A rare new apartment development has been proposed on the fringe of St Ives Village.

Developer Newquest Property has lodged plans for a low-rise apartment project designed by well-regarded architecture firm Warren &amp; Mahoney, which is best known for its work in the multi-residential sector in Melbourne.

The building, proposed for a 1,916 sqm site on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/st-ives-residences-3-5-memorial-avenue-nsw-2075">Memorial Avenue</a> opposite St Ives Village Green, has been designed to blend into the surrounding natural environment.

<img alt="St Ives" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5c1c7437-2fba-4345-a6d7-05321714ad3e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-04%20at%201.28.46%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=KrYyMaJvNqR7vbx0xbB3Ef8sJ6FuHpmn" />

“Drawing inspiration from the pale trunks and flowering canopies of the scribbly gums and blue gums prevalent in the area, a considered material palette was developed,” the architectural design report states.

“This palette references the established materiality of the suburb while elevating it through refined finishes to achieve a more luxurious architectural expression.”

Of the 33 apartments proposed, 21 will be three-bedroom residences. The remaining mix includes nine two-bedroom apartments, one one-bedroom apartment and two four-bedroom residences. The development will be supported by 62 car parking spaces and 33 secure bicycle spaces.

The proposal would replace two single-storey brick buildings currently on the site.

<img alt="St Ives" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="21422eaf-09a9-4439-9278-b9bd9daf22a1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-04%20at%201.38.10%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=v.fXSgcUcEscvOZzqcjG5nk3gVqk_Amt" />

St Ives remains a relatively untapped market for new apartment development. North Shore developer WINIM has a number of projects in the area, while INCA is nearing completion of Ellis Residences.

More recently, Traders In Purple has lodged plans for one of the denser projects proposed in the suburb, a 75-apartment development on a 5,900 sqm site on Cowan Road.

NewQuest, a construction, design and development firm, has delivered over 24 projects across commercial, residential, industrial, and lad markets.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

First look: NewQuest Property proposes new St Ives apartment development

Private equity real estate firm Conquest has entered into a $220 million partnership with Woolworths’ development arm, Fabcot, to deliver its long-awaited Waterloo project on Bourke Street.

The Bourke Street development was first flagged by Fabcot back in 2021 as part of its push into Sydney’s residential market. However, progress has since stalled, with no activity on site amid a number of design revisions in consultation with the City of Sydney.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/conquest">Conquest</a>, which is actively planning more than $6 billion worth of new developments, predominantly mixed-use precincts, is now set to move the project forward.

The current plans include between 110 and 120 apartments across two buildings designed by Bates Smart at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/923-935-bourke-street-waterloo-nsw-2017">923 Bourke Street</a>. The scheme will incorporate a portion of apartments reserved for key workers, alongside premium commercial space at ground level, including a full-line Woolworths supermarket.

Construction is expected to commence in the second half of 2026.

Michael Akkawi, CEO of Conquest, said the partnership reflects the firm’s commitment to "convenience-led" urban renewal."

"We are preparing to commence construction in the second half of this year," Akkawi says.

"Along with Woolworths, we look forward to delivering the first major supermarket to the growing Waterloo community, integrated with premium new apartments and specialty retail shops. Our focus is on creating a seamless lifestyle hub where essential services are at the doorstep, saving residents time and enhancing their quality of life."&nbsp;

<img alt="Conquest" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d8beee83-ef9b-446b-a3b3-1e2fe596512b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-01%20at%2011.08.46%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=raYhGepiLUJfx4InLPRRJduA3ftDJ_kS" />

The news comes just a week after Conquest went to the NSW Government to upsize its plans for Castlecrag's Quadrangle Shopping Centre.

Conquest purchased the site for just shy of $70 million last year, with existing plans in place for a mixed-use residential and retail precinct comprising 38 luxury apartments.

