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The recent baby boom in the City of Melbourne has meant existing community facilities are unable to cope with demand.
Interestingly, the boom is largely attributed to the CBD. If there was ever proof of the shift towards urbanised living: this has to be it.
New facilities are being planned to cater for the unexpected number of new babies in the municipality, covering the CBD and a number of Melbourne's inner suburbs. The facilities will provide postnatal care, and venues forparent programs and play groups.
It is well documented that a concentration of student populations can act as a precursor for urban renewal, which in turn provides the catalyst for others, such as single professionals and young urbanites to follow. The recent baby boom shows that new families are the next wave of central city apartment dwellers.
Whilst raising a family in the suburbs may be less expensive, for many this scenario is no longer the preferred option. With congestion bearing heavily on liveability and making for expensive and time-consuming car usage, the better option is to reside closer to the CBD.
As a result, diverse medium and high-rise apartment developments should be a focus, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, to manage both an increase in population and changes in housing preferences.
The future of housing architecture will need to be configured for a diverse range of households and consider demographic aspects such as age and culture. If we also believe affordability – in terms of both purchase price and ongoing cost of running – is a long-term consideration for a family, then we will require more from less as the size of dwellings reduces.
Future housing demand will necessitate greater flexibility in the design of small apartments, at a workable cost level, appealing to diverse household types. A pre-industrial era village or traditional old-fashioned neighbourhood offers each of its residents a chance to develop the network of bonds amongst each other that underpins a healthy community. In this setting, residents can work from home (65% of new businesses start in the home), study, raise a family, house extended families, retire or just hang out.
We will see vertical neighbourhoods consisting of a range of apartments attractive to a range of occupants. There may be roof top gardens for growing food or practicing tai-chi and book clubs or dining clubs can form, catering for the traditional community feel of earlier low rise developments.
While apartments as small as 25 to 30 square metres provide an entry point for home ownership and can accommodate an elderly relative, adolescent or adult child, apartments of 55 square metres can be configured to accommodate a living area, kitchen, bathroom and two other flexible spaces – one being a bedroom and the other possibly being a nursery enabling the families looking to live inner-city.
What this suggests is that the planning policies for our cities must have an inherent ability to dissect and discern direction and flexibly respond to challenges of social change and increasing diversity.
We as a society are changing too rapidly to recycle or rebrand conventional solutions or resort to stereotype prejudices about what constitutes appropriate housing standards, particularly when it comes to apartments and flats.
New development stemming from population growth requires an open mind by governments and planners. Higher density developments are one basic solution to restrict the waste of arable land, reliance on cars as primary transport and provide better-networked communities.
Other forms of inner city and central apartments have been generally accepted and are very much a part of the increasingly diverse society we now have. The fear of density remains palpable in determining planning policy.
Whilst it has been widely accepted that traditional two parent households will be marginally less over the next two decades compared with the number of single households, predicted to soar by 63.7%, little has been forecast in Australia of apartments being a desired family home.
Architects, developers and planners need to recognise this as an emerging residential typology. The apartment-as-family-home is part of Melbourne’s future housing mix.
Rob Stent is a director Melbourne-based architecture, interior and urban design practice Hayball and is a past president of the Victorian chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects. Among the buildings he has designed is Lend Lease’s completed Serrata apartment building in Docklands, one of Melbourne's first apartment buildings to achieve a four-star Green Star rating.
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New high-rise apartment projects part of Melbourne's residential mix: Rob Stent

