The residential transformation of St Kilda Road is set to continue into with more new apartment plans for the sought-after boulevard.

Wing Tai Asia has lodged plans for a major residential tower at 464-466 St Kilda Road, replacing the former VACC House with an 18-storey mixed-use development designed around a retained heritage podium and a sculpted contemporary tower.

The proposal, prepared under Victoria’s Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway, would deliver 325 apartments and ground-floor retail across the prominent 4,653 sqm boulevard site in Melbourne’s St Kilda Road North Precinct.

The project centres on the adaptive reuse of the site’s heritage-listed VACC Building, an eight-storey office designed by Bernard Evans that has occupied the address for decades. Planning documents state the development would involve “carefully dismantling and conserving off-site the original metal fabric of the podium visible from St Kilda Road,” before reinstating it as the defining frontage of the new scheme.

Above the restored podium, Wing Tai is proposing a curvilinear residential tower. The scheme includes 172 one-bedroom apartments, 63 two-bedroom apartments, 66 three-bedroom apartments, and 24 four-bedroom apartments, alongside two ground-floor food and beverage tenancies fronting St Kilda Road.

The tower has been designed with substantial articulation and variable setbacks to minimise perceived bulk and maintain view corridors along the boulevard. Urbis, which prepared the planning report, said the design “has been significantly articulated through a curvilinear design” with “an interplay with materials, façade expression and depth” to create visual separation and visual interest.

The proposal also includes 254 basement car spaces, landscaped pedestrian links connecting St Kilda Road and Queens Lane, and a biophilic landscape strategy featuring canopy trees, raised planters, cascading greenery and a glass oculus pool overlooking the eastern frontage.

Planning documents confirm the $270.1 million development will contribute 3 per cent of project costs to the Social Housing Growth Fund as part of the application process.

Wing Tai acquired the St Kilda Road property in 2018 alongside Abacus Property Group for $95.38 million, before later consolidating ownership of the site. The property previously served as the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce headquarters for around 60 years.

The transformation of the St Kilda Rd boulevard is already beginning to materialise, with a number of high-profile projects recently completed, launched, or approaching launch as developers continue to back the long-term appeal of the precinct.

Among the most notable recent completions is Louise by Samuel Property Group, just off the strip on Queens Lane, the same pocket Hirsch &amp; Faigen recently launched The Queensbury. Mirvac is too on the same street with The Albertine, which is approaching completion.

Dexus recently secured approval for its slice of St Kilda Road, while Gurner also has approved plans for the precinct.

Joel Robinson

Wing Tai unveils 325-apartment St Kilda Road tower on former VACC House site

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>

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 

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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

Apartments

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Development news from Footscray continues to flow at an increasing level.

Maribyrnong Council is providing the wider public with a first look at a new mixed use development in the heart of Footscray. <a href="/developers/k7-developments">K7 Developments</a> has enlisted <a href="/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> to create a scheme for 72-76 Paisley Street, with the expectation that it will eventually accommodate a substantial and predominantly residential building.

One block back from Barkly Street, 72-76 Paisley Street is a 1,840sqm site wedged between a multi level community healthcare centre and the Footscray Baptist Church. Not-for-profit community health organisation cohealth have occupied the modest brick building onsite for some time.

<h2>
<a href="/new-apartments/72-paisley-street-footscray">72-76 Paisley Street</a> 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/image151.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Street level perspective. Planning image: Rothelowman"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="320" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image151.jpg?itok=5SytAd7t" title="Street level perspective. Planning image: Rothelowman" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Street level perspective. Planning image: Rothelowman</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Proposed 12 level building at 38.4m in height</li>
	<li>140 apartment: 81 x 1BR, 59 x 2BR</li>
	<li>2 office tenancies of 225.8sqm and 251sqm</li>
	<li>1 restaurant of 131.3sqm with capacity for 50 patrons</li>
	<li>1 retail tenancy of 225.8sqm</li>
	<li>2 basement levels includes capacity for 137 vehicles &amp; 60 bicycles</li>
	<li>Expected cost of development: $25 million</li>
</ul>
The proposed development's treatment of the eastern and northern ground level interface is a direct response to the site's immediate surrounds. An existing through link will be enhanced and activated in order to join with the laneway network bisecting the block between Barkley Street and Paisley Street. 