Those plans have now been significantly expanded, with the developer lodging a State Significant Development Application with the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority for 150 apartments across two 11-storey buildings. The apartments will sit above a four-storey podium, incorporating specialty retail tenancies and five levels of basement car parking, on the 5,166 sqm site at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/100-edinburgh-road-castlecrag-nsw-2068">100 Edinburgh Road</a>.

Conquest has been increasingly active in the development space in recent years. The group acquired the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/eastlakes-nsw-2018">Eastlakes</a>&nbsp;Shopping Centre redevelopment, where it plans to deliver more than 1,000 apartments above a new retail precinct, and has also lodged a $900 million State Significant Development Application for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/conquest-unveils-900m-stanmore-village-vision-for-landmark-inner-west-site">mixed-use precinct in Stanmore</a>.

Conquest partners with Woolworths to deliver mixed-use Waterloo project

Fresh off completing its Delano Crows Nest development, Lindsay Bennelong has lodged plans for its next project, this time turning its attention back to the beach.

The developer, started 20 years ago by Clarendon Homes founder Peter Campbell, is proposing a 37-apartment scheme at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/17-25-ashburner-street-manly-nsw-2095">17-25 Ashburner Street</a>, Manly, positioned between the southern end of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/manly-nsw-2095">Manly</a> Beach and East Manly Cove.

Lindsay Bennelong called on local architecture firm Platform Architects to design the new building, given their success at Finn, Lindsay Bennelong's current luxury apartment project on North Steyne.&nbsp;

According to the Design Verification Statement by Bridie Gough of Platform Architects, the proposal “relates to the current context but also the desired future character of taller buildings suitable to the new planning controls.”

The site has been identified as a Low to Mid-Rise Housing (LMR) location, given its position within 400 metres of the Manly Town Centre E1 Business Zone. The LMR controls are intended to unlock additional housing supply in well-located areas close to public transport, allowing developers to seek increased height limits to support greater density.

“The proposal seeks to provide this increased level of housing whilst being respectful of some of the smaller scale buildings also nearby,” the statement reads.

Lindsay Bennelong Development Director Leigh Manser said the project has been carefully aligned with the intent of the LMR controls. The proposal will significantly increase housing yield on the site, replacing four houses and 10 apartments, comprising 25 bedrooms, with 37 new apartments delivering a total of 94 bedrooms, whilst remaining compliant with the LMR controls.

“Sydney is in a severe undersupply, and delivering more dwellings and more bedrooms than what currently exists is exactly what the LMR policy is designed to activate,” Manser said, noting that nine of the apartments will be allocated as affordable housing for frontline workers.

“We have already commenced discussions with our community housing provider to determine the rental levels that frontline workers can realistically afford in this location,” he said. “These will need to sit well below the standard affordable housing benchmark of 20 per cent below market rent, and that has been factored into our feasibility and pricing.”

<img alt="Manly" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ad03000f-19f9-48b4-b27d-e85ca800a1da" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-30%20at%208.41.59%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=a.txHwCZgbCInlQ6QXbIrI.umvW1T.r8" />

The design of the building incorporates a wave-like indentation running through the façade, referencing the nearby coastline and anchoring the building within its local context.

The&nbsp;Design Verification Statement says careful consideration has been given to the articulation of the building, ensuring the bulk is broken down to a more human scale through a defined four-storey podium."

The scheme includes a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, as well as a full-time building manager's office and wellness facilities including a sauna and a gym.

“The design ensures a high level of amenity, with apartments offering generous private open space, many with expansive views, and all with comfortable proportions."

<img alt="Bennelong" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6a7f2812-72a1-4959-84b0-997e8cd88aed" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-30%20at%2010.15.50%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=6iMxU3MkXmHVHAoNhYBjnqgka8CUZNbk" />

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lindsay-bennelong-developments">Lindsay Bennelong</a>&nbsp;is currently developing Finn Manly, just four full-floor luxury apartments on North Steyne. They recently welcomed residents to its 81-unit Delano Crows Nest development, a&nbsp;carefully scaled infill project designed to bridge&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/crows-nest-nsw-2065">Crows Nest</a>’s lively village centre with its surrounding heritage streets.

