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35 Spring Street has been anointed as one of Melbourne's elite high density residential projects. Developer Cbus Property is rightfully making note of the project's completion, with Planning Minister Richard Wynne recently officially opening the $350 million development.

The project has drawn inspiration from equivalent park-front projects in New York, and holds views over Treasury Gardens that can never be built out.

Inside are 241 one, two and three bedroom apartments and penthouses; down from the original 270 after buyer interest saw the amalgamation of various apartments; in some instances entire floors were merged to create enormous dwellings. 

<blockquote>
35 Spring Street is the first luxury apartment building to be completed in Melbourne in many years and proves there is a market and appetite for well-designed, generous apartment homes. It is a building designed to be ahead of its time, while remaining classic for decades to come.
<cite>Cbus Property CEO Adrian Pozzo </cite>
</blockquote>

The double skin wrap around the building’s exterior is arranged in an asymmetric ashlar pattern, allowing for oversized windows and expansive views. 

<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/image11_14.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The tower's foyer"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="812" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image11_14.jpg?itok=ir1gUMh6" title="The tower's foyer" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The tower's foyer</figcaption></figure>Bates Smart were responsible for both the overall design and interior finishes.

35 Spring Street's ground floor features a restaurant and grand residents’ lobby with the prevalent theme throughout the foyer that of a strong, rich and natural finish. Capping the space is an Inge King sculpture that was preserved from 35 Spring Street’s previous life as an office complex.

In addition to the lounge at ground level, the ninth floor also carries amenities by way of a private dining room and kitchen, wine storage area, pool, gymnasium, plus internal and outdoor entertaining areas. The amenities level also defines the beginning of 35 Spring Street's tower component.

As to the tower's design, Bates Smart provided Apartments.com.au with the following response.

<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_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="35 Spring Street befits its location"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="348" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image14_11.jpg?itok=md121xMz" title="35 Spring Street befits its location" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>35 Spring Street befits its location</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
The design stands out not only for its height, but its intricate facade and massing which draws parallels with Manhattan and is reminiscent of some of the towers which flank Central Park. 

The design of 35 Spring St was inspired by its premium park location and never to be built-out views which extend beyond the Treasury Gardens, but also the local precinct, such as the surrounding heritage government buildings and the vibrancy of Flinders Lane.

The façade draws references from the materiality of the surrounding buildings, with its vertical strands providing elegant proportions and a crispness of edge. The facade was also inspired by fabric patterns, and references the manufacturing legacy of Flinders Lane.

The building has an extraordinary position on the far eastern boundary of the Hoddle Grid, and aims to define the edge of the city. Like many of the buildings that surround Central Park in Manhattan, 35 Spring St, creates a strong line and edge between city and park.

It is a new landmark for Melbourne and creates a new gateway into the city. While, the design pays tribute to many of Manhattan’s most elite residential developments, the tower’s references to local precinct and high quality finishes, ultimately reflect Melbourne, making it a strong architectural statement for our city.
</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/image10_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Collins Place creates an external backdrop to the pool deck"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="337" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image10_11.jpg?itok=6L9X2FZn" title="Collins Place creates an external backdrop to the pool deck" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Collins Place creates an external backdrop to the pool deck</figcaption></figure>With 35 Spring Street now complete, Cbus Property are pursuing a string of additional developments around Melbourne. Of those, Collins Arch and Classic East Melbourne shape as developments which have also been positioned to attract the high-end owner occupier.
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silvermb

35 Spring Street becomes one of Melbourne's premier apartment developments

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It was announced this morning that Golden Age Group will develop the residential component of The Glen.

Vicinity Centres with co-owner Perron Group have decided to sell the air rights above the centre which is at the starting point of its multi-million dollar redevelopment. Apartments.com.au <a href="/news/vicinity-and-pellicano-provide-monash-with-a-development-boost">reported last month</a> on Vicinity's construction launch of the $490 million project, which will expand the existing centre to include 78,000 square metres of gross lettable area.

Vicinity Centres has indicated that the majority of retail spaces within The Glen's first development stage has been leased. Opening late 2017, this initial stage will include an Aldi, Woolworths, Coles and over 60 specialty stores.

Multiple dining precincts and a new Town Square will spearhead the redevelopment's push to open up/be more expressive with its surrounds.

The Glen will open in a number of stages and is expected to be complete by early 2020.

<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/image217_0_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Future residents will benefit from The Glen's increased offerings"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="318" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image217_0_0.jpg?itok=v2Bf2Wm1" title="Future residents will benefit from The Glen's increased offerings" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Future residents will benefit from The Glen's increased offerings</figcaption></figure>As for Golden Age Group, they now inherit the right to deliver 539 apartments across three towers, in accordance with approved plans devised by NH Architecture. 

Initially submitted at a lofty 86 metres to its highest point, The Glen's tallest residential tower was eventually approved at 64 metres or 20 levels. Smaller residential towers reach 12 and 13 levels respectively.

