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.

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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.

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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."

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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."

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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 marriage of old and new can be a difficult process, particularly when the existing structure has intrinsic heritage value.

In previous times Fitzroy's 237 Napier Street served as the home of furniture manufacturer C.F. Rojo and Sons. Taking root during 1887, Christobel Rojo oversaw operations though over time the site would become home to furniture manufacturer Thonet.

As with many significant buildings around Fitzroy, 237 Napier Street would see a new purpose as housing stock with DealCorp going about redeveloping the existing building into C.F. Row...and an impressive outcome it is! C.F. Row is the quintessential inner suburban red brick exterior facade melded with new dark-toned additions that provide contrast, albeit on a visually pleasing level.

<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/image1cfr.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Brick is prevalent both externally and internally"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="432" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image1cfr.jpg?itok=yKYO5njK" title="Brick is prevalent both externally and internally" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Brick is prevalent both externally and internally</figcaption></figure>Designed by Woods Bagot, C.F. Row includes 45 apartments and 7 townhouses split between 1, 2, 3 and 5 bedroom dwellings. Two basement levels and five contemporary levels of living sit behind the historic facade.

Works began on the project at the beginning of 2016, with all bar a ground floor tenancy fit-out completed. Apartments choices consist of 18 one-bedroom, 22 two-bedroom, four three-bedroom and one five-bedroom dwelling whilst all the townhouses include three-bedrooms. Internally the townhouses span between 143sqm and 167sqm.

C.F. Row's apartments are set to the south of the site, directly behind the C.F. Rojo and Sons facade, with an indented level above the historic structure providing a break between old and new form. Conversely, the SoHo townhouses sit in behind the 'restored' northern facade, with a contemporary addition also adjacent. 

Both buildings are separated by an east-west passage which also provides additional light penetration and a secondary perspective aside from those facing directly away from the 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/img_1700.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Patina on show along the northern boundary"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1700.jpg?itok=zwGfMwTL" title="Patina on show along the northern boundary" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Patina on show along the northern boundary</figcaption></figure>C.F. Row is an effective marriage between old and new, and in many ways mirrors the <a href="http://riverlee.com.au/projects/jaques-richmond-stage-1">Jaques Richmond Stage 1</a> redevelopment in colour palette, size and composition. The earthiness and relatability of low-rise red brick facades cannot be underestimated and is perhaps a reason why they are so popular in contemporary designs in areas such as Richmond, Collingwood and Fitzroy.

Historic elements to three sides, scale, location, history and a complementary material palette; C.F. Row simply wins on numerous levels.

In my opinion, it is certainly one of, if not Melbourne's most visually satisfying new addition of 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/img_1699.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A brooding new addition"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1699.jpg?itok=oQ_a_qJV" title="A brooding new addition" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A brooding new addition</figcaption></figure>
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silvermb

Fitzroy's C.F. Row comes up trumps

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Many council areas within Adelaide have undergone zoning changes in recent times, the valuation firm, Herron Todd White recently noted.
"This is encouraging higher density in-fill development in many areas, it noted.
"Smaller projects involve the demolition of an older style dwelling and construction of at least two courtyard style dwellings on the site.
"There is increasing developer activity in areas where higher density developments are being approved."
The report pinpointed suburbs such as Magill, Tranmere and Prospect as experiencing good demand from developers as a result.
"There are increasing numbers of dwellings being constructed on smaller allotments which will eventually change how many residents live in these areas."
A two-bedroom unit at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-unit-sa-tranmere-125364838" target="_blank">2/2A Camroc Avenue, Tranmere</a> sold for $322,500. The selling agents were Tom Hector and Jarred Stamoulis of Harris.
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But HTW noted the majority of larger households in Adelaide are still not very accepting of unit living. 
"It is typically still the domain of smaller households and renters.
"Given the increased developer activity in many suburbs around Adelaide, this may one day begin to change, but it is not something that will occur in the short term," the HTW report noted.
In Adelaide, many householders constructing on smaller allotments are still building substantial dwellings. 
They are seeking lower maintenance allotments but still want large living areas and space to entertain. 
The average allotment size in Adelaide continues to decrease to counteract the already far reaching urban sprawl. 
"Although there will be smaller properties built by investors for rental accommodation, households with families will continue to seek larger accommodation.
"This will be a continual balancing act for local councils and developers in the market place," it advised.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Adelaide still not very accepting of apartment living

