Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

Joel Robinson

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-6" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-2" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-2" dir="auto">
<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-2" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:5a5ab36c-8dd3-454c-b456-c501f22f0eb4-0" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:5a5ab36c-8dd3-454c-b456-c501f22f0eb4-0" dir="auto">
The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
</section>
</section>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Local Little Bay residents, along with buyers from premium postcodes across Sydney’s affluent Eastern Suburbs, have dominated purchases in developer-builder Urban Property Group’s first Eastern Suburbs apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a>.

The $250 million coastal project, one of the first new developments in the area in several years, has proven particularly popular with downsizers, especially those from Coogee and Bondi. One Double Bay downsizer paid $4.7 million for a four-bedroom penthouse, setting a new local apartment price record in the process.

Buyers have been attracted to the combination of coastal tranquillity, premium design and amenity-rich neighbourhood living. The walkable village setting, along with proximity to three of Sydney’s leading golf courses, New South Wales Golf Club, St Michael’s Golf Club and The Coast Golf Club, has also been a key drawcard.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352689]

Built across two low-rise buildings designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hill-thalis-architecture-urban-projects-pty-ltd">Hill Thalis</a> and set along a lush, landscaped green spine, designed by leading landscape architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, ESTE Little Bay offers a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences with interiors by Richards Stanisich.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> Sales Director, Tom McIvor said the response to ESTE has been "nothing short of extraordinary."

“Buyers have been quick to recognise ESTE as a rare opportunity to invest in a coastal sanctuary that offers both seclusion and connectivity to the heart of Sydney,” McIvor said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352687]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">SRM Residential</a> Senior Director, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">Clayton Ross</a> said the local market has responded incredibly well, driven by ESTE’s exceptional location and the rarity it offers.

“We’ve seen strong interest from a variety of buyer groups, all of whom are drawn to the exclusivity and quality of the build and construction by the 4.5-star iCIRT-rated builder / developer, Urban Property Group. There’s truly nothing else like it along Sydney’s coastline.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352690]

The project also includes robust buyer protections, including Resilience Insurance’s Latent Defects Insurance, providing 10 years of structural cover, and an independent iCIRT-rating of the developer.

“The iCIRT-rating adds another layer of confidence,” Ross added. “Buyers see it as a safeguard for their investment and their lifestyle.” A highlight of ESTE’s offering is its exclusive wellness amenities, including a heated rooftop infinity pool and outdoor heated spa, a state-of-the-art Technogym fitness centre, and a sauna.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a> is topped out and is on track to complete towards the end of 2026, with residents moving in before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112343]

Eastern Suburbs buyers snap up ESTE Little Bay apartments

Apartments

<html><body>
The notion of Melbourne becoming a 20-minute City has been explored heavily in recent times.

Seeking to provide Melburnians with the ability to 'live locally', the 20-minute City, in essence, strives to provide people with the ability to meet most of their everyday needs within a 20-minute walk, cycle or local public transport trip of their home.

Plan Melbourne's <a href="http://www.planmelbourne.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/377117/Plan_Melbourne_2017_Outcome_5_PDF.pdf">push toward the 20-minute City</a> would also have immense repercussions for the environment, potentially reducing travel by nine million passenger kilometres and cutting Melbourne’s daily greenhouse gas emissions by more than 370,000 tonnes.

The Heart Foundation and the Victorian Government's <a href="https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/news/designing-an-active-healthier-victoria">Healthy and Active by Design Victoria</a> has the 20-minute City at its core. The push to heighten awareness around the issue of connecting people efficiently with daily necessities has not gone unlost on certain developers.

As awareness of the health issues increases, enterprising developers are beginning to talk up the health benefits of living close to places of employment; this is particularly pertinent in Melbourne's middle suburban apartment market as it begins to mature.

Developer Cedar Woods has of late been talking up the health and wellbeing benefits of living in close proximity to places of employment. Given their Jackson Green development is in close proximity to the Monash Employment Cluster, they are well placed to do so.

According to the <a href="https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/tag/better-health-index/">Medibank Better Health Index</a>, there are significant health benefits in living closer to places of work, thus reducing time spent commuting during the week. According to the Index, "those travelling one to five kilometres to work having a better overall health score versus those commuting more than 50 kilometres."

Furthermore, "Those with a journey of 30 kilometres or more suffered from various negative health outcomes such as increased stress and weight gain. By living close to work, time usually spent commuting can be put into other important lifestyle activities such as health and exercise, quality family time and personal relaxation."

Cedar Woods have been quick to point this out, using Jackson Green's latest release, Gardenia, as an example of buyers choosing to purchase based on proximity to their workplace.

In a recent media release, Cedar Woods state manager Patrick Archer extolled the virtues of living close to one's place of employment:

<blockquote>
People are aware of the negative effects long commute times add to their health and wellbeing, as well as the time they lose each day spent in the car or on public transport getting to work. To help combat this they are placing greater importance on where they live and ensuring it is close to their workplace. 

