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Charter Hall has just been granted approval by the City of Melbourne to commence demolition of the building which currently stands at 555 Collins Street. The approval follows the lodgement of the proposal of a $1.5 billion redevelopment last month. The prominent corner section is one of the last of its kind in the area, spanning 4,620 square meters of prime real estate on Collins Street. A commercial tower designed by Cox Architecture and Gensler is on the cards and will draw on extensive research to produce revolutionary workspaces, utilising modern technology and human-centric design.

<blockquote>
“We are looking at the project from a people-first point of view and leading with humanistic design, ensuring that the human experience is at the heart of every design decision that we make. Key to this approach is our appointment of both Cox Architecture and Gensler. Together, our expertise will allow us to create a workplace designed for how people connect and engage with each other and with their surroundings. By truly understanding the tenant journey, we will create a space that encourages an instinctive way of working and ultimately, a better and more productive workday.”
</blockquote>

Simon Stockfeld, Charter Hall’s Regional Development Director

Tier one contractor Delta Group has been appointed to undertake the demolition which will cost approximately $13 million. Once demolition is complete, the first phase of redevelopment will involve the construction of 35 levels of premium office space across 45,000 square metres. The goal is to create work environments which are engaging and inviting, as well as seamlessly integrated within the area’s surrounding CBD environment.

<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/555c_collins_st_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Render for 555 Collins Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="750" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/555c_collins_st_1.jpg?itok=lXodLzsW" title="Render for 555 Collins Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Render for 555 Collins Street</figcaption></figure>The development will aim to target a number of sustainable certifications including a 6 Star Green Star rating, 5 Star NABERS Energy Rating and Platinum WELL certification – in pursuit of creating one of the city’s most sustainable office buildings. The building will also contain a state-of-the-art health and wellbeing offering as well as a premium retail hub with a curated selection of restaurants and bars.

The team are currently preparing for demolition with completion slated for mid-2022.

<h2>WHAT THEY SAY</h2>

<blockquote>
“The existing 555 Collins Street building is vacant, allowing us to hit the accelerator to meet completion deadlines. Projects which do not have to consider heritage and have a strong planning case also provides future tenants with far higher development delivery certainty.”
</blockquote>

Simon Stockfeld, Charter Hall’s Regional Development Director

<blockquote>
“We are proud to be partnering with Charter Hall as they work to create a next-generation workplace experience, in the heart of Melbourne. With the workplace evolving at a much greater pace than ever before, our extensive experience designing office buildings and innovative workplace environments for a variety of clients around the world has given us a unique insight into what people – and especially the younger, tech-savvy generations – truly want and need from their workplace and the companies that employ them.”
</blockquote>

Lukasz Platkowski, Design Director at Gensler’s London office

<blockquote>
“Cox Architecture are genuinely excited about collaborating with Gensler to bring 555 Collins Street to life. Our client, Charter Hall, have a vision to authentically connect people, place, and work, and together we feel that 555 Collins Street will truly represent the new way of working in the city.”
</blockquote>

Simon Haussegger, Director at Cox Architecture
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Olivia Round

Charter Hall gets green light to redevelop coveted Collins Street site

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Woodlea’s triumphant launch to market has led to its sixth town-house release due to popular demand. The precinct is now Australia’s fastest community and has almost sold out, with 60 town-houses being snapped up by buyers within the space of a year.

<blockquote>
“Townhouses are generally reserved for inner city living but the different townhouse collections we’ve released to date have received strong demand from all different purchasers, proving there is no one size fits all."
</blockquote>

Lora Djurdjevic, Woodlea Marketing Manager

Djurdjevic also notes that young couples and first home buyers have shown an interest in the homes due to the level of quality and value for money, while families and downsizers are impressed by the low maintenance aspects of the town-houses.

The sixth development Parkfront Retreat, designed by Porter Davis Homes, will feature 10 turn-key residences with 3 and 4-bedroom configurations, affordably priced from $433,000.

Each town-house will be constructed with timber flooring throughout, premium stone benchtops, 2.7-meter high stud ceilings and brick; render and lightweight cladding.

<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/woodleatownhouse1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Woodlea's sixth town-home edition Parkfront Retreat"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="354" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/woodleatownhouse1.jpg?itok=z0XSNW5X" title="Woodlea's sixth town-home edition Parkfront Retreat" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Woodlea's sixth town-home edition Parkfront Retreat</figcaption></figure>Each dwelling boasts both a balcony and a courtyard for excellent light and airflow throughout the property and a great area for entertaining design by MDG Landscape Architects. The convenient location of the town-houses neighbours Featherwood Park and is only 350 metres from the future Woodlea Town Centre which is due to open next year.

<blockquote>
“Our townhouse releases are always located in prime locations within the Woodlea estate and overlook one of the many parks available, with the future town centre and schools all just a short stroll away... This has been an incredibly appealing feature for families as everything they need is right on the doorstep of their brand new home.”
</blockquote>

Lora Djurdjevic, Woodlea Marketing Manager

All properties are freehold, and buyers will be exempt from paying an Owners Corporation fee.

Lead image: Woodlea Townhomes
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VIP + Mirvac launch sixth Woodlea townhouse development

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In a bid to green our cities, the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) has proposed a 2019 Living Infrastructure Strategy and call for the support of the federal government and councils to build healthier, more sustainable communities.

Urban.com.au had a chat to AILA’S director Claire Martin and Australian National University Research Fellow Dr Andrew MacKenzie about the initiative – who explained how new infrastructure regulation could futureproof our cities from the impending effect of global warming, overpopulation, health complications and more.

<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/1_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="247" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/1_10.jpg?itok=uxIfsTFm" width="580"></a></figure>Urban.com.au: Which key features of a Living Infrastructure Strategy do you believe would be most pertinent to action immediately and why?

Claire Martin: Many of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architect’s recommendations and strategic priorities are reflected in the Building Up and Moving Out report that captures the findings of the House of Representatives Inquiry into the Australian Government’s role in the development of cities. The report provides a wealth of insights into how we can achieve better outcomes for Australians and Australians cities. The inquiry was bolstered by the high level of multi-partisan support of the members involved, demonstrating that good urban policy is a priority across the political parties. The federal government has an opportunity to provide leadership through Infrastructure Australia to bring together key stakeholders, state and local governments, industry bodies and community representatives to develop a National Living Infrastructure Strategy to secure the future of our settlement and societies.

Urban.com.au: Are there many differences between the Green Infrastructure Strategy (2018) and a Living Infrastructure Strategy (2019)?

Claire Martin: The<a href="http://www.aila.org.au/imis_prod/documents/2019%20Federal%20Election%20Platform_v1.pdf" target="_blank"> 2019 Greener, Liveable &amp; Healthier Cities </a>strategy is our federal election platform that embeds and advances previous strategies. The Australian Institute of Landscape Architect (AILA) is a members of the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council’s Cities and Infrastructure Task Group our strategy is aligned with ASBEC’s 2019 Thriving Cities policy platform.