The tallest tower in the area prior to The Glen receiving approval is Australian Nan Xin Investment's Galleria at 52-54 O'Sullivan Road at 15 levels and 47 metres.

Under the approved plans, the 539 apartments are split between 155 single, 357 double and 22 triple bedroom and 5 quad bedroom apartments. Whether Golden Age Group pushes on with the approved design or seeks to alter the format/configuration of the three buildings remains to be seen.

<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/image76_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="517-521 Station Street and Opera are part of the Golden Age Property stable"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="395" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image76_1.jpg?itok=9ZcjhSAD" title="517-521 Station Street and Opera are part of the Golden Age Property stable" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>517-521 Station Street and Opera are part of the Golden Age Group stable</figcaption></figure>The addition of The Glen's apartment component swells Golden Age Group's current Melbourne portfolio to seven projects, encompassing a very hefty 2,750 apartments.

Victoria One, Opera, <a href="/buildings/collins-house-melbourne-460-466-collins-street-melbourne">Collins House</a> and Sky One Box Hill represent the developer's projects currently at construction. Also in Box Hill, Golden Age Group are pursuing a planning amendment that will allow for the delivery of dual towers across 517-521 Station Street, whilst The Glen joins 85 Spring Street as projects that the developer has licked up post planning approval.

Lead image: Panoramio
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Golden Age Group adds The Glen to their portfolio

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Melbourne's latest public vertical high school is edging closer to reality. After being officially revealed last month by the Victorian School Building Authority, Prahran High School's construction tender is drawing to a close.

The facility will be Melbourne's third vertical high school, following on from examples in South Melbourne and Richmond.

On a site fronting High Street, demolition on the Gray Puksand-designed project is underway and construction will begin mid year, with the intention of being student ready by Term 1, 2019. 650 students across years 7-12 will be accommodated within the project which is valued at $25m.

<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/image45_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Prahran High School. Image: Gray Puksand"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="226" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image45_5.jpg?itok=zzE_kmn_" title="Prahran High School. Image: Gray Puksand" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Prahran High School. Image: Gray Puksand</figcaption></figure>In addition to traditional learning and library spaces, Prahran High School will also boast break out areas, a gym, an outdoor running track/recreational area and a passive green area. Outdoor terraces will also be included across each level.

The evolution of public schooling within Melbourne's inner suburbs is a fairly recent event, headlined by the South Melbourne Primary School who's design was awarded the Future Project of the Year at the 2016 World Architecture Festival Awards. It is now heading skyward with the initial ground works giving way to the steel structure that will form the support for the six storey build.

Completion is still earmarked for the end of this year.

<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/img_7856.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="SMPS is on the rise"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="430" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_7856.jpg?itok=KvixkHrx" title="SMPS is on the rise" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>SMPS is on the rise</figcaption></figure>The vertical nature of the South Melbourne, Richmond and Prahran projects has allowed for an equal of greater number of students to be accommodated on a fraction of the land required relative to traditional school campuses. The new South Melbourne and Richmond campuses have incorporated communal facilities with their respective builds.

Prahran High School on the other hand will be built within the existing educational precinct which includes Melbourne Polytechnic and the National Institute of Circus Arts.

1,800 additional students will be accommodated across the three projects.
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Prahran's vertical school nears as South Melbourne PS powers ahead

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It endured as a paper design for years, but now a new scheme is on show for 41-49 Bank Street, South Melbourne.

Initial overtones of development for the site landed with Port Phillip during 2009, but amounted to nothing even though the project was marketed at one stage as Aero Apartments. Enter Virgate Property (Bank Street) Pty Ltd who are driving the current bid to transform the plot into a substantial residential tower.

Moved on during 2016, 41-49 Bank Street's sale at the hand of CBRE City Sales was <a href="http://www.australiannationalreview.com/chinese-developers-invest-56-million-melbourne-apartment-sites/">reportedly</a> to Chinese developer Guangdong Carrington Real Estate Group, with the previous permit for a 16-level tower of 180 apartments in tow.

Their local development arm, Virgate Property Group, is now pushing for a tower of 19 levels and 174 apartments.

<h2>41-49 Bank 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/image40_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Bank Street perspective. Planning image: Bruce Henderson Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="608" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image40_7.jpg?itok=67TYFLVR" title="Bank Street perspective. Planning image: Bruce Henderson Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bank Street perspective. Planning image: Bruce Henderson Architects</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>1,441sqm holding with in excess of 60 metres of frontage</li>
	<li>Currently a tri-level commercial building</li>
	<li>Proposed 19 level tower at 59.7m</li>
	<li>174 apartments: 37 x 1BR, 11 x 1BR+S, 126 x 2BR</li>
	<li>Apartment sizes: 46-82sqm</li>
	<li>Common areas on Levels 5 and 6</li>
	<li>Basement and above ground provisions for 124 vehicles &amp; 58 bicycles</li>
	<li>2 retail premises of 106sqm and 55sqm</li>
</ul>
Planning &amp; Property Partners are guiding the Bruce Henderson Architects-designed tower through the planning process.

