<html><body>
The superannuation fund, First State Super, has agreed terms on a new lease at Forest Hill in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs in a deal brokered by Savills Australia.
Located within the Brentford Square shopping centre at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-vic-forest+hill-501470823" target="_blank">502 Canterbury Road</a>, First State will take over the 277 square metre tenancy vacated by NAB which had held the lease for more than 20 years.
Savills’ Victorian retail director, Michael Di Carlo negotiated the deal with Jeremy Marmur and Jock Thomson.
First State is believed to have agreed on a rental equating to more than $150,000 per annum on a five year term.
Mr Di Carlo said First State had been in the market for a property which provided exceptional exposure to both main street frontage and to a well-established retail precinct.
The lessor is a Melbourne based investor.
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

First State Super takes over NAB Forest Hill space

<html><body>
Savills Australia is marketing a substantial cold storage facility with potential redevelopment and land banking upside at Mulgrave in Melbourne’s south-east. The property will be sold by expressions of interest closing October 29.
It is expected to fetch more than $8 million.
Located at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-industrial+warehouse-vic-mulgrave-501705993" target="_blank">769-781 Springvale Road</a>, the property comprises a 5500 square metre building, including freezer, chiller and cool rooms, on a 15,900 square metre site zoned Special Use Zone 6.
The property is situated close to the M1 Freeway and within a sought after industrial precinct including BMW’s Headquarters, Peters Ice Cream, Catch of the Day, and Monash University.
Savills’ directors Kosta Filinis and Lynton Williams said its represented a seldom offered opportunity to take advantage of a scarce refrigeration logistics facility with redevelopment upside enhanced by quick access to Melbourne’s premier freeway network.
Mr Williams said the market for industrial properties at the moment is very strong due to a number of factors including low interest rates, the lure of relatively good industrial yields and the volatility of share market investments.
"What has also been a driver in the sub-$10 million sector is the rise of the self-managed super funds which have increasingly been drawn to industrial investments,’’ Mr Williams said.
The property will be offered with vacant possession by vendor, national distributor of dry, dairy, frozen, smallgoods and accessory products, Superior Food Services.
</body></html>

Mulgrave refrigerated logistics facility to fetch $8 million plus‏

<html><body>
A KFC restaurant outlet on Ocean Parade at The Entrance recently sold for $3,925,000 through Burgess Rawson agents Darren Beehag and Dean Venturato.
The store has operated in the same location for over 45 years. 
The modern building has a drive thru and on-site parking.
Marketed with a 10 year lease from August 2008, the property sits on strategic <a href="https://www.burgessrawson.com.au/2P1021#.Vgtb4t4bSkg" target="_blank">1,069 sqm land with 60 m corner frontage</a>.
The area has seen a growth in population, boosted by new high-rise residential developments.
It was sold with a $197,080 pa net income, marketed as having an unrivalled location, with limited nearby competition.
</body></html>

The Entrance KFC outlet sells for $3.9 million through Burgess Rawson

<html><body>
A commercial property leased to ANZ in Rockdale has sold for $3.4 million at a recent auction.
The Princes Highway property is adjacent to Westpac and CBA branches.
ANZ are long standing occupants of the building offered <a href="https://www.burgessrawson.com.au/buying/NSW/St-George/Rockdale/Retail/2P1019" target="_blank">481 Princes Highway</a> with lease to May 2018 with extension options to 2025.
Marketed with a $152,590 pa net income, there will be annual rental increases with tenant paying outgoings.
The property occupies a wide Princes Highway frontage with rear lane access and on-site parking for up to five cars.
Surrounded by high density residential development with Rockdale train station and bus interchange located directly behind.
Simon Staddon of Burgess Rawson sold the listing.
</body></html>

