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Apartments.com.au will tomorrow unveil a category for our new home page titled Urban Living which will showcase the latest Melbourne apartment project releases, many of which will be found here on Apartments.com.au prior to public release in conjunction with Apartment Register. The new Urban Living section will aggregate project launch editorials from any developer or sales agent which has entered into a contract to purchase one of Apartments.com.au's project launch packages and project launches through Apartment Register will also appear in this section.

By securing forthcoming apartment projects prior to their public release, this will allow a healthy portion of readers who utilise Apartments.com.au to research their apartment purchase a greater chance in securing the apartment they desire.

Feedback to Apartments.com.au shows that local buyers and in particular first home buyers feel they have been marginalised in the market of late with the lion's share of quality apartments within many a project snapped up by international buyers or institutional investors prior to public release. Apartments.com.au seeks to buck the trend by working with developers and sales agents via Apartment Register or with them directly in order to offer our readers the first choice for a given apartment project that appears in the Urban Living category.

All articles appearing in the Urban Living category will be project specific and each article will feature an easy to use registration form which will transmit the registrant's details to the corresponding sales agent.

Bear in mind you the reader can also utilise the Apartment Register service and then proceed to provide your details and preferences in the form provided. Apartment Register after all exists to source you the apartment closest to your wants and abilities.

The implementation of an Urban Living category and the pending introduction of an Off The Plan section in many ways rounds out the 'apartment lifecycle' that Apartments.com.au has the ability to offer website readers. The capacity for readers to purchase exclusive apartments will slot in between their ability to follow current development news or research forthcoming and current projects via the <a href="/developments">Project Database</a>, and view construction updates or the finished product via our In Focus pieces and forum.

Essentially Apartments.com.au has accounted for the missing piece in the process and now has the capacity to be active in every stage from conception to completion across a plethora of apartment projects, whilst still covering the entire spectrum of urban issues that define Melbourne.

The first exclusive project will appear on Apartments.com.au tomorrow with others set to follow at regular intervals. Watch out for project launches in Flemington, South Yarra, Oakleigh and Dandenong in the not too distant future.

Developers and sales agents who would like to utilise Apartments.com.au's project launch and database upgrade packages can contact <a href="mailto:alastair@urban.melbourne">Alastair Taylor</a> for more information.
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silvermb

Introducing a new section: Urban Living 

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St Kilda Road-based <a href="http://plusarchitecture.com.au/">Plus Architecture</a> have recently updated their website with fresh information, thus allowing Apartments.com.au to insert a swag of new and predominantly residential listings into our Project Database. South Yarra twice over, Glen Waverley, Box Hill, South Melbourne and North Melbourne are home to the new project listings, with 720 apartments and 157 hotel suites the expected sum result.

Little Projects' The Elfin residential tower leads the pack. Located at 38 Claremont Street South Yarra, it is preparing for a sales launch while early works continue onsite. The Elfin's 102 apartments may also be joined by an additional 99 dwellings at nearby <a href="/new-apartments/402-416-chapel-street-south-yarra">402-416 Chapel Street</a> South Yarra.

Lodged mid 2014, South Melbourne-based Blueprint Development Group is behind the scheme which would see the demolition of the existing building and construction of a 12 storey mixed use tower including 99 apartments, 157 hotel suites, restaurants holding a total of 473 patrons, 1,009sqm of retail space, 579sqm of commercial space and a gymnasium. City of Stonnington have added no further information since the application was lodged.

<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_4433.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Early works have commenced at 38 Claremont Street. Render courtesy Plus Architecture"><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_4433.jpg?itok=oj4jZ7V8" title="Early works have commenced at 38 Claremont Street. Render courtesy Plus Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Early works have commenced at 38 Claremont Street. Render courtesy Plus Architecture</figcaption></figure>Of the four remaining projects only <a href="/buildings/galleria-glen-waverley-52-osullivan-road-glen-waverley">52-54 O'Sullivan Road, Glen Waverley</a> has gained planning approval, with City of Monash ruling in favour of the 276-apartment project during late 2014. Despite community concerns over height and lack of communal facilities, the 15 level tower on behalf of Australia Nan Xin Investment Pty Ltd can now proceed at the developer's discretion.

<a href="/new-apartments/reflections-108-haines-street-north-melbourne">104-112 Haines Street, North Melbourne</a>, <a href="/buildings/carrington-109-carrington-road-box-hill">109 Carrington, Road Box Hill</a> and <a href="/new-apartments/65-palmerston-61-65-palmerston-crescent-south-melbourne">61-65 Palmerston Crescent, South Melbourne</a> represent the remaining trio of Plus Architecture-designed projects still at planning assessment. 104-112 Haines Street is the largest, seeking approval for 143 apartments in a traditionally low-rise area of North Melbourne.

