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It's unprecedented times for Brunswick and surrounding suburbs Brunswick East and Brunswick West. Never before have the trio of postcodes been so popular with Melbourne's apartment builders with 13 separate projects currently under construction.

The yield of apartments from these projects is set to exceed 1,300 dwellings. Brunswick East leads the way with seven projects under construction, followed by Brunswick with four and Brunswick West with two.

Sourcing Apartments.com.au's Project Database, the area is traditionally dominated by medium-sized apartment projects averaging 40-50 dwellings, although the current count of 1,300 apartments under construction is skewed by two large projects which jointly account for approximately 700 apartments 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/image40_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ettaro and York Brunswick West are underpinning the area's construction progress"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="221" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image40_4.jpg?itok=te8wrDOg" title="Ettaro and York Brunswick West are underpinning the area's construction progress" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ettaro and York Brunswick West are underpinning the area's construction progress</figcaption></figure>The largest with 400 plus apartments is Brunswick East's Hayball-designed Ettaro which is rapidly approaching completion at the hands of LU Simon, whilst York Brunswick West has seen works begin on the second phase of the project for developer R.Corporation.

Most recent to begin construction have been The Moreland and Protec Property Group's The Dux located adjacent to Anstey Station. A long time favourite of Apartments.com.au, Anstey Precinct as it has been christened is a pocket of Brunswick dedicated toward urban renewal/higher density living.

Joining The Dux under construction within Anstey Precinct are Hendrix Apartments and 8 Bresse Street, with the much publicised Nightingale Apartments on Florence Street set to begin its build. Post its visit to VCAT and subsequent minor design alterations, Nightingale is now poised to become the latest project within Anstey Precinct to offer "delivery of tangible, meaningful, visitable and assessable built outcomes," following in the footsteps of <a href="/news/is-this-melbournes-best-new-residential-development">The Commons</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/img_4890.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Bensons Property Group's C3 Brunswick"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="380" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_4890.jpg?itok=kYDuEGLs" title="Bensons Property Group's C3 Brunswick" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bensons Property Group's C3 Brunswick</figcaption></figure>Further to the 13 projects under construction, Apartments.com.au has identified a further 10 apartment projects set for an imminent construction start. 

Among them is Alpha 14 Property Group's Crest on Sydney Road, the aforementioned Nightingale Brunswick and what shapes as Moreland's tallest project to date, Brunswick Heart. Set over 14 levels, site preparation for the RotheLowman-designed project is complete with a builder set to take site possession shortly.

These 10 projects combined will add another 800 plus dwellings to Moreland's ballooning apartment market.

<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_4929.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="MakShaq's 8 Lygon is moving toward construction"><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_4929.jpg?itok=RF9uPV-H" title="MakShaq's 8 Lygon is moving toward construction" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>MakShaq's 8 Lygon is moving toward construction</figcaption></figure>Whilst construction and projects at sales remain robust within Brunswick and its adjoining suburbs, there are signs that the surge in apartments may be slowing.

2016 has brought a discernible slow down in the number of larger apartment projects filtering through Moreland City Council's online planning platform. Indeed scant few new listing within Moreland have been added to the Apartments.com.au Project Database in recent times as developers seem content in delivering on the healthy backlog of approved projects.

With the persistent talk of market oversupply, the easing of projects at planning could also be a sign that developers have cooled on the Brunswick market somewhat given it has traditionally been the domain of smaller sized apartments aimed toward investors and singles/couples.
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silvermb

Unprecedented times for Brunswick's apartment growth, but can it last?

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There's been much comment about the nature of the property market both in Melbourne and nationally of late. It could be reasonably argued that the sector is subject to certain trends like any other; the dominance of Asian-based buyers in Melbourne's property market in recent years is a prime example.

So what is the current direction of the property market and in particular Melbourne apartment market? It's been well publicised that discerning buyers have swung to more bespoke or intimate projects, shying away from larger inner city investor-driven stock.

But what of the influence of the growing band of buyers emanating from Sydney and whay have they risen to prominence here in Melbourne?

Urban.com.au posed a series of questions to three prominent players in the Melbourne apartment market, with the following answers provided:

<h2>Future Estate Founder &amp; Managing Director, Ben Anderson</h2>

How strong is the interest from Sydney and has there been a discernible increase in interest over the last year?

We have definitely witnessed a large increase in the number of Sydney-based purchasers buying into our projects; particularly over the last few years. The feedback we have received is that, given the affordability constraints of the Sydney market, investors are being forced to look elsewhere, with Melbourne and Brisbane logical alternatives.

Melbourne, being the next biggest city in Australia, boasts a significantly larger, much more diverse economy with a broader range of employment opportunities than Brisbane, so naturally it is the most popular choice. Investors can appreciate and understand the inherent benefits of a city of this size and scale.

What is the conversion rate of interested Sydneysiders to sales contracts?

Very few reservations we receive from our Sydney clients drop away; they are currently the most active purchasers across our projects.

Are Sydneysiders buying in Melbourne skewed toward owner occupiers or investors, and if the latter what apartment size and layout are they requesting?