Designed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ajc-architects">AJC Architects</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/delano-crows-nest-27-57-falcon-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Delano</a>&nbsp;is arranged across three low-rise buildings, incorporating a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments alongside a limited number of townhomes addressing Hayberry Lane. The architectural approach drew on the area’s Art Deco lineage, reinterpreted through contemporary detailing and framed by landscaped communal gardens.

The developer also has a development site in Maroubra.

First look: Lindsay Bennelong's new Manly apartment development revealed

Developer Fortezza Group is the latest to take its new apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-belvedere-5-7-church-street-nelson-bay-nsw-2315">The Belvedere in Nelson Bay</a>, to the NSW Government.

Fortezza, predominantly a South East Queensland developer, is the latest to apply for State Significant Development&nbsp; status through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority, a pathway becoming favoured by developers to speed up the approval process.

They are planning 57 two- and three-bedroom apartments across 5-7 Church Street and 42 Donald Street, near d'Albora Nelson Bay Marina. The diverse apartment mix has sizes from just over 80 sqm to the largest three-bedroom penthouses that reach nearly 200 sqm.

<img alt="Fortezza" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="090360e1-66d7-43ad-b686-aba81f173bf2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-29%20at%2010.22.40%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=DMqF96eBZolqSAAAcugX0l66ueWng66m" />

Fortezza calls the project a "piece of Istria in Nelson Bay,"&nbsp;referring to the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea, shared by Croatia (90%), Slovenia, and Italy, which is known for its Roman history, Venetian-style coastal towns and inland hilltop villages.

They say the The Belvedere is strategically positioned at the apex of Nelson Bay, offering unrivalled views of the ocean, the bay and captivating topography of the area.

"Our commitment to maintaining the integrity of every view and sight line has been relentless," Fortezza Group says.

"Through extensive modelling and analysis, we ensure that each apartment enjoys the natural beauty of Nelson Bay, regardless of future developments. Each design element is carefully curated to harmonise with our European heritage, drawing profound inspiration from the Roman architectural marvels in Istria. The arches, the cascades of greenery and the stonework that define our project pay homage to the structures that once exemplified Roman grandeur."

Residents will have access to a pool, communal green spaces, an office and a coffee shop.

First look: Fortezza Group takes The Belvedere, Nelson Bay apartment development, to NSW Government

SEQ developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/keylin-group">Keylin</a>&nbsp;is the latest to jump into the hot Kangaroo Point market, filing plans for a prime site on Lambert Street.

The 52-unit development, predominantly made up of two-bed apartments, will sit on a 1,012 sqm site at 39 Lambert Street, within the&nbsp;Kangaroo Point Peninsula’s Shafston Precinct.

The 15-storey scheme by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/jackson-teece">Jackson Teece</a>&nbsp;is anchored by a strong focus on mid-sized apartments, with 48 two-bedroom and four three-bedroom dwellings forming the mix. The project includes three basement levels, as well as ground and mezzanine parking, delivering a total of 66 car spaces.

<img alt="First Look: Keylin targets Brisbane’s mid-market with 15-storey Kangaroo Point proposal" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0df78d49-0723-442f-917e-fe29f4eb02c6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/2_1.png?VersionId=Ud0OP4FZCGFHLvwFWbaeTcYq8Fc2mtdh" />

Planning documents describe the proposal as “a high-density residential outcome that integrates with its context and encourages urban consolidation and the efficient use of land in a well-serviced, inner-city location.”

The building adopts a slender tower form across 15 levels, including a rooftop communal terrace. Its design is shaped by setbacks and orientation that respond directly to neighbouring buildings, achieving up to 20 metres of separation to the adjacent Point Hotel and between 9 and 17 metres to nearby residential developments.

A key design driver is the integration of subtropical and biophilic elements. The architectural concept, described as an “elevated garden sanctuary,” draws from the natural character of the Kangaroo Point cliffs, incorporating landscaped ledges, deep planting zones, and extensive greenery throughout the façade. Curved balconies and layered planting soften the tower’s vertical form, while the lower levels feature heavier landscaping and screening to create a more human-scaled street interface.

