings are grid-integrated buildings capable of generating as much energy as they consume through advanced technologies and on-site power generation. This includes power generated from the sun, wind or earth to exceed demands of the building.

To meet our energy reduction targets this type of development is inevitable. It needs to be legislated and supported by government to be successful, in the same way Green Star was supported in the early days by government for all government commercial projects. This paved the way for Green Star rated commercial buildings to be the norm.

It is the architect’s responsibility to promote net zero buildings, to protect the environment and provide a business case to the developer to support this. Generally, a developer will only entertain this idea if they are looking for a long-term investment.

UM: You are a Green Star accredited professional and a member of the Green Building Council of Australia. What benchmarks in design are required to fulfill the requirements as outlined by the two bodies, and are these requirements often changing to meet evolving expectations/benchmarks?

MB: The Green Star accreditation requires further education – I undertook a course and spent six months studying to pass the exam. I ensure that I undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements each year to maintain my accreditation and stay up to date with current trends.

The CPD requirements for the accreditation cover a range of areas including Green Star sustainable developments, rating tools, case studies and innovation. Memberships to the GBCA also provide access to events and resources to ensure that my practice continues to lead and innovate.

UM: How have workplace interiors changes to suit evolving tenant needs/requirements and how do you think they will further evolve into the future?

MB: The emergence of remote working has widespread implications for the traditional commercial office. Technology allowing us to work less at our desks has increased our office mobility, reducing the space required for a typical office.

Architects are now able to design non-designated office space where a mobile workforce can plug in on their days in the office. The trend towards hot-desking has been refined through trial and error – a scaled, team-based version of hot-desking is now most common in project-based commercial offices, rather than an all-encompassing model.

The reduction in use of paper has also meant less storage is required and therefore spaces can exist with a smaller footprint. Activity based work settings are popular at the moment, and I envision in the future that workplaces will incorporate greater control for workers, enabling them to dictate the ambient conditions of their workplace instantly, wherever they choose to be.
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Sustainability in the commercial sphere: RotheLowman's Michael Banak talks to Urban.com.au

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It's the stuff of roosters and feather dusters over the course of the last week. While the western end of Melbourne's CBD will be graced by a building unlike any other in Melbourne, Spring Street is set to receive a tower at the opposite end of the design scale.

As has been widely reported a new $300 million tower designed by international architecture firm Zaha Hadid Architects has been given final approval by the Victorian Government. Expected within developer Landream's 54 level tower, which weighs in at 176 metres, are 420 dwellings and in excess of 10,000sqm of office and retail space.

Designed in conjunction with Plus Architecture, the base of the tower at 582-606 Collins Street will also include ground floor art space, a public plaza to Collins Street and a new pedestrian link and a publicly accessible terrace.

<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/image49_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="582-606 Collins Street. Image: Zaha Hadid Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="340" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image49_3.jpg?itok=yoJhIJix" title="582-606 Collins Street. Image: Zaha Hadid Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>582-606 Collins Street. Image: Zaha Hadid Architects</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
This stand-out design will enhance the city’s skyline, deliver jobs during construction and additional housing for people wanting to live in the CBD.

The late Zaha Hadid has been described as an a starchitect, Melbourne will now have a piece of her artistic flare and I look forward to seeing it come together and provide new public space in the city.
<cite>Jill Hennessy, Acting Minister for Planning</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
Working in close collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects, Plus Architecture is deeply privileged to be a part of the team bringing Dame Zaha Hadid’s inspiring design to the Melbourne skyline with the project set to be a monumental part of our city’s urban fabric and architectural narrative.
<cite>Jess Liew, Director, Plus Architecture (local architects on record)</cite>
</blockquote>

To 85 Spring Street now where revised images of Grocon's intended apartment development have appeared over online sales portals.

After much wrangling between the development team and the State planning department, a <a href="http://architectureau.com/articles/grocons-denton-corker-marshall-designed-tower-approved/">revised scheme of considerable design merit won approval during 2015</a> . Fast forward and gone is Denton Corker Marshall's design of note, replaced with a pared-down 39 level edifice.

The current version, seen below right, loses much of its architectural expression and appears externally to be little more than a generic design that smacks of value management.

Unfortunately, it also happens to be in a premier CBD location.