Urban.com.au: What is the funding share between ‘grey infrastructure’ and ‘green infrastructure’ currently?

Claire Martin: Whilst federal government expenditure is clearly defined there has been less clarity on green or living infrastructure expenditure both in terms of up-front costs, life-cycle costs as well as the valuation of ecosystems services benefits and contributions.  That’s why AILA supports is lobbying for multi-partisan support for the creation of a National Living Infrastructure Fund for an investment fund that would be established for the implementation of green infrastructure projects across Australia for allocation to state and local government green infrastructure projects. This fund could be operated similar to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, which seeks to leverage private sector funding to enhance public benefit outcomes through government investment.

Urban.com.au: Which government parties/candidates are currently on board with your mission to create healthier cities? 

Claire Martin: Infrastructure Australia’s Creating Places for People — an urban design protocol for Australian cities is the result of two years of collaboration between peak community and industry organisations and governments at all levels. It represents a commitment to best practice urban design and quality living spaces in Australia. AILA recommends re-endorsing the Protocol and providing federal funding for the purposes of maintaining and promoting the principles outlined in the protocol. AILA is a member of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Better Cities, established in 2014, is co-convened from the Government, Opposition and Cross Benches. The three co-conveners of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Better Cities are Mr Trent Zimmerman MP, Member for North Sydney, Mr Andrew Giles MP, Member for Scullin and Senator Jordan Steele-John, Senator for Western Australia. The Parliamentary Friendship Group for Better Cities seeks to work together to make Australia’s capital and major cities more liveable, more resilient and more productive.

Urban.com.au: What impact are issues surrounding city density, congestion and increased population having on Australia and what could be some ways to mitigate negative long-term effects?

Claire Martin: There are significant environmental and health effects of poor planning of Australian cities including: more than 3,000 premature deaths in Australia every year are related to urban air pollution, loss of biodiversity, nutrient loads make their way into waterways and can cause algal blooms and negative environmental effects, a reduction in wellbeing and workplace wellbeing and productivity, increased loneliness and social exclusion, escalating obesity, diabetes and skin cancer, and reduced fitness particularly in young children, social exclusion and the increasing importance of positive mental health.

Much of this can change through planning and design with a shift to multi-centred Australian cities that are more localised with active living that could potentially remove tens of thousands of cars from our road and avoid further unnecessary spending on road infrastructure that locks cities into car dependency and increasing economic inequity. And through the introduction of living infrastructure which increases biodiversity, providing urban corridors for native wildlife, encouraging bird life and pollination; urban forests and greening support management of stormwater run-off and improve water quality, adding natural green elements to the built environment reduces air pollution and improves air quality, spending time in nature provides rehabilitative and recuperative benefits to those suffering mental illness, exercising in parks benefits adult’s relaxation and stress management and improves capacity to disconnect, time spent outdoors is linked to increased work productivity and creativity, structured activity in local parks is a motivator for older adults to visit and connect and adolescents who spend time in nature have a greater sense of calm and focus during study.

<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/centennial.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="Centenary Lakes Nature Play in Cairns"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/centennial.jpeg?itok=bIKwiGDo" title="Centenary Lakes Nature Play in Cairns" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Centenary Lakes Nature Play in Cairns</figcaption></figure><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/2_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="247" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/2_7.jpg?itok=H5vNG5VI" width="580"></a></figure>Urban.com.au: Which country do you believe already has a similar environmental strategy in place and one which Australia could look towards? 

Dr Andrew MacKenzie: Singapore is a leader in policy approaches to green infrastructure - since independence, they have committed to greening the city through tree planting and more recently enhancing the biodiversity has been very successful. London has also made significant progress towards a metropolitan-wide GI strategy but are yet to be implemented.

Urban.com.au: What are some stand out examples of ways landscape design regenerates life into a space where infrastructure dominates the land?

Dr Andrew MacKenzie: Perhaps the best example is the bicentennial and Sydney Olympic parklands. Homebush Bay was once one of the most polluted waterways in the world now home to extraordinary biodiversity including the green and golden bell frog.

Urban.com.au: What does a healthy and more liveable city look like to you?

Dr Andrew MacKenzie: How long is a piece of string! A happy co-existence between the community and the urban environment where the benefits afforded from green infrastructure benefits everyone in some way from great parks and reserves to well-treed streets.

Urban.com.au: Which government parties/candidates are currently on board with your mission to create healthier cities?

Dr Andrew MacKenzie: The ALP has traditionally committed to supporting urban development going back to Chifley in the post-war era. The Liberals tend to leave it to the states and the private sector.

Urban.com.au: What impact are issues surrounding city density, congestion and increased population having on Australia and what could be some ways to mitigate negative long-term effects?

Dr Andrew MacKenzie: Essentially, current trends in compact city growth is squeezing out high quality accessible open spaces and reducing our green cover increasing risks associated with urban heat island effect (heat stress-related illness etc).

Additional information from <a href="http://www.202020vision.com.au/" target="_blank">202020 Vision</a> advocate and Griffith University urban and environmental planner, Dr Tony Matthews: ‘Extreme heat disproportionately affects built-up metropolitan areas. This is largely due to impervious surfaces and a lack of urban vegetation (street trees, green spaces) absorbing more heat than surrounding rural areas, which radiate it back into the air in an oven-like effect, causing ‘urban heat island effect’. The effects are wide-ranging, resulting in an increase to energy costs, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, water quality, heat-related illness and mortality in these areas.[1]

Increasing the prevalence of green spaces through the installation of street trees, city parks and rooftop gardens has consistently demonstrated a reduction in the urban heat island effect, where larger urban forests can also create a pool of cooler air and spread it to nearby neighbourhoods by enhancing local wind patterns. We just need to see more action and momentum for the widespread uptake of these tried and tested strategies.

Urban.com.au: Due to the fact that half of Australia’s nationally threatened animal species occur in areas planned for urban development, what are some strategies that could be implemented to ensure Australia's native species are protected? Does this mean developments need to be relocated or are there ways to design these new spaces to accommodate the native species that already inhabit those areas?

Dr Andrew MacKenzie: Nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history – and the rate of species extinction is accelerating, with grave impacts on people around the world now likely, warns a <a href="https://www.ipbes.net/news/ipbes-global-assessment-preview" target="_blank">landmark new report from the UN.</a> Cities have a critical part to play in saving our endangered from extinction.

Adopting a biodiversity evaluation approach to urban development where significant habitat is either protected or created (novel ecologies) is adopted. This could include improving the connectivity of green patches and improving our community appreciation of local ecological communities.

It means working with nature in our cities, both with government and the community. It’s not enough to have big grassy parks and trees as token gestures of ‘nature’, we need to reflect in urban environments what we actually see in nature. Urbanisation is a threat to biodiversity but there’s much we can do to minimise it, through biodiversity evaluation and habitat protection.

