Adding to Chatswood’s growing skyline, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-anderson-chatswood-54-56-anderson-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">The Anderson</a> is grounded in a simple principle: apartment living in a major centre does not have to come at the expense of space and outlook.

Set on Anderson Street in the heart of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chatswood-nsw-2067">Chatswood</a>, the new residential tower, a collaboration between developers <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/changfa-group">Changfa Group</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/huirong-group">Huirong Group</a> with architecture and interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ajc-architects">AJC Architects</a>, will introduce 122 apartments that prioritise generous proportions, considered orientation, and a strong connection to the surrounding heritage precinct.

The design originated from a Design Excellence Competition, where AJC proposed a building that combines suburban-style apartment scale with the density expected in a transport-rich centre. The development will include more than 1,800 square metres of retail and commercial space at street level, landscaped communal roof terraces, and a ground-floor pocket park framed by canopy trees. Together these elements aim to create a building that integrates with Chatswood’s evolving streetscape while maintaining a strong residential focus.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151353 project_image_fid=353250]

A key driver behind the architecture was the desire to deliver family-sized apartments rarely seen in the Chatswood market. The Anderson includes a mix of one to four-bedroom apartments, with around 35 per cent of the residences configured as three or four-bedroom homes. At the top of the building, two double-storey penthouses span approximately 200 square metres each, reinforcing the project’s emphasis on scale and long-term liveability for both downsizers and intergenerational households.

Orientation and outlook were central to the planning of the building. The apartments are positioned to maximise views to the north and east across Chatswood’s heritage precinct, with upper levels capturing glimpses of the Pacific Ocean. South-facing apartments gain distant views toward the Sydney CBD and Harbour Bridge, while the building’s configuration intentionally reduces western exposure at lower levels to minimise overlooking toward the nearby railway corridor.

The external design references the character of the surrounding conservation area without replicating it directly. A brick podium anchors the building to the street and introduces a series of architectural portals that draw inspiration from the nearby Chatswood Presbyterian Church. Above this base, the tower shifts to a lighter, more open expression defined by horizontal lines and carefully detailed balconies that balance privacy with outward views.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151353 project_image_fid=353254]

Toward the top of the tower, AJC introduces a distinctive lantern-like element formed by sliding screens. These screens provide both solar shading and privacy while also creating a visual marker for the building within the Chatswood skyline. The feature reinforces the architectural intent of the project, a structure that is visually refined while still responding to the practical requirements of apartment living.

Inside the residences, interior architecture focuses on clear spatial flow and practical everyday use. Open-plan living areas connect directly to large balconies, extending the internal living spaces outward and allowing natural light to move deeper into the apartments. Kitchens are designed as central working spaces with premium appliances and carefully selected materials, positioned to serve both daily living and entertaining.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151353 project_image_fid=353256]

Bathrooms follow a similarly restrained design language, using refined fixtures and materials to create calm, functional spaces, while wardrobe areas adopt a gallery-style layout with integrated lighting and generous storage. These elements reflect a broader design approach that prioritises clarity, functionality, and durability over decorative gestures.

Positioned just a short walk from Chatswood Interchange, residents will have direct access to rail, metro, retail, and dining. The Metro extension allows travel from Chatswood to Martin Place in approximately 11 minutes, placing the CBD within easy reach for residents while maintaining the convenience of a walkable North Shore neighbourhood.

One-bedroom apartments at The Anderson start from $1,022,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151353]

Joel Robinson

How AJC designed The Anderson to bring oversized apartment living to Chatswood

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/far-east-consortium">Far East Consortium</a>’s 640 Bourke Street stands as a testament to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">Melbourne</a>’s ability to bridge its storied past with a bold vision for the future.&nbsp;

Rising above the heritage-listed Eliza Tinsley building, the development reflects a broader shift toward adaptive reuse in the city, where historical assets are retained and reinterpreted as part of new residential development.

