<html><body>
A solid year for development proposals fronting Albert Park Lake continues with the much anticipated 77 Queens Road with City of Port Phillip for assessment. Likewise for site proponent Southlink Developments who add 77 Queens Road to their <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic">Sovereign Blackburn</a> and <a href="/buildings/claremont-manor-7-claremont-street-south-yarra">Claremont Manor</a> apartment developments, both of which are currently at sales.

Contrary to varying media reports that suggested an Elenberg Fraser scheme associated with the site's sale during 2013 would proceed to sales, Southlink have instead chosen Fender Katsalidis to create a new tower for their next Melbourne foray.

<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/image3277q.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Old and new. Images courtesy elenberg Fraser and Fender Katsalidis"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="201" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image3277q.jpg?itok=YNWdmQUc" title="Old and new. Images courtesy elenberg Fraser and Fender Katsalidis" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Old and new. Images courtesy Elenberg Fraser and Fender Katsalidis</figcaption></figure><h2>77 Queens Road Summary</h2>

<ul>
<li>2,329 sqm site</li>
	<li>Currently a low-rise, 1960's apartment block of 36 apartments</li>
	<li>15 metre setback to Queens Road at ground level</li>
	<li>Proposed 13 level complex @ 41.9 metres</li>
	<li>160 apartments</li>
	<li>178 car parking spaces and 181 bicycle spaces</li>
	<li>GFA 12, 364.44sqm</li>
</ul>
<h2>An unmistakable imprint</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/image34w_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Images courtesy Fender Katsalidis and Ryan Seychell"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="464" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image34w_0.jpg?itok=ZzkvsH2W" title="Images courtesy Fender Katsalidis and Ryan Seychell" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Images courtesy Fender Katsalidis and Ryan Seychell</figcaption></figure>The casual observer wouldn't be mistaken for assuming Fender Katsalidis have merely melded two of their successful recent projects together in creating 77 Queens Road. Straight lines and funny angles are alive and well as this application draws upon the best of both <a href="/news">108 Flinders Street</a> and Canberra's NewActon Nishi (above left and right).

Perhaps Fender Katsalidis have stumbled upon a winning formula of confluence which yields both commercial and aesthetic returns? Regardless external finished will see blue/grey vision and spandrel glazing, clear balustrades, coloured precast panels in addition to dark window frames and louvres.

<h2>Internal arrangement</h2>

The majority of apartments are arranged in a herringbone pattern where possible to take in an Albert Park Lake and Bay aspects, with the remainder toward Queens Lane presented in a more conventional format. Single bedroom apartments will be centralised along the Queens Lane frontage while dual bedroom apartments run through the mid levels, with all three bedroom abodes holding frontage to Albert Park Lake along the buildings western flank.

Apartment breakdown will see the following numbers: 20 one-bedroom, 24 one-bedroom + study, 76 two-bedroom, 26 one-bedroom + study, 14 three-bedroom.

<h2>Ground plane</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/img_8739.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ground level. Image courtesy Fender Katsalidis"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="249" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_8739.jpg?itok=QcDJUjZn" title="Ground level. Image courtesy Fender Katsalidis" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ground level. Image courtesy Fender Katsalidis</figcaption></figure>As with many buildings fronting Queens Road, generous setbacks are the norm which allow for an expansive usable space if so desired. A porte-cochere layout addressing Queens Road is included, similar to many developments nearby, including the neighbouring Monarc apartment project.

A central passage will bisect 77 Queens Road at ground with a host of communal facilities holding sway, whilst services are clustered to the most innocuous quadrant. Oculus have devised the landscape solution which will feature outdoor terraces, bluestone paving, outdoor dining/seating and green privacy screens over ground and the level 9 setback.

<h2>Project team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Southlink</li>
	<li>Architect: Frender Katsalidis</li>
	<li>Planning: URBIS</li>
	<li>Project Management: PDS Group</li>
	<li>Services: WSP Group</li>
	<li>Structural Engineer: Robert Bird Group</li>
	<li>Traffic: Traffix Group</li>
	<li>Building Surveyor: BSGM Consulting Building Surveyors</li>
	<li>Waste: Leigh Design</li>
	<li>Landscape: Oculus</li>
	<li>ESD: Ark Resources</li>
</ul>
</body></html>

silvermb

Southlink lodge plans for 77 Queens Road

<html><body>
The wraps are off what is the third coming for a Southbank development site perched above the Kings Way overpass. Now known as Bellla Apartments, the site has seen two high-profile failures in getting a residential development out of the ground.

Initially designed by Crone Partners for Wadhawan Group / DEC, the scheme saw planning approval granted during 2012 for a tower of 207 apartments. Labelled as Verge, the 32-level project also would have also housed 39 car spaces, 102 bicycles spaces, and a residents gym.

<blockquote>
Its vibrant façade screens the car parking beyond and delivers an interesting, rhythmic pattern to those using Kings Way and when viewed approaching from the east. The obtuse corner to the site has been embraced as a tool to define an important city block and to guide the building’s façade around the corner. The building then sets back along City Rd to reinforce the existing planning parameters.