[1] Green City,<a href="http://thegreencity.com/the-causes-and-effects-of-the-urban-heat-island-effect/" target="_blank"> http://thegreencity.com/the-causes-and-effects-of-the-urban-heat-island-effect/</a>

Lead image: Darebin Yarra Trail Link by Vic Roads Urban and Structural Design Teams 

 

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Future focus: Australian Institute of Landscape Architects call for new Living Infrastructure Strategy

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In a bid to create the city’s greenest retail precinct, Sunshine Plaza in Melbourne’s west is now powered by nearly 50% renewable energy, making it the largest solar roof installation in Victoria.

The recently completed installation contains 4,175 roof solar panels, which produce enough energy to meet 45% of the Plaza’s daily requirements. The new fit-out also has the capacity to produce up to 1.04 megawatts of energy, and 1,414,930 kWh annually, which is enough energy to power 245 homes.

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By using renewable energy, the cost savings for tenants are substantial and it also provides extra protection against spikes in energy prices.

From an environmental perspective, the initiative reduces over 1,414.9 tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions annually – equivalent to removing around 815 cars from the road.

Sunshine residents can expect to welcome more sustainable developments in future, as part of a broader vision to green the area, creating the ultimate health and wellbeing precinct.

Many other commercial property developers are also looking into retrofitting their developments with roof solar panels, including <a href="/developers/lendlease-development">Lendlease</a>, <a href="/developers/gpt-group">GPT Group</a> and <a href="/developers/stockland">Stockland Development</a> to attain higher sustainability credentials.
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Sustainable future: Melbourne mall now features over 4000 solar panels

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We spoke to Jordan Curran, ClarkeHopkinsClarke’s leader of the mixed-use and retail team about creating healthier, better connected and more liveable communities. We also discussed the future of city precincts, The Greater Sydney Regional Plan, ethical trading and more.

Urban.com.au: In pursuit of ClarkeHopkinsClarke’s national goal to create healthier, better connected, more liveable communities – how much support have you experienced when sharing your mission with developers, councils and buyers and has this given you more freedom to better achieve this goal?

Jordan Curran: The support is definitely growing. We always begin our discussions with stakeholders by outlining the research and precedents that show where and how this approach working – not just on our projects but in communities overseas. We’ve developed our own detailed methodology, which our Urban Design Partner Dean Landy laid out in a book called Creating Vibrant Communities, and community consultation is key. We get everyone on board early with the big vision and the way, and we then work through the detail together. You obviously can’t please everyone on every single issue, but you can address everyone’s key concerns. And that builds support because everyone’s on board and invested in success from the start.

U: Which key design features do you believe connect communities best?

JC: Public space like playgrounds and parks, especially for young families. Places where people just naturally want to come together, and they don’t cost any money. If you can create close proximity between these spaces and cafes, retail precincts and services like childcare or aged care, that’s where people start to form close relationships and bonds. They make their own connections – with each other and with the place.

U: How do you think future precincts are likely to look and what changes would you like to see made to the current town planning structure?

JC: More and more I think we’ll see purely mixed-use precincts with lots of elements embedded from the start. That’s the essence of our Creating Vibrant Communities strategy – we include as many different elements as we can so all sorts of people can use and enjoy them. Lots of developers are looking at this, and I think that’s a positive thing. Building in flexibility is becoming more important too, so precincts can change and adapt. 
Town planning at the moment almost encourages us to work in silos and tick boxes. But a very positive thing councils are doing is bringing urban designers into their teams. For better or worse they will make a decision on the merit of the project. So they’re holding a lot of sway now. They don’t just work to a tick box. They work to key urban design principles. I actually think that’s a huge positive.  It’s happening a lot in Victoria and probably needs to happen a bit more in NSW.

U: Focusing on Sydney in particular, which areas do you believe have great potential to be developed to inspire interconnectivity and community?

JC: One of the things I think will really help Sydney develop more connected communities is high-speed rail. Melbourne is built on a radius from the city, so wherever you live you’re no more than about 45 minutes from the city. Sydney doesn’t work like that. It’s more rectangular because it’s landlocked by the mountains and national park, and the new growth corridors are about an hour and a half away from the CBD. Moving forward I think high speed rail has huge potential to unlock communities along the coast north and south of Sydney.

U: What are your thoughts on The Greater Sydney Region Plan and segmenting Sydney into three cities?

JC: I think it’s a good idea. It relates back to that last question – Sydney kind of has to grow this way. To have affordable housing as Sydney grows we almost have to provide a second CBD people can connect to. The focus on Parramatta is important. I feel like they’re doing the right thing relocating the Powerhouse and other cultural and civic elements out to there so culture is accessible to everyone, not just those with access to Sydney’s CBD.

U: What does the timeline of a mixed-use precinct planning development look like? Which aspect of the design do you start with?

JC: Timing varies. The first project I did, Leopold Shopping Centre, I started as a student. By the time it was finally built I was a partner. That was a seven- or eight-year process, including planning, rezoning and market shifts. And that’s the challenge of retail precincts. During those seven years the iPhone came into existence and completely changed the whole retail space. We were quite lucky that we were already focussing on placemaking and urban design, so it works well. But if you were designing something seven years ago purely as retail and delivering it now how do you build that flexibility in? With technology every year things change so much.

We begin designs by researching benchmark projects around the world, running workshops and documenting the brief, goals and vision for the future. That initial visioning statement might be something like ‘this is a technology and innovation precinct with a focus on social connectedness’. Big picture stuff with big goals and targets that help us stay on track along the away. Project length can vary but it’s always a minimum of two years, so that’s why flexibility in design is so important. The market shifts so much in that time.

U: As technology impacts physical retail stores, how can intuitive design compete with the rise of online shopping etc.?

JC: We’re working on a model that combines bricks and mortar and online shopping because they both have their challenges. We’re looking at retail shopping centres incorporating customer fulfilment centres for online shopping. Small-scale, warehouse-style hubs that online retailers can use as a local distribution centre and for pop-ups and product testing. Online shoppers can go straight there to pick up their purchases.

Everyone talks about the challenge for retail as creating a physical experience for shoppers but that’s almost a given now. This looks at the challenges of growth for both online and bricks and mortar and how they can work together.

U: ClarkeHopkinsClarke is listed as one of three Australian architecture firms to be certified by B Corps due to the firm's social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability. Do you believe your clients and property buyers are becoming more aware of the importance of ethical trading?

JC: It’s taking a while to be honest. People like to work with designers with a social responsibility background. But at the same time developers are putting everything on the line with every project so they also need designers with the technical expertise to deliver commercial viability. Some practices focus on one and lots focus on the other, but we genuinely focus on both.

U: I’m aware you have been involved in initiating a personal development and mentoring course for the school curriculum in Sydney. What does this course cover and do you believe there is a strong push for both primary and high school students to take an interest in city planning and architecture these days?

JC: We are working with the leadership team of a high school in southern Sydney to develop a mentoring, networking and thought leadership program for senior students in suburban public high schools. We’re keen to broaden access to the kind of thought leadership and alumni that’s common for kids in private schools. The idea is to get the students challenging suburban norms, coming up with big ideas for improving their communities, and teaming up with alumni who have the networks and experience to help achieve them.

