First look: Hengyi proposes trio of apartment buildings for Sandringham’s Bay Road

Melbourne developer Hengyi is trying again to develop its prominent Bay Road site in Bayside Sandringham.

The new application, now under consideration via Victoria’s Development Facilitation Program, marks a revised approach after a previous iteration was refused by VCAT in late 2023. They are planning three seven-storey residential buildings at 208-210 Bay Road, an already cleared 5,226 sqm block just under two kilometres from the beach.

The buildings will home 123 apartments above a two-level basement car park, along with a commercial tenancy, communal facilities, and landscaping interventions. 

Hengyi has addressed the key concerns from VCAT, namely how the building would integrate with the current environment.

The buildings step down from Bay Road towards the rear, addressing sensitive residential interfaces and the neighbouring Sandringham East Primary School. Design features include varied setbacks, upper-level recesses, and deep soil zones intended to retain and supplement the existing tree canopy. 

Vehicular access is proposed via an upgraded crossover on Bay Road, while pedestrian connectivity is enhanced through retention of an easement that links to the primary school. Car parking is proposed to be reduced below the standard requirements, justified in part by the site’s proximity to public transport and active transport networks.

Architect Rothelowman noted in the Urban Context Report that the proposal "seeks to balance site efficiency, residential amenity, and a sensitive response to its urban interface."

Rothelowman's design inspiration stemmed from asking the question 'What does Sandringham and Bayside have that is unique to other parts of suburban Melbourne?'

They said indigenous coastal flora and fauna, extensive areas of recreational greenland, and living by the ancient land that follows the bay, are the three key features of Sandringham.

The proposed mix includes affordable and market housing, with Rothelowman seeking to balance increased density with amenity through articulated built forms and communal offerings such as a gym, co-working space, and rooftop spa.

John Patrick Landscaped Architects have come in to enhance the landscaping, which was another key factor in the VCAT decision to refuse the original application. Now there will be rainforest and coastal gardens with a predominantly native and indigenous planting palette.

The Town Planning Report by Urbis suggested the project is designed to deliver “a much-needed increase in dwelling diversity and density” in an area earmarked by Bayside Council as a Moderate Residential Growth Zone.

The Bayside Housing Strategy identifies the corridor as suitable for higher density residential renewal, aligning with the state government's recent target of 30,000 new homes in Bayside by 2051.

The application is being assessed by the Minister for Planning under Clause 53.23 due to its scale, provision of affordable housing, and $70 million-plus investment. The project is forecast to support 200 full-time construction jobs and deliver $56 million in gross value added during the build period.

Hengyi has previously developed Swanston Central and Light House, both in the Melbourne CBD.