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Elsternwick may potentially receive a new tallest building as Steller's latest project hits advertising, revealing a Ewert Leaf-designed mixed-use scheme for 233-247 Glen Huntly Road.

A prompt turnaround of the site is on the cards, with Steller simultaneously revealing that they were the purchaser of the site and lodging the project with City of Glen Eira during July. The 2,340sqm site which also fronts Ripon Grove was secured by the prolific developer for $25 million.

233-247 Glen Huntly Road would usurp the completed <a href="http://www.plusarchitecture.com.au/portfolio/element/">Element</a> development nearby at 221-229 Glen Huntly Road as Elsternwick's tallest contemporary development.

<h2>233-247 Glen Huntly 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/image10steller.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rendered perspective from street level. Planning image: Ewert Leaf"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="380" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image10steller.jpg?itok=YZ3PwXe8" title="Rendered perspective from street level. Planning image: Ewert Leaf" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendered perspective from street level. Planning image: Ewert Leaf</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Currently onsite: Commercial tenancies and a dwelling</li>
	<li>Proposed: 12 level building at 41.4m in height</li>
	<li>117 apartments: 2 x 1BR, 111 x 2BR, 4 x 3BR</li>
	<li>Apartment size range: 64sqm - 143sqm</li>
	<li>2 retail tenancies: 974.8sqm combined</li>
	<li>1 office tenancy: 896.7sqm</li>
	<li>Provision for 172 vehicles &amp; 127 bicycles</li>
	<li>Communal roof terrace</li>
	<li>Anticipated cost of development: $39.45m</li>
</ul>
<h2>A new iteration</h2>

Steller's current aspirations for 233-247 Glen Huntly Road are not necessarily groundbreaking in that VCAT has in the past endorsed a similar-sized scheme for the site.

During 2011 consent was given for a building rising up to 10 levels and containing 141 apartments. That scheme also included the adjoining church on Ripon Grove which was to have been converted into an additional 21 dwellings, although the church which is described as having architectural and social importance by Heritage Council Victoria is not included within the current application.

233-247 Glen Huntly Road falls under an urban renewal zone within the <a href="http://file:///C:/Users/silvermb/Downloads/Draft-Elsternwick-Structure-Plan.pdf%5C">Draft Elsternwick Structure Plan</a>, allowing this and adjoining sites to receive intensified development.

According to the development team, the current scheme has been designed to comply with relevant planning overlays.

<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/image15ghr.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aerial rendered perspective. Planning image: Ewert Leaf"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="384" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image15ghr.jpg?itok=qKow4kur" title="Aerial rendered perspective. Planning image: Ewert Leaf" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aerial rendered perspective. Planning image: Ewert Leaf</figcaption></figure><h2>Steller's next wave</h2>

Steller's move on Elsternwick coincides with the news that they are the recent purchaser of St Kilda's former Greyhound Hotel site.

Picking up the vacant block for $7.5 million, Steller may well redesign the approved plans from eight levels into a seven level mixed-use project including 37 apartments and two retail spaces. Addressed 1 Brighton Road, Savills recently handled the marketing campaign for the 911sqm site which included approved plans devised by Terry Harper Architects.

Both Elsternwick and St Kilda reinforce Steller's push into Melbourne's inner south-eastern corridor, following on from the developer's purchase earlier this year of a permitted 20 level tower at 200-204 Wells Street in South Melbourne.