Sydney metro bank investment sold for $3.4 million

<html><body>
The Sydney city centre continues to boast the lowest office vacancy rate of any CBD in Australia with strong demand coupled with limited net supply lowering vacancies to just 6.3%, says Ray White Commercial.
Ray White commercial office leasing director, Anthony Harris, said the total Sydney CBD office market has delivered tremendous results with low vacancies and high tenant demand translating into improved rental growth.
“Currently the total vacancy rate is 6.3% including a small sublease factor of 0.4%,” Mr Harris said.
“The Sydney CBD office market currently has 311,678 sqm vacant, which has shown a strong absorption rate of 60,405 sqm for the six months to July, 2015. This is the third consecutive six month period of net absorption of more than 50,000 sqm.
“Coupled with net supply over the last 18 months of just 5,485 sqm, this highlights the rebound in white collar employment and business confidence. Technology continues to be a driving force for new tenancies within the CBD, while finance and professional services have also increased their footprint on the city.
“The greatest demand has come from the Core and Midtown precincts which yielded a 36,926 sqm and 18,061 sqm respectively increase in occupied stock over the last six months.”
But Mr Harris said high supply projections over the next few years could dampen the current positive results.
“While the net supply position has aided in the reduction of the overall vacancy rate, this trend is about to change with the anticipated completion of 670,000 sqm of new office stock over the next three years,” he said.
“Although withdrawal of stock will continue for refurbishment, this supply will subsequently come back on line with only limited stock being removed completely from the office count.
“The most anticipated completions are International Towers with the first completion (Tower 2) due in early 2016 (87,500 sqm) with the remainder of the office properties on this site expected to be completed by mid-2017, adding 179,000 sqm.”
Ray White commercial office leasing director, Jeremy Piggin, said the Sydney CBD has been in a period of stability in rents since 2010.
“Over the last two years there was a slight pick-up in the face rents,” he said.
“The prime market has shown a greater increase given the tight vacancy environment and for the first time since the GFC period incentives have started to show greater downward momentum, now averaging in the 25-30 per cent range.
“This has had a positive effect on the effective rental position which has recorded growth over the past year of 9.4 per cent in the prime market.
“However, for this end of the market there is a greater emphasis by businesses to provide greater wellbeing features for their staff. Those properties which offer access to better quality services will continue to be highly sought after.”
</body></html>

Sydney CBD office vacancies still lowest in Australia

<html><body>
Last month a new $84 million, 140 apartment project in the Melbourne inner suburb of Richmond was launched simultaneously in Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia.
The strategy for the pre-launch was to create ‘the excitement of auction day’ in each location, and thus stimulate maximum buyer demand and competition for apartments. 
International property marketers Jalin Realty was the sales agency behind the move, using the sales platform <a href="https://investorist.com/" target="_blank">Investorist.com</a>.
Buyers and agents were invited to live launch events in each city, hosted by Jalin staff. 
The Investorist website displayed all project information (photos, plans, brochures, pricelists, reservations updates, videos, etc) on both large TV screens and computer monitors.  
A ‘live electronic sales board’ showed reservations immediately to the entire audience, so all sales were transparent with the country of origin shown.
The five simultaneous events resulted in reservations of approximately 30% of the stock, which within a few weeks were converted into contracted sales.
</body></html>

Innovative technology behind simultaneous launch of Melbourne project in five Asian cities‏

<html><body>
The performance gap between quality apartments and investment-grade product will continue to widen as developers respond to declining rental growth, according to leading property firm, Mosaic Property Group.
Managing director, Brook Monahan said despite doom and gloom on rental growth figures, quality over quantity will always reign supreme in responding to the highs and lows of property market cycles.
“Rental growth has now slowed to a 20-year low as rental supply in the capital cities rises,” Mr Monahan said.
“The latest CoreLogic RP Data figures show the year on year growth in asking rents fell to 0.7% from 0.9% in July, the lowest since records started in December 1995.
“If you are investing in property, then there has never been better proof that you need to stand out from the pack, as increased supply and declining population growth influence Australia’s rental market.
“We strongly believe that there remains – and will continue to remain – a massive flight to quality in the next stage of the Brisbane residential cycle.
Mr Monahan said rental success on Mosaic’s newest completed project, Cove on Camborne, demonstrated that well researched, individually designed properties continue to deliver strong yields in a slowing rental market.
“There is a large gap in quality across different product being delivered to the market,” he said.
“Mosaic’s property management experts successfully tenanted 100% of investor-owned apartments at Cove on Camborne in Alderley prior to settlement, for above market rent and with over performing gross yields.
“This could only be achieved through a mandate for quality developments and use of in house construction and property management teams to ensure our development ethos is carried throughout the project life cycle."
Mr Monahan said Mosaic Property Group retains long-term property management rights on all of their developments, helping to achieve higher rental returns for their clients by maintaining control over all aspects of the development.
<img src="/images/rental%20returns.png" alt="">
</body></html>

