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West Melbourne once more propels itself into the development limelight as two substantial apartment projects have in the last week reached critical junctures in their respective planning journeys.

Plus Architecture has announced that a major West Melbourne apartment complex designed at their hand has been given the green light. At planning since the turn of 2017, 512-544 Spencer Street is the latest project now capable of adding to West Melbourne's higher density transformation.

<blockquote>
We are thrilled to announce that approval has been granted, for an exciting redevelopment at the top end of Spencer Street.

Plus will work with our partners Lechte Corporation, Crema Group and Abacus Property Group, to produce this modern, village-like mix of homes, a courtyard and café and included retail spaces – making a lifestyle of convenience for residents. Very much in line with the State Government’s vision for the highest quality of building and living environments. West Melbourne is going from strength to strength.

Plus Architecture
</blockquote>

512-544 Spencer Street mirrors Carlton's <a href="/news/the-eminence-joins-the-queue-on-queensberry">The Eminence</a> in that it will be delivered by the same team. Lechte Corporation, Crema Group and Abacus Property Group are present once more, with Plus Architecture handling all matters design; Crema Group's involvement will likely see Crema Constructions saddle up for the eventual build. 

Approximately 200 apartments are in the mix across the 4,246 square metre corner site, alongside retail and communal spaces.

Plus Architecture's composition sees differing finishes across the facade which effectively breaks the form of the project, appearing as separate buildings.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image14_18.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Spencer Street's newest approval. Image: Plus Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="302" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image14_18.jpg?itok=jWf5gcSN" title="Spencer Street's newest approval. Image: Plus Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Spencer Street's newest approval. Image: Plus Architecture</figcaption></figure><figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image16_13.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The proposed replacement for Festival Hall. Image: Rothelowman"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="350" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image16_13.jpg?itok=ojaQ7ZAF" title="The proposed replacement for Festival Hall. Image: Rothelowman" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The proposed replacement for Festival Hall. Image: Rothelowman</figcaption></figure>Also on the radar is the proposed redevelopment of Festival Hall at 272-306 Dudley Street, West Melbourne.

News broke last week that the application's bid to replace the existing structure with dual apartment buildings may have become all the more difficult in light of a recommendation from Heritage Victoria that Festival Hall be included as a Registered Place in the Victorian Heritage Register.

Festival Hall was built during 1955, replacing the 1913 West Melbourne Stadium. Heritage Victoria contends the venue is of historical and social significance to the State of Victoria in that it was important to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history and that it maintains a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.

Jargon aside, at stake is the right of 272-306 Dudley Street's development proponent to deliver 179 apartments above a sizeable slab of commercial space. Public submissions on the fate of Festival Hall are <a href="https://heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/registrations-reviews/executive-director-recommendations/">being accepted by Heritage Council of Victoria</a>.

If Festival Hall were to land on the Victorian Heritage Register, project architect Rothelowman would presumably need to take the design back to the drawing board.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image17_22.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Open space fronting Rosslyn Street. Image: Rothelowman"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="327" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image17_22.jpg?itok=iXyOGtW5" title="Open space fronting Rosslyn Street. Image: Rothelowman" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Open space fronting Rosslyn Street. Image: Rothelowman</figcaption></figure>
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silvermb

Spencer Street approved, Festival Hall hits heritage hurdle in West Melboune

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VCAT has handed down decisions in recent weeks regarding two major developments in Melbourne's suburbs.

Last week the tribunal ruled on a proposal for Brunswick's 8 Ballarat Street. The Plus Architecture-designed apartment building included 147 apartments and 158 car parking spaces as originally submitted; apartments in the 8 level proposal are split between 50 single bedroom and 97 double bedroom options.

Developer 8 Ballarat Street Pty Ltd challenged Moreland City Council's conditions for the substantial development, one of which would have seen the top two floors sheared off the design.

In light of amended plans amended plans prepared by Plus Architecture, the full 8 level form was given the green light, albeit with reworked setbacks across upper levels. 

Now approved, 8 Ballarat Street joins the hundreds of additionally approved apartments across a gamut of residential projects that have yet to be delivered across Brunswick. VCAT's decision may also influence future intentions for the adjoining 10 Ballarat Street which was offered for sale during 2017.

