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As one the city's in demand new apartment locations, West Melbourne continues to consistently churn out development news.

Last week architecture firm Buchan Group confirmed that its former studio at 133 Rosslyn Street West Melbourne had received planning approval for a new residential complex. Replacing the firm's former office will be a new 9 storey design for developer Starland Pacific Group.

With PDS Group installed as Development and Project Manager, 133 Rosslyn Street will now proceed to apartment sales with construction expected to begin later this year. 165 apartments will be supplemented by 150 basement vehicle spaces.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/external1-1aa.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Buchan Group's rendered 133 Rosslyn Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="332" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/external1-1aa.jpg?itok=MF2Eie_O" title="Buchan Group's rendered 133 Rosslyn Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Buchan Group's rendered 133 Rosslyn Street</figcaption></figure>Set over a 2,550sqm site, the development plot was sold during 2014 for in excess of $14 million, with CBRE City Sales and Gross Waddell handling the transaction. Buchan Group will still be involved by way of providing ongoing architectural and interior design services for the project.

<blockquote>
Our aim is to create an exciting and cohesive new residential development that brings a positive addition to the emerging architecture of West Melbourne. We are thrilled that the project has received Planning Approval and look forward to its progress.
<cite>Nick Nigro, Principal Head of Delivery, Buchan Group</cite>
</blockquote>

Also last week CBRE City Sales successfully sold a development site located at 137-157 Adderley Street West Melbourne. Subject to a current planning application for an eight level apartment development, the site was secured for $9.4 million by one of five bidders at the onsite auction which was conducted last Friday.

<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/image2wmelb.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Raw 3D's impression of 137-157 Adderley Street, West Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="383" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image2wmelb.jpg?itok=aKB8H8hG" title="Raw 3D's impression of 137-157 Adderley Street, West Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Raw 3D's impression of 137-157 Adderley Street, West Melbourne</figcaption></figure>Included within the intended project which also maintains a Rosslyn Street frontage are 88 apartments, one cafe space of 120sqm and 72 car parking bays. Whether on not the above Michael Ellis Architects scheme for the site is maintained by the new developer remains to be seen.

Nearby and demolition has begun in earnest on Alpha 14's upcoming residential project at 386 Spencer Street West Melbourne. Bond Quarter will be a 16 storey building maintaining 105 one &amp; two bedroom apartments. Designed by Hayball, the project is currently at construction tender and will follow The Wallace which is Alpha 14's current West Melbourne apartment project at construction.

During March, 50-56 Batman Street West Melbourne landed before Melbourne City Council with a new planning proposal for a residential hotel. Formerly The Arkadia Centre, the property sold for $8.78 million after a campaign held during mid 2015.

At 868sqm the site is close to new builds that over recent years along Batman Street have generally peaked at 15 storeys.

<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/image7wm.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Flagstaff Green and Rosslyn Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="208" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image7wm.jpg?itok=nfeDnRWF" title="Flagstaff Green and Rosslyn Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Flagstaff Green and Rosslyn Street</figcaption></figure>Two pending projects have also reared of late. SPEC Property's 15-31 Batman Street has appeared online dubbed Flagstaff Green.

The project has undergone a number of design changes over the course of planning with a notable reduction in height also included. Flagstaff Green is SPEC's latest endeavour and follows on from the developer's intention to sell two sites with approved apartment schemes in North Melbourne and South Melbourne.

Last but not least Trennery Property is going with a new preliminary design image for 185 Rosslyn Street. After purchasing the site from Australia Post during 2015, Trennery has replaced an initial RotheLowman planning application with new intentions.

The project is likely to include residential and hotel uses, a medical centre, various retail spaces and substantial residential gardens as seen in the image above.
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silvermb

West Melbourne's development scene as fluid as ever

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Not content with creating some of Melbourne's most architecturally interesting buildings of late, Monash University will go again at their Clayton campus with a new complex to front Wellington Road. Initial images show The Learning and Teaching Building will be a new multi faculty complex spanning four levels and will likely encompass an approximate Gross Floor Area of 28,000sqm.

Ground works on the project have commenced, with an overall completion date for The Learning and Teaching Building scheduled for mid-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/img_0977.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Site works for Monash's Learning and Teaching Building during February"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_0977.jpg?itok=zIwQU8fU" title="Site works for Monash's Learning and Teaching Building during February" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Site works for Monash's Learning and Teaching Building during February</figcaption></figure>Monash University views the project as key to the University's southern precinct, creating a new focal point for students and providing a new entrance to the campus from Wellington Road. The Learning and Teaching Building forms part of the largest infrastructure development program in the history of the campus.