Over the last 12 months, we have noticed that Sydneysiders buying in Melbourne have predominately been doing so for investment purposes, however, this is an ever evolving trend.

Recognised as the world’s most liveable city for the fifth year in a row, it is no wonder that more and more people are migrating from NSW to Melbourne. Something to consider on this note is, with each property cycle, affordability plays an important role, especially when it comes to interstate migration.

People will naturally move away from an unaffordable location and seek out residence in a cheaper area, that we know, the obvious limiting factor here is employment opportunity. Thus, when comparing the size, strength and diversity of the Melbourne economy with Sydney, a city with similar income potential, property price becomes the prime motivation.

Melbourne housing is far more affordable, it is as simple as that, which is why Future Estate are focusing our attention on this market.

Typically we like to see 30%-35% (max) of a household’s income going to mortgage repayments. The rationale behind this is that house price growth can only continue long-term if people can afford to buy. If, however, affordability is too constrained, as is the case in many parts of Sydney where 50% of a household’s income goes to mortgage repayments, then the prospects of sustainable capital growth are far lower and the risk of a price correction, far higher.

Hence Melbourne’s reputation as a smarter investment opportunity and Sydney’s a high-risk, low-reward market.

<h2>Cameron Clarke, Founder &amp; Principal of My Real Estate Mate</h2>

Why are Sydney investors drawn to Melbourne?

The feeling of 'value' in Melbourne is more discernible. Sydney entry prices are high for prospective buyers and investors, and there is strong competition from Asian-based and backed buyers across all sectors of property.

Having missed out or feeling that they will, Melbourne is the next logical step in their quest to purchase property.

Define the typical buyer from Sydney.

Couples are saying lets move to Melbourne feeling that Sydney is at its peak, with entrepreneurial types and sole investors also present. They're attracted to stamp duty savings and depreciation over buying established property in Sydney.

There is also a degree of an 'I own an investment property interstate' mentality, with accounts for many of the client referrals we receive.

What's the typical property Sydneysiders have in mind when purchasing in Melbourne?

Enquiries from Sydney-based prospective clients have doubled since January 2016, with the trend really cementing itself during June 2015. Product-wise a single bedroom apartment in Sydney is roughly the same as a two bedroom, 2 bathroom in Melbourne so this is preferred product, with or without a car park. Melbourne's public transport system is well regarded and understood by those who are seeking properties without the intention of owning a vehicle..

Budgets for prospective Sydney buyers range from $400,000-$600,000; clients are happy looking at marketing and plans over email and will generally come to Melbourne once they have genuine intent on a particular property...bottom line is that with $600,000 a Sydney resident will achieve far more in Melbourne than the Harbour City.

<h2>Bradley Dean, Director of off the plan sales and marketing company Eton Property Group</h2>

How strong is the interest from Sydney and has there been a discernible increase in interest over the last year?

We have seen a huge increase in the interest in Melbourne properties from Sydney buyers in the last 12 months.

With the Sydney market reaching record heights, buyers are now looking to Melbourne for the cheaper alternative. Buyers are quick to move, understanding that if they want the best choice of apartments they need to act quickly, as has been the case with one of our projects in North Melbourne, Reflections, where demand from Sydney investors has been particularly strong.

What is the conversion rate of interested Sydneysiders to sales contracts where possible?

We have found, given the quality of the projects we are currently marketing, 20-30% of Sydney registrations are converting into sales, most of whom are buying, sight unseen.

What we are also noticing is a shift in the locations they are favouring, with many Sydneysiders shifting their focus from CBD &amp; Southbank projects to inner fringe areas of Melbourne. This can be put down to the growing realisation that Melbourne’s CBD and Southbank are becoming over-developed and locals would in fact prefer to live on the outskirts of the inner city, where they have access to superior public transport links, schools, cafés, eateries, amenities and leisure facilities.

Beyond location, these buyers are becoming savvier and know to seek out those projects offering luxury inclusions, better quality fixtures and fittings, and limited communal facilities, to ensure body corporate costs are kept at a minimum.

Are Sydneysiders buying in Melbourne skewed toward owner occupiers or investors, and if the latter what apartment size and layout are they requesting?

The Sydneysiders we are dealing with are mostly investors.

Melbourne is such a competitive market, here you can pick up a one-bedroom apartment for under $450,000 and a two-bedroom apartment for under $650,000. For those interstate investors, it is almost like bargain buying; for the price of one, one-bedroom apartment they can double down in Melbourne and buy two.

Interestingly, however, we have had a couple of instances where young couples are relocating their lives and migrating south to start a fresh in Melbourne where it is so much more affordable.

Lead image: Tommy Miller
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Sydney property buyers seek solace in Melbourne

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With an already impressive list of recently completed and upcoming projects, Melbourne's student accommodation sector looks set to receive another Urbanest location with the operator sizing up a prime Carlton corner site.

