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Cbus Property is set to kick off construction on arguably its two most prized Melbourne developments.

447 Collins Street has landed builder Brookfield Multiplex in an early contractor involvement role, with works to begin during September. Usurping 447 Collins Street with an August construction start will be Classic East Melbourne, with the ultra high-end residential development looking to take advantage of strong demand for luxury apartment living.

Prompting 447 Collins Street's move to construction is news that law firm King &amp; Wood Mallesons will anchor the commercial aspect of the development by taking 8,300sqm or 20% of the 49,000sqm of leasable commercial space available. 

<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/image97_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Collins Arch edges closer to reality"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="281" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image97_0.jpg?itok=6NZ_RKrn" title="Collins Arch edges closer to reality" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Collins Arch edges closer to reality</figcaption></figure>The development team will push for the project to become Melbourne's first <a href="https://www.wellcertified.com/well">WELL Building Standard</a>-rated commercial tower. A WELL rating pertains to a given building's built environment health with behavior, operations and design taken into account. With a 2019 completion date set, King &amp; Wood Mallesons staff will be among the many white collar workers within 447 Collins Street which will also sport extensive end of trip facilities.

With 447 Collins Street locked into construction Cbus Property and agent Colliers International will focus on leasing the balance of commercial space still available, whilst also preparing to launch the residential aspect of the project which will be known as Collins Arch. Marketing for the 205 luxury apartments will begin during September.

Meanwhile construction works are to commence next month on Cbus Property's Classic East Melbourne apartment project. The ultra-luxury development valued at $160 million is a joint venture with global property player Brookfield, finally realising plans to develop sites either side of the Pullman Hotel on East Melbourne's Wellington Parade.

Brookfield's entry into the Melbourne apartment market follows on from its acquisition of Thakral Holdings which initiated plans to develop the land holding the best part of a decade ago.

<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/cbus9196_east_melbourne_apartments_e01_mosspenoch_hero-1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Mosspenoch and 22 Clarendon in view. Image: CBUS Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/cbus9196_east_melbourne_apartments_e01_mosspenoch_hero-1.jpg?itok=fuPv6Ne8" title="Mosspenoch and 22 Clarendon in view. Image: CBUS Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Mosspenoch and 22 Clarendon in view. Image: CBUS Property</figcaption></figure>Aimed squarely at the higher end buyer, apartments within the tri-building project will be priced between $1.4 million and $6.5 million.

Lovell Chen have devised apartments within the 1882 Mosspenoch building. Originally designed by Charles Webb, the grand home will now be refashioned into six three bedroom apartments of between 167 to 273sqm. Modern additions are by Bates Smart and take the form of a seven level building at 22 Clarendon Street and a fourteen level build dubbed Parade fronting Wellington Parade.

Dwellings within 22 Clarendon Street maintain average internals of over 200sqm whilst Parade with 49 apartments included, is topped with a garden penthouse holding 306sqm of internal living space.

Overall Classic East Melbourne will encompass 67 apartments with project completion set for early 2018.

<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/cbus9196_east_melbourne_apartments_in04_cs_type_n3_living_view_01-1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Room with a view. Image: CBUS Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/cbus9196_east_melbourne_apartments_in04_cs_type_n3_living_view_01-1.jpg?itok=NkXMuQdM" title="Room with a view. Image: CBUS Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Room with a view. Image: CBUS Property</figcaption></figure>
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silvermb

Cbus Property firms construction dates for its two premier projects

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The brisk rate of development immediately north of Melbourne's CBD has received another boost by way of a freshly submitted planning application for a sleek metal-clad tower fronting Haymarket roundabout.

City North as it's known is realising the aims of the 2012 City North Structure Plan, rapidly becoming a mid-rise extension of Melbourne's CBD. 1 Flemington Road now looks to become a more prominent member of this emerging skyline with plans submitted for a substantial student accommodation tower set over 22 levels.

1 Flemington Road also represents Brisbane-based Blue Sky Funds second dip into the Melbourne student accommodation sector, having gained approval last month for <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">42-50 La Trobe Street</a> which includes 783 beds over 43 levels.

<h2>1-3 Flemington 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/image83_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Elizabeth Street perspective. Planning image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image83_1.jpg?itok=_KALco8q" title="Elizabeth Street perspective. Planning image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Elizabeth Street perspective. Planning image: Hayball</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Current use: Turf Club Hotel</li>
	<li>Site area: 1,011sqm</li>
	<li>Proposed 22 level student accommodation tower at 68 metres</li>
	<li>453 student beds over 389 apartments: 325 x studio, 90 x 2bed, 38 x cluster</li>
	<li>595sqm of internal communal space</li>
	<li>418sqm of external open space</li>
	<li>47sqm cafe &amp; 133sqm retail space</li>
	<li>104 bicycle bays</li>
	<li>GFA: 13,599sqm</li>
	<li>Estimated project cost: $40 million</li>
</ul>
The Hayball-designed tower involves an exterior consisting of standard modular panels that undulate with a variance of up to 300mm, resulting in a wave-like pattern that is repeated every 7.2 meters horizontally. Each panel's exterior consists of a charcoal anodised brushed aluminium finish that maintains a reflectivity of between 15% to 20%.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image86_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Facade perspectives. Planning image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="314" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image86_0.jpg?itok=2r_Il_4A" title="Facade perspectives. Planning image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Facade perspectives. Planning image: Hayball</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
The sinuous footprint and undulating form combine into a facade of modular darkened metallic panels, their reflectivity catching light, shadow and colour for subtle temporal animation.

