Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tsioMLcnjas?si=zq-ys3JuWpfa5hFv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

Joel Robinson

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]

Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]

The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]

Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]

The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Rainbow Bay apartment doubles in price since off the plan sale during pandemic

Apartments

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The already healthy number of residential towers milling around South Melbourne's Domain Precinct can add another to their ranks.

9-11 Palmerston Crescent is the latest development looking for approval with City of Port Phillip, and represents a step up in scale for developer Frater Group. Accustomed to smaller projects to date such as <a href="/buildings/charlotte-241-dryburgh-street-north-melbourne">233-239 Dryburgh Street</a>, Frater Group's push to realise a high-rise tower comes in the form of a Rothelowman-designed 19-storey building.

Agent Allard Shelton offered the modest 476 square metre site for sale mid last year; for the time being, the land accommodates a modest 711 square metre dual level office building onsite.

<h2>9-11 Palmerston Crescent application summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image38_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aerial perspective - site context. Image: "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="371" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image38_9.jpg?itok=A1v9CneQ" title="Aerial perspective - site context. Image: " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aerial perspective - site context. Image: Allard Shelton</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Site area: 476 square metres with 11.58 metre frontage</li>
	<li>Proposed: 19 level tower at 64 metres in height</li>
	<li>54 apartments: 17 x 1BR, 32 x 2BR, 4 x 3BR, 1 x 4BR</li>
	<li>Each apartment to have a balcony</li>
	<li>2 stacker basement levels: 43 vehicles &amp; 19 bicycles</li>
	<li>52.8 square metre cafe space</li>
	<li>47.7 square metre office space on level 1</li>
	<li>2 roof level communal spaces: 238 square metres in total</li>
</ul>
<h2>Designing for space</h2>

RotheLowman's design for the dimensionally tight site was impacted by the human body in sculpture. Michelangelo's Slaves and Standing Female Nude by Pablo Picasso were referenced as informing the shape of the narrow tower component, resulting in a creased feature facade to Palmerston Crescent.

Practically though Rothelowman's task was to deliver a tower that has a clearance of 3 metres to the east in the form of a narrow laneway and approval in place for a similar sized tower on the adjoining site to the west. 

The result is a roughly 9 metre space between the tower forms of 9-11 Palmerston Crescent and the adjoining Elenberg Fraser-designed approved tower at 13-21 Palmerston Crescent. Opaque glazing will also assist in protecting privacy across 9-11 Palmerston Crescent where required.

<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/image37_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Intended development with approved adjacent building. Planning image:Rothelowman"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="757" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image37_8.jpg?itok=O4LSrIH1" title="Intended development with approved adjacent building. Planning image:Rothelowman" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Intended development with approved adjacent building. Planning image:Rothelowman</figcaption></figure><h2>South Melbourne towers in waiting</h2>

With the addition of Frater Group's latest, we're tracking as many as 12 current residential projects beyond 15 levels in height in and around South Melbourne's Domain Precinct.

The majority of projects are approved, with projects such as 9-13 Park Street and <a href="/new-apartments/south-melbourne-vic-3205">5-7 Park Street</a> noted as at appeal. One project recently progressed through the approvals process with VCAT recently ruling in favour of developer Holder East's <a href="/buildings/oasis-residences-1-13-cobden-street-south-melbourne">Cobden Street</a> proposal.

This now means the developer has the right to deliver as many as 231 apartments within the Hayball-designed project; an image of the tower when initially submitted is seen below. The 2,001 square metre island site is approved to include retail spaces and amenities such as a pool, gym, library and cinema.

<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/image118_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Holder East have the green light for Cobden Street. Image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="641" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image118_1.jpg?itok=FnrnMMvf" title="Holder East have the green light for Cobden Street. Image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Holder East have the green light for Cobden Street. Image: Hayball</figcaption></figure>
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silvermb

Frater Group enters the high-rise game in South Melbourne

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A new high-density precinct fronting Fitzroy North's Queens Parade is taking shape.

Developer Gurner is mid way through the planing process for a new mixed-use building at 81-89 Queens Parade. It along with Gurner's 26-56 Queens Parade and Development Victoria's pending renewal of the adjoining Gasworks site makes for three large-scale developments in close proximity to one another.