<img alt="First Look: Keylin targets Brisbane’s mid-market with 15-storey Kangaroo Point proposal" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="95bc4974-fcbd-4a9a-9dfb-95b8e1977187" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/4.png?VersionId=o8hwItpcfKBglOaTH8Hv7MmVOphZF_Fg" />

Residents will have access to a rooftop amenity offering spanning approximately 262 sqm, including a pool and spa, gym, lounge areas, and flexible wellness spaces. Landscaping is embedded throughout the building, with over 280 sqm of planted areas integrated across the façade and rooftop.

Kangaroo Point has been popular for developers in recent years. Mosaic Property Group has almost sold out its two Kangaroo Point buildings,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-bedford-by-mosaic-16-30-prospect-street-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">The Bedford by Mosaic</a> on Prospect Street, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-carter-by-mosaic-77-linton-street-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">The Carter Building on Linton Street</a>.

Kenlynn has <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/130lambert-112-130-lambert-street-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">130Lambert</a>, just up the road from Keylin's proposal, while Pikos has two projects in the area.

Keylin targets Brisbane’s mid-market with 15-storey Kangaroo Point apartment development

Nearly a year after purchasing the former Leo's Fine Food &amp; Wine supermarket in Kew for a reported $52 million, Melbourne developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/orchard-piper">Orchard Piper</a>, in a consortium with billionaire James Packer, has filed development plans for the site.

The proposal includes just under 200 apartments on the 6,835 sqm block, which spans <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/26-36-princess-street-kew-vic-3101">26-36 Princess Street and 11-15 Brougham Street</a>. Approval is being sought through the Department of Transport and Planning’s (DTP) Development Facilitation Program (DFP).

The buildings, designed by Wardle, will vary in scale and rise up to 18 storeys. One-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments will be offered, along with townhouses. Ten per cent of the total dwellings will be allocated to key worker housing.

The development will also include 19 new retail premises, comprising a mix of shops, restaurants and cafés, including a dedicated space for a high-quality produce offering similar to Leo’s.

<img alt="Kew" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="67cc85a5-a9d8-4eaa-95ae-fd93762d3297" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-29%20at%208.15.07%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=_p57VJNE2w16xNXB4ISvu3mnVHDDk86R" />

Orchard Piper noted the development is "designed to revitalise the Junction with high-quality housing and retail, while also improving the public realm."

"Assembling an expert team, we've been working with leading architects Wardle and landscape architects Oculus on a site-sensitive design. Wardle is one of Australia's pre-eminent architectural practices, and its founder, John Wardle, is a former long-term Kew resident with an intimate knowledge of the area.

"After close to a year refining the plans, our current opposition embodies Kew's unique character and meets the community's needs, including detailed consideration of the surrounding building design, streetscape conditions and broader planning context."

On top of the extensive retail component, the opportunity to deliver offsite public realm works, involving the council owned land to the south, would include a comprehensive new landscaped laneway strategy that connects Athenaeum Place into the site, a new public park, and the relocation of the public parking currently on the site to the adjoining council land.

<img alt="Kew" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="02da73ff-e9d9-4e6a-8b6c-75c6f4cb3b01" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-29%20at%208.15.12%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=NXlzip8H0suSqc.X2H6nLKZr6LB1joJ." />

Orchard Piper, led by Luke Mckie and Rick Gronow, is currently delivering The Carter building on St Kilda Road and One Toorak Place in Toorak village.

Kew has been a popular suburb for new development in recent years. The likes of Piccolo, ANGLE, and Carpe are delivering projects in the area.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

First look: Orchard Piper, James Packer's Kew development revealed

An entity linked to I&amp;D Group Founder Ivan Filipović has filed plans for a new residential development at 188–202 Swan Street in Cremorne, targeting a prominent site within the tightly held Swan Street activity corridor.