That site holds approval for an Artisan Architects-designed tower of approximately 200 apartments, after being sold via Lemon Baxter earlier 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/image12_13.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="St Kilda and South Melbourne were both purchased with approved schemes."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="204" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image12_13.jpg?itok=h3d38G58" title="St Kilda and South Melbourne were both purchased with approved schemes." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>St Kilda and South Melbourne were both purchased with approved schemes.</figcaption></figure>
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Steller seeks a new Elsternwick high point

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Developer Ausco Group has taken a 6,600sqm site in Mulgrave to planning with the intent of adding 93 new dwellings to their expanding portfolio.

At 2263-2267 Dandenong Road, the Mulgrave project reinforces the developer's preference for developing sites in Melbourne's South Eastern suburbs. Now utilised as the Enjoy Church (East Campus), dual single story brick buildings over the site would make way for a Cera Stribley-designed apartment and townhouse complex.

Indeed the Dandenong Road application brings together the entities who have both enjoyed a period of sustained growth in recent times.

Submitted to the City of Monash last month, the Mulgrave application's dwelling mix consists 5 three bedroom apartments, 63 two bedroom apartments and 15 one bedroom apartments, plus 4 two bedroom townhouses and 6 three bedroom townhouses.

<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/image22_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Dandenong Road perspective. Planning image: Cera Stribley"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="221" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image22_10.jpg?itok=KsAtthQ0" title="Dandenong Road perspective. Planning image: Cera Stribley" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Dandenong Road perspective. Planning image: Cera Stribley</figcaption></figure>2263-2267 Dandenong Road is only the second residential listing in Mulgrave to appear in the Apartments.com.au Project Database, and reinforces the propensity of developers to continue the push of apartments into non recognised higher-density suburbs.

Cera Stribley's design ethos for the project reads as follows:

<blockquote>
The main architectural design concept if the proposed building is defined by a clear aesthetic reflecting an industrial vernacular employing exposed brickwork, exposed structural grid elements and the use of metal cladding, brick, and cement render.

The proposed development is broken up into two distinct areas. One set of townhouses along the northern boundary and an apartment building facing Dandenong Road. Each area addresses the different interfaces of each boundary. This allows each building to address individual concerns and stand proud as individual buildings.

The apartment building protects the rest of the site from the busy Dandenong road and has 2 communal gardens/light courts for the residents use and to allow for the optimum internal amenity for the apartments. We have kept to a neutral palette of materials to be complementary to the surrounding neighbourhood. 
</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/image25_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Clarinade at construyction along with Ausco Group's pending Cheltenham project"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="226" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image25_8.jpg?itok=0TvGz9nC" title="Clarinade at construyction along with Ausco Group's pending Cheltenham project" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Clarinade at construyction along with Ausco Group's pending Cheltenham project</figcaption></figure>Whilst 2263-2267 Dandenong Road is fresh to planning, Ausco Group can concern themselves with a number of additional apartments projects in their portfolio.

Mulgrave represents the firm's seventh listing in the Apartments.com.au Project Database; all in all Ausco Group now has approximately 430 apartments in development in Melbourne's South Eastern suburbs, plus townhouses and detached housing projects.

Ausco Group has also scaled up in size over their most recent projects. <a href="/buildings/the-clarindale-1213-centre-road-oakleigh-south">The Clarinade</a>, <a href="/buildings/collins-bates-19-25-collins-street-chadstone">Collins &amp; Bates</a> and <a href="/new-apartments/cheltenham-place-1234-1236-nepean-highway-cheltenham">1234-1236 Nepean Highway</a> all include at least 100 apartments; Collins &amp; Bates is Ausco Group's most recent release for sale whilst the 11-storey Cheltenham project is still at planning and looms as the developer's new headquarters once it is realised.
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AUSCO targets Mulgrave as their latest apartment project hits planning

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The tower dubbed 'Sol Invictus' may not have been conquered, but it is for sale.

Long after the initial media blitz extolling the virtues of the tower, going hand in hand with an explanation of its name, the now approved 48 Moray Street has been handed to Colliers. The agent along with ICR Property Group have been tasked with securing a new owner for the 1,173.5sqm site, which was granted approval during July.

