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Prime development sites continue to pour into the market, with some new and noteworthy land offerings freshly loaded onto sister website <a href="https://developmentsites.melbourne/">Development Sites Melbourne</a>.

As always the bulk of listings present as residential opportunities, with the vast majority found in suburban Melbourne. This reinforces the current trend whereby developers of both existing and prospective land holdings are favouring inner and middle suburbs over the heart of Melbourne.

One of the more prominent new listings comes in the form of <a href="https://developmentsites.melbourne/coburg/35-urquhart-street">35 Urquhart Street, Coburg</a> which forms part of the former Pentridge site. With Shayher Group and Future Estate established developers within the emerging Pentridge Precinct, 35 Urquhart Street is a sizeable 4,645sqm land holding with approval in place for 250 apartments, although RotheLowman have a scheme on offer potentially increasing the site's yield to 334 apartments.

Also one to watch is <a href="https://developmentsites.melbourne/sunshine/499-ballarat-road">499 Ballarat Road, Sunshine</a>. Within the intended Sunshine National Employment Cluster, the 10,920sqm gateway site comes with an Approved Development Plan allowing a major mixed-use project of approximately 12-14 storeys with the total approved NSA approaching 65,000sqm.

<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/image26_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Coburg and Sunshine developments offer views towards Melbourne's CBD"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="169" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image26_2.jpg?itok=hqhOdjXK" title="Coburg and Sunshine developments offer views towards Melbourne's CBD" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Coburg and Sunshine developments offer views towards Melbourne's CBD</figcaption></figure>Brunswick has something substantial to offer with the dual-fronted <a href="https://developmentsites.melbourne/sunshine/499-ballarat-road">125-131 Brunswick Road</a> listed at 5,100sqm. Set over eleven title allotments, the combined site has street frontage to Brunswick Road (45m) and Barkly Street (52m), and is positioned midway between Sydney Road and Lygon Street.

In nearby Fitzroy, <a href="https://developmentsites.melbourne/fitzroy/44-brunswick-street">44 Brunswick Street</a> has been listed with 18 luxury apartments approved atop what is now the Metropole Hotel. On offer are fully leased ground level hotel facilities, a penthouse apartment, car parking, plus building air rights which include the aforementioned apartment which are designed by Sgourakis Architects.

Maintaining the inner north-west theme and Kensington has two development sites on offer. <a href="https://developmentsites.melbourne/kensington/393-399-macaulay-road">393-399 Macaulay Road</a> maintains three street frontages and an overall site are of 1,551sqm. Holding Mixed Use zoning, six to eight levels is the nominated development outcome for the site which sits between two train stations.

<a href="https://developmentsites.melbourne/kensington/51-61-hardiman-street">51-61 Hardiman Street</a> is also up for grabs, the the tri-fronted 1,107sqm development site abutting a current planning application seeking an eight level outcome.

Ever popular Footscray has a substantial development site on offer by way of <a href="https://developmentsites.melbourne/footscray/26-30-buckley-street">26-30 Buckley Street</a>. The 1,890sqm site holds approval for a RotheLowman-designed apartment scheme of 139 apartments and five townhouses. 

<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/image27_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Kensington and Footscray come with mid-rise intentions"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="193" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image27_4.jpg?itok=vakFTsPK" title="Kensington and Footscray come with mid-rise intentions" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Kensington and Footscray come with mid-rise intentions</figcaption></figure>Skipping to the southern side of Melbourne's CBD and three prominent sites are on offer. 

<a href="https://developmentsites.melbourne/highett/1-5-dart-street">1-5 Dart Street, Highett</a> is a permit approved development of 32 apartments. In addition to the eight Highett residential projects found within the Apartments.com.au Project Database, 1-5 Dart Street which is over a 2,103sqm site adds to the growing popularity of Highett as an emerging apartment hub.

Windsor and Richmond round out the more notable recent development site listings. <a href="https://developmentsites.melbourne/windsor/168-peel-street">168 Peel Street</a> is a development opportunity set behind red brick edifices. 168 Peel Street is one of the limited development sites emanating from Windsor with the 817sqm land holding capable of accommodating a higher density outcome.
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silvermb

Current suburban development sites reinforce the prevailing development trend

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Relative newcomer <a href="/developers/dcf-property">DCF Property</a> has made a play for a mixed-use tower in the rapidly expanding fringe CBD pocket opposite Flagstaff Gardens.

With two low-rise apartment projects to their name, DCF Property are seeking to greatly expand their presence with <a href="/buildings/407-415-king-street-west-melbourne">407-415 King Street</a>. Now Flagstaff House, the West Melbourne corner site plays host to the two to three storey building which carries an individual Heritage Overlay, affording the property a B grade listing.

While the existing exterior would be incorporated under the proposal, design lead <a href="/architects/plus-architecture">Plus Architecture</a> have added a 23 level tower above which would host both a hotel and apartments.

407-415 King Street abuts two development sites. <a href="/developers/samma-property-group">SPEC Property</a> are actively marketing Flagstaff Green apartments fronting Batman Street while Haileybury College have recently completed an overhaul of 383 King Street, itself subject to a failed application for a 75 metre apartment building in recent years.

<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/flagstaff_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="407-415 King Street. Image - Plus Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/flagstaff_2.jpg?itok=XH5afeHn" title="407-415 King Street. Image - Plus Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>407-415 King Street. Image - Plus Architecture</figcaption></figure>​

<h2>407-415 King Street application summary</h2>

<ul>
<li>Submitted May 2016</li>
	<li>Existing 930sqm site home to heritage listed Flagstaff House</li>
	<li>Proposed 23 level mixed-use building at 81.3 metres atop Flagstaff House</li>
	<li>158 hotel suites</li>
	<li>70 apartments: 19 x 1BR, 47 x 2BR, 4 x Penthouse</li>
	<li>Hotel office, gym, meeting and function rooms, restaurant/bar</li>
	<li>Level 12 communal area and rooftop garden</li>
	<li>64 car parking spaces and 44 bicycle bays over four basement levels</li>
	<li>Estimated cost of development: $50 million</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/flagstaff_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="407-415 King Street. Image - Plus Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="821" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/flagstaff_3.jpg?itok=-tPCcJnh" title="407-415 King Street. Image - Plus Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>407-415 King Street. Image - Plus Architecture</figcaption></figure>​

Flagstaff House is a Yuncken Freeman design which was completed during 1968, with the heritage overlay covering the exterior only. Thus the development calls for only the facade to be retained, with the tower to rise behind.