To the rear of the site an urban street art installation is envisaged. According to Rothelowman, "The concept for the artwork is to use an abstract form in either linear / checked patterns, with principal colors of blue and gold which are bright and complimentary to the proposed building material pallet. The artwork will be placed on the dedicated metal panels on the northern elevation with anti-graffiti coating."

72-76 Paisley Street's eastern flank is to feature the restaurant space and outdoor seating area to the Baptist Church interface.

<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/image152_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Laneway perspective. Planning image: Rothelowman"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="312" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image152_1.jpg?itok=1EHzlUyw" title="Laneway perspective. Planning image: Rothelowman" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Laneway perspective. Planning image: Rothelowman</figcaption></figure>The Footscray application is K7 Developments' third active apartment project.

Following on from builder <a href="/builders/citi-con">Citi-Con</a>'s recent completion of Canterbury Hill which includes 37 dwellings, two further projects are nearing a construction start. Hawthorn East's <a href="/buildings/brasshouse-771-toorak-road-hawthorn-east">Brasshouse</a> is defined by its undulating gold facade whilst Brunswick East's <a href="/buildings/seamstress-11-13-lygon-street-brunswick-east">Seamstress</a> references the past life of the site in question, which will in due course become a building of some 32 apartments.

Including the Paisley Street application, Rothelowman has become the incumbent architecture practice of choice for K7 Developments, accounting for the developers last four projects. 

72-76 Paisley Street is comfortably the developer's biggest project to date.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image159_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The completed Canterbury Hill with Brasshouse. Render: Rothelowman"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="222" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image159_1.jpg?itok=ojpSCYjR" title="The completed Canterbury Hill with Brasshouse. Render: Rothelowman" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The completed Canterbury Hill with Brasshouse. Render: Rothelowman</figcaption></figure>
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silvermb

K7 Developments look to push up Paisley Street

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Footscray is to host a new master planned mixed use development adjacent to the heart of Footscray.

Any prospective investor or owner occupier can now secure their space within Cowper Residences, which will be released for sale this month. With Footscray the epicentre of Melbourne's inner west, the wider region is currently subject to $26 billion worth of investment committed to infrastructure and associated projects.

Footscray built form progression is in lockstep with its social transformation. Only 4km from Melbourne's CBD, Footscray now boasts its own evolving cosmopolitan café and shopping precincts.

According to advisory Urbis, the young and fast-growing population in Melbourne's west is expected to more than double over the next 20 years. Over the past 10 years, the median price of apartments in the historical suburb has increased by 7.9 per cent per annum and has experienced the highest annual price growth compared to a selection of suburbs of similar distance to CBD.

In response, Cowper Residences has been positioned in order to attract interest from both astute investors and owner occupiers.

<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/image136_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Cowper Village offers a choice of living options"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image136_1.jpg?itok=5wB1S2T7" title="Cowper Village offers a choice of living options" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Cowper Residences offers a choice of living options</figcaption></figure>It's Cowper Residences' unique location within the Footscray context that has led to the diverse range of living options within the project.

Nestled between established low rise housing and the Footscray CBD, Cowper Residences allows for a diversified built form and unfettered views toward Docklands, the CBD and beyond. The low to medium density site offers proximity to the city coupled with spacious, quality designs which offer contemporary living and balance with its surrounds.

The development’s first two precincts to market will allow purchasers to choose between sixteen terrace homes, ten SOHOs (Single Office/Home Offices) and 63 traditional apartments.

Cowper Village is the work of ClarkeHopkinsClarke, who have a rich history of creating vibrant, integrated living and community spaces. ClarkeHopkinsClarke partner Toby Lauchlan describes Cowper Residences from the architect's perspective:

<blockquote>
When we saw the site, we immediately recognised it as a standout in Footscray. Centrally located, it’s close to the station and all of the vibrant, lifestyle offerings of this colourful suburb, but rests on a quiet, tree-lined residential street giving it real sense of tranquility.

Cowper Residences has also been designed to capture city views which won’t be built out – a rarity this close to the CBD.

The mix of housing types throughout the precincts allowed us to really diversify the design, with each form appealing to the types of people who will want to reside there.
</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/image135_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Expansive views come with Cowper Village"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="330" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image135_0.jpg?itok=6xO_OqWX" title="Expansive views come with Cowper Village" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Expansive views are par for Cowper Residences</figcaption></figure>A strong sense of place and community is at the heart of Cowper Residences, with each precinct interlinked by landscaped gardens and internal laneways. Amenities across the development include a café, gym and rooftop terrace and a communal courtyard.