At stake is the right to develop 287 apartments and 5 levels of commercial space encompassing approximately 3,000sqm.

Initially submitted at 60 levels, the approved 51 level outcome spans 48 Moray Street and 11-13 Hancock Street; the latter 168sqm site was approved for a super thin residential tower of 33 levels, but those plans have been incorporated into the current scheme.

<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/42moray1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="An earlier version of 48 Moray Street with significantly more street level flair. Image: Peddlr Thorp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="253" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/42moray1.jpg?itok=Gcf4nPYy" title="An earlier version of 48 Moray Street with significantly more street level flair. Image: Peddlr Thorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>An earlier version of 48 Moray Street with significantly more street level flair. Image: Peddlr Thorp</figcaption></figure>David Lock Associates provided town planning for the project, and described it as follows:

<blockquote>
The building itself is designed to be a landmark, and to set new benchmarks regarding ESD by way of cutting-edge mechanisms including architecturally-integrated solar panels that will offset a substantial portion of the development’s energy requirements.

Myriad public realm upgrades – including offsite pocket parks, freeway underpass upgrades and an architecturally designed pocket plaza - are also proposed as a means of repositioning Southbank as a high quality, enjoyable public destination.

‘The building has been designed to act as a landmark, and respond to its prominent location at the gateway to the City of Melbourne through the introduction of a distinct, curvilinear tower form within the existing urban morphology of Southbank. The building also ‘raises the bar’ within the local existing urban context through exemplary ground floor activation and public realm amenity.
</blockquote>

Referencing the sun god of the Roman Empire, Sol Invictus was billed as Australia's "first substantially off-the-grid, green energy-generating residential tower." 

This was to be achieved by incorporating solar cells in the facade of the tower, thus allowing a greater area to capture the sun's rays. Rooftop wind turbines and a battery storage system were also envisaged in the initial design for the tower.

<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/42moray2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="42 Moray Street as rendered into Southbank. Image: Colliers"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="607" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/42moray2.jpg?itok=Zw9jU395" title="42 Moray Street as rendered into Southbank. Image: Colliers" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The approved version of 48 Moray Street rendered into Southbank. Image: Colliers</figcaption></figure>Design nuances aside, the sale of 42 Moray Street comes at an interesting time for the wider Southbank apartment development market.

A handful of major Southbank development sites have been listed and have subsequently languished, as prospective buyers have been difficult to secure. 127-129 Kavanagh Street and 38 Freshwater Place are the two most noteworthy examples, having approvals in place for a combined 1,000 plus apartments, and having been offered for sale for some months.

296-306 City Road and 292 City Road have suffered the same fate; they are though non permitted sites.

58 Southbank Boulevard shapes as the current exception to the sluggish Southbank market. With its sales campaign closed, no word has yet filtered through on the site's fate.
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The 'Unconquered Sun' of Southbank goes up for sale

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Developers continue to stake their claim in Fishermans Bend, as the State Government prepares to release the draft Fishermans Bend Framework which will outline the future composition of the massive urban renewal area.

CostaFox Developments has entered Fishermans Bend at an interesting juncture, lodging an application for a prime Dockland site in the shadows of the State Government announcement. Sited behind Yarra's Edge's low-rise townhouse enclave, CostaFox's 111 Lorimer Street is a 4,109sqm plot on the northern border of Fishermans Bend.

Fishermans Bend's development lull was snapped last week, as <a href="/news/fishermans-bends-development-scene-rumbles-back-to-life">news on three major projects broke</a>.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/imagecfox.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="CostaFox's Fishermans Bend tower."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="738" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/imagecfox.jpg?itok=jRglhlqJ" title="CostaFox's Fishermans Bend tower." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>CostaFox's Fishermans Bend tower.</figcaption></figure>CostaFox have also taken to the front foot, outlining their aspirations for 111 Lorimer Street to the media.