The tower’s elegance is reinforced by its slender proportions and the subtle variation across the main facades. The bold, dark, solid façade elements make a dramatic statement, whether viewed during the day or at night.
<cite>Crone Partners</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/image9bella.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A reworked initial concept delivered as Bella Apartments. Images courtesy Crone &amp; Salvo Property Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="394" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image9bella.jpg?itok=qflvpF2e" title="A reworked initial concept delivered as Bella Apartments. Images courtesy Crone &amp; Salvo Property Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A reworked initial concept delivered as Bella Apartments. Images courtesy Crone &amp; Salvo Property Group</figcaption></figure>Amidst a swirl of media attention and sizeable sporting sponsorships, history will show Wadhawan Group / DEC's grand plans for Melbourne which involved three separate projects going to sales (including the sprawling 1,200 apartment <a href="/new-apartments/400-430-city-road-southbank">400 City Road</a> project) simultaneously amounted to little more than the mid-rise <a href="http://www.decaustralia.com.au/cms-projects/elan.php">Elan</a> project in South Yarra.

Some time later 608 Property Group signage appeared over the site hoardings. Although 608 Property Group had successfully delivered the high-rise Tiara project nearby, ultimately the development firm mirrored the rapid rise and fall of its Director, once more plunging the project into obscurity and buyers into another period of uncertainty.

<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_8244.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The current state of play"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_8244.jpg?itok=G9cKqpNZ" title="The current state of play" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The current state of play</figcaption></figure>Site works commenced early last year, although the site has laid dormant for the best part of twelve months to date. In the interim established property player and Melbourne-based Salvo Property Group had assumed control over the project, labelling it Bella Apartments.

With tower footings in place, mass design adjustments have been avoided, rather a tweaking of the external finishes has occurred with the addition of two extra levels. It's understood Urban Design Architects have been tasked with augmenting the initial design, continuing a partnership with Salvo which has yielded multiple residential towers in the past.

Turquoise highlights have been applied to the podium and tower; in conjunction with the marketing material, the turquoise elements and name changed have served to differentiate the current proposal from past failed incarnations. Brookfield Multiplex have added Bella to their building Melbourne construction roster, with works expected to restart shortly for the project with a varied history.
</body></html>

Third time lucky for 248 City Road

<html><body>
Having little more than an appreciation of what Hosier Lane adds to Melbourne's urban environment, it is hard to accurately judge where the renowned street art hub is at.

According to HosierLane.com street art "Mostly refers to unsanctioned work born illicitly by defacing a wall or other surface, however can take many forms including, spray paint, stencil art." With that in mind outsiders such as myself are in no position to judge the validity of what is currently adorning the walls of Hosier Lane.

I would suggest the precinct reached its zenith visually late last year with the sanctioned <a href="/news/paint-it-black-hosier-lane-reborn" target="_blank">Paint It Black</a> project, but as Apartments.com.au member Melbourne Fragments stated "This complete commidification and partitioning of ownership goes totally againt the whole point of street art and the reason this laneway became popular for it."

For comparison sake, see the Hosier Inc compilation video created earlier this year which highlights the array of murals; most of which have come and gone.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="398" scrolling="no" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Y95fMa58SXs" width="100%"></iframe>

As it stands Hosier Lane looks more an exercise in excessive tagging than a muse for budding artists, but once more, what would I know.

View the relatively light yet still interesting current batch of Hosier Lane street art below, and as always enjoy.
</body></html>

Hosier Lane off the boil?

<html><body>
With winter all but a memory the season to get out and about is upon us. Judging by the sheer volume of new additions to the Apartments.com.au <a href="/developments" target="_blank">Project Database</a> developers have the same notion in mind.

Within the last week or so in near enough to 30 residential apartment developments have been added to the Project Database, signifying the next push of medium and high-density projects into the Melbourne market. Shown below are a selection of newly added projects:

<h2>North and West Melbourne running hot</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/image53nwm.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rosslyn Street, Courtney Place and Shiel Street. Images courtesy Hartland, Hayball and Fender Katsalidis"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="338" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image53nwm.jpg?itok=ItrF7lF2" title="Rosslyn Street, Courtney Place and Shiel Street. Images courtesy Hartland, Hayball and Fender Katsalidis" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rosslyn Street, Courtney Place and Shiel Street. Images courtesy Hartland, Hayball and Fender Katsalidis</figcaption></figure>In addition to a handful of high-rise apartment towers subject to future articles, North and West Melbourne continue to bubble away with apartment projects coming thick and fast. Entered into the Apartments.com.au project database in recent days have been three projects.

<a href="/new-apartments/north-melbourne-vic-3051">1 Shiel Street</a> sees an existing scheme of six levels expanded to ten with the capacity for 46 dwellings while <a href="/new-apartments/north-melbourne-vic-3051">143-147 Rossly Street</a> is also a revised application seeking approval for a six level development. Most unassuming is <a href="/new-apartments/68-courtney-street-north-melbourne" target="_blank">68-74 Courtney Place</a> in North Melbourne which due to its depth has seen a Hayball design of some 80 apartments put forward.

<h2>GURNER™ add to their development stock</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/image52gurner.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="74 Eastern Road, Ikebana and Stanley Street. Images courtesy GURNER™"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="489" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image52gurner.jpg?itok=jx7f_IIF" title="74 Eastern Road, Ikebana and Stanley Street. Images courtesy GURNER™" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>74 Eastern Road, Ikebana and Stanley Street. Images courtesy GURNER™</figcaption></figure>Two projects have recently been submitted for approval by GURNER™. <a href="/buildings/74-eastern-road-south-melbourne" target="_blank">74 Eastern Road</a> and <a href="/buildings/28-stanley-street-collingwood">24-28 Stanley Street Collingwood</a> would add 130 apartment between the two, with GURNER™ describing 74 Eastern Road as "An amazing scheme." These two join <a href="/buildings/ikebana-130-dudley-street-west-melbourne" target="_blank">Ikebana West Melbourne</a> which will see the release of 248 additional apartments into the market shortly.