Through their composition and faceting, the façade modules reflect back the forms of the immediate locality, while seasonal weather patterns and changing light conditions colour and animate the façade.
<cite>Application design response: Hayball</cite>
</blockquote>

1 Flemington Road adds to the surge of projects gravitating to the Haymarket roundabout. Dominated by the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Haymarket roundabout in particular is shaping as a focal point with a handful of atypically designed towers emerging.

In the wider context City North is dominated by pending residential and student accommodation projects which could see new thousands of additional dwellings added in the short to medium term.

While accommodation generally rules the roost in City North, commercial and institutional projects also get a look in. Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation’s new mixed-use 15,722sqm headquarters at 535 Elizabeth Street is under construction and is set for completion during September 2017.

<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/image88_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="City North and a selection of current projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="254" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image88_3.jpg?itok=MYfyOGjN" title="City North and a selection of current projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>City North and a selection of current projects</figcaption></figure><h2>1-3 Flemington Road development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Blue Sky Private Real Estate Projects Pty Ltd</li>
	<li>Architect: Hayball</li>
	<li>Town planning: Tract Consultants</li>
	<li>Traffic engineer: TTM Consulting</li>
	<li>Waste management: Leigh Design</li>
	<li>Sustainability: LUCID</li>
	<li>Wind Engineer: VIPAC</li>
	<li>Aviation consultant: TGCS Thompson</li>
</ul>
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City North's latest entrant a metal monolith

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It has been more than a lively week in terms of development as news continues to filter through on a swag of large inner city projects.

Earlier in the week The State Government announced in excess of $2 billion in planning applications had been approved. 460 Collins, 447 Collins, 280 Queen Street, 334-344 City Road and 4 Hopkins Street were all given the green light, amounting to in excess of 2000 apartments, 300 plus serviced apartments, hotel and office accommodation.

Further to the above, three separate projects have also had further information come to light this week:

<h2>303 La Trobe Street</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image38_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="303 La Trobe Street. Image: iaumeca.com"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="1056" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image38_3.jpg?itok=eiVY0jO8" title="303 La Trobe Street. Image: iaumeca.com" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>303 La Trobe Street. Image: iaumeca.com</figcaption></figure>Earlier this week Apartments.com.au mused that the <a href="/news/figtrees-melbourne-foray-293-303-la-trobe-street-melbourne">initial proposal for the former Duke of Ken</a>t was dead and buried. Indeed the proposed 66 level, 213 metre tower is no more, but in its place has arrived another design at roughly 60 levels.

And further, the project has gone to early sales, featuring on Chinese-based property websites. Singaporean firm Figtree Asia was behind the initial development application and barring any off-market transactions still shapes as the driving force behind the project. The 503sqm site was secured by Figtree during 2014 for $14.08 million.

At 60 levels and near on 200 metres the project simply dubbed 303 La Trobe looks likely to become the tallest of all recent towers fronting La Trobe Street between Elizabeth Street and Queen Street.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image39_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Intended ground level and marketing material. Image: iaumeca.com"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="216" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image39_3.jpg?itok=ASBC6a67" title="Intended ground level and marketing material. Image: iaumeca.com" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Intended ground level and marketing material. Image: iaumeca.com</figcaption></figure><h2>640 Bourke Street</h2>

First outlined on Apartments.com.au during March 2015 as part of <a href="/news/besgate-group-readies-their-surge-into-the-melbourne-apartment-market">Besgate Group's push into Melbourne</a>, 640 Bourke Street has met with opposition from City of Melbourne planners.

Valued at $234 million and proposed at a height of 273.3 metres to Bourke Street, the RotheLowman creation would also maintain a 173.4 metre height to Little Bourke Street. Overall 640 Bourke Street would, if approved, consist of 980 dwellings, 1,101sqm of leasable commercial space, 330sqm of retail space, a 942sqm child care centre and art gallery.

According to City of Melbourne planners, "the Council objects to the proposed development as it is an overdevelopment of the site by way of inadequate setbacks and inappropriate height to Little Bourke Street, plot ratio and the extent of demolition of heritage fabric."