81-89 Queens Parade is the latest development to break cover, accounting for a 3,201 square metre triangular site that also fronts George Street.

Expected within the Cox Architecture designed scheme is a 1,732 square metre supermarket at ground level, 4,074 square metres of commercial office space and 110 serviced apartments. If Gurner chooses to operate the serviced apartment component directly, it would represent the developer's first foray into the field.

<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/image45_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Vivid interplay on Swanston &amp; Grattan. Image: Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="356" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image17_21.jpg?itok=8eNYxlEa" title="Queens Parade perspective. Planning image: Cox Architecture" width="580"></a></figure>Laden with greenery and featuring terrace-sized balconies, 81-89 Queens Parade would account for a single storey brick building onsite that is now used for warehouse and commercial purposes. The intended development effectively covers the entirety of the site and sits above two basement levels for 153 vehicles and 72 bicycles.

81-89 Queens Parade's cost of development is estimated to be just shy of $30 million.

Also the work of Cox Architecture, Gurner's 26-56 Queens Parade has maintained a high public profile since's its initial planning submission. Originally a Koichi Takada Architects design, the twin 16-storey buildings proposed were heavily altered after Planning Minister Richard Wynne imposed a 10 storey height limit across the site.

Still at planning, the redesigned project is aiming for 281 apartments and 14 townhouses, although this figure will be dwarfed by the numbers touted for Fitzroy North's Gasworks site at 111 Queens Parade.

<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/image45_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Vivid interplay on Swanston &amp; Grattan. Image: Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="356" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image17_17_0.jpg?itok=8eNYxlEa" title="Queens Parade perspective. Planning image: Cox Architecture" width="580"></a></figure>Located directly opposite 81-89 Queens Parade, the former Gasworks site which also fronts Smith Street is being positioned by Development Victoria as "a mixed-use village comprising a variety of housing types, community facilities and open space".

Indicative massing for the site suggests six separate buildings are in the offing, ranging up to 14 storeys, with one slated as a vertical sporting and education facility.

The former Gasworks is considered ideal for development as opposed to purely open space due to the significant cost of remediating the site. Currently planning necessities such as formal rezoning is taking place, with site remediation and a period of community engagement expected later this year.

Development Victoria's <a href="https://developmentvictoria.engagementhub.com.au/fitzroy-gasworks">timeline for the project</a> has construction commencing at the back end of 2020, raising the prospect that thousands of new dwellings may be at construction simultaneously across the three major sites that form Fitzroy North's newest development precinct.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image45_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Vivid interplay on Swanston &amp; Grattan. Image: Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="356" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image31_7.jpg?itok=8eNYxlEa" title="Massing and use. Image: Development Victoria" width="580"></a></figure>
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Gurner adds weight to Fitzroy North's emerging high-density precinct

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The core of Sydney's Auburn is in for further urban consolidation with LFD Developments and KWC Capital Partners pushing to add 500 plus new apartments to the northern side of Auburn railway station.

Plans for the $123.3 million build were lodged with Cumberland City council during February, and are now on display.

LFD Developments is intending to raze the now redundant Auburn RSL club buildings and car parks on either side of Northumberland Road at the intersection of Hall Street, in order to facilitate the delivery of five apartments buildings. Sydney CBD-based Arc Architects are charged with the project's design.

<h2>26-36 Northumberland Road application summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image31_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Northumberland Street perspective. Planning image: Arc Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="353" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image31_6.jpg?itok=Gydu0FzQ" title="Northumberland Street perspective. Planning image: Arc Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Northumberland Street perspective. Planning image: Arc Architects</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Site area: 11,848 square metres</li>
	<li>Proposed: 5 buildings up to 12 levels or 38 metres</li>
	<li>530 apartments: 165 x 1BR, 337 x 2BR, 28 x 3BR</li>
	<li>Total GFA: 42,782 square metres</li>
	<li>Allowable FSR: 3.6</li>
	<li>14 retail tenancies at ground level</li>
	<li>611 vehicle bays over 3 basement levels</li>
</ul>
Extensive landscaping surrounding the buildings and a refreshed Northumberland Road urban realm are pencilled in as part of the development.

<blockquote>
The proposed development reinforces the street alignment along Northumberland Road permitting the development of a landscaped boulevard, with planting on both sides of the street leading directly to the Auburn Train Station and the existing town centre.

