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It just wouldn't be Melbourne at the moment without another Asian-backed property developer holding grandiose plans for a clutch of forthcoming inner-city apartment towers. Eagle-eyed Apartments.com.au contributor Nicholas Harrison has spotted the latest in a conga line of new developers seeking their slice of the Melbourne action.

Sydney-based Besgate Group is the latest entrant into the market with three sizeable residential towers in the works, including 640 Bourke Street which may well tip over 270 metres in height. The privately owned consortium has had exposure of sorts in Melbourne previously, listing La Banque as their only Melbourne project although Melbourne-based Brady Group was the developer for the Little Lonsdale Street apartment tower.

Previous to their Melbourne aspirations, Besgate Group have completed a string of projects in both Sydney and predominantly Shanghai over the past decade, with B1 Tower Parramatta and Atria North Sydney among their recent projects. Their Melbourne projects are as follows:

<h2>140 King Street</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/king_2-750x283.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Recently to planning. Image courtesy Besgate"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="219" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/king_2-750x283.png?itok=pcWdOkDv" title="Recently to planning. Image courtesy Besgate" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Recently to planning. Image courtesy Besgate Group</figcaption></figure>Lodged with the State Government for assessment earlier this month, Besgate Group carry images of the proposed residential tower on their website. Le Roi as it's expected to be named, will replace a three-level office building with a 58-level residential tower complete with an articulated black exterior.

Situated over a 781sqm block, the tower will hold 271 apartments, with an element of commercial space expected as well. At approximately 180 metres in height, the project has an estimated value of $300 million and is in close proximity to the 224-metre Bourke Place Tower.

<h2>558-566 Swanston Street</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/swanston_1-750x283.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Massing concept for 558-566 Swanston. Image courtesy Besgate"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="219" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/swanston_1-750x283.jpg?itok=Ofdq1OGF" title="Massing concept for 558-566 Swanston. Image courtesy Besgate" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Massing concept for 558-566 Swanston. Image courtesy Besgate Group</figcaption></figure>Besgate Group landed the former City Peugeot dealership at 558-566 Swanston Street which was offered for sale during late 2013. The 1,396sqm land holding is located midway between the CBD and Melbourne University, with 29 metres of frontage to Swanston Street and sight lines over Lincoln Square.

As seen above, the massing form for the project suggests a residential tower just shy of 20 levels, with retail offerings expected at ground level. Dubbed The Ivy, 200 apartments are slated for the project with a value in excess of $150 million.

<h2>640 Bourke Street</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/bourke_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression of Le Poste. Image courtesy Besgate"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="219" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bourke_2.jpg?itok=Zc-ebBbl" title="Artist's impression of Le Poste. Image courtesy Besgate" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist's impression of Le Poste. Image courtesy Besgate Group</figcaption></figure>Last but by no means least is Le Poste which is expected to grace the former Australia Post offices at 640 Bourke Street. The site itself has planning approval for a Hayball-designed <a href="/new-apartments/640-bourke-street-melbourne-640-bourke-street-melbourne-vic-3000">42 and 32-level residential complex</a> carrying 563 apartments.

Diagonally opposite the recently approved 226 metre Elenberg Fraser-designed <a href="/buildings/premier-tower-134-160-spencer-street-melbourne">134 Spencer Street</a>, Besgate Group have plans for an altogether larger development for their Bourke Street address. A mixed-use scheme of 85 and 55 levels is expected with a total of 989 apartments within.

Valued in excess of $600 million, the project will maintain the existing heritage listed façade of the original Australia Post Office, with the remainder of the site likely to make way for the tower estimated at 270 metres in height.
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silvermb

Besgate Group readies their surge into the Melbourne apartment market

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The wraps are off Toyota Australia's ambitious plans to capitalise upon Melbourne's insatiable desire for inner-city apartment and student accommodation. As had been reported earlier during 2015, the car manufacturer has turned its hand to converting a large majority of its Elizabeth Street site into a residential enclave capable of holding in excess of 1000 apartments.

Sydney-based property advisory firm LEFTA has been nominated as the developer within the planning documents, acting in effect as a proxy for Toyota Australia. Not recognised as a developer, Toyota Australia will wait upon a planning decision before revealing its intentions; a likely outcome being the sale of the expansive site to a recognised developer while maintaining its Melbourne showroom within the retained Melford Motors building onsite.

<h2>611-681 Elizabeth Street application summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image89.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Development perspective from Elizabeth Street. Image courtesy SJB"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="404" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image89.jpg?itok=bvNyENk1" title="Development perspective from Elizabeth Street. Image courtesy SJB" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Development perspective from Elizabeth Street. Image courtesy SJB</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Application lodged December 2014</li>
	<li>Current use: Melbourne City Toyota</li>
	<li>Site area: 7,051sqm</li>
	<li>Proposed: 4 towers between 47-68 metres in height</li>
	<li>1,090 apartments split between two residential and two student accommodation towers</li>
	<li>Student studio apartments from 24sqm</li>
	<li>3,956.8sqm of commercial space</li>
	<li>367 car parking and 1,372 bicycle spaces</li>
	<li>Total GFA: 61,462.6sqm</li>
	<li>1,413sqm showroom (likely for Toyota)</li>
	<li>732sqm gym included as are communal areas and rooftop terraces</li>
</ul>
<h2>All in the family</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/image90_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Exterior of 'The Father'. Image courtesy SJB"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="301" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image90_0.jpg?itok=xFDMdpp7" title="Exterior of 'The Father'. Image courtesy SJB" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Exterior of 'The Father'. Image courtesy SJB</figcaption></figure>Project architect SJB has gone to unusual lengths to distinguish the quartet of towers envisaged as part of the development. Father, mother, son and daughter have been allocated to describe the towers, reflecting the differing design responses associated with each building. A summary description of each tower sees:

<ul>
<li>The Mother - 200 apartments located within the site's southernmost tower, also referred to as Tower 1.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
A clean and sophisticated feminine form that echoes the corner of the existing ‘Melford Motors’ building. The existing façade, which will be retained, has a curved and angular corner that is projected and set back to give the impression of a true extension of the heritage building.