City of Melbourne are also considering the merits of a similarly proportioned proposal on the neighbouring <a href="/new-apartments/gardiner-on-the-park-116-haines-street-north-melbourne">114-116 Haines Street</a> site; should Council approve both developments it would likely set a precedent for the accelerated urban renewal in North 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/perspective_8-819x600.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="104-112 Haines Street North Melbourne. Image courtesy Plus Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="353" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/perspective_8-819x600.jpg?itok=YSa3NzNw" title="104-112 Haines Street North Melbourne. Image courtesy Plus Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>104-112 Haines Street North Melbourne. Image courtesy Plus Architecture</figcaption></figure>The six additional project listings has swelled the current Plus Architecture stable to 19 within Apartments.com.au's Project Database, ranging from project assessment through to construction. All their projects are <a href="/architects/plus-architecture">available for viewing</a>.

The impressive number of current projects has propelled Plus Architecture into a position of strength, nestled in behind Hayball and Elenberg Fraser in terms of overall project numbers which alludes to the rate at which Plus Architecture gas grown in recent times. The six most recent Plus Architecture listings are available for individual viewing below.
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Plus Architecture begins 2015 with a bang!

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Apartments.com.au was recently afforded the opportunity to tour 108 Flinders Street; completed during the latter part of 2014 and fully inhabited, the tour provided an opportunity to see how the new architectural landmark interacts with its surrounds. <a href="http://www.riverlee.com.au/">Riverlee</a> sales and marketing director Kristine Lee was on hand to explain the rationale behind many of the small nuances that combine to deliver the impressive building.

Separate facades address both Flinders Street and ACDC Lane, aiming to reflect the highly different context of each frontage. The Flinders Street edifice is a response to the surrounding urbanity with the facade's stainless steel elements reflecting the tram and rail lines which it faces according to project architect Fender Katsalidis.

Conversely the northern facade employs a broader colour palette and style which is designed to echo its immediate surrounds; the scruffy and grafittied yet highly popular ACDC Lane and Duckboard Place.

<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/image007.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="As captured from Flinders Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="857" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image007.jpg?itok=Cp0xPAcr" title="As captured from Flinders Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>As captured from Flinders Street. Image: Dean Bradley</figcaption></figure><h2>Quality and amenity</h2>

It's 108 Flinders Street's internal common areas which provides the wow factor for the inhabitants of its 190 apartments. Elements of the original building have been retained and are prevalent throughout the main lobby while a bronze sculptural piece created by Pasquale Marinelli in 1968 has been positioned as an eye-catching lobby feature.

Easily the most opulent of any residential project toured by Apartments.com.au is 108 Flinders Street's vehicle entry. A porte cochere entry featuring blue stone, copper, stainless steel and marble frames the area. Connecting the car park level, lobby and communal courtyard is a transparent water feature which draws light into the space and in essence provides design continuity to all communal areas.

<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_4133.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="An almost surreal sight peering upward in the internal courtyard"><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_4133.jpg?itok=_UmNlkxc" title="An almost surreal sight peering upward in the internal courtyard" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>An almost surreal sight peering upward in the internal courtyard</figcaption></figure>Dubbed the Garden of Eden, 108 Flinders Street's internal courtyard is a focal point that provides all internal facing apartments with a spectacular feature. Emerystudio delivered the impressive internal wall mural with Fender Katsalidis and Tract Landscape Architects jointly devising the open air courtyard. The surreal garden mural, waterpond skylight to the level below and an upside-down tree sculpture suspended mid air via a network of cables define the space.

Described as an urban retreat for 108 Flinders Street's residents, the courtyard is amazing and particularly so when the myriad of lights illuminate the space during the evening. Internal courtyard aside, communal facilities also include a private gym and residents lounge which provides space for entertaining large groups. In addition the level 12 rooftop terrace and barbecue area provides residents with panoramic views encompassing the MCG, South Yarra, Federation Square, Southbank and much of the CBD.

<h2>Addressing ACDC Lane</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/image008.png" rel="gallery-all" title="ACDC Lane aspect"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="875" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image008.png?itok=8JmmXeGB" title="ACDC Lane aspect" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>ACDC Lane aspect. Image: Dean Bradley</figcaption></figure>How 108 Flinders Street addressed the adjoining ACDC Lane was key do delivering a successful project. The significant music, food and cultural hub at the rear of 108 Flinders Street required a novel way of maintaining privacy and noise mitigation to the immediate apartments, while also delivering an outcome which fits with the unique character of ACDC Lane.

Emerystudio was commissioned to provide artistic flair by way of an art wall, which in turn provides privacy to lower apartments located at the rear of 108 Flinders Street. Individually operated, the art screen can be maneuvered and thus acts as a constantly activated large scale art piece.

<blockquote>
It is designed to respond to the grainy richness of ACDC Lane and, with the inclusion of a new restaurant, enhance the culture of the precinct. Our practice enjoys, wherever possible, to create an architecture that contributes to the richness of our city through the thoughtful integration of art into the building fabric, often working in close collaboration with Melbourne artists.

108 Flinders is a sculpture in its own right, which embraces the diverse fabric of our city through its precinctual responses.
<cite>Karl Fender, Fender Katsalidis Architects </cite>
</blockquote>

Slotting in at ground level is <a href="http://pastuso.com.au/">Pastuso</a>, a Peruvian inspired restaurant which has seamlessly fitted into its surrounds.

