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Distributor of mechanised medical dispenser units, Willach Pharmacy Solutions, has agreed terms on a new office and warehouse lease at Burwood in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs in a deal brokered by Savills Australia.
The Unit 11, 15-21 Huntingdale Road property comprises a 968 square metre office and warehouse including 600 square metres of warehouse space and 368 square metres of office space.
According to Savills associate director, Daniel Kelly, who brokered the deal the property was let on a four year term. The rental was not disclosed.
Mr Kelly said the tenant had simply outgrown its existing facility and was determined to stay within the tightly held Burwood area.
He said the tenant was also attracted by the property’s main road exposure.
The lessor was a private Melbourne investor.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Willach Pharmacy takes new Burwood lease‏

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Two adjoining industrial properties located within the Australian Marine Complex (AMC) in Perth’s southern corridor are being offered for sale in a move tipped to generate strong buyer interest.
CBRE’s Geoff Fraser and Warick Irving have been appointed to sell the two prime industrial assets at <a href="https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/property/2011721577/for-sale/wa/henderson/industrial-warehouse" target="_blank">32 and 36 Stuart Drive, Henderson</a>, via an offer to purchase campaign on behalf of KordaMentha Restructuring.
36 Stuart Drive comprises a large three frontage site of 14,460sqm with modern, well-designed improvements totalling nearly 7,600sqm.
The A-grade asset features a freestanding office/warehouse and workshop facilities, as well as 12 ten-tonne gantry cranes, six automated roller shutter doors, extensive hardstand areas and established landscaping.
Positioned in the heart of the AMC, the facility at 32 Stuart Drive features a two level office/workshop of approximately 1,346sqm comprising a five tonne gantry crane and front roller shutter door access.
CBRE’s director of industrial services, Geoff Fraser, said the offering represented an opportunity to gain a presence in the well-established and renowned AMC precinct south of Perth.
The AMC is a premier industrial estate located in Henderson on the shores of Jervoise Bay, only 23 kilometres south of the Perth CBD.
Both properties will be marketed for sale from Wednesday 19th August 2015 over a five week sales campaign.
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Perth investment opportunities - Stuart Drive‏

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The upcoming relocation of the Nedlands Whole Health Clinic has prompted the sale of a multi-use retail property in Perth’s premier medical hub.
CBRE’s Michael Milne and Ben Younger have been appointed to sell the property, which is located at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-offices-wa-nedlands-501664949" target="_blank">33 Stirling Highway and 100 Meriwa Street</a>, via a public offers invited campaign closing September 10.
Located on a single consolidated title, the property has an underlying land area of 589 square metres and benefits from rear lane way access and generous street parking options.
The Stirling Highway component of the property has a two year residual lease to prominent local surf retailer Windforce.
The Meriwa Street segment of the property will be sold with vacant possession, with its current tenant Nedlands Whole Health Clinic relocating to new medical facilities.
Mr Milne said the property offered a premium opportunity to secure a presence in one of Perth’s renowned medical and commercial hubs.
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Perth investment opportunities - Nedlands Medical Hub

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A $250 million plus pure Sydney industrial portfolio is expected to attract significant interest among private, institutional and offshore buyer groups when it hits the market next month.
Colliers International’s Gavin Bishop and Tony Iuliano, in conjunction with Chris O’Brien and Matt Haddon of CBRE, have been appointed to sell a six-asset, 150,000sqm portfolio of prominently located and tenanted industrial properties in and around Sydney.
All the assets within the portfolio also have highly sought after locations close to key road and investment project infrastructure.
All properties fall within recognised institutional investment-grade locations popular with both private and institutional investors.
“The portfolio overall has a strong WALE of 6.75 years, with 43% of the portfolio having a lease expiry beyond 2020, providing strong security of income,” Mr Haddon said. “55% of the net income is evenly balanced between four out of the six assets, and the tenancy profile overall is very strong.”
The portfolio comprises of six assets located in the following suburbs::
<ul>
<li>Huntingwood: A modern warehouse and distribution facility with easy access to the M4 and M7 Motorways. Leased to long term tenant, DHL.</li>
<li>Minchinbury: A  high quality, functional warehouse facility with excellent access to the M4 and M7 Motorways, leased to Star Track Express.</li>
<li>Villawood: A functional warehouse and manufacturing facility  leased to Pact Group</li>
<li>Fairfield: This asset is considered the best logistics facility in Fairfield, leased to Fantastic Furniture and DB Schenker.</li>
<li>Kingsgrove: A modern office-warehouse facility, with easy access to the M5 Motorway and 10 minutes from the Port of Botany. Leased to Shriro Australia.</li>
<li>Blacktown: A highly functional warehouse and manufacturing facility to Snack Brands, close to the M7 Motorway.</li>
</ul>
Mr O’Brien said 51% of tenants are ASX-listed, 25% are multinational companies and 24% are major corporate occupiers.
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Rare Sydney industrial portfolio set to make waves in hotly contested market