<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/image45_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="85 Spring Street, old and new. Images: ArchitectureAU &amp; realestate.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="373" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image45_3.jpg?itok=DbiJSh_0" title="85 Spring Street, old and new. Images: ArchitectureAU &amp; realestate.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>85 Spring Street, old and new. Images: ArchitectureAU &amp; realestate.com.au</figcaption></figure>And finally to a design spotted on Apartments.com.au's forum this week of a concept as seen below for Landream by Zaha Hadid Architects once more.

Apartments.com.au covered the story one year ago regarding Landream approaching CASA to initiate discussion on a <a href="/news/260-la-trobe-shapes-as-melbournes-next-big-tower">possible tower for 254-260 La Trobe Street</a>. The tower which was tall enough to challenge the PANS-OPS ceiling would have been of a similar height to the adjoining Aurora Melbourne Central that is now under construction.

The spectacular design that would now not adhere to the interim and soon permanent planning controls, may well be consigned to the history books.

Nonetheless a truly impressive 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/image42zh.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Zaha Hadid Architects' take on 260 La Trobe Street."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="538" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image42zh.jpg?itok=Y_CaZ0Ar" title="Zaha Hadid Architects' take on 260 La Trobe Street." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Zaha Hadid Architects' take on 260 La Trobe Street.</figcaption></figure>
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Momentous designs, both gained and lost in the space of a week

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A development consortium is hoping that a Clifton Hill site which recently went into planning will ultimately become the suburb's first high-rise building.

Plans for 249-261 Queens Parade were lodged with City of Yarra during May for a 17 storey tower of a consisting predominantly of apartments. The small stretch of Queens Parade abutting Hoddle Street has seen a limited number of mid-rise projects thus far, but nothing of the scale which has been designed for 249-261 Queens Parade.

With a development cost of approximately $30 million, 129 dwellings are designed to sit above ground level retail, with two basement levels also included.

Development Manager Wulff Projects carry the following description of the project on their website:

<blockquote>
Neighbouring the Patch Apartments, these adjoining sites were acquired separately and off-market by Wulff Projects on behalf of the Joint Venture comprising Wolf Capital and Salta Properties. Currently, over 100 apartments are planned, striving to be an exemplar of high quality design and all with high level amenity and priority ESD consideration.

This development is expected for completion in 2018.
</blockquote>

The two sites in question are 265 Queens Parade at 310sqm and 249-261 Queens Parade covering 885sqm. <a href="http://www.colliers.com.au/news/2015/off---market-sales-heat-up-in-clifton-hill/#.V4IUB7h9670">According to Colliers</a> the combined purchase price for the land parcels was $8.5 million.

<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/image9_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Colliers graphic for Queens Parade"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="405" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image9_7.jpg?itok=oAkGs9kW" title="Colliers graphic for Queens Parade" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Colliers International graphic for Queens Parade</figcaption></figure>Formerly light industrial, the eastern side of Queens Parade is gradually being repurposed as higher density development. 

The green plot seen in the Colliers International graphic above relates to Salta Properties and Wolf Capital's planned 17 level tower whilst the mustard site holds approval for an 11 level project at 243-247 Queens Parade. Dubbed <a href="http://patchapartments.com.au/">Patch Apartments</a>, a project website for the development is still operational.

Seen in orange above is aged care provider TLC's site for a 10 level integrated care hub at 217-241 Queens Parade. With revised plans submitted during January, Yarra City Council have the application listed as having a Notice of Decision; the final step prior to a planning permit being granted.

205-211 Queens Parade also shapes a future development with Colliers International recently running a campaign for the 1,440sqm land holding. 

<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_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="243-247 Queens Parade and 217-241 Queens Parade"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="335" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image10_6.jpg?itok=JrMMHsL3" title="243-247 Queens Parade and 217-241 Queens Parade" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>243-247 Queens Parade and 217-241 Queens Parade. Images: Fieldwork Projects &amp; Baldasso Cortese</figcaption></figure>
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Clifton Hill in for a dose of the high life with 17 levels planned

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The next step in the evolution of Essendon Fields will come by way of an expansive, new private hospital which shapes as the precinct's largest project thus far.

Joint owners Beck Corporation and Linfox Group have initiated an Expression of Interest campaign that is asking for prospective hospital operators to partner with the duo in order to deliver the new facility. Set on vacant land adjacent to the Tullamarine Freeway, Essendon Fields Private Hospital will be built over stages, with the first stage expected to open during 2019.

Once a preferred operator has been announced, most likely by this October, a Major Development Plan for the hospital will be devised.