Provisional plans include 396 apartments and 3,841sqm of retail and commercial space, with the latter spread over two dedicated levels. Across the scheme, a further 3,390sqm is dedicated to residential amenities. 

Rothelowman have designed the 40-storey scheme which includes 1, 2, 3 &amp; 4 bedroom apartments. CostaFox adding a proportionately high number of larger apartments which is expected to reflect the project's targeted buyer demographic.

<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/image5rlfb.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rothelowman's Fishermans Bend catalogue includes South and Johnston Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="188" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image5rlfb.jpg?itok=EBeX_hbI" title="Rothelowman's Fishermans Bend catalogue includes South and Johnston Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rothelowman's Fishermans Bend catalogue includes South and Johnson Street</figcaption></figure>111 Lorimer Street's submission represents CostaFox's first entry into the Apartments.com.au Project Database. 

The relatively new South Yarra-based property outfit is the coming together of Michael Fox and Robert Costa.

Under the guise of Little Projects, Michael Fox has experience within Fishermans Bend, guiding nearby <a href="/developments/docklands-vic-3008">85 Lorimer Street</a> through the approvals process, consequently securing the right to develop 940 apartments across dual towers.

Rothelowman on the other hand can notch another major project up within Fishermans Bend, although none have yet to reach construction.

Developer Australia Ruiyi has the Rothelowman-designed <a href="/buildings/south-15-thistlethwaite-street-south-melbourne">South</a> at sales, whilst another approved design at <a href="/new-apartments/60-82-johnson-street-south-melbourne">60-82 Johnson Street</a> is controlled by local developer Salvo Property Group.
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CostaFox tackles Fishermans Bend with new proposal

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Crema Group is the driving force behind the purchase of 8 Palmerston Crescent, South Melbourne which was successfully sold by Colliers earlier this year. Perhaps better known as home to Pink Palace, the 908sqm island site has gone to planning with the expectation of another high-rise for this burgeoning pocket of South Melbourne.

Bids for the site closed during March, having been offered for sale for the first time in 30 years. Reportedly sold for approximately $15 million, Crema Group is spearheading redevelopment efforts for the site under entity Palmerston Crescent Development Pty Ltd.

Designed by Elenberg Fraser, plans for the mixed-use tower were lodged with City of Port Phillip during July.

<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/image17pp.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Perspective of the development's ground floor restaurant. Planning image: Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="247" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image17pp.jpg?itok=N3JZyH6e" title="Perspective of the development's ground floor restaurant. Planning image: Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Perspective of the development's ground floor restaurant. Planning image: Elenberg Fraser.</figcaption></figure>Expected is an 18-storey, 64m building above 6 basement levels. Included within the basement is a wine cellar.

433sqm across the ground floor is committed to food and drink premises, whilst the tower's podium is dedicated to 3,300sqm of office space and amenities. Thereafter 44 apartments are split between 36 two-bedroom apartments, 6 three-bedrooms apartments and dual penthouses; both span 236sqm.

The design's excessive level of amenity versus the limited number of larger apartments (internals floorplans begin at 118sqm) hints at the project being positioned for owner-occupiers. Recent projects such as GURNER's Albert Place Residences nearby found immediate sales success, particularly with downsizers. Incidentally Elenberg Fraser was also the design lead behind that project.

A 413sqm rooftop lounge and pool crown 8 Palmerston Crescent.

For Crema Group, 8 Palmerston Crescent shapes as the next step in meeting Melbourne's heightened desire for oversized apartments. The developer/builder is currently building a luxury end-to-end development dubbed Derby Place in Kew.

<h2>Elenberg Fraser dominance</h2>

Whilst Crema Group pushes into South Melbourne, architect Elenberg Fraser is right at home in the precinct. According to the Apartments.com.au Project Database, the design practice currently has five additional projects in development in close proximity of 8 Palmerston Crescent.