Across a 4,247 square metre land plot, the site's sale was handled by Colliers and came with indicative design also spanning 8 levels.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image3ballarat.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="8 Ballarat Street alongside a conceptual 10 Ballarat Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="205" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image3ballarat.jpg?itok=ilsbYmh-" title="8 Ballarat Street alongside a conceptual 10 Ballarat Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>8 Ballarat Street alongside a conceptual 10 Ballarat Street</figcaption></figure>Meanwhile, VCAT last month also ruled in favour of a major stand-alone Box Hill hotel development.

LongRiver Group can now make good on the prospect of delivering a DoubleTree by Hlton onsite. The Buchan Group's design sees a woven facade over the tower's 25 levels. Expected within the tower are 200 rooms according to Development and Project Manager APP.

VCAT for their part noted that Whitehorse City Council did not object to this proposal on the basis of the appropriateness of the land use, but on grounds relating to the appropriate level of car parking required to service the project.

With conditions ruled upon, the design at 874-878 Whitehorse Road can join LongRiver Group's other Box Hill tower, namely <a href="/buildings/east-central-tower-820-whitehorse-road-box-hill">East Central Tower</a> at 820 Whitehorse Road.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image4_20.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Buchan Group's woven facade across 874-878 Whitehorse Road"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="290" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image4_20.jpg?itok=VyzZ_wmV" title="Buchan Group's woven facade across 874-878 Whitehorse Road" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Buchan Group's woven facade across 874-878 Whitehorse Road</figcaption></figure>
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VCAT rules in favour of two major Melbourne developments

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The latest prospective development looking to add to the nation's largest office market landed at planning earlier this month.

City of Sydney has fielded a request to add a slim 13 storey office building at 4-6 York Street, just south of Wynyard Station which is itself subject to a substantial commercial development. The $29 million York Street development bid also includes alterations and refurbishments to the adjoining 341 George Street building. 

In vogue design practice Candalepas Associates was tasked with design duties by development entity 6 York Street Pty Ltd which is controlled by NGI Investments.

<h2>4-6 York Street application summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image14_17.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Planning image: Doug &amp; Wolf"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="587" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image14_17.jpg?itok=2PkENVF9" title="Planning image: Doug &amp; Wolf" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Planning image: Doug &amp; Wolf</figcaption></figure>Candalepas Associates' designs intentions sees the tight 611 square metre site which is now an at grade car park and single storey building adorned with a tower spanning 55.4 metres. Owing to the site's small footprint, ground floor amenities within the scheme are contained to 143 square metre cafe/bar alongside lobby requirements.

Thereafter "the new building will be physically connected to the existing building at 341 George Street, and there will be access between most floors of the two buildings which will necessitate some alterations to the existing building." A typical floorplate within the new addition spans 500 square metres, with a project Gross Floor Area of 6,128 square metres.

Further design detail for the York Street proposal is <a href="https://architectureau.com/articles/candalepas-associates-designs-marble-and-scalloped-concrete-tower/">outlined on ArchitectureAU</a>.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image15ca.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Planning image: Doug &amp; Wolf"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="314" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image15ca.jpg?itok=lP5gNZrn" title="Planning image: Doug &amp; Wolf" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Planning image: Doug &amp; Wolf</figcaption></figure>The combined size of the York and George Street buildings will still see the overall development at the lower end of the size scale relative the healthy number of substantial office towers proposed and in development through Sydney's core.

Perhaps most noteworthy is AMP's Quay Quarter Sydney project designed by 3XN. The 200 metre redevelopment of AMP's existing headquarters has just received its first tower crane that will in part facilitate the delivery of a new 102,000 head office for the financial services company.

It along with 55,500 square metre Circular Quay Tower at 182 George Street, 60 Martin Place and the aforementioned 59,000 square metre Wynyard Place are among Sydney's largest office developments under construction.

Further developments in their infancy include the approximately 40,000 square metre Metro Martin Place development.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image31_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Quay Quarter Sydney and Circular Quay Tower"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="348" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image31_10.jpg?itok=7z4jbrxB" title="Quay Quarter Sydney and Circular Quay Tower" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Quay Quarter Sydney and Circular Quay Tower</figcaption></figure>
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Candalepas Associates delivers the latest for Sydney's burgeoning office market

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Woolloongabba will soon have a new addition, with Silk One the latest project to announce itself in the surging inner Brisbane suburb.