Included in the sprawling development is a new public transport interchange, additional parking, facilities for cyclists, public plaza and multiple retail outlets. Tiered lecture theatres, flat-floor classrooms, media lounges and laptop bars are also set to feature.

<blockquote>
Open to all students and staff in furthering innovative teaching and learning practices, the building is a physical demonstration of Monash's commitment to the Better Teaching, Better Learning agenda.

More than 60 formal and informal learning and teaching spaces will provide an outstanding student-centred learning experience for Monash University and Monash College Diploma students alike. Comprising four levels, the new building will also be home to Faculty of Education and the Office of the Vice-Provost (Learning and Teaching).

The transformation of the southern precinct is in line with the Clayton Campus Masterplan's vision of developing a vibrant and inviting campus.
<cite>Monash University</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/ltb-axis.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Learning and Teaching Building. Image:Monash University"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="310" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/ltb-axis.jpg?itok=6Th8V9Oh" title="Learning and Teaching Building. Image:Monash University" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A working image of the Learning and Teaching Building. Image: Monash University</figcaption></figure>The Learning and Teaching Building follows a string of recent investments by the university at their Clayton campus. Buxton Construction have all but delivered a new multi-level car park providing 650 new car spaces while the four new Halls of Residence have been recently completed by Brookfield Multiplex.

The four buildings have added an additional 1,000 student apartments; a follow-up to the award-winning Briggs and Jackomos Halls during 2012.

Add <a href="/news/a-lyons-masterclass">New Horizons</a> and <a href="/news/green-chemical-futures-another-lyons-marvel">Green Chemical Futures</a>, and Monash University's Clayton Campus may just have usurped Melbourne University's Parkville campus as having the most modern and appropriately daring architecture of any university Melbourne-wide.

<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_0986.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="McBrideCharles Rtyan's Monash Building 90 student accommodation "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="408" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_0986.jpg?itok=U2qV11NZ" title="McBrideCharles Rtyan's Monash Building 90 student accommodation " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>McBrideCharles Rtyan's Monash Building 90 student accommodation</figcaption></figure>The one Monash Clayton project that has yet to materialise is the new Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music. Revealed during 2012 and with renowned architect Moshe Safdie in tow, the project with a nominated value of $80 million was set to have a completion date of 2016.

In collaboration with Fender Katsalidis, the design duo were to have designed a facility which included a concert hall, jazz club, recording studio, teaching and practice spaces. The status of the project is unknown.

With The Learning and Teaching Building in its construction infancy, see below for a selection of images of the newly completed Halls of Residence.
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Monash Clayton continues to evolve with another new construction program

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Upholding a long standing political tradition of announcing newsworthy items just prior to extended break periods, news surfaced last Thursday evening of Planning Minister Richard Wynne's decision to reject Cbus Property's proposed skyscraper at 447 Collins Street. This is the second such refusal for the developer on what is a marquee development site.

Referred to as the 'Pantscraper' in Fairfax publications due to the unique shape of the now defunct proposal, Minister Wynne's refusal of the project is one of boldness or foolishness… depending upon one's perspective on the matter of course!

There are valid arguments for both approval and rejection of the building, which if approved would have most definitely given Melbourne's skyline a unique focal point from various angles. The matter has been and continues to be hotly debated on Apartments.com.au's forum, a petition is circulating in the vain attempt to save the design; it's altogether very emotive topic for what is generally a cut and dry sector.

So was Minister Wynne's disapproval a wise decision?

I lean towards no, based upon how vocal Lord Major Robert Doyle has been in the days since the decision was made public. For so long the 'canary down the mine shaft' on all major inner city development proposals, Melbourne City Council are always willing to sing a song of discontent when it came to assessing the worth of any given planning application.

That they were fully behind this particular proposal said enough in itself.

<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/image70_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Schematics of the rejected proposal"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="359" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image70_2.jpg?itok=hc8FNVw5" title="Schematics of the rejected proposal" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Schematics of the rejected proposal</figcaption></figure>Now invariably comes the compromise design that will try to conjure the best possible outcome for all involved. But why should it?

From Cbus Property's perspective the entire exercise has been an expensive one thus far, particularly in terms of securing the site and funding the subsequent onsite demolition which was overseen by Probuild. Any revised development scheme would require that initial outlays be recouped, along with any expected return on investment.

Can this be achieved with the notional parameters now set over the site? 120 metres being the approximate height at which any towers could reach prior to stumbling into overshadowing issues.

Thus far it has been a case of Cbus Property seeking dispensation for height in return for maintaining 2,000sqm of open space fronting Collins Street; an excessively rare chance to provide Melbourne's premier thoroughfare with a new park.