Designed by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/640-bourke-street-melbourne-640-bourke-street-melbourne-vic-3000">640 Bourke Street</a> incorporates the Eliza Tinsley building as its foundation, housing a grand gallery and lobby space that serve as both a functional and symbolic centrepiece. The heritage façade informs the tower’s design, creating a connection between Melbourne’s past and its contemporary skyline.

"It's a significant asset and wants to be celebrated and experienced by all residents every single time they go in and out of the building," Rothelowman Principal Stuart Marsland said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365684]

Above this historic base, the 68-storey tower will deliver just over 600 residences, a notable reduction from earlier schemes, reflecting a deliberate move toward larger-format apartments and a stronger owner-occupier focus.

Unlike traditional CBD developments that prioritised investor stock, 640 Bourke Street has been repositioned to respond to changing buyer expectations.

"The discussion was all around making 640 Bourke Street the best residence to live in, to be much more focused on the people in the building rather than people looking at the building," Marsland explained.&nbsp;

This shift is evident in the development’s interiors, which emphasise practical luxury with spacious layouts, high ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing sweeping views of Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay.&nbsp;

“What it's meant for 640 Bourke is we've actually reduced the number of apartments. We've increased the overall size of the apartments. We don't have any studios in here, and what that does for a project is it elevates it," Lauren Sheldon, Far East Consortium’s Director of Sales and Marketing, said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365687]

Rothelowman Associate Jun Chang added, "We were given the opportunity to be more generous. The apartments became bigger and squarer than any other apartments which had been designed in the CBD before that."&nbsp;

Amenities spanning more than 3,000 sqm across multiple levels further reinforce this focus on resident experience. These include a pool, gym, co-working areas, and a range of hospitality-inspired spaces such as a whisky lounge, library, and private dining rooms, many drawing reference from traditional bathhouses and Melbourne’s laneway culture.

"We wanted to make both the pool and the gym area to be absolutely destinational, and when you traverse across to these spaces, there is a gentle familiarity to the beautiful notions of the hammams and the Roman baths, a gentle nod to history," Chang noted.

At street level, the project contributes to the ongoing transformation of the western CBD, with upgrades to Langs Lane and the introduction of retail, hospitality, and gallery spaces designed to activate the precinct and strengthen its connection to the surrounding city fabric.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365689]

The location places residents within walking distance of Southern Cross Station, Flagstaff Gardens, Queen Victoria Market, and the Docklands waterfront, positioning the development within a rapidly evolving inner-city neighbourhood.

"We believe it's the best site left in the city of Melbourne," Craig Williams, Executive Director at Far East Consortium, said.&nbsp;

640 Bourke Street is Far East Consortium’s 14th building in Melbourne’s western CBD.

"A very elegant designed building. It's going to be a Melbourne statement for many, many years to come."

One-bedroom apartments are priced from around $640,000, with 640 Bourke Street targeting completion in 2029.

Renders shown are Artist's Impressions correct as of May 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=509]

Heritage-led design anchors Far East Consortium’s 640 Bourke St, Melbourne

A shift away from Sydney’s industrial past has left parts of the inner south defined by contrast, brick warehouses repurposed into dining precincts, former factory streets softened by landscaping and pedestrian activity.

Rosebery is one of those suburbs. Over the past decade, it has undergone significant gentrification, anchored by The Cannery, which has helped reposition the area as one of the inner city’s most sought-after lifestyle pockets.

What hasn’t kept pace with that transformation is new residential supply, which has remained relatively limited. Builder-developer Deicorp identified that gap early, securing a site in 2019 and delivering what is now one of the suburb’s most architecturally distinctive developments.

To realise the vision, Deicorp engaged Candalepas Associates to design The Rothschild, a project that is immediately recognisable from the street.