Large scale planting is also proposed along the 9m wide setbacks to the eastern and western boundaries, providing both deep soil planting and a landscaped buffer to the adjoining sites. Provision is made for substantial landscaping in the carpark entry area to soften the hard-edged built forms and to provide a visual focus for residents.
<cite>Arc Architects: Design Quality Principles Report</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/image32_13.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="14 retail tenancies dot the ground level. Planning image: Arc Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="331" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image32_13.jpg?itok=G9I7X9E5" title="14 retail tenancies dot the ground level. Planning image: Arc Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>14 retail tenancies dot the ground level. Planning image: Arc Architects</figcaption></figure>We're keeping tabs on 17 separate apartment projects around Auburn town centre, with 26-36 Northumberland Road comfortably the largest development in Auburn's pipeline.

Its 530 apartments are more than double that of <a href="/new-apartments/41-auburn-road-auburn">41 Auburn Road</a> which is the intended redevelopment of Auburn Shopping Village to include 245 apartments. Thereafter <a href="https://urban.melbourne/projects/cumberland/13-19-mary-street-auburn">13-19 Mary Street</a> and <a href="/new-apartments/auburn-nsw-2144">18-22 Mary Street</a> shape as the next largest apartment developments in waiting.

For LFD Developments, the Northumberland Road project is a step up in terms of scale relative to its other current project. Cascade Gardens in Pymble is a SHED and DKO Architecture-designed collection of three low-rise apartment buildings.

Cascade Gardens includes near on 100 apartments.

<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/image35_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Cascade Gardens. Image: LFD Developments"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="357" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image35_11.jpg?itok=i6dFYxBo" title="Cascade Gardens. Image: LFD Developments" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Cascade Gardens. Image: LFD Developments</figcaption></figure>
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LFD Developments plans an Auburn apartment enclave

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A public thoroughfare is the stand out feature of a newly advertised planning application for 200-216 Sydney Road, Coburg.

Hayball-designed plans for the site are intended to supersede an already approved scheme which along with the land holding were offered for sale by Colliers during 2016. Colliers pitched the site as a versatile project capable of creating a new urban precinct on one of Melbourne’s major shopping strips.

Reportedly sold for in excess of $13 million, developer Ruiyi Australia took on the site and is backing the new planning set which seeks a greater apartment yield across the 7,500 square metre site.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image13_24.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Initial and revised design for 200-216 Sydney Road. Images: Colliers &amp; Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="575" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image13_24.jpg?itok=iGiKvYCV" title="Initial and revised design for 200-216 Sydney Road. Images: Colliers &amp; Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Initial and revised design for 200-216 Sydney Road. Images: Colliers &amp; Hayball</figcaption></figure>Ruiyi Australia's sole Melbourne project of note to date is South by Rothe Lowman, which is currently one of the few apartment projects at sales within Fishermans Bend. Whilst it contains 49 apartments, 200-216 Sydney Road is slated to include 170 dwellings.

This is a marked increase of 41 over the approved site plans which saw 124 apartments in place, plus 5 townhouses, a ground floor supermarket, 3 retail shops and office space across the first floor.

The Hayball revision which is currently before Moreland City Council carries a $46 million delivery cost is similar in certain aspects to the endorsed design, albeit larger in scale.

Hayball's new plans call for 158 apartments, 12 townhouses, a business incubator and commercial tenancies across 8 levels; three more levels than the approved scheme. The major building to Sydney Road includes 8 townhouses, 11 terrace dwellings and 139 apartments consisting of 21 single, 110 double and 8 triple bedroom options.

The balance of dwellings are townhouses which front Cash Street on the site's eastern boundary.

<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/image9_21.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ground level treatment. Planning image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="291" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image9_21.jpg?itok=HO6izxf-" title="Ground level treatment. Planning image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ground level treatment. Planning image: Hayball</figcaption></figure>To compensate for the increased number of dwellings, a host of new amenities have been included.

A landscaped public laneway spans the distance between Sydney Road and Cash Street, and would be lined by a business incubator, commercial tenancies and retail spaces. A private residents garden runs off the pedestrian link, accounting for just under 800 square metres of the site's footprint.

Another resident communal space at ground floor and rooftop facilities rounds out Hayball's H-shaped building, which sits above 268 car parking spaces across two basement levels.