No height dispensation should essentially equal no 2,000sqm park fronting Collins Street; at least that would be my stance if I were in the shoes of Cbus Property - fool me once, fool me twice… or something along those lines.

In order to reap what they expect from the site I wouldn't be surprised if the development takes on a more typical design outcome, say similar to Cbus Property's past development at Grand Central (181 William Street). While it wasn't architecturally stunning it got the job done, and that may just need to do for a revised 447 Collins Street… unfortunately.

<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/image71_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="SHoP Architects' render of 447 Collins Street from a ground level perspective"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="227" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image71_2.jpg?itok=Bk5v05dQ" title="SHoP Architects' render of 447 Collins Street from a ground level perspective" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>SHoP Architects' render of 447 Collins Street from a ground level perspective</figcaption></figure>So as it stands the 'Pantscraper' looks to be a very rare opportunity to deliver a unique built form and unique urban realm that will go unfulfilled.

It will be fascinating to see if any compromise can be reached from this point on; no Collins Street park would be an exceptionally poor outcome if it were to go that way. Lord Major Robert Doyle described 447 Collins Street's rejection as a terrible result for the city and I tend to agree.
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No pants and no park: where to now for 447 Collins Street?

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Banyule is beginning to witness an upswing in projects entering the Apartments.com.au Project Database as apartment developments within the municipality begin to take a foothold as with many other parts of Melbourne.

2015 witnessed a new high benchmark set for the area with the Fender Katsalidis-designed Ivanhoe Apartments gaining approval at 14 levels, becoming Banyule's tallest approved development to date.

<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_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ivanhoe Apartments is approved and at sales. Image: Caydon"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="350" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image54_1.jpg?itok=_v4qHy-M" title="Ivanhoe Apartments is approved and at sales. Image: Caydon" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ivanhoe Apartments is approved and at sales. Image: Caydon</figcaption></figure>Ivanhoe Apartments at 443 Upper Heidelberg Road may soon be joined by another sizeable project with the former Courtney and Patterson Ford site on Bell Street subject to a large planning application.

Proponent Blue Whale Property Group Australia Pty Ltd is seeking approval for the development of the former car yard into a mixed-use project.

Initially submitted at 14 to 16 levels during mid 2015, the project which features aged care spaces, independent living apartments, GP and medical clinic spaces, a gymnasium, childcare centre, residential hotel and traditional apartments has been scaled back somewhat in line with Council's expectations. With revised plans submitted during December headline details for the Hayball-designed project are as follows:

<h2>37-69 Bell Street, Ivanhoe</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_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A revised scheme for Bell Street is under consideration. Planning image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="226" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image55_3.jpg?itok=Wr5lGy0H" title="A revised scheme for Bell Street is under consideration. Planning image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A revised scheme for Bell Street is under consideration. Planning image: Hayball</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>8,924sqm site with 125m frontage to Bell Street</li>
	<li>Four buildings of up to 12 levels</li>
	<li>Aged care and independent living apartments</li>
	<li>Traditional private apartments and hotel suites</li>
	<li>GP clinic and Allied Health consulting suites</li>
	<li>Various communal facilities</li>
	<li>132 car barking bays, 14 bicycle bays and storage spaces</li>
	<li>Amenities include 901sqm gym, central courtyard garden, aged care day respite centre and cafe </li>
</ul>
<h2>The bulking of Banyule</h2>

A variety of smaller apartment projects are in the pipeline for the area as well, with Ivanhoe and Heidelberg accounting for many of the projects.

Blue Earth Group secured approval earlier in the year for an eight level apartment project at 9-11 Martin Street and 12 Powlett Street. Sold off by Austin Health and in close proximity to Heidleberg's medical precinct, Blue Earth Group are now free to pursue the SACBW-designed scheme which will include 131 apartments above medical and retail spaces.

Almost adjoining is a proposal for 91 Darebin Street, with Ascui &amp; Co creating a six level building containing a medical suite and 37 apartments. 37 Burgundy Street is also subject to a six level mixed-use building, with a variety of other smaller 3-4 level apartments projects also current within Banyule City Council's planning process.

<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/image59_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="91 Darebin Street and 294 Bell Street. Images: Ascui &amp; Co / Afterglow"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="196" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image59_3.jpg?itok=JWmggfnN" title="91 Darebin Street and 294 Bell Street. Images: Ascui &amp; Co / Afterglow" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>91 Darebin Street and 294 Bell Street. Images: Ascui &amp; Co / Afterglow</figcaption></figure>Lacking a dedicated planning register, Banyule City Council's planning process can be somewhat opaque, making the task of publicly tracking the municipality's higher density development all the more difficult.