<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/image42_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="640 Bourke Street. Image: ROTHELOWMAN"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="389" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image42_0.jpg?itok=VXITBJQ_" title="640 Bourke Street. Image: ROTHELOWMAN" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>640 Bourke Street. Image: ROTHELOWMAN</figcaption></figure>Height, setbacks, massing, plot ratio, heritage and the amenity of apartments are cited as key points within the <a href="http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/about-council/committees-meetings/meeting-archive/MeetingAgendaItemAttachments/743/13387/JUL16%20FMC1%20AGENDA%20ITEM%206.6%20640%20Bourke%20Street,%20Melbourne.pdf">planning report</a>, with a Bourke Street plot ratio of 35:1.

Two versions of the tower were proposed, one which adheres to the Obstacle Limitation Surface height of 215.147 metres and the taller version outlined above. City of Melbourne planners state within the report that the tower should be height limited to the 215 metre outcome.

<h2>38 Freshwater Place</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/image46_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="38 Freashwater Place as approved. Image: CBRE City Sales"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="354" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image46_5.jpg?itok=6Ki1H_Fm" title="38 Freashwater Place as approved. Image: CBRE City Sales" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>38 Freashwater Place as approved. Image: CBRE City Sales</figcaption></figure>The Metier 3-designed 38 Freshwater Place has gone back to planning, seeking amendments to what is one of Melbourne largest approved skyscrapers.

At 273 metres the project was put to market by M&amp;L Hospitality Group and consequently found a new buyer earlier in 2016. Set over a 3,096sqm site the mixed-use tower which has approval for both apartments and a hotel, netted M&amp;L Hospitality Group a <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/business/property/michael-kum-to-sell-38-freshwater-place-20160204-gmlbpa">reported $60 million upon its sale</a>.

While the new owners have yet to be revealed, the movement of the project back to planning indicates that 38 Freshwater Place will be rejigged in its layout, and also hints toward the project becoming a reality in the medium term.
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News on three further skyscrapers rounds out an eventful week

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It's not just the inner city which is benefitting from a general upswing in new hotels developments, as the Hume growth corridor looks to accommodate its first genuine hotel.

Located at 650 Hume Highway Craigieburn, developer JTX International is looking to create a 4 star business hotel within their broader Humex development. Spanning 32 hectares and valued at $1.7 billion, Humex is a mixed-use development principally created by Crosier Scott Architects that will see a new hotel anchor the development.

According to the project's freshly released <a href="http://www.jtx.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Humex-IM-Download.pdf">information memorandum</a>, Brookfiled Multiplex is the joint venture build partner, with Probuild and Watpac acting as supporting construction partners.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image29_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Various perspectives of the proposed hotel. Image: JTX International"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="372" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image29_5.jpg?itok=qQLRXkk0" title="Various perspectives of the proposed hotel. Image: JTX International" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Various perspectives of the proposed hotel. Image: JTX International</figcaption></figure>Spanning 12 levels the hotel is aimed at major hotel chains and serviced apartment providers.

Ground floor would see a function room, dining area and bar/lounge support the 285 4.0 star suites set above. 14,780sqm of NLA is expected within the hotel which will be clad in a distinctive bronze exterior.

Humex's information memorandum expects a mix of both international and regional visitors to utilise the hotel. Adjacent to Humex's various other uses, the hotel will absorb their needs as well as servicing the greater northern region of Melbourne.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image30_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A medical centre is also envisaged. Image: JTX International"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="315" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image30_7.jpg?itok=oGLSDxS8" title="A medical centre is also envisaged. Image: JTX International" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A medical centre is also envisaged. Image: JTX International</figcaption></figure>The overall Humex development will see a swag of mostly smaller retail and warehouse tenancies built, although there are two other intended buildings of note which the hotel will support.

Dubbed the Elle Chic Medical Centre, a new complex spanning four levels and 4,642sqm of NLA will create a state-of-the-art medical and wellness hub. Specialist medical services, a chemotherapy centre, allied health spaces and a child care centre form the backbone of the project which will act as a quasi-hospital for the surrounding region.

Also slated for Humex is the Building Materials Display Centre. Covering five levels, the mammoth build will be the largest of its kind in the Southern hemisphere for home fixtures &amp; fittings, furniture, interior &amp; exterior finishes and materials. It is expected to include 56,307sqm of NLA.

<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_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hyatt Place is well into construction"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="235" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image32_4.jpg?itok=0hW70HJv" title="Hyatt Place is well into construction" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Hyatt Place is well into construction</figcaption></figure>Also seeking to leverage off proximity to Melbourne Airport and of course Essendon Airport is the new Hyatt Place Hotel within Essendon Fields.

With construction underway, the project will deliver Australia’s First Hyatt Place Hotel and an associated Events Centre that are both expected to be operational during early 2017. Meeting, conference and event opportunities will be a key fundamental for the development.

160 rooms are expected within the golden coloured hotel, with 1,700sqm of event space and capacity for 1,000 seats in a conference style format bolstering the facilities capabilities.

Hyatt Place Hotel and the Events Centre can expect to create an annual economic benefit to Victoria of approximately $20 million.
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Melbourne's northern suburbs set for another major hotel

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One of the batch of large planning applications still active yet submitted prior to the current Government's implementation of interim planning controls looks to have gained approval.