<h2>Apartment internals</h2>

The building-high courtyard/atrium assists in allowing maximum light into apartment interiors while all external windows are double glazed for minimal solar penetration and noise reduction.

Apartments feature fixtures and finishes such as marble accents around doorframes, custom joinery and timber panelling. Kitchens carry Miele appliances, stone bench tops and mirrored splashbacks, while bathrooms are fitted with Apaiser basins, floor-to-ceiling tiles and Grohe tapware; finishes expected in a quality apartment project such as 108 Flinders Street.

Apartments.com.au also visited one of three penthouses which carry top flight finishes such as reconstituted stone bench tops, timber floors, Gaggenau kitchen appliances, integrated Liebher fridge and wine fridge plus Gessi Italian tapware. A feature unique to the penthouses are light wells located between the main bedroom and living spaces which double as a private garden area while motorised louvered windows fronting Flinders Street allow for the sight and sounds of the city to penetrate at the residents whim.

All in all 108 Flinders Street is a highly commendable apartment building and a worthy of its exceptional location.

<h2>108 Flinders Street delivery team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Riverlee.</li>
	<li>Architect: Fender Katsalidis.</li>
	<li>Builder: Merkon Constructions.</li>
	<li>Landscape: Tract Landscape Architects.</li>
	<li>Engineer: Aurecon.</li>
	<li>​Structural: Winward Group.</li>
</ul>
Select images above and below is the work of local photographer Dean Bradley, with a smattering of our own images included.
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In focus: 108 Flinders Street, Melbourne

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Last week it was announced <a href="/new-apartments/melbourne-vic">Melbourne's</a> tallest skyscraper was set to be released for sale domestically in February with the remainder of apartments expected to be snapped up after the project's successful launch in Asia. Developed by World Class Land Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of Singapore-based <a href="/developers/world-class-global">Aspial</a>, Australia 108 is expected to carry an end value of $1 billion.

With the initial hype and comment over the public launch subsiding, now presents an opportune time to pour over the figures that define Melbourne's next landmark structure.

<h2>From the ground up</h2>

<ul>
<li>Located at <a href="/buildings/australia-108-southbank-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">70 Southbank Boulevard</a> in busy <a href="/new-apartments/southbank-vic-3006">Southbank</a>
</li>
	<li>100 levels and 319 metres in height</li>
	<li>Designed by <a href="/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis Architects</a> as an accompaniment to their earlier Southbank project, the 297 metre Eureka Tower</li>
	<li>Retail and lobby/concierge located at ground floor plus porte cochere access</li>
	<li>10 levels of podium car parking: 558 car parks and 310 bicycle spaces</li>
	<li>Level 11 lap pool, sauna, steam room and private theatre as well as indoor and outdoor entertaining areas and external deck</li>
	<li>944 apartments below the starburst including:</li>
	<li>Three studio apartments ranging in size from 53.6 to 57.8 square metres
	<ul>
<li>418 one bedroom, one bathroom apartments ranging in size from 47.1 to 65.7 square metres</li>
		<li>105 two bedroom, one bathroom apartments ranging in size from 57.8 to 66.3 square metres</li>
		<li>418 two bedroom, two bathroom apartments ranging in size from 59.6 to 128.2 square metres</li>
		<li>​Level 70/71 starburst with dual level residential facilities</li>
	</ul>
</li>
	<li>161 Sky residences above the starburst which include:
	<ul>
<li>Three bedroom apartments with either two or three bathrooms. Size ranges from 120.6 to 211.4 square metres</li>
		<li>Penthouses (they are also 3 bed 3 bath) – range from 355.4 to 391.6 square metres</li>
		<li>Penthouse 100 (top floor) – the tallest residence in the southern hemisphere. Customisable, it is 797.4 square metres</li>
	</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2>Exterior</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/tpa8467_australia_108_e01_hero_elevated-2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hero perspective of the Southbank behemoth. Image supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="878" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/tpa8467_australia_108_e01_hero_elevated-2.jpg?itok=znmOAPJ6" title="Hero perspective of the Southbank behemoth. Image supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Hero perspective of the Southbank behemoth. Image supplied</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Deep blue facade with white stripes enveloping the facade, and which have integrated LED lighting at visible outside daylight hours</li>
	<li>Starburst feature located 210 metres above ground, inspired by the Federation Star on the Australian Flag</li>
	<li>Similar design impetus to the neighbouring Eureka Tower whose exterior drew inspiration from the Eureka Stockade</li>
	<li>11-level podium features large glazed planter boxes and heavy with greenery providing contrast to City Road's drab frontage</li>
</ul>
<h2>Apartment interior design</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/resisences_06.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Interior of a typical apartment. Image courtesy australia108.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="361" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/resisences_06.jpg?itok=D7erNq20" title="Interior of a typical apartment. Image courtesy australia108.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Interior of a typical apartment. Image courtesy australia108.com.au</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Floor to ceiling windows over all apartments</li>
	<li>Apartments interiors delivered by <a href="/architects/carr-design">Carr Design Group</a>
</li>
	<li>Two colour palettes on offer - Starlight &amp; Sunlight</li>
	<li>Starlight (light scheme) comprise a white palette and strong geometric lines. Kitchen design incorporates a slender benchtop and island breakfast bar, which is finished in a grey porcelain slab. Bathrooms feature custom-designed wall-hung basins with integrated storage, finished in a finely-crafted solid surface material</li>
	<li>Sunlight (warm scheme) follows the same architectural line of the concept, but encompasses an off-white porcelain benchtop and splashback, complemented by timber effect laminate cabinetry</li>
	<li>Residents above the Star Club with find Carrara marble and limestone options, bespoke joinery and stone bathtubs as standard</li>
	<li>Miele appliances as standard, with premium Miele in upper level apartments</li>
	<li>Flooring in premium apartments comprise engineered timber flooring throughout, with woven carpet or wool carpet in bedrooms</li>
</ul>
<h2>Communal facilities</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/star70_06_l.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Lounge area within Australia 108. Image courtesy australia108.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="357" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/star70_06_l.jpg?itok=fIdAin2D" title="Lounge area within Australia 108. Image courtesy australia108.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lounge area within Australia 108. Image courtesy australia108.com.au</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Three levels of communal facilities with a total of 3000 square metres available for use</li>
	<li>Level 11 includes pool, sauna, steam room, golf simulator, theatrette plus an outdoor entertaining space and external deck</li>
	<li>Star Club over levels 70 and 71 provides two separate communal facilities, with one reserved exclusively for use residents living above the starburst</li>
	<li>Differing finishes define the two levels with HBA designing the premium zone for upper level residents</li>
	<li>Premium zone includes an infinity pool in a double height space with floor-to-ceiling views, private dining room, club rooms and lounges</li>
	<li>Carr Design Group has designed the other zone for lower level residents, comprising an infinity pool with Port Phillip Bay views</li>
	<li>Dining rooms, private theatrettes and bars are common to both communal levels</li>
</ul>
As foreshadowed by Apartments.com.au last year construction giant Brookfield Multiplex holds the upper hand with contractual negotiations between developer and builder reported as in progress last week. With commencement of works a few short months away Australia 108 is due for staged completion through to 2019.
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Facts and figures that define Australia 108