Completed in 2025, The Rothschild comprises two buildings across Rothschild and Mentmore Avenues, delivering 176 apartments. The development replaces a former industrial site, retaining a material and structural dialogue with its past while introducing a more resolved residential framework. The scale is deliberate but not monolithic, broken into forms that engage both street frontages, with retail at ground level and two levels of basement parking below.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106843 project_image_fid=221665]

From the street, the architectural intent is clear. Off-form concrete columns run through the façade, establishing a repeated structural rhythm that gives the building its visual weight. These are paired with deep-set arches and sections of exposed brickwork, creating a layered elevation that reads less like a typical apartment block and more like a reinterpretation of industrial architecture.

The material palette is intentionally restrained, with concrete left exposed and brick used to define mass rather than decoration. The result is a building that stands out through proportion and repetition, rather than height or glazing.

This approach continues internally. A central landscaped courtyard sits between the two buildings, anchored by an olive grove that acts as both a visual and spatial focal point. Rather than functioning as residual space, the courtyard is designed as a shared ground plane, where circulation paths, seating areas and planting come together to create a usable communal environment. Its positioning allows natural light to penetrate deep into the site while maintaining separation between residences.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106843 project_image_fid=221666]

Within the apartments, the planning follows a clear and functional logic. Entry points lead directly into open-plan living areas, with kitchens positioned as central elements alongside dining and lounge spaces. These zones extend to balconies or external openings, maintaining a visual connection to either the courtyard or the street.

Kitchens prioritise practicality, with generous bench space, ample storage and European appliances configured for everyday use. Bedrooms are typically set back from the main living areas, creating quieter zones within each residence, with separation achieved through layout rather than material change. Bathrooms are compact but efficient, incorporating mirrored cabinetry and integrated storage to maximise space. Across all residences, the emphasis is on clarity of movement and functional planning.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106843 project_image_fid=221669]

At ground level, retail and hospitality uses extend the building’s presence beyond its residential function. A café or restaurant space, alongside communal amenities such as a music room and rooftop areas, positions the development as part of a broader urban network rather than a standalone project. These shared spaces reinforce a lifestyle where the building operates as an extension of the surrounding neighbourhood.

Rosebery’s proximity to Green Square, The Cannery and nearby parklands supports this model of living, where much of daily life is within walking distance. The Rothschild sits comfortably within that network, contributing to the streetscape through its distinctive architecture, while internally organising space around light, structure and communal use.

The Rothschild is now complete and ready to move in, with limited residences remaining.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=106843]

The Rothschild reinterprets Rosebery’s industrial DNA into residential form

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pitard-group">Pitard Group</a> has officially opened the doors at EVA Elsternwick Village Apartments, delivering a collection of move-in ready residences in one of Melbourne’s most tightly held neighbourhoods.

With only a limited number of residences remaining, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/eva-elsternwick-village-apartments-241-glen-huntly-road-elsternwick-vic-3185">EVA</a> presents a rare opportunity to secure a completed apartment in the heart of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/elsternwick-vic-3185">Elsternwick</a>, situated on the coveted Glen Huntly Road.

Comprising 101 residences across a mid-rise building, EVA offers a mix of spacious two- and three-bedroom apartments. Community feedback on Apartments.com.au consistently highlights the project’s quality finishes and well-resolved floorplan design.

Created in collaboration with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/via-architects">VIA Architects</a>, the project reflects a design ethos centred on resident experience and contextual sensitivity. Each apartment has been crafted with an emphasis on natural light, practical functionality, and acoustic performance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=93073 project_image_fid=357527]

Interiors channel a subtle Hamptons aesthetic, with engineered timber flooring, high ceilings, and soft, neutral finishes. Kitchens are appointed with ILVE European appliances, shaker-profile cabinetry, and stone benchtops, while bathrooms continue the same refined, understated palette.