According to the State Government's <a href="https://planning-permits.delwp.vic.gov.au/greenlightExt/public/main.aspx?frm=uc_applicationDisplay_CompleteApplication.ascx&amp;appTypeId=1&amp;mId=103&amp;AppId=75">Greenlight online permit manager</a> a large residential tower at 272-282 Queen Street received approval on the 15th of June. Brady Property Group is behind the project with the tower now joining 380 Lonsdale Street as pending CBD projects for the prolific developer.

Submitted during late 2014 and designed by Peddle Thorp Architects, the project contains near on 600 apartments and spans 80 levels or 255 metres. Barring any indication that the tower has changed considerably since its submission, the approval of 272-282 Queen Street is significant in that the project would have contravened interim planning controls if submitted post their implementation.

<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/image22_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="272-282 Queen Street as submitted. Planning image: Peddle Thorp" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="464" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image22_5.jpg?itok=MkrvRXx1" title="272-282 Queen Street as submitted. Planning image: Peddle Thorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>272-282 Queen Street as submitted. Planning image: Peddle Thorp Architects</figcaption></figure>272-282 Queen Street's apparent approval poses a wider question; which notable planning applications submitted prior to the interim controls which took hold during September last year and have yet to receive a planning outcome? 

Given the State Government's Greenlight online permit manager is best described as hit and miss, here is Apartments.com.au's best assertion as to which of the 'old guard' have yet to reach a planning outcome. Keep in mind that projects shown below are limited to Melbourne's CBD and Southbank, as only they are subject to interim controls, and soon permanent controls which will make the below projects nigh on impossible in many contemporary scenarios.

The vast majority of outstanding applications are centred in the CBD, more so along the CBD's western and northern flank. Eight major submissions dated prior to the interim planning controls are still in play according to Greenlight, with more than 4,400 apartments and an associated hotel still in the air.

Projects such as 111-125 A'Beckett Street, 183-189 A'Beckett Street, 478-488 Elizabeth and 441-451 Elizabeth are seeking to call the northern reaches of the CBD home whilst 640 Bourke Street, 140 king Street and 556-558 Lonsdale Street are looking for a western CBD presence.

This leaves DEXUS Property Group's 32-44 Flinders Street as the sole pre-interim planning control application in the CBD's eastern end.

Should some or all of these projects gain the nod, they will likely contribute to Melbourne's CBD becoming the densest in Australia, <a href="/news/melbourne-cbd-on-course-to-be-the-most-densely-populated-area-in-australia">in line with this article</a>.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image27_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="A'Beckett, Bourke and Flinders Street towers in the offing" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="380" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image27_2.jpg?itok=Y5r4y3Gs" title="A'Beckett, Bourke and Flinders Street towers in the offing" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A'Beckett, Bourke and Flinders Street towers in the offing</figcaption></figure>To Southbank and Central Equity have submissions over two sites at 71-87 City Road and 268-274 City Road, with both comfortably pushing beyond the 200 metre mark in their initial submission. Both were submitted during June 2015 and if the duo receive approval, Central Equity can expect to take another 1,300 plus apartments to market.

Another project under scrutiny south of the river is 135 Sturt Street with the Hayball-designed 41 level tower seeking approval for 300 plus apartments set above a highly active podium.

Less clear is the outcome of 295 City Road. According to Greenlight the project has yet to reach a planning outcome although project lead Crone Architects have the 70 level development as holding town planning approval on their website.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image24_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="295 City Road. Image: Crone Architects" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image24_1.jpg?itok=bp-GPV5o" title="295 City Road. Image: Crone Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>295 City Road. Image: Crone Architects</figcaption></figure>Projects that have seemingly fallen by the wayside include 293-303 La Trobe Street and 63 Exhibition street, whilst redesigned projects such as 158 City Road and 334-344 City Road have yet to be seen publicly.

Whether on not all of the above receive planning approval remains to be seen, but the confirmation of 272-282 Queen Street suggests that there is scope for the batch of 'old guard' applications to receive approval.

 A full list of active major applications submitted prior to the implementation of interim planning controls is seen below. Feel free to comment should any of those seen below be incorrect.
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280 Queen Street gains approval, but who of the 'old guard' are left?

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Victoria's Metropolitan Planning Authority (MPA) is readying two additional National Employment Clusters that will look to build upon the already robust local economies surrounding both La Trobe University and Sunshine.

Both Clusters maintain a mixed-use employment base underpinned by health, manufacturing, services and education. Designated National Employment Clusters, the MPA intends to allow for the creation of new employment opportunities within both Clusters via enhanced policies, amenities and transport links.

La Trobe Cluster which is the more advanced of the two includes the business and industrial areas surrounding Heidelberg, Bundoora and Preston. Key areas earmarked for change include La Trobe University, the Heidelberg/Austin Hospital medical precinct, Heidelberg West industrial precinct and the Northland Urban Renewal Precinct.