<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/image3efsm.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Elenberg Fraser's work"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="263" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image3efsm.jpg?itok=TsnHn8iO" title="Elenberg Fraser's work" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Elenberg Fraser's current work.</figcaption></figure>Designed by Elenberg Fraser, <a href="/buildings/park-ave-39-park-street-south-melbourne">37-43 Park Street</a>, <a href="/new-apartments/13-21-palmerston-crescent-south-melbourne">13-21 Palmerston Crescent</a> and <a href="/new-apartments/first-light-28-albert-road-south-melbourne">28-32 Albert Road</a> all hold approval. <a href="/buildings/74-eastern-road-south-melbourne">74 Eastern Road</a>'s wave-like facade is nearing construction completion and <a href="/buildings/albert-place-7-bowen-crescent-south-melbourne">Albert Place Residences</a> has moved to demolition, with an eye toward an immediate construction start thereafter.

All in all Elenberg Fraser are responsible for the creation of in excess of 700 apartments in the precinct.

Lead image: Google
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Crema Group sizes up another tower for South Melbourne

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Growland has sought to increase the size of all bar one of the six tower than constitutes their <a href="/buildings/victoria-square-8-hopkins-street-footscray">Victoria Square development</a>.

Hand in hand with the developer revealing it had <a href="https://urban.melbourne/development/2017/09/12/growland-aims-local-buyers-victoria-squares-second-stage-launched">effectively sold out the Footscray project's first tower release</a> during September, a revised planning application was put before Maribyrnong City Council seeking to add between 4-5 levels across five separate buildings. The revised application also sees a near fourfold increase in commercial space across the development.

Currently, Growland are pursuing sales for Victoria Square's most recently released tower which has been dubbed VS02.

<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/image1kud.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A new Dynon Road perspective. Planning image: KUD"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image1kud.jpg?itok=hHKeQXZh" title="A new Dynon Road perspective. Planning image: KUD" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A new Dynon Road perspective. Image: Scharp</figcaption></figure>Under plans currently on display with Maribyrnong City Council, the tallest tower across the development would increase from 24 to 28 levels. It along with the adjoining and unchanged 24 level building constitute Stage 1 of Victoria Square, and are defined by their white horizontal exterior.

The remaining four towers across Stages 2 and 3 are all earmarked for an additional five levels of apartment living. Stage 2's blue-glazed towers front Hopkins Street whilst the development's envisaged final release includes twin 19 level towers across the site's northern perimeter.

An increase in office space from 887sqm to 3,164sqm across Stage 2 is a concession to the objectives within the Footscray Metropolitan Activity Centre framework, which seeks a diversified land use within the wider Joseph Road Precinct.

All in all Victoria Square's final outcome would see as many as 1,066 apartments delivered, plus the aforementioned 3,164sqm of office space and over 2,700sqm of retail space spread across 20 separate retail tenancies. 

<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/image4_18.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A new vista beckons for Footscray. Planning image: KUD"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="361" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image4_18.jpg?itok=cFLr5PL8" title="A new vista beckons for Footscray. Planning image: KUD" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A new vista beckons for Footscray. Image: Scharp</figcaption></figure>The project's exterior continues to evolve as well, as described by Kavellaris Urban Design within the planning documents:

"The three separate stages incorporate the swaying/shifting floor plates as a common architectural language but have differing material palettes. The central towers (stage 1) incorporate a solid expression of white concrete and perforated metal screens, whereas stage 2 and 3 (southern and northern respectively) incorporate a lighter reflective glass language.

Both stage 1 and 2 towers share a singular podium built form which incorporates a landscaped terrace at the roof level. The podium has been designed to capture the various curvilinear architectural expressions and explores suburban parks and public spaces typologies.:

Imagery created by design agency Scharp also points toward the impending bulk headed for the wider Joseph Road Precinct. Should it be approved, Victoria Square's tallest tower at 28 levels would still be shadowed by taller towers already approved for the urban renewal area.
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Growland pushes Footscray's Victoria Square to new heights

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Fueled by an investor-driven market, the CBD and Southbank ruled the apartment sales market over recent years. That was then, but now the mantle rests with Melbourne's inner eastern suburbs, where developers have jumped upon a recurring project format which gives their project the greatest chance of success.