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The most recent monthly housing approvals released from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show Victoria continues to cater for future housing stock with a combined 5,009 new approvals during November 2014. Of those approximately 2,350 were for high density living with apartments and townhouses the major contributors.

The figures and associated graph were highlighted on January 8th by Urban Taskforce Australia, a peak industry body charged with representing property development interests across Australia although with a strong Sydney focus.

<blockquote>
While housing approvals across Australia are reaching record levels NSW approvals have dropped. Victoria is leading the country with 5,009 home approvals in November compared to 3,958 for NSW which is a significantly larger state.

The state election in NSW is only a few months away and clearly the attitudes to growth and the impact on housing supply and therefore the affordability of housing will be an important election issue. We can’t let NSW slide off its Number One status in Australia so we must support growth to remain the Premier State.
<cite>Chris Johnson, Urban Taskforce Australia</cite>
</blockquote>

Sydney parochialism aside, monthly high density approvals over the best part of 30 years can be seen in the below graph. Most noticeable is the Victorian sector lagging well behind the other states for many years, although in recent years this trend has reversed, in line with the increased penchant for apartment living principally throughout inner 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/image295.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Private sector higher density home approvals. Image courtesy Urban Taskforce Australia"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="376" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image295.jpg?itok=l2xtkOM0" title="Private sector higher density home approvals. Image courtesy Urban Taskforce Australia" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Private sector higher density home approvals. Image courtesy Urban Taskforce Australia</figcaption></figure>A number of articles on the matter have been published via various media outlets in recent days along with the almost obligatory associated potential for oversupply of apartments in the Melbourne markets; the same spectre which has been present since 2011, yet for the most has been staved off.

Special kudos is reserved though for <a href="http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/01/08/vic-home-building-approvals-stay-ahead">SBS online</a> which reported the direct correlation between heightened Victorian approvals and an increase in apartment oversupply; quite a supposition given these additional approvals are nothing more than paper approvals and do not add to the physical stock of available dwellings.

See the Australian Bureau of Statistics <a href="http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/8731.0Main%20Features3Nov%202014?opendocument&amp;tabname=Summary&amp;prodno=8731.0&amp;issue=Nov%202014&amp;num=&amp;view=">latest figures on the topic</a>.
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Victorian apartment approvals at a record high

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Proponents of a Haig Street, Southbank development site which holds approval for a residential tower have gone back to planning in order to gain an additional eight floors of residential living for the project. Unlike the recent trend of upsizing residential towers for the sake of adding additional apartments/yield to a project, 57 Haig Street will decrease in overall apartment numbers albeit by one.

Developer Meydan Group now controls the 1,093sqm site and according to the revised Urbis planning report have sought to reconfigure the tower in order "To achieve their vision for the site." One might assume the experienced developer has considered a redesign an optimal outcome in order to increase the sellability of apartments within 57 Haig Street.