Terrace homes have been designed higher and larger than the norm, with some offering city views; all have a high level of finishes and mix of materials. Each terrace includes two balconies and a private courtyard and are catered toward family living.

SOHOs maintain a loft-style configuration, complete with exposed brickwork and high ceilings. Expected to appeal to young professionals, the SOHOs provide an environment which enables flexible work patterns. 
The small-scale, low density apartment block offers investors and first home buyers the opportunity to enter the Footscray market within the confines of a boutique setting. Spanning six levels and featuring one and two bedroom apartments, the spacious apartments all maintain access to a rooftop terrace.

<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/image137_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Second level views over established low rise living"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="315" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image137_2.jpg?itok=dKzu--Te" title="Second level views over established low rise living" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Second level views over established low rise living</figcaption></figure>Selling agent, F.R. Chee of CT Real Estate, says that while Footscray is still considered affordable, continued gentrification of the area indicates that this may quickly change.

<blockquote>
Currently Footscray is an affordable suburb undergoing the process of gentrification, similar to what we’ve seen in Brunswick and Collingwood where there is now a substantially higher median sale price.

Market growth is also being driven by the high proportion of students and young professionals moving to the area due to its affordability and proximity to the city. Almost 40 per cent of the suburb’s population is aged between 20-34 years.

Cowper Residences’ position and housing mix makes for a unique investment opportunity in one of Footscray’s most premium locations. We are expecting strong sales across the campaign.

With central Footscray set to be transformed, it truly presents one of the last great investment opportunities in Melbourne’s inner ring suburbs.
</blockquote>

Cowper Residences is currently taking registrations of interest, with prospective buyers urged to register their details on <a href="http://www.cowperresidences.com.au?utm_source=urban_melbourne&amp;utm_medium=article_link">www.cowperresidences.com.au</a> and act fast in order to take advantage of off-the-plan stamp duty concessions before 1 July 2017.
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partner_content

Footscray's Cowper Residences set to cater for all buyers

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It seems the former Alphington Paper Mill may not be alone in reshaping the face of the inner suburb.

Lodged with Yarra Council, plans for a sleek and sizeable apartment development on an adjacent 2,980 square metre site marks the arrival of a new architecture firm to the Apartments.com.au Project Database. XO Projects is the design force behind 700-718 Heidelberg Road; the relatively new firm represents the meeting of local design giant Elenberg Fraser with that of Amsterdam-based firm Elastik.

With the mantra of "creating the Extra Ordinaries within cities" XO Projects has hit the ground running with the 9 level building that features a split colour scheme and mature trees over its exterior.

<h2>700-718 Heidelberg Road, Alphington 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/image133_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Heidelberg Road perspective and finishes. Planning image: XO Projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="347" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image133_1.jpg?itok=P-YNkIfA" title="Heidelberg Road perspective and finishes. Planning image: XO Projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Heidelberg Road perspective and finishes. Planning image: XO Projects</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Corner 2,980sqm site containing four attached single-storey retail premises</li>
	<li>Proposed 9 level building at 34.1m above Heidelberg Road</li>
	<li>109 apartments: 31 x one-bedroom, 56 x two-bedroom, 22 x three-bedroom</li>
	<li>2 ground floor retail tenancies: 325sqm general retail &amp; 316sqm café/food and drink premises</li>
	<li>2 level basement and ground level parking for 157 cars &amp; 82 bicycles</li>
	<li>Communal amenities: library, meeting rooms, fitness/gym, roof top gardens, spa-sauna</li>
</ul>
Opposite the eastern flank of the Alphington Paper Mill site which has a preferred height of 6-8 levels, 700-718 Heidelberg Road has a high level of compliance with the Yarra Planning Scheme according to planning documents.

XO Projects have included a terraced southern facade which tapers down toward the residential zoned southern boundary.

Key to the overall design is the facade treatment of the proposed building with more than 50% of apartments having double facades. Dual level privacy walls across the facade funnel into deep planter boxes for mature trees; 1.2 meters of soil is provided per tree planter in order to accommodate abnormally large plantings.

The deep soil planters will aid in providing 700-718 Heidelberg Road in attaining a 'vertical forest' finish, as will surface level plantings across higher levels of the development.