Pitard Group, who also delivered the construction through their in-house team, has prioritised acoustic insulation through double glazing and noise-reducing materials - a quality noted by early residents and buyers alike.&nbsp;

Private outdoor space is a hallmark of each apartment, whether in the form of a balcony or sun-filled terrace. Many residences enjoy bay or city views, with floorplans that prioritise indoor-outdoor flow and functional layouts. Thoughtful inclusions such as Euro laundries, study zones, and abundant storage ensure the apartments are equally suited to downsizers and professionals seeking quality and low-maintenance living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=93073 project_image_fid=357526]

EVA’s amenity offering extends beyond the apartments. A rooftop terrace, complete with in-built BBQs and panoramic views across Port Phillip Bay and the Melbourne skyline, invites residents to relax or entertain in style.&nbsp;

A fifth-floor residents lounge, with north-eastern orientation and floor-to-ceiling glazing, offers an ambient retreat enhanced by kitchen and bathroom facilities.&nbsp;

Ground-floor retail and dual lifts add further convenience, while basement car parking with secure storage rounds out the amenity offering.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=93073 project_image_fid=357529]

As a move-in ready address, EVA also benefits from its exceptional location. Just 130 metres from Elsternwick Station and within walking distance of tram and bus links, it places residents minutes from the CBD and the bay.&nbsp;

The surrounding neighbourhood is a cultural and culinary hub, with institutions like Attica and Bang Bang nearby, as well as daily essentials within easy reach.&nbsp;

Green spaces including Elsternwick Park and Rippon Lea Estate offer a sense of retreat, while top-tier schools and health services add to the suburb’s appeal.&nbsp;

Completed and ready to move in, EVA Elsternwick Village Apartments offers two-bedroom residences from $899,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=93073]

Staff Writer

Inside EVA: Pitard Group’s completed Elsternwick apartments

As <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/elevaire-palm-beach-1409-1411-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Elevaire Palm Beach</a> moves swiftly toward completion, the final two- and three-bedroom residences offer a rare chance to secure a North Palm Beach home just moments from the shoreline.

Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/evoke-property-group">Evoke Property Group</a>, Elevaire is more than just apartments facing the beach on the east side of the main drag; the units are sanctuaries designed to echo the rhythms of the coast.

“Elevaire is inspired by the glistening ocean waves and the rolling sand dunes,"&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a>&nbsp;Director&nbsp;Sandra Browne says.

"The interior palette is subtle and inviting, understated in its connection to the surroundings.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112941 project_image_fid=216014]

Located only 50 metres from the beach, each residence is carefully oriented to enhance its connection with the surrounding landscape. Full-height glazing opens onto expansive balconies, drawing sunlight deep into the open-plan interiors.

Kitchens are appointed with premium Smeg appliances, porcelain &nbsp;stone benchtops, and bespoke joinery, while engineered herringbone timber flooring and ducted air-conditioning ensure durability and comfort year-round.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112941 project_image_fid=216067]

Each layout, whether two or three bedrooms, has been planned with generous proportions and adaptable living in mind. The three-bedroom apartments extend this with dedicated butler's pantries and generous balconies offering panoramic views over Tallebudgera and North Palm Beach.

Beyond individual residences, Elevaire's amenity suite reinforces its lifestyle promise. A wellness-focused ground level includes hot and cold magnesium pools, sauna, sun deck, outdoor shower and entertaining areas with BBQ and dining facilities, ensuring the development supports both rest and social connections.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112941 project_image_fid=216018]

Builder 5POINT is expecting a February completion of Elevaire, with buyers moving in shortly after.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112941]

Inside the final apartments at Elevaire Palm Beach

In Brighton, where detached homes and long-settled streetscapes remain the norm,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/elema-brighton-155-157-north-road-brighton-vic-3186">ELEMA</a> introduces a different model for high-quality housing.&nbsp;

Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/kervale">Kervale</a>, this new collection of 12 townhomes is underpinned by the four classical elements, earth, water, air, and light, not as styling cues, but as structural and spatial drivers across architecture, interiors, and landscape.

Designed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/martinoleah">Martino Leah</a>&nbsp;with interiors by Brahman Perera and landscaping by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/acre">Acre</a>, the project responds to what Kervale identifies as a gap in the local Brighton housing market: mid-sized homes with character, amenity, and a genuine sense of community.&nbsp;

ELEMA’s configuration reflects this intent, with a horseshoe-shaped layout wrapped around a central garden, promoting passive ventilation and privacy without isolating residents.