We have noticed a number of buyers at Jackson Green moving to the area because they want to be closer to work. They are being more strategic with their time to create more opportunities to relax, re-energise and reduce the amount of time spent commuting.
<cite>Patrick Archer, State Manager, Cedar Woods</cite>
</blockquote>

The Monash Employment Cluster is the prime example in that it maintains Melbourne’s largest concentration of jobs outside the CBD and includes employment hubs such as the Monash Medical Centre and Monash University.

The advent of further <a href="https://vpa.vic.gov.au/urban-renewal/national-employment-clusters/">National Employment and Innovation Cluster</a>s such as Dandenong, La Trobe, Sunshine and the massive Werribee East project will also serve to draw in greater populations seeking to reside closer to major employment hubs. As Melbourne's population continues to balloon, it seems that so to will congestion across all modes of transport.

People will invariably be drawn to living closer to their places of employment; perhaps now developers spruiking their respective apartment projects in Melbourne's middle suburbs will include another inducement in their marketing campaigns - that of health and wellbeing, and proximity to all that matters.
</body></html>

silvermb

The 20-minute city, associated health benefits and expanding middle Melbourne

<html><body>
Considering the sheer volume of apartment projects Melbourne has absorbed over recent years, the rate of stalled projects is comparatively minuscule.

Very few apartment projects that launched their respective sales campaigns over the last five years failed to progress to construction. One of the more notable projects though was 100 Park Street; the South Melbourne project straddling the busy Kings Way and Park Street intersection had over recent years been expected to be home to an 11 level mixed-use building.

The failure of the project to progress through its then sales campaign has presented an opportunity for current developer RESCOM, which also happens to be headquartered onsite.

<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/100park-2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="100 Park Street as was initially intended. Image: Rescom"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/100park-2.jpg?itok=BrxWxxFd" title="100 Park Street as was initially intended. Image: Rescom" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>100 Park Street as was initially intended. Image: Rescom</figcaption></figure>With the 2012 VCAT-approved scheme now consigned to history, RESCOM has utilised prolific residential apartment design practice CHT Architects to rework the scheme for the dual fronted 593sqm site which fronts a combined twelve lanes of traffic.

Lodged with City of Port Phillip earlier in the year, the new CHT Architects design seeks approval for a taller 19-storey building which includes offices and 67 apartments. Split between 10 single bedroom dwellings, 40 two bedroom dwellings and 17 three bedroom dwellings, the newly formatted tower provides a greater yield relative to the original design.

483.5 square metres of office space is present over the ground floor, first floor and second floor. 44 car parking spaces and 51 bicycle bays are housed across two basement levels and a portion of the ground floor.

Reaching 60 metres in height, the new 100 Park Street represents RESCOM's biggest apartment project to date, following on from their Fernhill Sandringham project and the at construction Herbert King on Richmond's Lennox Street which includes 40 dwellings.

100 Park Street's initial sales campaign was forsaken, with the site eventually <a href="https://www.cbremelbourne.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Park_St_100_4PP_v14.pdf">handed over to CBRE City Sales</a> during mid 2015 with all presales attached, but not acted upon.

<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_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A Kings Way perspective of 100 Park Street. Planning image: CHT Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="456" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image32_7.jpg?itok=Ph4RogDp" title="A Kings Way perspective of 100 Park Street. Planning image: CHT Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A Kings Way perspective of 100 Park Street. Planning image: CHT Architects</figcaption></figure>The current 100 Park Street proposal versus the initial 2012 scheme is chalk and cheese when placed into their respective built form.

Park Street and the immediate surrounds have become one of the more stable apartment development precincts across inner Melbourne. The majority of proposals have pushed through City of Port Phillip's planning channel in the last two years, effectively earmarking this area as a hotbed of apartment activity in years to come.

Including the reworked 100 Park Street, there are currently nine apartment projects either on Park Street or within a 300m radius that have yet to reach fruition. These projects amount to a further 911 apartments in the South Melbourne pipeline.

<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_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Fellow proposals at 33 Park Street, 5-7 Park Street and 9-13 Park Street."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="339" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image34_10.jpg?itok=QX0x2y09" title="Fellow proposals at 33 Park Street, 5-7 Park Street and 9-13 Park Street." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Fellow proposals at 33 Park Street, 5-7 Park Street and 9-13 Park Street.</figcaption></figure>
</body></html>

A problem South Melbourne site looks for new life

<html><body>
A handful of major construction projects are moving closer to reality, as evidenced by current construction tenders open for each of the respective projects.

With a minimum construction value of $50 million, the five projects across metropolitan Melbourne represent the largest projects currently at tender. Below is a brief overview of each of the five projects that will make their place in due course.