Soft curtain walls will allow the tower to reflect its context and compliment the Heritage building below.
<cite>SJB Architects, Town planning presentation</cite>
</blockquote>

<ul>
<li>The Son - otherwise known as Tower 2, the tower will see matte, satin, gloss and metal finishes applied, allowing for a shadow play over the exterior. 288 studio apartments of generally 24sqm are found within Tower 2, as are 15 single bedroom apartments for an elevated student living experience.</li>
	<li>The Daughter - highest yielding in terms of dwelling numbers, Tower 3 will see 388 studio apartments, 24 single bedroom and 7 dual bedroom dwellings within the 19 level tower. Reflecting the design of 'The Mother', Tower 3 will feature flowing lines and a black/white exterior.</li>
	<li>The Father - the site's northernmost and tallest building at 22 levels features a masculine exterior "With larger expressed concrete frames that wrap the tower in a rigid exoskeleton arrangement." 218 one, two and three-bedroom apartments are within Tower 4</li>
</ul>
<h2>Street level overlead</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/image88_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Elizabeth Street looking down an internal laneway. Image courtesy SJB"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="303" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image88_1.jpg?itok=jJnCcfgD" title="Elizabeth Street looking down an internal laneway. Image courtesy SJB" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Elizabeth Street looking down an internal laneway. Image courtesy SJB</figcaption></figure>With three street frontages including 185 metres to Elizabeth Street and a site area in excess of 7,00sqm, the Inner City Toyota site lends itself to quite an extensive street level interface. Dual East West laneways will feature within 611-681 Elizabeth Street, connecting Elizabeth Street with O'Connell Street to the west.

All frontages are split between retail and residential activation, with only the existing Melford Motors building to be left as is. Lower Ground will feature a public gym, bike park, 589sqm supermarket, dual showrooms (likely for Toyota Australia) and four tenancies ranging between 81-149sqm.

Ground floor encompassing the northern portion of the site (owing to the site gradient) will see limited dwellings fronting O'Connell Street while a further seven tenancies of between 51-300sqm are located either side of an additional laneway/plaza.

<h2>Comment</h2>

611-681 Elizabeth Street's ground level plane looks particularly well resolved with masses of active frontage and solid site permeability. Should the project be realised it would bring a motherload of street level activity to the otherwise underutilised area on the CBD's doorstep.

The student living towers follow a well worm path in Melbourne of design repetition both internally and externally for tertiary accommodation, but what will be made of the 626 studio dwellings with only 24sqm of living space. As the current debate over apartment standards and sizes continues, are student living spaces simply disregarded as 'transient' dwellings and not included within the <a href="/news/better-apartments-a-step-forward">Better Apartments</a> debate?

Quite simply student dwellings are altogether different to residential apartments, but nonetheless it will be interesting to read the wider media commentary to this planning application if and when it gains approval.

<h2>611-681 Elizabeth Street development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: LEFTA on behalf of Toyota Australia</li>
	<li>Architect and urban planning: SJB</li>
	<li>Town planning: Urbis</li>
	<li>Services and ESD: Simpson Kotzman Engineering</li>
	<li>Structural: Webber Design</li>
	<li>Building Surveyor: McKenzie Group</li>
	<li>Traffic: GTA Consultants</li>
	<li>Heritage: Lovell Chen</li>
	<li>Waste: Leigh Design</li>
	<li>Wind: MEL Consultants</li>
</ul>
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Oh what a feeling: 611-681 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne

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The lure of Melbourne as an international development hotspot remains strong with another Asian-based firm intent on creating a showpiece residential development in Melbourne. Sister company to the fortuitously named, Chinese-based Yarra Holdings, C&amp;L International Holdings is on the verge of releasing Royal Como which will be located within South Yarra's ever popular Forrest Hill Precinct.

Based in Zhongshan, China and maintaining their Australian office in the northern Sydney suburb of Chatswood, C&amp;L International Holdings is headed by company Chairman Chris Chen and Managing Director Alex Liu who between them have more than 20 years experience in the development sector. To date C&amp;L have focused on residential and commercial projects within Asia, with their latest project a 24 tower complex in Zhongshan.

<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/image52.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Royal Como with Melbourne's CBD. Image courtesy C&amp;L International"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="221" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image52.jpg?itok=OGCGgTQD" title="Royal Como with Melbourne's CBD. Image courtesy C&amp;L International" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Royal Como with Melbourne's CBD. Image courtesy C&amp;L</figcaption></figure>Seeking their slice of the robust Melbourne apartment sector, C&amp;L will shortly launch Royal Como, adjacent to Melbourne High School. Holding 112 one, two and three bedroom apartments, the pending tower is the work of South Yarra-based Bruce Henderson Architects.

Nexus Designs have created the interior spaces within Royal Como which are designed to appeal to the owner occupier market. This is in line with the company's intentions on targeting premier suburbs in both Melbourne and Sydney with a product equal to, or superior to what is currently available.

<blockquote>
We have identified a shift in Australia by empty nesters from their family homes to spacious, well-designed luxury apartments, and this is the market we are looking to tap in to.
<cite>Echo He, Director of C&amp;L International Holdings</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/image55_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A sign of things to come. Image courtesy royalcomo.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="318" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image55_0.jpg?itok=oM8n9Lo_" title="A sign of things to come. Image courtesy royalcomo.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A sign of things to come. Image courtesy royalcomo.com.au</figcaption></figure>C&amp;L's drive into the Australian apartment market along with that of other Asian-based developers can be encapsulated by a small stretch of Chapel Street bound by Toorak Road and Alexandra Avenue.

Of the four major apartment developments in the pipeline, all aside from Capitol Grand are controlled by Asian-backed interests. While C&amp;L are preparing Royal Como, the adjoining site at 661 Chapel Street is also due for the commencement of its sales campaign. Malaysian firm Gamuda Land purchased the 1,435sqm site for $40 million with the intent of delivering an approved 30 level residential tower designed by Bird de la Coeur. Development Manager PDS Group show the project on their website as carrying 162 apartments.

In addition, fellow Malaysian developer Mitraland is <a href="/news/malaysias-mitraland-looks-to-enter-the-melbourne-apartment-market">seeking approval</a> for a 20 level residential tower expected to carry 72 apartments. Located at 649 Chapel Street, the Fender Katsalidis project is with City of Stonnington as it goes through the approvals process.
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C&L International land in Melbourne with Royal Como

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Footscray's <a href="http://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.aspx?Page_Id=2220">Joseph Road Precinct</a> looks set to receive its first taste of construction with separate apartment projects launching their respective sales campaigns. The Tannery and 18-24 Hopkins Street are vanguard projects for the precinct which will eventually see dozens of new towers on what is now vacant land.

Long a topic of discussion on Apartments.com.au, Joseph Road Precinct has seen a number of prime sites snapped up by Asian and Asian-backed developers, who have both the financial means and bravado to proceed with their intended projects.

<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_2089.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="No longer in the cold, Maribyrnong's Joseph Road Precinct"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="275" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_2089.jpg?itok=pWHN_W1B" title="No longer in the cold, Maribyrnong's Joseph Road Precinct" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>No longer in the cold, Maribyrnong's Joseph Road Precinct</figcaption></figure>First out of the blocks is <a href="/buildings/riverina-22-hopkins-street-footscray">18-24 Hopkins Street</a> which will see the delivery of five separate residential towers. Listed in the Apartments.com.au project database as having 968 approved apartments,18-24 Hopkins Street may also see a 1,500 sqm supermarket, showrooms and 18 retail spaces at ground level. While these form part of the approved scheme, the final composition of retail and entertainment options, and apartment numbers has yet to be revealed.