The project's hotel and apartment components are separated by a design feature midway up the tower which also houses communal facilities. Plus Architecture refer to the separation as a truss feature, drawing a design parallel to Yuncken Freeman's timeless 140 William Street found within <a href="/new-apartments/melbourne-vic">Melbourne's CBD</a>.

One and two bedroom dwellings aside, the planning application calls for a sprawling whole floor penthouse. At 439sqm, the four bedroom penthouse shapes as one of, if not the largest apartment created within <a href="/new-apartments/west-melbourne-vic-3003">West Melbourne</a>.

Set above the penthouse is a 236sqm rooftop garden.

<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/image23_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="407-415 King Street was once Yuncken Freeman's offices. Image: Wikipedia"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="358" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image23_4.jpg?itok=eLNGkb7k" title="407-415 King Street was once Yuncken Freeman's offices. Image: Wikipedia" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>407-415 King Street was once Yuncken Freeman's offices. Image: Wikipedia</figcaption></figure>To date DCF Property's presence on the Apartments.com.au Project Database has been limited to two projects in Melbourne's eastern suburbs.

<a href="/buildings/inqu-140-cotham-road-kew">INQU at 140-142 Cotham Road, Kew</a> is completed with <a href="/builders/orange-building-solutions">Orange Building Solutions</a> delivering the project encompassing 40 apartments, six retail tenancies and one restaurant. DCF Property's other current pursuit is for a vacant block in Balwyn North.

76-78 Doncaster Road is a DKO Architecture-designed residential project which if approved adds another 60 apartments on the developer's books.

<h2>407-415 King Street development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: DCF Property</li>
	<li>Architect: Plus Architecture</li>
	<li>Planning: Planning and Property Partners</li>
	<li>ESD, Structural &amp; Services engineer: WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff</li>
	<li>Heritage: Bryce Raworth</li>
	<li>Traffic: Traffix</li>
	<li>Waste: Leigh Design</li>
	<li>Wind: SLR Consulting</li>
</ul>
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DCF Property looks to capitalise atop Flagstaff Hill

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City of Moonee Valley's two main drivers, Essendon and Moonee Ponds, continue to bubble along in terms of apartment development.

Growland's 343-349 Ascot Vale Road has been joined at planning by CBD Development Group's 1144 Mt Alexander Road. These recently submitted applications are set to add hundreds of new apartments to Moonee Ponds and Essendon respectively, with the latter to also house a full size Coles supermarket and commercial space.

Combined with Caydon's phase 2 of the former Readings site, the three shape as City of Moonee Valley's three most notable projects at planning.

The Readings or Moonee Ponds Market site now resembles a construction site with LU Simon initiating works during July on the first phase of the massive residential development which will yield in excess of 600 apartments. Of interest is phase 2 of the development which if approved will deliver Moonee Ponds its tallest building.

<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/fkmp1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Podium perspective of Caydon's Moonee Ponds tallest. Planning image: Fender Katsalidis"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="484" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fkmp1.jpg?itok=4iIZ1cfd" title="Podium perspective of Caydon's Moonee Ponds tallest. Planning image: Fender Katsalidis" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Podium perspective of Caydon's Moonee Ponds tallest. Planning image: Fender Katsalidis</figcaption></figure>A fair proportion of the 691 dwellings earmarked for phase 2 are found within a proposed 34 level tower designed by Fender Katsalidis Architects. At 107 metres it would comfortably surpass Mondo Tower's 17 levels to become Moonee Ponds' tallest building. See more renders <a href="/news">on the forum</a>.

Diagonally opposite the Readings development, The Moloney Group's 14 level apartment project at 33 Hall Street is at marketing and poised to deliver Moonee Ponds another high-rise.

Supporting these larger projects is a squad of medium and smaller apartment developments. <a href="/developments/moonee-ponds-vic-3039">28-30 Young Street</a>'s construction tender recently closed as did <a href="/buildings/parkside-apartments-64-keilor-road-essendon-north">Parkside</a>'s, while a host of additional projects such as Esse, Kin, The Alexander, MOPO and Alexa are under construction.

<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/image7_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Alexa and a nearly complete Leake Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="253" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image7_9.jpg?itok=iY2wzxUj" title="Alexa and a nearly complete Leake Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Alexa and a nearly complete Leake Street</figcaption></figure>From a sales perspective, two additional projects are poised to be offered to the public.

<a href="/buildings/curve-294-296-keilor-road-essendon-north">Curve Apartments</a> on Keilor Road is a Rothelowman-designed low-rise development on what was once a service station. While the final configuration is unknown, planning for the project envisaged 74 apartments.

Also set to launch is Alexandria at 852 Mt Alexander Road. Perched above Essendon Junction, Alexandria is an 11 Dimensions-designed 8 level apartment project with near on 60 apartments included. With the finishing touches currently being applied to the display, Alexandria is one of 6 apartment projects surrounding Essendon Station.

The largest of these is Revel Development Group's <a href="/new-apartments/linc-19-russell-street-essendon">13-21 Russell Street</a> which in its submitted version included 99 dwellings. The project was given the green light by VCAT earlier this year.

Apartments.com.au's Project Database has Mooneey Valley's major apartment centres containing the following number of active apartments: Essendon North with 370, Essendon with 666 and Moonee Ponds with a substantial 2,242.