<h2>Flinders Gate</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/image20_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The view from Federation Square may include Flinders Gate shortly. Image: Dexus"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image20_9.jpg?itok=EzhuZOzi" title="The view from Federation Square may include Flinders Gate shortly. Image: Dexus" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The view from Federation Square may include Flinders Gate shortly. Image: Dexus</figcaption></figure>After being touted as a major commercial development for the best part of five years, Dexus have finally moved Flinders Gate to construction tender.

The adaptive reuse encompasses a 1,071 car park set behind two existing buildings. 20,000sqm of commercial floor space is approved within a mid-rise building that would appear above fully restored heritage facades. According to project architect SJB, "500 car spaces will be removed as part of this redevelopment and will see the addition of 150 bicycle spaces, as part of an ESD initiative to achieve a 5 star NABERS rating."

During 2016 it had been reported that Seek were likely to sign on for space within Flinders Gate, although no official announcement on a tenant for the project has been made to date.

<h2>East Brunswick Village - Stage 1</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/image22_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="East Brunswick Village is nearing reality. Image: Merbo"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="349" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image22_7.jpg?itok=YDIA30an" title="East Brunswick Village is nearing reality. Image: Merbo" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>East Brunswick Village is nearing reality. Image: Merbo</figcaption></figure>Another project with a long gestation period is East Brunswick Village at 129–149 Nicholson Street. Brunswick East.

Without a sales campaign in sight, developer Banco Group has pushed ahead with site works, facilitating early works across the massive 21,300sqm site. A construction is imminent with the tender for Stage 1 of the project now current.

Although eventually home to approximately 600 apartments, Merbo Project Management have Stage 1 consisting of 227 apartments over 2 basement levels, 2 buildings of 5 and 6 levels, a Coles supermarket, Liquorland and a host of specialty retailers.

<h2>M-City </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/image24_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="M-City will redefine its immediate surrounds in Clayton. Image: Schiavello"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="391" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image24_3.jpg?itok=8amvD7JP" title="M-City will redefine its immediate surrounds in Clayton. Image: Schiavello" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>M-City will redefine its immediate surrounds in Clayton. Image: Schiavello</figcaption></figure>With a construction value in excess of $200 million, Clayton's M-City development is the biggest of all projects currently at tender. To be developed jointly by The Saraceno Group and Schiavello, the 3.52ha site will eventually become a unique multi-use precinct located in the Monash Employment Cluster.

Billed as the largest mixed-use project within Melbourne's metropolitan area, the sheer size of M-City's construction value points toward multiple stages of the project being constructed simultaneously. Multiple residential buildings are joined by commercial and hotel components, plus a mass of retail and entertainment options that will make M-City a destination in itself.

M-City's move to construction signifies the end of a very long effort by The Saraceno Group to develop the site, having tried and failed to facilitate development onsite prior to the tie-up with Schiavello.

<h2>Seasons Doncaster East</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/150708-reynolds-road-view-03-initial-draft.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Pushing the apartment cause in Doncaster East. Image: JD Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="295" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/150708-reynolds-road-view-03-initial-draft.jpg?itok=1zZo-e0l" title="Pushing the apartment cause in Doncaster East. Image: JD Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Pushing the apartment cause in Doncaster East. Image: JD Group</figcaption></figure>Already sporting a number of tower cranes, Doncaster East will receive a handful move as Seasons Donacster East moves through the construction tender process.

The suburb's largest apartment project, Seasons is the effort of developer JD Group. Approximately 300 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom apartments are earmarked across the 13,340sqm site located at 180-200 Reynolds Road.

Seasons is the largest development within The Pines Activity Centre which is on the Blackburn, Reynolds and Andersons Creek Road axis and spans an area of approximately 37.5 hectares. JD Group have previously been active in the area, developing the Reynolds Gardens apartment project diagonally opposite Seasons.

<h2>252 Collins Street - The Hour Glass Refurbishment</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/image26_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="252 Collins Street is headed toward change. Image: Kodak"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="494" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image26_8.jpg?itok=rAA0fevL" title="252 Collins Street is headed toward change. Image: Kodak" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>252 Collins Street is headed toward change. Image: Kodak</figcaption></figure>Although quite different to the above new builds, 252 Collins Street's pending overhaul still stacks up in terms of construction value.

Home to The Hour Glass which is one of Australasia's premier luxury watch retail groups, 252 Collins Street's pending works are in excess of $50 million in value. Collins Street continues to see the refurbishment of existing buildings such as the T&amp;G Building, Australia on Collins, Rialto, 360 Collins and 367 Collins.

Although varying in their scope and size, these refurbishments whilst solitary in their nature have had the cumulative effect of ensuring Collins Street remains Melbourne's premier retail thoroughfare.
</body></html>

The next wave of major builds line up

<html><body>
One of Melbourne's diminishing number of larger-scale planning applications has broken cover.