U: Which future ClarkeHopkinsClarke project are you most excited about commencing work on and why? 

JC: I’m excited about a mixed-use urban village we’ve proposed for Wollongong because it’s genuinely different to anything that exists currently. The concept is a diverse mix of uses – residential, aged care, a hotel, childcare – and a new architectural style that reflects Woolongong’s amazing landscape. What’s there is very generic. Our focus is trying to typify features like the colours of the mountains and rooftops that reference the cliffs and trees above. There’s nothing like that there at the moment.

Lead image credit: ClarkeHopkinsClarke
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ClarkeHopkinsClarke's Jordan Curran discusses how to create more liveable communities

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Day two of the annual DesignBUILD expo seminars looked at the opportunities of new technology in design and construction, a new era of luxury and the constant development of new industry practice.

Key points covered:

<ul>
<li>Evolution of smart cities</li>
	<li>Role of designers in building regulatory reform</li>
	<li>Rise of luxury in the built environment</li>
</ul>
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<div class="rtecenter"><a href="/news/designbuild-coverage-wrap-up-of-day-one">DesignBUILD coverage: Wrap-up of DAY ONE</a></div>

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<h2> </h2>

<h2>LISA MCLEAN FROM OPEN CITIES</h2>

Open Cities CEO Lisa McLean covered the topic of urbanisation in Australia with a focus on how we must create genuine self-sustaining, liveable communities. This could be achieved through the use of smart and sustainable technologies such as renewable energy, water recycling and more.

<h2>DR SIMONE ZARPELON LEAO FROM UNSW</h2>

Dr Simone Zarpelon Leao – Associate Dean at the Faculty of Built Environment at UNSW shared insight into the connection between technology, sustainability and building resilience. Dr Simone encouraged the audience to question what kind of change will take shape as we develop smart, sustainable cities.

<h2>BRONWYN WEIR FROM WEIR LEGAL AND CONSULTING</h2>

Legal expert Bronwyn Weir discussed the pertinent topic of regulatory reform and shared her vision for the improvement of Australian building standards. Weir believes the industry must place more importance on the value of peer review and that good documentation processes must be in place throughout the course of a project – from design to completion.

<h2>MICHELLE CIESIELSKI FROM KNIGHT FRANK</h2>

Michelle Ciesielski explored the rise of luxury developments, drawing facts from Knight Frank’s recently released The Wealth Report 2019. Ciesielski noted that the changes in currency conversion rates could be causing an increase in international buyers seeking luxury property across Australia.

<h2>WILLIAM SMART FROM SMART DESIGN STUDIO</h2>

In keeping with the luxury theme, architect William Smart of Smart Design Studio said that from a design perspective, the idea of luxury is shifting as modern living requirements change. Instead, there is more of a focus on creating authentic and unpredictable spaces.
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DesignBUILD coverage: Wrap-up of DAY TWO

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The highly anticipated DesignBUILD expo began on Tuesday, so here's a wrap up of what was discussed over the course of the day.

Key points covered:

<ul>
<li>Compliance and procurement</li>
	<li>Modern slavery</li>
	<li>Planning for a big Australia</li>
</ul>
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<div class="rtecenter"><a href="/news/designbuild-coverage-wrap-up-of-day-two">DesignBUILD coverage: Wrap-up of DAY TWO</a></div>

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<h2> </h2>

<h2>Richard Choy from NATSPEC</h2>

Richard Choy kicked off the expo with a talk about construction quality and productivity, as well as the importance of documentation to avoid the use of non-compliant materials.

Choy also noted that the National Construction Code has already had 100 clause changes and 28 standards changes – meaning the industry must be knowledgeable of the constantly adapting continuum of building regulation, and not only choose compliant products, but also install them in a compliant manner.

<h2>Nicole Thompson from Edge Environment</h2>

Later in the morning, Nicole Thompson reiterated Richard Choy’s sentiment regarding the importance of good documentation to identify modern slavery risks within the supply chain. Thompson gave insight into how businesses can ensure they comply with regulations.

<h2>Francesca Muskovic from Property Council of Australia</h2>

Continuing the talk of modern slavery – Francesca Muskovic added that 'modern slavery' in the supply chain can be overcome with industry collaboration, sector-specific initiatives, procurement policies and innovative use of technology.

<h2>Collectivity Talks (panel)</h2>

The panel of industry experts discussed planning for big Australia and focused on the potential of three CBDs in central Sydney.

Rob Mirams of Fender Katsalidis (who was a featured panel member) explained the importance of cultural institutions in the emergence of new cities. Rob also elaborated on the idea of the creation of connectivity through mixed-used, high-density developments.

<h2>Craig Allchin from the University of Technology Sydney</h2>

Craig Allchin discussed the idea of shifting from ‘master planning’ to adopting a framework which reflects the change in modern society and focuses on interconnected communities.

For more information and to check out the DesignBUILD speaker line-up, <a href="http://designbuildexpo.com.au/speaker-series/">click here</a>.
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DesignBUILD coverage: Wrap-up of DAY ONE

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An exciting project is on the cards for builder-developers <a href="/developers/crema-group">Crema Group</a> as they embark on Melbourne’s first fully integrated live, work, play facility in the heart of the new Domain Precinct.

<a href="/buildings/the-eighth-south-melbourne-22-kings-place-south-melbourne">The Eighth</a> will be situated on the doorstep of the future <a href="/news/an-overview-of-the-projects-in-the-vicinity-of-the-new-anzac-station">Anzac Station</a>, and the island section is set to house an 18-storey building with 36 luxury residences.

<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/exterior_1.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="Exterior view. Credit: Crema/Studio Kennon"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="956" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/exterior_1.jpeg?itok=5MQhr7VK" title="Exterior view. Credit: Crema/Studio Kennon" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Exterior view. Credit: Crema/Studio Kennon</figcaption></figure>Drawing on inspiration from private club lounges in metropolitan cities such as London and New York, The Eighth will follow suit, providing hyper-luxury experiences for residents and workers alike.

<blockquote>
“Spending time in transient cities such as New York, London, Singapore and Hong Kong has shown me how many people are looking for enhanced everyday lifestyle experiences and a strong sense of wanting to belong to something.”
</blockquote>

- Nicolas Crema, Crema Group Director

A selection of boutique office spaces, boardrooms and meeting zones; will be complemented with relaxing day spas, top-of-the-line wellness centres and beauty clinics to provide the optimum work-life balance.

<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/media_images.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="Spa facility. Credit: Crema"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="366" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/media_images.jpeg?itok=OlKPLFiE" title="Spa facility. Credit: Crema" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Spa facility. Credit: Crema</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
“The way people in Australia are living is changing, and ‘real life’ is not now confined to what happens outside of traditional office hours anymore. The Eighth reflects this shift and facilitates the interconnected life many people are seeking.”
</blockquote>

- Nicolas Crema, Crema Group Director

The design by <a href="/architects/fraser-partners-0">Elenberg Fraser</a>, represents grandeur and opulence with high stud ceilings, luxurious stone and marble throughout and a slim grid-like exterior framing, supporting multi-storey window panes.