<h2>The drawn-out Waterfront Place</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/image55fk.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Fender Katsalidis concept design for Waterfront Place"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="244" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image55fk.jpg?itok=IwU7CXhP" title="The Fender Katsalidis concept design for Waterfront Place" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Fender Katsalidis concept design for Waterfront Place</figcaption></figure>Kuwaiti-backed Action Group Australia have held the prime Port Melbourne site for some time. Enlisting Fender Katsalidis, an initial 30 level wave-like development was proposed, subsequently falling in height to 19 levels, 13 levels and now a 10 level proposal which is entered into the database. With the approvals process resembling a melodrama, the most recent <a href="/new-apartments/1-11-waterfront-place-port-melbourne" target="_blank">1-11 Waterfront Place</a> looks to have lost a significant amount of design flair.

City of Port Phillip have indicated this scheme too will not find favour.

<h2>Into the north</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/image56nth.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="St George, Hive Thornbury and 602 Doncaster Road. Images courtesy MAP Architecture, ROTHELOWMAN &amp; ITN"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="488" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image56nth.jpg?itok=y3q1jtxj" title="St George, Hive Thornbury and 602 Doncaster Road. Images courtesy MAP Architecture, ROTHELOWMAN &amp; ITN" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>St George, Hive and 602 Doncaster. Images courtesy MAP Architecture, ROTHELOWMAN &amp; ITN</figcaption></figure>The suburbs aren't without a swag of projects, with locales such as Preston, Doncaster, Essendon and Northcote delivering more residential projects into the Apartments.com.au database. Shown above is St George at 64 St Georges Road Northcote and Hive at 630 High Street Thornbury.

Recently added but known of for some time is <a href="/new-apartments/602-630-doncaster-road-doncaster" target="_blank">602-630 Doncaster Road</a> which after initially finding no favour with local council won approval at VCAT, further adding to Doncaster's impressive stock of residential apartments.

Lead image courtesy Alan Lam.
</body></html>

Scores of new residential developments enter the Urban.com.au database

<html><body>
Head into Melbourne's CBD via Swanston Street and you're met with a relic of a bygone era: RMIT University's Buildings 10, 12 and 14. Constructed during the 1970's the insular edifice has received little more than cosmetic work since, with the promise of extensive design changes looming over the complex in recent years.

Last week it was announced the quartet (including the more recent Building 8) would receive an extensive upgrade with the aim of creating a contemporary learning environment equal to its modern sibling, the <a href="http://www.rmit.edu.au/bus/sab" target="_blank">Swanston Academic Building</a>. This will be achieved by enlivening the lower levels across the buildings, essentially creating interconnected learning and social spaces, outdoor terraces and laneways; with natural light prominent to most areas.

<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_8410.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="standing as an unwelcoming entry point to Melbourne's CBD"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="408" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_8410.jpg?itok=jafd5bDs" title="standing as an unwelcoming entry point to Melbourne's CBD" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>RMIT's quartet have seen better days</figcaption></figure>No less that five architecture firms have been engaged to create an outcome dubbed New Academic Street which will exemplify the following design characteristics:

<ul>
<li>Consolidate the University library and create more space there for students.</li>
	<li>Improve the way students can access services.</li>
	<li>Make it easier and safer to move through the buildings.</li>
	<li>Create more space and better facilities for schools.</li>
	<li>Provide better options for buying food and drink.</li>
	<li>Reduce energy consumption.</li>
	<li>Cut the cost of maintenance.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
The Swanston Library, which attracts up to 9,600 students a day, will be completely refurbished to provide more than 40 per cent more quiet and collaborative study spaces which will include light-filled areas looking onto Bowen Street.

Students arriving on campus will be able to converge on the new level 4 Student Hall and connect with services directly or via a single step referral to a specialist provider.
<cite>RMIT University</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/image48madd.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Perspective of Maddison Architects' component"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="517" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image48madd.jpg?itok=GRCWBnsI" title="Perspective of Maddison Architects' component" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Perspective of Maddison Architects' component</figcaption></figure>While final designs on the horizon and works are expected to commence next year, Maddison Architects have released a number of images online which will constitute Building 14's upgrade. Included within Building 14 is a new retail strip over level 4 which will deliver a cluster of commercial, recreational and food outlets in addition to licensed bar, suggesting the precinct will be a hub of activity beyond the standard tertiary calendar.

<blockquote>
This exciting (and complex) project involves the renovation and addition to multiple RMIT buildings along Swanston Street. Maddison Architects are working with Lyons, MVS, NMBW and HAW architects to deliver a major building upgrade and dynamic new interaction between the university campus and the surrounding city streets. Maddison Architects are currently working on Building 14 (Bowen Street).
<cite>Maddison Architects</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>The Urban Square adds to the mix</h2>

Recently serving as a storage zone and workers facilities area during construction of the Swanston Academic Building, RMIT have elected to provide a temporary urban square for students and public alike on a vast piece of land on Stewart Street and A'Beckett Street.

<blockquote>
RMIT University’s A’Beckett Urban Square, designed by Peter Elliott Architecture + Urban Design, is the latest addition to this collection of mercurial urban interventions. Described by the university as an ‘urban sport and recreational pop-up’, this $1.2 million project has turned a former car park into a publicly accessible, 2800-square-metre park incorporating sports courts, landscaping, BBQ facilities, table tennis, WiFi and bike parking.