Moreland City Council received the new planning application during December 2017.

<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/image8_16.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Townhouse component of the intended development. Planning image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="302" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image8_16.jpg?itok=fiPQF1K8" title="Townhouse component of the intended development. Planning image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Townhouse component of the intended development. Planning image: Hayball</figcaption></figure>
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Hayball rework plans for a major Sydney Road apartment development

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Urban Taskforce Australia has reacted swiftly to the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute's (AHURI) latest report on increasing affordable housing supply.

AHURI's report examines how planning mechanisms support affordable housing supply in both Australia and overseas locations. Headline points covered in the report which was released yesterday include:

<ul>
<li>'Inclusionary planning' tools leverage significant quantities of affordable housing supply in many parts of the UK and US.</li>
	<li>12,866 affordable housing units (43% of total affordable housing output) were delivered through inclusionary planning requirements in England between 2015–16. About 12 per cent of annual housing completions in San Francisco are affordable dwellings produced through inclusionary zoning or impact fee requirements. Similar schemes apply to more than 500 cities across the United States.</li>
	<li>In comparison to this international practice, inclusionary planning for affordable housing is not as widespread in Australia. However, South Australia delivered 5,485 affordable homes between 2005–15 through an inclusionary planning target applying to new residential areas. This amounts to around 17 per cent of total housing supply in that state.</li>
	<li>In NSW, a planning incentive scheme introduced in 2009 has yielded around 2,000 affordable rental dwellings in Sydney, equivalent to about 1 per cent of the city’s total supply.</li>
	<li>Across all jurisdictions examined, planning system tools can support affordable housing supply, but additional funding or subsidy is usually required to produce homes affordable to those on low and very low-incomes.</li>
	<li>Planning system tools for affordable housing supply work best when part of a wider whole-of-government strategy to address the continuum of housing needs.</li>
</ul>
As a result, AHURI has leaned toward the expansion of inclusionary planning approaches across Australia where "affordable housing inclusion can be mandated when land is rezoned for residential development, when planning rules are varied for particular projects, or following significant infrastructure investment."

AHURI's suggested measure is intended to make affordable housing (especially apartments) more attainable for buyers across Australia, and particularly so in Sydney which is home to the nation's most expensive real estate.

For its part, Urban Taskforce Australia fired back promptly yesterday arguing that any move to advance inclusionary zoning measures would in fact drive prices up. Urban Taskforce CEO Chris Johnson released in-depth commentary on AHURI's paper.

With a particular focus on Sydney, excerpts from Chris Johnson's statement read as follows:

<blockquote>
The AHURI report by a number of Australian academics is a useful exploration of trends and policies across the world but the Sydney market is different. 

Houses and apartments in Sydney are amongst the most expensive in the world when related to household income. Much of this high price is driven by restrictions on zoning new land for residential homes according to the Reserve Bank report on ‘the Effect of Zoning on Housing Prices’.

The zoning effect increased Sydney per house price by a whopping $489,000 and in Melbourne by $324,000. On top of all this there is a range of levies and taxes added to the cost of a dwelling by the NSW Government and the local council.

To add even more cost to new dwellings as proposed by AHURI will only drive overall housing costs upwards.

The AHURI preferred approach is to have inclusionary zoning only applied to apartments yet apartments have already become the affordable way to live for many Sydney households. The average apartment in Sydney is around 40% cheaper than the average house so this dwelling type has become the affordable way to live for many households.

AHURI however proposes an inclusionary zoning system that can only lead to forcing apartment costs up. We should be getting other building types like detached houses, commercial and retail developments to contribute to affordable housing rather than add an extra cost to the most affordable dwellings in the city.

The Urban Taskforce has developed an approach to providing up to 40,000 affordable homes across Sydney over a ten year period. We propose using the Affordable Rental Housing SEPP that gives an uplift in floor space if 20% of the apartments are affordable rentals for 10 years.  
 
</blockquote>

Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute's r<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/297">eport on supporting affordable housing supply</a> can be seen in full here.

Lead image: City West Housing
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Affordable housing to come at the cost of ... affordable housing?

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Penrith continues to garner its fair share of development as developers Toga Group and St Hilliers prepare to add major apartment developments to the suburb's ranks.