Quality over quantity key to unlocking 20-year rental low

<html><body>
Geoff Baldwin of RE/MAX Lighthouse Realty Western Australia suggests the time is right for opportunistic buyers in Western Australia looking to secure value.
As the real estate market moves into the annual Spring/Summer resurgence there remains a window of opportunity to take advantage of some great buys, especially in the middle to upper price ranges with the Northern suburbs standing out according to RE/MAX WA managing director, Geoff Baldwin.
“Homes in suburbs like Ocean Reef, Connolly, Iluka, Currambine, Burns Beach and Jindalee are all selling well below what they would cost to buy land and build and the added bonus is that the owners of these properties have invariably added extra value by way of pools, pergolas, solar boosters, etc that they tend to discount at sale time”, he said.
“It is also a fact that people selling lower priced properties are not having to drop their prices by near the percentage that is happening further up the market and this means they have a window of opportunity to upgrade that will only remain open for a limited time.
“Properties along the coast that were selling for over a million dollars are now going for high eight hundreds to early nine hundreds and buyers are now really beginning to recognise this value.
“Upgraders should not hesitate to consider making offers subject to the sale of their present property provided the owners of the one they are buying are willing to give them time to sell however this will always depend on how saleable their current home is made.
“This irregularity in the market is primed for upgraders to take action however it will not exist for a long period because, as the weather heats up so too will the market with the result that stock levels will reduce and prices will bounce back quickly”, Mr Baldwin said.
</body></html>

Price drop opportunity in Western Australia

<html><body>
Buyers are jockeying for prime real estate in Hendra, as old horse stables are replaced with million dollar homes - with boutique builder, Bold Group of Companies, constructing nine new homes within a five street radius in the suburb.
Bold Group director Brett Boulton said he was also finalising contracts to start work on a further six homes as demand for Hendra surged.
Mr Boulton said the suburb had become a hot spot for buyers subdividing and knocking down old properties to build prestige homes that benefited from a position just eight kilometres from the CBD.
He said new development in the pipeline, including the redevelopment of the Eagle Farm and Doomben racing precincts, was also luring buyers.
"Homes are often selling before they even go to the market and it can be so hard to get in that you almost have to know the real estate agent to secure a property."
Figures sourced from RPData show the median price of homes in Hendra was more than $830,000 and the suburb had experienced growth of 11% over the past 12 months, compared to the Queensland average of 3.74%.
Bold Group of Companies was established in 2010 and is set to build 200 homes across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Ipswich this year alone.
</body></html>

New homes off and racing in Hendra‏

<html><body>
Colliers International has sold a flexible office and warehouse site in Malaga to a local investor for $2.7 million, representing a 6.7% yield.
The property, at 329 Victoria Road, is on a 3,547sqm parcel of land, including 1,771sqm warehouse, offices and showroom space.
Located 11km north-east of Perth, the property attracted strong bidding from investors, which resulted in the low yield.
Colliers International director industrial agency Raj Singh said the competitive bidding demonstrated the ongoing demand among small to mid-sized investors for well-located, securely leased industrial sites.
“We had over 30 enquiries on this property and five serious bidders competing for the site,” Mr Singh said.
“It shows the high interest that is out there for leased properties, especially those in modern warehouse style where there is a potential for flexible or multiple uses such as manufacturing and logistics.”
The property has a five-year lease to a manufacturing company that makes motorised blinds with a five-year option, but could equally be used as a logistics depot given the configuration of buildings and access to Victoria Road.
Mr Singh said logistics sales were proving to be star performers in the industrial space, and having a flexible site allowed for purchasers to future-proof their investment.
“Transport and logistics has emerged as the area making big demands on Perth’s industrial space, underpinned by the need to ship retail goods to shopfronts or direct to consumers,” he said.
The property was jointly sold by Mr Singh and Colliers International industrial executive Jeremy Parasiliti.
</body></html>

Malaga manufacturing asset attracts strong bidding

Too often, heritage buildings become the podium for a contemporary tower. At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/623-collins-607-623-collins-street-melbourne-vic-3000">623 Collins</a>, <a>Sterling Global</a> challenged its design team to reverse that process.