“It needed to be a place that was active and engaged – it’s a place for casual recreation,” says Peter Elliott. “It’s really meant for active ball games, because there’s really almost nowhere in the city you can do that, apart from what RMIT already has in its campus on Bowen Street.”
<cite>ArchitectureAU</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>Comment</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/img_8407.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="An underutilised Stewart Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_8407.jpg?itok=g0O6rTYy" title="An underutilised Stewart Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>An underutilised Stewart Street</figcaption></figure>Passing through the area, the Urban Square has already become popular with the basketball courts in particular seemingly always in use.

The one negative looks to be Stewart Street which is caught in no man's land: it serves no primary purpose. No through auto traffic renders it useless as a street and RMIT's SAB doesn't open up to Stewart Street well enough to facilitate further foot traffic.

With whatever form RMIT's future Urban Square building will take along with the influx of thousands of apartments in the area, it looks a decent opportunity for RMIT and City of Melbourne to collaborate on transforming Stewart Street into a viable, enjoyable urban space. Banish on street parking (3 parking spaces won't demonstrably diminish council revenue), allow only loading vehicle in via a single lane and the remainder with a green space.

An easy solution, but the opportunity for more to be done exists. For mine based on current foot and vehicle flows plus future intentions, the eventual transformation of Stewart Street is a monte.

<h2>Further reading</h2>

<ul>
<li>RMIT image gallery: <a href="http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse/Staff%2FWorkplace%20essentials%2FServices%20and%20advice%2FProperty%20Services%2FCapital%20works%20program%2FCity%2FNew%20Academic%20Street/">New Academic Street</a>
</li>
	<li>ArchitectureAU: <a href="http://architectureau.com/articles/abeckett-urban-square/#img=5">Parking space to play space</a>
</li>
	<li>Urban Square design: <a href="http://www.peterelliott.com.au/current-projects/A-Beckett-Temporary-Urban-Square">Peter Elliott Architects</a>
</li>
</ul>
</body></html>

RMIT rolls out a heightened student experience

<html><body>
It's always somewhat concerning when the heart of any sub-precinct is defined by two large open air car parks, and this is the case at Essendon Station, within the greater Essendon Junction precinct. Conversely the opportunity exists to transform said car parks into a worthwhile urban experience if the process is handled correctly.

Owner VicTrack considers the land around Essendon Station surplus, indicating that the land parcels should be developed and in the process remove Melbourne's 18th worst level crossing at Buckley Street by sinking Essendon Station. As was <a href="http://www.theweeklyreviewmooneevalley.com.au/story/1231678/essendon-level-crossing-removal-hinges-on-talks/">reported last year</a> VicTrack is heading toward a policy of linking with private developers in order to facilitate development of underutilised tracts of land.

<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/image76ess.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Excerp from Property Council of Australia's 20 Projects publication"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="371" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image76ess.jpg?itok=6TaIPng5" title="Excerp from Property Council of Australia's 20 Projects publication" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Excerpt from Property Council of Australia's 20 Projects publication</figcaption></figure>Essendon Station as the focal point of Essendon Junction was also earmarked as one of Victoria's 20 best investment sites as seen in the graphic above, according to the Property Council of Australia. The 2.5 hectares available for development could have an end value of $250 million with a mix of uses.

City of Moonee Valley in their 2012 Draft Structure Plan below clearly outline the dual expansive blue car parks abutting Essendon Station. According to the most recent planning application for Essendon Junction, maximum heights of 39 metres or 13 levels are expected at the heart of the wider Essendon Junction area.

<blockquote>
The Essendon Junction area is nominated as a Neighbourhood Activity Centre in the Moonee Valley Planning Scheme. State Government planning policy requires activity centres like Essendon Junction to operate as vibrant hubs containing a mix of residential dwellings, shops, services and public transport.

Once completed, the Structure Plan will provide a long term vision for future growth and development within Essendon Junction. It will be used to guide major changes to land use, built form, transport, community services and open space within the centre over a 20 year timeframe.
<cite>Essendon Junction Draft Plan 2012</cite>
</blockquote>

It seems all parties are in furious agreement when it comes to redeveloping Essendon Station, yet the policies to facilitate this have either not been implemented or acted upon.

<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/image73han.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Built form typologies map. Image courtesy Hansen Partnership"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="375" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image73han.jpg?itok=yFnAPeOn" title="Built form typologies map. Image courtesy Hansen Partnership" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Built form typologies map. Image courtesy Hansen Partnership</figcaption></figure>As it stands all the development action lies at the fringes of Essendon Junction and further north along Mt Alexander Road as developments of 4-10 levels have been approved or completed in a steady procession. The currently under construction 20 Napier Street was recently joined by a new planning application located at 952-960 Mt Alexander Road, at the hands of a private developer.

952-960 Mt Alexander Road looks to take advantage of its elevated position by delivering an eight level apartment block on the periphery of the Essendon Junction area, yet still having tram, train and bus and retail all within walking distance.