The latter site overlaps with Darebin City Council's earlier plans to <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/darebin-council-plans-highrise-housing-and-job-hub-for-east-preston/story-fnglenug-1226704903995%5C">create a high-rise residential zone abutting Northland</a>.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image6mpa.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The La Trobe Cluster. Image: Metropolitan Planning Authority"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="469" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image6mpa.jpg?itok=WanRb0H3" title="The La Trobe Cluster. Image: Metropolitan Planning Authority" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The La Trobe Cluster. Image: Metropolitan Planning Authority</figcaption></figure>Key ideas behind the La Trobe Cluster include modernising employment areas, providing a ‘turn-up-go’ bus service for people to get around the cluster, attracting additional allied health services to the precinct and rezoning current industrial land for future mixed-use developments, including a diverse range of housing. 

Whilst controversial at the time of its approval, Bundoora's Parc Vue development seen below looks to be the template for many higher density developments that will invariably call La Trobe Cluster home in the future.  

<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/v10_-_park_vue_stage_3_-_v10_aerial_-_final_2000_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Parc Vue presents as the first of many. Image: Future Estate"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="356" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/v10_-_park_vue_stage_3_-_v10_aerial_-_final_2000_1.jpg?itok=7CD7WaoR" title="Parc Vue presents as the first of many. Image: Future Estate" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Parc Vue presents as the first of many. Image: Future Estate</figcaption></figure>To Melbourne's west and the Sunshine National Employment Cluster is taking shape. Including neighbouring St Albans, the Sunshine Cluster is set to receive a massive boost in jobs, following on from the recent $2 billion in investment in the area.

Among recent projects are the Sunshine Station upgrade through Regional Rail Link, the creation of the Victoria University Construction Futures facility and what shapes as the $200 million Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital. These are in addition to projects such as ABD Group's Foundry complex which has given Sunshine its first taste of high density living and the new $52 million Brimbank Community and Civic Centre.

The MPA has been working with Council to create a series of key ideas that will underpin the Sunshine Cluster. Rezoning sites to promote commercial uses, greening the suburb and increased services are all on the agenda.

The MPA will now initiate a period of community feedback in order to create the principles that will underpin the Sunshine Cluster.

<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/image4su.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Foundry and the Joan Kirner Women's and Children's Hospital. Images: ABD Group and Western Health"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="231" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image4su.jpg?itok=d6nUNCrY" title="Foundry and the Joan Kirner Women's and Children's Hospital. Images: ABD Group and Western Health" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Foundry and the Joan Kirner Women's and Children's Hospital. Images: ABD Group and Western Health</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
We are confident the Sunshine Cluster has and will continue to attract significant development and be a focus of healthcare services, research, education, transport business and retail services for Melbourne’s West.

Brimbank City Council looks forward to continuing to work with the Metropolitan Planning Authority and the State Government on this important project.
<cite>Chair of Brimbank Administrators, John Watson</cite>
</blockquote>

Both the La Trobe and Sunshine Clusters follow in the footsteps of the <a href="/news/consultation-begins-for-the-monash-employment-cluster">Monash National Employment Cluster</a> which was outlined previously on Apartments.com.au. Visit <a href="http://shapevictoria.vic.gov.au/">Shape Victoria</a> to view further information on the Clusters and provide feedback.
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MPA initiates two further National Employment Clusters

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In welcome news that will go some way to placating Southbank residents and pedestrians, Melbourne City Council last week endorsed a seven-year capital works plan that will transform City Road.

Long considered an afterthought, Southbank's street level activation has lagged behind the rapid rate of development within the suburb, with City Road the prime example. After seeking public feedback and releasing a <a href="/news/city-of-melbourne-releases-draft-city-road-master-plan">City Road master plan during 2015</a>, Council has paved the way for $38.5 million in funding to flow into City Road's barren landscape.

Both City of Melbourne and VicRoads have been involved in the process to date, with the statutory body in full support of City Road's overhaul. Detailed design will begin in the latter stages of this year, with individual projects to be considered by Council as part of its annual budget and planning processes.

<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/city_connector_montage_low-res.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A revamped City Road beckons. Image: City of Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="128" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/city_connector_montage_low-res.jpg?itok=baBbSdhl" title="A revamped City Road beckons. Image: City of Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A revamped City Road beckons. Image: City of Melbourne</figcaption></figure>Highlights of Council’s plan for City Road's overhaul include:

<ul>
<li>Improved intersections and pedestrians crossings</li>
	<li>Upgraded footpaths</li>
	<li>New street furniture street furniture</li>
	<li>A new bicycle route through Southbank catering to the growing number of people riding to and from the area for work and recreation</li>
	<li>Extensive tree planting and better water management including permeable paving to reduce flooding and runoff to the Yarra</li>
	<li>Transformation of unused spaces in and around the Kings Way Undercroft to provide more usable community space</li>
</ul>
<h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
The City Road Master Plan delivers $38.5 million in funding for capital works projects that will better connect Southbank to the city’s Arts Precinct, the Yarra River and our much-loved gardens.