The new tower will also feature a design first for Brisbane, boasting the city’s only rooftop Skystand which will include tiered seating and unobstructed views over The Gabba’s stadium. The project has been designed by Nettletontribe Architects, with Sarazin and Southlake Group also backing the project.

Silk One's intended unit mix would add a further 178 apartments to Woolloongabba. These dwellings are expected to be split between 59 one bedroom, 32 two bedroom/one bathroom, 85 two bedroom/two bathroom and 2 three bedroom/two bathroom options.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image71_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Silk One is Woolloongabba's latest. Image: silkone.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="1025" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image71_5.jpg?itok=7X2gf-3m" title="Silk One is Woolloongabba's latest. Image: silkone.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Silk One is Woolloongabba's latest. Image: silkone.com.au</figcaption></figure>Silk One forms part of a larger intended development that initially went to planning during 2016. Three separate applications cover an extended land plot encapsulating 825-847 Stanley Street and 6-24 Trafalgar Street in Woolloongabba.

Originally envisaged as a phased delivery project, the development has three towers capable of delivering approximately 520 apartments, commercial office space, a string of retail tenancies and a public thoroughfare bisecting the site. 600 plus vehicle parking spaces and 600 plus bicycle bays are included across the entire development.

The overall Silk development replaces a previous mixed-use scheme over the site which included dedicated commercial, hotel and apartment uses.

Currently, primary applicant 825 Stanley Pty Ltd has taken the Silk One tower <a href="https://pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au/masterviewUI/modules/ApplicationMaster/default.aspx?page=wrapper&amp;key=A004923841">back to planning</a>, looking to include design enhancements across the initial tower.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image75_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Developments looking to call Woolloongabba home"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="251" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image75_2.jpg?itok=A_hj2UUX" title="Developments looking to call Woolloongabba home" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Developments looking to call Woolloongabba home</figcaption></figure>With the project's website taking registrations of interest, Silk One is also the latest Woolloongabba project to enter the Urban Project Database, with the vast majority of these located directly south of The Gabba.

<a href="/new-apartments/43-regent-street-woolloongabba">43 Regent Street</a> and <a href="/new-apartments/65-67-regent-street-woolloongabba">65-67 Regent Street</a> both relatively recent applications and are symptomatic of the scale of apartment development seeking to call Woolloongabba home. Both applications are the work of architecture firm Cottee Parker.

Woolloongabba's tallest intended tower is dubbed Broadway Apartments and is sited across 85-93 Logan Road. At 27 levels the project backed by Majella Property would see 262 apartments and just shy of 5,000 square metres of leasable commercial area included within the HAL Architects-designed tower.
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Silk One secures Woolloongabba's best seat in the house

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Think Southbank and invariably images of skyscrapers...and high-rise apartment living come to mind.

Podium living is not necessarily on the agenda for much of the suburb, given less sophisticated designs of the past and the less than ideal ground conditions which necessitate car parking above ground level. So it is somewhat of a surprise that the developer behind Southbank's Melbourne Square development is championing the living credentials of its lower-set apartments.

It does of course help when Melbourne Square comes with its own 3,700 square metre park to which these apartments will front.

Developer OSK Property is making a pitch for families and downsizers by championing its overly large terrace-style apartments found across the lower levels of Melbourne Square. The large format apartments overlooking the development's park include sizeable outdoor areas and leafy north-facing outlooks; a selling point which OSK Property points out is unique for Southbank.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image65_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Square's park is a development focal point"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image65_4.jpg?itok=uUdO5_wx" title="Melbourne Square's park is a development focal point" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Square's park is a development focal point</figcaption></figure>The terrace dwellings span up to 125 square metres in size and are set across levels two to seven. Over these levels, apartment views will be monopolised by a green outlook rather than the skyscrapers beyond; a unique selling point in the eyes of OSK Property.

Melbourne Square's park is designed by landscape architects Taylor Cullity Lethlean with Cox Architecture responsible for the project's overall appearance.

Cox Architecture Director Paul Curry said of the design: “Terrace apartments are extremely popular due to the families moving back into CBD-style locations and downsizers wanting to maintain that relationship with the outdoors that you usually only get in a house. With the rise in the wellness movement, more people are also prioritising being closer to nature, which these podium-based apartments achieve via their location but also through their own abundant outdoor areas that can be landscaped.”

Owing to the size of the development site, near on 20% of Melbourne Square will be considered public realm.