<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/image75ess.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="952-960 Mt Alexander Road. Image © 11 Dimensions"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="300" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image75ess.jpg?itok=183LTON_" title="952-960 Mt Alexander Road. Image © 11 Dimensions" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>952-960 Mt Alexander Road. Image © 11 Dimensions</figcaption></figure><h2>952-960 Mt Alexander Road summary</h2>

<ul>
<li>Site: 1,077sqm, currently a low-rise commercial buildings</li>
	<li>Proponent: Rafina Port Pty Ltd</li>
	<li>Architect: <a href="http://www.11dimensions.com.au/home">11 Dimensions</a>
</li>
	<li>8 levels at 27.4 metres</li>
	<li>58 apartments: 1x1BR/53x2BR/4x3BR</li>
	<li>63 car parks, 28 bike spaces &amp; 2 retail tenancies</li>
</ul>
<h2>Comment</h2>

The announcement signaling intent to move on development air rights above a select few Melbourne rail stations was made at the beginning of 2013, Essendon included. That nothing has been said or done publicly since says much for the speed at which bureaucracy works and for the ease in which words without context can be so easily forgotten.

Generally, established private sector developers will realise a project at a far greater speed than government could expect to, and Essendon Junction is shaping to be a prime example. Sites surrounding Essendon Station are steadily falling under the developers touch (as expected) but Essendon Station itself - the heart of Essendon Junction - is going nowhere fast.

Off the top of my head the only property development successfully delivered in recent times by VicTrack (in a development agreement with Consolidated Properties) was <a href="http://www.ikonapartments.com.au/team.php">Ikon Glen Waverley</a> which incidentally sold out in the first weekend of sales. Surely the time is now to spread that successful policy/formula elsewhere!
</body></html>

Working from the outside in at Essendon Junction

<html><body>
Lodged for approval during June, Aspial-World Class Land Pty Ltd have sought to amend an existing planning permit for 54-64 A'Beckett Street with a taller, grander residential project put forward.

Designed by Elenberg Fraser, the pinkish-red tower would hold a slender, easily recognisable form in Melbourne's northern skyline, discerning itself with a diagrid facade which 'collapses' as the form reaches ground level. Planning application documents suggests that the revamped design would provide an increased positive contribution to the northern precinct of Melbourne's CBD in terms of design livability and visual amenity.

<h2>54-64 A'Beckett Street summary</h2>

<ul>
<li>Site area: 1,280sqm</li>
	<li>Current use: 1 &amp; 3 level commercial buildings</li>
	<li>Previously approved: 50 level residential tower of 502 apartments</li>
	<li>Current application: 81 levels @ 253.65</li>
	<li>750 apartments (300 1B + 450 2B)</li>
	<li>126 car spaces and 370 bicycles</li>
	<li>1,862sqm communal area over three levels</li>
	<li>90sqm retail space</li>
</ul>
<a href="/news">See more images of the striking 54-64 A'Beckett Street within the forum thread</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/image28ab.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Surface phenomena. Image © Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="549" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image28ab.jpg?itok=Z9882zO1" title="Surface phenomena. Image © Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Surface phenomena. Image © Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure><h2>Surface phenomena</h2>

<blockquote>
The design proposal uses a treatment that expresses the structural charactersitics of the building. This treatment has been applied as a surface treatment nad then modulated to wrap around the entire building, creating as super surface.

The super surface treatment resembles a weave like pattern that wraps the mass, compressing as it reaches the ground and being extruded as stretches towards the to of the building. The treatment is made up of a network of white aluminium fins.
<cite>Elenberg Fraser</cite>
</blockquote>

54-64 A'Beckett Street's corners are also chamfered within each facade segment, emphasising the prevailing pattern while also allowing winds to work around the building in an easier fashion. With the neighbouring MY80 residential tower in close proximity, directional fins have been applied to the blush-coloured facade, thus negating overlooking between towers while still maintaining resident view lines for the most.

<h2>From the ground up</h2>

Elenberg Fraser have designed the ground floor with "direct reference to the buildings across A’beckett Street." The provision of a double height, clear glazed foyer is designed to reference the height of the buildings opposite while also enclosing a cafe courtyard.

Parking for 128 vehicles is found over levels 2-8, with apartments fronting the A’Beckett Street podium in order to maintain a degree of activity. The general shape of the tower is that of a ‘L’ shape, in keeping with the site while setbacks are included to all boundaries, excluding a small portion of the east boundary. 
Within the tower, single bedroom apartments fall within the 40-50sqm bracket while two bedroom apartments are generally within the 50-60sqm range according to the planning report development summary. It can be suggested that based upon the apartment mix and sizes, investor/rental stock will play its part in 54-64 A'Beckett Street's overall composition

<h2>‘Vertical living’ – analysis of residential amenity</h2>

<blockquote>
A key aspect of the amended design has been the focus to improve the internal amenity of the apartments and that generally of the overall development for future residents. High rise housing is becoming commonplace throughout the Melbourne CBD and inner renewal areas as a result of both the population increases and strong desire by the market for inner city accommodation options.

We are now seeing the emergence of ‘vertical communities’ which provide important outdoor and communal spaces for residents of these new apartment buildings.
<cite>Urbis</cite>
</blockquote>

Improvements over the initial design sees the deletion of internally facing podium apartments, replacing studio and borrowed light apartments within the podium with layouts allowing for natural light and ventilation plus the provisions above which negate privacy concerns.

1,862sqm of communal space is located over spaces at ground level, L10 and L80. A gym, group fitness studio, lap pool and associated recreation area (sauna, wading pool, steam room and sauna) and outdoor balcony/ urban landscaped terrace consue the useable area over level 10.

Designed as a mass entertaining space, level 80 will hold two dining rooms and catering kitchens able to be booked by tenants, a large outdoor communal garden terrace, viewing room, poker/games room, lounge and entertainment room, informal dining and BBQ area. Urbis contends that the high level of internal amenity in forthcoming projects such as 54-64 A'Beckett Street will in part reduce additional demand placed on surrounding areas of public open space as the CBD's population increases.