The tower itself features strong vertical elements by way of white metal slats set over silver, grey and dark grey glass. The main north elevation of the proposed tower is dominated by the slats, save for a few sections of unobscured glazing, including an architectural feature within the podium which houses the development's gym. 

Having taken on a modest apartment project in Mont Albert, 41-49 Bank Street represents Virgate Property Group's first Melbourne highrise, although it's certainly not the area's first. Wedged between Dorcas Street and Park Street, 41-49 Bank Street is in the middle of a mushrooming precinct that spreads across Southbank and South Melbourne.

41-49 Bank Street is surrounded by a very healthy number of residential towers (from planning to construction) with 14 listed within the Apartments.com.au Project Database in the immediately surrounding blocks.

<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/image41_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Views from the site. Image: CBRE City Sales"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="402" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image41_3.jpg?itok=v1tPXCHF" title="Views from the site. Image: CBRE City Sales" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Views from the site. Image: CBRE City Sales</figcaption></figure><h2>41-49 Bank Street development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Virgatee Property Group</li>
	<li>Application Plans: Bruce Henderson Architects</li>
	<li>Planning: Planning &amp; Property Partners</li>
	<li>Sustainable Management Plan: ADP Consulting</li>
	<li>Daylight Assessment Report: ADP Consulting</li>
	<li>Waste Management Plan: One Mile Grid</li>
	<li>Transport Impact Assessment: One Mile Grid</li>
</ul>
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Take it to the Bank: South Melbourne's latest tower on show

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A trio of National Employment and Innovation Clusters now have their framework plans in place and available for viewing, advancing their prospects of becoming enhanced employment hubs in the medium term. 

Released by the Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, the Sunshine, Monash and La Trobe National Employment and Innovation Clusters are now a step closer to reality. Centred around medical, research and tertiary institutions across Melbourne, the National Employment and Innovation Clusters are deemed nationally significant as they attract workers, students and visitors from both Australia and overseas.

Under the guidance of the Victoria Planning Authority, the clusters will in the future be exposed to increased infrastructure spending and development in order to stimulate higher levels of employment.

Earmarking these localities as National Employment and Innovation Clusters has a multi-pronged effect; least of which is encouraging people to work local and thus somewhat alleviating the burden on Melbourne's stressed road and public transport networks. 

<blockquote>
The framework plans are high-level documents that outline key infrastructure investment and changes to planning rules needed to make sure Melbourne has a number of thriving job and innovation hubs – not just the CBD.
<cite>Victorian Planning Authority</cite>
</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/image19_15.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Monash Urban Renewal Precincts and Strategic Sites Plan"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="491" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image19_15.jpg?itok=M84EkTaj" title="The Monash Urban Renewal Precincts and Strategic Sites Plan" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Monash Urban Renewal Precincts and Strategic Sites Plan</figcaption></figure>A cited example involves changing planning laws in order to simplify and stimulate the development of hotels within the Monash Cluster, where they were previously not able to be built under outdated planning rules. Subject to heightened educational, medical and commercial development in recent years, hotel accommodation stands out as the obvious gap in Monash Cluster's development drive.

As a point of reference, Monash Cluster is currently a base for 75,000 workers.

<blockquote>
The Victorian Government is committed to growing jobs in our suburbs, so that people spend less time in their cars and more time with loved ones. When businesses form distinct hubs of industry, workers leverage off one another’s ideas, with healthy competition spurring innovation.
<cite>Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne</cite>
</blockquote>

Whilst the Sunshine, Monash and La Trobe's National Employment and Innovation Clusters have their draft framework plans in place, Dandenong South and Werribee East wait in the wings as further clusters.

Further information and respective Draft Framework Plans and be found on the <a href="https://vpa.vic.gov.au/urban-renewal/national-employment-clusters/">Victoria Planning Authority website</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/image20vpa.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Sunshine and other clusters spread across Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="404" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image20vpa.jpg?itok=BICm_Nx8" title="Sunshine and other clusters spread across Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Sunshine and other clusters spread across Melbourne</figcaption></figure>
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Melbourne's National Employment and Innovation Clusters take another step toward reality

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Affordability is the buzz word, and has been for some time in regards to Melbourne's property scene. It's quite hard to escape the plethora of articles on the pressing issue at the moment, and understandably so.

One such article in this week's AFR goes in depth on the <a href="http://www.afr.com/opinion/columnists/melbourne-holds-the-answer-to-the-housing-crisis-20170403-gvd0wv">housing affordability issue</a>, touching upon both the detached housing and apartment sector, and the differences between the two from a local perspective. In this malaise of unaffordability, one developer has taken steps to position their pending development as a genuine opportunity to secure an inner-city apartment at an affordable price.