TCL managing director Perry Lethlean<a href="https://architectureau.com/articles/designs-for-melbourne-square-public-park-released/"> noted on ArchitectureAU</a> that: "The park [will be] part of a network of gardens inspired by Melbourne’s iconic Royal Botanic Gardens and qualities from other cities such as Paris, Berlin and Spain. It’s about creating opportunities for residents of Melbourne Square and other buildings in Southbank to engage with nature.”

Melbourne Square’s podium will include 6 one, 72 two and 13 three bedroom apartments.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image66_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Square's construction progress during May. Image: Ryan Seychell"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="373" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image66_7.jpg?itok=YHRxg67v" title="Melbourne Square's construction progress during May. Image: Ryan Seychell" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Square's construction progress during May. Image: Ryan Seychell</figcaption></figure>Two residential towers are in their construction infancy, and will be supported by a podium top garden on level eight which includes a pool with an infinity edge and private cabanas. Private dining rooms with kitchen facilities, a theatre, sun terrace, music room, table tennis room, gym, sauna, steam room, yoga studio and golf simulator form the balance of Melbourne Square's amenities.

From a public perspective, the development will see a full-line Woolworths supermarket, childcare centre and retail/dining options, in addition to the park.

OSK Property Chairman Mr Tan Sri Ong Leong Huat, said Melbourne Square's green seting: “We are very proud of these exceptional apartments that offer an indoor/outdoor lifestyle previously unattainable so close to the city. “We have sought to create the foundation of a rich community for Southbank with access to unprecedented amenity and a green gateway in addition to the nearby arts precinct, sporting precinct, Botanic Gardens, Crown entertainment centre and CBD, which are all a short stroll away.”

Multiplex will take the first phase of Melbourne Square to completion by late 2020.
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OSK Property pushes a living aspect not normally associated with Southbank

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Yet another Brunswick apartment development has gone to 'the green side'.

A proposal for 211-213 Sydney Road currently before Moreland City Council is hoping to convert approval onsite for a more typical planning permit to one that includes heightened environmentally sustainable design aspects. Design practice Six Degrees have taken over design duties for the site, replacing what was a failed design and marketing campaign for The Saxon apartments.

Prior to it being offered for sale, The Saxon included 24 apartments within a Rothelowman-designed project. Eventually though the roughly 600 square metre site was put forward for developers to consider during 2017.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image55_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="211-213 Sydney Road as The Saxon"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image55_9.jpg?itok=4fmLr9w2" title="211-213 Sydney Road as The Saxon" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>211-213 Sydney Road as The Saxon</figcaption></figure>In a sign that other developers are acknowledging the worth of what is being achieved in Brunswick from an apartment design perspective, new site owner Excelon Group has enlisted Six Degrees to mirror other cutting edge and environmentally sympathetic designs in the area, including Nightingale 3 which abuts the intended project directly to the south.

In <a href="http://Milieu%20Propert">a recent piece</a> on Urban, Milieu Property too realised the worth in continuing the design impetus created by projects such as The Commons and Nightingale, describing the area as "on the precipice of a housing revolution of international significance." Excelon Group to this point has delivered more typical developments, with their most noteworthy being <a href="/news">560 Flinders Street</a>.

The current application is a stark departure from the previously approved scheme onsite, defined by a new facade which includes operable perforated metal shutters "that will provide a coloured translucent filter" over the building's 21 intended apartments.

Design highlights for the new 211-213 Sydney Road which landed before Moreland City Council during March sees:

<ul>
<li>A retail tenancy to Sydney Road and a commercial/retail tenancy to Saxon Street</li>
	<li>Preserved facade and volume of the heritage building fronting Sydney Road</li>
	<li>Open walkways bisecting each floorplate</li>
	<li>All apartments receive cross ventilation and no borrowed light</li>
	<li>Adjustable levels of privacy and shading due to operable facade</li>
	<li>Low energy consumption and thermal break design features</li>
	<li>Rooftop productive gardens, worm farm system and water harvesting tanks</li>
	<li>Zero car parks included</li>
</ul>
<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image56_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Six Degrees' Saxon Street perspective of the development"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image56_8.jpg?itok=f2h2ktDL" title="Six Degrees' Saxon Street perspective of the development" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Six Degrees' Saxon Street perspective of the development</figcaption></figure>In Six Degrees words, 211-213 Sydney Road "is an exciting opportunity to showcase best practice sustainability initiatives and technologies in high-density living. In summary, the development seeks to provide an exemplary high-density residential environment, actively promoting ideas around community, shared spaces and environmental sustainability."