<blockquote>
“The architecture takes into account the users outlook, privacy and connection to the natural environment. The outcome is a building that creates its identity through a sense of permeance, strength and presence.”
</blockquote>

- Peter Kennon, Studio Kennon (formally of Elenberg Fraser)

<div class="rtecenter">RELATED ARTICLES</div>

<div class="rtecenter"><a href="/news/an-overview-of-the-projects-in-the-vicinity-of-the-new-anzac-station">AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECTS IN THE VICINITY OF THE NEW ANZAC STATION</a></div>

<div class="rtecenter"><a href="/news/crema-group-sizes-up-another-tower-for-south-melbourne">CREMA GROUP SIZES UP ANOTHER TOWER FOR SOUTH MELBOURNE</a></div>

 

The Eighth apartment interiors have been masterfully designed by Miriam Fanning of Mim Design to feature modern, minimalist spaces which allow potential buyers to curate their apartments to add personal touches. This idea also reflects Crema’s mission to produce a development which embraces the evolution of modern life, and the home owner’s desire to customise their own apartments to suit their needs, requirements and taste.

<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/lobby_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Lobby. Credit: Crema"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/lobby_0.jpg?itok=APDu-XSD" title="Lobby. Credit: Crema" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Eighth's central lobby. Credit: Crema</figcaption></figure>In keeping with the modern, futuristic approach to design, each of the 36 apartments boasts individual private lobbies and lifts, which can also take residents to the Los Angeles-inspired rooftop pool and sky bar on level 18. Residents will have unlimited access to Crema’s own executive lounge on level 5, and a sought-after membership will be offered to other residents of the Domain Precinct. The lifestyle club will include luxury spa facilities, a business lounge, meeting facilities and a wellness lounge. The multi-use facility will also offer 3,000 boutique office spaces (some of which will be occupied by Crema Group), as well as a 250 square metre café, and an intimate European themed restaurant/wine bar. The premises are likely to garner significant interest from local restauranteurs, given the building's unique central location, and tastefully curated planned fit-out. The landscape design has been led by Openwork who has also recently completed <a href="/news/2019-victorian-architecture-awards-shortlist-announced">Doubleground</a> – which was the award-winning design for the annual NGV Architecture Commission.

Crema has decided to maintain management rights to ensure The Eighth is run according to their expectations.

The building is due to commence construction by the end of 2019 and will follow Crema’s recent <a href="/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>-designed development <a href="/buildings/derby-place-369-high-street-kew">Derby Place in Kew</a>.

<blockquote>
“Our recent experience with our Derby Place development in Kew has customers place great importance on Crema being both the developer and builder which provides them with [an] assurance that we are able to deliver on our promises.”
</blockquote>
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The Eighth by Crema to deliver Melbourne’s first fully integrated live, work, play facility

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Urban.com.au caught up with Andrew Hoyne, Author of The Place Economy and Founding Principal of branding agency Hoyne, to discuss how effective placemaking approaches can result in significant social and economic benefits long-term.

Urban.com.au: Thank you Andrew for taking the time to chat with me today. The concept of ‘placemaking’ is a fascinating one, and I could imagine that without a precursor, people could quickly develop their own meaning of the term. How do you describe the essence of ‘placemaking’?

Andrew Hoyne: The essence of placemaking is about creating great experiences for people. Placemaking is the curation and creation of the hard and soft experiences, that ensure people are magnetically drawn to a space. Both built form and space activation. By stimulating positive experiences, you make a place destinational. It’s about how you give real meaning and purpose to a place, that compels people to care, engage and repeatedly visit. You need to begin by analysing community’s unique needs. So you must ask what already exists and what is missing. It’s the consideration of all the elements that work together to create a compelling destination: planning, architecture, materiality, green space, amenity, infrastructure, art and cultural connections. So good placemaking begins and ends by considering people who will use and inhabit a space. Good placemaking results in better social and economic outcomes for everyone.

U: In this video, you mention that the goal is to plan out 10-30 years ahead. Given the fluidity and uncertainty of the property market, what is your strategy for future development planning? 

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A3Xy6s80DiM" width="560"></iframe>

AH: In the context of that quote I’m actually talking about place or city branding, rather than property development. Today it is vital that cities think 20-30 years ahead if they want to ensure that their city remains competitive with an edge on their rivals. We’ve seen this already with cities like Berlin, Dublin, Copenhagen and London; they’ve all shown how a compelling place brand can future-proof your city, ensuring its success, and the success of its residents for decades to come. But a place brand does have a direct impact on the development industry; it will inform the vision for the future of the city and as a result dictate how it evolves and grows. So it’s really important to have that long term plan in place to ensure the built environment is bringing an agreed vision to life. The great thing with a strong place brand is that it functions like magnetic north for a city; you may get slightly blown off course by say a downturn in the property market, but you always have this set of guiding principles to realign to. This ensures you’re working towards that end goal of what the city will one day become and not floundering and changing tack with every economic bump. So to a certain extent the core principles of the place brand should be driving the market, rather than the other way around.

U: Do you feel as though developers and town planners have an element of control over shaping the future of our cities? Or do they evolve more organically?

AH: Today developers and planners, along with architects and government, do indeed have the great privilege and the responsibility of shaping the future of our cities. That’s why it’s so vital they begin the development process with a strong Place Vision in place. A Place Visioning TM process creates a blueprint that guides and shapes a space, regardless of size. Resolving this early, before you’ve even begun to talk about built form, is fundamental to successfully identifying anchors and establishing the ‘magnets’ (amenity; public realm; retail; F&amp;B) that will attract people to a place, precinct or city. Done well it mitigates risk and results in developments and cities that are socially and economically successful.

U: One of the core aims of ‘placemaking’ is to create more meaningful spaces. What design features can you add to a space to create a more meaningful experience for its users?

AH: There is no set list of features, but there is a design thinking framework you can use to create meaningful spaces. This begins with getting boots on the ground and finding out what makes a place tick. Visit the suburb or site, talk to the locals, sit in the cafes and then ask “what role can this development fulfil in this community?”. You then need to either understand your multi-faceted target audience, or define it. Once you’re clear on your various ‘tribes’, compare their needs and desires to the experience gaps for that location. Once you clearly understand your audience, and have a sense of the experience gaps, it’s time to build the business case and articulate the Place Vison. You then start by bringing the vision to life through early activation so assets and experiences grow from an early phase, rather than waiting for completion and pulling the fence down, so to speak. This is a great way to engage the community from the get go. Finally, you need to follow through and maintain engagement through careful curation, activation and stakeholder management.

U: Which of Australia’s key suburbs do you think have the strongest sense of community and how do you think other areas can mirror their success?