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A tenanted freestanding investment in the heart of the Caloundra CBD on the Sunshine Coast has been sold prior to auction by Ray White Commercial Noosa and Sunshine Coast North for $2.05 million.
Currently leased to Upstairs nightclub and Star Pharmacy Group, the two storey retail building at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-qld-caloundra-501645209" target="_blank">66 Bulcock Street, Caloundra</a>, was sold to a private investor by Ray White Commercial Noosa and Sunshine Coast North directors Paul Butler and Paul Forrest.
The property was sold on behalf of Cammeray Investments Pty Ltd for a yield of 7.8%.
Mr Butler said the property was on the market for the first time in 14 years and it was underpinned by two good tenancies, with the popular nightclub operational for more than 30 years and the pharmacy recently commencing a five year lease.
“This building has two outstanding tenants and is returning net rental income of more than $160,000 per annum,” he said.
“The sale prior to auction shows the emerging strength of the Caloundra retail market after a period of high vacancy.”
Mr Forrest said there was strong interest in the older style, 560 sqm, two level concrete block building, which is centrally located on Bulcock St.
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Freestanding Caloundra investments sold for $2.05 million

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An emerging childcare investment trust has paid $4.35 million for a former Hungry Jacks outlet at Coburg, with plans for a childcare centre conversion, in an off-market deal conducted by Teska Carson.
According to Teska Carson director, Michael Taylor, who brokered the deal for the <a href="https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/property/7536638/leased/vic/coburg/offices" target="_blank">311-321 Sydney Road</a> property, the price reflected a premium on market value for a property well suited to a multi-storey development.
"The property has exceptional exposure to a key Melbourne thoroughfare, as well two other street frontages, in a prime, inner-suburban location with trams at the front door, every conceivable retail service within walking distance, and a handy income stream available during the development planning phase.  
The property comprises a two level, 937 square metre building on an 1172 square metre site zoned Business 3 with 35 metres frontage to Sydney Road, 32 metres to Baxter Street and a right of way at the rear.
An underground carpark provides 38 spaces and there are an additional five spaces at ground level.   
Mr Taylor said the property, which was sold with vacant possession, also had a current permit for a nine level building.
The vendor was a Melbourne based investor.
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Childcare centre proposed for $4.35m Sydney Rd site 

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Mortgage broker AFG has announced it has secured a new white label agreement with Macquarie Bank.
AFG managing director Brett McKeon said the agreement will see a new product range, AFG home loans ICON, added to AFG’s existing white label offering.
ICON will complement AFG’s existing product range with features such as a global limit facility, a self managed super fund product and a family guarantee offering.
 Mr McKeon said the addition of the white label product range is part of a key growth strategy for the company.
"We will continue to work with AFG brokers and lenders to provide mortgage products tailored to suit their clients." 
For more information on AFG, <a href="https://www.afgonline.com.au" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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AFG expands white label suite‏