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What governments do and don’t do can affect the quality of our lives in terms of where we live and the type of housing we live in. 
We are increasingly turning away from the conventional form of the detached housing, demonstrated by 2011 Census figure that show a 66.7% increase in flat or apartment living from 2001 to 2011.
It is important that governments understand the change in our increasingly diverse society and its housing demands.
No doubt market driven supply and demand are drivers of much of the housing stock on offer, but what is less acknowledged is the impact of intervention of governments through regulation.
There are differences between Victoria and NSW that have influenced housing choices.  These differences will become less pronounced if each government borrows from the other’s housing policies for multi-unit development.
Melbourne’s apartment boom has been part population growth and changing demographics and part aided by a regulatory framework that has been relatively unrestrictive in determining the size and configuration of apartments.
The lengthy boom followed a hiatus of twenty years from 1971 when the Victorian Government introduced a major overhaul of residential controls in the Melbourne Planning Scheme, which effectively eliminated medium and higher density housing from being developed in Melbourne.
For twenty years, only 15% of new housing starts were in the form of multi residential housing until a rare Federal Government initiative called the Better Cities Program, together with a reviews of the residential planning rules by the Victorian Governments (alternating Labor and Liberal), provided the current regulatory framework. As a result, they played a significant part in making Melbourne a far more diverse and culturally rich city to what it was prior.
A prescriptive regulatory framework in Sydney
By and large, in Melbourne this framework is performance based. A more prescriptive framework operates in Sydney.
Whilst Sydney has a long history of multi-unit development, there has been only modest comparable multi-unit housing developed in the last few years.  Its long awaited upturn is encouraged by the proposed changes to the planning controls for multi-unit housing encouraging greater flexibility whist maintaining amenity standards.
Melbourne has typically been able to offer up more affordable apartments than Sydney, however Sydney’s apartments are often larger and have better amenity.  
In Victoria, multi-unit development controls allow greater flexibility and scope when determining the number and size of apartments.  Height controls are generally not mandatory and setbacks to streets and boundaries rely on little other than what is required for small-scale suburban development.
Design of privacy for multi-residential housing is managed by a minimum required distance between dwellings that was originally devised for single suburban housing scenarios.  Internal amenity controls are also limited, being largely governed by building regulations for single housing.  These stipulate required levels of ventilation and light as a percentage of the room area, irrespective of how deep the apartment is or whether its rooms receive adequate natural light levels, actual moments of sun penetration or natural ventilation.
 
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In NSW on the other hand, sites have to be carefully master planned and buildings carefully configured to reach the government mandated targets of SEPP 65.
In 2002, in response to the then NSW Premier, Bob Carr’s perception of poor design standards of multi-unit housing development throughout Sydney, the NSW government introduced the State Environmental Planning Policy No. 65 – Design Quality of Residential of Residential Flat Development (SEPP 65).
It was followed with the Residential Flat Design Code (RFDC), a design guideline that provided discussion, analysis, examples and principles, primarily structured as a design tool for architects and assessing council officers.  It is a mix of ‘rules of thumb’ on issues such as cross ventilation and solar access.  These and other design objectives were quickly adopted as minimum standards for development.
The NSW planning policy also stipulates, through the Development Control Plans (DCPs) of Local Councils, both height and floor-to-site area ratios (FSR) along with type and mix of apartments (studios, 1BRs, 2BRs, etc).
SEPP 65 has improved the quality of multi-unit residential buildings in NSW. This planning policy has had a genuine impact on the quality of the built environment and residents living in these apartments appreciate their amenity. It has created awareness in architects and developers alike for the imperative for a rigorous design process that is not always found in the lower end product of its southern counterpart.  It has however, arguably resulted in more expensive apartments compared to what has been available in Melbourne.
Land costs are also higher in Sydney, resulting in a land cost of up to $100,000 per inner-city apartment, compared to around $50,000  per apartment in Melbourne. This higher land cost is exacerbated by fewer dwellings due to FSR caps, mandatory heights and required levels of apartment diversity. It is worth noting however that construction costs in Melbourne are 20% higher than Sydney for comparable projects.
Australia’s two biggest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, appear to be poised at opposite ends of their respective residential development cycles. Melbourne is expected to slow after experiencing a long boom – providing a valuable opportunity to review what is designed and offered to the market and look at what it can do better<ins datetime="2013-05-02T10:07" cite="mailto:Genevieve">. </ins>In doing so, I believe Victoria will adopt much of the NSW framework to raise standards for resident amenity, including access to light and sun, outdoor space and privacy.
Sydney is poised after years of quiet activity to gather momentum.  Important to this occurring will be the final revisions to SEPP 65 which<ins datetime="2013-05-02T10:08" cite="mailto:Genevieve">,</ins> yet to be finalised, are expected to borrow from the Victoria’s experience in providing scope for more flexibility and in turn, scope for greater affordability.
Small apartments should not be sacrificed in the process. Small apartments can provide affordable entry to housing for many people, particularly single households, who are the fastest growing household in Australia.
The small apartment should be considered as mainstream housing.  Governments, together with architects, councils, planners and developers should allow for innovative design solutions as ways to realise high amenity levels in ways not yet considered.
For small apartments to be successful homes, design levels have to be raised to accommodate adaptable layouts that allow residents to use them as they like, when they like. If a development consists mainly of small apartments, why not augment amenity beyond the apartment door with communal gardens or lounges and kitchens? Why not look to network amenity resources between precinct developments, with cross-pollinating facilities such as pools or playgrounds to encourage development of neighbourhood?<ins datetime="2013-05-13T14:57" cite="mailto:Sarah%20Buckeridge"> </ins> 
Taking care of the amenity and quality of what we live in and preserving what is of high architectural, cultural and social value is vitally important.  Taking care also of the broader community aspirations regarding diversity and demographic mix, equity and access to affordable and diverse housing is equally important.
The balance between prescriptive and performance standards is always difficult, with the desire to prevent the worst whilst potentially blocking the best. Governments need to arrive at a balance of the flexible and prescriptive and be open to the opportunity for innovation and affordability, or we will all be short changed.
Rob Stent is a director Melbourne-based architecture, interior and urban design practice Hayball and is a past president of the Victorian chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects. Among the buildings he has designed is Lend Lease’s completed Serrata apartment building in Docklands, one of Melbourne's first apartment buildings to achieve a four-star Green Star rating.
 