Local developer Perri Projects is seeking to push through a substantial apartment tower on a prominent site at the northern tip of the CBD. 23-29 Victoria Street is currently a service station, but under plans conceived by Woods Bagot a 25 storey predominantly residential would take its place.

The site finds itself in a mixed-use zone with a wide discrepancy of heights on show. Over recent years a high degree of development has taken place immediately south of 23-29 Victoria Street, with dual 38 storey buildings currently at construction.

North-facing apartments within the prospective tower would command imposing views down the Drummond Street axis, with little prospect of being built out. Perhaps this potential selling point along with current market trends has seen the majority of apartments within the proposal holding three bedrooms.

<h2>23-29 Victoria 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/image10_14.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="23-29 Victoria Street as rendered from Drummond Street. Planning image: Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image10_14.jpg?itok=r0eSKnwE" title="23-29 Victoria Street as rendered from Drummond Street. Planning image: Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>23-29 Victoria Street as rendered from Drummond Street. Planning image: Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Application lodged June 2017</li>
	<li>Site area: 894sqm with two street frontages</li>
	<li>Proposed: 25 storey tower at 86.2m to roof line</li>
	<li>Apartment mix: 27 x 1BR, 26 x 2BR, 37 x 3BR</li>
	<li>2 retail tenancies of 117sqm and 86sqm</li>
	<li>539sqm of office accommodation within the podium</li>
	<li>79 vehicles and 88 bicycles within 4 basement levels</li>
	<li>2 amenities levels: pool, gym, lounge, dining area</li>
	<li>Estimated development cost: $50 million</li>
	<li>NSA: 10,400sqm</li>
</ul>
<h2>Speaking the Carlton language</h2>

<blockquote>
The building speaks two languages, one to its cultural heritage neighbours (both the building and Carlton’s Victorian terrace housing) and another, towards its younger and taller companions for centralised, city living. The geometric facade is conceived as an analogy of Carlton’s architectural typology.

A cascading diagonal motif set at the scale of an apartment integrates the balcony condition into the envelope. A brick podium provides an anchor point whilst subtly referencing its context.

<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/image18_18.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Seeking a new CBD-Carlton nexus. Planning image: Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="416" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image18_18.jpg?itok=1s3SDScL" title="Seeking a new CBD-Carlton nexus. Planning image: Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Seeking a new CBD-Carlton nexus. Planning image: Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure>The tower form along the northern elevation is highly agitated, synonymous with the Carlton verandah depth, however, the south facade is flattened reflecting the city’s restrained geometric qualities.
<cite>Urban context Report</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>Ground plane activation</h2>

The application seeks to do its part in overhauling the currently poor street level experience along McKenzie Street.

23-29 Victoria Street's podium toward the west utilises white flemishbond brick, referencing the adjoining Horticultural Hall’s red-brick facades. The balance of the design's ground floor is clear glazed and expressive toward the streetscape, whilst mature trees will sit atop the terraced western podium.

Landscaping plays a key part across the tower's lower levels, with four separate design aspects proposed to enhance the pedestrian network. MacKenzie Street's pavement would be widened in order to introduce planterboxes whilst the MacKenzie and Victoria Street intersection is earmarked for overhaul by way of a pocket urban forest.

A new string of trees to Victoria Street and an upgrade to Bell Place's connectivity are also on the cards as part of the development team's bid to gain approval.

<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/image14_12.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="McKenzie Street perspective. Planning image: Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="428" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image14_12.jpg?itok=zynOYeZk" title="McKenzie Street perspective. Planning image: Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>McKenzie Street perspective. Planning image: Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure><h2>23-29 Victoria Street development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Perri Projects</li>
	<li>Architect: Woods Bagot</li>
	<li>Town Planning: Contour Consultants</li>
	<li>Landscape Architects: Oculus</li>
	<li>Heritage Consultant: GJM Heritage</li>
	<li>Traffic Engineer: GTA</li>
	<li>Waste Consultant: Leigh Design</li>
	<li>ESD: Sustainable Development Consultants</li>
	<li>Acoustic: Acoustic Logic</li>
	<li>Wind Engineers: MEL Consulting</li>
	<li>Structural Consultant: Webber</li>
	<li>Services Consultant: O'Neill Group</li>
	<li>Building Surveyor: PLP</li>
	<li>Land Surveyor: Taylors</li>
</ul>
</body></html>

Perri Projects and Woods Bagot seek a new northern CBD focal point

<html><body>
The long-running bid to redevelop Abbotsford's historic St Crispin House has found a resolution, with Pace Development Group granted the right to deliver 133 apartments over 12 levels.

In conjunction with SJB Architects, Pace Development Group have refined the design for the development to a point where it was considered an acceptable outcome. Well before Pace assumed control of the site during 2015, St Crispin House was subject to development overtones, with an earlier application seeking a 17 storey high-rise outcome.