The brief to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> was deliberately simple: "Don't design around the heritage. Design from it." It became the philosophy behind a project that draws inspiration not only from two landmark heritage buildings, but from Collins Street itself, a street layered with architectural history and civic significance.

That philosophy has shaped one of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">Melbourne</a> CBD's most considered residential projects, where the 1924 State Savings Bank and neighbouring Batman's Hill Hotel have become the architectural foundation for 623 Collins rather than remnants preserved beneath a new development.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145324 project_image_fid=372749]

Rather than approaching the site as a blank canvas, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sterling-global">Sterling Global</a> saw the existing buildings as the beginning of the story.

"Sites like this rarely become available," the developer said.

"623 Collins wasn't simply an opportunity to develop a prominent CBD site. It was an opportunity to restore and reimagine one of Melbourne's important heritage landmarks while contributing to the continued evolution of Collins Street. For us, the existing buildings weren't constraints. They were the beginning of the story."

Instead of mimicking the ornate heritage architecture, Plus Studio studied the proportions, rhythm and craftsmanship of the original buildings before translating those characteristics into a contemporary 42-storey tower.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145324 project_image_fid=372748]

"The brief challenged us to create a contemporary landmark that respected Melbourne's architectural history without becoming nostalgic," Plus Studio said.

"Rather than mimicking heritage, we sought to understand its proportions, rhythm and material language before translating those qualities into a distinctly contemporary architectural expression."

The practice says the State Savings Bank and Batman's Hill Hotel became the project's primary source of inspiration, allowing the heritage buildings and contemporary architecture to exist "in conversation rather than contrast." Generous planted terraces further soften the transition between old and new, creating elevated green spaces while reinforcing the dialogue between the restored podium and the contemporary tower.

That dialogue continues throughout the interiors, where Melbourne designer Fiona Lynch developed a material palette inspired by the idea of alchemy, balancing contrasting materials that reference both the Neo-Grec detailing of the original bank and contemporary urban living. The result is a series of spaces that feel timeless rather than trend-driven.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145324 project_image_fid=354343]

The project will deliver 316 residences across four collections, Heirloom, Signature, Reserve and the Penthouse Collection, with each responding differently to its position within the building, from the restored heritage podium through to the upper levels of the tower. The Heirloom Residences retain defining heritage elements including original heritage windows, generous proportions and high ceilings, while the tower introduces contemporary homes with expansive layouts and elevated views.

Amenities have likewise been designed to support long-term city living rather than short-stay convenience. Residents will have access to concierge services, wellness facilities including a pool, cold plunge, sauna, steam room and gym, alongside private lounges, entertaining spaces and dedicated resident clubs.

Sterling Global says that approach is resonating with buyers seeking permanence rather than novelty.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145324 project_image_fid=354347]

According to the sales team, purchasers are looking for enduring architecture, generous floorplans, heritage character and long-term value, with many commenting that 623 Collins "doesn't feel like another apartment development" because of the way the architecture has been curated around the site's history.

Situated on the prominent corner of Collins and Spencer streets, the project occupies one of Melbourne's most recognisable gateway sites, marking the western entrance to the city's best-known street. For Sterling Global, it also reflects a broader shift in city-making.

"Rather than maximising development yield, the project embraces adaptive reuse as a design philosophy, allowing heritage to inform architecture, interiors and the overall resident experience," the developer said.