Documents were lodged last month on behalf of Toga Group, with SJB undertaking the design of two residential towers that may yield as many as 187 new apartments. The development has been billed by the developer as "a new benchmark in urban regeneration and placemaking."

Accounting for a disused car sales lot and vacant land, the development has a primary address of 634-638 High Street, but also maintains a secondary frontage to Union Road. Toga Group expects that the development which has an estimated delivery value of $63.5 million will further expand Penrith's urban renewal push to the western flank of its CBD.

<h2>634-638 High Street application summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/untitled_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A new groundscape. Image: Toga Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="291" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/untitled_1.jpg?itok=m7x7y_zj" title="A new groundscape. Image: Toga Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A new groundscape. Image: Toga Group</figcaption></figure>634-638 High Street sees 63 x 1BR, 103 x 2BR, 21 x 3BR apartments, with retail tenancies amounting to 1,540 square metres at ground level. A dual level basement includes 285 vehicles and 45 bicycle bays whilst amenities include podium top green space.

Owing to its size and significance, 634-638 High Street will go before the Sydney West Planning Panel. Toga Group are carrying imagery of the intended development via their website, which adds to the nine additional apartment projects the developer notes as active.

St Hilliers meanwhile has enlisted DKO Architecture to continue its transformation of a tract of land abutting Engineers Place.

With completion now due on St Hilliers' Quest Penrith development which sits alongside, 15 Engineers Place has gone to planning seeking a nine storey building containing 48 apartments. A mix of one and two bedroom dwellings, the apartments sit above two sizeable commercial tenancies and a veiled above ground car park.

<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/untitled_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="St Hilliers and DKO Architecture have teamed for the engineers Place project"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="371" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/untitled_3.jpg?itok=wb7IP2fk" title="St Hilliers and DKO Architecture have teamed for the engineers Place project" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Engineers Place. Planning image: DKO Architecture</figcaption></figure>Whilst not excessively large projects in their own right, the two fresh planning applications reinforce Penrith's push to higher density living.

A host of other developments are either at construction or intended, particularly along Lord Sheffield Circuit or Barber Avenue. These are in addition to developer Cabe's teaming with the Penrith Rugby League Club to create a $500 million residential development that can create as many as 850 apartments.

Although not at planning, property firm Trifalga has flagged a major development at 39-49 Henry Street within Penrith's CBD. 

According to Trifalga, "An application has been prepared for the 6,300sqm gateway site at 39-49 Henry Street, Penrith for a major mixed-use development within the CBD. As part of Trifalga’s mission to develop vibrant mixed-use communities in high-growth CBDs, this redevelopment aims to revitalise a major site within Penrith CBD by bringing new commercial, residential and retail spaces, a new hotel, and embellishment of public open space."

The prospective Henry Street development would rank among Penrith's largest.

<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/untitled_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Trifalga's vision for Penrith"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="340" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/untitled_2.jpg?itok=f1ww8Thq" title="Trifalga's vision for Penrith" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Trifalga's vision for Penrith</figcaption></figure>
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Toga Group and St Hilliers add to Penrith's skyward push

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<a href="/developments/box-hill-vic-3128">Box Hill residents</a> and visitors alike may soon have the chance to access a publicly accessible space atop a new mixed-use tower on Station Street.

No stranger to residential development with a string of recent residential builds completed, Station Street may soon sport a new design highlight with the prospective public space rolled into the development championed by Austone International Pty Ltd and Australia Dingjiu Group Pty Ltd.

Designed by Elenberg Fraser, the proposal accounts for a trio of low-rise buildings across 702-706 Station Street. As part of the intended development, a dedicated and separate public elevator will shuttle visitors from the landscaped ground level foyer to the dual level rooftop 'lookout park'.

The incorporation of the communal sky garden is one of a number of design changes and enhancements since the application for development first landed with Whitehorse City Council during 2016. Initially seeking a higher outcome, the tower has been scaled back to 15 levels, which is itself taller than surrounding buildings.

702-706 Station Street was sold during mid-2015 for $5.7 million, and now forms part of the wider development footprint. The amalgamated site spans 1,350 square metres and has a frontage of 29 metres.