A $61 million proposal has been lodged with City of Melbourne during April that would see a new tower containing 628 student beds at 599-605 Swanston Street. Rising behind a retained heritage facade, the proposal adds to the crush of development surrounding the Queensberry Street and Swanston Street intersection.

More so Urbanest's latest Melbourne location underwrites the strength in the student accommodation market, with a plethora of inner city projects in the development pipeline as operators scramble to respond to pent-up demand.

<h2>599-605 Swanston Street development 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/image18_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Perspective view of the proposed tower. Planning image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="527" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image18_9.jpg?itok=sSuEAvSl" title="Perspective view of the proposed tower. Planning image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Perspective view of the proposed tower. Planning image: Hayball</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>1,711sqm island site containing a heritage building onsite</li>
	<li>Proposed 20 storey tower of 61.5 metres</li>
	<li>628 student beds within 289 units</li>
	<li>924sqm communal internal space and 336sqm communal external space</li>
	<li>194sqm retail area</li>
	<li>Total GFA: 17,394sqm</li>
	<li>0 car parking spaces and 87 bicycle bays</li>
</ul>
<h2>Design statement</h2>

<blockquote>
The articulation of detail across the facades aims to treat the building in the round with a responsive kit of parts that retains a considered reading from street and skyline. A fine bronze metallic blade pattern is distributed over a high-quality performance glass skin.

The level of transparency is controlled by the glass and blade density.

The pure glass skin is revealed at lower levels to make the active common areas and retail visible. At the skyline level the glass is also revealed to promote a sky reflectance and relationship to the commercial city backdrop.
<cite>Hayball Urban Context Report</cite>
</blockquote>

Readers may be aware that 599-605 Swanston Street's external appearance holds certain similarities to a fellow current Hayball-designed student accommodation project at <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">42-50 La Trobe Street</a>. That aside 599-605 Swanston Street in a design sense is far superior relative to a number of student accommodation projects delivered along Swanston Street in the early 2000's that could now be considered a blight on the landscape.

<h2>Lower level transparency</h2>

The onsite 1878-era heritage building holds a C grade listing and is set to be facaded during the demolition stage. The development team has argued that "this extent of demolition is acceptable given it involves fabric that is either not visible from the public realm, or that is secondary in character."

The retained exterior is set to be amalgamated with a heavy glazing over lower levels that will frame four separate retail tenancies to Brompton Place and Queensberry Street, with a further tenancy facing Swanston Street. A lounge, gym, study desks and large living room are also slated to interact with Queensberry Street.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image17_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Urbanest's two completed Melbourne projects. Images: DKO Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="244" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image17_5.jpg?itok=Mfk5xNpq" title="Urbanest's two completed Melbourne projects. Images: DKO Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Urbanest's two completed Melbourne projects. Images: DKO Architecture</figcaption></figure><h2>Urbanest in Melbourne</h2>

Since the outfit's creation during 2008 Urbanest have pursued a national roll-out of student accommodation projects. Now one of the nation's largest accommodation providers, Urbanest's Melbourne presence is more of a recent effort with their first project at 105 Berkeley Street, Carlton completed during 2014.

316 La Trobe Street, Melbourne reached completion for the start of the 2015 academic year with the Urbanest-branded tower designed by DKO Architecture. At 24 levels and containing as many as 1,250 student beds 316 La Trobe Street remains one of the tallest student accommodation buildings in Melbourne.

Coupled with 105 Berkeley Street's 188 beds and the intended 628 within 599-605 Swanston Street, Urbanest will eventually control in excess of 2,000 student beds within inner Melbourne.
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Urbanest adds another tower to the student accommodation surge

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Fishermans Bend's long awaited school will be joined by a number of additional community and infrastructure upgrades as the Victorian Government yesterday unveiled its vision for the new education and community precinct.

Four additional projects joining the South Melbourne Primary School are:

<ul>
<li>An 8,400 square metre park available to the school and for public use, to be ready for when the school opens in January 2018</li>
	<li>Upgraded tram stops around routes 109 and 96</li>
	<li>Street and intersection upgrades around Douglas, Ferrars, Meaden, Buckhurst and Kerr Streets</li>
	<li>New cycle lanes, kerbs and intersection upgrades for better pedestrian and cyclist access, providing safe routes to the school and park</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/image7fbc.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Location diagram outlining the five projects "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="403" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image7fbc.jpg?itok=TP1FdaRZ" title="Location diagram outlining the five projects " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Location diagram outlining the five projects</figcaption></figure>The 8,400 square metre plot designated as Montague Precinct's first park will also have the potential to expand with surrounding roads earmarked for closure, similar to the 447 Collins Street/Market Street expanded public realm scenario which is currently playing out in Melbourne's CBD.

Additionally Railway Place which runs parallel to the new school will be heavily remodelled to become a pedestrian priority area with direct connects to the 96 tram route. A terraced area will be created with an eye toward hosting public gatherings, outdoor teaching and live performances.