"The result is a building that feels uniquely connected to Melbourne."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145324]

Joel Robinson

How Sterling Global designed 623 Collins from Melbourne's history

Avant Townhomes is adding to Ivanhoe’s family-sized housing options with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/three-82-ivanhoe-382-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe-vic-3079">Three 82</a>, a collection of just 16 four-bedroom townhomes on Upper Heidelberg Road.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/intrapac-property">Intrapac Property</a> townhome division has taken a contemporary approach to the traditional family home, pairing larger floorplans with the lower-maintenance format of a townhouse.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152069 project_image_fid=374394]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/arcadia-studio">Arcadia</a>, with landscaping by Landsite, the homes feature generous open-plan living and dining areas that connect directly to outdoor spaces, with layouts also designed to maximise natural light and privacy.

Natural stone is used throughout the interiors, including in kitchens that pair stone surfaces with bespoke cabinetry, considered storage and SMEG appliances.

The four-bedroom layouts include built-in wardrobes and a main bedroom with its own ensuite, while family bathrooms service the additional bedrooms. Each home also includes a lock-up double garage and intercom entry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152069 project_image_fid=374399]

Energy efficiency has been incorporated into the design through solar panels, double glazing and reverse-cycle heating and cooling, with the homes targeting 7-star energy ratings.

Rather than incorporating extensive communal facilities, Three 82 has been conceived around private residential amenity, with the 16-home scale keeping the focus on individual homes and their own indoor and outdoor spaces.

The development is located at 382 Upper Heidelberg Road, around one kilometre from Ivanhoe Village's cafés and retail and a short drive from Eaglemont Station and Ivanhoe Station.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152069 project_image_fid=374393]

Several of Ivanhoe's established schools are also nearby, including Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar and Ivanhoe Grammar School. The address also provides access to the suburb's parklands and the wider Yarra River corridor.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/nelson-alexander">Nelson Alexander</a> has been appointed to handle sales.

Construction is underway and progressing well, with Three 82 currently tracking toward completion in Q2 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152069]

Three 82 brings boutique four-bedroom townhome collection to Ivanhoe

Builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/graya">Graya</a> has secured a prime Newstead site from fellow developer Fraser, subsequently lodging plans for The Silo, a major mixed-use residential project in Newstead designed around a new public laneway linking the James Street precinct with the wider Gasworks and Newstead neighbourhood.

Proposed for the corner of Chester and Morse streets, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bureauproberts">Bureau^Proberts</a>-designed project places its strongest emphasis at ground level, where retail, landscaping and a new cobblestone pedestrian connection would open the site to the surrounding neighbourhood. The design team describes The Silo as “more than a residential building”, positioning the development as an extension of Newstead’s public realm rather than a standalone apartment tower.

“A new cobblestone laneway and landscaped connection between James Street and Gasworks unlock a missing pedestrian link, improving walkability and stitching together two of Brisbane’s significant urban destinations,” Bureau Proberts said in its Urban Design Report.

<img alt="First look: Graya plans The Silo as new pedestrian link between James Street and Gasworks" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0ea1b06a-75f5-40a5-b2c5-33c97bc86052" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/silo%20bldg.png?VersionId=KmjsAtNePu57_B31EM_DJ5T6KPJHtcmo" />

The Silo is planned as a mixed-use development incorporating apartments alongside a bar and centre activities including food and drink outlets, indoor sport and recreation, office and retail uses.

Architecturally, Bureau Proberts has conceived the building as a collection of vertically expressed, stepping forms rather than a single uniform tower. The composition rises from an articulated podium before being broken by a triple-height landscaped recreation level, with the upper section becoming more compact before terminating in a landscaped rooftop garden.

The project's name and architectural language draw directly from Newstead's industrial history. Patterned off-form concrete is proposed as the principal façade material, complemented by slender metal rod balustrades and extensive planting. The cylindrical and vertically ribbed elements give the building its silo-like expression, while curved balconies and planted edges introduce a softer subtropical layer.

“The Silo reinterprets its robust forms, scale and materiality through a contemporary subtropical architectural expression, creating a building that acknowledges its industrial legacy, while responding to the way the precinct is occupied today,” Bureau^Proberts said.

The recreation level is one of the defining breaks in the tower. Plans include a lap pool, mature subtropical planting and shared resident facilities within an elevated communal garden. Landscaping continues through the podium and onto the rooftop, where a further garden forms what the architects describe as a “subtropical crown” to the building.