<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/image157_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Part of the amalgamated development site. Image: CBRE"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="384" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image157_1.jpg?itok=HvP61IQg" title="Part of the amalgamated development site. Image: CBRE" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Part of the amalgamated development site. Image: CBRE</figcaption></figure>A cafe, sky deck, dining area, green space, ampitheatre and playground feature at the tower's peak. All told the stepped terrace design spans 586 square metres and will be accessed via a dedicated lift fronting Paynes Lane, which itself will be overhauled as part of the development.

Paynes Lane's transformation is expected to include new paving, art installations, a green wall, planters and additional bicycle parking.

Elevated public park aside, a handful of additional design features have been rolled into the development. Future residents can expect to see a gym, karaoke lounge and massage parlour across level 2, with dual retail spaces accounting for the Station Street ground level frontage.

1,746 square metres of leasable office space is also included within the tower that reaches 56 metres, and which sits above a 5 level basement accommodating 98 vehicle bays and 74 bicycle racks.

In terms of apartments 702-706 Station Street looks to add another 99 dwellings to Box Hill's already hefty apartment pipeline. These 99 dwellings are split between 53 single bedroom and 46 dual bedroom apartments.

The application is currently at advertising, with a planning result likely in the second half of this year.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image159_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Blue area denotes the public rooftop space. Planning image: Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="332" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image159_2.jpg?itok=EWItrWxU" title="Blue area denotes the public rooftop space. Planning image: Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Blue area denotes the public rooftop space. Planning image: Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure>
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Box Hill's latest tower proposal incorporates a public rooftop park

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UEM Sunrise along with head contractor Hickory Group recently celebrated the ‘topping out’ of Conservatory at a ceremony marking the event.

The $330 million residential building designed by COX Architecture is located on MacKenzie Street and upon practical completion will become UEM Sunrise’s first completed project in Australia since its entry into the Melbourne market during 2013.

Conservatory will also include a display comprising 477 pieces of significant artefacts discovered during the archaeological excavation stage early in the project's life, which will be available for public viewing from late September 2018.

<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/conservatory_redden.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="UEM Sunrise's Conservatory recently topped out. Image: redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/conservatory_redden.jpg?itok=aHcrXXGG" title="UEM Sunrise's Conservatory recently topped out. Image: redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>UEM Sunrise's Conservatory recently topped out. Image: Forum member redden</figcaption></figure>The artefacts will be located in glass cases in the foyer of the building, which can be visible from Bell Place. UEM Sunrise has worked closely with Heritage Victoria and the appointed archaeological consultant to identify these artefacts, which include:

<ul>
<li>
Hidden Loot – a small revolver and bullets, together with a small leather wallet and beaded necklace, were found hidden in the Mistletoe Hotel cellar, signifying the colourful lifestyle of the hotel occupants.</li>
	<li>
Necessities – everyday items that were used by patrons at the Mistletoe Hotel to service the population boom, such as a clay pipe, ceramic egg cups, silverware, a clay pipe, fob watch, inkwells, bone handle carving knives and perfume bottles.</li>
	<li>
Gold – items from the Early Gold Rush era owned by wealthy patrons, such as a gold nugget pin.</li>
	<li>
Glasswares – a number of cognac and champagne bottles used at the hotel signify a time of extravagance.</li>
</ul>
The first stage of Conservatory apartments will be handed over to purchasers from late September 2018.

UEM Sunrise's other significant Melbourne project, Aurora Melbourne Central is racing along to its eventual height of 267m with Probuild at the helm. The core of the Elenberg Fraser designed goliath is currently sitting at level 68, just below the 200 metre mark with the first stage of apartments set to be handed over to their respective purchasers later this year.

Upon completion, Aurora will become the tallest tower within the bounds of the Hoddle Grid, eclipsed only by Southbank's Eureka Tower (297m), Australia 108 (317m) and Crown's One Queensbridge Street (323m).

<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/aurora_mc_adrian.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Aurora Melbourne Central is approaching 200m. Image: Forum member Adrian"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="785" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/aurora_mc_adrian.png?itok=F2jfVY0x" title="Aurora Melbourne Central is approaching 200m. Image: Forum member Adrian" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aurora Melbourne Central is approaching 200 metres. Image: forum member Adrian</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
Hickory is very proud to be delivering a high quality, landmark project in Melbourne such as Conservatory. It will no doubt be an amazing place to live and for the owners of these luxury apartments, Hickory will help maintain the quality for years to come, not unlike the servicing of a new luxury car.