<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/image_33.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Keilor Road's Curve. Image: curveessendon.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="301" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image_33.jpg?itok=9-QQ6CcC" title="Keilor Road's Curve. Image: curveessendon.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Keilor Road's Curve. Image: curveessendon.com.au</figcaption></figure>
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Moonee Valley flush with development activity

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The heart of Footscray is in for more change as Banco Group looks to facilitate the development of an underutilised tract of land.

With the balance of the sizeable site an at grade car park, 14 Albert Street has been earmarked for a mixed-use development. In addition to residential apartments, a cinema, supermarket, speciality shops, aged care facility, medical centres and a restaurant have all been included within the JAM Architects-designed proposal.

In its revised application, the development team has also sought to maintain activity around the development post hours.

According to the Urban Context Report, "It has long been a desire of Council to consolidate core retail within this precinct as well as facilitate a number of night-time activities that aid in maintaining security and preventing undesirables loitering within the Centre."

<h2>14 Albert Street Footscray 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/image30_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aerial perspective of the development. Planning image: JAM Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="582" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image30_8.jpg?itok=7uvDyJsJ" title="Aerial perspective of the development. Planning image: JAM Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aerial perspective of the development. Planning image: JAM Architects</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Site area: 4,776sqm with three sizeable street frontages</li>
	<li>Current use: Commercial car park</li>
	<li>Proposed 13 and 19 storey mixed use development at 64.4m</li>
	<li>235 apartments: 146 x 1BR, 89 x 2BR</li>
	<li>Six cinema complex</li>
	<li>Medical centre on first floor and a two level nursing home above</li>
	<li>Supermarket and retail space totalling 2,469sqm</li>
	<li>420 car parking spaces over two basement levels and 180 bicycle bays</li>
	<li>Public realm upgrades along each of the Albert, Paisley and Grench Street frontages</li>
</ul>
<h2>Project features</h2>

14 Albert Street's ground level is anchored by a 1,206sqm supermarket, with 8 additional retail tenancies in tow. Dual courtyards also front Paisley Street and Albert Street.

Level 1 sees a function room, cafe, restaurant, outdoor terrace and the aforementioned cinemas ring additional car parking located through the podium. Level 2 is monopolised by 13 medical suites whilst level 3 is dedicated to ancillary aged care services.

120 aged care suites consume the following two levels, with level four including an outdoor terrace. Residential apartments follow thereafter and are supported by two expansive outdoor terraces.

<h2>Banco times three</h2>

14 Albert Street follows in the footsteps of Banco Group's first foray into the area by way of 18 Albert Street. Completed by Hacer during 2014, 18 Albert Street saw the construction of residential apartments above Footscray Plaza.

Also designed by JAM Architects, 18 Albert Street's revamp also brought a sizeable public artwork to the area, with the installation of a 240-square-metre screen on Albert Street and Pailsey Street. According to LED manufacturer Megabay, "The screen titled ‘<a href="http://www.megabay.com.au/recent-projects">Centricity</a>’, is Victoria’s largest LED-programmed steel sculpture designed by Melbourne artist Matthew Harding and symbolises Footscray’s diversity."

With 14 Albert Street set to join 18 Albert Street, Banco Group via their entity Paisley Pty Ltd still have a remaining central Footscray development site in the works, likely to be the nearby Forges site which will be subject to a separate planning application.

<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/174_a.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The revamped Footscray Plaza. Image: Hacer"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="294" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/174_a.jpg?itok=fKBPBd0g" title="The revamped Footscray Plaza. Image: Hacer" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The revamped Footscray Plaza. Image: Hacer</figcaption></figure><h2>14 Albert Street Footscray development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Paisley Pty Ltd / Banco Group</li>
	<li>Architect: JAM Architects</li>
	<li>Planning: G2 Urban Planning</li>
	<li>Traffic &amp; waste Assessment: Salt 3</li>
	<li>Sustainable Management Plan: Edifice</li>
	<li>Landscape Plan: Rush Wright and Associates</li>
	<li>Wind impact Assessment: MEL Consultants</li>
</ul>
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Banco pushes further into Footscray

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Of the 107 listings falling within City of Yarra throughout the Apartments.com.au Project Database, a mere seven are solely commercial in use.

Whilst residential projects rule the roost, recent months have seen three of the municipality's larger commercial developments enter planning. These projects are set to be joined by what shapes as Fitzroy's tallest commercial development, located at 151-159 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy.

After recently acquiring the 1,684sqm corner block, expanding local developer Angelo Property Group in conjunction with Pulitano Transport Group is looking to press ahead with the outfit's largest project thus far. At 16 levels the commercial tower shapes as a significant addition to Fitzroy's skyline, and will also boost the area's largest commercial footprint.

<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_2022.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rendered image of Angelo Property Group's intended 151-159 Victoria Parade"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="742" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_2022.jpg?itok=H9mkvZRH" title="Rendered image of Angelo Property Group's intended 151-159 Victoria Parade" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendered image of Angelo Property Group's intended 151-159 Victoria Parade</figcaption></figure>With a nominal value of $180 million, 151-159 Victoria Parade is expected to be retained by Angelo Property Group upon completion. 

Ground floor sees a large showroom space set aside for a prestige automotive brand, whilst the intended tower's position surrounded by various institutions will see it aimed squarely at medical, education and corporate organisations. 2019 has been nominated as the completion date for 151-159 Victoria Parade.

As mentioned, Angelo Property Group's tower is not the only commercial project in the pipeline within City of Yarra. <a href="/developments/cremorne-vic-3121">9-11 Cremorne Street</a> entered planning during March, <a href="/developments/collingwood-vic-3066">80-90 Johnston Street, Collingwood</a> during April and Grocon unveiled plans during May for <a href="/buildings/2-16-northumberland-street-collingwood">2-16 Northumberland Street, Collingwood</a>.

A ClarkeHopkinsClarke design, the Johnston Street office project is aiming to add near enough to 8,000sqm of prime office space whilst Grocon have employed John Wardle Architects for their 13 level development which absorbs part of the existing onsite Telstra exchange building.