Growland's first stage within Footscray's Victoria Square development will see 61sqm one-bedroom plus study apartments priced at $298,000. Any buyer actively looking to enter the market will be aware that the apartment size versus price outcome at Victoria Square is skewed in favour of the buyer.

In a recent media release, Growland's CEO Ronald Chan addressed the affordability quandary:

<blockquote>
The key to addressing Melbourne’s affordability lies in high rises like Victoria Square – strong, modern communities are created through high density living. It is vital that the next generation has access to quality homes, with considered, long lasting architecture, but at a price that is achievable in relation to today’s median household incomes.

Young people also need to be able to live at a reasonable distance to where they work. Melbourne’s employment precinct has traditionally been concentrated to the CBD, meaning the inner ring suburbs are incredibly important to Melbourne’s future growth.
</blockquote>

CoreLogic's median price for a one bedroom Melbourne apartment is $330,000, whilst REIV has the median Melbourne apartment price above $585,000 for the December 2016 Quarter.

With the first stage including 240 one, two and three bedroom apartments, its unclear how many single bedroom apartments are priced at $298,000. Nonetheless it will be an appealing price for a certain segment of the buyer market and an attractive hook in order to encourage buyer interest within Victoria Square.

<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_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="An apartment within Victoria Square"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image14_10.jpg?itok=o4zrbHHi" title="An apartment within Victoria Square"></a>

<figcaption>An apartment within Victoria Square</figcaption></figure>Previously dubbed Joseph Place, Victoria Square has been extensively covered by Apartments.com.au in the past.

As one of Joseph Road Precinct's power development blocks covering 13,179sqm, Growland hold approval for 939 apartments across 6 separate buildings. Stage 1 of  Victoria Square will rise 23 levels and maintain a wave-like exterior.

In addition to the 240 apartments, Stage 1's street level activation will be considerable. A retail laneway will slice through the distinctive podium, featuring 3,000sqm of retail and hosptiality space which will be built in conjunction with the first tower.

Above, the stand out communal facility is Australia’s first and only Olympic-sized aerial outdoor track. Also in tow is a residents’ pool, gym, and cinema whilst a 3,000sqm podium skypark will provide the project with a generous slab of open space.

<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/jp-01.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Victoria Square's first stage"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="773" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/jp-01.jpg?itok=K6tDvi2T" title="Victoria Square's first stage" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Victoria Square's first stage</figcaption></figure>
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Growland positions Victoria Square as an affordable buyer option

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A daring design has emerged for one of Johnston Street's premier corners.

Developer Pirovich is proposing a unique 9 level building on Johnston and Nicholson Streets, complete with hanging greenery and a distinctive central staircase that may well define the design. Fieldwork have created 329 Johnston Street, which also holds secondary frontages to 236 Nicholson Street and 37 Hunter Street.

The cross laminated timer (CLT) proposal would follow in the steps of the pioneering 10-storey Forte residential building and Docklands Library, both of which utilised the CLT method and are located within Victoria Harbour.

<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/image10_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Nicholson Street perspective. Image: Fieldwork Projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="296" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image10_10.jpg?itok=NxrSos64" title="Nicholson Street perspective. Image: Fieldwork Projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Nicholson Street perspective. Image: Fieldwork Projects</figcaption></figure>Wall, floor and roof segments are fabricated offsite, with the building method's <a href="http://www.crosslamtimber.com.au/">official website</a> showing CLT can:

<ul>
<li>Provide a carbon-neutral construction method</li>
	<li>Allow for more economic foundations and shorter construction time frames</li>
	<li>Allow for immediate access and easy procedures for follow-on trades</li>
</ul>
For their part, Pirovich describes 329 Johnston Street in the following fashion:

<blockquote>
At 329 Johnston Street Abbotsford we are proposing a beautiful and sustainable new building - retail, offices, medical suites and a hotel. The building structure will be cross laminated timber, wrapped in a stunning expanded mesh.

The building fabric is seeking to achieve <a href="http://www.passivehouse.com.au/">Passive Haus</a>, giving future occupiers of the building a happier and healthier place to work, rest and play.

As part of the new development we are setting the building back at ground level and ceding over 200sqm of the site to the public realm.
</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/image12_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Project perspectives. Image: Fieldwork Projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="286" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image12_6.jpg?itok=ooh5vn76" title="Project perspectives. Image: Fieldwork Projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Project perspectives. Image: Fieldwork Projects</figcaption></figure>The particulars of the prospective development sees a retail mix including café's, a convenience store and shops across the ground floor, with medical suites and offices accounting for levels one and two.