The proposal seeks to redevelop the consolidated Swan Street landholding into a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/188-202-swan-street-cremorne-vic-3121">high-density mixed-use project</a>, replacing a series of existing commercial buildings with a significantly scaled residential outcome. The planning submission positions the development as a response to increasing demand for housing in well-connected inner-urban locations, particularly within established activity centres.

Plans outline the construction of a 14-storey building delivering 165 apartments above a four-level basement, alongside a ground-floor retail and commercial offering designed to activate the streetscape. A key feature of the scheme is a new north–south pedestrian link connecting Swan Street to Railway Place, intended to “enhance permeability and provide an active, publicly accessible connection through the site.”

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for Ivan Filipović-linked Cremorne apartment project on Swan Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7332a8f8-dd2b-483d-b86e-320658838c84" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/cremorne.png?VersionId=cXm8vAaRdHh.LpYVbecrRkjckgu9mtAF" />

The development will retain part of the existing built form at 198–200 Swan Street, while the remainder of the site will be cleared to accommodate the new structure. Basement levels will provide 196 car spaces and 113 bicycle spaces, with vehicle access from Railway Place. Communal amenity is distributed across the building, including a shared outdoor area on Level 1 and a rooftop terrace for residents.

Ground level uses include retail tenancies fronting Swan Street and the pedestrian link, a residential lobby, and a flexible commercial space positioned to support community-oriented uses. The planning report notes this space “could be offered as a flexible space within the development for community groups,” supporting short-term or longer-term occupancy arrangements.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for Ivan Filipović-linked Cremorne apartment project on Swan Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8208bf7b-cc67-485d-ad0f-1d73a74c907f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/cremorne%20lane.png?VersionId=69ctjC0txXv0zCHy7qQUpJyGwvPAT7gw" />

The site sits within the Swan Street Major Activity Centre, surrounded by a mix of retail, hospitality, and emerging residential development, and directly opposite tram services along Swan Street. East Richmond Station is located to the south, providing strong rail connectivity, while the broader Cremorne precinct continues to evolve as a mixed-use hub.

I&amp;D Group, founded by Ivan Filipović, is regarded as one of Victoria’s largest formwork contractors, partnering with major construction firms across large-scale public and private developments. The Swan Street proposal signals a move into development-backed opportunities tied to strategic inner-city sites.

First Look: Plans lodged for Cremorne apartment project on Swan Street

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> (GVG) is heading back to Stones Corner with its latest Brisbane apartment development.

GVG, which completed Stonebrook last year, has filed plans for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/vivo-71-cleveland-street-greenslopes-qld-4120">VIVO, a 320-apartment development</a> less than 200 metres away on the corner of Cleveland and Zillah Streets.

VIVO will be delivered across two stages, with the first comprising 167 apartments and a further 153 in stage two. The first stage is expected to be completed in 2029, with the full project scheduled for delivery by 2032.

The development will include a mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, above two ground-floor retail tenancies. VIVO will sit between the 5.2-hectare Hanlon Park and the Stones Corner café and retail precinct.

Crowning the buildings will be an expansive rooftop terrace with outdoor dining and CBD views, dual resort-style swimming pools, integrated indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces, and a fully equipped gym and wellness offering.

<img alt="Vivo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dcfd0ba2-cf9e-4bad-89f7-deab0169d897" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-23%20at%209.23.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=3J4AqHZpDPnJsKvry1Lw6.8_IqdUVcny" />

Sam Gardner, Commercial Director at GVG, said the project reflects both market demand and the group’s continued investment in well-located Brisbane suburbs.

“VIVO represents a natural progression of our work in Stones Corner and our confidence in the long-term fundamentals of this precinct," Gardner says.

"The combination of proximity to the CBD, access to green space like Hanlon Park, and a well-established local amenity offering makes this an incredibly compelling location for buyers.

"Having recently delivered Stonebrook nearby in 2025, we’re able to provide a tangible example of what Gardner Vaughan Group does well. It gives our clients, the community and our partners confidence in both the quality of our product and our ability to deliver.”