<h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
Investing in Fishermans Bend and bringing the community with us means we will have new suburbs close to Melbourne’s CBD where we can accommodate another 80,000 people over the coming decades.
<cite>Minister for Planning Richard Wynne</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
We’re delivering more school places in South Melbourne and this plan for the surrounding streets will give students safe access on foot, on their bikes and on public transport.
<cite>Minister for Education James Merlino</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/image8_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="South Melbourne Primary School. Image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="400" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image8_7.jpg?itok=Bv5TrJ9H" title="South Melbourne Primary School. Image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>South Melbourne Primary School. Image: Hayball</figcaption></figure>The project's centrepiece will be a new vertical school created by design practice Hayball that will be capable of accommodating 525 students. Set over a 5,000 square metre site, the five level building is at early construction and will include an early-learning centre set atop its roof, outdoor study areas, administration space, multi-purpose community rooms and a recreation hub.

South Melbourne Primary School is set to open during 2018.

The park which will be located diagonally opposite the new learning campus was previously subject to a <a href="/news/from-the-ground-up-2-4-buckhurst-street-south-melbourne">sizeable dual tower residential project</a> which was to have included 360 apartments. The site was subsequently purchased by the Victorian Government for $20 million during 2015 in order to facilitate the delivery of a new public space.

Upon completion the various new community resources will be managed by the City of Port Phillip.

<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/image6fbc.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Railway Place perspective"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="389" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image6fbc.jpg?itok=W0uUBynK" title="Railway Place perspective" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Railway Place perspective</figcaption></figure><h2>Community feedback</h2>

The <a href="http://haveyoursay.delwp.vic.gov.au/ferrars-street">Ferrars Street Education and Community Precinct – Proposed Works</a> document provides further detail as to what can be expected for what amounts to Fishermans Bend's first civic precinct. Interested individuals can engage in conversation on the Ferrars Street Education and Community Precinct.

A survey is available for public scrutiny regarding the intended works which is available via the link above and will remain open for public feedback up until Friday 1 July 2016.

While Fishermans Bend's initial community precinct takes shape, planning applications for the precinct also continue to filter through, while the number of projects advancing to sales has also increased. To date Blue Earth Group's Gravity Tower remains the sole high-rise residential project under construction within Fishermans Bend.
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The wraps come off Fishermans Bend's new community precinct

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Burgeoning developer AZX Group's Melbourne presence continues to evolve with their latest project before State planning officers subject to recent revisions. The last parcel of land to be offered for sale surrounding Etihad Stadium, 685 La Trobe Street's reworked April 2016 plans show heavily activated frontages with two residential towers set above.

After securing the vacant site for a <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/business/property/azx-buys-docklands-site-20150728-gimakw">reported $31.1 million</a>, AZX Group are pursuing 629 apartments for the 4,411sqm site with Peddle Thorp Architects entrusted with the design.

AZX Group are expecting that the revised residential towers will replace an approved office scheme for the site. Designed by Bates Smart for then owner Charter Hall, the facility was to have offered <a href="http://www.flagshipgroup.com.au/projects/another-development/">35,000sqm of office accommodation in a project valued at $220 million.</a>

<h2>685 La Trobe Street development 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/image17_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="685 La Trobe Street's northern elevation. Planning image: Peddle Thorp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image17_4.jpg?itok=O1SHsSMk" title="685 La Trobe Street's northern elevation. Planning image: Peddle Thorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>685 La Trobe Street's northern elevation. Planning image: Peddle Thorp</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Vacant site of 4,411sqm</li>
	<li>Dual towers with the taller at 74.5 metres</li>
	<li>629 apartments in total</li>
	<li>Tower 1: 140 x 1BR, 176 x 2BR, 3 x BR</li>
	<li>Tower 2: 59 x 1BR, 247 x 2BR, 4 x 3B </li>
	<li>Total retail NSA: 1,035sqm</li>
	<li>Provision for 373 bicycle bays and 103 car parking bays</li>
	<li>Project GFA: 62,614sqm</li>
</ul>
<h2>Public interface</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/image18_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Concourse level. Planning image: Peddle Thorp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="448" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image18_8.jpg?itok=mlvMciP8" title="Concourse level. Planning image: Peddle Thorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Concourse level. Planning image: Peddle Thorp</figcaption></figure>685 La Trobe Street is heavily activated with retail to three frontages over multiple levels, owing to the sloping nature of the site and Etihad Stadium's elevated concourse. 

Services to the development will for the most be confined to the westerly aspect which fronts a service lane, whilst an obligatory art installation will wrap the south-west corner of the development. In total 9 retail spaces wrap the development; a far stronger level of activation than a handful of neighbouring project that front Etihad Stadium.

The space separating both towers is expected to be finished with paving and areas of lawn which is a far cry from the barren concourse that currently surrounds Etihad Stadium.

685 La Trobe Street 's emphasis on interacting with its surrounds follows on from the <a href="http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-04-29/ambitious-plan-underway-to-upgrade-etihad-stadium">AFL's mooted plans to redevelop Etihad Stadium</a>'s environs should it gain control of the stadium earlier than the slated 2025 date. 