<img alt="First look: Graya plans The Silo as new pedestrian link between James Street and Gasworks" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f8451036-35a4-49a9-8d88-2ef4438eba3d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Silo%20Lane.png?VersionId=h8N31_rYmCEqoNrpt4kbYVQhJGZn60LH" />

At street level, the development has been designed to establish a more permeable block. Retail and hospitality tenancies address the public realm, while landscaped pedestrian spaces lead into the new laneway connection. Renders in the design report show the proposed “Silo Lane” as a substantial opening through the podium, framed by cylindrical concrete forms with cascading planting above.

The Silo continues Graya's move into larger apartment developments after building its reputation across high-end residential projects in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Graya buys Frasers Newstead site, plans The Silo between James Street and Gasworks precincts

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/wickton">Wickton</a>’s completed Linacre Rise development in Hampton is giving Bayside downsizers the opportunity to move into a spacious apartment near the beach, with the developer covering stamp duty for a limited time.

The 27-residence development has been designed for buyers who want to simplify their living arrangements without giving up the space, warmth and quality associated with a long-term family home. Most apartments have already been secured by Bayside locals, leaving a select collection of two and three-bedroom residences and penthouses available.

Two-bedroom apartments are priced from $1.275 million, three-bedroom residences from $2.25 million and penthouses from $3.375 million, with the completed homes available to inspect and move into now.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366760]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/linacre-rise-hampton-8-10-linacre-road-hampton-vic-3188">Linacre Rise</a> occupies an elevated position on one of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-vic-3188">Hampton</a>’s quiet, tree-lined streets, around 250 metres from the bay and 500 metres from Hampton’s village centre. Its setting gives residents access to the beach, local cafés, shops and Hampton Train Station while retaining the feel of an established residential neighbourhood.

Architecture and interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a> draw on the warmth and permanence of traditional brickwork, with the building integrated into terraced landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/john-patrick-landscape-architects">John Patrick</a>. Ground-floor apartments are elevated above the street and include private garden courtyards, while several upper-level residences have generous balconies and outlooks toward the bay.

Inside, the residences favour natural materials and generous proportions. Herringbone-pattern European oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, premium joinery and Swiss V-ZUG appliances are among the key inclusions, while integrated storage has been incorporated across kitchens, bathrooms, studies and living areas.

The kitchens have been planned as practical spaces for both everyday use and entertaining, with substantial island benches, detailed cabinetry and adjoining dining and living zones. Full-height wardrobes, plush bedroom carpeting and carefully considered lighting reinforce the residential character Wickton sought to retain for buyers moving from larger homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366769]

A Linacre Rise purchaser said the completed apartment had delivered the space, outlook and construction quality they had been seeking.

“The unit is very light, has views to die for over the bay, all construction materials and fittings are premium quality, we have secure parking for three cars, EV charging at very competitive rates, the neighbours are friendly and there is just a lovely ambiance about the place,” the purchaser said.

Environmental features include solar panels, shared electric vehicle charging stations, rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing and landscape irrigation, double-glazed windows and water-efficient fixtures and appliances.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366762]

The development was built by Balmain &amp; Co, with Wickton managing the broader development process through its in-house team.

For downsizers, the project’s completed status removes much of the uncertainty associated with buying off the plan. Purchasers can inspect the finished apartments, understand their outlook and proportions, and move in without waiting for construction to conclude.

The remaining selection includes north-oriented balconies, corner configurations and penthouses with elevated bay views. The developer-paid stamp duty initiative is available for a limited time, with potential savings of up to $200,000 depending on the residence purchased.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=95289]

Limited-time stamp duty offer at completed Linacre Rise apartments in Hampton

Luxury apartment buyers have long prioritised design, space and finishes, but increasingly they're placing equal importance on something less tangible: how easily they can live without relying on a car.

At <a>Richmond Square</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis">Fortis</a> believes that convenience begins beyond the apartment itself, with the mixed-use precinct earning a near-perfect Walk Score of 99.