Each home spans three levels and includes three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a study, and two car spaces, with internal areas up to 182 sqm and external zones up to 95 sqm.

Two of the twelve townhomes include private plunge pools with heated spa functionality in addition to pre-provisioning for internal passenger lifts. Prices start from $1.7 million, targeting aspirational Bayside owner-occupiers in their mid-30s to 60s seeking entry into Brighton’s tightly held upper market.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145418 project_image_fid=300804]

‘Earth’ is expressed in the project’s grounded material palette and connection to site. Natural stone, granites and timber finishes in earthy hues are used consistently throughout, anchoring the homes in their context while supporting thermal mass.&nbsp;

Landscaped courtyards and native planting schemes featuring predominantly Australian Native species, developed by Acre, extend the concept beyond built form, using layered, low-maintenance vegetation to root the development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/brighton-vic-3186">Brighton</a>’s coastal ecology.

The site layout follows a horseshoe configuration, creating a central communal courtyard that provides both visual outlook and passive environmental benefits. This arrangement improves daylight access, facilitates cross-ventilation, and introduces a shared green space without compromising individual privacy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145418 project_image_fid=300809]

‘Water’ is introduced subtly but purposefully. Select townhomes include private plunge pools, integrated into rear terraces without visual dominance. These pools are designed for quiet retreat, and their placement reinforces the project’s broader focus on functional outdoor spaces that support private use rather than spectacle.

‘Air’ is enabled through architectural planning. The horseshoe site layout creates generous setbacks and enables cross-ventilation through each residence.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145418 project_image_fid=300803]

‘Light’ is a defining component of both the architecture and interiors. Large-format glazing opens living areas to courtyards and terraces, while the façade screening filters daylight to reduce glare and soften internal environments.&nbsp;

Internally, Perera’s palette of muted tones and tactile finishes is designed to respond to natural light conditions, shifting in tone and texture throughout the day.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145418 project_image_fid=300810]

ELEMA reflects a broader shift in how high-value suburbs are adapting to changing housing needs - away from uniformity, toward diversity in form, scale and function.

Rather than replicate detached housing models, ELEMA proposes an alternative built around balance, between public and private, built form and natural, permanence and flexibility. In doing so, it reframes the townhome as a highly resolved housing type capable of responding to both environmental and lifestyle needs.

ELEMA also targets an average 7-star NatHERS energy rating, supported by solar panels, drought-tolerant landscaping and high-spec energy-efficient appliances.

Three-bedroom townhomes at ELEMA Brighton are priced from $1,700,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145418]

Inside ELEMA Brighton: Designing with the elements

In <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/runaway-bay-qld-4216">Runaway Bay</a>, new townhouse-scale waterfront residences are rare - but ones built to the standards found on Sovereign Island are almost unheard of.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/ocean-suites-on-jennifer-10-12-jennifer-avenue-runaway-bay-qld-4216">Ocean Suites on Jennifer</a>&nbsp;changes that, delivering a calibre of construction and detailing that places its seven villas well above the typical market offering in this northern Gold Coast pocket.

Ocean Suites on Jennifer will be move-in ready before Christmas this year, giving buyers the chance to spend the summer on the water in one of Runaway Bay’s rare new waterfront residences.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138718 project_image_fid=214444]

The development is a collaboration between <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/stuart-osman">Stuart Osman Design</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sand-side-developments">Sand Side Developments</a>, with construction by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/alroe-constructions">Alroe Constructions</a>.

Architect Stuart Osman says the intent from the outset was to create a home people would be drawn to. “When you build anything, the design is to make you want to go hang out in this house,” he says.&nbsp;

Ocean Suites on Jennifer’s design features a front façade softened with planter boxes, rear pool areas, and rooftop decks looking over the water.&nbsp;

Inside, voids and high skylights bring daylight deep into the centre of each home, while ceiling heights of 2.85 metres maintain a strong sense of volume.