<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/image26ab.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Lobby render taken from the planning application. Image © Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="689" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image26ab.jpg?itok=OwGgi-Cx" title="Lobby render taken from the planning application. Image © Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lobby render taken from the planning application. Image © Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure>54-64 A'Beckett Street joins the much discussed <a href="/buildings/australia-108-southbank-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">70 Southbank Boulevard</a> as Aspial - World Class Land's two initial Melbourne developments; 70 Southbank Boulevard being the abrogated Australia 108 project. While sales for what will be Melbourne's tallest tower on Southbank are expected to start in the new year, the Singaporean-backed local arm last week submitted their third Melbourne development for approval.

385-405 King Street was scooped by ­Aspial last year for $41.5 million and is now subject to an application seeking a 23 level residential tower. The current commercial building is to make way for the expectation of 392 apartments and a host of retail tenancies.

Combined the three projects yield Aspial - World Class Land a development pipeline of 2247 apartments in Melbourne.

<h2>Project team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Client: Aspial Corporation - World Class Land Pty Ltd</li>
	<li>Architect: Elenberg Fraser</li>
	<li>Town Planner: Urbis</li>
	<li>Façade Consultant: Aurecon Group</li>
	<li>Traffic Consultant: TTM Consulting</li>
	<li>Wind Consultant: MEL Consulting</li>
	<li>Structural Consultant: Winward Group</li>
	<li>Services Consultant: Murchie Consulting</li>
	<li>Quantity Surveyor: Slattery Australia</li>
	<li>ESD Consultant: Murchie Consulting</li>
	<li>Aviation Consultant: Thompson GCS</li>
	<li>Waste Consultant: Leigh Design</li>
</ul>
</body></html>

Aspial seek to deliver another marquee Melbourne tower

<html><body>
Box Hill Hospital's new 52,000 square metre facility was officially opened on on 12 August 2014. The $447.5 million redevelopment and expansion of the existing Box Hill Hospital is a vanguard project of sorts, marking the first completed facility in the current wave of new hospital projects throughout greater Melbourne which are either well into construction or due to commence.

Together these projects represent billions of dollars worth of investment into the State's health infrastructure, and rightfully so as Melbourne and Victoria's population continues to grow (and age) rapidly.

<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/bhh.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The new Box Hill Hospital Building A"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="230" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bhh.jpg?itok=Y-aHlCpH" title="The new Box Hill Hospital Building A" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The new Box Hill Hospital Building A</figcaption></figure>Below are five large-scale hospital projects currently under construction. Clockwise they are the <a href="http://www.vcccproject.vic.gov.au/">Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre</a>, <a href="http://www.peninsulahealth.org.au/frankston-hospital-stage-3/">Frankston Hospital Stage 3</a>, <a href="/news/monash-childrens-hospital-begins-construction">Monash Children's Hospital</a>, <a href="http://www.warringalprivate.com.au/Redevelopment/">Warringal Private</a> and <a href="http://www.epworth.org.au/About-Us/Major-Projects/Richmond-Redevelopment/Pages/homepage.aspx">Epworth Pod 4</a>. The combined project value of these five projects represents a $1.5 billion (approx) investment into new local public and private hospitals, hundreds of new beds and the advancement in treatment and technology standards.

Ancillary to the core purpose of the structures is the design flair which has been employed. Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre holds prime position on the Haymarket roundabout and Silver Thomas Hanley/DesignInc with McBride Charles Ryan have designed an astounding building.  Lyons have produced Frankston Stage 3 while field specialist Silver Thomas Hanley are responsible for the three remaining projects.

Add the recent Royal Children's Hospital build and the internal/external design quality of Melbourne's healthcare facilities has taken a quantum leap forward.

<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/image70h.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Five hospitals currently under construction"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image70h.jpg?itok=ZdU08B-Q" title="Five hospitals currently under construction" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Five Melbourne hospitals currently under construction</figcaption></figure><h2>Upcoming projects</h2>

Healthscope have recently lodged plans for an expansion of John Fawkner Hospital located in Coburg. Works would see an expanded existing hospital, including four level extensions to both Glencairn Avenue and Jessie 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/image66jf.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="An expanded John Fawkner. Image © Billard Leece"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="281" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image66jf.jpg?itok=Fb6BG_tA" title="An expanded John Fawkner. Image © Billard Leece" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>An expanded John Fawkner. Image © Billard Leece</figcaption></figure>In an altogether larger project Healthscope have initiated works on Knox Private Hospital's expansion with Watpac last week announcing it had been awarded an initial $45 million contract to undertake works onsite.

The overall Knox Private masterplan conceived by Woods Bagot calls for the facility to become the second largest hospital in Victoria, with online documents available via <a href="https://www.knox.vic.gov.au/Files/Planning/DPO_Amended_Drawings_-_submitted_to_Council_January_2014.pdf">Knox City Council's website</a>. The four-year $180 million project would see 750 construction jobs created with an additional 1000 permanent positions once the expansion is complete.

According to <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/knox-private-hospital-to-get-180m-upgrade-create-1750-local-jobs/story-fngnvlxu-1226707677700">Knox Leader</a> "An extra 240 beds, four new surgical wards, a new labour delivery unit, bigger emergency department and 350 extra parking spots" will be included.