Incidentally the neighbouring site controlled by local developer Salta Properties has also headed back to planning post receiving approval for 383 apartments within a single tower. A new design for the prime corner site is expected.

<h2>AZX growing at pace</h2>

The developer has five apartment projects in play with a sixth looming in the shape of the balance of the former CUB site in Carlton, for which initial sketches show a very substantial tower in the works.

685 La Trobe Street's 600 plus apartments aside,our additional residential projects would swell the developer's pipeline by roughly 1,500 dwellings. The initial stage of <a href="/buildings/riverina-22-hopkins-street-footscray">Riverina</a> within Footscray's Joseph Road Precinct is under construction, leaving Bello on North Melbourne's Courtney Street as the project most likely to launch next.

AZX Group are very much indicative of the wave of Asian-backed property developers that have descended upon Melbourne in recent years.
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AZX Group's Docklands development rounds out the Stadium Precinct

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Just as Shangyi Property oversees the completion of one Box Hill apartment project, another for the Box Hill-based developer has broken cover.

5 Wellington Street is at town planning with City of Whitehorse and seeks to add in excess of 180 apartments to the burgeoning activity area. With secondary frontage to Poplar Street, the application also shapes as CHT Architects' first Box Hill entry within the Apartments.com.au Project Database.

At 16 levels the Wellington Street tower has been positioned by the development team as a transitional form between the emerging high-rise towers fronting Whitehorse Road and the more subdued 4-5 level built form toward the northern end of Wellington Road.

<h2>5-9 Wellington Road &amp; 7 Poplar Street, Box Hill 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/image10bh.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Wellington Street may well receive a height boost. Planning image: CHT Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="556" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image10bh.jpg?itok=a-ZEnuIo" title="Wellington Street may well receive a height boost. Planning image: CHT Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Wellington Street may well receive a height boost. Planning image: CHT Architects</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Current use: vacant car park</li>
	<li>Site area: 2,480sqm</li>
	<li>Proposed 6 levels to Poplar &amp; 16 levels to Wellington at 55 metres in height</li>
	<li>184 apartments: 50 x 1BR, 134 x 2BR</li>
	<li>All apartments between 50sqm and 79sqm</li>
	<li>Café tenancy: 76sqm</li>
	<li>171 car parking spaces and 140 bicycle bays across 2 basement levels and lower ground floor</li>
	<li>Total GFA: 14,141.5sqm</li>
</ul>
While the tower carries a fairly uniform textured concrete and red brick snap precast panel exterior, ground level will be activated with the intended inclusion of a pedestrian thoroughfare linking Wellington Road and Poplar Street. The thoroughfare meets an external communal space that separates both buildings.

Upon approval 5-9 Wellington Road would enter a very robust pool of apartment projects within Box Hill. Currently there are 28 apartment projects within Box Hill according to the Apartments.com.au Project Database, although only five fellow projects are at planning assessment. Even so, these five projects along with 5-9 Wellington Road could yield as many as 930 additional apartments.

The emergence of 5-9 Wellington Road follows on from the recent completion of Shangyi Property's most recent Box Hill offering, namely Spectrum Apartments.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/kud-spectrum-001.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Spectrum Apartments. Image: KUD"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="307" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/kud-spectrum-001.jpg?itok=wauvtve4" title="Spectrum Apartments. Image: KUD" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Spectrum Apartments. Image: KUD</figcaption></figure>Located at 33 Harrow Street, Spectrum is a more modest project relative to many current projects within Box Hill, holding 70 apartments and a solitary home office set above 84 vehicle spaces. Construction on the project spanned 17 months and was completed during April with Harris HMC acting as head contractor.

With a GFA of 7,400sqm Spectrum is capped architecturally by a multi-angled, multi-coloured façade. An internal courtyard complete with bridges links each side of the building while all internal bulkheads and joinery mirror the angular nature of the exterior.

In a design sense Spectrum is described as follows:

<blockquote>
The project is expressed as strips of building mass to exemplify the diverse cultural context of Box Hill. The “strips” geometrically alternate over the floor plates to create highly articulated façades.

The terminations of the “Strips” are expressed with brightly coloured fascia around the balconies, adding a vibrant presence to the public realm.
<cite>Kavellaris Urban Design</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/image9bh.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The angular theme continues internally. Image: KUD"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="236" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image9bh.jpg?itok=TM6ifUa2" title="The angular theme continues internally. Image: KUD" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The angular theme continues internally. Image: KUD</figcaption></figure>
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Shangyi Property's double Box Hill delight

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Westfield owner and manager Scentre Group has sought an amendment to the Manningham planning scheme in order to allow for a sizeable expansion of Westfield Doncaster.

Manningham City Council are currently considering the application for what is known as for the Manningham Planning Scheme Amendment C104. Scentre Group is seeking the right to add approximately 43,000sqm of additional gross retail lettable area and 18,000sqm of additional commercial office space, which they believe will support increased employment opportunities on Doncaster Hill.

In addition a revamped bus interchange and parking for 2,500 vehicles is included within the masterplan, with the latter spread over basement and multi-storey options.