Currently Apartments.com.au is tracking 31 projects within Banyule, with a handful yet to be added to the Project Database. The vast majority are residential apartment projects and are at various stages of the development cycle.

Larger projects at construction include Evergreen Ivanhoe and Heidi Apartments which between them account for 177 dwellings, while smaller projects such as Cartmell Place and 13-17 Cartmell Place act as infill developments. Mooted to launch shortly is 104 Mount Street with approximately 120 dwellings while 294 Bell Street has been revised if the new render above is any guide.

Overall, Apartments.com.au is tracking in excess of 2,100 apartments within Banyule.
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Banyule bustles with new apartment projects

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Last week Apartments.com.au explored the <a href="/news/two-classic-melbourne-pubs-set-to-make-way-for-apartment-developments">increasing number of inner-city pubs making way for apartment developments</a>, with the two latest proposals likely to be Port Melbourne's London Hotel and South Melbourne's Palmerston Hotel.

While the lure of comparatively quick gains has proven to be too great an incentive for numerous pub/hotel owners, one venue has bucked the trend by incorporating apartments into an ongoing hotel operation rather than completely shutting its doors. With approval in place, St Kilda's Village Belle Hotel will during 2016 undergo a multi-million dollar redevelopment.

Overlooking the southern end of Acland Street, Village Belle Hotel will be overhauled at the hand of prolific hospitality design firm Technē Architecture and Interior Design, with a double-storey winter beer garden set to stand side by side with a new apartment building fronting Smith 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/unspecified.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Village Belle with a new addition"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="356" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/unspecified.jpg?itok=0uMkmhIW" title="The Village Belle with a new addition" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Village Belle with a new addition</figcaption></figure>With the origins of the pub circa 1890, the overhaul is in part designed to coincide with City of Port Phillip’s plans to upgrade Acland Street into a plaza by closing traffic to the thoroughfare and moving the No.96 tram terminus 54 metres into Acland Street itself. In effect the hotel will be opened up to Acland Street.

In terms of the new addition, 12 apartments will be added over a new three level structure abutting the existing pub, and will be split evenly between 6 one bedroom and 6 two bedroom dwellings. Being in close proximity to the pub, the apartment building will receive a heightened level of engineering to achieve an acceptable acoustic result for apartment dwellers.

The apartments' high end finish will be targeted at young professionals wanting to enter the St Kilda market with the pub's entertaining area connected to the apartments.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/unspecified1aa.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A closer view of Village Belle's new interior"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="397" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/unspecified1aa.jpg?itok=8BVFmez4" title="A closer view of Village Belle's new interior" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A closer view of Village Belle's new interior</figcaption></figure>In terms of Village Belle's new interior, Technē provided the following comments:

<blockquote>
Creating an architectural language that sits next to a heritage structure requires a great degree of care and finesse.

Working with heritage buildings can also be like opening up a can of worms and there have been numerous surprises within the existing structure. It’s about achieving a balance between the old and the new.
<cite>Tim Angus, Technē architect and project lead for Village Belle</cite>
</blockquote>

Village Belle's new space will be set among a steel-framed structure covered with operable glazed glass walls. A mechanism with pulleys will move the windows, adding to the industrial theme of the renovation while also allowing to space's climate to respond to changing weather conditions.

According to Technē the beer garden has been designed as an urban extension, opening up Acland Street and bringing further activity into the pub with greenery set throughout the new space.

In difference to many recent pub knock-downs, Village Belle has maintained the existing pub structure with the two new additions either side in proportion to the heritage pub.

Village Belle will remain open throughout the duration of the redevelopment.
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A model whereby apartments and hotels coexist

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Earlier in the month Apartments.com.au <a href="/news/development-sites-presently-advertised-for-sale-offer-a-reflection-of-the-current-market">highlighted the strong field of development sites</a> currently on the market, with a slant toward suburban sites holding sway over inner city offerings. Developers gazes may well be swing back to the inner city with two prime sites offered in the interceding time, will full approvals in tow.

<h2>54-56 Clarke Street, Southbank</h2>

Planning Minster of the day Matthew Guy labelled it "a revolutionary change for the way that we design buildings in Melbourne.” And now a Melbourne Cup field of developers will no doubt run the ruler over the approved 54-56 Clarke Street with an eye toward creating Melbourne's next landmark building and the bragging rights that go with such a tag.

The development site has been listed for sale with incumbent proponent Matrix and Cube choosing to move the Southbank site on rather than proceed with a dedicated apartment sales campaign. The project dubbed 'Elysium' has thus far maintained its own website which has allowed interested parties to register their interest in the project. 
Freshly listed with both CBRE City Sales and Knight Frank, 54-56 Clarke Street is a 74 level project with approval for 288 high-end apartments and an associated ground floor cafe.