<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/image67knox.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Knox Private. Image © Bates Smart"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="291" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image67knox.jpg?itok=fGrKPBs_" title="Knox Private. Image © Bates Smart" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Knox Private. Image © Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure>Elsewhere fringe facilities <a href="http://www.afr.com/p/business/property/generation_healthcare_to_build_hospital_f4M59DF9xDBdYUQndIcomO">Casey Private</a> and Epping Hospital are preparing for sizeable expansions, with Casey catering for three new buildings one of which is a second dedicated hospital. <a href="http://www.epworth.org.au/about-us/major-projects/freemasons-redevelopment/Pages/homepage.aspx">Freemasons East Melbourne</a> is due for a $59 million expansion while Royal Melbourne's masterplan also envisages for the addition of new buildings, potentially including a 20 level tower fronting Royal Parade, thus allowing growth for on of Melbourne's most important facilities.

Lead image credit: <a href="http://www.floodslicer.com.au/">Flood Slicer</a>.
</body></html>

Expanding Melbourne's healthcare infrastructure

<html><body>
Works are about to commence on the Brimbank Community and Civic Centre, heralding another addition to architecture firm Lyons expanding civil and educational repertoire. Construction tenders are due for the complex, which is expected will deliver a first-class outcome for the local community.

<blockquote>
The design includes an exceptional new Sunshine Library set over the first two floors with a large double height reading room and areas for different user groups including children, teens, and adults.

A new customer service centre and a local history interpretive centre make up the ground floor footprint. The second floor also includes a learning centre and community rooms, the council chamber, and an exhibition space.
<cite><a href="http://www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/DEVELOPMENT/Major_Council_Projects/Brimbank_Community_and_Civic_Centre">Brimbank City Council: Brimbank Community and Civic Centre</a></cite>
</blockquote>

The $52 million facility will also showcase a slice of Sunshine's history, with a heritage harvester machine relocated to the building and potentially suspended from the ceiling within the foyer. Lyons have also incorporated a saw tooth element to the facade, in recognition of the Sunshine Harvester Works which were prevalent onsite in times gone by.

When complete the Brimbank Community and Civic Centre is hoped to become a design beacon within the wider Sunshine town centre which is progressively undergoing renewal. Brimbank City Council hope the building will set a benchmark for the quality of future projects, while also facilitating additional development within the precinct which has provisions for 30m (10 level residential) buildings according to structure plans.

<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/artists_impression_of_north_east_perspective_of_brimbank_civic_and_community_centre.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artists impression of the complex. Image courtesy Brimbank City Council"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="460" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/artists_impression_of_north_east_perspective_of_brimbank_civic_and_community_centre.jpg?itok=bQcXagr6" title="Artists impression of the complex. Image courtesy Brimbank City Council" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artists impression of the complex. Image courtesy Brimbank City Council</figcaption></figure>The Brimbank Community and Civic Centre will join two existing municipal buildings designed by Lyons. Seen below, <a href="http://www.lyonsarch.com.au/hume-city-council-office-building/?b=1" target="_blank">Hume City Council's offices</a> were completed during 2007 and promptly won the National Australian Institute of Architects' Harry Seidler Award for Commercial Architecture in 2008.

More recently <a href="http://www.lyonsarch.com.au/dandenong-municipal-building/?b=1" target="_blank">The City of Greater Dandenong Municipal Building Project</a> was opened earlier in 2014. Similar to Brimbank's new domicile, the mixed-use Dandenong complex includes the city's new offices, a public library, community meeting rooms and Council Chambers. A landscaped civic square and retail shops round out the 13,000m² facility.

Many design elements are evident over all three buildings in a uniquely Lyons style, including the use of bold colours, embellished entry points and liberally applied external louvres. In a wider context Lyons have successfully delivered a swag of large municipal and tertiary projects in recent years; it seems that when a design statement is required in such a context, Lyons are the architecture firm of choice.

<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/image21lyons.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hume city Council. Images © Lyons"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image21lyons.jpg?itok=zvP9nyve" title="Hume city Council. Images © Lyons" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Hume City Council. Images © Lyons</figcaption></figure>The Brimbank Community and Civic Centre's construction program will see works begin next month, with the Sunshine Library and Customer Service Centre being temporarily relocated for the period of construction. All going to plan the new facility will be ready for occupancy mid-2016.
</body></html>

Lyons add another civic project to their portfolio

<html><body>
The Buckley is the newest landmark address in Melbourne's inner-west that is raising the bar for apartment living. Located in the heart of Footscray, one of Melbourne's most multicultural pockets, The Buckley offers designer living just five kilometres from the CBD.

The Buckley lies in a rich, diverse, and ever-evolving pocket of the city fringe. As a divider between Footscray and Seddon, the Buckley Street site sits in the middle of two distinct yet complimentary neighbourhoods. Footscray is a district cherished by food and market lovers from all over the city. The charming streets of neighbouring suburbs Seddon and Yarraville are dotted with boutiques, speciality shops, cafes, independent grocers, butchers and florists.

The Buckley marks the eighth development in Footscray for <a href="http://www.keystoneproperty.com.au/" target="_blank">Keystone Property Group</a>, who over the past decade have built a reputation for delivering quality projects in the Melbourne inner-city market.

"Finding the right location is imperative to a development's success," said Luke Daley, Director of Keystone Property Group. As a developer, when we buy well it translates into our customers buying well. Melbourne's inner west remains one of the cities most affordable inner-city areas for investment and The Buckley lies in one of its best pockets."

"Away from areas of prolific development and adjacent to the village-like streets of Seddon, it's the only place in Melbourne, if not Australia, where 5kms out of the CBD you can purchase seventy square meter, two bedroom apartments for $470,000", said Daley.