The newly approved envelope will see a mid-rise apartment building rising from behind the Art Deco-styled facade which will be restored. The site's history dates back to the early 1920's when it was utilised as a boot making factory.

<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_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Pace of Abbotsford. Image: PACE Development Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="673" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image45_6.jpg?itok=dWf-cdSp" title="Pace of Abbotsford. Image: PACE Development Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Pace of Abbotsford. Image: Pace Development Group</figcaption></figure>Pace of Abbotsford, as it will be known, is expected to begin construction later this year; sales of the one, two and three bedroom apartments are expected to begin during October, with construction earmarked for November. Completion is expected during mid-2019.

Within the associated media release, Pace's Planning and Design Manager Michael Holah made note of Johnston's Street gradual transformation, as an increased number of higher density projects take their place within Abbotsford.

Apartments.com.au's Project Database shows Pace of Abbotsford is joined by five additional projects along the Abbotsford stretch of Johnston Street which have yet to become reality. Combined there is scope to add approximately 250 apartments and 40 serviced apartments to the area which has traditionally been low-rise.

<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_6973.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Pace of Collingwood under construction"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="414" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_6973.jpg?itok=8Gr5rcGk" title="Pace of Collingwood under construction" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Pace of Collingwood under construction</figcaption></figure>Pace of Abbotsford is also another notch in the developer's push into City of Yarra; three of Pace's seven current projects within the municipality.

Nearly, Pace of Collingwood has commenced construction proper, with Pace's in-house construction team set to oversee proceedings. 79 apartments are to be delivered within the predominantly brick snap finished building, which accounts for a 1139sqm corner site on Welington Street and Langridge Street.

Diagonally opposite, Pace is also pursuing a development albeit with a commercial outcome. Last week Apartments.com.au highlighted the <a href="/news/spowers-adds-to-the-collingwood-development-blitz">slim-form, Spowers-designed commercial building</a> which if approved will mark Pace Development Group's first foray into purely commercial development.
</body></html>

Pace of Abbotsford gains approval and eyes a 2017 construction start

<html><body>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/80895/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
It’s time to debunk the myth of zero housing costs in retirement if we want to understand why retirees resist downsizing. Retirees have at least five reasons to be wary of the costs of downsizing.
Retirees living in middle-ring suburbs face frequent calls to downsize into apartments to free up larger allotments in these suburbs for redevelopment. Retirees who fail to downsize into smaller units and apartments are viewed as being a greedy, baby-boomer elite, stealing financial security from younger generations. 
It also makes sense to policymakers for retirees to move into less spacious accommodation and make way for high-density housing. Housing think-tank AHURI fosters this view. Yet seniors remain resistant to moving, in part because of the ongoing costs they would face.
The concept of zero housing costs in retirement is based on a 1940s view of a well-maintained, single dwelling on a single allotment of land where the mortgage has been paid off. This concept is incompatible with medium- and high-density housing and refusing to acknowledge ongoing housing costs may cause significant poverty for retirees. 
<h2>Reason 1 – upfront moving costs are high</h2>
When a house is sold the owner receives the sale funds minus the real estate and legal fees. When the same person then buys a different property to live in, they pay legal fees plus stamp duty. 
For cities such as Melbourne and Sydney, these costs are likely to exceed A$70,000. 
These high transfer costs may mean it is not cost-effective for the person to move. 
<h2>Reason 2 – levies are high</h2>
Because apartment owners pay body corporate levies, people often assume this is just the same as periodic payment of rates, water, insurance and other costs. It is not. 
Fees remissions for low-income retirees for rates, power, insurance and water are difficult to apply within a body corporate environment. As a consequence, these are usually not applied to owners of apartments.
The costs of maintaining essential services, such as mandatory fire-alarm testing, yearly engineering certification, lift and air-conditioning inspections, significantly increase ownership costs. 
When additional services are supplied, such as swimming pools, gyms and rooftop gardens, these also require periodic inspections. Garbage collection, cleaning, gardening, concierge and strata management services also must be paid. 
Owners of standard suburban homes choose whether they want these services, with those on fixed incomes going without them. 
Annual levies for apartment buildings vary, but expect to pay between $10,000 and $15,000. They may be more than this.
<h2>Reason 3 – costs of maintenance</h2>
Lift maintenance is one of many costs that suburban home owners needn’t worry about. 
Apartments are often sold as a maintenance-free solution for older people. The maintenance is not free. It needs to be paid for. 
Maintenance costs are higher in an apartment than a standard suburban home because there are more items and services to be maintained and fixed. Lifts and air conditioning need periodic servicing and fixing. This is in addition to the mandatory inspections listed above.
<h2>Reason 4 – loss of financial security</h2>
It is a mistaken belief that the maintenance costs that form part of the body corporate fee include periodic property upgrades. This relates to items that are owned collectively with other apartment owners. 
Major servicing at the ten-year mark and usually each five-to-seven years after that include painting, floor-covering replacement, and lift and air-conditioning repair or replacement. 
Major upgrades may also include garden redesign or other external building enhancement including environmental upgrades. All owners share these upgrade costs. 
Costs of upgrading the inside of an apartment (a bathroom disability upgrade, for example) are additional again. 
Once the body corporate committee members pledge funds towards an upgrade, all owners are required to raise their share of the funds, whether they can afford it or not. Communal choice outweighs an individual owner’s need to delay upgrade costs. 
Owners who buy apartments that are part of a body corporate effectively lose control of their future financial decisions.
<h2>Reason 5 – loss of security of tenure</h2>
Loss of security of tenure is usually associated with renters. However, the recent introduction of termination legislation in New South Wales gives other owners the right to vote to terminate a strata title scheme. When this occurs, all owners, including reluctant owners of apartments within that scheme, are compelled to sell.
There are valid reasons why termination legislation is desirable, as many older apartment complexes are reaching the end of their useful life. 
Even so, as termination legislation is rolled out across the states, owner- occupiers effectively lose control of how long they will own a property for. They no longer have security of tenure, which means retirees may face an uncertain housing future in their old age.
Because current data sets do not adequately take account of ongoing costs associated with apartment living, the effect of downsizing on individual households is masked. 
Downsizing retirees into the apartment sector creates ongoing financial stress for older people. Creating tax incentives to move does not tackle these ongoing costs.
Centrelink payments for of $404 per week are well below the poverty line. Yet we expect retirees to willingly downsize and to be able to cede most of their Centrelink payments to cover high body corporate costs. 
Requiring retirees to downsize for the greater urban good will shift poverty onto retirees who could barely manage in their previously owned standard suburban home. 
Failing to understand the effect of high ongoing costs associated with apartment living and reinforcing the myth of zero housing costs in retirement will continue to lead to poor policy outcomes.
Erika Altmann is Property and Housing Management Researcher, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888" target="_blank">University of Tasmania</a> and author for <a href="https://theconversation.com/au" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>.
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Downsizing cost trap awaits retirees – five reasons to be wary