Subsequent floors carry 41 serviced apartments, split between 8 x 1 bedroom, 26 x 2 bedroom and 7 x 3 bedroom options. At its tallest point 329 Johnston Street would be 30.1m above ground, which would see the project as one of Johnston Street's tallest, with the yellow open stairwell facing Johnston Street running the height of the building.

Three levels of basement parking include provisions for 157 car parking spaces, whilst 70 bicycle spaces are at ground level. With an estimated cost of development at $20 million, Pirovich's ground breaking Abbotsford project is currently at <a href="http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/list-planning-applications/view-application/?ApplicationID=3715">advertising</a>.
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Pirovich's daring Abbotsford CLT/Passive House building unveiled

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Ringwood's apartment market is displaying a new-found degree of depth and maturity of late.

Whilst Apartments.com.au has in the past placed the spotlight on a handful of pending high-rise projects that will physically redefine the suburb, <a href="/new-apartments/ringwood-vic-3134">Ringwood's</a> current apartment charge is most definitely due to a squadron of low and mid-rise projects that have propelled the suburb to the fore as an apartment market of choice.

A sign of Ringwood's progression is news that has filtered through in the last week regarding the sale of a penthouse within the Eden Square project. Located across the top floor within Stage Two of the development, the 288sqm dwelling has just sold off the plan for a sizeable $2.42 million.

This follows on from the news that five apartments within the development were sold for over $1 million, whilst selling agen Marshall White Projects also oversaw the sale of all 10 apartments containing three bedrooms sold with a matter of hours during project launch.

Pushing apartment prices within the suburb to new highs, the success of the Eden Square project is very much symptomatic of Ringwood's success of late.

<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/image84_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Eden Square. Image: Marshall White Projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="266" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image84_6.jpg?itok=evTw1sb3" title="Eden Square. Image: Marshall White Projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Eden Square. Image: Marshall White Projects</figcaption></figure>Ringwood's progression is backed by data released by RPM Real Estate during March which translates the suburb's success into raw numbers.

The outer east's designated Metropolitan Activity Centre, Ringwood has and will continue to be the beneficiary of an investment pipeline which equates to $1.213 billion. According to RPM Real Estate, that investment will span 148,527sqm of non–residential floor space and 1,392 residential dwellings.

Hand in hand with these figures are the increased employment opportunities across the area; 2.8% per annum over the two years to September 2016, thus providing 8,500 plus additional jobs. RPM Real Estate data also shows that Ringwood's median house price has increased by a sizeable average of 15.6% per annum to $860,000, while its median unit price has increased by 8.9% per annum on average to $530,125.

With this increased development and employment activity, and the rise of respective median prices, Ringwood's Metropolitan Activity Centre's resident population is forecast to increase by 58% over the five years to 2021.

<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/image68_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Selection is coming to Ringwood"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="340" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image68_8.jpg?itok=KFAjDYLA" title="The Selection is coming to Ringwood" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Selection is coming to Ringwood</figcaption></figure>In light of the above figures, it would then come as no surprise that Ringwood's apartment market has reached a stage where pending releases are seeking to distinguish themselves from the pack. No longer a one-dimensional apartment market, this new level of differentiation where one project trumpets its superiority relative to others demonstrates an expanding degree of market depth.

Put quite simply Ringwood's apartment market is now large enough to offer genuine choice for prospective buyers.

<a href="/buildings/the-selection-8-bond-street-ringwood">The Selection</a> is the latest project looking to capitalise on the emerging and increasingly diverse Ringwood apartment buyer. Located at 8 Bond Street and diagonally opposite Eastland, the project which has yet to formally launch, has positioned itself as a cut above in terms of quality.

In terms of current and future projects, Apartments.com.au is tracking 16 major developments within Ringwood; the majority are dedicated apartment projects with Sage Hotel Eastland and Quest Maroondah Highway the notable exceptions. The overall number of 16 projects will invariably increase as new developments come online.

During March a revised application was submitted for <a href="/new-apartments/bond-central-48-bond-st-ringwood">48-52 Bond Street</a>. In a sign of confidence in the market, its proponents have sought to expand the development from three to seven levels, with the new plans expected to yield 90 dwellings onsite.

<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/img_0967.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Sage Hotel atop Eastland "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_0967.jpg?itok=HyxWjBtv" title="Sage Hotel atop Eastland " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Sage Hotel atop Eastland</figcaption></figure>
</body></html>

Ringwood's apartment market comes of age

<html><body>
Clarendon Street's position as a hotel and serviced apartment hub is likely to be strengthened by way of a new tower proposed for 56-62 Clarendon Street.

Already boasting Crown Metropol, Clarendon Street will also see construction commence on a Peppers hotel shortly, and is subject to a substantial hotel proposal as part of the <a href="/news/tea-for-two-southbanks-historic-tea-house-up-for-a-towering-addition">Tea House's prospective redevelopment</a>. In addition to traditional apartments, 56-62 Clarendon Street is proposed to also include 128 serviced apartments across its lower levels.