Low-rise developments with spacious apartments designed for the owner-occupier. Simple really?

Simple or otherwise, the proliferation of low-rise three to five level apartment buildings in suburbs such as Hawthorn, Malvern and Glen Iris demonstrates the strong consumer uptake of projects which shy away from smaller, investor-driven apartment formats. 21 Riversdale Road is the most recent example of the strength of the inner east apartment market.

Agent Marshall White Projects has just revealed they signed off on $12 million in sales during a single day for the luxury residential project in Hawthorn which features 22 oversized apartments. This high mark was achieved one month prior to the project’s public launch and before any sales or marketing material was made available.

The $32 million project is being developed by Moda, whilst Ewert Leaf undertook the design; the practice has made a habit of creating highly successful low-rise apartment schemes in Melbourne's southern and eastern suburbs for some time now.

Director of Marshall White Projects, Leonard Teplin denotes 21 Riversdale Road's features which are apparent across many of the current batch of apartment projects in Melbourne's east - oversized, light-filled apartments with high-quality finishes, designed to attract the owner occupiers and the ability customise floor plans to create larger apartments.

95% of the early purchasers were local downsizers from either Stonnington and Boroondara.

<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/image5mwh21_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="21 Riversdale Road's open plan living space. Image: Marshall White Projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="390" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image5mwh21_0.jpg?itok=VdclnC0a" title="21 Riversdale Road's open plan living space. Image: Marshall White Projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>21 Riversdale Road's open plan living space. Image: Marshall White Projects</figcaption></figure><h2>Commentary by Leonard Teplin</h2>

<blockquote>
The success of a project is dependent on its ability to understand the needs of the market and deliver a product that not only meets, but exceeds those needs.

21 Riversdale Road is a prime example of what happens when developers get it right – when you create a quality project and invest the time and resources early on, the development speaks for itself and you end up spending less on sales and marketing down the track.

Projects located within Melbourne’s wealth belt affords the benefits of connectivity and proximity to lifestyle amenities, while also offering the quiet leafy streets that are favoured by the downsizer market.
</blockquote>

<h2>The format for success</h2>

Assessment of the Apartments.com.au Project Database shows the strength on the low-rise luxury apartment market through the inner eastern suburbs.

Adding locales such as Camberwell, Hawthorn East, Kew, Malvern East and Toorak to the aforementioned suburbs Hawthorn, Malvern and Glen Iris reveals a clear cut penchant for low-rise apartment projects. Across these 8 suburbs, 136 apartment projects are in various stages of development, and of those only 27% have six or more levels.

Restrictive planning controls coupled with the target market's appetite of low-rise luxury living across Stonnington and Boroondara in particular is plain to see.

<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/image34_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A sample of current apartment project in Melbourne's inner east"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="467" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image34_11.jpg?itok=6OutAFXr" title="A sample of current apartment project in Melbourne's inner east" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A sample of current apartment project in Melbourne's inner east</figcaption></figure>
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Melbourne's inner east keeps the apartment light burning bright

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During its monthly meeting on Tuesday night, the City of Melbourne's Future Melbourne (Planning Committee) has resolved to provide its support for a 48-storey tower at 56-62 Clarendon Street. The current Europcar car hire and workshop on site will be replaced by a 161m tower accommodating 208 apartments and 128 serviced apartments atop a six storey podium.

The site has previously had approval for a silver Elenberg Fraser designed tower from 2013 with an extension of time to commence construction lapsing in May of this year.

Car parking will be via a stacker system on levels 1 to 6, with access provided from the laneway adjacent to the site’s northern boundary. The parking levels will be wrapped in a sleeve of studio apartments along Clarendon Street and the adjacent laneway with a ground floor cafe. 

The tower, which has a plot ratio of 22.6:1 is characterised by its slim glazed form with a recessed golden ribbon element dissecting the form into a series of irregularly shaped stacked forms, as it rises up its full height, culminating in a blade roof feature punctured by a series of large openings. 