<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_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Initial plans for the project had it known as Elysium"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="348" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image30_5.jpg?itok=CPkS_6Kg" title="Initial plans for the project had it known as Elysium" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Initial marketing for the project referred to the tower as Elysium</figcaption></figure>Lauded as innovative and technologically advanced, the approved 240 plus metre design by BKK Architects is unique in that a design of a similar height onsite could not likely be replicated owing to interim planning controls implemented during 2015. Thus any potential buyer of the site could deliver the approved scheme which would be considerably taller than those buildings surrounding it, both in the present and the future.

The successful buyer will have a chance to secure the site via an Expressions of Interest campaign which closes Monday the 11th of April.

<h2>10 Moreland Street, Footscray</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/image35_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="10 Moreland Street is available. Image courtesy Architecton"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="764" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image35_1.jpg?itok=gV7wyFkL" title="10 Moreland Street is available. Image courtesy Architecton" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>10 Moreland Street is available. Image courtesy Architecton</figcaption></figure>10 Moreland Street was the first high-rise to gain approval within Footscray's Joseph Road Precinct. At 26 levels and 86 metres the approved design is also one of the urban renewal precinct's tallest.

Designed by CBD-based Architecton and in the hands of agent Savills, the tower is capable of accommodating 210 dwellings over the 1,277sqm site, with three street frontages holding retails tenancies.

Other notable development sites offered for sale recently in the immediate area include <a href="/buildings/liberty-one-1-warde-street-footscray">1 Warde Street</a> with 380 approved apartments in tow along with 54-58 Hopkins Street. Better known as Franco Cozzo's Footscray home, 54-58 Hopkins Street has been billed as capable of handling a sizeable tower.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image33_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Architecton's take on 10 Moreland within the Joseph Road Precinct"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="329" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image33_5.jpg?itok=9IGlhJLL" title="Architecton's take on 10 Moreland within the Joseph Road Precinct" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Architecton's take on 10 Moreland within the Joseph Road Precinct</figcaption></figure>
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54-56 Clarke and 10 Moreland enter the already strong development site field

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The venerable Melbourne institution otherwise known as the local pub continues to feel the pinch as the lure of apartment living looks set to account for two more well known venues.

Latest to be earmarked for demolition is South Melbourne's Palmerston Hotel which many Melburnians would have driven past at one point or another, given its position on Kings Way. First licensed during 1876, current proponents Max Group Capital 2 Pty Ltd have applied to replace the existing dual level venue which is defined externally by a number of murals.

In the pub's place would rise a building of 55 apartments.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image14_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="51-59 Palmerston Crescent, South Melbourne. Planning application image: DKO Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="382" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image14_4.jpg?itok=x0wk3ELg" title="51-59 Palmerston Crescent, South Melbourne. Planning application image: DKO Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>51-59 Palmerston Crescent, South Melbourne. Planning application image: DKO Architecture</figcaption></figure>Designed by DKO Architecture, the proposal addressed 51-59 Palmerston Crescent, South Melbourne would span 10 storeys and include 24 x 1 bed, 28 x 2 bed and 3 x 3 bed dwellings.

In documents lodged with City of Port Phillip, DKO Architecture describe the proposal as "functional, responsive to its corner location and respectful of transition in built form height, also expresses exemplary creativity and innovation in design. It will be a prominent building of high architectural within the Kings Way setting.

In this regard the building itself is considered to satisfy urban art Principles 1 and 2 by: - Providing creative and innovative built form in a highly visible location; - Contributing to the identity of place by contributing the diversity of built form along the Kings Way corridor; and - the proposal holds aesthetic appeal and will be a functional streetscape element."

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image15_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Port Melbourne's The London under a new guise. Image: b.e architecture/Decibel Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="358" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image15_2.jpg?itok=5zbvxKbv" title="Port Melbourne's The London under a new guise. Image: b.e architecture/Decibel Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Port Melbourne's The London under a new guise. Image: b.e architecture/Decibel Architecture</figcaption></figure>Palmerston Hotel's apparent demise follows on from Port Melbourne's London Hotel which is subject to a luxury apartment proposal. Diagonally opposite Station Pier, the watering hole and restaurant is intending to cash in on its premier location and associated premium dollar attached to apartments in the area under the plans of developer TAB Developments Pty Ltd.

Decibel Architecture and b.e architecture have created the proposal which would see 32 apartments and one food/drink premises supersede the London Hotel.

One bedroom apartments within the proposal begin at 60sqm, two bedroom dwellings range between 107sqm and 135sqm while the intended projects three bedroom dwellings range between 147sqm and a very hefty 232sqm.