Changes between the 2012 version which found approval during 2014 and the current 57 Haig Street proposal are listed below:

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
<caption>57 Haig Street: changes between 2012 and 2015 planning applications</caption>
 <thead><tr>
<th>2012</th>
 <th>Current</th>
 </tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Height: 122m</td>
 <td>Height: 155.7</td>
 </tr>
<tr>
<td>39 levels</td>
 <td>47 levels</td>
 </tr>
<tr>
<td>249 apartments</td>
 <td>248 apartments</td>
 </tr>
<tr>
<td>144 x 1 bedroom, 105 x 2 bedroom</td>
 <td>128 x 1 bedroom, 120 x 2 bedroom</td>
 </tr>
<tr>
<td>Car parking: 173</td>
 <td>Car parking: 171</td>
 </tr>
<tr>
<td>Bicycle bays: 52</td>
 <td>Bicycle bays: 165</td>
 </tr>
<tr>
<td>Commercial floor area: 168.48sqm</td>
 <td>Commercial floor area: 221.07sqm</td>
 </tr>
<tr>
<td>GFA: 25,710.98sqm</td>
 <td>GFA: 28,332.52sqm</td>
 </tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Urban planning firm Urbis asserts via the project town planning submission that the revised proposal meets the policy objectives of the Melbourne Planning Scheme while also contributing positively to the evolving built form character of the area. Key to the redesigned tower is an increase in internal apartment amenity and enhanced communal areas plus the incorporation of a north-south pedestrian link between Haig Street and Blakeney Place.

The podium will rise to 30.95 metres as the previous basement parking levels has been deleted in favour of additional above ground facilities while setbacks of 10 metres to the existing Clarendon Towers complex, 8 metres to the proposed 334-344 City Road and 5 metres to the south-western property boundary are incorporated.

<h2>Design proposal</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/image302.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A redesigned 57 Haig Street. Images courtesy Bruce Henderson"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="486" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image302.jpg?itok=VHSeZsCh" title="A redesigned 57 Haig Street. Images courtesy Bruce Henderson" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A redesigned 57 Haig Street. Images courtesy Bruce Henderson</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
The building is broken into two opposing architectural expressions, the Podium &amp; Tower forms. The Podium seeks to create a heavier grounded base to the building, while the Tower is of a lighter expression with greater level of visual interest, due to the understanding that the Podium will typically be viewed from a closer vantage point and finer detail such as glass treatments, wall joints etc will be easily read and create the interest in the facade.

While the Tower will typically be viewed from a greater distance where the overall pattern of the facade treatment will make up the architectural expression. The overall building language is then tied together through the regular height within the horizontal pattern created by the various treatments up the extent of the building both in the Podium and the pattern to the Tower.
<cite>Bruce Henderson - design response report</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>Capitalising on a changing landscape</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/image301.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Adjacent developments to 57 Haig Street. Images courtesy Bruce Henderson"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image301.jpg?itok=3NVlSbPL" title="Adjacent developments to 57 Haig Street. Images courtesy Bruce Henderson" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Adjacent developments to 57 Haig Street. Images courtesy Bruce Henderson</figcaption></figure>City of Melbourne's report on the initial proposal states a preferred height limit of 100 metres exists for the immediate area, but can be set aside under certain urban design parameters including providing an appropriate height transition to development in adjoining areas to the south, west and east. 

When placed into the current context, 57 Haig Street looks somewhat insignificant next to the hulking <a href="/new-apartments/madison-grand-334-city-road-southbank">334-344 City Road</a> at 270 metres in height. Theoretically remove 334-344 City Road (which has yet to reach a planning decision) and the height of approved neighbouring schemes ranging from 308 City Road to <a href="/new-apartments/400-430-city-road-southbank">400-430 City Road</a> would be quite similar.

The image above adequately demonstrates the progression of height and density in recent years where the existing grey structures of between 70-100 metres represents the initial residential forays into this pocket of Southbank. 57 Haig Street seeks to insert itself in a new band of towers around the 140 metre mark while 334-344 City Road would further yet redefine the landscape.
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57 Haig Street seeks extra height

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Small-time developer MELMO consider their latest project a new off grid standard of living, Apartments.com.au thinks it to be one of the more interesting sustainable designs since we highlighted Australia's first 8 star energy rated apartment building, otherwise known as <a href="/news/is-this-melbournes-best-new-residential-development">The Commons</a> during 2013.

Inner-city based MELMO's current residential project NET ZERO may be small with only four residences, but it boasts some serious sustainable energy technology inclusions amongst other features.

<h2>MELMO ethos</h2>

<blockquote>
Volume home builders offer ‘contemporary’ homes and faux period designs ad nauseum. But these homes aren’t designed to be an excellent investment. They follow fad trends in materials and design.

We are committed to building a stock of future focused residential homes. With design that is enduring and authentic. The devil is in the detail and we don’t miss a thing.