As a first in the industry, we will be on hand to ensure that owners protect their most valuable asset and keep their apartments operating efficiently into the future.

- Michael Argyrou, Managing Director of Hickory
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
Conservatory marks an important piece of history for UEM Sunrise – it’s the next step for us in fulfilling our promise of delivering quality, luxury projects in Australia, with Aurora Melbourne Central set to be handed over to purchasers from Q3 2018 onwards and site works of <a href="/new-apartments/the-mayfair-412-st-kilda-road-melbourne">Mayfair</a> commencing this year.

Conservatory is an integral part of Melbourne’s history, too. Before construction began, we engaged an archaeological consultant for an archaeological excavation of the site. They uncovered over 250,000 artefacts, dating back to the early gold rush in the 1800s when the site was the Mistletoe Hotel.

Fittingly, these items reflect an opulent time when Melbourne’s population was bourgeoning, and settlement started to take shape.

Conservatory similarly represents a new era of population growth and will service Melbournians with luxury accommodation options, boasting views over the Carlton Gardens and lavish amenities such as a rooftop jacuzzi, private cinema and golf simulator

-  Anwar Syahrin Abdul Ajib, UEM Sunrise Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer
</blockquote>
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Laurence Dragomir

UEM Sunrise's Conservatory tops out; Aurora approaches the 200 metre mark

<html><body>
Telopea's tilt at urban renewal received a boost late last week as the New South Wales Minister for Social Housing initiated an Expression of Interest (EOI) campaign that will ultimately lead to a mass-scale redevelopment within the suburb.

The EOI process will target the private development sector and/or not-for-profit organisations in the expectation of leading a development team that will remodel the 64-hectare Government-owned land parcel. Telopea's master plan is likely to deliver an estimated $2.5 billion of new social, private and affordable housing, along with associated infrastructure over a 10-15 year timeframe.

The land in line for renewal includes 600 existing social housing dwellings and falls under the New South Wales Government's Future Directions in NSW Social Housing blueprint that aims to introduce 30 per cent / 70 per cent split between social and private housing on redeveloped Government 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/image119_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Telopea and surrounds. Image: TfNSW"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="646" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image119_1.jpg?itok=Imc_RExY" title="Telopea and surrounds. Image: TfNSW" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Telopea is in close proximity to Parramatta. Image: TfNSW</figcaption></figure>PBD Architects conceived Telopea's concept master plan, and have outlined the area's importance within the wider Sydney context:

<blockquote>
This area is currently, and will continue to, undergo significant change and renewal as industries move out of this area of Sydney providing the opportunity for new homes, jobs and community facilities between Sydney and Parramatta CBDs.

The Telopea master plan area is based on an 800m radius east of the existing heavy rail station. With a total of 1400 existing dwellings that are a mix of medium rise apartments, dwellings houses, high rise apartments and townhouses, it is estimated that Telopea could deliver between 3500-4500 new dwellings by 2036.

With a focus on improving permeability, new connections across the rail corridor has been introduced. The tallest building will be focused opposite the light rail stop and transitioned appropriately within the core to facilitate the renewal of the denser and aged social housing stock.

The transitioning of building heights, together with the topography, will provide a clear urban structure focused on the station and core, and facilitate good solar access and views.
</blockquote>

It's envisaged that existing housing stock will be replaced with multiple towers reaching 70 metres.

<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/image118_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Light rail is optioned as part of the Telopea renewal. Image: PBD Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="344" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image118_0.jpg?itok=7Lp5IT15" title="Light rail is optioned as part of the Telopea renewal. Image: PBD Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Light rail is optioned as part of the Telopea renewal. Image: PBD Architects</figcaption></figure>Progression to the EOI stage has prompted Urban Taskforce Australia to call for further urban renewal and cooperation between the New South Wales Government and the private development sector.

<blockquote>
The Telopea project follows on from the successful outcome for the Ivanhoe precinct where social and affordable dwellings are provided to Government by allowing significant numbers of market apartments to be built. The outstanding design of a mixed use precinct at Ivanhoe can now occur at the Telopea site.

Telopea has a light rail station and the potential to develop a new town centre with a public plaza. The private sector development industry will be very interested in the Telopea revitalisation project.