The hospital will bolster the growing number of people which work in the precinct. Currently 5,000 people work within Essendon Fields across a range of industries, with forecasts suggesting as many as 14,000 additional jobs will be be created over time.

<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/image6_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Concept image of the upcoming hospital facility"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="223" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image6_8.jpg?itok=7QrqaNry" title="Concept image of the upcoming hospital facility" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Concept image of the upcoming hospital facility</figcaption></figure>PwC is acting as the project's commercial and financial advisor whilst Billard Leece Partnership has been installed as the design lead.

Indicative designs for the facility see a sprawling complex with three buildings to be constructed over varying stages. 300 beds are envisaged for the hospital, with other services such as chemo, pathology and radiology catered for. Car parking for the development will be both at ground and within a multi level facility.

Given the size of the site in question, extensive greenery will also be created in and around each building.

<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/hotel-banner.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hyatt Place is quickly becoming reality"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="247" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/hotel-banner.jpg?itok=5onVYM3s" title="Hyatt Place is quickly becoming reality" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Hyatt Place is quickly becoming reality</figcaption></figure>The arrival of Essendon Fields Private Hospital follows on from the increased amount of development currently on the go within the precinct. The much publicised $60 million Hyatt Place development is at level five, with builders Hamilton Marino on track to deliver the 166 suite hotel by early 2017.

Adjoining Hyatt Place the Australian Events Centre is due to open during November, providing 1,700sqm of premium, column-free event space. Further, FOURSQ are in the fitout stage of completing 6 English Street which will see 4,650sqm of premium office space added whilst a $20 million redevelopment of the Terminal building will see 3,000sqm of additional office space created.

Meanwhile, Construction Engineering is engaged in building a $10 million, seven storey building that will house the iFly Indoor Skydiving centre along the precinct's western perimeter.
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A new hospital underpins the surge of development within Essendon Fields

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Local and international developers now have the opportunity to run the ruler over what is one of Melbourne's largest permitted CBD development sites. 299 King Street has been placed on the market in the knowledge that it is one of the last remaining super-sized developments within Melbourne's CBD that was not subject to evised planning rules which were introduced during 2015.

Dubbed <a href="http://www.kingstowermelbourne.com.au/">Kings Tower</a>, the 208 metre residential scheme design by Plus Architecture looms as a trophy purchase for the eventual buyer, with CBRE Melbourne City Sales handling the campaign.

Included within the approved 66 level envelope are 400 plus dwellings above a podium featuring a variety of communal uses and provision for both car and bicycle parking. CBRE Melbourne City Sales expect that the eventual buyer may proceed with the residential scheme as is, or introduce other uses such as a hotel, serviced apartments and/or student accommodation, subject to Council approval.

<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/king_street_chinese_v2_cl_02.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Kings Tower as rendered from street level. Image: CBRE City Sales"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="1305" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/king_street_chinese_v2_cl_02.jpg?itok=cBFdY6DW" title="Kings Tower as rendered from street level. Image: CBRE City Sales" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Kings Tower as rendered from street level. Image: CBRE City Sales</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
Only four major development sites have come to the market in 2016, and we are seeing a major uptick in demand from offshore developers who have been waiting for quality sites to become available.

After receiving planning approval, the vendor received several private approaches by local and offshore groups, and has subsequently decided to offer the property to the open market.
<cite>Josh Rutman, Director, CBRE Melbourne City Sales</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
It is interesting to observe the ongoing appetite from Asia for high profile development sites. We have seen almost $300 million of development site sales in Melbourne over the past two months, some with planning approval and others without.
<cite>Mark Wizel, Senior Director, CBRE Melbourne City Sales</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
A lot of the developments in the area are very rectangular," she said. "King Street is a main arterial road for people passing through the CBD and although this building is not at the edge of the CBD grid, it's close enough that it becomes a beacon travelling from the north and south.
<cite>Jessica Liew, Director, Plus Architecture</cite>
</blockquote>

<a href="/news/planning-application-295-309-king-street-melbourne">First appearing on Urban.com.au in early 2015</a>, 299 King Street's design impetus came chiefly from Constantin Brancusi's Bird in Space, Alvar Aalto's Savoy Vase and the iridescent nature of a bubble which captures the reflection and refraction of light waves via its surface. The resultant approved design features pearlescent façade would produce a pink, bluish, purple effect depending on how light is cast over the tower.