We employ high level Environmentally Sustainable Design to achieve a quality of life that is both enduring and rewarding. At MELMO we provide our customers with a turn-key product. Wherein MELMO is responsible for Planning, Design, Construction and delivery of each MELMO Home.
<cite>MELMO website</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>Translated to NET ZERO</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/01-street.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Manningham Street perspective. Image courtesy melmo.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="527" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/01-street.jpg?itok=vXhqXkmj" title="Manningham Street perspective. Image courtesy melmo.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Manningham Street perspective. Image courtesy melmo.com.au</figcaption></figure>Granted NET ZERO's street frontage isn't exactly setting the world alight, but the project at 42 Manningham Street Parkville makes up for it's lack of external charm elsewhere. Designed as "an advanced house prototype offering its owners unprecedented freedom, health and comfort," it's rated at 7 stars.

NET ZERO incorporates "the most progressive ESD technology and engineering available in Australia," with the project website describing the development as "future proof" inferring non reliance upon current utilities.

<h2>Features</h2>

<ul>
<li>5kw solar panel system &amp; 13kw integrated off-grid ready battery system monitored from mobile phone.</li>
	<li>Electric vehicle charging station.</li>
	<li>Nest smart thermostat.</li>
	<li>20,000ltr commercial grade, pressurised underground pontoon water tank.</li>
	<li>Header tank on roof supplies all toilet cisterns with water, and laundry: completely water self sufficient.</li>
	<li>Air source heat pump HWS: solar powered, no natural gas.</li>
	<li>Natural ventilation pathways in the home.</li>
	<li>Commercial grade curtain wall window system: double glazed, thermally broken, argon filled.</li>
	<li>Shug windows and the ‘chimney stack’ effect allowing for passive control of temperature.</li>
	<li>Proprietary technology used to protect occupants from electro magnetic radiation while they sleep.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Comment</h2>

Is it too idealistic to think that one day a project such as NET ZERO will not be worthy of praise? That many of the features currently beyond the norm in NET ZERO will become standard in future townhouse and low-rise apartment projects, given they are comparatively easier to implement than in high-rises?

NET ZERO is by no means not Robinson Crusoe when it comes to impressive ESD initiatives, if only though it were the norm rather than the exception.
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Net Zero for Melmo

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Melbourne-based Ubertas Group are waiting upon final planning approval for their latest project located at 360 William Street.  The tower is their fourth in Melbourne and would serve as a sister building to the neighbouring 350 William Street which is better known as Art on the Park/Oaks on William.

The fruitful relationship between Ubertas and Fender Katsalidis Architects continues with the latter having designed all of Ubertas Group's projects to date.  360 William Street is no exception with the project set to capitalise upon the strong demand within the hotel/serviced apartment sector at the moment.

<h2>360 William Street planning application summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://urban.melbourne/sites/urban.melbourne/files/pictures/article-images/image246.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="360 William Street as of mid 2014. Image courtesy Fender Katsalidis"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="554" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image246.jpg?itok=uJXHrn07" title="360 William Street as of mid 2014. Image courtesy Fender Katsalidis" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>360 William Street as of mid 2014. Image courtesy Fender Katsalidis</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>1,203sqm site current use: partly demolished two storey office building</li>
	<li>Planning application submitted June 2014</li>
	<li>Proposed: 22 level residential tower at 66.31 metres</li>
	<li>​Total GFA: 25,658sqm.</li>
	<li>239 apartments: 199*1BR / 40*2BR</li>
	<li>6 basement levels catering for 142 car parking spaces and 114 bicycles</li>
	<li>103.1 sqm &amp; 64.4sqm retail space fronting William Street</li>
	<li>Gym, conference, function and meeting rooms included over levels 1 &amp; 2</li>
</ul>
<h2>Design rationale</h2>

<blockquote>
The proposed development aims to enhance the vitality of the Flagstaff gardens precinct by contributing a well-designed, simple and robust piece of architecture.  It strives to achieve this through the provision of livable high amenity apartments maximising north and garden views.

The building form accommodates apartments within faceted glass balustrades. These balustrades take their cues from the changing foliage of Flagstaff gardens across the road.  Furthermore, the contrasting characteristic of concrete used in the development compliments the neighbouring building in both form and materiality.
<cite>Fender Katsalidis - Town Planning Document</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>The third coming</h2>

The current planning application follows on from two separate designs put forward for this site with an initial mixed-use tower of some 177 metres never progressing past planning approval.  The 'statement' tower covering 350-360 William Street would have consisted primarily of glass, aluminium louvres, stone, concrete or metal panels.  Commercial and hotel components plus 636 apartments were to have consumed most of the available space.

History will show that the site was split in order to generate two separate towers, with the initial 35 level 350 William Street reaching completion mid 2013.  A 12 level residential tower for 360 William Street had also gained approval, seemingly in recent times given  the completed 350 William Street is present to its right in the render below right.  It in turn has been replaced by the subject design of today's article.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://urban.melbourne/sites/urban.melbourne/files/pictures/article-images/image244_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Previous site proposals as sourced from planning material"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="272" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image244_0.jpg?itok=a9MVhyn_" title="Previous site proposals as sourced from planning material" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Previous site proposals as sourced from planning material</figcaption></figure><h2>Serviced apartments anyone?</h2>

360 William Street's planning application has been with DTPLI for some time; barring any substantial design changes the project should be nearing a final planning decision soon enough.