Each four-level residence spans 345 to 388 sqm, with layouts accommodating multi-generational living - a ground-floor bedroom suite for older family members and upper levels for the rest of the household. A lift connects all floors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138718 project_image_fid=214435]

For Andrew Erwin, Director at NPA, the project’s appeal lies in both its location and the detail in execution.&nbsp;

"At Ocean Suites, you’ve got a canal-front setting with direct Broadwater access and a level of finish you’d normally only see in the city’s most prestigious addresses. The four-level layouts, the glass-framed living areas, the private pools, even the extended kitchens, every part of it has been designed with the buyer in mind,” he says.

Those buyers have so far been a mix of Gold Coast locals and interstate purchasers, many seeking a lock-up-and-leave holiday home or a downsized residence without sacrificing space for visiting family.&nbsp;

Older households with teenage children are a recurring profile, drawn to layouts that support multi-generational living and the ability to host extended stays.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138718 project_image_fid=214432]

Material selection reinforces the project’s quality-first ethos, with every home appointed to a premium standard. Kitchens and ensuites feature engineered stone surfaces, complemented by prestige oak engineered timber floors, Victorian ash hardwood staircases, and soft loop-pile carpet.

Premium lighting, statement pendants, ceiling fans, and Fujitsu ducted air conditioning elevate both comfort and design. Each residence also includes a suite of high-end appliances as standard - Fisher &amp; Paykel integrated fridges, Bosch ovens, induction cooktops and dishwashers, Vintec wine fridges, and Franke sinks.

Beyond the interiors, residents enjoy an enviable lifestyle with rooftop terraces, private plunge pools, fire pit areas, outdoor showers, smart home automation, laundry chutes, and private pontoons.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138718 project_image_fid=214452]

With no additional upgrade costs, Sand Side Developments underscores its no-shortcuts approach, delivering homes where luxury and amenity come as standard.

Osman adds that the kitchen has been designed as “the main hub of the house” with six metres high skylights above a galley-style layout that “makes it feel bigger, brighter, whiter” and “brings light into the centre of the home.”

Both architect and builder emphasise a shared commitment to delivering the intended design without compromise. “Working with Alroe’s structural team and their construction team, it’s been great to make sure that the look and feel that was originally intended is the result achieved at the end of the project,” Osman says.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138718 project_image_fid=214453]

Outdoor living has been given equal consideration, with rooftop terraces designed for entertaining with a fire pit and bar, and spacious undercover patios featuring private plunge pools.

The marine access is as carefully executed as the homes themselves. An eight-metre gangway leads to a six-metre private pontoon capable of mooring vessels up to 30 feet, just 300 metres by water from the Broadwater.&nbsp;

Even the orientation of each villa has been optimised to capture long views down the canal, across the Broadwater, and south to Main Beach.

With construction in its final stages, just three of the seven villas remain, priced from $3.365 million to $3.695 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=138718]

Sovereign Island standards come to Runaway Bay with Ocean Suites on Jennifer

Once home to MacRobertson’s Garage and Workshop, a small corner of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/fitzroy-vic-3065">Fitzroy</a> is soon to host a new sculptural landmark, with its design intent rooted in the textures and stories of the streets around it.

Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/chapter-group">Chapter Group</a> in partnership with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cdl-australia">CDL Australia</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/crema-group">Crema</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/fitzroy-fitzroy-411-421-smith-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">Fitzroy Fitzroy</a> comprises 63 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments behind the heritage brick façade.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=14394 project_image_fid=183064]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dko-architecture">DKO Architecture</a> led the design process with a clear vision.

“What really inspired our vision for Fitzroy Fitzroy was to create almost a sculpture that could sit on the actual heritage base itself,” says Koos de Keijzer, Founder and Principal at DKO.&nbsp;

The design team shaped the western side of the nine-storey building into a chamfer, opening interiors to light and views while defining the building’s distinctive form.