The project is the fourth that Keystone Property Group and Kavellaris Urban Design have worked on together. With a brief to create a development that mirrored the eclectic nature of the area, The Buckley is set to become a distinctive and memorable landmark building in the heart of Melbourne's inner-west.

<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/building-facade.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Street level perspective of The Buckley"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="390" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/building-facade.jpg?itok=ayj9cS9m" title="Street level perspective of The Buckley" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Street level perspective of The Buckley</figcaption></figure><a href="http://www.kud.com.au/" target="_blank">Kavellaris Urban Design</a>, the architect behind the development, is a Melbourne-based firm that have experience across retail, large-scale commercial projects and designs that have meaning and integrity at their core.

Billy Kavellaris, lead architect on the project, said; "The Buckley is a bold project with exciting alternating articulated geometries that hover over the main facade. Our objective was to create a dynamic presence to the street facade and continue this language throughout the project. We wanted to create large livable spaces with high ceilings and integrated quality finishes throughout the development. The dwellings enjoy large balconies and clever storage and study areas for contemporary urban living."

"We opted to use the interior styling services at <a href="http://www.scharp.com.au/" target="_blank">Scharp</a> because we really wanted to showcase the potential of the property to the purchaser and make our potential buyers sit up and take notice. It is crucial to the success of a development; without furniture an apartment is just a blank canvas." said Daley.

<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/designed-for-living.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A material palate of exposed concrete and timber floorboards"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="231" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/designed-for-living.jpg?itok=1czGxV8M" title="A material palate of exposed concrete and timber floorboards" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A material palate of exposed concrete and timber floorboards</figcaption></figure>"We began putting together the 3D renderings and hero images, and after a few weeks began to translate our colours that we used for the interior images into the branding and collateral layouts. When the campaign went live we took thirty-eight registrations of interest; with buyers being highly receptive to the location, price point and design."

Scharp is a talented team of service driven property-marketing specialists renowned for quality and best practice. Scharp collaborated with KUD and Keystone to bring the project to life through the branding design, artist's impressions, and portrayal of the lifestyle on offer.

Our first question was how we can make The Buckley stand out in a neighbourhood where numerous developments are vying for the same market?" said Malcolm Schapel, Managing Director, and Creative Director at Scharp.

Scharp drew inspiration from the dynamic locale and 'on the go' lifestyle of the developments target market. "Our photographer created portraits of the local businesses and people that are the lifeblood of Footscray," said Schapel.

By using the bold design and eclectic nature of the area, Scharp weaved a unique urban narrative that stood miles apart from its competitors. "The Buckley is an iconic part of the neighbourhood; we aimed to create a campaign around its strong selling points - the location's character and position right in the heart of Footscray."

Investors in the know have had special interest in The Buckley, due to the council's vision for Footscray as part of Melbourne 2030 plan. The development that is proposed for the area is predicted to kick-start significant population and value growth.
</body></html>

The Buckley - Raising the bar for apartment living

Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

Joel Robinson

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-6" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-2" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-2" dir="auto">
<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-2" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:5a5ab36c-8dd3-454c-b456-c501f22f0eb4-0" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:5a5ab36c-8dd3-454c-b456-c501f22f0eb4-0" dir="auto">
The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
</section>
</section>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Local Little Bay residents, along with buyers from premium postcodes across Sydney’s affluent Eastern Suburbs, have dominated purchases in developer-builder Urban Property Group’s first Eastern Suburbs apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a>.

The $250 million coastal project, one of the first new developments in the area in several years, has proven particularly popular with downsizers, especially those from Coogee and Bondi. One Double Bay downsizer paid $4.7 million for a four-bedroom penthouse, setting a new local apartment price record in the process.

Buyers have been attracted to the combination of coastal tranquillity, premium design and amenity-rich neighbourhood living. The walkable village setting, along with proximity to three of Sydney’s leading golf courses, New South Wales Golf Club, St Michael’s Golf Club and The Coast Golf Club, has also been a key drawcard.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352689]

Built across two low-rise buildings designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hill-thalis-architecture-urban-projects-pty-ltd">Hill Thalis</a> and set along a lush, landscaped green spine, designed by leading landscape architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, ESTE Little Bay offers a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences with interiors by Richards Stanisich.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> Sales Director, Tom McIvor said the response to ESTE has been "nothing short of extraordinary."

“Buyers have been quick to recognise ESTE as a rare opportunity to invest in a coastal sanctuary that offers both seclusion and connectivity to the heart of Sydney,” McIvor said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352687]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">SRM Residential</a> Senior Director, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">Clayton Ross</a> said the local market has responded incredibly well, driven by ESTE’s exceptional location and the rarity it offers.

“We’ve seen strong interest from a variety of buyer groups, all of whom are drawn to the exclusivity and quality of the build and construction by the 4.5-star iCIRT-rated builder / developer, Urban Property Group. There’s truly nothing else like it along Sydney’s coastline.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352690]

The project also includes robust buyer protections, including Resilience Insurance’s Latent Defects Insurance, providing 10 years of structural cover, and an independent iCIRT-rating of the developer.

“The iCIRT-rating adds another layer of confidence,” Ross added. “Buyers see it as a safeguard for their investment and their lifestyle.” A highlight of ESTE’s offering is its exclusive wellness amenities, including a heated rooftop infinity pool and outdoor heated spa, a state-of-the-art Technogym fitness centre, and a sauna.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a> is topped out and is on track to complete towards the end of 2026, with residents moving in before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112343]

Mark Baljak

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News