<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/surry_hills_photo_by_by_ali_nasseri_courtesy_of_the_place_economy.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="Credit: Ali Nasseri, courtesy of The Place Economy"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/surry_hills_photo_by_by_ali_nasseri_courtesy_of_the_place_economy.jpeg?itok=NqTb-DxS" title="Credit: Ali Nasseri, courtesy of The Place Economy" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Credit: Ali Nasseri, courtesy of The Place Economy</figcaption></figure>AH: I'm lucky enough to live in Surry Hills which I think has a phenomenal sense of community. Less than 15 years ago, the broader population thought Surry Hills was “too dirty and too dangerous” but over the last decade it’s become so famous it was listed as one of the top 30 places in the world to live. To this day it has an incredibly creative energy that has spawned the birth of famous businesses and experiences. It’s got great schools, restaurants, bars and shops; public transport is phenomenal, and everything is walkable. Ultimately it's suburbs like Surry Hills that give Sydney it’s village character. While I think it’s very unwise to suggest other suburbs try to replicate Surry Hills, I think other areas can mirror its success by developing, elevating and promoting their own unique DNA – that makes it a great place for their locals. It all comes back to people and my view is that if you create experiences that fulfil the needs of the community it will always be a success. Surry Hills supports its local community first and foremost in nearly everything it does, and that in my view is how to succeed. 

U: What was the process before ‘placemaking’ and how do you feel the concept is changing industry norms? Is there scope for developers and investors to reach a higher ROI if they follow your planning approach?

AH: Placemaking has been around since the 1960’s, although it’s been through lots of change. Up until recently, most people working in the space were focussed single mindedly on creating community oriented spaces. There was no real consideration for economic benefit, and in fact many were appalled at the idea of any form of commercialisation. However, our strong view has always been that someone has to pay for the upkeep, maintenance, constant improvement, activation and evolution over time. It’s rare that federal, state or local governments have this perspective which means that good intentions often result in spaces that degrade over time. A commercial approach ensures spaces are taken care of and loved, so people keep coming back. It’s benefiting the industry enormously because it has given us a way of creating socially and economically successful places, that meet the needs of the community, and ensure increased upside for developers and investors. This philosophy underpins everything we do: if you deliver a superior solution for the community, you generate stronger financial returns. One of my favourite developments of the moment is Industry City in Brooklyn, which is a great example of all this. It’s actually a commercial precinct that was aimed at the innovation economy but it’s been so perfectly curated with such a great mix of all these elements that it’s become a magnet and people visit from all over the world. Because of this success the average property price in the neighbourhood in which the development sits, Sunset Park, has risen by 43 per cent since the third quarter of 2014. And the price per square foot has risen to an all-time high level of growth which far outstrips wider Brooklyn. Lonely Planet has now named Sunset Park among the world’s 10 “coolest neighbourhoods”. This is an example of being rewarded for delivering what the market wants. This approach also mitigates risk. Traditionally, mitigating risk meant doing the same thing you had always done, because you knew that it made money. These days this is the riskiest thing you can do because it will not capture the attention of a more sophisticated market with increasingly higher expectations. No one will line up, pay a premium, or celebrate the arrival of another cookie-cutter development, which doesn’t address the needs of a community or provide tangible societal benefits. The only way to mitigate risk is to ask ourselves: ‘What is it we can do to make these communities stronger and more enjoyable?’, ‘What is missing and how can our development provide that?’. If you do this and create a compelling solution that exceeds people’s expectations, you will ensure stronger sales and returns than the rest of the industry. A great thinker Alan Fletcher once said “Fish are the last to recognize water.” I fear the same can be true in development. We need to break out of the old way of doing things, to create more engaging outcomes for communities and businesses. So creating magnetic destinations is mandatory to ensure a place has competitive advantage, whether it’s a mixed use precinct, or an entire city. 

U: Your place and property agency Hoyne strives to deliver ‘Brave not beige’ campaigns. What’s been your bravest (or favourite) campaign yet?

AH: One of our bravest campaigns has been Wonderland, the final release at Central Park for Frasers Property. Rather than presenting traditional property clichés the campaign identity took its creative cues from the world of retail which was a really unusual and daring approach. When we were looking at Central Park as a precinct, with it’s incredible mix of heritage and modern architecture, laneways, bars and restaurants that draw you into explore, it struck us that living there is like living in a modern day wonderland. So we brought the precinct and the development to life through a contemporary take on Lewis Carroll’s novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. A combination of CGI and photography was used to create these cool visual montages, unlike anything else in the Australian property marketplace – they fully embraced the journey and the storytelling experience. It was a bold move and there were a lot of raised eyebrows at the start but Frasers were incredible and gave it their full support. And it paid off; the results were phenomenal with 1,700 enquiries before launch and $140million worth of sales at launch, before a complete sell-out. But great solutions are always achieved by real collaboration. And as Ken Blanchard famously said “None of us is as smart as all of us.” 

U: In a perfect world, what would your dream suburb/precinct look like?

AH: My dream suburb or precinct would have great experiences for people of all ages. From kids, adults and the aged. It would have a unique sense of character and community. It would make the most of the area’s history and heritage. There would be great bars and awesome restaurants. It would have beautiful green spaces where people could hang out, and kids could ride their bikes. There’d be great public transport links. People would be able to walk their kids to school in the mornings. Everyone would walk to work. It would facilitate improved outcomes for business, innovation and creativity. And there would be something unexpected there, which you couldn’t find anywhere else. It could be built form, it could be art, or it could be a service. But it would be the central thing the space would become famous for.  

U: Lastly, with the effects of climate change requiring critical attention, what do you believe is the best response to aid in alleviating the problem when it comes to developing our cities?

AH: As the futurist Peter Ellyard said to me “sustainability means creating zero net collateral harm”. In fact, he said this can be applied to personal relationships, health, design, and actions by government. Or as Peter summed up, “The decisions I make, and the things I do, do not hurt you”. The best way for development to mitigate our environmental impact is to create built form that has meaningful legacy and longevity. I believe we also need to think more creatively about how we use old buildings, rather than reducing them to a pile of rubble if they don’t instantly suit the need of the moment. I love the quote by Stephanie Meeks (CEO and President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation), that “the greenest building, is the one which is already built”. Her team at the National Trust in the USA have mapped historic and new buildings in 50 cities around the world to see how individual blocks performed. They actually discovered that blocks which have a mix of old and new buildings have more small businesses, more women-and minority-owned businesses, are denser and have more affordable housing units. I also think that old buildings make great incubators for small business because they provide flexible spaces that help these businesses prosper. So preservation makes social, economic and environmental sense.
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Andrew Hoyne discusses the benefits of placemaking in urban design

LIMINAL: Melbourne’s trendy new venue could be the CBD’s next best meeting spot

UAE-based developer Arada has unveiled plans for a $2 billion twin-tower apartment development in Broadbeach, marking its first move into Queensland as it continues its rapid expansion across Australia.

Arada will develop 952 apartments across two towers on a prominent site opposite the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the project targeted for completion ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The project represents Arada's largest commitment to the Australian market since arriving in the country in 2024 and significantly expands a local pipeline that has now grown to eight projects and more than 5,000 homes.