According to application documents Westfield Doncaster which covers 58 hectares is seeking to become "a ‘state of the art’, contemporary, sustainable, high-density, mixed-use village that enhances the social, environmental, economic and cultural elements of the region."

A visual marker for the redevelopment is expected in the form of a new commercial tower which will front Williamsons Road. The aforementioned office space will be located over ten levels set above six basement levels and a retail podium, with the height of the tower capped at approximately 50 metres.

<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/image2tract.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A sought after built form outcome. Planning image: Tract Consultants"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="246" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image2tract.jpg?itok=dgKZSkZA" title="A sought after built form outcome. Planning image: Tract Consultants" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A sought after built form outcome. Planning image: Tract Consultants</figcaption></figure>Along with the new bus interchange which has been designed in consultation with Public Transport Victoria and bus operator Transdev, a new public forecourt of some 400sqm will also front Williamsons Road. As well as providing a common entrance for both commercial and retail uses, the public forecourt will act as new a public amenity and meeting space.

As defined within the application, new opportunities for the public realm include:

<ul>
<li>New street interfaces which should incorporate architectural and landscape design and pedestrian-generating and retail activities at street level to support a better pedestrian experience.</li>
	<li>Relocated and expanded forecourt/entry with active frontages in appropriate locations to establish a vibrant public space along Williamsons Road.</li>
	<li>Potential upper level public space above Williamsons Road to provide passive surveillance and take advantage of views over surrounding area and Melbourne CBD.</li>
	<li>Establish appropriate landscaping to provide shade in the public realm, soften built form and acoustic walls, and further enhance Williamsons Road boulevard.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Current development</h2>

With the prospect of another large-scale expansion on the cards, Scentre Group have acted upon an existing planning permit to alleviate the demand for car parking onsite.

Currently two tower cranes are servicing an expansion of the multideck car park toward the eastern border of the site, bound by Grosvenor Street to the north and Goodson Street to the south. This build will allow for an additional 550 plus vehicle spaces.

With onsite car parking set to expand beyond 4,770 spaces, a hefty 7,430 car parking spaces slated for the future Westfield Doncaster according to the Urban Design Report which accompanies Amendment C104.

<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_3624_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Westfield's current expansion is well into construction"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="370" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_3624_0.jpg?itok=ak3IsO__" title="Westfield's current expansion is well into construction" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Westfield's current expansion is well into construction</figcaption></figure><h2>Comment: hard act to follow</h2>

Westfield Doncaster's most recent mass development was completed seven years ago. Since that time Eastland, Chadstone, Highpoint, The Glen and Westfield Knox have all or are in the process of undertaking exceptionally large expansions.

In the face of such competition the current Westfield Doncaster expansion looks to be Scentre Group's play at keeping the facility on par with its competitors, but can it deliver on amenity and on key public realm upgrades? Late last year Eastland managed to distinguish itself from the pack by way of a highly <a href="/news/a-new-public-realm-for-ringwood">inclusive and activated public realm</a> which acts as a quasi town centre.

Could Westfield Doncaster deliver a similar outcome? Well on the face of it, no.

The Doncaster centre is still heavily car dependent while Eastland has rail and bus options on its doorstep (what residents of Doncaster would give for that!) with the newly finished Ringwood Station upgrade providing no shortage of foot traffic. Williamsons Road and Doncaster road are wide, inhospitable thoroughfares that don't promote mass foot traffic.

How Westfield Doncaster's upcoming forecourt intends to accommodate and retail pedestrian life when wedged between an eight lane road and the centre itself shapes as an interesting design challenge.
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Westfield Doncaster seeks further expansion, but can it better interact with its surrounds?

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Melbourne Heritage Action is less than impressed that a proposed student accommodation tower located at 42-50 La Trobe Street has been given the nod by City of Melbourne councillors, further eroding the limited heritage value that this particular stretch of La Trobe Street has managed to cling to.

Indeed, City of Melbourne resolved to issue a Notice of Decision to Grant Permit last Thursday evening for the project. In its most recent form which saw it land before City of Melbourne during April, 9 objectors were noted against the development which has a nominal value of $75 million.

Brisbane-based Blue Sky Funds is championing the project which would further add to the strong number of student accommodation projects currently in the Melbourne pipeline.

<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/13254940_1086649714714922_3072816795073643707_o.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Heritage Action's take on the project"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="278" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/13254940_1086649714714922_3072816795073643707_o.jpg?itok=9fLqRJhL" title="Melbourne Heritage Action's take on the project" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Heritage Action's take on the project</figcaption></figure>Melbourne Heritage Action's response to the decision was blunt:

<blockquote>
It’s arguably Melbourne City Council’s most shameful heritage failure in recent memory.

Councillors have variously sat on their own hands, ignored the advice of their own heritage experts, and ignored the pleas of their own constituents in allowing the demolition of the former Burton’s Livery building at 50 La Trobe Street, a gorgeous, recognised, C-graded 1868 Victorian former carriageworks, in a relatively unique (for the CBD) Italianate style.