<html><body>
A developer new to the Apartments.com.au <a href="/developments">Project Database</a> is seeking a berth within the bustling West Melbourne apartment scene.

137-157 Adderley Street as a tri-fronted 1,606sqm site headed to planning during May on behalf of Auburn Land Group. Surrounded by a variety of other current apartment developments, the Adderley Street land holding sits between North Melbourne railway station and the area's most high profile mixed-use development, West End.

The immediate area surrounding 137-157 Adderley Street is a mixture of "terrace houses, commercial offices, workshops and showrooms; buildings of various periods and architectural styles." Auburn Land Group is looking to push the suburb further down the path of higher density residential, by seeking the right to deliver 112 apartments within a 10 level building.

Buchan Group has designed the possible the new addition in line with the objectives of the Better Apartments Design Standards.

The new application follows on from a previous design at planning which was scuppered when the site in question was sold by CBRE City Sales during 2016.

<h2>137-157 Adderley 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/image23_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Street level perspective of the new development. Planning image: Buchan Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="241" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image23_7.jpg?itok=QFkP1-2t" title="Street level perspective of the new development. Planning image: Buchan Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Street level perspective of the new development. Planning image: Buchan Group</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Application submitted May 2017</li>
	<li>Site area: 1,606sqm with 3 street frontages</li>
	<li>Proposed: 10 level building at 32.8m</li>
	<li>112 apartments: 29 x 1BR, 26 x 1BR + S, 57 x 2BR</li>
	<li>Apartment size range: 47sqm - 84sqm</li>
	<li>102 car parking spaces &amp; 40 bicycle bays</li>
	<li>GFA: 15,300.9sqm</li>
	<li>Development cost: $25 million</li>
</ul>
<h2>The site in context</h2>

<blockquote>
A significant objective of this design response is to provide a considered building form; of scale and articulation that is appropriate to the location context and contributes a well-mannered and positive presence to the West Melbourne streetscape.

One of the most captivating aspects of this site and indeed, a primary characteristic of the West Melbourne context, is the tree line'boulevard'streets, featuring, particularly in the north-south streets, mature deciduous plane trees.

The building design seeks to celebrate this aspect of the context by incorporating into the design highly reflective glass in the street fronting facades to literally reflect the tree foliage and by adopting the seasonal colours of the trees in the vertical shade blades that are affixed to the face of Level 5 and 6 street facades.

The blades will be colour coded to express the seasons.
<cite>Urban context report, Buchan Group</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>Into an active space</h2>

West Melbourne and Box Hill continue to be the two dominant non-CBD/Southbank locales where large scale apartment projects continue to be consumed by buyers at a steady rate.