 
 
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Sydney developers must not abandon small apartments as momentum builds: Rob Stent

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The nature of residential development today is fast moving and complex. It has resulted in change, and with change comes fear, along with a heady mix of media commentary and vocal opinion.
Much of this is simply because apartments have never been embraced in our traditional national image of rural and suburban landscapes. 
The place of apartments in our cities has been a subject of continual debate – held up as examples of developer excess on the one hand and almost alien examples of cosmopolitan living on the other and for some commentators regarded as ‘the slums of the future’. 
Apartments represent big city life and the tangible reality of rapid metropolitan growth and densification, however a myriad of niche drivers are working to shape our housing.
Australia is now a very diverse society.
Statistical data and crystal ball forecasting reveals that more Australians are living in and will increasingly move towards apartments. The National Housing Supply Council has estimated that seven out of ten households can now be termed ‘non-traditional’. 
Whilst traditional two-parent households will increase by 20% over the next two decades, the number of couples will rise by 36.7% and the number of single households will soar by 63.7%, with the 65+ age group being the fastest growing in Australia.
Of these, one in five will be single when they retire, and they will be mainly woman. We are also becoming increasingly Asian in our population makeup, with our stable political system and relatively clean physical environment being a desirable destination for migrants.
Our changing city economies based on professional and financial services and education has also played a role. The post-manufacturing-era economy has seen the advent of education as one of our biggest economies, with international students clustering around our universities in new apartment projects.  
Meanwhile the so-called ‘creative hipster’ set have assisted the revitalisation process of our urban areas, attracting cashed-up boomers and pushing up housing prices in the inner and middle suburbs, and in some instances, beyond.  Our cities are now a series of villages of unique character and culture.
 