Located on a 9,500 sqm land parcel, 18-24 Hopkins Street is the work of architects Peddle Thorp and will see a mixture of one, two and three bedroom dwellings included in the development with a starting price of $255,000. The project website carries a promotional video which appears to show the developer as AW Group, although the video is somewhat ambiguous in this regard.

<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_2087.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="18-24 Hopkins Street's display model"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="374" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_2087.jpg?itok=CB0OiY5Y" title="18-24 Hopkins Street's display model" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>18-24 Hopkins Street's display model</figcaption></figure>Joining 18-24 Hopkins Street is <a href="/new-apartments/footscray-vic-3011">The Tannery</a> which is the largest project that Australian Property &amp; Business Group has offered to date. The 1,725sqm site was <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/business/aviation/footscray-site-with-tower-permit-sells-for-5-million-20150303-13tzd6">reportedly sold for $5 million</a> during early 2015 with Australian Property &amp; Business Group wasting no time in creating a <a href="http://www.thetanneryfootscray.com.au/">project website</a> for the 15 level project.

Featuring 54 one bedroom and 80 two bedroom dwellings, sales have begun in earnest with a dozen apartments listed as sold via the project website. Priced from $325,000, construction is anticipated to begin in the latter part of this year.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/143076407.png" rel="gallery-all" title="The Tannery. Image courtesy APBG"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="541" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/143076407.png?itok=pUAL7KCo" title="The Tannery. Image courtesy APBG" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Tannery. Image courtesy APBG</figcaption></figure><h2>Comment</h2>

Jospeh Road Precinct has been covered previously on Apartments.com.au with the issue of infrastructure and amenity at the fore in order to facilitate development.

<blockquote>
Joseph Street Precinct absolutely needs an initial infrastructure boost from the State government in order to promote the area as more than a current industrial wasteland. Implementing a road network and delivering some much needed civic works, particularly to Maribyrnong River, may just be the key to unlocking a flow of development that would begin the long sought transformation of the precinct.
<cite><a href="/news/the-quandry-that-is-hopkins-street-precinct">The quandry that is Hopkins Street Precinct</a>, Apartments.com.au, October 17 2014</cite>
</blockquote>

Now that development will proceed regardless, will the millions required to provide an adequate road network and amenity match the million dollar views on offer? Even with developer levies/contributions, it's a sizeable yet necessary task to get the required infrastructure in early; the alternative will be shiny new towers and hundreds of residents surrounded by vacant land and dilapidated public spaces.

The initial failings of Docklands should not be mirrored in Joseph Street 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/img_2081.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The precinct's million dollar views"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="327" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_2081.jpg?itok=lj1S7aNw" title="The precinct's million dollar views" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The precinct's million dollar views</figcaption></figure>
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The Tannery and Hopkins Street launch Footscray's Joseph Road Precinct

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Never a firm for bland designs, BKK Architects have unveiled three of their latest creations which are set to grace the Melbourne landscape. Delivering a high level of design diversity, Cirqua Ivanhoe East, Jewell Station and a Fitzroy townhouse project are the latest in a long line of architecturally diverse projects the CBD-based practice has conceived.

At varying stages of the development cycle, the three residential projects seek to bring a new dynamic to their surrounds while solving site specific design challenges in the process.

<h2>Cirqua Ivanhoe East</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/image19bkk.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Cirqua's distinct facade. Image courtesy BKK"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="204" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image19bkk.jpg?itok=0h-ZH1P4" title="Cirqua's distinct facade. Image courtesy BKK" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Cirqua's distinct facade. Image courtesy BKK</figcaption></figure>Subject to several unsuccessful planning applications in recent years, Cirqua which is now at sales is the creation of BKK Director Simon Knott. The project was created at the behest of Cubik Developments and Martin Adams Property who merged adjoining properties to facilitate the medium-density development.

Designed to be a high-end legacy residence akin to 99 Spring Street or St Kilda Road's The Domain, Cirqua's stand-out portal windows are joined by a predominantly brick exterior which according to BKK "draws on the materiality and expression of local, historical housing types that are reinterpreted in a contemporary manner." Internally all of the project's 44 apartments have direct access to natural light and ventilation to both bedrooms and living spaces, resulting in 36 individually articulated interior floor plans.

<blockquote>
We have chosen to build Cirqua to this level of design quality because we wanted to have an inherent sense of architectural beauty about it.
<cite>Jim Fagan, Cubik Developments</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>Jewell Station</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/image18bkk.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Green is the word. Image courtesy BKK"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="240" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image18bkk.jpg?itok=MDzTjSaH" title="Green is the word. Image courtesy BKK" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Green is the word. Image courtesy BKK</figcaption></figure>Seen above is the first render released for the northern apartment building which forms part of Jewell Station's redevelopment. Victrack has joined with private development Neometro to revamp the station, with an eye to creating an active, useable public space supplemented by apartments. The distinctive nine level apartment complex looks set to be finished with a predominantly green facade and hanging planters.

<blockquote>
Jewell Station is a precinct-based approach to Placemaking. The design encompasses a more holistic approach to urban regeneration that builds upon the local character and delivers a benchmark solution for inner-city living.

The creation of an urban village will act as a catalyst for positive change and future high-quality development in the area. The project was won through a competitive VicTrack bid process where BKK were the master-planners for the site and architects for the northern apartment building. The outcome is a design led solution that incorporates the latest in community consultation, sustainable practice, access for all, integrated living and adaptability.
<cite>BKK </cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>Fitzroy Townhouses</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/image51_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="At home in Fitzroy. Image courtesy BKK"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="206" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image51_0.jpg?itok=Do3xNbyD" title="At home in Fitzroy. Image courtesy BKK" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>At home in Fitzroy. Image courtesy BKK</figcaption></figure>Looking the part is BKK's low-rise development which sees eight separate four-level townhouses separated by an internal passage. Employing an exterior finished with red brick, which is prevalent throughout the area, the townhouse development is both interesting and contemporary.