Submitted late last year, the application on behalf of developer Yang Clarendon.

<h2>56-62 Clarendon 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/image83_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression of the new Southbank tower. Planning image: Fender Katsalidis"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="925" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image83_3.jpg?itok=BquFwcHB" title="Artist's impression of the new Southbank tower. Planning image: Fender Katsalidis" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist's impression of the new Southbank tower. Planning image: Fender Katsalidis</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>1,212sqm site current utilised as a Europcar outlet and motor mechanic centre</li>
	<li>Proposed 48 level tower at 151m to roof</li>
	<li>Plot ratio: 22.6:1</li>
	<li>128 Serviced Apartments: 24 x DK 1BR, 56 x DK  Studio, 48 x Studio</li>
	<li>234 apartments: 117 x 1BR, 117 x 2BR</li>
	<li>2 retail spaces fronting Clarendon Street</li>
	<li>372sqm of amenities</li>
	<li>80 car parks &amp; 93 bicycle bays</li>
	<li>GFA: 27,214sqm</li>
</ul>
Fender Katsalidis Architects have designed the tower, with the broader development team having already responded to preliminary DELWP queries during February this year.

<blockquote>
The building facade is designed to give the overall building form a more bold and expressive appearance, with different elements working to define the podium, tower and roof of the building.

At street level the podium appears more bold and dramatic, a point of interest and excitement along the pedestrian street. The tower form appears simpler and lighter, in the background but with the facade design winding its way up towards the top. At roof level the facade folds back along the top, extending the expressive and bold facade up to the roof, to be read from afar at the scale of the wider urban context, if only slightly.
<cite>Urban Context Report</cite>
</blockquote>

At 48 levels, 56-62 Clarendon Street is among the tallest towers in the immediate area; diagonally opposite, BPM's Shadow Play is under construction whilst 334-344 City Road holds approval at 38 levels.

56-62 Clarendon Street carries a similarly themed exterior to a number of other Fender Katsalidis-designed Southbank towers such as Eureka Tower, Australia 108 and 18 Moray Street. Certainly, in the three projects below, gold highlights over a predominantly blue facade has become somewhat of a Southbank norm for the design practice.

<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/image21_12.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Gold over Blue. Images: Yellow Red Fox, Meinhardt &amp; Fender Katsalidis"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="317" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image21_12.jpg?itok=lgCyXCO6" title="Gold over Blue. Images: Yellow Red Fox, Meinhardt &amp; Fender Katsalidis" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Gold over Blue. Images: Yellow Red Fox, Meinhardt &amp; Fender Katsalidis</figcaption></figure><h2>56-62 Clarendon Street development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Yang Clarendon</li>
	<li>Architects: Fender Katsalidis Architects</li>
	<li>Planning: Urbis</li>
	<li>Land Surveyor: Breese Pitt Dixon</li>
	<li>Building Surveyor: Abdec Building Surveyors</li>
	<li>Structural and Services Engineering: WSP Structural Engineering</li>
	<li>Waste Management: Leigh Design</li>
	<li>Traffic Engineering: GTA Consultants</li>
	<li>Wind Consultant: MEL Consultants</li>
</ul>
</body></html>

Another substantial Southbank tower emerges

<html><body>
Brunswick's Nightingale 1 apartment project reached a significant milestone on Friday, with constructor <a href="/builders/project-group-construction">Project Group</a> holding a ‘Topping Out’ ceremony for the build.

Underpinned by the principles of wellbeing and liveability, the Nightingale series of apartment projects are becoming increasingly popular with purchasers, as evidenced by the 2,000 strong waiting list for future Nightingale releases. 

At <a href="/new-apartments/brunswick-vic-3056">6 Florence Street Brunswick, Nightingale 1</a> is a five-storey building containing 20 apartments, a ground floor retail space and rooftop communal gardens. The project is aiming for an average rating of 8.2 stars, and includes a shared 18kW solar array.

Nightingale's development and financial model is unique in that it advocates connected communities and sustainability, with capped project profits and a covenant upon resales ensuring affordability is passed on. Nightingale 1 is directly opposite <a href="/new-apartments/brunswick-vic-3056">The Commons</a>, which acted as the Nightingale model's test bed project.

<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/image70_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Nightingale 1's anticipated outcome"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="411" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image70_6.jpg?itok=U1UVailD" title="Nightingale 1's anticipated outcome" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Nightingale 1's anticipated outcome</figcaption></figure>Project Group have advanced the <a href="/architects/breathe-architecture">Breathe Architecture-designed</a> Nightingale 1 build to structural completion, and will now ramp up the projects fit out.

Nightingale 1 is one of a swag of residential projects currently under the guidance of Project Group, who have recently added new builds in <a href="/new-apartments/collingwood-vic-3066">Collingwood</a>, <a href="/new-apartments/richmond-vic-3121">Richmond</a>, <a href="/new-apartments/prahran-vic-3181">Prahran</a> and <a href="/new-apartments/armadale-vic-3143">Armadale</a> to their construction catalogue.