The tower also incorporates curvaceous lines with a bulge in form toward its peak, providing it with a point of difference in relation to many of the nearby buildings.

At a floor space ratio of almost 40:1, 299 King Street is an unrepeatable design, with the pending implementation of new planning controls seeing a ratio of 18:1 blanket the CBD and Southbank, although there is limited scope for an increased ratio subject to public benefit clauses.

<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/image3299.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Kings Street frontage. Image: CBRE City Sales"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="758" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image3299.jpg?itok=p83UOyFk" title="Kings Street frontage. Image: CBRE City Sales" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Kings Street frontage. Image: CBRE City Sales</figcaption></figure>Located in the CBD's western precinct, Kings Tower is set to add to the continued transformation of the area, which has seen elevated levels of development over the last decade. Upper West Side and the pending delivery of West side Place which includes Melbourne's first Ritz-Carlton underline the degree of change seen within the western precinct.

CBRE Melbourne City Sales have cited government data within their sales material, showing that an estimated 45,000 new dwellings are required in the inner city over the next 15 years to accommodate population growth.
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A king sized opportunity presents itself in the CBD

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The development team behind Southbank's Monarch Tower have positioned the new project at the higher end of the apartment market, far from some of the projects which surround the mixed-use development.

Representatives of Altus Development, Moull Murray Architects and Bella Charlton recently spoke with Apartments.com.au prior to the project's launch, discussing the all-encompassing task of positioning the permium tower in a location where distingiushing one project from another can be difficult.

Post securing the site, Moull Murray Architects were tasked with refashioning the tower whilst remaining within the approved envelope. With the majority of projects nearby appearing as generic blocks, a high degree of variation was employed over Monarch Tower's facade, moving it aesthetically beyond its neighbours.

<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/image66_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Monarch Tower hero perspective. Image: Altus Development"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="829" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image66_2.jpg?itok=68cIhmcn" title="Monarch Tower hero perspective. Image: Altus Development" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Monarch Tower hero perspective. Image: Altus Development</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
The new architectural treatment, reinforces the tall, slender nature of the approved development envelope with an emphasis on vertical forms. The proportions of the tower have been treated In the classic sky-scraper tradition of a base, middle tower, and expressed top.

The podium utilises a grid framework to set up visually scaleable proportions that relate to the streetscape as well as the pattern overlaid on the tower facade. The podium is veneered with apartments on both frontages to reinforce a sense of human interaction with the public realm.
<cite>Moull Murray Architects</cite>
</blockquote>

Adding to Monarch Tower's stocks is the addition of serviced apartment operator Pan Pacific which will operate 130 five-star suites, situated over the lower 19 levels of the project. Not only does the addition of Pan Pacific provide Monarch Tower with a renowned worldwide operator, it also allowed for the expansion of communal areas and facilities within the building.

A pool deck including a fully-equipped gym, cinema, tranquil health spa, outdoor BBQ entertainment terrace and virtual golf range will service both typical apartments and the Pan Pacific suites. The development team also made note of Monarch Tower's proximity to Crown and the Southbank Entertainment Precinct, with either a short walk away.

<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/image67_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Amenities finished to a high standard. Image: Altus Development"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="186" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image67_2.jpg?itok=TahmJ7LB" title="Amenities finished to a high standard. Image: Altus Development" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Amenities finished to a high standard. Image: Altus Development</figcaption></figure>Premier apartments within Monarch Tower will have exclusive access to the 6-star Sovereign Lounge featuring a bar, spa, sauna, steam room and gym, plus unimpeded views toward the CBD.

Whilst the previously approved plans allowed for one and two bedroom apartments to the tower's summit, Altus Development has completely repositioned Monarch Tower to capture the premium apartment market. Set over the upper 43 levels, total apartment numbers within the project have fallen to 294.

Levels 51 through 58 will include adaptable penthouse and sub penthouse plans, capable of being reworked to a prospective buyer's their needs. Included is the opportunity to create a double-storey, super-sized loft.

<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/image63_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression of a penthouse living area. Image: Altus Development"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="292" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image63_4.jpg?itok=fkY3VzXl" title="Artist's impression of a penthouse living area. Image: Altus Development" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist's impression of a penthouse living area. Image: Altus Development</figcaption></figure>Quizzed on Monarch Tower's interest prior to launch, Bella Charlton's Valentino Spyriadis divulged a number of reservations have been taken for apartments, with those to be firmed once the project officially heads to sales.