The building was left unprotected when in 2011, Council decided to ignore the advice of THEIR OWN HERITAGE EXPERTS in allowing the demolition of its twin building at 40 La Trobe St for an apartment tower, and ignoring contemporaneous recommendations to protect the rest of the streetscape.
<cite><a href="https://melbourneheritage.org.au/2016/05/28/council-ignores-own-experts-and-constituents-burtons-livery-to-be-demolished/">Melbourne Heritage Action</a></cite>
</blockquote>

<a href="/news/melbournes-development-march-claims-another-victim">Appearing first on Urban.com.au</a> during 2015, 42-50 La Trobe Street was in the hands of DELWP. Subsequent redesigns to the project landed it below the 25,000sqm threshold, placing the project solely with City of Melbourne for the approvals process.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image214_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hayball's depiction of a new La Trobe Street frontage"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="323" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image214_1.jpg?itok=P3Sjh1ow" title="Hayball's depiction of a new La Trobe Street frontage" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Hayball's depiction of a new La Trobe Street frontage</figcaption></figure>With a number of levels removed, the current scheme sees a tower of equal height to the nearby Conservatory apartment development; both will terminate at approximately 130 metres. 42-50 La Trobe Street is designed to accommodate 783 student beds in a number of configurations over 43 levels, with extensive amenities in tow.

Perhaps most salient to the article is the revamped ground level which is set to replace the 1868-era structure currently onsite.

Architects Hayball have sought to connect La Trobe Street with Bell Place which runs along the northern border of the site. The bluestone-paved laneway will be lined with active retail frontages and extensive external seating, catering for both students and the expanding population in the immediate 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/img_4220.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="ADCO's Deakin Burwood student accommodation build"><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_4220.jpg?itok=A3rciLxN" title="ADCO's Deakin Burwood student accommodation build" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>ADCO's Deakin Burwood student accommodation build</figcaption></figure>The apparent approval of 42-50 La Trobe Street adds to the already robust student accommodation development sector which is experiencing heightened activity at the moment.

On the back of recent completions at RMIT Bundoora, VUT Footscray and Monash Clayton, further builds are in progress within Melbourne's CBD and at Deakin Burwood. Additionally, GSA Group are at the tail end of the construction tender process for 205-223 Pelham Street which is set to commence shortly.

Most recently South Africa-based Redefine <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/business/property/south-africans-buy-carlton-car-park-to-set-up-student-housing-20160404-gny1fz">secured 16-32 Leicester Street</a> on the doorstep of the CBD with intentions of bowling over the multi-level car park for another 700-bed student housing development.
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Melbourne's development march claims another victim

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Ringwood finds itself in an interesting position in that a handful of major apartment projects are circling the outer eastern suburb. Traditionally the domain of smaller 2-3 level apartment projects, these upcoming and relatively very large developments if delivered have the ability to add thousands of new apartments.

Garnering most public attention of late is 42-58 Nelson Street which is on a substantial site overlooking Mullum Mullum Creek.

Recently subject to a revised application at the hands of CHT Architects, the project now seeks approval for 249 apartments and townhouses over three separate buildings. Plans for the development overseen by Hantang Taifu Pty Ltd can be seen <a href="http://elton.com.au/nelsonstreetringwood/">here</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/image11_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="42-58 Nelson Street Ringwood. Image: CHT Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="487" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image11_8.jpg?itok=X67uAUbf" title="42-58 Nelson Street Ringwood. Image: CHT Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>42-58 Nelson Street Ringwood. Image: CHT Architects</figcaption></figure>Also shaping up is 94 Feet's substantial 301 Maroondah Highway project which has been christened Evita Ringwood and is reportedly close to its sales launch campaign.

Set over 3,188sqm the design is also the work of CHT Architects after initially gaining approval at the hands of Design Consortia Australia. Located within the Ringwood residential growth zone, Evita is adjacent to the existing 80-apartment Lakewood complex which was completed during 2011 and for the time being stands as Ringwood's tallest apartment building at 9 levels.

With the initial scheme gaining approval for 231 apartments, it's expected that Evita will have a similar number of dwellings along with the possibility of a serviced apartment component.

<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/ren_301-maroondah_v01_south.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Developer 94 Feet's image of Evita Ringwood"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="459" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/ren_301-maroondah_v01_south.jpg?itok=mZl1CVNw" title="Developer 94 Feet's image of Evita Ringwood" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Developer 94 Feet's image of Evita Ringwood</figcaption></figure>What shapes as Ringwood's largest prospective development is located at 28-30 Maroondah Highway with developer Orion International Group providing a brief glimpse of what can be expected via their website.

With 9,428sqm of land abutting Eastlink to develop, the early scheme seen below looks to include three towers of between 10 and 21 levels with the potential to house hundreds of apartments.

More definitive plans for the site remain 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/3c.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Early imagery for The Ring. Image: Orion "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/3c.jpg?itok=R2gkME8u" title="Early imagery for The Ring. Image: Orion " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Early imagery for The Ring. Image: Orion</figcaption></figure>Whilst the three above projects stand to be Ringwood's largest for the time being, there is a support cast of smaller projects also in the works. Quest is set to gain a foothold in Ringwood with builder CornoNero commencing works on a mixed-use serviced apartment and commercial building at 96-98 Maroondah Highway.