On the occasion of Nightingale 1's topping out, Project Group Managing Director Michael Robertson offered the following:

<blockquote>
We have a passion for delivering innovative projects and Nightingale is an innovative model that creates socially equitable, liveable, and affordable housing for everyday Australians. Getting into the housing market isn’t what it used to be and whilst Nightingale has a waiting list, it’s buying model is based on a ballot and it’s the only residential apartment offering that’s built to support buyers’ wellbeing and liveability.
</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/image8_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Friday morning's ceremony included the traditional tree hoisting"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="319" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image8_10.jpg?itok=XVJgw9BR" title="Friday morning's ceremony included the traditional tree hoisting" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Friday morning's ceremony included the traditional tree hoisting</figcaption></figure>Nightingale 1 has is expected to be completed later this year, whilst two further projects have also boosted Nightingale's public profile.

<a href="/buildings/nightingale-2-0-30-railway-place-fairfield">Nightingale 2 at 72A Station Street Fairfield </a>has planning approval and in an unusual move garnered over 200 letters of support for the project during its planning phase. In addition, 209 Sydney Road Brunswick has been positioned as Nightingale 3, and holds a Notice of Decision from Moreland City Council for a  seven storey building containing three retail premises, one office and 20 apartments.

Overall there are 18 Nightingale projects in development around Australia.
</body></html>

Nightingale 1 reaches a construction milestone

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sunland-group">Sunland Group</a> has officially lodged plans for its first Gold Coast apartment project since the departure of the Abedian family from the company three years ago, unveiling a new high-rise proposal for a prominent Broadbeach corner site on Old Burleigh Road.

The application was submitted by an entity directed by Tom Jamieson, stepson of longtime Sunland leader Soheil Abedian, and Riaz Rezvanipour, brother-in-law of Sahba Abedian, Soheil’s son.

Sunland acquired the 1,283 sqm site on the corner of Old Burleigh Road and Armrick Avenue for $9.5 million late last year and is now seeking approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/99-101-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">42-storey tower with 81 apartments</a>.

<img alt="First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fea2946d-90ee-4cfc-babe-2a8ad5db2cb6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers.png?VersionId=BV0fihJw31nDIQ8ozY_h3GbS8mxDyhnm" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/contreras-earl-architecture">Contreras Earl Architecture</a>, the proposed tower at 99-101 Old Burleigh Road would deliver a predominantly larger-format apartment mix aimed at the owner-occupier market. Plans include 17 two-bedroom apartments, 55 three-bedroom apartments, and nine four-bedroom residences across 35 residential levels.

The development also incorporates three basement levels, four podium parking levels, two levels of communal recreation facilities, and rooftop plant and equipment. A total of 189 car spaces are proposed, significantly exceeding the 90 spaces required under the planning scheme.

The architecture adopts a sculpted, curvilinear form, with deep wraparound balconies and integrated landscaping intended to soften the tower’s vertical expression. The planning report states the building’s “slender footprint/form provides a complimentary yet varied built form within the local streetscape” and contributes to “a varied, yet ordered skyline.”

Contreras Earl noted in its Architectural Statement that from the early stages, the project addressed a fundamental challenge: how to accommodate the required residential yield while avoiding the conventional model of a tower sitting on a rigid, fully resolved parking podium.

“The most direct response would have been to consolidate parking into a singular, flat podium and extrude a repetitive tower above,” the statement said. “While efficient, this approach would result in a consolidated built form with limited engagement with the surrounding landscape and public realm.”

Instead, the conventional podium model was “deliberately rejected”. The architects described the base of the building as “a landscaped architectural condition where structure, planting and circulation are integrated”.

“Rather than presenting a continuous built mass, the base of the building is articulated through a series of concrete planter elements that organise the podium into a fragmented system,” the statement said. “This approach reduces the perceived bulk of the lower levels while establishing a more permeable interface with the streetscape and adjacent open space.”

<img alt="Sunland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="923fad8d-c960-4527-8fbe-975cf1ddf88d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%2010.32.03%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=pngwb0hYOIUpq9vDw6F2EsOiVuHF3DiX" />

&nbsp;

The site sits within the High Density Residential Zone and inside the City of Gold Coast’s unrestricted “HX” building height area, where the planning framework anticipates intensified residential development tied to the expanding light rail corridor. The planning report notes the area is undergoing “transition toward more intense development forms” given its proximity to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, and high-frequency public transport infrastructure.

Positioned directly opposite Broadbeach Park and within walking distance of Florida Gardens light rail station, the development would sit among a rapidly evolving stretch of Old Burleigh Road that has become one of the Gold Coast’s most active apartment development corridors.