<ul></ul>
The aforementioned Nightingale 3 is poised to add further credence to the area's environmentally sustainable design credentials, whilst <a href="/news/nightingale-housing-plans-seven-buildings-across-brunswicks-duckett-street">Nightingale Village</a>'s designs are beginning to appear at planning.

That benchmark development will see seven buildings of up to eight storeys containing 210 dwellings and multiple ground floor tenancies.
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Brunswick's progressive apartment design dynamic gains another devotee

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Heidelberg will soon enough host another apartment building, the latest in the suburb's subdued yet steady accumulation of higher density living projects.

Fresh to market is Martin &amp; Powlett which will add 121 new apartments to a pocket of Heidelberg opposite the Austin Hospital. Championed by Blue Earth Group, the proposal was not without its challenges at planning, eventually receiving the nod at Banyule City Council.

Local action group Friends of Powlett Street Common rejected the development outright, citing the 26 metre building as a gross over development.

Nonetheless Martin &amp; Powlett will add further impetus to Heidelberg's expanding apartment market, primarily underpinned by the Heidelberg Station and the Austin Hospital Precinct. The precinct is one the Victorian Planning Authority's urban renewal projects which will see further integrated development opportunities in and around Heidelberg Major Activity Centre.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image60aa.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Martin &amp; Powlett's Powlett Street perspective"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="296" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image60aa.jpg?itok=sMLgQvYu" title="Martin &amp; Powlett's Powlett Street perspective" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Martin &amp; Powlett's Powlett Street perspective</figcaption></figure>Blue Earth Group's newest release is in conjunction with CHT Architects. The 2,990 square metre site will see the development span eight levels to a 70 metre Martin Street fontage, with a smaller visual bulk to Powlett Street.

The 121 new one and two bedroom dwellings are ten fewer than what the developer received approval for at the turn of 2016.

Currently, there are 18 apartment development in play across Heidelberg according to the Urban Project Database. The arrival of Martin &amp; Powlett sees it become only the second project in postcode 3084 that is purely at registrations and sales.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image61_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ivanhoe, Hello Heidelberg and Montvue at construction"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="230" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image61_1.jpg?itok=R0QF4N9R" title="Ivanhoe, Hello Heidelberg and Montvue at construction" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ivanhoe, Hello Heidelberg and Montvue at construction</figcaption></figure>There are three projects that are at construction amounting to 352 new apartments for Heidelberg.

Whilst Hello Heidelberg and Montvue are very much representative of the typical Heidelberg apartment development for height and apartment numbers, Caydon Property Group Ivanhoe project is the statistical anomaly in the database. At 443 Upper Heidelberg Road, its 269 apartments are by far and away the suburb's largest development to date.

Ivanhoe aside, Heidelberg has typically seen one or two noteworthy apartment projects under construction at any given time. Vila &amp; Forge at 37 Burgundy Street shapes as the next to hit construction at the hand of builder Balmain&amp;Co.

In and among a raft of smaller apartment developments in waiting, 21 Yarra Street is perhaps Heidelberg's most interesting.

Approval is in place for a 10 storey development which includes office levels and 88 apartments. If realised the development would take apartment living further east away from Heidelberg's Burgundy Street spine, effectively giving rise to a new area open to higher density apartment developments.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image62_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="21 Yarra Street shapes is an approved development within Heidelberg"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="360" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image62_3.jpg?itok=IlCsrWE0" title="21 Yarra Street shapes is an approved development within Heidelberg" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>21 Yarra Street shapes is an approved development within Heidelberg</figcaption></figure>
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Heidelberg; the quiet achiever apartment market ticks over once more

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Another big ticket development has rolled into construction, increasing the already impressive tally of sizeable projects at construction within the City of Monash which amount to billions of dollars of investment within the municipality.

Residential project Alke's commencement has boosted the already diverse big-ticket construction list within Monash. Commercial, residential, educational, aged care, large-scale retail and health builds are on the go within the municipality which is Victoria’s second largest economic and employment generator.

Developer Pellicano has brought forward construction of <a href="/buildings/alke-89-atherton-road-oakleigh">Alke</a> six months ahead of initial expectations following a strong sales campaign. The $55 million SJB-designed residential development includes 89 apartments over three buildings and was launched to market in September 2017.