<blockquote>
The project draws upon the local character and various dwelling typologies to create a new type of housing for this gritty, inner-city suburb of Melbourne. High levels of environmental design, vertical green spaces and extra-large dwellings are clustered around a tranquil courtyard garden. Every aspect of this project is considered in detail to achieve a benchmark well beyond the standard.
<cite>BKK</cite>
</blockquote>

Seen below are a sample of BKK projects highlighting the variety and depth of design employed by the firm. <a href="/new-apartments/elysium-54-clarke-street-southbank">Elysium</a> on Southbank with its green podium is perhaps the firm's most recognisable project to date, approved to 244 metres. Described by then Minister for Planning Matthew Guy as "A revolutionary change for the way that we design buildings in Melbourne" the project is currently taking registrations of interest via project manager Baracon's <a href="http://baracon.com.au/54-clarke-street-southbank/">website</a>.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image28bkk.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="BKK style. Image courtesy BKK"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="930" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image28bkk.jpg?itok=UiQBXxbO" title="BKK style. Image courtesy BKK" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>BKK style. Image courtesy BKK</figcaption></figure>
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BKK's latest far from mundane

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Almost a year on from an initial submission, efforts to rezone Bentleigh East's Virginia Park industrial and warehouse precinct continue with the aim of creating an integrated mixed-use enclave. The Gillon Group of Companies is behind the push for rezoning which would see the land addressed 236-262 East Boundary Road, Bentleigh East become available for thousands of apartments, among other uses.

10 Consulting Group acting on behalf of The Gillon Group assert that among other benefits, a rezoning of Virginia Park would be beneficial to local jobs growth and retail spending, aid in the provision of mixed housing typologies throughout the area, while also meeting the needs of an expanding Glen Eira population.

<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/image197.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Located midway between Melbourne's CBD and Dandenong. Image courtesy SJB"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="396" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image197.jpg?itok=14XsSKgg" title="Located midway between Melbourne's CBD and Dandenong. Image courtesy SJB" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Located midway between Melbourne's CBD and Dandenong. Image courtesy SJB</figcaption></figure>SJB Urban have been tasked with providing an adequate <a href="https://gleneira.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/urban-design.pdf">Urban Design Framework</a> document to support the rezoning. Credence within the document has been given to site permeability and multiple green spaces, while build form is expected to range from 2-3 storey townhouses through to 10 level apartment blocks.

The existing office and warehouse space which measures in excess of 55,000sqm is slated to make way for a stage mixed-use development. Stage One is envisaged to deliver 12,000sqm of large format and specialty retailing, in excess of 200 townhouses and a minimum of 100 apartments.

According to the project Infrastructure Strategy produced by Cardno, stages two and three have the ability deliver a combined 2,500 apartments, with a future fourth stage earmarked for another 1,600 apartments. Ultimately the new Virginia Park may eventually see in excess of 15 buildings at five levels or more, bringing a very different dynamic to Bentleigh East.

<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/0fb76ef4-7e9c-4577-ad51-9265afd3d96e-0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Virginia Park. Image courtesy Knight Frank"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="372" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/0fb76ef4-7e9c-4577-ad51-9265afd3d96e-0.jpg?itok=K6NpkROu" title="Virginia Park. Image courtesy Knight Frank" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Virginia Park. Image courtesy Knight Frank</figcaption></figure>Public submissions on the amendment are open until mid June, whereupon City of Glen Eira will commence hearings on the proposal during September 2015.

More information and PDF downloads are available from the <a href="http://dsewebapps.dse.vic.gov.au/Shared/ats.nsf/WebViewUniqueID/935ceb5e447e76f6ca257e29001304a5?OpenDocument&amp;G&amp;Glen%20Eira&amp;Gannawarra%2CGlen%20Eira%2CGlenelg%2CGolden%20Plains%2CGreater%20Bendigo%2CGreater%20Dandenong%2CGreater%20Geelong%2CGreater%20Shepparton&amp;Click=CA256DC800080C18.476caac79d318ee2ca256dee001434f7/%24Body/0.2BDE">Department of Sustainability and Environment</a>.
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Virginia Park looms large on the horizon

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Peruse the Apartments.com.au project database and Footscray has no fewer that 20 residential listings covering roughly 30 separate buildings yet to be built. There's little doubt that Footscray will be an apartment hotspot in the near future, but what of the associated infrastructure and amenity that should always accompany mass development?

Over the past decade the heart of Footscray has seen tremendous change for the better with both the State Government and Maribyrnong City Council doing their bit to regenerate the area, whether it be infrastructure such as a revamped Footscray Station or extensive civic works with an aim toward creating a more pleasant built form environment.

<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/image193.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Footscray's possible Welcome Arch. Image courtesy MCR"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="280" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image193.jpg?itok=9lQz3LXl" title="Footscray's possible Welcome Arch. Image courtesy MCR" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Footscray's possible Welcome Arch. Image courtesy MCR</figcaption></figure>In line with the latter, initial images for a Welcome Arch has been revealed as part of the Little Saigon Precinct Activation Plan. With the aim of mustering public opinion prior to settling upon a final design, the McBride Charles Ryan design has been encouraged by Council, with input from the Footscray Asian Business Association, Vietnamese Community Australia Victorian Chapter, Footscray Traders Association and the Footscray Community Arts Centre.

Featuring two crane-like structures, the McBride Charles Ryan piece will carry both cultural and local references embossed on the internal walls of the sculpture. Environmentally Sustainable Design elements have also been incorporated which will see adaptable reuse (the building has been designed to ensure adaptable long term reuse); low energy lighting; passive ventilation; and high quality pedestrian and cycle environments included, according to the associated City Development Special Committee report.

<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/image194.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A new Little Saigon. Image courtesy Group GSA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="330" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image194.jpg?itok=h7lw7V8l" title="A new Little Saigon. Image courtesy Group GSA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A new Little Saigon. Image courtesy Group GSA</figcaption></figure>Forming part of the Little Saigon Precinct Activation Plan, the Welcome Arch is expected to join a raft of additional upgrades designed to enhance the immediate local environment. Further landscaping is earmarked within the precinct, as is an upgrade to Byron Street which will see new public facilities delivered.

According to consultancy Spiire, "The proposed development proposes a significant intensification of currently underutilised land through providing additional retail opportunities, car parking and informal community recreation space." Put before Council for consideration during December 2014, the existing at-grade public car park will be condensed into a multi-level structure in order to facilitate a public plaza complete with artworks.

Accordingly a planning permit has been issued for the building and plaza, with construction due to commence shortly.

<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/little-saigon-development_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Little Saigon Market. Image courtesy Atomic 3D"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="339" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/little-saigon-development_1.jpg?itok=cDsyJRNE" title="Little Saigon Market. Image courtesy Atomic 3D" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Little Saigon Market. Image courtesy Atomic 3D</figcaption></figure>What remains ambiguous are the plans for Little Saigon Market, directly opposite the new Byron Street plaza. Architecture firm Techné have conceived a residential complex of 260 apartments over two towers which would consume the entire 5,000sqm site. The approved redevelopment would feature a market style retail centre at ground level.

<blockquote>
The form allows for maximum natural light and visual outlook by splitting the volume into two towers, resulting in the creation of an internal podium of landscaped open space. The towers employ an additive method of articulation which reflects opposing functional aspects of the program and responds to the unique built form of the surrounding area.
<cite>Techné</cite>
</blockquote>

Like so many other residential projects in Footscray, the Little Saigon Market development has yet to proceed. At least the civic infrastructure will be in place should it ever be delivered.
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Footscray's little saigon finds its phoenix

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Melbourne International Design Week is upon us again, showcasing the best of international design excellence coupled with numerous presentations from forward thinking industry participants. The event seeks to "Give everyone the opportunity to be inspired by the benefits of outstanding design for our lives and our economy."