It will also be the first major Queensland project delivered by Roberts Co since the tier-one contractor was acquired by Arada Group in 2025.

Plus Studio has designed the Broadbeach development, which will comprise one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two towers connected by a landscaped podium.

A significant resident amenity offering will include lagoon and lap pools, a gym, sauna and steam room, alongside a mist room, infrared room and salt scrub facilities. Communal terraces, private dining areas, a library, residents' lounge and work-from-home spaces are also planned. Around 1,200 sqm of retail and hospitality space will occupy the ground floor.

The site puts Arada in one of the Gold Coast's most active apartment markets, directly opposite the convention centre and within walking distance of Pacific Fair, The Star Gold Coast and Broadbeach's dining and retail precinct.

It also has immediate access to the Gold Coast light rail network and sits just a few blocks from the beach.

Arada Group Chief Executive Ahmed Alkhoshaibi said Broadbeach represented an opportunity for the developer to expand beyond its initial NSW pipeline.

“Broadbeach is a world-class address that gives us the canvas to create a community of exceptional design and lifestyle quality that genuinely enriches the daily lives of the people who call it home,” Alkhoshaibi said.

“This is our first development outside New South Wales, and it reflects our growing ambition to grow in key urban markets around the country.”

Alkhoshaibi said bringing Roberts Co into the project would give Arada greater control over the development and construction process.

“Delivering this project through Roberts Co, our own tier-one construction business, means we can bring the quality, pace and accountability that our buyers expect.”

The move into Broadbeach comes as Arada accelerates its Australian expansion following its entry into the market two years ago. The developer has assembled a pipeline of eight projects comprising more than 5,000 homes, while the acquisition of Roberts Co last year gave the group its own Australian construction capability.

Globally, Arada has a development portfolio valued at $50 billion comprising more than 55,000 homes across the UAE, United Kingdom and Australia.

The Gold Coast is emerging as the next major market for the developer, with strong population growth and infrastructure spending ahead of the 2032 Games continuing to underpin significant apartment development across the coastal strip.

Joel Robinson

Arada plots $2 billion Broadbeach towers in major Queensland move

Sydney’s downsizer market is changing, with a growing cohort of buyers prioritising the right home over simply finding a smaller one.

Coronation Property Head of Sales Cam Porter says the traditional idea of downsizing does not necessarily reflect what many buyers are now looking for, particularly those moving from established family homes across Sydney.

Instead, he says they are increasingly becoming “right-sizers”, seeking lower-maintenance homes without sacrificing the space, amenity or quality they have become accustomed to.

“We are increasingly seeing buyers who are not motivated by the idea of simply moving into a smaller property,” Porter says.

“They are right-sizers. They want a home that is easier to manage and better connected, but they still expect generosity, quality and a floorplan that supports the way they live.”

It is a subtle but important distinction in a market where apartment developers are increasingly targeting established owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377495]

For many of these buyers, moving from a house to an apartment is not driven by a desire to dramatically reduce their living space. Instead, the appeal is in removing some of the maintenance associated with a larger home while retaining generous living areas, storage and enough flexibility to accommodate family and friends.

Coronation’s sales team is seeing buyers place particular importance on natural light, practical storage and additional rooms that can be used as guest bedrooms, home offices or secondary living spaces.

Kitchens and dining areas are also playing an increasingly important role, particularly for buyers who regularly entertain or have children and grandchildren visit.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377494]

“These buyers still want their home to feel generous,” Porter says.

“They may want less maintenance, but they are not looking for less life.”

The challenge for the broader housing market is providing enough of the right stock to encourage that move.

While much of the discussion around Sydney’s housing shortage has centred on the number of homes being delivered, Porter says the diversity of those homes is equally important.

Older homeowners can remain in large family houses for longer when they cannot find an appropriate alternative in the neighbourhoods where they have built their lives.

“The decision is rarely as simple as wanting fewer bedrooms,” Porter says.

“People are weighing up their connection to a neighbourhood, the space they need for family, the quality of the home and whether it will continue to work for them over the long term.”

It also has implications beyond the downsizer market. Providing suitable apartments for smaller households can free up established houses for families who need the additional bedrooms and land, creating greater movement through the housing market.

<h2>Lillian targets the next stage of apartment buyer</h2>

It is a buyer Coronation is targeting at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lillian-erskineville-9-metters-street-erskineville-nsw-2043">Lillian</a>, its new collection of apartments, terraces and penthouses at Erskineville Village.

Designed by Silvester Fuller, Lillian has been shaped around larger living spaces, natural light and flexible floorplans, alongside landscaped areas, wellness amenity and communal spaces for residents.

The development will form part of Coronation’s broader Erskineville Village precinct, which will combine new homes with green space, retail, hospitality and new pedestrian connections.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377688]

McPherson Park will sit at the centre of the precinct, creating a significant new green space alongside the project’s retail and hospitality offering.

For Porter, the opportunity is to give buyers another housing option without forcing them to leave the part of Sydney they already know.

“People should be able to change the type of home they live in without having to change their entire life,” he says.

“For many buyers, Lillian offers the opportunity to remain connected to the Inner West and the city, while gaining access to a more convenient, walkable and considered way of living.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377687]

Coronation will explore the changing <a href="https://lillianresidences.com.au/news/lillian-x-space-x-downsizers-event-27-august/">right-sizer market at an event on August 27</a>, bringing together experts across property, design and lifestyle.

Held in partnership with SPACE, Poliform and Downsizer.com.au, the event will include a property market outlook from economist Michael Blythe alongside discussion around the considerations facing buyers planning their next move.

Attendees will also be able to learn more about the residences and amenity planned at Lillian Erskineville.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135149]

From downsizing to right-sizing: What Sydney buyers want from their next home

Family-owned builder and developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/omaya">Omaya</a> is bringing its 27-storey The Maybelle development to market, with the 229-apartment tower rising alongside Ismay Reserve near North Strathfield.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-maybelle-21-parramatta-road-homebush-nsw-2140">The Maybelle</a> will comprise one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with its height providing elevated outlooks towards the Sydney skyline and Harbour Bridge, while other residences will look across neighbouring Ismay Reserve.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/squillace-architects">Squillace Architects</a>, the tower combines its parkside setting with proximity to the established retail, dining and transport amenity around North Strathfield.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376196]

Residences will feature open-plan living spaces and a choice of two interior schemes, while communal amenity is spread across two elevated levels of the building.

Level 8 will be home to the Garden Pavilion, a full-floor resident space incorporating communal entertaining and breakout areas, seating and recreation spaces. Further up the tower, a landscaped Sky Terrace on Level 14 will provide another communal area with panoramic views towards the Harbour Bridge and Sydney skyline.

At ground level, the development sits directly alongside Ismay Reserve, where lawns, walking paths, children's play areas, picnic spaces and recreational facilities extend the green space available immediately around the project.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376194]

The Maybelle is also within walking distance of North Strathfield and the Bakehouse Quarter, which provides a mix of cafés, restaurants, shops and everyday services.