In what has become a commonplace practice of late Pellicano shrunk the number of apartments on the back of buyer demand; Alke initially included 115 apartments but was rejigged to include fewer but larger dwellings.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image214_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Alke as is, and as will be"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="211" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image214_3.jpg?itok=bG8AFomv" title="Alke as is, and as will be" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Alke as is, and as will be</figcaption></figure>Pellicano's in-house construction arm has begun the build with an eye to reaching completion mid-2019. The three buildings include between 14-45 dwellings and are separated by a communal landscaped terrace.

Alke's commencement has seen it join a list of top flight projects currently under construction within City of Monash. 

The diversified list at construction is headlined by the $1 billion <a href="/buildings/m-city-2107-dandenong-road-clayton">M-City</a> development; the project which is in the <a href="/news/construction-officially-begins-at-m-city">early stages of construction</a> will become Melbourne’s largest mixed-use development outside of the CBD. Included is a sizeable commercial component, hotel, serviced apartments, extensive retail and hundreds of apartments.

Also high in value is Vicinity Centres' The Glen redevelopment which weighs in at $490 million. Probuild is currently undertaking works across the Glen Waverley retail hub.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image212_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Monash BLTB, M-City and the Victorian Heart Hospital"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="422" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image212_0.jpg?itok=E2IZFFcj" title="Monash BLTB, M-City and the Victorian Heart Hospital" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Monash BLTB, M-City and the Victorian Heart Hospital</figcaption></figure>Alke joins <a href="/buildings/galleria-glen-waverley-52-osullivan-road-glen-waverley">Galleria</a> as the second large-scale residential project under construction in the municipality, with Hickory Group working on Galleria's basement levels on the way to eventually delivering 267 apartments, 9 retail spaces, 315 car spaces and 88 bike spaces.  

From an education standpoint, builder Multiplex is well into Monash University's Biomedical Learning and Teaching Building. The $100 million Denton Corker Marshall-designed project is expected to be completed late this year and features a unique facade.

The Biomedical Learning and Teaching Building the latest in a string of big-ticket projects facilitated by Monash University over the past five years.

Poised to begin construction toward the end of the year is the new <a href="/news/john-holland-to-build-the-new-victorian-heart-hospital">Victorian Heart Hospital</a> opposite the Australian Synchrotron and partly funded by Monash University. Designed jointly by John Wardle Architects and Conrad Gargett, the $542 million project has been awarded to contractor John Holland.
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Alke adds to City of Monash's multibillion dollar construction boom

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Against a backdrop of planning uncertainty, delayed projects and legal wrangling, Singapore-based developer Chip Eng Seng Corporation is pushing through with Fishermans Bend's first tower launch for the year.

Having taken the sprawling near 6,000 square metre site off fellow developer BPM's hands, Chip Eng Seng Corporation is utilising local development arm CEL Australia (CES Gladstone) to push on with the marketing of the project's first stage.

The site transaction was completed during 2016 at a price of $52 million and included approval for 742 residential apartments over three towers. 

The project's inception began during 2014 with a then Hayball-designed scheme heading to planning. Post initial approval Elenberg Fraser was enlisted to tweak the tri-towered design into what will is being released for sale.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image195_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Towers in succession. Image: CES Gladstone"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="390" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image195_0.jpg?itok=AawIcrIc" title="Towers in succession. Image: CES Gladstone" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Towers in succession. Image: CES Gladstone</figcaption></figure>222 new apartments are included across FIFTEEN85's initial release which is the westernmost cobalt blue tower of the trio. According to marketing material, the overall design has been influenced by American glass artist Josiah McElheny's works, with transparency a feature.

The development's podium levels are laden with greenery, tying the project in with the adjoining 8,000 square metre Montague Park which is currently under construction.

Internally FIFTEEN85 will include a residents lounge, podium top outdoor terrace, gym, dining area plus a range of one, two and three bedroom apartments.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image198_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="FIFTEEN85 perspectives. Image: CES Gladstone"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="261" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image198_0.jpg?itok=27hfn6pw" title="FIFTEEN85 perspectives. Image: CES Gladstone" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>FIFTEEN85 perspectives. Image: CES Gladstone</figcaption></figure>FIFTEEN85 will join a trio of other apartment projects now at sales within Fishermans Bend. Ruiyi Australia's <a href="/buildings/south-15-thistlethwaite-street-south-melbourne">South</a> and Portal Properties' <a href="/new-apartments/171-183-ferrars-street-south-melbourne">Vivid</a> both have long-running sales campaigns whilst SPEC Property's <a href="/buildings/lilix-51-59-thistlethwaite-street-south-melbourne">Lilix</a> is currently being offered via channel sales.