Quest would be close to the planned 120-room hotel at 171-175 Maroondah Highway which equates to the final stage of Eastland's redevelopment. 

Also in the wings is 233 Maroondah highway which has been dubbed 233 East. Jellis Craig Projects is set to market the development which under a previous form held approval for 131 dwellings and commercial space over 10 levels. New design imagery for the development has yet to be released.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image17_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Quest Ringwood and marketing material for 233 East"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="520" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image17_3.jpg?itok=KpnJSMMz" title="Quest Ringwood and marketing material for 233 East" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Quest Ringwood and marketing material for 233 East</figcaption></figure>Most recent to planning with Maroondah City Council is 8 Bond Street with plans submitted during May for a seven level building with ground level retail which would replace a single level clinic.

Add the raft of upcoming projects such as 8-10 Bourke Street, 44 Bond Street plus 92 Maroondah Highway and it looks like many a developer has identified Ringwood as an upcoming apartment hotspot.
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Ringwood apartment living looks set to boom

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What seemed like a relative lull in activity within Fishermans Bend has been busted in recent weeks as the Urban Renewal Area experiences an intense period of development activity. Land transactions lead the way with a host of sites capable of accommodating developments of various sizes on the market.

As many as a dozen sites within Fishermans Bend are currently offered for sale, signalling a spike in activity within the precinct which has seen seldom few projects released for public purchase thus far.

Of the sites for sale, two come with planning approval. 199-201 Normanby Road is the largest and includes provision for 262 apartments whilst 179 Gladstone Street is a more modest schemes that unsuccessfully launched as Custom Apartments.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image37_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Prospective and potential Fishermans Bend apartment developments"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="256" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image37_5.jpg?itok=5Zf68MUX" title="Prospective and potential Fishermans Bend apartment developments" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Prospective and potential Fishermans Bend apartment developments</figcaption></figure>Beyond those, the balance of sites currently on offer present as future development prospects.

South Melbourne's 90-96 Johnson Street is the largest with Fitzroys assigned to the 4,066sqm site which holds a combined frontage of 106 metres and CitiPower as a prime tenant. CBRE's 112 Munro Street also shapes as a site capable of handling substantial development with the triple fronted 2,023sqm parcel beyond the first round of offers. 

Generally smaller in nature, the balance of sites are touting development potential of up to 18 levels with 12 Thistlethwaite Street a prime example.

<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/image33_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="272-280 Normanby Road is set for redevelopment. Image: proUrban"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="661" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image33_7.jpg?itok=sLmqhgSj" title="272-280 Normanby Road is set for redevelopment. Image: proUrban" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>272-280 Normanby Road is set for redevelopment. Image: proUrban</figcaption></figure>In planning happenings three separate projects have recently entered the statutory approvals process.

118 Bertie Street Port Melbourne is subject to an 18 storey mixed use development comprising residential apartments and commercial space over a site which is currently utilised by the Power Group. Further Laconia House at 179-185 Normanby Road Southbank is also subject to a retail, commercial and residential tower proposal. 

The tower would reportedly stand at 150 metres and include 318 apartments.

Also at planning is 272-280 Normanby Road which was <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/business/property/owner-seeks-to-flip-fishermans-bend-landholding-20160607-gpdk94#ixzz4AvSxLGqS">recently put on the market according to Fairfax.</a> Consultancy proUrban is running with a Hayball-designed scheme for a tower covering the site, although it remains unclear if the image above and what has been submitted for approval onsite are one and the same.

The wraps are also off 202-204 Normanby Road with City of Port Phillip providing detail on the project which would see 284 apartments created over a 40 level structure.

The flurry of land activity looks set to unleash an upswing in project releases within Fishermans Bend. Developer Third Street's P.M. Port Melbourne is set to create approximately 500 apartments for the precinct whilst Portal Properties' 181 Ferrars Street looks is likely to become the next project to head to sales.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image32_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="89 Lorimer Street has been sold. Image: Colliers"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="359" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image32_3.jpg?itok=m0LAZ41-" title="89 Lorimer Street has been sold. Image: Colliers" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>89 Lorimer Street has been sold. Image: Colliers</figcaption></figure>At the foot of Fishermans Bend's Lorimer Precinct, 89 Lorimer Street has found a new owner with Colliers recently announcing a private offshore property developer has secured the site. With approval for 940 dwellings, the scheme was sold by local developer Little Projects after they managed to gain planning approval for the site which sits behind Mirvac's Yarra's Edge precinct.
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Buy this, sell that; Fishermans Bend begins to run hot

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366708]

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.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366709]

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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

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.

<img alt="Vinnies North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d5dd7f87-a617-463e-b577-17541e01f0e9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.13%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4R8TsFN3P_LrrXO2HswTOIrx2blil8lh" />

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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