Further all penthouses within Monarch Tower will be held for the local market, with the high-end stock considered essential to the project's marketing perception and eventual place in the Southbank market. This is in line with the development team positioning Monarch Tower at the owner-occupier and premium investor.

The launch of Monarch Tower coincides with the firming of a head construction contractor for Docklands' Altus Tower, which follows a similar model to that of Monarch Tower. With a new PARKROYAL and private apartments headlining the Docklands project, Altus Development expect the high-end duo will spearhead their Melbourne development pipeline.
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Distinguishing oneself on Southbank as Monarch Tower enters the fray

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Box Hill is booming - no surprise there.

Yet Box Hill's most recent project to be advertised has raised an interesting question - has the heart of the suburb become a victim of its own rapid high-density success via a lack of foresight?

The question has been prompted by the emergence of 16-22 Wellington Street which is yet another residential tower seeking its place in Box Hill. The difference arises with project architect Elenberg Fraser's treatment of the design's ground level which provides both extensive greenery and some built form relief by way of a cavernous plaza at ground level.

This in turn prompted a scan of the Apartments.com.au Project Database to see how many of Box Hill's 30 apartment project listings have included any greenery and/or built form relief to ground level. 

39 Harrow Street and Chloe provide limited greenery to their facades by way of planter boxes, whilst only 109 Carrington Road has its built form set back from the main frontage.

Coupled with existing recent builds and Box Hill's built form environment begins to look somewhat generic.

<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/image33bh.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Plaza and laneway format. Planning image: Rush \ Wright Associates"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="499" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image33bh.jpg?itok=QaghiP2i" title="Plaza and laneway format. Planning image: Rush \ Wright Associates" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Plaza and laneway format. Planning image: Rush \ Wright Associates</figcaption></figure>Which in turn is why 16-22 Wellington Road stands out as a prospective Box Hill development. Elenberg Fraser along with landscape architects Rush \ Wright Associates have conceived something Box Hill has failed to deliver thus far - an intreresting, purposeful and green ground level activation to a tower.

<blockquote>
The proposal incorporates an important public realm initiative in the form of a public, north-facing plaza space/forecourt fronting Wellington Road and the adjacent pedestrian laneway linking to Spring Street. The plaza space is approximately 245 sqm in area.

This space...occupies approximately 41% of the Wellington Road frontage, and approximately 40% of the laneway frontage. Approximately 50% of the space is located below the building form above, but the triple-height space is 8.5m high (clearance), and is oriented north and west, so is expected to provide substantial spatial volume and natural light.

The plaza space is positioned and designed to align with movement flows between the two nearby easy-west pedestrian laneways, along pedestrians moving east-to-west to move across this part of the site, and to spend time in the space. 
<cite>Urban Design Review: SJB Urban</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/image32_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rendered activation of 16 Wellington Street's laneway. Planning image: Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="380" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image32_5.jpg?itok=zknTZ0ET" title="Rendered activation of 16 Wellington Street's laneway. Planning image: Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendered activation of 16 Wellington Street's laneway. Planning image: Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure>Has enough been done to encourage benchmarks which would result in designs such as 16-22 Wellington Street becoming the standard? Without having intimate knowledge of City of Whitehorse's planning controls one can only base opinions on what is reality; and reality shows that the vast majority of completed and pending developments in Box Hill have a lack of street level nous.

The sample images below clearly illustrate that.

Whilst many of Box Hill current streets are graced with greenery and a decent level of variation, the sweeping change of higher density development should not come at the cost of public realm. 

Hats off to Elenberg Fraser for creating a standout project for what it brings to the public realm.

<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_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A sample of Box Hill's built form"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="478" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image35_5.jpg?itok=YYBIO42t" title="A sample of Box Hill's built form" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A sample of Box Hill's built form</figcaption></figure>
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Some relief from an otherwise boxy outcome

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Fridcorp and Elenberg Fraser's third joint project within South Yarra's Forrest Hill Precinct looks set to produce arguably the area's most interesting building.

Interesting in that plans currently on display for 627 Chapel Street show a residential tower set above a street interface that shapes as being something unique to the area.

In a recent chat with Apartments.com.au, Fridcorp founder and Director Paul Fridman outlined 627 Chapel Street's intentions of becoming a worthy conduit by way of meaningfully linking Chapel Street with the ever expanding residential population of Claremont Street and South Yarra Station beyond.