<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/image132_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Deep rooted trees are proposed across the facade. Planning image: XO Projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="384" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image132_2.jpg?itok=A-dfm6KC" title="Deep rooted trees are proposed across the facade. Planning image: XO Projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Deep rooted trees are proposed across the facade. Planning image: XO Projects</figcaption></figure><h2>700-718 Heidelberg Road, Alphington development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer Giancorp Property Group</li>
	<li>Architecture: XO Projects</li>
	<li>Town Planning &amp; Landscape: Urbis</li>
	<li>Traffic Engineering GTA Consultants</li>
	<li>Waste Management RB Waste Consulting Service</li>
	<li>Services, Structural &amp; Civil: O'Neill Group</li>
	<li>ESD: Sustainable Development Consultants</li>
	<li>Land Survey: Bosco Jonson</li>
</ul>
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XO Projects' first database entry makes for a sleek Alphington addition

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Cheltenham is steadily ascending the ranks in terms of apartment numbers in development, with the suburb's latest sizeable project now on public display.

1234-1236 Nepean Highway is located immediately next to City of Kingston Council's municipal office and looks to eclipse the commercial building for size. Developer/builder AUSCO Investment Group is looking to construct an 11 storey mixed-use building containing 126 apartments and 3 office spaces, one of which crowns the prospective building.

The Cheltenham project also adds to AUSCO's strengthening portfolio of apartment projects across Melbourne's South Eastern suburbs. 

Bentleigh, Oakleigh South, Malvern East and a Murrumbeena duo join Cheltenham as suburbs in which AUSCO have active apartment 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/image100_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Cheltenham's latest major apartment development. Planning image: Bruce Henderson Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image100_1.jpg?itok=rtEhXGpZ" title="Cheltenham's latest major apartment development. Planning image: Bruce Henderson Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Cheltenham's latest major apartment development. Planning image: Bruce Henderson Architects</figcaption></figure>The Bruce Henderson Architects-designed 1234-1236 Nepean Highway is the latest large apartment development in the offing for Cheltenham.

Spanning a 1,920 square metre site and with a 38 metre frontage to Nepean Highway, two low-rise building are set to make way for the project. The prospective yield is split between 53 one−bedroom apartments, 68 two−bedroom apartments, 5 three−bedroom apartments and a total of 1,016 square metres of office space.

AUSCO Investment Group would look to occupy the tenth level office floor according to planning details.

The arrival of 1234-1236 Nepean Highway further highlights the development transformation occurring within the suburb. Although not a haven for high-rise projects, Cheltenham continues to attract an increasing number of projects which are in the low and mid-rise category.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image102_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="19 Hall Street, The Village and Ilixir at construction"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="265" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image102_2.jpg?itok=lp3WVQq-" title="19 Hall Street, The Village and Ilixir at construction" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>19 Hall Street, The Village and Ilixir at construction</figcaption></figure>Urban.com.au's Project Database is keeping tabs on 16 separate apartment developments across Cheltenham. 

The near complete <a href="/new-apartments/cheltenham-vic-3192">Ilixir</a>, <a href="/buildings/11-19-hall-street-cheltenham">19 Hall Street</a> and <a href="/buildings/the-village-cheltenham-1228-nepean-highway-cheltenham">The Village Cheltenham</a> which was in hiatus but is now active once more constitute the trio of major apartment projects which are at construction. Of the 16 projects which amount to near on 1,000 apartments, 347 are at construction.

Four further projects are at Registrations and Sales within Cheltenham and are likely to add a further 148 apartments to the suburb's stock.

Whilst the balance of upcoming Cheltenham apartment projects are generally smaller in stature, there still remains scope for some noteworthy development.

Ewert Leaf for instance are working with developer Steller to realise <a href="http://ewertleaf.com.au/projects/13-15-chesterville-road/">13-15 Chesterville Road</a>. According to the architect's website, a mixed-use project will account for the 2,332 square metre site.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image103.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Chester is another Bruce Henderson Architects design. Image: CastranGilbert"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image103.jpg?itok=HhRvPgrQ" title="Chester is another Bruce Henderson Architects design. Image: CastranGilbert" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Chester is another Bruce Henderson Architects design within Cheltenham. Image: CastranGilbert</figcaption></figure>
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AUSCO affirms Cheltenham's emergence as an apartment hot spot

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As one of the city's last applications judged under previous planning regulations, the chronology of 478-488 Elizabeth Street makes for interesting reading and perhaps points to the convoluted transitional process between old and new planning laws.