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Demand for fixed rate home loans fell to its lowest level in almost three years, new research has revealed.
According to the latest national home loan approval data from Mortgage Choice, fixed rate home loans accounted for 17.41% of all loans written throughout the month of August – down 1.05% from 18.46% the month prior.
Mortgage Choice chief executive officer John Flavell said the drop in fixed rate demand was surprising given the current volatility of the home loan market.
“Generally speaking, when the market is volatile and lenders are moving their rates – as they are doing now – fixed rate demand increases, as borrowers look for security and consistency around their mortgage repayments,” he said.
“In recent weeks, many of Australia’s lenders have increased their interest rates across their suite of investment products. Despite this, more borrowers are choosing variable rate home loans over fixed rate mortgages.”
Mr Flavell said the last time fixed rate demand was this low was back in January 2013.
“It has been 31 months - or almost three years – since fixed rate demand was this low. Across Australia, fixed rate demand was lowest in Victoria, with this type of product accounting for just 11.66% of all loans written throughout August,” he said.
“Western Australia and South Australia weren’t far behind, with fixed rates accounting for 14.16% and 14.59% of all loans written in both states respectively." 
Of the variable rate loans on offer, ongoing discount products once again proved the most popular with borrowers, with this type of product making up 48.38% of all loans written in August.
“With rates sitting at historically low levels, it is fair to say that regardless of whether a borrower chooses a fixed rate or variable rate home loan, they are going to secure a competitive rate,” Mr Flavell said.
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Fixed rate demand surprise fall to new low: Mortgage Choice

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Record low interest rates and a scarcity of inner city commercial properties with development potential are expected to drive strong interest in a prominent Richmond office building.
Colliers International’s Peter Bremner, Rob Joyes and Leigh Melbourne have been appointed to sell <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-offices-vic-richmond-501682721" target="_blank">180-188 Burnley Street in Richmond</a>.
The three-level commercial building is expected to generate interest in excess of $30million. 
“180-188 Burnley Street offers investors a secure long term cash flow from AAPT Limited, Australia's third largest land line telecommunications company owned by ASX-listed TPG Telecom Limited,” Mr Bremner said.
“The property also has significant underlying land value, as a rare inner city parcel of land with three street frontages and a total site area of just under 5,000sqm. 
The three-level office building and data centre has a total net lettable area of 5,557.4sqm and includes a full sized basement, a ground floor mostly containing data centre space and associated plant and equipment and a first floor with bright, open plan office accommodation and staff amenities. 
The property is fully leased to AAPT Limited until June 28, 2022, with a current net rent of approximately $2,262,791 per annum.
“AAPT previously owned the property as an owner-occupier from 2001 through to 2005, at which point they sold the property on a long sale-and-leaseback,” Mr Joyes said. 
“This premise is one of AAPT and TPG Telecom's major telecommunications hubs for Melbourne. The facility is an important site that aggregates and provides internet, data and telephone services for a wide geographic area.
“One of the main reasons AAPT originally chose this specific building and location was due to the fact that the site has high capacity fibre optic connectivity to all major telecommunication networks. A range of large corporations have a presence in the data centre and Richmond is a very central accessible location.”
180-188 Burnley Street is located less than 40metre from Bridge Road, some 5.5km east of the Melbourne CBD.
The property is for sale by expressions of interest closing September 25.
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$30 million Richmond office offering

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The pet-friendly accommodation search is on the rise as people travelling to visit friends and family look to bring along their furry companions.
A fully-serviced room that allows for pets are few and far between in Canberra which is why local hotel company, Abode Hotels, has sought to fill the gap.
Already offering pet-friendly rooms in its Gungahlin location, Abode Hotels had seen significant rises in reservations where pets are the primary guests.
Each of the pet-friendly rooms have remained occupied every week since the inception of the hotel’s pet-friendly package released in early April with demand on the Abode Hotels website increasing each week.
The local company has now added a new option to the mix, opening their fourth hotel in Narrabundah this week with 86 fully-equipped, apartment-style rooms fit for all guests with specific rooms ready and waiting for visitors bringing their cherished pets.
Each of the 86 rooms at Abode Narrabundah offer a complete self-contained studio experience with views over the back nine at the Capital Public Golf Course with accommodation options suitable for leisure, corporate travellers, groups, families, and of course, pets.
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Demand for pet-friendly ACT hotel accommodation on the rise

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.

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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.

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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.

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<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.

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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.

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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]

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