The tower itself has been inspired by the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, resulting in a sculptural building form layered with greenery that is expected to accommodate in excess of 450 dwellings.

<h2>627 Chapel 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/image5ef.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The undulating form of 627 Chapel Street. Planning image: Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="446" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image5ef.jpg?itok=syv69bh7" title="The undulating form of 627 Chapel Street. Planning image: Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The undulating form of 627 Chapel Street. Planning image: Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Application lodged June 2015 with a revision dated June 2016</li>
	<li>1,529sqm site, currently inhabited by a commercial building</li>
	<li>Proposed 42 level tower at 133m</li>
	<li>454 apartments: 147 x 1BR, 301 x 2BR, 6 x 3BR</li>
	<li>3 retail tenancies at a combined 297sqm</li>
	<li>Public room: 292sqm</li>
	<li>8 level basements for 286 vehicles and 130 bicycles</li>
	<li>Amenities: private dining and lounge, a sky bar and observatory, a meditative sky garden and a gymnasium incorporating a swimming pool</li>
</ul>
The glazed and balustraded finishes applied to 627 Chapel Street are contrasted by slithers of greenery. The scattered nature of each level's courtyards are tied together via vertical green gardens which accentuate the rippling nature of the design.

Residences are reinforced by three separate common areas over differing levels. Levels 1 and 16 host various amenities while level 40 hosts a north-facing private dining room.

<h2>The 'Public Room'</h2>

Coinciding with the application's semi-covered Public Plaza is the intended beautification of Daly Street. Elenberg Fraser and landscape architects 360 Degrees have taken a holistic approach to the tower's settings, resulting in a space dubbed the 'Public Room'.

<blockquote>
The public room will become an active meeting place for pedestrians travelling up/down Chapel Street and through Forrest Hill to South Yarra Station. It will become a centre for public interaction.

A public art piece will mark Chapel Street's connection through to the Forrest Hill Precinct. This marker will enhance pedestrian corridors and position the Forrest Hill gateway as a primary thoroughfare through South Yarra, directing traffic to the future prospects at South Yarra Station.
<cite>Elenberg Fraser: 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/image4ef.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Chapel Street perspective. Planning image: Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image4ef.jpg?itok=4Df1BtwA" title="The Chapel Street perspective. Planning image: Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Chapel Street perspective. Planning image: Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure>Should 627 Chapel Street get the green light, both it and 16-22 Claremont Street will frame the Daly Street passage that leads to the heart of the Forrest Hill Precinct.

With Malaysian outfit Salcon Berhad revealed as the new purchaser of 16-22 Claremont Street last week, the prospect of South Yarra's two most ground level-inclusive developments rising in close proximity to one another is a very real possibility. While 627 Chapel Street sports the 'Public Room', 16-22 Claremont Street's best public asset will be a large through passage dubbed 'Claremont Plaza' as seen below.

On a wider note, 627 Chapel Street is the sixth residential development currently in play facing Chapel Street within the Forrest Hill Precinct. Of the six, both it and 671 Chapel Street are the two projects yet to receive planning approval.

<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/image8_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Bookending Daly Street. Images: Elenberg Fraser &amp; Colliers"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="212" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image8_8.jpg?itok=ftocQwWM" title="Bookending Daly Street. Images: Elenberg Fraser &amp; Colliers" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bookending Daly Street. Images: Elenberg Fraser &amp; Colliers</figcaption></figure><h2>627 Chapel Street development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Fridcorp</li>
	<li>Architects: Elenberg Fraser Architects</li>
	<li>Town planning: Meinhardt</li>
	<li>Traffic Engineers: One Mile Grid</li>
	<li>ESD report &amp; services: Murchie Consulting</li>
	<li>Waste management plan: Leigh Desig</li>
	<li>Wind analysis: MEL Consultants</li>
	<li>Landscape plan: 360 Degrees</li>
	<li>Land survey: Bosco Jonson</li>
	<li>Structural Engineer: Webber Design</li>
</ul>
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Street to stalk, 627 Chapel Street walks the walk!

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Glen Waverley is on the cusp of realising a handful of higher density projects within its designated activity centre. The tempered flow of projects doesn't necessarily correlate to the underlying demand for apartments within the suburb, if apartment projects such as Ikon and Galleria are any example.