At the peak of the Asian-backed development wave sweeping Melbourne during 2015, entity L1-2013 Pty Ltd lodged plans for 478-488 Elizabeth Street. The 1,168 square metre site is wedged between two of Melbourne most recent additions, namely the 226 metre Vision Apartments and Victoria One at 241 metres.

At 68 levels, 478-488 Elizabeth Street would have included 383 apartments, 198 hotel suites and cafe/retail spaces at ground level, set within a 208 metre Elenberg Fraser-designed tower.

During their assessment of the merits of the application, Melbourne City Council planners found numerous shortcomings with the design, citing lack of setbacks as a key sticking point.

<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/image59_1_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="An early project perspective provides context. Planning image: Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="799" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image59_1_1.jpg?itok=t0xDxfyZ" title="An early project perspective provides context. Planning image: Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>An early project perspective provides context. Planning image: Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure>Refused by Planning Minister Richard Wynne during February of this year, 478-488 Elizabeth Street's fate took an unusual turn with the site being listed with CBRE City Sales after the minister's refusal. The site was offered for sale subject to attaining a permit via International Expressions of Interest campaign which closed last week.

This was of course after officially being rejected.

Nonetheless the team behind the proposed mixed-use tower now look set to have their time before VCAT in the hope of gaining the green light for the tower. CBRE City Sales in their recent campaign cited the project at 62 levels; the resultant loss of a number of levels would have likely seen the project's internals numbers reworked.

<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/image81.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The site. Image: CBRE City Sales"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="404" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image81.jpg?itok=L7BzAR4W" title="The site. Image: CBRE City Sales" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The site. Image: CBRE City Sales</figcaption></figure>478-488 Elizabeth Street is one of two projects of considerable height still in the race to call the northern stretch of Elizabeth Street home. According to the State Government's online planning platform, 441-447 Elizabeth Street is also <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://lodgement.planning-permits.delwp.vic.gov.au/public/detail/68">still under assessment</a>, having initially been lodged during 2014.

478-488 Elizabeth Street's struggles through planning comes at a time when a similarly sized approved skyscraper just metres away from Elizabeth Street has been offered for sale. <a href="https://www.cbremelbourne.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/CBRE_111ABeckettStreetMelbourneCBD_6pp_webfinal.pdf">Paradigm</a> at 111 A'Beckett Street is also in the hands of CBRE City Sales, with the eventual buyer attaining the right to develop 632 apartments across 64 levels.

As an interesting side note Lord Major Robert Doyle has been a vocal advocate for a <a href="http://architectureau.com/articles/tower-to-overlook-melbournes-queen-victoria-market/">skyscraper on the Munro site</a> which in also in close proximity to Elizabeth 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/image82_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A current render for 478-488 Elizabeth Street. Image: CBRE City Sales"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="777" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image82_1.jpg?itok=JwlMIlcr" title="A current render for 478-488 Elizabeth Street. Image: CBRE City Sales" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A current render for 478-488 Elizabeth Street. Image: CBRE City Sales</figcaption></figure>
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A high stakes game unfolds for one of Melbourne's largest proposed developments

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Another of the squadron of tall residential towers dotting the CBD's northern expanses has topped out. Empire Melbourne is a predominantly precast monolith highlighted by vertical gold fins set at different angles.

Head contractor Probuild last week took Empire Melbourne to its high point, topping out the tower with the final level completed. The rapid work of Caelli in erecting the concrete structure coupled with the Probuild Construction Systems program has allowed the 62-storey tower to reach structural completion well ahead of schedule.

Empire Melbourne now stands on the south-east corner of A'Beckett and Elizabeth Streets, directly opposite MY80, which was the first collaboration between Probuild, Malaysian-based developer Mammoth Empire, PDS Group and architecture firm Hayball.

Combined, MY80 and Empire Melbourne have added 968 apartments to the intersection.

<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_9562.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Gold the order of the day, as seen from A'Beckett Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_9562.jpg?itok=Tg4DHk3n" title="Gold the order of the day, as seen from A'Beckett Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Gold the order of the day, as seen from A'Beckett Street</figcaption></figure>Delivered under a design and construct contract, Probuild's accelerated delivery of Empire Melbourne has the project on course to be delivered months ahead of its intended completion.

<blockquote>
The innovation at Empire has accelerated usual fitout timelines achieved with traditional building techniques. By implementing Probuild Construction Systems we’ve been able to make the most of every opportunity and exceed our client’s expectations.