<img alt="Vivo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8408faca-34a0-4fbb-864c-c75caa366f0c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-23%20at%209.23.35%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=48S5bvrbHMPPGT0EWAQDqhXX_mdsqL0y" />

Architecture firm Ellivo Architects says Vivo, meaning 'to live', "draws from the life of Stones Corner itself, its rich blend of old and new, where heritage masonry buildings, community life and evolving architectural languages coexist."

"The design responds to this layered urban fabric by reinterpreting the site’s historic ziggurat and stepped-grid geometries. The tower is shaped through three distinct tiers that reinterpret the site’s historic stepping forms, a central tier expressed in soft green tones that dissolve into the gum-tree canopy behind, stepped by denser, articulated edge tiers which reinforce the village character and urban grain of Stones Corner."

The submission of VIVO comes at a time of continued strength in the Brisbane property market, with growing demand for well-located, design-led apartment living. Looking ahead, Brisbane’s preparations for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games are expected to further accelerate infrastructure investment and reinforce the appeal of inner-city precincts such as Stones Corner.

Gardner Vaughan Group plans VIVO, Stones Corner apartment development

Prominent developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/blue-earth-group">Blue Earth Group</a> is seeking approval for a revised and expanded second stage of its Pentridge Village development in Coburg, increasing the scale and yield of a previously approved scheme with a new 16-storey mixed-use building.

The proposal for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/45-pentridge-boulevard-coburg-vic-3058">45 Pentridge Boulevard</a> would deliver 252 apartments, up from the 201 previously approved, alongside ground-floor retail and a suite of resident-focused amenities, positioning the project as a key contributor to housing supply within Melbourne’s inner north.

The development is planned for the south-west portion of the broader 9,485 sqm site, which has already seen the completion of 48 townhouses under Stage 1. The Stage 2 site sits prominently on the corner of Pentridge Boulevard and Urquhart Street within the Pentridge Village precinct.

The new scheme retains the approved 16-storey height but introduces a revised internal layout and enhanced façade treatment. It will comprise a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments, a wide ranging mix of one-bed plus studies and two-bedrooms with either one or two bathrooms.

At ground level, the building is designed to incorporate a café alongside resident amenities including a business centre, home offices, and a gym. Upper levels will include additional communal facilities such as cinema rooms, games areas, and a rooftop terrace spanning over 400 sqm with views toward the Melbourne CBD.

<img alt="First Look: Blue Earth Group plans 16-storey mixed-use tower with 252 apartments at Pentridge Village, Coburg" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="60456ba5-406b-447f-be53-d4685082eda5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/coburg.png?VersionId=B.3bp4eCO_c.Pc9O17UgF27Gow3lL39C" />

The architectural response by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/life-architecture-and-urban-design">LIFE Architecture and Urban Design</a> builds on an existing permit scheme, retaining the approved massing while refining the building’s articulation and material expression. “The proposed design response… will result in a highly resolved architectural, urban design, landscaped and mixed-use outcome befitting of the Site’s urban and evolving context,” the planning report states.

The façade strategy introduces a layered composition of podium and tower elements, with a clear distinction between lower street-wall levels and the upper residential form. The design prioritises “a timeless aesthetic, low maintenance, durable material palette, suburban constructability, [and] openness &amp; activation at street level,” according to the façade strategy report.

Material selections include dusty red and dark grey masonry, bronze and grey glazing, and textured concrete panels, referencing the industrial character of the former Pentridge Prison precinct while establishing a contemporary identity.

<img alt="First Look: Blue Earth Group plans 16-storey mixed-use tower with 252 apartments at Pentridge Village, Coburg" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b62f01f2-46f2-4ae1-ac51-8b0f87264355" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/coburg%20site.png?VersionId=zliGtROqtre4LgVCGA9tr2_FGfbIO8ep" />

The building envelope responds to its irregular site through a series of setbacks and cantilevered elements, creating plaza-like spaces at ground level and enhancing pedestrian activation along both street frontages. A setback from Level 4 to the north provides a transition to the adjoining townhouse development.