<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/23adf6e6-255b-11e3-bbca-a7ec88bfff7c_syd-5i2l4l30uqw10n34rjdv_original-646x363.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The former Stork Hotel. Image courtesy BRW"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/23adf6e6-255b-11e3-bbca-a7ec88bfff7c_syd-5i2l4l30uqw10n34rjdv_original-646x363.jpg?itok=rLdO7CX_" title="The former Stork Hotel. Image courtesy BRW" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The former Stork Hotel. Image courtesy BRW</figcaption></figure>The loss of Melbourne pubs to apartment developments in nothing new, with one of the more high profile cases in recent years being that of the Stork Hotel opposite Queen Victoria Market. In its place Vision Apartments at well over 200 metres is approaching completion.

Other notable pubs lost to development include the Canada Hotel in Carlton and Footscray's Belgravia Hotel which has remained a dormant site postafter the venue's demolition.

Richmond's Rising Sun Hotel may well join the above examples with a residential complex approved for the site while the CBD's Duke of Kent and Great Western are also in danger with the former subject to a planning application, and the latter currently for sale as a development site.

Lead image credit: Wikipedia and Yelp.
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Two classic Melbourne pubs set to make way for apartment developments

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Has much of anything changed in the past six months regarding Melbourne's commercial construction output? 

There has been a spike in tower crane usage throughout Melbourne since the last census conducted during October 2015, contrary to the prediction made by Apartments.com.au. As of last week there were 161 tower cranes (give or take one or two units) plying their trade Melbourne-wide, a noteworthy jump of 17 relative to the October 2015 figure.

Whilst the top end of town remains steady and well served by incumbents such as General Cranes, MCG Cranes, Select Cranes and the like, the majority of growth has occurred in the suburbs where the proliferation of small and medium sized apartment development continues to flourish. Growth in the overall tower crane count is due to a new breed of smaller tower cranes employed to service this growing sector.

<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_1274.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Smaller cranes for smaller builds have become more popular"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1274.jpg?itok=xaf9mRUa" title="Smaller cranes for smaller builds have become more popular" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Smaller cranes for smaller builds have become all the more popular</figcaption></figure>Set aside the natural skew toward the City of Melbourne and the numbers reveal a relatively even spread of tower cranes throughout metropolitan Melbourne. Doncaster and Box Hill continue to be apartment hot spots as evidenced by the number of cranes in use through Manningham and Whitehorse. A notable mention also goes to Brunswick East with a handful of projects beginning their skyward path in recent months.

Of the cranes in use, a sizeable 85% are for residential use, including student accommodation and retirement living projects.

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%;"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 314px;">Residential Tower Crane Location</td>
			<td style="width: 174px;">Tower Cranes</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 314px;">Melbourne CBD</td>
			<td style="width: 174px;">19</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 314px;">Docklands - Nth/West/East Melbourne</td>
			<td style="width: 174px;">23</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 314px;">Fishermans Bend/Southbank/Carlton/Parkville</td>
			<td style="width: 174px;">13</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 314px;">Port Phillip - Glen Eira</td>
			<td style="width: 174px;">12</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 314px;">Yarra</td>
			<td style="width: 174px;">12</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 314px;">Moonee Valley - Maribyrnong - Moreland</td>
			<td style="width: 174px;">19</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 314px;">Manningham - Whitehorse - Boroondara</td>
			<td style="width: 174px;">20</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 314px;">Wider metro Melbourne</td>
			<td style="width: 174px;">19</td>
		</tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>A period of firsts</h2>

The past six months have yielded a number of firsts, with the first tower cranes appearing within two urban renewal projects; Fisahermans Bend and Footscray's Joseph Road Precinct.

New logos mounted across Melbourne's skyline are evident with first time users of tower cranes continuing to flow through. The likes of Buildcept, Liberty Builders, AG Constructions and EyeQ Constructions all notching up the milestone of sorts since the last census.

The tallest hammerhead to be used in Melbourne also made its mark atop Brady Group's Vision Tower whilst a sorry MCG Cranes unit continues to sit forlornly atop 150 Queen Street. Achieving precious little over a two year period, the tower crane is a rather overt reminder of the legal struggles that CEL Australia have endured in realising Tower Melbourne.