<blockquote>
We acknowledge some effort has been made to exaggerate the applied linework to the façade to provide some depth and segmentation. Further, subtle elevation changes exaggerate this sense of a series of stacked forms. We appreciate the increased setbacks to the rear interface with 46 Haig Street to address previous advice; however we recommend a green roof / planter component to this component of the podium to address the outlook of residents.

- City of Melbourne's Urban Design team
</blockquote>

<ul></ul>
One of the major changes to the design has been the relocation of the lift and services core from the more prominent northern elevation to the southern wall which will be opposite another development site.

Additionally the podium has had further visual elements incorporated into its design such as V shaped support structure and a textured treatment of off form ribbed concrete upstands to balconies bookended by glazed balustrades. 

Greater permeability has been provided with additional portholes along the north eastern corner and activation to the ground floor.

<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/image19_14_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Before and after. A number of changes have been adopted to the design. Images: Fender Katsalidis"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="503" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image19_14_0.jpg?itok=P2_hngCs" title="Before and after. A number of changes have been adopted to the design. Images: Fender Katsalidis" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Before and after. A number of changes have been adopted to the design. Images: Fender Katsalidis</figcaption></figure>Further suggested changes and resolution to the design of the podium to "achieve a coherent, strong streetscape interface" include:

<ul>
<li>Ensure that elements of the podium treatment wrap to the side elevation to provide a more coherent treatment. For example, the use of the applied metal ring could relate to the materiality of balustrades for providing some continuity. [There is a strong preference for] a high-quality materiality response over a coarse gesture.</li>
	<li>[There is] still concerned with the unresolved nature of the V elements. Whilst there have seen similar elements used to great success in a landscape setting (garden beds etc such as across the road in Metropol) they have a poor relationship to the human scale and terrace element. They currently obscure views from the terrace, but also fail to provide intimacy and enclosure to the raised space. This space should be resolved in more detail at 1:20.</li>
	<li>Ensure that the ramp is designed effectively as a transition zone that connects the internal programming with the public realm but also provides a high-quality space for outdoor seating. The renders and drawings are not sufficient to describe this building interface as anything other than an arrival space.</li>
	<li>Include a subtle human-scaled micro canopy element (max 200mm) over the laneway that is integrated with the architectural language of the building. This should reinforce the ground level datum through a shadow line from the first floor, and mark a shift in materiality to a higher quality, more pedestrian-oriented finish (such as tiles, brick, timber, etc).</li>
	<li>Exclude all paint finished precast concrete from the lower levels of the podium fronting onto the laneway and ensure that all materials and detailing is to a high standard in response to a pedestrian scale. Resolve service doors / cabinets within this element as ‘key moments’ consistent with the evolving language of the shop fronts to Clarendon Street.</li>
</ul>
These suggested changes might be included as part of the planning permit conditions.

The application was considered under the former interim planning controls of Amendment C262 which requires:

<ul>
<li>A podium height up to 40.0 metres;</li>
	<li>Street setbacks of 5.0 metres above the podium;</li>
	<li>Tower setbacks to all boundaries, excluding streets, equal to 5% of the overall building height for buildings in excess of 100 metres in height; and</li>
	<li>A site plot ratio of 24:1.</li>
</ul>
The proposed development, should it receive Ministerial approval would join a number of other towers either under construction or mooted for this stretch of Clarendon Street such as BPM's Shadow Play and Pepper's Southbank, designed by Elenberg Fraser and Bruce Henderson Architects respectively.

<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/shadowplay.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="BPM's under construction ShadowPlay and Peppers Southbank. Images: redden and BHA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="333" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/shadowplay.jpg?itok=aW7-Lazn" title="BPM's under construction ShadowPlay and Peppers Southbank. Images: redden and BHA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>BPM's under construction ShadowPlay and Peppers Southbank. Images: redden and BHA</figcaption></figure>
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