Highlighting the role of design as a catalyst for innovation, Melbourne International Design Week provides the most accessible means for the general public to engage with business and industry participants.

<blockquote>
Melbourne International Design Week is a series of landmark events presented in partnership with Ideas on Design and provides a platform to support and promote other presenters from the local and international community. We encourage programs and activities that showcase design excellence, build collaboration between, design disciplines, industry sectors and the local and international community.
<cite><a href="http://www.designmattersvictoria.com/design-week/">Design Matters: Melbourne International Design Week 2015</a></cite>
</blockquote>

Here's a chosen quartet of Apartments.com.au's most notable events during the course of this week:

<h2>Curbing the Urban Sprawl</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/rothelowman_02.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Living upon the Yarra. Image courtesy Rothelowman"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/rothelowman_02.jpg?itok=K1kp0bkN" title="Living upon the Yarra. Image courtesy Rothelowman" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Living upon the Yarra. Image courtesy Rothelowman</figcaption></figure>Billed as an event that will discuss the failings of suburbs and their ability to deliver a sustainable model for the Australian city, Curbing the Urban Sprawl will feature discussion lead by ROTHELOWMAN principal Chris Hayton and Hamton Development Director Matt Malseed. Covering issues relating to architecture, landscape architecture and planning, the event will present ideas based upon innovative and intelligent design, sustainability and higher density cities.

<dl>
<dt>When</dt>
	<dd>Saturday 16 May: Discussion 12:30pm - 1.30pm, followed by tours of the Haven development between 2pm to 4pm (no bookings necessary)</dd>
	<dt>Where</dt>
	<dd>Acacia Place - 677-679 Victoria Street, Abbotsford</dd>
</dl>
<h2>Urban Tomorrows, Urban Todays: Dan Hill public talk</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/x-dan_hill-700x467.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image courtesy futureeverything.org"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/x-dan_hill-700x467.jpg?itok=oFAvUa8e" title="Image courtesy futureeverything.org" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image courtesy futureeverything.org</figcaption></figure>Executive Director of Futures at the UK’s Future Cities Catapult and Adjunct Professor with the School of Media and Communication at RMIT. Impressive qualifications associated with designer and urbanist Dan Hill as he spearheads a discussion on key urban challenges for our future, with an eye toward creating a more sustainable and desirable future.

A regular for publications such as Dezeen, Domus and Volume, Dan Hill is excessively well versed in contemporary urban issues.

<dl>
<dt>When</dt>
	<dd>Wednesday 13 May: 6.30 PM to 8:00 PM (free entry)</dd>
	<dt>Where</dt>
	<dd>Level 4 Lecture Theatre, RMIT Swanston Academic Building (80.04.011) 445 Swanston Street</dd>
</dl>
<h2>Victorian Design Exhibition</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/image172.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Imagew courtesy designmattersvictoria.com"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="344" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image172.jpg?itok=YxRCYX79" title="Imagew courtesy designmattersvictoria.com" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image courtesy designmattersvictoria.com</figcaption></figure>The best of what Victoria can offer in terms of design will be on display this week. Free to the public, Victorian Design Exhibition will showcase in excess of 100 award winning designs. Chosen by industry leading bodies such as The Australian Institute of Architects, Australian Graphic Design Association, Design Institute of Australia and Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, the is the best of the best on display.

<dl>
<dt>When</dt>
	<dd>Sunday 10 May to Saturday 16 May</dd>
	<dt>Where</dt>
	<dd>City Square, Corner Swanston &amp; Collins Streets</dd>
</dl>
<h2>No Risk! A Century of Dense Living in South Yarra - Walking Tour</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/image173.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image courtesy architours.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="172" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image173.jpg?itok=_8Y2MpV1" title="Image courtesy architours.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image courtesy architours.com.au</figcaption></figure>Join the Melbourne Architours team who know the architecture and design of Melbourne's inner suburbs inside out. South Yarra is on the radar this week with an informative walking tour on the agenda

<blockquote>
South Yarra offers a physical laboratory for Melbourne’s renewed interest in density, providing a convenient cross section of built examples from maisonettes to walk-up flats and recent high end towers. Walking a meandering path from 1920 to today offers an opportunity to compare a range of dense building types, and observe changes in development activity, successive waves of architectural movements and the ever-present effects of urban governance.

This walking tour is intended to be highly interactive and seeks to provide a platform for positive debate about inner suburban Melbourne’s past, present and future.
<cite><a href="http://www.designmattersvictoria.com/design-week/melbourne-architours/">Design Matters: Melbourne Architours</a></cite>
</blockquote>

<dl>
<dt>When</dt>
	<dd>Thursday May 14: 9am-10.30am - <a href="http://www.designmattersvictoria.com/design-week/melbourne-architours/">more details</a>
</dd>
	<dt>Where</dt>
	<dd>Meet at 9-11 Claremont Street, South Yarra (bookings required)</dd>
</dl>
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Melbourne International Design Week: Urban.com.au's choice events

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The issue of air rights has been given heightened media attention in recent times, principally due to Yarra House within South Yarra's Forrest Hill Precinct where developer Michael Yates <a href="http://www.afr.com/real-estate/residential/yarra-house-to-rise-with-views-secured-20131015-jgwls">purchased apartments in the adjoining low-rise building</a>. This in turn secures the right to veto any future development, thus protecting Yarra House's views.

Air rights and appropriate development is also at the crux of a dispute headed to VCAT, where Albert Road-based Evolve Development is seeking to amend an already approved scheme for 25-27 Coventry Street, so as to expand the tower's built form above the neighbouring property. Having purchased the Southbank site with approval in place for a 22 level residential building, Evolve Development have subsequently secured air rights above the adjoining 21-23 Coventry Street.

<blockquote>
Our client has also purchased the air rights of the eastern adjoining property and a subdivision permit obtained to amalgamate this land. It is noted that the permit contained Condition 1 (f), which required the built form to be set back from the eastern boundary at least 4.5 metres from the eastern boundary at Level 5 and above. This requirement was due to Council's concerns in relation to the proposed development restricting the future development potential of the adjoining land, in particular any restrictions on east facing apartments in any future development of that land.
<cite>SJB Planning document to VCAT excerpt, April 2015</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/image166.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Air right over part 21-23 Coventry Street. Image courtesy SJB"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="365" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image166.jpg?itok=i-1vNYzD" title="Air right over part 21-23 Coventry Street. Image courtesy SJB" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Air right over part 21-23 Coventry Street. Image courtesy SJB</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
The purchase of the air rights over 21-23 Coventry Street has resulted in an expansion of the built form to the east from Level 5 upwards. This has had consequential effects on the layout of apartments at these levels. Particularly, the apartments located in the south east quadrant of the building from Level 5 to Level 20 have been reoriented to ensure appropriate setbacks from the properties to the south and west and to ensure adequate daylight access to all habitable rooms.