Waiting in the wings is Malaysian developer TRC Synergy Berhad's <a href="/developments/burnley-vic-3121">East Edge Botanicca</a> office project which has been at leasing for some time. The initial 6,200sqm strata office block is set to add to the already well established Botanicca campus office precinct found in Burnley.

<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/image27_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="110 Church Road and 13 Cremorne Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="285" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image27_3.jpg?itok=1tYAqfwI" title="110 Church Road and 13 Cremorne Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>110 Church Road and 13 Cremorne Street</figcaption></figure>At the smaller end of the scale, current builds adding to City of Yarra's commercial stock are found in Richmond and Cremorne. Buildcept is advancing <a href="/developments/richmond-vic-3121">110 Church Street</a> whilst 13 Cremorne Street is delivering 2,900sqm on a block of 530sqm.

A design by Architects EAT, the boutique 13 Cremorne Street also sees a penthouse event space atop the building whose design highlight involves folded metal facade elements.
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Yarra receives a commercial boost, including plans for Fitzroy's tallest office building

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Another of Melbourne's batch of sizeable apartment projects is closer to reality, with a construction tender now open for <a href="/buildings/queens-place-157-a-beckett-street-and-370-queen-street-melbourne">Queens Place</a> Tower 1. The tender process was initiated mid July with developer 3L Alliance expecting construction to begin toward the end of the year or early next year.

Queens Place is currently 81% sold. Consisting of dual residential towers spanning 246 metres in height, Queens Place is a joint design between firms Cox Architecture and Fender Katsalidis Architects, with Hecker Guthrie handling the interiors.

Fronting La Trobe Street and Queen Street, the $1 billion dollar project covers a 7,295sqm site and will include the retention of KTS House at 350 Queen Street, in addition to roughly 1,700 apartments spread over two towers.

<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/qppodium.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="An elevated perspective of the podium. Image: 3L Alliance"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/qppodium.jpg?itok=B0UpdEyG" title="An elevated perspective of the podium. Image: 3L Alliance" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>An elevated perspective of the podium. Image: 3L Alliance</figcaption></figure>The sheer size of both site and project has facilitated a design that includes a mass of services at ground level.

Shaping as a prime example of a vertical master-planned community, Queens Place joins the likes of West Side Place and Southbank's approved 93-119 Kavanagh Street in bringing a gamut of uses throughout its lower levels.

Queens Place will include a criss-cross network at ground level of public spaces, including a laneway running from La Trobe Street to A'Beckett Street.·A central public plaza will be surrounded by a supermarket, medical clinic, crèche, professional office space and shared facilities for a farmers market, outdoor cinema and/or art exhibitions.

Across its lower levels, Queens Place has been designed by the development team to enhance the way in which pedestrians interact with their surroundings. Currently the site is dominated by a single level car park that was built as an infill development a little over a decade ago.

<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/qplobby.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Queens Place's lobby. Image: 3L Alliance"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/qplobby.jpg?itok=21PI8o6C" title="Queens Place's lobby. Image: 3L Alliance" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Queens Place's lobby. Image: 3L Alliance</figcaption></figure>The twin-tower project is arguably a genuine master-planned community, albeit a vertical one.

Queens Place will sit in stark contrast to many of the contemporary apartment projects appearing through the northern reaches of Melbourne's CBD, which are located on smaller single tower sites, lacking the size capacity to incorporate extensive public features. City of Melbourne's Munro site shapes as the next project that will have a highly interactive and permeable public podium interface, with a 200 plus metre residential tower tipped to sit above.

On a wider note, Queens Place's construction start will likely coincide with those of <a href="/new-apartments/union-tower-296-300-little-lonsdale-street-melbourne">Union Tower</a>, <a href="/buildings/399-little-lonsdale-street-melbourne">399 Little Lonsdale Street</a> and Iglu's student accommodation project at <a href="/new-apartments/iglu-229-franklin-street-melbourne">229 Franklin Street</a>, providing the northern CBD with its next wave of construction activity.
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Construction beckons for Queens Place

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It's intriguing to take note of how differing interests play out in the Australian property development industry.

In stark contrast to Sydney's regimented planning controls which have long been in place and Melbourne's recently overhauled inner-city planning controls which are now in play, Urban Taskforce Australia (UTA) last Friday called for a greater number of taller towers across Australia's major cities. The call was made via UTA's <a href="http://www.urbantaskforce.com.au/urbanideas/july2016/?page=1">Urban Ideas</a> magazine and places the peak body at odds with current policy.

Representing Australia's most prominent property developers, UTA acts with a heavily slanted view toward the New South Wales property industry, so it comes as no surprise that they have shown concern over Sydney's inability to maintain pace with the rest of the nation (essentially Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast) in the race to create taller skyscrapers.

Whether this is materially relevant to Sydney's growth and prosperity is of course debatable, but UTA argues that increased tower height has a direct relationship to accommodating increased population growth.

The latest Urban Ideas issue shows that Sydney and Parramatta combined will sport only three of Australia's future top 20 tallest towers. Seen below is the up-to-date Urban Ideas table highlighting Australia's current and future tallest 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/image15_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Urban Taskforce Australia's cyrrent and proposed tall towers list. Source: CTBUH via UTA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="426" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image15_4.jpg?itok=PESCyiM1" title="Urban Taskforce Australia's cyrrent and proposed tall towers list. Source: CTBUH via UTA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Urban Taskforce Australia's current and proposed tall towers list. Source: CTBUH via UTA</figcaption></figure><h2>Australian cities will need to grow up rather than out</h2>

<blockquote>
Australian cities have grown over the last 200 years on the suburban, garden city model. As these cities grew to 2 or 3 million the low rise model could still work but with Sydney now at 5 million, travel to work has led to massive congestion.

Further horizontal spread will be limited so an increase in densities and heights will be essential to accommodate the growth predicted. 
<cite>UTA Chief Executive Officer: Chris Johnson</cite>
</blockquote>

Melbourne has been doing some growing of its own over recent years, with a well publicised squad of 200 metre plus towers ranging from planning through to construction.