The site sits within the Coburg Major Activity Centre, approximately nine kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, and is surrounded by a rapidly intensifying urban environment. Nearby developments range from eight to 20 storeys, including multiple mixed-use projects within the Pentridge precinct and along Sydney Road.

Residents will benefit from strong connectivity, with Coburg Station around 700 metres away and multiple bus routes operating along Bell Street. The site is also adjacent to McDonald Reserve and close to schools including Coburg High School and Coburg Primary School.

First Look: Blue Earth Group plans 16-storey mixed-use tower at Coburg's Pentridge Village

A consolidated Whitehorse Road site previously approved for townhouses is being repositioned for apartment living, with new plans filed for a four-building residential scheme in Deepdene’s neighbourhood centre.

The proposal by Antipodean Land Developments seeks to replace an earlier townhouse-led approval with a 76-apartment development across a 4,755 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/18-30-whitehorse-road-blackburn-vic-3130">18–30 Whitehorse Road</a>.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/kerstin-thompson-architects">Kerstin Thompson Architects</a>, the project introduces a medium-density housing model comprising four separate buildings ranging from three to six storeys. The two central buildings reach six levels, while the outer buildings step down to three and four storeys, creating a graduated built form that responds to surrounding residential interfaces.

The development will deliver a mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, positioning the project as a significant contributor to housing diversity in an area traditionally dominated by detached housing.

The planning report states the proposal “will deliver sustainable, high-amenity and high-quality housing in a location with excellent access to public transport, open space, services and amenities.”

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for four-building, 76-apartment ‘missing middle’ development in Deepdene" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9e1596b8-58a0-4e89-9d5c-e1df90b1ab9f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/whitehourse%20da.png?VersionId=XIcpH2AFY3WjLXTiwouLLA7niYfdXPgK" />

The design adopts a pavilion-style arrangement set within a landscaped environment, described as “distinct built forms in a garden setting,” with an emphasis on separation between buildings and integration with the adjoining Anniversary Trail reserve. Communal open space, landscaped corridors, and pedestrian connections are central to the scheme, strengthening links between Whitehorse Road and the trail network to the west.

Sustainability performance is a key component, with the development targeting an average 8-star NatHERS rating. All apartments will achieve natural ventilation, with a significant proportion benefiting from cross-ventilation, reinforcing the project’s focus on liveability and environmental performance.

The proposal also incorporates ground-floor retail along Whitehorse Road, maintaining active street interface within the Commercial 1 Zone. Car parking is provided across basement levels, with a reduction sought in statutory visitor and retail parking requirements.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for four-building, 76-apartment ‘missing middle’ development in Deepdene" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eb9a3ad3-d2a0-49dc-b9d4-2e7f7dc9593e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site%20whitehorse.png?VersionId=eL_4rgAwLRN9T4kcClYe4isVyPD8FW7R" />

The project is being advanced under Victoria’s ‘Great Design Fast Track’ pathway, with eligibility confirmed and supporting advice received from both the Office of the Victorian Government Architect and Invest Victoria. This positions the development for streamlined assessment, reflecting its alignment with state housing and design objectives.

The site occupies a prominent position within the Deepdene Neighbourhood Centre, with a 56-metre frontage to Whitehorse Road and direct adjacency to the Anniversary Trail, a key pedestrian and cycling corridor. Tram services along Whitehorse Road connect the precinct to Box Hill and the CBD, while nearby parklands, including Deepdene Park and local sporting facilities, reinforce the area’s established amenity base.

The new plans mark a clear shift from the previously approved 25-townhouse scheme toward a higher-yield apartment outcome, aligning with broader policy directions encouraging ‘missing middle’ housing in established suburbs.

As noted in the planning report, the development “provides contextually appropriate infill housing… increasing the density and diversity of dwellings in Deepdene and Boroondara more broadly.”

Planning Alert

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News