The development has been planned around the idea that some of the most valuable amenities aren't contained within a building, they're the restaurants, cafés, parks, transport connections and daily conveniences that can all be reached on foot.

Located just behind Swan Street and Church Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/richmond-square-1-wiltshire-street-richmond-vic-3121">Richmond Square</a> places residents within one of Melbo​u​rne's most established lifestyle precincts while offering a quieter residential setting removed from the busiest thoroughfares. East Richmond Station is moments away, trams run along both Swan and Church Streets, and the MCG, Melb​​ourne Park, Yarra River trails and the CBD are all within walking distance. At the same time, the precinct itself will introduce a curated mix of dining, retail, hospitality and wellness offerings, creating a destination that extends well beyond its residential buildings.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348530]

For Fortis, that combination of location and scale was what made the site unique.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/richmond-vic-3121">Richmond</a> is one of Melb​o​urne's most established and distinctive inner-city neighbourhoods, with a rare combination of dining, culture, recreation, public transport and proximity to the CBD," the developer said.

"The opportunity at Wiltshire Street was particularly compelling because the site sits slightly removed from the activity of Swan and Church Streets while remaining only moments from everything that makes the area desirable."

Rather than developing a standalone apartment building, Fortis consolidated 15 individual properties to create one of the larger development parcels assembled on Mel​b​ourne's city fringe in recent years. That allowed the team to deliver a genuine mixed-use precinct comprising 107 residences across Wiltshire House and Carmine House, premium office space, hospitality venues, retail, wellness offerings and a future 57-room hotel.

"The scale of the site allowed Fortis to think beyond a standalone apartment building," the developer said.

"Richmond Square could be planned as a complete lifestyle precinct, bringing homes, workplaces, dining, retail, hospitality and wellness together around a series of activated public spaces. The aim was to create a destination that feels connected to Richmond rather than separate from it."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348533]

The emphasis on walkability has also resonated with buyers.

Interest has been strongest from established owner-occupiers, particularly downsizers from Richmond and Melb​ourne's inner east who want to remain close to familiar restaurants, workplaces, family and social networks while moving into a more secure, lower-maintenance home. The project is also attracting Mornington Peninsula and interstate buyers seeking a Melb​ourne residence they can lock up and leave between visits.

Many are looking for generous living spaces, room to entertain, quality finishes and confidence in the project team, but location remains one of the biggest deciding factors.

"For many buyers, Richmond Square provides a way to simplify the practical side of home ownership without reducing the quality of their lifestyle," the sales team said.

"Location is also a major driver of interest. Buyers can remain connected to the CBD, major sporting events, the arts centres, local restaurants, cafes and bars and their family while living in a private and secure residence that is easy to lock up and leave for weekends or longer periods away."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348549]

The residences themselves have been designed with that buyer in mind. Award-winning architecture practice SJB and interior designers Hecker Guthrie have created spacious two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses that prioritise generous living areas, natural light, bespoke joinery and private terraces. Above, a rooftop sanctuary by Acre includes landscaped lawns, bookable dining rooms, barbecue facilities, wellness spaces and panoramic views across the CBD, the MCG and Port Phillip Bay.

Fortis believes Richmond Square reflects a broader evolution in apartment living, where the surrounding neighbourhood becomes just as important as the residence itself.

"Richmond Square introduces a different proposition: generously proportioned residences within a genuinely mixed-use, hospitality-led destination," the developer said.

"The project's location and Walk Score of 99 further support a lifestyle where residents can complete many everyday journeys without relying on a car."

Fortis has assembled an experienced team that includes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/hecker-guthrie">Hecker Guthrie</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/acre">Acre</a> and builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hacer-group">Hacer Group</a>, reflecting the developer's commitment to creating projects with enduring design quality and meaningful connections to the communities in which they sit.&nbsp;

Richmond Square is an expression of that philosophy, bringing together homes, workplaces, hospitality and wellness within one of Me​lb​ourne's most walkable neighbourhoods.&nbsp;

Construction is now almost complete, providing purchasers with growing confidence ahead of its expected September 2026 completion.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=13181]

Staff reporter

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News