This Master Plan recognises that Southbank is one of the highest-density and fastest changing areas in Australia, but that City Road must evolve with it. The City of Melbourne recognises that now is the time to invest in the transformation of City Road to meet the community’s requirements now and into the future.
<cite>Lord Mayor Robert Doyle</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
We’ve consulted with the community about their experiences and expectations of City Road, and I believe our plans reflect the community’s needs into the future.

'he master plan, with its focus on encouraging more people to walk, cycle and take public transport, is consistent with Council’s Transport Strategy 2012.
<cite>Councillor Cathy Oke, Portfolio Chair for Transport</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/boyd_street_montage_low-res.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A refashioned City Road with the Boyd Community Hub. Image: City of Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="263" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/boyd_street_montage_low-res.jpg?itok=ZXMaUsb4" title="A refashioned City Road with the Boyd Community Hub. Image: City of Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A refashioned City Road with the Boyd Community Hub. Image: City of Melbourne</figcaption></figure>Whilst City Road's pending facelift comes as welcome news, Southbank Residents Association are actively lobbying City of Melbourne in order to create a park on what was the site of the failed Regent Square apartment development behind the Boyd Community Hub at 207 City Road.

According to Southbank Residents Association President Tony Penna, City of Melbourne recently revoked the permit for the 250-apartment development backed by Mackie Group. It's expected that Council will this week consider the fate of the site, with one option being retendering the plot with future development in mind.

Tony Penna offered Apartments.com.au the following thoughts on the best use of 207 City Road:

<blockquote>
The developers failure to develop this site in the time required is an opportunistic windfall to this Council (who inherited the Regent Square development plan) and also the residents.

The City of Melbourne (CoM) have their own target of 20sqm/resident of open space; Southbank barely scrapes in with 2.5sqm.

Our current population of around 15,000 is estimated to be around 25,000 in the not too distant future. In the absence of any realistic plan to provide open space for a growing population, this is a prime opportunity for the CoM to contribute to their open space strategy on land they already own.

This densely populated residential block doesn’t have access to green open space within reasonable walking distance (as defined in the CoM open space strategy) but moreover it would share the block with the community centre, thereby making this an absolutely ideal location.
</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/image4rsqu.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The failed Regent Square proposal. Image: regentsquare.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="503" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image4rsqu.jpg?itok=Pc0gu-69" title="The failed Regent Square proposal. Image: regentsquare.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The failed Regent Square proposal. Image: regentsquare.com.au</figcaption></figure>
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City Road set for a green overhaul, but will 207 City Road follow suit?

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St Vincent de Paul Society's VincentCare has proposed a major inner city development that will go some way to meeting the needs of <a href="/new-apartments/melbourne-vic">inner city Melbourne's</a> most disadvantaged individuals.

The care provider has proposed a large-scale redevelopment of 179-191 Flemington Road, located opposite Melbourne's hospitals precinct. Under the plan, VincentCare's rebuilt facility would lead to expanded crisis accommodation capacity and a relocation of its Community Centre to the Flemington Road portion of the development.

According to Tract Consultants, the co-located accommodation and service platform will be a Victorian first.

<h2>179-191 Flemington Road North Melbourne 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/image53_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Chapman Street perspective of the new development. Planning image: MGS Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image53_1.jpg?itok=MWBkL8on" title="Chapman Street perspective of the new development. Planning image: MGS Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Chapman Street perspective of the new development. Planning image: MGS Architects</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Application lodged June 2016</li>
	<li>Existing use: Ozanam House &amp; Bailly House over 2-3 levels</li>
	<li>Proposed: 11 level Homeless Resource Centre and Accommodation at 38.53 metres</li>
	<li>134 dwellings: 60 x 1BR short stay, 48 x 1BR medium stay and 26 x 1BR long stay apartments</li>
	<li>45 staff to service the Homeless Resource Centre and Accommodation building</li>
	<li>22 car parking spaces within a basement level</li>
	<li>Proposed: 20 townhouses to Chapman Street</li>
	<li>14 x 2BR and 6 x 3BR townhouses with 40 car spaces</li>
	<li>Expected project cost: $49.5 million</li>
</ul>
Tract Consultants and <a href="/architects/mgs-architects">MGS Architects</a> form the spearhead of the development team, and have sought feedback from a number of parties including the City of Melbourne and the Department of Health and Human Services.

The feedback has influenced the design of the intended development which has been labelled a project of State significance. According to the town planning report, City of Melbourne are "highly supportive of the development concept and the sophisticated proposition for an exciting typology / programme."

In light of the recent kerfuffle surrounding approved built form and flight paths being hindered, Air Ambulance expect no impact on the helicopter flight paths into or out of the Royal Children's Hospital.