Third Street's <a href="/buildings/pm-port-melbourne-320-plummer-street-port-melbourne">PM Port Melbourne</a> is the remaining active project and has been awarded to Hutchinson Builders. It is the only project headed for construction in the urban renewal area, which would have had arguably far more projects at sales but for the extensive planning review of the precinct which is expected to tip into next year.

The changing planning goal posts has prompted Third Street to <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/fishermans-bend-developer-sues-minister-over-massive-apartment-project-20180419-p4zal5">initiate legal proceedings</a> in order to push through two additional projects.

Planning uncertainty has seen developments such as FIFTEEN85 advance as planned whilst others have effectively been scrapped.
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FIFTEEN85 is Fishermans Bend's first major launch of 2018

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The completion of Dux Richmond Hill in recent days has added further weight to the strip's diversification away from being predominantly a retail zone.

In recent years Apartments.com.au has looked at the strip's retail woes, <a href="/expert-insights/buying/will-free-parking-save-bridge-road">potential solutions in fixing the faltering strip</a> and its <a href="https://urban.melbourne/planning/2015/05/06/bridge-roads-apartment-transformation-gathers-pace">drift toward apartment development</a>. Dux Richmond Hill at 153-177 Bridge Road has added a further 175 apartments, placing it as Bridge road's second largest apartment development delivered.

Developer Little Projects is mindful of the apartment wave that is providing Bridge road with a fundamental shift in how the strip is perceived.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image192.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Dux Richmond Hill by Little Projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="361" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image192.jpg?itok=lNzF__Wx" title="The Dux Richmond Hill by Little Projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Dux Richmond Hill by Little Projects</figcaption></figure>On the occasion of Dux Richmond Hill's completion Little Projects Development Director Leighton Pyke provided the following commentary regarding Bridge Road:

<blockquote>
New apartment buildings like Dux Richmond Hill are the catalysts for change we need to resurrect shopping strips like Bridge Road and give new purpose to its retail operations.

What we are seeing is a role reversal with residential now driving and attracting retail rather than it simply being a case of activity zones dictating development. There is genuine opportunity to be realised as new developments return foot traffic to strips that have long been starved of new blood.

Rather than trying to return them to their former glory, we should be driving the evolution of prime shopping strips like Bridge Road, Richmond, Fitzroy Street, St Kilda and Chapel St, South Yarra and reappropriating them for a new generation of residents.
</blockquote>

Little Projects notes that Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that over 4,100 apartments have been built through established retail strips in Collingwood, Fitzroy, Northcote and Richmond since 2012, leading to a 5.5 per cent increase in the number of businesses trading along these strips.

Little Projects cite a further 3,600 apartments set for completion across these four locations by December 2020, which will further amplify the trend.

Leighton Pyke also provided comment on the type of retail tenancy supporting these new apartment developments:

<blockquote>
Yes, there is an undeniable shift in offering that needs to take place if we are to bring back beloved locations like Bridge Road but what’s exciting about this is the rich opportunities to be found here for those retailers who provide well-balanced food and service offerings that are tailored to suit the local audience

The feedback we have received is that the Dux Richmond Hill’s retail spaces are more adaptable than the traditional narrow Victorian terraces of Bridge Road, which are limiting in terms of their potential for fitouts and adaptive reuses.
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/273_20-12-2017_3343.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="SJB's Richmond Plaza design"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="341" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/273_20-12-2017_3343.jpg?itok=s4kRiVW2" title="SJB's Richmond Plaza design" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>SJB's Richmond Plaza design</figcaption></figure>For Bridge Road specifically, there remains a solid pipeline of apartments in waiting. With Dux Richmond Hill complete, next to the construction starting line is <a href="/buildings/lanbruk-apartments-79-bridge-road-richmond">Lanbruk Serviced Apartments</a> at 79 Bridge Road.