Existing rail and bus services provide connections across Sydney, while the future North Strathfield Metro and access to the M4 will add to the transport options available around the precinct. Walking and cycling routes also extend via Powells Creek towards Sydney Olympic Park and its sporting, entertainment and parkland precincts.

Families are also well positioned for access to a broad selection of established schools and education options across Strathfield and the surrounding Inner West.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376181]

Omaya has operated in Sydney for more than 35 years, managing projects from acquisition and design through to construction and delivery. The family-owned company is both developer and builder of The Maybelle.

Apartments start from $560,000, with the development protected by 10-year Latent Defects Insurance.

Construction is well underway, with completion expected by the end of 2026 and move-in anticipated from Q1 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134873]

The Maybelle brings 27-storey parkside tower to market near North Strathfield

Melbourne developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pdg-corporation">PDG</a> has unveiled its vision for the former Water Tank Site in Ivanhoe, which would see it transformed into a thriving residential neighbourhood, complete with a 2000 sqm public park.&nbsp;

Delivered in partnership with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/development-victoria">Development Victoria</a>, the proposal would transform the prominent corner of Bell Street and Upper Heidelberg Road into a connected community comprising two residential buildings, generous public open space and shared amenities.&nbsp;

The vision includes 287 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with a minimum of 10 per cent allocated to affordable housing, alongside a 2,000-square-metre publicly accessible park featuring a children's playground, activity lawn, indigenous planting, timber climbing logs, seating areas and a rock gathering circle.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dko-architecture">DKO Architecture</a>, the proposal draws on the site's industrial heritage, using a robust architectural language that references the former water tank through expressive structural elements and durable, self-finished materials.&nbsp;

Extensive landscaping has been woven throughout the development, creating a living landscape that strengthens connections to nature while responding sensitively to the surrounding neighbourhood. Two residential buildings ranging from three to 12 storeys are linked by a landscaped forecourt, creating a welcoming arrival experience and improving pedestrian connections through the site.&nbsp;

Residents would also enjoy more than 1,000 square metres of communal open space, including barbecue and dining facilities, vegetable gardens, landscaped seating pavilions and a dedicated coworking space.&nbsp;

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the vision reflected an opportunity to transform one of Ivanhoe's most recognisable sites into a place that balanced housing, community and landscape.&nbsp;

"This is an opportunity to reimagine an important site and create a neighbourhood that delivers lasting benefits for Ivanhoe," Giuliano said.&nbsp;

"We're creating much more than new homes. The vision brings together affordable housing, quality architecture, meaningful public open space and shared places that encourage people to connect, while respecting the site's history and its place within the local community."&nbsp;

Development Victoria’s Executive General Manager Precincts, Niall Cunningham, said the application is an important step for the government-owned site.&nbsp;

“This is about delivering more homes in a well-connected location, along with public open space that the Ivanhoe community will benefit from for years to come,” Cunningham said.&nbsp;

PDG was selected as development partner in late 2025 following a competitive tender process.&nbsp;

A planning submission for the project is currently being progressed through the Victorian Government's Development Facilitation Program, with positive early engagement from both Banyule Council and the Department of Transport and Planning.

PDG unveils plans to transform landmark Ivanhoe Water Tank Site

Shane Wilkinson's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pace-development-group">Pace Development Group</a> has lodged plans for a major residential precinct on the former Presentation College site in Windsor, with an eight-building masterplan ultimately rising to 10 storeys.

The proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/167-dandenong-road-windsor-vic-3181">167–187 Dandenong Road</a> spans a substantial 19,027 sqm site and is being progressed across six stages, with the first residential stages comprising 170 homes across four buildings designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>.

Stage Two will deliver the bulk of the initial housing, with Building A comprising 81 apartments and Building B 49 apartments, both rising to six storeys.

Stage Three will deliver a further 40 homes. The heritage Nagel Building, identified as Building C, will be converted to 12 dwellings, while a new five-storey Building D will comprise 28 apartments at the Hornby Street and Dandenong Road corner.

The 170 homes across Stages Two and Three will include a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, including townhouse-style dwellings.<img alt="First look: Pace plans landscaped housing precinct on former Windsor school site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="83c56e3e-dfb9-4e12-b172-c3f18513ec32" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_9.png?VersionId=xRcRpSZsxX.UX_NDDGcRZktw7HVrzx7u" />

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The longer-term masterplan points to considerably greater density across the site.

Indicative plans show Building E accommodating around 80 dwellings across up to 10 storeys, while Building F is earmarked for around 120 dwellings and also up to 10 storeys. Building G is planned to range between four and 10 storeys, however its apartment yield is yet to be determined. That means the masterplan currently identifies at least 370 dwellings across Buildings A to F before any apartments within Building G are counted.

Across the 1.9-hectare site, that represents an indicative density of at least 194 dwellings per hectare, with the final figure to increase once the yield of Building G is established.

Pace is pursuing the project through the Victorian Government's Development Facilitation Program, with Urbis lodging a combined Section 96A planning scheme amendment and planning application on behalf of the developer, which secured the site earlier this year.

The application seeks detailed approval for Stages One, Two and Three, alongside approval of the broader masterplan framework that will guide the later residential stages. Stage One will see an existing heritage building adaptively reused for a wellness and fitness-related facility, while the broader precinct will retain several significant heritage buildings and established trees as part of the redevelopment.

A minimum 10 per cent affordable housing contribution is proposed across both the initial residential stages and the later masterplan stages, delivered through a discounted rental model.

The project comes immediately after a major change to the site's planning controls.

The site was rezoned to the Housing Choice and Transport Zone through Planning Scheme Amendment GC285, gazetted on July 22, 2026, and now sits within the inner catchment of the Windsor Station precinct under the State Government's Train and Tram Zone Activity Centres Program.

While the new controls identify large sites within the inner catchment for buildings of up to six storeys, Pace's masterplan pushes height to 10 storeys in parts of the site, with the taller buildings concentrated toward the centre and along the Sandringham railway corridor.

Lower-scale built form is proposed toward the site's more sensitive residential and heritage edges, with Buildings A and B generally stepping from three storeys at their interfaces to six storeys at upper levels.

Cera Stribley's masterplan breaks the development into a collection of separate buildings rather than a continuous built form, with landscaped spaces, new pedestrian links and a new publicly accessible road forming part of the precinct.

The planning report says the development will create new pedestrian connections to Elm Place and along the railway corridor, as well as a new publicly accessible road linking Elm Place with Dandenong Road. The proposed buildings will occupy around 54 per cent of the site, leaving a substantial portion available for landscaping, communal areas and permeable surfaces.

Urbis said the scale of the project reflected the site's strategic location close to Windsor Station, tram services and the Chapel Street Activity Centre, with the former school campus identified as a significant opportunity to increase housing supply on an underutilised inner-Melbourne site.

&nbsp;

Olivia Round

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