The façade’s rhythm is broken by recessed loggias.

"We feel quite strongly about loggias, an outside area that sits inside and is quite protected from the wind and from the sun. We've also got these Juliet balconies where&nbsp;the wall starts to open up just to captivate the outdoors and bring it indoors.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=14394 project_image_fid=183066]

Inside, DKO crafted flexible layouts to encourage residents to live their own way.

“We really wanted to create something which people have an individual say on how they live,” says Michael Drescher, DKO's Interior Design Director.

Kitchens feature two contrasting stones, a durable surface at the cooktop and a natural stone island, with abundant storage and built-in banquet seating to encourage shared meals and socialising.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=14394 project_image_fid=183071]

Bathrooms carry the same stone for a cohesive aesthetic, informed by hotel design cues to create “a high level of glamorous” while remaining highly functional.

On levels seven and eight, apartments are tucked behind the building’s chamfer, creating outdoor terraces that range from expansive entertaining areas to sheltered, intimate spaces beneath the pitched rooflines.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=14394 project_image_fid=1010]

Residents also have access to a rooftop retreat with panoramic views, alongside the Smith Club, a private lounge for social gatherings, and a laneway arcade linking Smith and Leicester Streets, a deliberate nod to Melbourne’s arcade culture.

For de Keijzer, the outcome is a project that feels inherently local, that that is “truly authentic in a Fitzroy context”.&nbsp;

Fitzroy Fitzroy is already 70 per cent sold, attracting predominantly local owner-occupiers. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/cobild">Cobild</a> is expecting to complete construction in early 2026, with residents moving in shortly after.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=14394]

For Koos de Keijzer, Founder and Principal at DKO, the outcome is a project that feels inherently local, that that is “truly authentic in a Fitzroy context”

Fitzroy Fitzroy: Designed by locals, rooted in place

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/brighton-vic-3186">Brighton</a> doesn’t often see medium-density projects with the level of design attention typically reserved for standalone homes.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/kervale">Kervale</a>, renowned for their premium boutique developments, has carved out a distinct niche in the market by introducing an innovative alternative to traditional Bayside housing with their latest project, ELEMA.

ELEMA's design aims to propose a different answer to the question of how residents want to live: one that values quality over size, natural light over square metreage, and shared outdoor space over isolation.

Architecture by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/martinoleah">Martino Leah</a>, interiors by Brahman Perera, and landscaping by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/landscape-architect/acre">Acre</a> work in tandem to reimagine the townhome not as a compromise on space, but as a more calibrated approach to quality, liveability and connection to place.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145418 project_image_fid=300810]

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-townhouses/elema-brighton-155-157-north-road-brighton-vic-3186">ELEMA</a> is scaled to sit comfortably within its suburban context. A horseshoe-shaped layout creates a sense of enclosure around a shared garden space, which doubles as a green outlook and a soft buffer between homes.

Architect Martino Leah uses a minimalist yet tactile material language - one that privileges natural light, privacy, and environmental performance. A key feature is the use of operable metal screening, applied across the facades to control sun and shade throughout the day. The effect is subtle but striking: dynamic shadows, filtered light, and an impression of permeability, all without relying on heavy architectural gestures.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145418 project_image_fid=300803]

Inside, designer Brahman Perera has resisted short-term style cues in favour of something more lasting. His approach is subtle, intuitive, and highly resolved. Each residence has a muted base palette layered with material variation - stone, timber, textural joinery - that allows residents to personalise without starting from scratch.

Spatial planning prioritises flow over spectacle. Living spaces are open but defined; bedrooms are softly zoned. Large windows connect interiors to external gardens and, in some homes, private terraces or dip pools. Perera’s detailing - particularly in the joinery - elevates utility into something tactile and expressive.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145418 project_image_fid=300809]

While the architecture holds the bones and the interiors shape the tone, it’s Acre’s landscaping that completes ELEMA’s sense of cohesion. Acre’s founder, Brett Robinson, has curated the gardens with a naturalistic sensibility, favouring layered planting, minimal maintenance, and native species adapted to Brighton’s coastal microclimate.