Evolve No.21 Pty Ltd now seeks permission to pursue an amended development strategy which incorporates the air rights over 21-23 Coventry Street to the east and which better reflects current inner urban housing market trends.
<cite>SJB Planning document to VCAT excerpt, April 2015</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>25-27 Coventry Street, Southbank amendment highlights</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/image168.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A comparison between approved and proposed. Images courtesy SJB"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="343" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image168.jpg?itok=8l3s_v4t" title="A comparison between approved and proposed. Images courtesy SJB" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A comparison between approved and proposed. Images courtesy SJB</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>21 level residential tower at 70 metres in height</li>
	<li>252 apartments - 99 * studio, 105 * 1BR, 48 * 2BR</li>
	<li>177 car parking spaces and 80 bicycle spaces within a three level basement</li>
	<li>279sqm commercial/restaurant space with 50 person capacity</li>
	<li>Meeting room and library included within the development</li>
	<li>1,147sqm site area</li>
</ul>
The reworked SJB Architects design seeks to bump up apartments numbers by an additional 72 over the initial scheme which was given the nod via City of Melbourne during 2013. This is principally achieved by increasing studio dwellings from 8 to 99 within the amended proposal, at the cost of two bedroom dwellings which decrease by 20.

While the design still adheres to the DDO60 height limit, the external look has been drastically altered with the addition of balconies to the eastern facade. It's argued within the documents that the balconies which overhang the adjoining 21-23 Coventry street will aid in the retention of both on-site and off-site amenity.

Evolve Development currently have the project listed on their website as valued at $140 million and holding a completion date of 2017. It's fair to assume both these figures will change.

<h2>North, south, east and west</h2>

<blockquote>
The building form varies on each of its four elevations, relating to the immediate neighbouring conditions, whilst the use of varied colours and materiality presents a continuity and connection to the surroundings.

The north elevation presents an elegant tower on a setback podium with expressed columns that lightly anchor the elevation to the ground. Laneway access provided at the rear of the site along Wells Lane ensures flexibility and street activation of Coventry Street by way of tenancy and residential lobby interface. Street canopies, individually expressed between columns, break up the podium providing a human scale in the current streetscape rhythm while providing protection from the elements.

The tower is expressed in distinctive elements to provide visual interest and articulation. A recessed floor plan is incorporated at level 5 to distinguish the podium from the tower above. This break in the facade is introduced to respond to the height of the parapet of 312 St Kilda Road to the east, and the fagade composition of 35-37 Coventry Street to the west. The western elevation incorporates an angled setback to individual apartments facing south-west to protect the amenity of existing residents to the south and future neighbours to the west.

The south elevation is set back in response to the proximity of the residential tower at 6-8 Dorcas Street to the south.
<cite>SJB Planning</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>Join the club</h2>

25-27 Coventry Street would join Evolve Development's initial Southbank project, <a href="http://www.evolvedevelopment.com.au/completed-projects.php#guilfoyle">The Guilfoyle</a> at 39 Coventry Street. LU Simon Builders completed the $190 million tower during 2013, which holds 353 apartments spanning 21 levels. SJB Architects were also responsible for the design of The Guilfoyle.

Currently fellow developer VIMG have sold in excess of 70% of Coventry Haus located at 33 Coventry Street, which will see the project head to construction shortly. Designed by Jackson Clement Borrows, the tower began life considerably shorter but was expanded upon VIMG's purchase of the site to the maximum allowable height.

<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/141029-33-coventry-photomontage-dusk-edit-3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Coventry Haus at 23 levels. Image courtesy JCB"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="899" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/141029-33-coventry-photomontage-dusk-edit-3.jpg?itok=2ZAoQ8ld" title="Coventry Haus at 23 levels. Image courtesy JCB" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Coventry Haus at 23 levels. Image courtesy JCB</figcaption></figure>The 'secondary' Southbank apartment market has proven popular in recent years with a string of apartment tower completions falling between Coventry and Dorcas, as witnessed by Sunday Apartments, Elm and the aforementioned Guilfoyle.

Waiting in the wings are the approved <a href="/buildings/kings-domain-southbank-68-dorcas-street-southbank">68-70 Dorcas Street</a>, <a href="/buildings/the-evermore-southbank-58-66-dorcas-street-southbank">58-66 Dorcas Street</a> and potentially 25-27 Coventry Street which between them would pump a further 1000 apartments into the tail end of Southbank.
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Air rights, share rights: 25-27 Coventry Street, Southbank

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With more ins and outs than your favourite football team, it's an opportune time to provide a synopsis of all the towers vying to, or in the process of joining the Melbourne's 200 metre club. Much has changed since the last time Apartments.com.au visited the matter during <a href="/news/melbournes-200-metre-club-bursting-at-the-seams">August 2014</a>; new projects are seeking their place in the skyline while others have fallen by the wayside.

Rather than provide a simple list of those projects beyond 200 metres which are at varying stages of the development cycle, all projects are noted below according to their current status.

<h2>Hitting the heights</h2>

Following the completion of Prima-Pearl on Southbank, Melbourne theoretically sees eight projects in excess of 200 metres currently at construction; theoretically being the term of choice.

The sorry saga of <a href="/new-apartments/150-queen-street-melbourne">Tower Melbourne</a> continues with its onsite tower crane now dormant for well over a year. Although the legal wranglings surrounding the project look to have been settled, the site is anything but buzzing with activity. Also theoretically at construction is <a href="/buildings/west-side-place-melbourne-250-spencer-street-melbourne-vic-3000">250 Spencer Street</a> which under the guidance of St Kilda Road-based Far East Consortium has approval for four towers in excess of 200 metres. Following demolition completion, Brookfield Multiplex now have signage across the site with early works poised to begin.

Hong Kong-based parent company Far East Consortium International Limited has new renderings of the quartet of towers on their website, with the Melbourne's new Ritz-Carlton taking the most prominent position.

<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/image180.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="250 Spencer Street featuring Ritz-Carlton. Image courtesy FECIL"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="243" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image180.jpg?itok=DnBX2TFT" title="250 Spencer Street featuring Ritz-Carlton. Image courtesy FECIL" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>250 Spencer Street featuring Ritz-Carlton. Image courtesy FECIL</figcaption></figure>The remaining six projects are at varying stages of construction. <a href="/buildings/eq-tower-127-abeckett-street-melbourne">EQ Tower</a>, <a href="/buildings/light-house-450-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Light House</a>, <a href="/buildings/victoria-one-452-472-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Victoria One</a>, Vision, <a href="/buildings/568-collins-street-melbourne">568 Collins Street</a> and Melbourne tallest building, <a href="/buildings/australia-108-southbank-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">Australia 108</a> are keeping Melbourne's biggest builders occupied. These projects are soon to be joined by <a href="/buildings/aurora-melbourne-central-224-la-trobe-street-melbourne">Aurora Melbourne Central</a> which will see demolition begin next month in preparation for the hulking tower to begin its journey skyward.