The scale of the Telopea project where 600 old social housing dwellings will be replaced by 1,000 social and affordable dwellings as well as 2,500 market apartments demonstrates the value of developing a more urban character with greater densities than Sydney’s typical suburban form of housing.

By generating greater density and height around metro rail and light rail stations the Government is reinforcing the shift to public transport while housing Sydney’s growing population.
</blockquote>

The EOI campaign will close in May, with the process of relocating residents in motion. Current residents will be provided the opportunity to return to Telopea as future stages of the project are completed.
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Telopea's transformation moves to the EOI stage

A year has passed since JW Land went on a media blitz promoting their intended development of 699-701 Park Street in Brunswick at the top of Princes Park.

Plans for what is currently the Best Western Princes Park Motor Inn were lodged with Council during 2016, although Architectus has veered away from the previous design path with&nbsp;a revised development application which was submitted late last year. Gone is the undulating and bulky glass-clad tower of the initial proposal, with Architectus instead favouring a more subdued approach to the prospective development.

The revised application would result in lowered development expectations for JW Land; an initially sought&nbsp;333 apartments within the project has been cut to 255 apartments and&nbsp;12 townhouses, as per the application which is fresh to advertising.

For locals concerned with the height of the development, there will be little relief as the revised application has increased in height from 13 to 14 levels, effectively compensating for lower built form height to the street and greater setbacks.

<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/image102_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A comparative view of old and new. Images: JW Land and Architectus"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="300" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image102_3.jpg?itok=Us83SZRC" title="A comparative view of old and new. Images: JW Land and Architectus" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>A comparative view of old and new. Images: JW Land and Architectus</figcaption>
</figure>

Development plans for the 6,463 square metre site sparked the&nbsp;creation of an action group dubbed&nbsp;Protect Park St Precinct, which was set up specifically to tackle JW Land's development.

Among the action group's concerns was the&nbsp;proposed scale and impact of the&nbsp;13-storey development, lessening the&nbsp;qualities of our neighbourhood, the inclusion of borrowed light apartments and the lack of any additional open recreational space for the new residents. Based upon feedback from Council and the development team's need to&nbsp;the comply with the Better Apartment Design Standards&nbsp;requirements, the Park Street application was completely overhauled.

Expected now is an eight-level mixed use building fronting Brunswick Road, a 14 level main tower set well back from the respective street frontages and a seven level building on the corner of Park Street and Sydney Road/Royal Parade corner.

The large land area allows for a single level basement of 401 parking spaces to service the development; it along with the built form above ground equates to a development Plot Ratio of 6.43. A roof terrace, retail tenancy, 1,300 square metre childcare centre and community hub which is expected to be leased to Moreland City Council round out the development.

126 single&nbsp;bedroom apartments are included, as are 88 two bedroom apartments, 29 three bedroom apartments and 12 townhouses account for the development's living options.

<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/image103_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Royal Parade perspective. Planning image: Architectus"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="404" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image103_1.jpg?itok=997ajUjN" title="Royal Parade perspective. Planning image: Architectus" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Royal Parade perspective. Planning image: Architectus</figcaption>
</figure>

The site has&nbsp;three separate preferred height controls from 10.5 metres through to 25 metres, or 8 levels. At 14 levels&nbsp;699-701 Park Street would reach&nbsp;a maximum height of 45.25 metres.

According to planning report author Urbis, the additional height is considered appropriate due to the majority of the site being well below the preferred height control, improved setbacks and the introduction of high-quality external finishes as part of the redesign introducing&nbsp;the notion that "the building seeks to blend in with its surrounds and be a discrete element within the skyline of Brunswick."

Whether Moreland City Council perceives the project in the same fashion remains to be seen.

<h2>699-701 Park Street development team</h2>

<ul>
	<li>Developer: JW Land</li>
	<li>Architect &amp; Urban Context Report: Architectus</li>
	<li>Planning: Urbis</li>
	<li>Heritage Report: Bryce Raworth Heritage Conservation</li>
	<li>Traffic Report: Traffix</li>
	<li>Waste Management Plan: Leigh Design</li>
	<li>Landscape: MALA</li>
	<li>Sustainable Management Plan, Acoustic &amp; Stormwater: Wood and Grieve Engineers</li>
</ul>

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