<h2>Design basis</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/image54_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="MGS Architects' previous award-winning projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="210" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image54_4.jpg?itok=R1PIPl3x" title="MGS Architects' previous award-winning projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>MGS Architects' previous award-winning projects</figcaption></figure>Whilst the associated Urban Design Report goes into great detail about the various national and international projects which informed the design, certain MGS Architects traits are apparent within 179-191 Flemington Road's design.

Seen above are existing award-winning MGS Architects designs for Chapel Street Community Housing and the CBD's Drill Hall Community Hub and Housing projects. The use of varied colours (particularly green) and brick is apparent across all three designs, with the possible intent of breaking up the built form of each project.

Regardless, 179-191 Flemington Road's expected finishes include red and grey brick, precast panels, glazing, green and grey metal screens and timber cladding.

<h2>Covering the needs of the vulnerable</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/image55_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="660 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Image: Montlaur"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image55_5.jpg?itok=zuVCeySp" title="660 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Image: Montlaur" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>660 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Image: Montlaur</figcaption></figure><a href="http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/ourhousingstories/history-of-public-housing">The history of Melbourne's evolving public housing</a> needs took a leap forward during 2010 with the completion of Common Ground at 660 Elizabeth Street. Victoria’s first supportive housing development included 131 affordable apartments in addition to " coordinated support for people who had experienced long-term homelessness or who were at risk of homelessness."

Purposely built for Melbourne's homeless, Common Ground was a partnership project between Yarra Community Housing, Home Ground and the Department of Human Services.

Whilst 179-191 Flemington Road is expected to be delivered under the guidance of VincentCare, it represents the next step in the process of catering toward the needs of Melbourne's most vulnerable.

<h2>179-191 Flemington Road North Melbourne development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: VincentCare </li>
	<li>Architect: MGS Architects</li>
	<li>Town Planner: Tract Consultants</li>
	<li>Heritage Consultant: Lovell Chen</li>
	<li>Traffic Engineer: Cardno  </li>
	<li>Waste Consultant: SALT</li>
	<li>Sustainability Consultant: Irwin</li>
	<li>Landscape Architect: Outlines </li>
</ul>
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VincentCare's Flemington Road project a boost for homeless housing

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The Apartments.com.au Project Database has reached 1,200 entries for the first time.

Now encompassing 1,200 current developments up to and including construction phase, the Project Database allows for an unparalleled glimpse into metropolitan Melbourne's ever changing face.

While many recent projects have left the database owing to their completion, a general upswing in application submissions (particularly for small and medium sized residential projects) has allowed the overall number to expand. With the CBD burdened by a plethora of large-scale apartment projects, much of the recent inner city planning activity has centred around fringe suburbs.

<a href="/developments/south-melbourne-vic-3205">Fishermans Bend</a>, South Melbourne and East Melbourne have seen projects added, with the latter seeing a return of 494-502 Albert Street. The Denton Corker Marshall-designed apartment/serviced apartment project re-enters planning albeit minus a few levels.

Elsewhere and the wraps are off another Fishermans Bend project as prolific developer Blue Earth Group looks to gain another footprint in the Urban Renewal Area. <a href="/new-apartments/south-melbourne-vic-3205">245-251 Normanby Road</a> is their latest project with the 41 level apartment tower looking to accommodate in excess of 500 dwellings.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image47_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="245-251 Normanby Road tower is at planning"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="433" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image47_2.jpg?itok=KHJfvdNR" title="245-251 Normanby Road tower is at planning" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>245-251 Normanby Road tower is at planning</figcaption></figure>Commercial also features with two new substantial projects entered into the database. ISPT hope to secure approval for <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">269-271 Spring Street</a>; the smaller sequel to Urban Workshop which was completed a decade ago.

Grocon is also seeking approval for a Collingwood office tower that would be sited above an existing Telstra exchange. At 13 levels the proposal is addressed <a href="/buildings/2-16-northumberland-street-collingwood">2-16 Northumberland Street</a> would lead to a substantial influx of commercial space for Collingwood which has in recent years been almost exclusively the domain of new apartment developments.

John Wardle Architects are responsible for both designs with the Northumberland creation targeting a 6-star Green Star rating according to Grocon, in addition to contributing to the Homes for Homeless scheme via the project's future ongoing returns.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image39_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="ISPT and Grocon have commercial gains in mind"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="283" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image39_2.jpg?itok=C3BT2uuL" title="ISPT and Grocon have commercial gains in mind" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>ISPT and Grocon have commercial gains in mind</figcaption></figure>New additions to the Project Database further confirms the surge of apartment projects into Melbourne's middle and outer ring suburbs. Fresh to City of Moonee Valley's planning department is Growland Group's residential pursuit at 343-349 Ascot Vale Road Moonee Ponds.

The substantial project is joined by other new entries in locations such as Ringwood, Preston, Carnegie, Footscray an <a href="/new-apartments/87-91-main-road-west-st-albans">St Albans</a>.