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Proximity to jobs, education, entertainment and good coffee has been a major target of younger apartment renters, with investor-landlords doing well. Their attitude to the traditional urban fringe is now less attractive due to long commute times, the lack of jobs, infrastructure and services.  
This has been highlighted by the Grattan Institute in its report “Getting the Housing We Want” that Australians do not all want to live in detached housing, with many preferring a much more varied mix of residential options. The downturn of project house-and-land packages on the fringe, along with an increasing shortfall in the supply of terrace housing, townhouses and apartments in established areas, are evidence of this shift.
The ability to deliver good quality commercial residential architecture within a tight financial framework is one of architecture’s greatest challenges.
Commercial apartment construction costs range from $2,500 to $3,000 per square metre and are increasing, compared to a cost of around $900 to $ 1,000 per square metre for detached housing in the fringe.
The typical Melbourne apartment now needs to sell for $8,000 to $10,000 per square metre to cover the cost of development, land and to provide a return commensurate with the risk of development. On this basis a small one-bedroom apartment can cost as much if not more than a new house and land package in an outer suburb. 
As a consequence, apartments are increasingly being downsized to meet entry-level price points and budgets, with some projects offering micro apartments of 35 square metres.
But how much smaller can they go?
The crucial ingredients in residential architecture are unchanged.  It is empathy for the occupants who are seeking a home that balances function and amenity, aspiration and budget.  Getting this right is the basis of good housing to meet the needs of a very diverse and changing society.
Where and what we choose to live in and the financial options to develop, construct, own or rent will have a significant impact to the housing sector.
As architects, we are faced with doing things differently, driven by changing consumer preferences and desires, skyrocketing building costs and skill shortages mirroring today's more diverse, chaotic, networked society.
Innovation in prefabricated manufactured systems will assist reduce construction costs.  Smaller apartments can be adaptable with flexible plan configurations, and beyond the front door, the provision of communal and shared spaces such as lounges and rooftop gardens provide different forms of residential amenity.
There will be no silver bullet, but many varied solutions required to deliver the type and quality of housing we want.
Rob Stent is a director Melbourne-based architecture, interior and urban design practice Hayball and is a past president of the Victorian chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects. Among the buildings he has designed is Lend Lease’s completed Serrata apartment building in Docklands, one of Melbourne's first apartment buildings to achieve a four-star Green Star rating.
 
 
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Diversity holds the key to density

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Australians have long been predominantly urban dwellers.
Despite over 80% of us now living in cities, our self-image remains of a sunburnt country girt by sea – when in reality it should be of a frazzled city girt by sprawl.
The stress of living in our capital cities is well known: our crowded roads, poor and ageing infrastructure, and a lack of public transport.
Yet while Australia’s economic wealth is driven from the major cities, the federal government is almost completely absent from the contemporary discussion about the future urban environment and housing in Australia.
The true costs associated with poor urban environments are rarely part of the economic debate.
Our cities are largely left to the under-resourced state and local governments to devise and administer planning systems in the hope of shaping our urban environment.
Planning systems revel in written policy full of ‘government-speak’ for best practice or driven by nullifying empirical process and regulation.
Our market-driven development sector is unchanged since white settlement – consisting of appropriating land, cutting it up, building on it, selling it off and moving onto to the next deal ASAP before the market turns.
Very few of our urban population living in the traditional single house would have any direct relationship with architecture.
Our traditional housing construction industry comprises of independent craft-based subcontractors putting together 'stick build' detached houses for project-home developers large and small, having procured basic plans that meet ‘tick-the-box’ planning and building regulations.
This has long been our traditional way of providing housing and forming our suburban fabric, resulting in the ever-expanding concentric growth of our cities with all the associated shortcomings.
However, a tipping point in this traditional order may have been reached, causing change to occur in a number of connected ways.
For the first time, the value of a block of land on the fringe is now more expensive than the house that will go in it.
The size of the average block has been decreasing to the point that the narrow side gaps between houses cannot be justified.
Housing is becoming joined and connected and as a consequence is having to be delivered in groups and clusters. 
Resolution of the relationships between landscape, sense of address and amenity for sunlight and privacy between dwellings, requires embodied architectural knowledge.
The change of demographics is also driving change. Architects are now designing higher density housing on the fringe with townhouses and apartments meeting the housing demands for a rapid increase in different household configurations.
That too requires an increased level of research and application of design rigor not found with ‘off the shelf’ pro-forma plans that characterise the ad-hoc fashion of the traditional housing development industry.
Architects have, in the past, been at the forefront of change and innovation in housing environments.
The design of the garden-city suburb and projects such as the cluster housing at Winter Park in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs are such examples.
They again have an opportunity to contribute in determining contemporary solutions to the challenges beyond the 'tram lines'.
Rob Stent is a director Melbourne-based architecture, interior and urban design practice Hayball and is a past president of the Victorian chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects. Among the buildings he has designed is Lend Lease’s completed Serrata apartment building in Docklands, one of Melbourne's first apartment buildings to achieve a four-star Green Star rating.
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Architects are focusing on higher-density projects as demographics change: Rob Stent

Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

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"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

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After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

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Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

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The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

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Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

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Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

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ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

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For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

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Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

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Joel Robinson

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

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Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

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Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

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Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

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The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

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The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

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The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]

Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]

The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Rob Stent

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