It has been a little over a year since discretionary plot ratios, mandatory podium height, mandatory setback requirements and mandatory height controls were introduced, intending to provide better amenity outcomes for new inner city developments. Has this policy change adversely affected Melbourne's development industry in any tangible way?

There has been a noticeable slow down in large scale applications handled by the State, but is that the work of policy or organic market forces?

Developers are a shrewd lot and it could be argued that they have merely followed prevailing trends. The buyers current appetite now lies with larger dwellings within smaller projects, with the middle and outer suburbs now doing the heavy lifting of absorbing buyer demand whilst the CBD in particular absorbs higher levels of supply.

Merely asking for taller developments for the sake of continuing growth is an interesting stance as taken by the UTA. Does it really matter that Sydney has a disproportionately small representation of the nation's tallest 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/img_6952.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne's move upwards is in full swing"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_6952.jpg?itok=KyNzPsUO" title="Melbourne's move upwards is in full swing" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne's move upwards is in full swing</figcaption></figure><h2>Melbourne standing tall</h2>

Policy aside the roll-out of new Melbourne skyscrapers continues at pace.

With Brady Group's Vision Apartments approaching practical completion, six additional projects over 200 metres are at construction. Such is the lag between entering planning and reaching construction, the policy changes implemented by the current State Government last year will have almost an immaterial effect upon the roll-out of projects such is their lengthy delivery timeline.

Massive projects yet to appear on the skyline include <a href="/new-apartments/150-queen-street-melbourne">Tower Melbourne</a>, <a href="/buildings/queens-place-157-a-beckett-street-and-370-queen-street-melbourne">Queens Place</a>, <a href="/buildings/west-side-place-melbourne-250-spencer-street-melbourne-vic-3000">West Side Place Towers 1 and 2</a>, <a href="/buildings/melbourne-square-93-119-kavanagh-street-southbank">96 Kavanagh Street</a> and <a href="/new-apartments/38-freshwater-place-southbank">38 Freshwater Place</a>. 

Even with rejigged planning laws there still remains scope for exceedingly high towers to take their place in Melbourne's skyline. Crown's hulking <a href="/new-apartments/one-queensbridge-street-1-23-queensbridge-street-southbank">Southbank mixed-use project</a>, <a href="/new-apartments/51-65-clarke-street-southbank">51-65 Clarke Street</a> and Sterling Global's Jean Nouvel-designed <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">383 La Trobe Street</a> are examples of skyscrapers that have been submitted post the new planning regime, with the shortest of the trio at 239 metres.
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Tall tales and Sydney's slump in the skyscraper stakes

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Cremorne-based Spacious Property Group have teamed with Hayball to create the developer's next two apartment projects.

Pending approval, St Kilda and West Melbourne will house the respective mid-rise projects, adding to Spacious Property Group's sole current Melbourne project located opposite Blackburn Station.

The St Kilda project involves a 2,110sqm site at 54-60 St Kilda Road which the developer secured at the turn of the year for a reported $13.7 million. The current low-rise commercial complex will make way for a 10 storey residential building holding 103 dwellings, including apartments, townhouses and three bedroom penthouses.

 504sqm of retail space is spread across the design's St Kilda Road frontage, whilst the facade features an urban lighting installation involving colour-programmed LED luminaires set behind perforated vertical metal screens.

 54-60 St Kilda Road adds to the recent upswing of apartment projects at St Kilda Junction; the largest of which is a 28 level tower slated for <a href="/new-apartments/8-12-punt-road-st-kilda">8-12 Punt Road.</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/image13_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="54-60 St Kilda Road. Planning image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="356" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image13_8.jpg?itok=TrhvmW1P" title="54-60 St Kilda Road. Planning image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>54-60 St Kilda Road. Planning image: Hayball</figcaption></figure>In West Melbourne, Spacious Property Group is attempting to pass its site through planning once more, post the rejection of an initial attempt for a <a href="/news/planning-application-488-494-la-trobe-street-west-melbourne">32 level residential tower</a>. The site at 488-494 La Trobe Street is back at planning with Hayball undertaking the revised design process that has now asked for a more modest 19 levels.

Within the tower 118 apartments are sought with one, two and two plus study options included. Two retail tenancies are at ground level, whilst 95 bicycle and 28 car parking spaces are located within a solitary basement level.

On its initial planning pass, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VCAT/2015/1895">VCAT provided</a> the following assessment on the initial 32 level version:

<blockquote>
We conclude that the proposed building is not an acceptable design response to it physical and policy setting due to its overall height, massing and lack of side or rear setbacks. We consider these are inconsistent with its existing and preferred character setting.

We do not seek to determine what an appropriate response is for this site as this is not our role. However, based on our concerns about visual bulk and direct amenity impacts we note that even if the height of the building was significantly reduced (even below 40 metres) it would not resolve our concerns about the direct building interface on boundary to the north and east or concerns with internal amenity.
</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_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The revised 488-494 La Trobe Street. Planning image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="412" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image10_7.jpg?itok=dXE3QQGw" title="The revised 488-494 La Trobe Street. Planning image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The revised 488-494 La Trobe Street. Planning image: Hayball</figcaption></figure>Spacious Property Group's Melbourne development pipeline is rounded out with 55-65 Railway Road, Blackburn. Purchased by the developer with a planning permit in place, the project was quickly taken to market under the moniker of <a href="/buildings/boardwalk-55-railway-road-blackburn">Boardwalk Blackburn</a>.

The CHT Architects-designed development sees 33 apartments set above 7 retail tenancies over a 1,475sqm triple fronted site. Orange Building Solutions currently have the project above ground with construction with a likely finish date approaching the new year.
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Spacious and Hayball team up to create two new residential projects

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After more than a decade of development activity within the Victoria Gardens precinct, Salta Properties is poised to launch their latest residential project within the precinct that will account for the bulk of the former MFB training college site.

Park House will add a further 539 apartments into the priority development zone which Salta has all but made its own. Fronting Victoria Street, Walmer Street and the Yarra River, Park House is also one of the final development sites in play along the Yarra River in the precinct.