The application joins a growing pipeline of luxury residential projects reshaping Broadbeach, including nearby developments by 5Point Projects, Polycell, and Graya.

The planning report argues the project contributes toward the Gold Coast’s long-term housing targets under the South East Queensland Regional Plan, which forecasts the need for more than 100,000 additional high-rise dwellings across the city by 2046.

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-4" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-1" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-1" dir="auto">
The Abedian family departed Sunland Group in late 2023, ending a four-decade association with the company, and subsequently established the private development firm Abedian &amp; Co. The group is currently delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/greenmount-residences-cnr-hill-street-and-marine-parade-coolangatta-qld-4225">Greenmount Residences</a> at Rainbow Bay and recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/18-mary-avenue-14-18-mary-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">18 Mary Avenue</a> in Broadbeach.
</section>

Joel Robinson

First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach new apartment market with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans

The Minns Labor Government has established the new Bays West Delivery Authority to lead the development&nbsp;of the Bays West Precinct and Blackwattle Bay Precinct.&nbsp;

The Authority is charged with creating Sydney’s newest precinct, a thriving, connected, sustainable hub with White Bay Power Station as its cultural heart. Its vision is to build on the area’s natural, cultural and industrial history to shape a vibrant new neighbourhood.

The precinct will deliver up to 8,500 well-located homes, including a minimum of 10 per cent affordable and essential worker homes. Combine new housing with public open space, opening public access to the waterfront for the first time in more than 100 years, while retaining important deep-water facilities to support Sydney’s working harbour.

Located just minutes from the Sydney CBD and connected to a world-class metro, ferry, walking and cycling links, the Bays West precinct will rebalance housing growth towards well-serviced inner-city locations and help tackle the state’s housing crisis.

The Bays West Delivery Authority,&nbsp;an agency of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, will report to the NSW Minister for Lands and Property who already has oversight of major precinct renewal projects including at Blackwattle Bay and Barangaroo.

As part of the broader Bays West transformation, the Minns Government recently announced that a proposal from Lendlease to redevelop part of the Bays West Precinct has progressed to Stage 2 of the NSW Government’s unsolicited proposals process.

<img alt="Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2ed71eb9-d8e8-4fa7-b9d1-de4531dcf2f3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%209.42.31%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=IDryFIbped9SNDg72LEN_EecvhUsOPvp" />

The Minns Labor Government has also confirmed the Bays West precinct will have a new suburb name. This will be the first major suburb built in close proximity to Sydney’s CBD in decades and will encompass the area currently being referred to as Bays West, including Glebe Island and the White Bay Power Station. Served by a new Metro station just five minutes from the CBD, it will become one of the most populous suburbs in the Inner West and one of Sydney’s premier cultural destinations.

An early works program is taking shape, which&nbsp;includes the first stages of an international design competition.&nbsp;

The aim of the Bays West&nbsp;International&nbsp;Design Competition is to&nbsp;ensure design excellence is embedded in the project from the start. The competition will deliver an&nbsp;urban framework that defines the character, ambition and long-term identity of&nbsp;this&nbsp;former industrial precinct as it transitions to a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable residential&nbsp;neighbourhood.

The competition will be led by the Bays West Delivery Authority in partnership with Government Architect NSW.&nbsp;

It will launch with an invitation for a global Expressions of Interest, before moving to an invitation-only stage that will be assessed by a panel that&nbsp;will provide advice to Cabinet who will select a winner.

Premier of NSW, Chris Minns said the establishment of the new Authority is the first step in transforming the Bays West precinct into a vibrant, livable suburb minutes from the Sydney CBD and two stops from Hunter St Station on the Metro West line.

“The Authority will deliver well-located homes close to the heart of the city and integrate the new precinct with Blackwattle Bay and the new Sydney Fish Market.

“This is a generational opportunity to build a new suburb on the city’s edge and open the harbour foreshore to the public for the first time in a century.”&nbsp;

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the new Bays West Delivery Authority established by the Minns Government will turbocharge the development of Sydney’s newest suburb.

“The Authority is working at a record pace to deliver an international design competition, planning pathways and a financial model so that this development benefits Sydney with well-designed homes in a central location, close to public transport, jobs, entertainment and essential services.

“If we want Sydney to stay liveable and affordable, we need to be bold about using underutilised government-owned land to deliver homes for the future while making sure essential working harbour functions can be accommodated.”

Bays West Delivery Authority established to "turbocharge" Sydney’s newest suburb

Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.

A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.

Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.

“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.

Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.

“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.

The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.

It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.

The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.

One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.

Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.

The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.

Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.

Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.

Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.

“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”

Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.

Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.

Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.

400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.

The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.

Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" />

“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.

The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”

The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" />

The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.

According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.

“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.

A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.

Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" />

All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.

The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.

Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.

The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.

Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" />

Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.

The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.

"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.

The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.

The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" />

Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.

Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.

Mark Baljak

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