Both managed to sell in near record time, with the latter selling <a href="http://www.plusarchitecture.com.au/plus-glen-waverley-tower-galleria-sells-100-apartments-in-90-minutes/">100 apartments in 90 minutes</a>.

So demand is present and the structure plan is in place. Can Glen Waverley reach the heights of more established suburbs such as Box Hill and Doncaster, in terms of higher density living?

<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/gall.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Gone, gone… Galleria. Image: Plus Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="335" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/gall.jpg?itok=GgqMGyh2" title="Gone, gone… Galleria. Image: Plus Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Gone, gone… Galleria. Image: Plus Architecture</figcaption></figure>Essentially no, not to the same degree.

Box Hill is the unequivocal gorilla of the eastern suburbs apartment market for both number of projects and their sheer size; three more residential projects due to enter the Apartments.com.au Project Database will push Box Hill past 30 separate current projects. Doncaster too, punches hard with 22 separate listings. Lower in height yet denser is the order of the day on Doncaster Hill.

Glen Waverley, on the other hand, is shaping as a secondary eastern suburbs apartment hub, similar in many ways to Ringwood.

Peruse the respective structure plans and Ringwood's <a href="http://www.ringwoodgoingplaces.com.au/ImageLibraryAssets/Resources/040816%20Final%20Report%20August%202004.pdf">Transit City Study Area</a> is discernibly larger than the <a href="http://www.monash.vic.gov.au/files/assets/public/building-amp-planning/monash-structure-plans/glen-waverley-principal-activity-centre-structure-plan.pdf">Glen Waverley Activity Centre Structure Plan</a>. It seems the demand is present within Glen Waverley, but the availability of land holdings ripe for higher density development may not be.

That's not to say Glen Waverley won't be without some landmark developments. In addition to <a href="/buildings/sky-garden-235-springvale-road-glen-waverley">The Glen's redevelopment</a> which will deliver hundreds of new apartments, City of Monash has identified the Central Car Park site as an ‘Opportunity Site’ which is mandated to host a tower in excess of 10 levels.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image3jtx.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="JTX International's Glen Waverley bid. Image: JTX International"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="334" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image3jtx.jpg?itok=lrl21Kyj" title="JTX International's Glen Waverley bid. Image: JTX International" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>JTX International's Glen Waverley bid. Image: JTX International</figcaption></figure>Seen above is <a href="http://www.jtx.com.au/project/town-centre-glen-waverley/">JTX International's bid for the Central Car Park</a>. In addition to residential towers, a new town square, library and community meeting spaces are likely to be built in accordance with Council's wishes.

While City of Monash have yet to endorse a preferred bid publicly, the above scheme may give an indication as to what can be expected. It shapes as Glen Waverley's defining development.

In terms of what has actually entered planning, the most recent Glen Waverley high-density project currently before the City of Monash is <a href="https://youtu.be/n4OfREEe9Eg">15-17 Marriott Parade</a>, with the combined site selling for a record residential sales price of over $7 million.

The 2,169sqm plot is now subject to a four-level planning application with 63 apartments included, split between one and two bedroom options. Located on the periphery of the Glen Waverley Activity Centre, 15-17 Marriott Parade is opposite both the Ibis Hotel and City of Monash's 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/architeria_front_01-1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A rendered 17 Marriott Parade, Glen Waverley. Image: Architeria Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="241" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/architeria_front_01-1.jpg?itok=PCRCa-Je" title="A rendered 17 Marriott Parade, Glen Waverley. Image: Architeria Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A rendered 15-17 Marriott Parade, Glen Waverley. Image: Architeria Architects</figcaption></figure>Mel Gawi of Architeria Architects provided the following comments regarding 15-17 Marriott Parade:

<blockquote>
Architeria Architects were engaged to design apartments on this site and the brief was to create a stunning new landmark for Glen Waverley.

The design has allowed for soft and curvy corners, enhancing the principles of Feng Shui. Further, the building is shaped as a number 8, a prosperous number, as the two curves meet in the middle to expand along the sides. The internal courtyard allows for natural cross ventilation throughout all the apartments and creates an oasis for the residents to enjoy.

It has been an absolute pleasure to design an apartment building of this nature. As the site sits on the fringe of all activity, I believe the architecture will not only blend in with the higher density buildings across the road, but be a positive contribution to Glen Waverley in general.
<cite>Mel Gawi, Principal, Architeria Architects</cite>
</blockquote>
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Could Glen Waverley emerge as another eastern suburban apartment hub?

<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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