The Victorian Government is in the process of introducing tighter planning controls for the Yarra River, with the aim of better managing development along its banks.

Completed during 2003, Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre has acted as a catalyst for the precinct, with Salta Properties subsequent development activity focused on mid-rise residential and commercial projects. Situated on a portion of the former MFB training college site which spans 17,000sqm, Park House also continues the long-standing association between developer and design practice SJB Architects in the area. 

<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/image5ph.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Victoria Street perspective of the new development. "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="431" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image5ph.jpg?itok=i-93FEtm" title="Victoria Street perspective of the new development. " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Victoria Street perspective of the new development.</figcaption></figure>Similar to the adjoining Green Square development, Park House's footprint has been arranged around a large internal garden with adjoining communal facilities in tow.

Park House will see a mass of amenities folded into the project, including a home theatre, golf simulator, bike workshop, children's playroom and library. These are in addition to traditional features such as a gym, pool and lounge.

Likely owing to its proximity to the Yarra, Park House also sees a higher degree of landscaping and active frontages than adjacent projects. Walmer Street will be remodelled into a piazza of sorts while Park House's frontage to the Yarra River will be broken by terraced greenery.

<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/image7ph.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Amenities on show within Park House"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="555" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image7ph.jpg?itok=3mwuPsoT" title="Amenities on show within Park House" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Amenities on show within Park House</figcaption></figure>The arrival of Park House follows on from the recent completion of Salta's A Place To Live with 61 apartments included. The developer's previous projects within the precinct include 400 apartments and 96 serviced apartments within Green Square and a further 355 apartments within RAPTL.

Salta has also built 35,000 square metres of commercial space at Victoria Gardens.

The recent VCAT approval of 649 Victoria Street adds to Salta's forthcoming projects within the precinct, as do a number of development sites east of Victoria Garden

Salta Is also placed to further deliver additional higher density living to a site south of Victoria Gardens. Dubbed Burnley Terrace, concept designs show an outcome as high as 20 levels for the site. Eventually Salta can expect to develop in excess of 2,000 apartments in the precinct.

<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/untitled-3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Previous Salta projects along Burnley street. Image: Salta Properties"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="306" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/untitled-3.jpg?itok=hRhIq3Bd" title="Previous Salta projects along Burnley street. Image: Salta Properties" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Previous Salta projects along Burnley street. Image: Salta Properties</figcaption></figure>
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Park House adds to the Victoria Gardens precinct

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The latest prospective Fishermans Bend entrant to be unveiled comes in the form of a peckvonhartel-designed 41 storey apartment tower, with a unique corten steel sculpture worked into the design.

Successfully delivering projects for over 35 years, peckvonhartel are an established Melbourne presence although their forays into high-rise design are few and far between. Subject to their design is the former Laycock Son and Co. woollen mills, otherwise known as Laconia Woollen Mills at 179-185 Normanby Road.

Located within Montague Precinct, the 3,439sqm Laconia Woollen Mills buildings is under the control of Normanby Group Holdings Pty Ltd, who are seeking a tower positioned to the rear of the large site.

<h2>179-185 Normanby Road, Southbank 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/image19_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Street level perspective of the intended tower.Planning image: peckvonhartel"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="848" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image19_9.jpg?itok=uw8UudK1" title="Street level perspective of the intended tower.Planning image: peckvonhartel" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Street level perspective of the intended tower. Planning image: peckvonhartel</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Application submitted: 27/05/2016</li>
	<li>Laconia Woollen Mills site area: 2,008sqm</li>
	<li>Proposed 41 storey tower at 149.8 metres</li>
	<li>291 apartments: 56 x 1BR, 176 x 2BR, 59 x 3BR</li>
	<li>4003.75sqm of commercial office space &amp; one retail space at 404.12sqm</li>
	<li>191 car parking spaces including 45 commercial spaces (existing)</li>
	<li>191 bicycle parking spaces including 32 commercial spaces and 11 commercial visitor spaces</li>
	<li>842.43sqm of communal space</li>
</ul>
<h2>Internal inclinations</h2>

Internal areas for the project see the following: one-bedroom apartments range between 50sqm-52sqm, two-bedroom apartments range between 70sqm-94sqm and three-bedroom apartments weigh in at between 84sqm-128sqm.

City of Port Phillip have noted in their preliminary report on the application that the 20% of dwellings are dedicated toward three-bedroom dwellings, which far exceeds Council's preference of at least 10% of apartments contain three bedrooms.

Conversely Council also note that no affordable or social housing is proposed as part of the application. The Fishermans Bend Strategic Framework Plan states that for developments containing 200 or more dwellings, an affordable housing component should be considered.

<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/image20_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Landscaped external terrace atop the Laconia building. Planning image: peckvonhartel"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="230" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image20_5.jpg?itok=oiSktnX8" title="Landscaped external terrace atop the Laconia building. Planning image: peckvonhartel" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Landscaped external terrace atop the Laconia building. Planning image: peckvonhartel</figcaption></figure>Internally, peckvonhartel's design features multiple communal facilities which include lounge rooms over level 11, a cinema room, gym, children's playroom and an expansive rooftop area above the Laconia Woollen Mills building.

<h2>Corten of contention</h2>

Externally 179-185 Normanby Road would also see works to the public realm on Doran Street, with road narrowing and the delivery of planters, timber decking areas and timber pergolas.

Most notable is the corten steel sculpture that sits between the existing and proposed buildings, and shapes as a relief from typical Fishermans Bend proposals which see scant few sculptural features design into prospective buildings.

City of Port Phillip have raised concerns that both the sculpture and tower would overwhelm the existing Laconia Woollen Mills building which is subject to a heritage overlay. Also falling foul of City of Port Phillip officers is the proposal's lack of connection between Woodgate Street and Doran Street, inactive podium facing Doran Street and the impractical nature of the public works proposed.