<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/6c578f571fb50bf34f85b8f592d0199c.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Vision moving on up. Image courtesy Ryan Setchell"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/6c578f571fb50bf34f85b8f592d0199c.jpg?itok=kNAUqsc9" title="Vision moving on up. Image courtesy Ryan Setchell" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Vision moving on up. Image courtesy Ryan Setchell</figcaption></figure><h2>Approved but not yet at sales</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/a0f2d633-2112_power_st_web_640x245_freshwater_horizontal.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="M &amp; L Hospitality's Power Street development. Image courtesy mnlth.com"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="221" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/a0f2d633-2112_power_st_web_640x245_freshwater_horizontal.jpg?itok=EjF3jKIN" title="M &amp; L Hospitality's Power Street development. Image courtesy mnlth.com" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>M &amp; L Hospitality's Power Street development. Image courtesy mnlth.com</figcaption></figure>M&amp;L Hospitality have new signage across <a href="/new-apartments/38-freshwater-place-southbank">25-35 Power Street</a> signifying their intention to proceed with the 273 metre mixed-use tower designed by Metier 3. Carrying the above render on their website, M&amp;L Hospitality show the tower to have hotel rooms across levels 57-71 with a mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom residential apartments below.

Project amenities will include a roof top Sky Bar on Level 73 as well as a pool and spa on level 72. The developer which is also undertaking a large expansion of its Four Points by Sheraton at Darling Harbour in Sydney, will see its new Melbourne project create 800 full time construction jobs over the build and 175-200 direct hotel jobs when completed.

<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_380.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="380 Lonsdale Street. Image courtesy Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="893" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image13_380.jpg?itok=ROONdG_s" title="380 Lonsdale Street. Image courtesy Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>380 Lonsdale Street. Image courtesy Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure>Hengyi have recently snapped up <a href="/buildings/swanston-central-168-victoria-street-carlton">8 Bouverie Street</a> with scope for 1,035 dwellings, while <a href="/new-apartments/elysium-54-clarke-street-southbank">Elysium</a> on Southbank is taking registrations of interest for what will become one of Melbourne's more fascinating buildings upon completion. <a href="/buildings/97-franklin-street-melbourne">97 Franklin Street</a> and <a href="/buildings/380-melbourne-380-lonsdale-street-melbourne">380 Lonsdale Street</a> also hold approval with the latter to include an Aloft Hotel.

<h2>A pain in the ass-essment</h2>

The landscape has changed with a new State Government signalling a tougher stance on development in and around Melbourne. Here are the projects beyond 200 metres which have yet to gain a final planning approval… or may never gain it.

<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/image174.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="32 Flinders and 158 City Road. Images courtesy SJB and Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="290" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image174.jpg?itok=DQx4LGg5" title="32 Flinders and 158 City Road. Images courtesy SJB and Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>32 Flinders and 158 City Road. Images courtesy SJB and Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure>First glimpses of two as yet unseen proposals, namely Dexus' <a href="/new-apartments/32-44-flinders-street-melbourne">32-44 Flinders Street</a> and EIPD's <a href="/developments/southbank-vic-3006">158 City Road</a>. The former seeks a 212 metre SJB-designed structure with 595 apartments in addition to 30 SoHo living options. 158 City Road on the other hand largely conforms to the previously approved envelope, albeit expanded to 218 metres and with 722 apartments included.

Fresh applications to the 200 metre club include Fig Tree Holdings' unseen 293-303 La Trobe Street which has gone to planning during April. At 67 levels it will likely to weigh in at approximately 210 metres while carrying 370 apartments. Only last week <a href="/buildings/queens-place-157-a-beckett-street-and-370-queen-street-melbourne">350 Queen Street</a> was unveiled at a maximum height of 268 metres with Queens Place its likely moniker. Developer 3L Alliance is also proposing a second tower onsite which looks to be beyond the 200 metre mark.

Nine other towers at the planning assessment stage find themselves beyond the 200 metre threshold. Covered at one point or another on Apartments.com.au, they include <a href="/new-apartments/272-282-queen-street-melbourne">280 Queen Street</a>, <a href="/new-apartments/293-297-city-road-southbank-vic-3006">295 City Road</a>, <a href="/new-apartments/one-queensbridge-street-1-23-queensbridge-street-southbank">1 Queensbridge Street</a>, <a href="/buildings/aspire-melbourne-301-king-st-melbourne">295 King Street</a>, <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">555 Collins Street</a>, <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">180 Russell Street</a>, <a href="/buildings/premier-tower-134-160-spencer-street-melbourne">134 Spencer Street</a>, <a href="/developments/docklands-vic-3008">85-93 Lorimer Street</a> and <a href="/new-apartments/63-exhibition-street-melbourne">63 Exhibition Street</a>.

Change is a constant when projects are at planning, as is the policy that surrounds them; there remains the likelihood that a number of the projects listed above will be revised downward in scale.

<h2>​Coming up short</h2>

What of the projects that have regressed or are just short of the 200 metre benchmark? They too require mention based upon their sheer numbers.

Three previously submitted proposals substantially beyond the 200 metre mark have been altered in favour of shortened outcomes. Of <a href="/new-apartments/madison-grand-334-city-road-southbank">334-344 City Road</a>, <a href="/buildings/avant-60-abeckett-street-melbourne">54-64 A'Beckett Street</a>, and the much hyped 447 Collins Street, the shortest tower was to have been 265 metres. 447 Collins Street at 297 metres will now make way for dual 194 metre towers according to Cbus Property.

<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/w800-h600-2011932882_3_pi_150427_060128.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Oceania Construction Group's A'Beckett Street proposal"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="501" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/w800-h600-2011932882_3_pi_150427_060128.jpg?itok=W-DXzrV9" title="Oceania Construction Group's A'Beckett Street proposal" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Oceania Construction Group's A'Beckett Street proposal</figcaption></figure>Other to miss out marginally on joining the 200 metre club include <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">Uni Tower</a> at 48 A'Beckett Street which leads the pack at 198 metres, followed by <a href="/buildings/collins-house-melbourne-460-466-collins-street-melbourne">Collins House</a> at 195 metres and the revised Cbus 447 Collins Street twins which have yet to be submitted at 194 metres.