More interesting is the internal layout of the tower with levels 3-21 generic and where 83% of apartments are single bedroom and on average slightly above 50sqm in size. Further 360 William Street's proposed amenities are essentially corporate in nature - conference, function and meeting rooms; not necessarily tailored toward owner-occupiers.

The bulk if not all of 360 William Street's rooms look likely to become serviced apartments, akin to the neighbouring 350 William Street where Ubertas installed Oaks Hotels and Resorts in order to manage the 220 4.5 star serviced apartments post planning approval.  

<h2>360 William Street planning team </h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Ubertas Group</li>
	<li>Planning: Urbis</li>
	<li>Architects: Fender Katsalidis Architects</li>
	<li>Building Services: Simpson Kotzman </li>
	<li>Structural Engineer: Webber Design </li>
	<li>Traffic Engineering: Ratio Consultants </li>
	<li>Building Surveyor: PLP Consultants </li>
	<li>Waste Management: Wastech Services</li>
	<li>Environmental Wind: MEL Consultants</li>
	<li>ESD: Ark Resources</li>
</ul>
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The third coming > 360 William Street, Melbourne

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Following on from yesterday's article highlighting Melbourne's <a href="/news/victorian-apartment-approvals-at-a-record-high">surging apartment approvals</a>, City of Melbourne rounded out 2014 by releasing their most recent Development Activity Monitor, which tracks new residential and commercial property development within the City of Melbourne municipality. Covering the 13 separate suburbs which constitute City of Melbourne, the data set released on Thursday December 18 has again highlighted the pace at which Melbourne continues to grow.

<h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
This boom in development and construction boosts employment and the economy. An additional 76,000 jobs have been generated in the City of Melbourne in the past six years and our Gross Local Product has increased by $20 billion.

As the fastest-growing municipality in Australia, we welcomed an additional 11,000 Melburnians in 2013 so it’s no surprise that residential development continues to flourish.
<cite>Lord Mayor Robert Doyle </cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
The City of Melbourne is working hard to plan for growth by ensuring we have diversity and quality in our housing stock, as well as infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing community.
<cite>Councillor Ken Ong, Chair of Council’s Planning portfolio</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>Headline Statistics</h2>

<ul>
<li>2014 residential completions within City of Melbourne reached 6319, double the number completed in 2013</li>
	<li>13,500 dwellings in 59 residential developments are under construction and due to be completed in the next three years</li>
	<li>Ninety-three proposed developments have town planning approval and will yield 21,000 dwellings when constructed</li>
	<li>92 developments have applied for permits totalling 26,000 dwellings</li>
</ul>
<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image242_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="603 apartments are expected for 295-309 King Street. Image courtesy Plus Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="409" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image242_0.jpg?itok=7kMi4JcO" title="603 apartments are expected for 295-309 King Street. Image courtesy Plus Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>603 apartments are expected for 295-309 King Street. Image courtesy Plus Architecture</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>The analysis of bedroom data suggests that of the dwellings in the active pipeline:
	<ul>
<li>less than one per cent of new dwellings will be studio apartments</li>
		<li>43 per cent will be one bedroom dwellings</li>
		<li>52 per cent will be two-bedroom dwellings</li>
		<li>almost five per cent will have three or more bedrooms</li>
	</ul>
</li>
	<li>329,500 m2 of office space is currently under construction in the City of Melbourne, headlined by 567 Collins Street (below)</li>
	<li>28,000 m2 of retail space is also currently under construction, with half contained within mixed-use residential developments</li>
</ul>
<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_3210.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="567 Collins Street will shortly add to Melbourne's premium commercial stock"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_3210.jpg?itok=2VIzg6J5" title="567 Collins Street will shortly add to Melbourne's premium commercial stock" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>567 Collins Street will shortly add to Melbourne's premium commercial stock</figcaption></figure><h2>Future apartment hotspots</h2>

Further research of the Development Activity Monitor shows that by assessing those projects expected to begin construction within a five year time frame, trends can be determined as to where the bulk of City of Melbourne's residential growth will occur.

Melbourne's CBD is still a hot bed of activity with 17,456 apartments expected to be delivered within a five year timeframe, followed by Southbank with 8,071. Docklands still has plenty of steam even though it's past the half way mark with 5,509 dwellings yet to be built whilst Port Melbourne can expect 3,630 as part of City of Melbourne's boundary incorporates Fishermans Bend; Port Melbourne figures should rise progressively in future Development Activity Monitor releases.