In 179-185 Normanby Road's current form Council officers have recommended that Council advise the Minister that it does not support the application as proposed.
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Corten of contention: peckvonhartel's new Fishermans Bend tower in focus

A collection of just 25 large-format apartments and penthouses overlooking Goodwin Park is entering the Coolangatta market, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marea-residences-coolangatta-27-27a-dixon-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Maréa Residences</a> combining a low-density, residential-only approach with uninterrupted park and Pacific Ocean outlooks.

Located at 27 Dixon Street, Maréa comprises three and four-bedroom residences alongside a limited number of dual-level penthouses, with the project positioned between Goodwin Park and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/coolangatta-qld-4225">Coolangatta</a>’s coastal precinct.

Construction has commenced, with completion currently estimated for late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374005]

The project has been designed around its northern outlook across the park, with the building’s architecture, landscaping and material palette intended to establish a connection with the neighbouring green space. The residences have been configured to maximise natural light and views across Goodwin Park towards the ocean.

Inside, the material palette incorporates timber, stone and brushed brass, complemented by curved detailing and ambient lighting. Kitchens and bathrooms carry the same natural material approach, while residences also include basement parking, storage and lift access.

Maréa’s penthouses are arranged over two levels and include private pools, adding another layer to the project’s focus on larger-format apartment living. Across the development, residences are configured with three or four bedrooms rather than the broader mix of smaller apartment types commonly found in larger projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374010]

Resident amenity is concentrated at rooftop level, where landscaped entertaining terraces and pools take advantage of elevated views across Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean.

The project has so far been particularly well received by local owner-occupiers and downsizers, according to Urban Activation Property Sales and Marketing Director Matt George, with the residential-only format, construction quality and northern park outlook among the features resonating with purchasers.

“The uninterrupted northern aspect overlooking Goodwin Park has been a key point of difference, with buyers attracted to the sense of serenity and open space the park provides, while still enjoying easy access to the ocean and being within walking distance of the lifestyle and amenities Coolangatta has to offer,” George said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374002]

“The combination of high-quality construction, a residential-only building, park outlook and proximity to the beach has resonated strongly with the local downsizer market.”

The Dixon Street address is within walking distance of Coolangatta Beach and the broader southern Gold Coast coastline, including the surf breaks at Snapper Rocks and Kirra. Coolangatta’s cafés, restaurants and retail are nearby, while Gold Coast Airport is also within close proximity.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150999]

Joel Robinson

Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

Melbourne developer PDG has secured Victorian Government approval for its $1.5 billion Southbank development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-one-1-queens-bridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The One</a>, clearing the way for the long-dormant riverfront site opposite Crown to finally be developed.

The Minister for Planning has approved the project at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street, with the Department of Transport and Planning issuing the planning permit following its assessment.

The approval will allow PDG to develop the prominent 5,059 sqm site with a major mixed-use tower comprising premium apartments, including branded residences, a luxury hotel and boutique office space.

PDG acquired the site in late 2024, with its position directly opposite Crown's main entrance and near Melbourne's Arts Precinct making it one of Southbank's most significant remaining development opportunities.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3933013e-6332-4386-b9be-089df05caf17" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.22%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sITIgBqDL0N3VNSMwWEmF5UA.uvcsRyu" />

Designed by COX in collaboration with ODO and PDG, the tower's architecture draws on the movement of the Yarra River, with six vertical pleats running the height of the sculpted facade.

The project will also see the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel restored and incorporated into the development&nbsp;with new hospitality and public uses, including a rooftop venue.

A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.

More than 5,000 sqm of resident facilities will be delivered across a single level, making it one of the largest consolidated residential amenity offerings proposed in an Australian apartment development.

The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73167fcd-1031-4b6f-a408-a064cfe45ed1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Pf1AEWxw6SNmBqR0zQW5lyEze.MtxgFp" />

The existing square will be revitalised as a new civic and pedestrian space along the Yarra River, strengthening the connection between the project, Southbank and the riverfront.

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the approval represented a major milestone for a site which has remained largely underutilised for more than 15 years.

“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.

“For more than 15 years, this site has remained underutilised. This approval enables us to deliver a project that will contribute meaningfully to the revitalisation of Southbank, restore and reactivate an important heritage building, and create a new civic and hospitality destination for Melbourne.”

The latest approval follows an earlier planning permit issued by the City of Melbourne covering demolition works across part of the site at 9-29 Queens Bridge Street. Those demolition and early works are already underway.

PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.

PDG secures approval for $1.5bn Southbank apartment development, The One

Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

First look: Harridan plans Burke Street transformation beside Boggo Road transport hub

IN BRIEF

<ul>
	<li>
	Just three double-storey Sky Homes sit at the top of The Waterline, each with its own private marina berth and rooftop terrace.
	</li>
	<li>
	Construction on The Waterline is complete, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.
	</li>
	<li>
	Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and are priced from $3.65 million.
	</li>
</ul>

<hr />
Lewis Land has opened the first completed sky home for inspection at Harbour Shores, giving buyers their first opportunity to step inside one of just three double-storey residences crowning The Waterline.

Each sky home comes with its own private marina berth, rooftop terrace and Broadwater views, combining the scale of a larger home with direct access to the boating lifestyle that underpins the wider <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> masterplan.

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Lewis Land Head of Development Michael Long said the inclusion of a berth with every Sky Home had become increasingly valuable as marina access across the Gold Coast tightened.

“Marina berths are becoming increasingly difficult to secure across the Gold Coast, so including one with every Sky Home makes this a genuinely rare offering,” Long said.

“The private 70-berth marina will accommodate boats up to 12 metres in length and is positioned just 2.5 kilometres from the Broadwater, placing the open ocean only 15 minutes away.

“Being able to step out of your home onto your boat is a rare luxury, and it’s something residents here can look forward to when it opens later this year.”

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The display opening comes as construction completes on The Waterline, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.

The three Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and each feature three bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive kitchens with butler's pantries and large balconies taking in the Broadwater outlook.

Each residence also has three secure basement car spaces and additional storage.

“This is the first opportunity the Gold Coast has had to step into Harbour Shores and see, touch and feel what we’re bringing to life here,” Long said.