Also noteworthy is a current application for <a href="/new-townhouses/waverley-place-mulgrave-149-hansworth-street-mulgrave-vic-3170">149 Hansworth Street Mulgrave</a> with the Yellow Woods Architects-designed residential project of up to 10 levels and 167 dwellings poised to create a new height precedent for the area should it gain approval via City of Monash.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image36_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Growland's Moonee Ponds intent with Ripponlea and Mulgrave also present"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="351" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image36_1.jpg?itok=pPYtIBpl" title="Growland's Moonee Ponds intent with Ripponlea and Mulgrave also present" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Growland's Moonee Ponds intent with Ripponlea and Mulgrave also present</figcaption></figure>New entries to the Project Database aside, a swag of projects have also seen their respective construction works kick off during the month of June.

Piling works are underway across a host of new projects throughout metropolitan Melbourne, ushering in a new wave of development. Approximately 15 projects have begun within the last calendar month; <a href="/buildings/noir-8-garden-street-south-yarra">Noir South Yarra</a>, Doncaster's <a href="/buildings/nest-at-the-hill-642-doncaster-road-doncaster">Nest at the Hill</a>, <a href="/buildings/evelyn-92-maroondah-highway-ringwood">Evelyn Ringwood</a>, <a href="/buildings/light-edge-34-elizabeth-street-richmond">Light Edge</a> Richmond and <a href="/buildings/881-armadale-881-high-street-armadale">881 Armadale</a> are but a few.

Another fresh starter is <a href="/buildings/the-international-61-haig-street-southbank">The International</a> located on Southbank, seeing Hamilton Marino Builders team once more with developer Blue Earth Group. The 40 level CHT Architects-designed tower is the tallest of this month's crop to begin construction.

<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_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The International and Noir South Yarra are recent construction starters"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="241" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image35_3.jpg?itok=jphhb8ai" title="The International and Noir South Yarra are recent construction starters" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The International and Noir South Yarra are recent construction starters</figcaption></figure>
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The Urban.com.au Project Database hits 1,200!

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Local councils have contributed some intriguing projects to Melbourne's suburban streetscape in recent years, and another is taking shape in Greensborough with Banyule City Council overseeing a project dubbed One Flintoff.

The Peddle Thorp-designed addition is set above the existing WaterMarc aquatic centre, and will see the creation of new Council staff accommodation and community facilities. ADCO Constructions is acting as head contractor, beginning works during October 2015 with an eye toward completing the facility before an early 2017 opening.

Four levels will be added with the project at a cost of $31 million. According to Banyule City Council's website $23m is dedicated toward new staff accommodation and community facilities whilst $8 million of the project's cost is set toward 2,200sqm of commercial office space on top of WaterMarc, which will be leased for long term returns to Council.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image47_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression of One Flintoff. Image: Peddle Thorp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="222" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image47_1.jpg?itok=iJuusdMT" title="Artist's impression of One Flintoff. Image: Peddle Thorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist's impression of One Flintoff. Image: Peddle Thorp</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
When complete, the office project will support BCC’s vision for an engaged, sustainable, healthy, connected and effective workplace that attracts, retains and develops the best talent. The design response will be a leading example of how office workplace design can contribute to success.

A predominantly open plan office supports varying work modes, meeting/social spaces and empowers staff to work flexibly, in a suitable setting for their needs.
<cite>Peddle Thorp Architects</cite>
</blockquote>

The environmentally sustainable building will consolidate 320 Council staff together from three separate office locations in Ivanhoe, Rosanna and Greensborough, resulting in an estimated $1 million in annual ongoing savings in net operating costs and improved productivity by collocating staff.

Over the construction life of the project, 335 jobs with 244 in Banyule are set to be created.

One Flintoff forms phase two of Banyule City Council's Greensborough Project which had its origins in the Greensborough Principal Activity Centre Plan which was created during 2006. WaterMarc, a new town square and the associated Greensborough Walk have all been delivered thus far with One Flintoff the final stage.

<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_4829.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Construction progress"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_4829.jpg?itok=75yYoNie" title="Construction progress" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Construction progress</figcaption></figure>Melbourne's municipal council's penchant for creating mixed-use community inclusive projects is on the rise, as witnessed by other projects currently at construction around greater Melbourne.

Brimbank City Council is not far from gaining control of their new Community and Civic Centre with the building set to come online next month. At $52 million the new facility delivered by Kane Constructions will include a new Sunshine Library, new Sunshine Customer Service Centre, a range of community meeting spaces and exhibition spaces in addition to Council offices.

Urban.com.au last month also highlighted the <a href="http://v">progress of City of Casey's Bunjil Place</a> which is an under construction $125 million mixed-use facility of Casey and the wider public.

<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/image48_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Brimbank's new Community and Civic Centre is nearing completion"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="589" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image48_4.jpg?itok=m1FUMLP5" title="Brimbank's new Community and Civic Centre is nearing completion" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Brimbank's new Community and Civic Centre is nearing completion</figcaption></figure>
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One Flintoff adds to Melbourne's council-driven projects

<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" />

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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.

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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.
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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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