I’m extremely proud of our people working at Empire. At Probuild we hire the industry’s best and they’ve delivered the best for our client, Mammoth Empire.
<cite>Probuild Managing Director Luke Stambolis</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
We’re delighted to have reached this milestone and thank our partners, particularly Probuild, for getting us to this stage 3 months ahead of schedule. Mammoth and PDS Group have partnered successfully in the past, with MY80 (across the road) finishing in 2014 and we look forward to Empire receiving its first residents later this year.

Mammoth and PDS Group wish to thank our partners for their innovation and hard work to date.
<cite>CEO of PDS Group, Andrew Fortey</cite>
</blockquote>

348 apartments with Empire Melbourne along with all common areas are scheduled to be handed over on 31 July 2017. Thereafter settlements will take place, with the balance of apartments nominated for a September 2017 handover; well in advance of the initially nominated completion date of December 2017.

In addition to the 487 apartments in total, Empire Melbourne also includes 2 retail spaces, 8 motorbike and 173 bicycle spaces. Project amenities include a gym, yoga/multi-purpose room, pool, sauna, lounge and dining spaces.

<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/image79_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Empire Melbourne. Image: Ryan Seychell"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="570" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image79_6.jpg?itok=xTbNmOTs" title="Empire Melbourne. Image: Ryan Seychell" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Empire Melbourne. Image: Ryan Seychell</figcaption></figure>Project specifics aside, Empire Melbourne joins a growing cast of towers along Elizabeth Street's eastern flank that present as vertical 'walls' from street level, with only token podiums and/or setbacks.

A product of previous planning laws, the flourish of tall towers in this stretch defined by their sheer vertical form has markedly changed the Elizabeth Street streetscape. Five of six substantial residential towers facing Elizabeth Street have either been or are close to completion.

In discussion with one of Melbourne's leading architects last week, comment was passed on this new stretch of towers along Elizabeth Street; "What will we make of these towers in 20 years time? What sort of legacy will they leave?"
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Empire Melbourne tops out, but is it Melbourne's Empire rose?

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Once derided as the derriere of Melbourne's CBD, the west end is undergoing a marked revival with a slew of residential projects about to begin. This revival largely can also be attributed to the ongoing development of Docklands and the redevelopment of what is now Southern Cross Station, with the resultant epicentre of Melbourne's CBD slowly shifting to the area around King and Spencer Streets. 

A snapshot of some of the largest of these projects which will transform the face of Melbourne from a westerly aspect can be seen below;

<h2>555 Collins Street</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/555collins_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="555 Collins Street. Images: Bates Smart"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="317" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/555collins_0.jpg?itok=9NIVdgHj" title="555 Collins Street. Images: Bates Smart" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>555 Collins Street. Images: Bates Smart</figcaption></figure>One of the latest projects to hit the market following a colourful history at planning. Once the site of the beautifully crafted Federal Coffee Palace, <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">555 Collins Street </a>currently stands as the empty concrete edifice dubbed Enterprise House.

Initially seeking planning exemption for a commercial building of 400m, owner Harry Stamoulis sold the site to Fragrance group who tried for a 90-storey, 300m tower designed by Bates Smart. That was reassessed following backlash during the planning process and was eventually replaced with a 47-storey pleated tower rising from a tapering base.

624 apartments constitute the tower.

<blockquote>
555 Collins Street will provide a dynamic and elegant residential tower regenerating a prominent, but neglected corner site within Melbourne’s CBD. The tower form is distinguished by a unique tapered podium which allows for the creation of an increased public realm and generous retail precinct.

The tapered base also means daylight can filter into the internal spaces, while at night, light will illuminate the surrounding precinct. A continuous pedestrian loop will link the development with the adjacent building, expanding public amenity and creating a contemporary addition to Melbourne’s collection of laneways.

- Bates Smart
</blockquote>

555 Collins Street is currently at sales and registrations.

<h2>West Side Place</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/gold_residences.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Gold Residences at West Side Place. Image: Far East Consortium"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="375" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/gold_residences.jpg?itok=lYWSSdJ_" title="The Gold Residences at West Side Place. Image: Far East Consortium" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Gold Residences at West Side Place. Image: Far East Consortium</figcaption></figure>Stage 1 of West Side Place comprising two 200m + towers including a Ritz-Carlton hotel, and is set to commence construction in coming months following a successful sales campaign, with few apartments remaining. Developer Far East Consortium is now pushing ahead with the next stage - The Gold Release Residences - set for launch on June 3rd via Colliers.