Builder Minicon is charged with delivering the serviced apartment complex which will join Cobild's 10 level <a href="/buildings/frame-19-21-judd-street-richmond">Frame Apartments</a> at construction and the soon to be restarted <a href="/buildings/herbert-king-172-lennox-street-richmond">Herbert King</a>. The latter two projects are mere metres from Bridge Road.

A sweep of the Apartments.com.au Project Database shows hundreds of new apartments earmarked for Bridge Road across a further 10 developments.

Largest of these is Coles Group and Gresham Property Funds Management's approved development of <a href="/buildings/261-271-bridge-road-richmond">Richmond Plaza</a> which includes a slab of retail space and 300 plus apartments over 12 levels. Project architect notes the project's end value at $250 million.
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Bridge Road's latest development complete, what next for the rising apartment strip

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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]

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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Joel Robinson

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

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;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

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>.

Rainbow Bay apartment doubles in price since off the plan sale during pandemic

The long-planned transformation of Brisbane's historic Shafston Estate has taken another major step, with Capella Hotel Group announced as the luxury hospitality partner behind what will become Brisbane's first branded residences.

The project, to be known as Capella Residences Brisbane, is being delivered by Verso Projects at the landmark Kangaroo Point riverfront estate, with completion targeted for 2029.

The announcement follows a series of planning changes to the project over recent years. The site was originally approved in 2023 for a 15-level, 37-apartment development designed by Rothelowman for Burgundy Group before Verso Projects took over the 10,070 sqm riverfront holding and lodged revised plans with Kerry Hill Architects to increase the development to a 25-level tower with 51 apartments.

The latest announcement confirms Capella Hotel Group will bring its branded residential offering to the project, marking just the second Capella Residences development globally after Seoul, and the group's first branded residential project in Australia.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/23-castlebar-street-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Castlebar Street development</a> will centre around the restoration of the heritage-listed Shafston House, one of Brisbane's oldest residences, originally constructed in 1851 by Reverend Robert Creyke as a single-storey cottage known as Ravenscott.

<img alt="Capella" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2b9f4ce5-638f-4d6b-8082-3ca7e4b75fca" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-09%20at%207.20.41%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=f7aeqsW_DzOJI4FymWb3lD8NptSfsP7q" />

Capella said the project aligns with its focus on heritage-led developments, with the Brisbane estate combining the restored historic residence with a new luxury apartment tower and hospitality-inspired resident amenities.

Residents will have access to the Capella Living Room, a concierge-led communal space inspired by the group's luxury hotels, alongside landscaped gardens, six swimming pools, wellness and recreation facilities.

The broader estate will also include two riverfront homes, a six-berth private marina, porte cochère arrival experience, secure basement parking and a new section of public riverwalk along the Brisbane River frontage.

The heritage Postal Depot Building will also be retained and repurposed as a guest house, in line with the revised development plans.

The project represents another evolution for the site, which Kerry Hill Architects previously described as a rare opportunity to restore one of Brisbane's most significant heritage estates while creating a new benchmark for apartment living.

"The Shafston Estate provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore one of Brisbane's finest heritage precincts and to reinstate residential use as a unique site perched on the edge of Kangaroo Point," Kerry Hill Architects said in its Urban Context Report accompanying the planning submission.

"The project will celebrate excellence in sub-tropical residential design, setting a new benchmark for vertical living in Brisbane."

Verso Projects, which now has an $8.5 billion development pipeline spanning more than 6,000 dwellings across apartments, townhouses, retail and commercial projects, said the partnership with Capella would elevate the development beyond a traditional residential project.

"We feel honoured to be restoring Shafston Estate to its former glory, elevating it to new heights of luxury and excellence underpinned by Capella's distinctive service ethos and design philosophy, and making it a standout landmark in Brisbane," Verso Projects CEO Steve Laffey said.

"By partnering with Capella, globally recognised for its refined approach to luxury hospitality and deep respect for cultural and historical context, we will elevate this project beyond a residential offering into a world-class destination."

Capella Hotel Group President Roland Fasel said Brisbane's emergence as a global city made it the right location for the company's Australian residential debut.

"Brisbane is a city on the cusp of something remarkable, and Capella Residences is our commitment to being part of that story," Fasel said.

"The Capella residential experience is more than luxury. It is about a sense of belonging to a place with deep meaning."

Private appointments have now opened for the project, with a display suite expected to open in late 2026 ahead of the planned 2029 completion.

Mark Baljak

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