Auburn Land Group's Adderley Street project becomes the 27th apartment project entry for West Melbourne within the Apartments.com.au Project Database.

As part of their planning representation, Buchan Group has delivered an overview of West Melbourne that clearly shows the march of higher density living in the suburb. Pink sections represent existing low-rise commercial plots which have become the target of many a developer, while light blue denotes single dwellings and navy multi-residential.

What can be taken from the below graphic is that West Melbourne still has an abundance of sites capable of handling higher density projects.

<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/image1_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="West Melbourne development overview. Planning image: Buchan Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="309" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image1_8.jpg?itok=PHg6y24M" title="West Melbourne development overview. Planning image: Buchan Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>West Melbourne development overview. Planning image: Buchan Group</figcaption></figure><h2>137-157 Adderley Street development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Auburn Land Group</li>
	<li>Architect: The Buchan Group</li>
	<li>Town Planning: Urbis</li>
	<li>Traffic: O'Brien Traffic</li>
	<li>Waste Management: R B Waste Management</li>
</ul>
</body></html>

Auburn Land Group enters the West Melbourne apartment market

<html><body>
High-rise development sites number four and five have come under the microscope along Box Hill's Prospect Street, further pushing its credentials as the suburb's next major apartment strip.

Running parallel to Whitehorse Road, Prospect Street is "in an area inviting substantially increased intensity of use and activities consistent with an increased urbanisation." Latest into the limelight is 34-36 Prospect Street which is a major residential tower on behalf of ZL Prospect Pty Ltd.

Designed by Toauk Architects, the proposed development is currently at advertising with City of Whitehorse. Expected is a 31 level tower reaching 95 metres that includes 196 apartments, 2 retail tenancies, 1,152sqm of commercial space and 5 basement levels for 184 vehicles.

34-36 Prospect Street's provisional apartment mix sees 46 single bedroom, 138 dual and 12 triple bedroom dwellings within a tower that is dominated by a black and gold exterior.

<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/image18_17.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="34-36 Prospect Street. Image: Taouk Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="368" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image18_17.jpg?itok=RVabUtcd" title="34-36 Prospect Street. Image: Taouk Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>34-36 Prospect Street. Image: Taouk Architects</figcaption></figure>Taouk Architects describe the project as follows:

<blockquote>
34-36 Prospect Street presents an urban design response to a location that is both capable of supporting, and is targeted for an intensive development in accordance with both the Box Hill Transit City Structure Plan and the City of Whitehorse Planning Scheme.

A mixed use development is consistent with the requirements of the Planning Scheme, and will contribute to Prospect Street as a safe and activated pedestrian corridor through the Box Hill Activity Centre.
</blockquote>

34-36 Prospect Street's offering follows on from last week's announcement by Savills that 15-17 Prospect Street had successfully sold to Chinese-based interests for $12.91 million. Billed as capable of handling 20 plus levels of residential living, the 1,305sqm site sold for a rate of $9,340 per sqm.

As with the majority of Prospect Street, the current low-rise commercial building is expected to make way for a mixed-use scheme. Backing onto rail lines, 15-17 Prospect Street is by no means alone on the southern side of Prospect Street.

<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/boxhill15-17prospectstreetp1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="15-17 Prospect Street. Image: Savills"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="470" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/boxhill15-17prospectstreetp1.jpg?itok=rLIVgy4Z" title="15-17 Prospect Street. Image: Savills" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>15-17 Prospect Street. Image: Savills</figcaption></figure>9-11 Prospect Street has approval in place for 187 apartments across a 26 storey, Artisan Architects-designed tower. It too will include commercial use across its lower floors, with 2,915sqm of leasable space within the podium.

At the time that 9-11 Prospect Street was at planning, a 1,004sqm site at 13 Prospect Street and a 1,653.7sqm site at 31-35 Prospect Street were offered for sale jointly between Colliers and JLL. Both sites are utilised as at grade car parks, with neither yet to reach planning.

With the five identified development sites set aside, Prospect Street still has a substantial supply of low-rise sites capable of eventually accommodating mixed-use towers.

In theory as many as 10-12 additional future towers could possibly rise on Prospect Street, assuming all sites are developed to their full capacity, allowing Prospect Street to become one of Box Hill most intensely developed precincts.
</body></html>

Prospect Street shapes as Box Hill's next go-to development strip

<html><body>
Malaysian-backed developer Beulah International is looking to well and truly underline the push by many of Melbourne's developers into the luxury apartment market by reworking an approved scheme for a prime Toorak Road land holding.

Currently at planning, Beulah International have chosen to scrap an earlier approved BDLC-designed project involving 37 apartments in favour of 10 grand-sized dwellings. Spanning 146 -150 Toorak Road West, the developer paid $17.5 million for the 1,784sqm site during 2016 and now holds the land under subsidiary Toorak Road West Project Pty Ltd.