<h2>Lend Lease powers ahead</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/25092494402_08124fb780_b.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The newest builds within Lend Lease's Victoria Harbour. Image courtesy Oh Yes Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/25092494402_08124fb780_b.jpg?itok=JZasV5FT" title="The newest builds within Lend Lease's Victoria Harbour. Image courtesy Oh Yes Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The newest builds within Lend Lease's Victoria Harbour. Image courtesy Oh Yes Melbourne</figcaption></figure>Lend Lease is enjoying a purple patch with 12 tower cranes spread across two large residential developments and RMIT's New Academic Street project. The ever strong Victoria Harbour is currently sporting 6 tower cranes spread over a handful of residential towers which will accommodate near on 1,500 apartments upon completion

Toorak Park is also in full swing with five tower cranes delivering the residential enclave which holds an Orrong Road address. Lend Lease's 12 tower cranes in use sits behind the current 13 employed by Brookfield Multiplex, with residential builder Hamilton Marino in third place with 10 in use.

With Arup signed to Lend Lease's Melbourne Quarter, the developer also has another large-scale Melbourne project set to start.

<h2>High times ahead</h2>

The point at which the next Apartments.com.au Crane Count is conducted will invariably throw up two projects with newly installed tower cranes. Both Australia 108 and Aurora Melbourne Central are roughly tracking square with one another in terms of where they find themselves in construction progression.

The marquee projects will yield in excess of 2,000 private apartments between them and in Aurora's case an additional 200+ serviced apartments.

With build times out to 2019 and beyond, these two skyline defining projects will act as a visible 'backbone' for Melbourne's immense construction boom for some years to come.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_1573_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The current state of Aurora Melbourne Central"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1573_0.jpg?itok=QUNDmq6n" title="The current state of Aurora Melbourne Central" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The current state of Aurora Melbourne Central</figcaption></figure>
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Pulse of the construction industry: Melbourne tower crane count March 2016

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Albert Road is currently subject to a mini wave of apartment projects as developers seek to cash in on the already popular residential sub precinct.

Split between South Melbourne 3205 and Melbourne 3004, Albert Road and the immediate block either side sees no less than nine separate apartment developments in the works, with the smallest project sporting 50 dwellings.

The progressive morphing of Albert Road begins with detached single dwelling blocks at its westerly edge and transforms into a mini high-rise enclave toward St Kilda Road, or what will become Domain Station/Interchange.

Overall the nine projects highlighted below look set to add as many as 1,060 new apartments into the area, with none yet to advance to construction.

<h2>Largest of the lot</h2>

GURNER's latest residential development landed with City of Port Phillip during November, with its current status listed as at appeal.

The work of Elenberg Fraser, 7 Bowen Crescent is expected to accommodate approximately 200 apartments on a triangular site which is now a distinctively angular low-rise commercial building.

A more recent application comes in the form of a conversion of the current multi-level car park found at 2 Bowen Crescent. Chinese-backed Wuzhong Albert Pty Ltd is behind the $67 million scheme, with Plus Architecture handling the design.

At a height of 65 metres, the proposal calls for 214 apartments, 206 car parking spaces and 697 square metres of retail space.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image69_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Bowen Crescent is set for change"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="254" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image69_3.jpg?itok=j3Qd5JL8" title="Bowen Crescent is set for change" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bowen Crescent is set for change </figcaption></figure><h2>Kavellaris influence</h2>

Kavellaris Urban Design are responsible for two recent planning applications. 

159 Eastern Road is subject to a residential proposal on behalf of Le Tet Property Group Pty Ltd which is both the owner and prospective developer of the land. 78 apartments are included over the 12 level building which features a distinctive facade highlighted by perforated metal screens.

Another project at 180 Albert Road is Sydney-based AUSWIN TWT's first Melbourne development. Dubbed New Life Melbourne, the glass-clad building incorporates 101 apartments above two retail spaces, with 23 three bedroom dwellings set over the upper levels.

Submitted to City of Port Phillip during November, the current status of 180 Albert Road is listed as at appeal.

<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/image59_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="159 Eastern Road and 180 Albert Road"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="348" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image59_2.jpg?itok=xiZhicHG" title="159 Eastern Road and 180 Albert Road" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>159 Eastern Road and 180 Albert Road</figcaption></figure><h2>Off Albert and on the radar</h2>

Three smaller apartment  projects are found off Albert Road within South Melbourne, headed by GURNER's at sales 74 Eastern Road. Elenberg Fraser feature once again as the design lead with 85 apartments set to be created.

Likewise Lakehouse Apartments on Palmerston Crescent is also available for purchase.

Developer Enshine Property is championing the project with Lakehouse representing their first Melbourne endeavour following extensive property experience within China's Shanxi region.