Carlton can expect a further 2,163 apartments in the pipeline whilst North and West Melbourne combined will see 3,750, a number also expected to increase comfortably into the future. Overall City of Melbourne's Development Activity Monitor as of late 2014 expects another 41,717 apartments to be delivered under its watch over the next five years.
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CoM's Development Activity Monitor shows a thriving city

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Welcome back to all our readers as we begin another year at Apartments.com.au. The team have been hard at work over the festive season, facilitating a number of changes that will be borne out during the early stages of 2015 which are designed to take the website to a new level.

First and foremost you may have noticed a new domain name, with urban.melbourne our new address. Coupled with our rolling out of offtheplan.melbourne in the not too distant future, we are fully embracing the recent release of .melbourne top level domains. As a matter of course all existing site pages, links and bookmarks for the previously used urbanmelbourne.info will continue to work; they'll just be redirected to the new domain.

The front page too will be sporting a new look in the coming days, designed to make navigation of the website (particularly for new visitors) a far easier task. Articles will be categorised as before, although a new category titled Urban Living will appear and showcase the newest and best apartment projects currently on offer in Melbourne. This category will tie in with our new Off The Plan section which aims to highlight current apartment projects, some of which will appear on Apartments.com.au before any other retail apartment sales source thanks to our partnership with My Real Estate Mate under the Apartment Register banner.

Perhaps most exciting of all changes is the creation of the Apartments.com.au Photo Wall which we expect will bring together some of the very best talent that Melbourne has to offer by way of photographers. Currently in development, the Apartments.com.au Photo Wall will tie in with our Visual Melbourne category and provide a platform where many of the exceptional websites out there providing high quality, daily updated photos concerning all things Melbourne will be visible on the one page. It's envisaged that there will be approximately a dozen different feeds initially into the Apartments.com.au Photo Wall, allowing for multiple daily updates.

Apartments.com.au also now has a comprehensive database of all existing Melbourne buildings over 12 levels, along with hundreds of ancillary buildings in tow. We will gradually roll these entries into an expanded Project Database which by our reckoning will be the most comprehensive database of Melbourne buildings there is. While providing up to date tracking of Melbourne's current projects, the Project Database will also act as an invaluable research source for those readers requiring detailed data on any given building.

Last but not least Apartments.com.au will also ramp up our video content throughout 2015 in a joint effort with My Real Estate Mate in order to provide regular, easy to view insights into apartment projects, apartment buying, apartment living or simply anything Melbourne. As was stated during late 2014 we aim to provide higher levels of service to urbanists who are looking to buy in the Melbourne apartment market. Our clear aim is to cater for the apartment buyer, the industry related professional and the casual observer, but not at the cost of the day to day content which is the basis of Apartments.com.au's success.

January will feature an abbreviated level of content as many people are still enjoying well earned holidays no doubt, with February the point at which the website will be back to full publishing capacity.

Here's to a successful 2015!
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2015 ushers in changes at Urban.com.au

Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

Joel Robinson

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

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Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

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More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
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SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Local Little Bay residents, along with buyers from premium postcodes across Sydney’s affluent Eastern Suburbs, have dominated purchases in developer-builder Urban Property Group’s first Eastern Suburbs apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a>.

The $250 million coastal project, one of the first new developments in the area in several years, has proven particularly popular with downsizers, especially those from Coogee and Bondi. One Double Bay downsizer paid $4.7 million for a four-bedroom penthouse, setting a new local apartment price record in the process.

Buyers have been attracted to the combination of coastal tranquillity, premium design and amenity-rich neighbourhood living. The walkable village setting, along with proximity to three of Sydney’s leading golf courses, New South Wales Golf Club, St Michael’s Golf Club and The Coast Golf Club, has also been a key drawcard.

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Built across two low-rise buildings designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hill-thalis-architecture-urban-projects-pty-ltd">Hill Thalis</a> and set along a lush, landscaped green spine, designed by leading landscape architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, ESTE Little Bay offers a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences with interiors by Richards Stanisich.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> Sales Director, Tom McIvor said the response to ESTE has been "nothing short of extraordinary."

“Buyers have been quick to recognise ESTE as a rare opportunity to invest in a coastal sanctuary that offers both seclusion and connectivity to the heart of Sydney,” McIvor said.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">SRM Residential</a> Senior Director, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">Clayton Ross</a> said the local market has responded incredibly well, driven by ESTE’s exceptional location and the rarity it offers.

“We’ve seen strong interest from a variety of buyer groups, all of whom are drawn to the exclusivity and quality of the build and construction by the 4.5-star iCIRT-rated builder / developer, Urban Property Group. There’s truly nothing else like it along Sydney’s coastline.”

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The project also includes robust buyer protections, including Resilience Insurance’s Latent Defects Insurance, providing 10 years of structural cover, and an independent iCIRT-rating of the developer.

“The iCIRT-rating adds another layer of confidence,” Ross added. “Buyers see it as a safeguard for their investment and their lifestyle.” A highlight of ESTE’s offering is its exclusive wellness amenities, including a heated rooftop infinity pool and outdoor heated spa, a state-of-the-art Technogym fitness centre, and a sauna.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a> is topped out and is on track to complete towards the end of 2026, with residents moving in before Christmas.

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Mark Baljak

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