“There are only three Sky Homes within The Waterline, ranging in size from 282sqm to 367sqm, with each residence featuring three large bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive custom-built kitchens with butler’s pantry, and large balconies capturing Broadwater views.”

<img alt="Harbour Shores" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bab65e10-4fab-45e1-92d8-fc56e2ab98ff" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%202.00.16%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=XT8q76LsPkw3cYTsvN3JfFDaPLud90PN" />

Residents of The Waterline will have access to a private pool, along with Harbour Shores' wider collection of amenity including a lagoon pool, social clubhouse, tennis court, gym, yoga facilities and sauna.

Lewis Land partnered with Studio Collective to furnish the completed display, with the interiors designed to demonstrate how the residences could function as permanent homes rather than simply as show apartments.

Studio Collective Director Melissa Park said the surrounding waterways informed the interiors, but in a more restrained way than a traditional coastal scheme.

“We drew inspiration from the canals and coastal surrounds, but our approach was to interpret that subtly through layered materials and a grounded palette of earthy tones, rather than literal coastal references,” Park said.

“We introduced hero moments of green and teal to reference the surrounding waterways, while mirrored elements help reflect natural light.

“The result is a residence that feels elevated yet comfortable, somewhere buyers can genuinely imagine themselves living, entertaining and unwinding.”

Sky Homes are priced from $3.65 million.

Lewis Land is also offering private marina berths with The Residences, its limited collection of three and four-bedroom villas positioned directly along the Harbour Shores waterfront boardwalk.

Three-bedroom villas are priced from $2.99 million, while four-bedroom residences start from $3.19 million.

Harbour Shores is being marketed by Colliers International.

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Lewis Land opens sky home display as The Waterline completes at Harbour Shores

St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia has filed plans for a major mixed-use housing precinct on the southern edge of the North Sydney CBD, adding another significant proposal to a pocket around North Sydn​ey Station that is quickly becoming one of the LGA's busiest development zones.

The State Significant Development Application covers a 5,990 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1-19-mackenzie-street-lavender-bay-nsw-2060">1-19 MacKenzie Street and 211 Blues Point Road in Lavender Bay</a>, immediately south of Nor​th Sydney Station and between the commercial core and the lower-rise Lavender Bay Heritage Conservation Area.

Designed by Wardle, the proposal would deliver a new residential tower comprising 88 build-to-sell apartments and 19 affordable apartments, alongside a separate co-living building with 57 rooms and a building manager's studio.

It would also see the significant restoration and upgrade of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the adaptive reuse of the former school building, new parish facilities, retail, a new public square and around 1,000 sqm of publicly accessible open space.

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The project is seeking a concurrent rezoning of the site to R4 High Density Residential and an increase in the maximum building height to allow a tower reaching RL120, or up to 20 storeys. The proposal was progressed through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The build-to-sell component will be weighted toward larger apartments, with just six one-bedroom apartments compared with 31 two-beds, 43 three-beds and eight four-bedroom residences.

The 19 affordable apartments will comprise two studios, 15 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments, taking the total apartment component to 107 residences before the 58 co-living rooms are included.

<img alt="Vnnies" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7d568ca5-cb90-4e18-96c6-d9795dba0c56" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GY2R5M9VtQh0EKy1vajaea19PSLOPuRD" />

Wardle's design for the Vinnies site has sought to negotiate that emerging high-rise context while retaining the lower-scale character of MacKenzie Street and the adjoining heritage conservation area.

The main building adopts a three-storey podium and tower arrangement, with the podium aligned to the ridgeline and front setback of St Francis Xavier Church.&nbsp;Wardle has designed the podium with colonnades, seating, recessed entries and active ground-floor frontages, with sandstone-toned precast concrete and face brick referencing the materiality of the existing church.

The tower then steps back eight metres to the south and six metres to the north before rising in a sculpted form comprising four interlocking quadrants. Wardle has also introduced rounded forms and chamfered corners to reduce the tower's perceived bulk and improve view sharing with neighbouring development sites.

Resident facilities and outdoor areas are planned at the separation between the podium and tower at Level 3, oriented toward Sydney Harbour and the CBD skyline.

The tower itself will feature a glass reinforced concrete facade, with recessed balconies and deep reveals used both to provide shading and privacy and frame views toward the harbour and city. The lower levels take a different architectural approach, using brick and sandstone-toned finishes intended to establish a stronger relationship with St Francis Xavier Church. The Church itself will be conserved and upgraded for its continued use, while the former school building will be adaptively reused as part of the co-living component.

<img alt="Lavendar Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d4418ad-90aa-4d49-af93-c80b140aea80" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.09.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Kv4gzbsACaGvZSRuaqcfGC54jEJRXIDJ" />

&nbsp;

The proposal adds to an increasingly concentrated pipeline of residential development around Blue Street, MacKenzie Street and Lavender Bay.

Just west of the site, Central Element lodged plans earlier this year for one of the most significant residential developments proposed in Lavender Bay in recent years.

Central Element's SJB-designed scheme at 64-66 Lavender Street and 3-7 Middlemiss Street would deliver 163 apartments across two towers rising 23 and 32 storeys, replacing five existing apartment buildings containing 32 homes. The project also forms part of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-central-element-reveals-lavender-bay-apartment-plans?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">First look: Central Element reveals Lavender Bay apartment plans</a>

Immediately around North Sy​dney Station, another two significant proposals have emerged at 5 and 15 Blue Street.

Zurich Australian Insurance Properties is seeking to adaptively reuse its longstanding commercial building at 5 Blue Street, directly above North Sydney Station, rather than demolishing the structure.

Its SSDA proposes converting the building into a 14-storey mixed-use development with 62 apartments and 86 co-living rooms, together with ground-floor retail and a major refurbishment of Blue Street Plaza. The application is currently at the Response to Submissions stage.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-zurich-targets-north-sydney-office-conversion-with-148-unit-proposal-above-metro-station">First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station</a>

&nbsp;

Mark Baljak

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