Palmerston Crescent also plays host to Carter Group's intended residential pursuit. Plus Architecture created the project at 61-65 Palmerston Crescent which has been at planning for the best part of 19 months. 50 apartments are expected within the 13 level project.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image68_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="South Melbourne is set to gain some additons"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="731" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image68_5.jpg?itok=72Ca06Jy" title="South Melbourne is set to gain some additons" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>South Melbourne is set to gain some additons</figcaption></figure><h2>Elenberg Fraser double up</h2>

<a href="https://urban.melbourne/planning/2015/02/03/planning-for-a-south-melbourne-double-dose">Covered during early 2015</a>, Elenberg Fraser's back to back residential towers have met differing planning outcomes.

The curvy 13-21 Palmerston Crescent ultimately found success via a trip to VCAT, with listed developer Round Bay Pty Ltd now free to proceed with the next phase of the development process. Included within the tower are near on 200 apartments set above ground floor commercial and retail spaces.

Not so fortunate was 28-32 Albert Road. Submitted at the same time as 13-21 Palmerston Crescent, it has gone back to planning with a revised scheme before City of Port Phillip.

Now more angular in appearance, the tower has also been revised from an initial 146 apartments down to 72, split almost evenly between two and three bedroom apartments. Evidently developer Lintime Pty Ltd has repositioned the proposal to capture the luxury apartment buyer.

<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_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Elenberg Fraser's proposed and approved additions"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="343" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image67_0.jpg?itok=fe9nUkaA" title="Elenberg Fraser's proposed and approved additions" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Elenberg Fraser's proposed and approved additions</figcaption></figure>
</body></html>

1000 new apartments set for Albert Road and surrounds

<html><body>
Developer Growland Group are running with a recently unveiled project that may well set a new height benchmark for Melbourne's south-eastern corridor. 

St Kilda Road-based Growland Group initially turned to McBride Charles Ryan for their third Melbourne development, with initial concept renders showing dual residential towers of up to 23 levels with a typical burst of purple; a colour synonymous with the Prahran-based design practice.

With the Highett project now at planning, ROTHELOWAN have been installed as the preferred architect with the submitted scheme yet to be made 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/image18_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="MCR and Golden Asset's take on Highett"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="349" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image18_6.jpg?itok=OyMdXoME" title="MCR and Golden Asset's take on Highett" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>MCR and Golden Asset's take on Highett</figcaption></figure>Growland Group's (formerly Golden Asset) website carries the following description:

<blockquote>
The Highett project is conveniently located on the north side of Southland Westfield Shopping Centre. Zoned for Mixed-Use and a land size of 4,000sqm, this residential development will become the tallest and most significant building within the area.

The interior design and its contemporary architecture will be designed by Melbourne’s most celebrated, multi-award winning architecture practices, McBride Charles Ryan Architects.
<cite><a href="http://www.goldenasset.com.au/projects/highett">Golden Asset project description: Highett</a></cite>
</blockquote>

Set on a plot of roughly 4,000sqm, the development may well absorb a vacant tract of land fronting Nepean Highway and Karen Street.

The Highett venture is third in line in terms of the developer's local pipeline. With 459 apartments under construction on Southbank, Footscray's 4 Hopkins Street is shaping as the next project to advance.

Within the Joseph Road Precinct, 4 Hopkins Street is a large 13,100sqm vacant site which Growland Group expect will yield in excess of 1,000 apartments, in addition to ground-level retail spaces and communal facilities/rooftop gardens. Project architect Kavellaris Urban Design has created a scheme with multiple buildings, which would likely be constructed over stages.

Dubbed Merchant Square, the project's signature would be a solid podium surface disrupted by louvers which would "create <a href="http://www.goldenasset.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Merchant-Square_Image001.jpg">low-rise silhouette shapes</a> that blur the between suburb and city in the Footscray area."

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image19_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Planning application image: Kavellaris Urban Design"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="672" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image19_7.jpg?itok=TWKrSttI" title="Planning application image: Kavellaris Urban Design" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>2015 planning application image: Kavellaris Urban Design</figcaption></figure>Growland Group's first Australian project, Marco Melbourne, continues to rise at pace on Southbank. Spread over 1,455sqm and located at 42-48 Balston Street, the site with permits in place was secured by the developer during 2013.

After a construction delay due to a tower crane failure during 2015, head contractor Crema Constructions has a 2016 completion date set for the project which will hold 459 apartments upon completion. With a value of $105 Million, Marco Melbourne is well on the way to topping out, with the taller of the two separate towers set to reach 40 storeys.

<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/image20_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Marco Melbourne. Images courtesy Ryan Seychell"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="431" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image20_2.jpg?itok=4rkvJfK9" title="Marco Melbourne. Images courtesy Ryan Seychell" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Marco Melbourne. Images courtesy Ryan Seychell</figcaption></figure>
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Growland Group assumes a greater presence across Melbourne

<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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