Also worthy of mention is the approved <a href="/buildings/home-southbank-256-260-city-road-southbank">256-260 City Road</a> at 193 metres in height and the trio of <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">80 Collins Street</a>, <a href="/buildings/empire-melbourne-398-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Empire Melbourne</a> and <a href="/buildings/shadow-play-105-clarendon-street-southbank">Shadow Play</a> which are all just shy of 190 metres.

All in all there's the potential for 31 towers in excess of 200 metres to grace Melbourne skyline in addition to those existing… and we may have missed one or two. Industry rumours persist on a number of other projects which are in the pipeline that will add to the 200 metre list. You can reference every project above 200 metres listed within the Apartments.com.au Project Database via the individual listings below.
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A synopsis of Melbourne's 200 metre plus towers produces a startling number

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a> offers plenty of reasons to live vertically, but moving from a substantial family home into an apartment can expose the compromises of high-density living. Privacy, room for guests and usable living space tend to matter more when an apartment is intended as a permanent home rather than an occasional coastal base.

A typical residential floor at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a>, on Surf Parade,&nbsp;contains just four apartments. The 94-residence development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a> is predominantly made up of expansive three-bedroom homes, with a limited collection of half-floor penthouses above.

Across the apartment floors, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has used the relatively limited number of residences to give each home greater access to natural light and outlook. Living spaces extend towards full-height glazing, while a series of bay windows frame selected views across the Pacific Ocean, city and hinterland rather than treating the building edge as a continuous wall of glass.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360965]

“The apartment floors deliver a collection of homes that embrace controlled outlook via a series of bay windows deliberately framing moments of view,” Rothelowman Director Kim Lowman said.

From outside, those projecting forms contribute to the tower’s faceted profile. Strong horizontal and vertical elements establish its proportions, while the changing position of the sun alters the light, shadow and reflection across the façade throughout the day.

The same attention moves inside the apartments, where the material palette combines warm timber, natural stone, metallic detailing and softer curved forms. Kitchens sit within the main living zone, with stone island benches, integrated joinery and European appliances, before the living areas extend towards the glazing and the outlook.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360981]

Three genuine bedrooms provide room to accommodate family and guests, while two secure car spaces and storage address some of the practical considerations that can become more noticeable when moving from a larger home. Feedback from the display suite has centred on the warmth and restraint of the interiors, with buyers commenting that the residences feel like homes rather than conventional coastal apartments.

A limited collection of half-floor penthouses occupies the upper levels, increasing the scale of the living spaces and adding private balconies and elevated finishes. From this position, the outlook extends between the ocean and hinterland.

Outside the private residences, The Eveleigh separates its shared spaces between the podium and rooftop. The podium is centred on wellness, with subtropical landscaping surrounding a swimming pool and pool terrace, yoga garden, private gymnasium, sauna and hot and cold plunge facilities. Landscaped retreats and pavilions provide additional places to sit away from the main recreation areas.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360966]

Higher in the building, a rooftop pavilion and private dining suite sit alongside resident lounge, barbecue and outdoor dining areas, opening towards panoramic views across the ocean, city and hinterland.

“Buyers are no longer just looking for an apartment, but a lifestyle where they can relax, reset, and enjoy a balanced way of living,” Hirsch &amp; Faigen Director of Sales Matt George said.

Interest to date has come from established owner-occupiers and interstate lifestyle purchasers, including buyers planning a future move to the Gold Coast. Many are coming from larger homes and want to reduce ongoing maintenance without giving up space for family and guests, privacy, two car spaces or the ability to entertain at home.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360969]

Much of that daily life can also take place beyond the building without requiring a drive. Kurrawa Beach and Pratten Park are an easy walk from Surf Parade, while Pacific Fair, Oracle Boulevard, The Oasis, restaurants, cafés, entertainment and public transport are also within walking distance.

The Eveleigh is Hirsch &amp; Faigen's fourth Gold Coast development since entering the market in 2021, following The Hemingway at Palm Beach, The Emerson at Kirra and Yves at Mermaid Beach. Each of the preceding projects sold out before completion.

“Broadbeach had been on our radar throughout our time operating on the Gold Coast,” the developer said. “Following our projects in Palm Beach, Kirra and Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach represented the natural next step for the business.”

The Surf Parade site brought together proximity to the beach, protected coastal outlooks and walkability to dining, shopping and recreation. Hirsch &amp; Faigen also identified the street as an emerging premium residential address, with enough separation from Broadbeach's busier destinations to retain a quieter environment at home.

The Eveleigh is now under construction by Maxcon, with completion forecast for mid-2028. Three-bedroom residences are currently available from $2.87 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149670]

Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

A long-stalled Campbelltown development site is back in play, with new plans for 139 apartments set to supersede a mixed-use scheme approved almost a decade ago but never built.

The new proposal for 28 Cordeaux Street would deliver 116 market and 23 affordable apartments in a part 14-storey building, bringing a substantial new project into a Campbelltown market where new apartment supply remains limited.

Plans have been filed over the 3,092 sqm corner site at Moore-Oxley Street, around 600 metres from Campbelltown Railway Station and the city-centre retail core.

The site already carries a mixed-use residential approval dating to 2016. Doroch Architects has now been engaged on a larger replacement scheme, which is progressing as a State Significant Development Application following a Housing Delivery Authority determination in August 2025.

The apartment mix comprises 39 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom residences. Two-bedroom apartments make up just over half of the project, while three-bedroom homes account for 20 per cent.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="136dd5b9-3791-4da6-9e31-76f533f5b4de" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da2.png?VersionId=LgOSy9nwf5u.MGswBBwaGGxuX8QpHSl_" />

Of the 139 apartments, 23 will be delivered as affordable housing under the in-fill affordable housing provisions of the Housing SEPP. The affordable component represents 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area and will be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider.

Doroch has sought to break the scale of the building into two distinct elements, with a masonry podium of around four storeys establishing the street edge before the residential tower steps back above.

The corner position has shaped that approach. Cordeaux Street faces toward the commercial and civic centre, while Moore-Oxley Street leads into the lower-scale residential neighbourhood to the south, and the design verification report describes the site as "bridging the commercial core to the north and established residential areas to the south."

The podium will be expressed predominantly in face brick, while the upper levels shift to brushed and grooved concrete cladding with darker metal detailing. Recessed sections, deep balcony edges and landscaping break down the upper form, with an approximately 11.8-metre setback to the northern boundary addressing the adjoining St Peters Anglican School.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8b3d2d3-c561-4bfc-a5d9-a68c0c10dac1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da1.png?VersionId=AeAEyJU02Gk2k5noUj2StziCvdQ7fW4B" />

Campbelltown has been starved of new residential developments in the last decade.

The only other notable development set to come to market this year is ALAND's Queen Square, a mixed-use precinct on over two hectares that will comprise apartments above a vibrant ground-level retail and hospitality dining precinct.

First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site

First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches apartments for low-rise Deception Bay

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

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Mark Baljak

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