The central courtyard does more than provide greenery; it offers passive amenity, shared connection, and a spatial break that enhances cross-ventilation and daylight access for all residences. The inclusion of private dip pools in select homes adds an additional layer of amenity without overreach - another example of ELEMA’s balanced design ethos.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145418 project_image_fid=300807]

ELEMA reflects a broader shift in how high-value suburbs are adapting to changing housing needs - away from uniformity, toward diversity in form, scale and function.

ELEMA comprises just 12 homes. The development also targets an average 7-star NatHERS energy rating, supported by solar panels, drought-tolerant landscaping and high-spec energy-efficient appliances.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145418]

Kervale reimagines the townhome with ELEMA Brighton

When Plus Architecture put pen to paper on La Mer, one of the newest apartment developments in Main Beach, they wanted to design a building that went far past aesthetics.

Plus Architecture Director, Danny Juric, says La Mer, just 22 full-floor apartments and a double-storey penthouse on Main Beach Parade, isn't&nbsp;just about an elegant facade, but a deep integration with its surroundings.

“When designing for the coast, environment plays a huge role,” Juric says.

“We sculpted the building to respond to the sun’s trajectory, ensuring that each apartment is bathed in light without the interruptions of shadow, which is quite rare on the Gold Coast.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95606 project_image_fid=2954]

The vision for La Mer was also guided by an understanding of how the Gold Coast lifestyle shapes its residents.

Juric speaks of “barefoot luxury” - a design philosophy that emphasises comfort, warmth, and tactile experiences.&nbsp;

“It’s not just about how the space looks; it’s about how it feels,” Juric says.

“From the feel of the travertine underfoot to the curves in the walls that soften the edges of the spaces, we wanted to create an environment that invites you in and makes you feel at home. It’s all about creating a sense of belonging, of being part of the coast.”

The apartments reflect this philosophy with open layouts that prioritise connection to both the internal and external environments. Large, sculptural balconies are designed to frame views of the coast, while interiors use natural materials like travertine, timber, and soft plaster to engage the senses.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95606 project_image_fid=316688]

On designing for the location, Juric says Main Beach is not just another beach suburb.

“It’s a quiet, residential area where you need to make a decision to visit, and that’s a key element in how we approached the site. The location is all about balance - an easy walk to the beach and Broadwater, but far enough from the main thoroughfares to maintain peace and privacy.”

La Mer is just 68 steps to the sand at Main Beach, and a short walk to the Tedder Avenue retail strip.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95606 project_image_fid=2954]

La Mer is being developed by the Sydney-based ODUS, which took over the project last year. To instil confidence in the delivery of the new development, they commenced construction last July and are targeting a late 2026 completion.

The large-scale apartments each span 300 sqm with three bedrooms. Residents will have&nbsp;exclusive access to a resort-style pool, spa, gym, sauna, barbecue facilities, private sun lounges, yoga lawn, and an outdoor beach shower.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95606 project_image_fid=316691]

ODUS Director Byron Sakha said La Mer was the latest evolution of the exclusive, laid-back&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/main-beach-qld-4217">Main Beach</a>&nbsp;village, one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/gold-coast-qld" target="">Gold Coast</a>’s most highly sought-after addresses.

“Every apartment in La Mer has house-sized proportions and incredible views—not to mention a location in one of the city’s best postcodes,” Sakha said. 
 
“Demand continues to outstrip supply for ultra-luxury apartments on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/gold-coast-qld" target="">Gold Coast</a>, and the rare full-floor design will make these residences particularly prized."

OTP Group Director James Elliott, who is managing the project’s sales, said La Mer would appeal to buyers from across the Eastern seaboard.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=95606]

Architecture

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News