The permit had the potential to be reconfigured to 14 oversized apartments, although Beulah International have gone further in eyeing 10 massive apartments.

Prahran-based Robert Mills Architects has assumed control over the project's design trajectory, facilitating a complete redesign and in the process shaving an entire floor off the approved envelope.

<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/image11_15.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The site's now obsolete scheme. Image: CBRE City Sales"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="342" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image11_15.jpg?itok=nxcwGgCW" title="The site's now obsolete scheme. Image: CBRE City Sales" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The site's now obsolete scheme. Image: CBRE City Sales</figcaption></figure>As with a variety of other projects throughout inner Melbourne, 146-150 Toorak Road West has been reworked from an initial 1 x single bedroom / 16 x dual bedroom / 20 x triple bedroom format to a more luxuroius configuration which sees 8 triple and 2 quadruple bedroom apartments. 33 car parking spaces are to service the dwellings.

The sheer size of each apartment highlights Beulah International's lofty expectations for the project when it eventually reaches sales. It will invariably be billed as one of Melbourne's most sought after and tightly held addresses, with expansive floorplans to match.

3 bedroom apartments are slated to have internals between 260sqm and 313sqm, with four bedroom apartments spaced between 389sqm and 381sqm. Add outdoor terraces and the largest combined space on offer comes in at a hefty 478sqm.

According to planning documents, all apartments will have tiled bathrooms, carpeted bedrooms and timber floors to kitchens, living, sitting and all other areas. The dual top floor apartments have perforated concrete slabs which allow natural light to penetrate into various living spaces; these voids double as sculptural features.

<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_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A rendered apartment within Paragon Tower. Image: Beulah International"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="313" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image12_9.jpg?itok=YxunoK5m" title="A rendered apartment within Paragon Tower. Image: Beulah International" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A rendered apartment within Paragon Tower. Image: Beulah International</figcaption></figure>Beulah International's South Yarra development is their fourth Melbourne apartment foray, following on from the now complete Gardenhill Doncaster and the in development Hallmark Ivanhoe and Paragon Tower which accounts for the Celtic Club site on La Trobe Street.

Underlining the developer's push into bespoke projects is their forthcoming South Melbourne venture which sees 27 high-end townhouses on the agenda.
</body></html>

Beulah International lifts the bar for luxury apartment living in South Yarra

<html><body>
City of Melbourne's Future Melbourne Committee will sit again tonight, assessing the merits of two major developments at planning.

3-43 Waterfront Way within Docklands and 493-495 St Kilda Road are on the agenda, with both projects expected to gain the nod from City of Melbourne. For 3-43 Waterfront Way the planning process has been longer than hoped for after developer Capital Alliance failed to win over planning authorities with initial plans for a 37 level tower.

Whilst that $250 million development was scuppered at VCAT, the revised plans for the irregular site now sees a 17 storey DKO Architecture-designed scheme containing 200 hotel suites and 110 residential apartments. 

Although the number of apartments has diminished from 260 to 110, the 200 hotel suites within the revised scheme matches the number within the original and much taller proposal. Capital Alliance have Marriott International waiting in the wings, with the Docklands project previously touted as the first newly built Marriott hotel in Australia for almost 20 years. 

<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_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="DKO Architecture's revised design for Waterfront Way"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="336" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image25_7.jpg?itok=a3eh5V6p" title="DKO Architecture's revised design for Waterfront Way" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>DKO Architecture's revised design for Waterfront Way</figcaption></figure>The Waterfront Way design also includes a function level, rooftop pool, gym, outdoor area and greenery running the height of the project.

Meanwhile, Linfox Property Group is also moving toward a positive planning outcome for its 3,017swqm land holding on Melbourne's premier boulevard. Sought is the right to deliver a 20 level residential tower set above 4 basement levels, and carrying a gross floor area of 32,202sqm.

148 dwellings are split between 19 one bedroom apartments, 73 two bedroom apartments, 55 three bedroom apartments and one penthouse. Three bedroom apartments are generally oriented over Fawkner Park and for the most range between 120-155sqm, with the premier three bedroom apartment notching 207sqm.

This number though pales into insignificance relative to the split level penthouse which includes 7 bedrooms over a whopping 720sqm.

<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/image18_15.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Fender Katsalidis' new take on St Kilda Road"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="633" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image18_15.jpg?itok=9stPMjr1" title="Fender Katsalidis' new take on St Kilda Road" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Fender Katsalidis Architects' new take on St Kilda Road</figcaption></figure>493-495 St Kilda Road would be the latest in a string of high-end residential projects looking to call St Kilda Road home. Adjoining it is The Fawkner Residences at 499 St Kilda Road which is due to reach full completion in coming months.

Should both projects go through this evening's meeting as expected, final sign off will be in the hands of the Planning Minister.
</body></html>

Apartments

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Apartments

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News