Rising 72-storeys for an approximate height of 245m, the Gold Release will sit to the east of the Ritz Carlton with a laneway separating the two towers and frontage along Lonsdale Street. A fourth and final tower of 69-storeys and approximately 235m high will complete Far East's regeneration of two city blocks, which it began with its Upper West Side development on the site of the former Lonsdale Street power station.

<blockquote>
The Gold Release is the newest stage within the Ritz-Carlton precinct offering one and two bedroom residences up to level 70 and featuring expansive views across Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne’s city skyline and beyond. The Gold Release represents sophistication, elegance, value, quality and status. Everything that is synonymous with West Side Place and the Ritz-Carlton.

Designed to maximise natural light, residences are available right up to the clouds at level 70, across the following three offerings of Sky Residences, Central Residences, and Garden Residences.

- Far East Consortium
</blockquote>

<h2>Premier Tower</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/premier_tower.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Premier Tower construction progress. Photo: redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="321" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/premier_tower.jpg?itok=-jX3Ks1g" title="Premier Tower construction progress. Photo: redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Premier Tower construction progress. Photo: redden</figcaption></figure><a href="/buildings/premier-tower-134-160-spencer-street-melbourne">Premier Tower</a> replaces the old Savoy Hotel on one of Melbourne's more prominent corners. The site is now at piling following initial demolition and excavations, with the result a 249m tower and 600 plus apartments.

Fragrance Group are behind the Elenberg Fraser-designed tower, with Multiplex the head contractor.

<blockquote>
We know you’ll agree that when you hear the phrase ‘less is more’ the first person that springs to mind is Beyoncé. No? Well – our new mixed-use building 134 Spencer Street provides the link between the two. At once a building that is the essence of first principles design – created entirely by parametric modelling – meanwhile its spiralling curves recall the twists and turns of a woman dancing in black cloth.

The deceptively complex form is the result of our research into wind, solar and massing criteria – the form is the best possible solution to all of those requirements. On top of that – we’ve taken the heritage surrounds into account, stepping down from the podium to meet them at eye level. This building is just another step in the westerly shift of the CBD.

- Elenberg Fraser
</blockquote>

<h2>299 King Street</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/firs9645_299kingst_el03_parkview.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="299 King Street and surrounds. Image:CBRE"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="223" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/firs9645_299kingst_el03_parkview.jpg?itok=qRECk-TJ" title="299 King Street and surrounds. Image:CBRE" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>299 King Street and surrounds. Image:CBRE</figcaption></figure>Initially receiving approval for a height of 208m - down from the initial proposal of 83-storeys and 269m - owners Farinia on sold the site with approval for a residential scheme by Plus Architecture to Aurumstone Group. Aurumstone has since engaged Elenberg Fraser to rework the scheme in readiness for a imminent sales campaign.

Gone is the pearlescent façade which would produce a pink, bluish, purple effect depending on how light was cast over the tower. Likewise the tower's form has been rationalised with curvaceous lines and a bulge in form toward its peak.

<h2>Collins House</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/collins_house.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Collins House construction progress. Photo: redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="286" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/collins_house.jpg?itok=wR8gtWqR" title="Collins House construction progress. Photo: redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/buildings/collins-house-melbourne-460-466-collins-street-melbourne">Collins House construction</a> progress. Photo: redden</figcaption></figure>Hickory is progressing construction works on the narrow site of what will eventually become Australia's slimmest tower, containing 267 dwellings. To deliver Golden Age's 60-storey residential tower and to deal with the site's small footprint, Hickory will be employing its innovative HBS construction method

The project will be serviced by a single tower crane, with major elements including façade and floors fabricated off-site and rapidly assembled on arrival at Collins Street. As such Hickory anticipates the overall construction programme on the Bates Smart designed tower will be reduced by up to 30%.

<blockquote>
The 60 level Collins House project incorporates the grand heritage façade of Melbourne’s historic Maker’s Mark building with a sleek contemporary tower.  Located on a small site footprint in central Melbourne, Hickory’s construction method for the project incorporates our own volumetric structural system, allowing building componentry to be erected more efficiently than a conventional formwork approach would have allowed.

Once complete, the 204-metre project will boast 271 luxury apartments ranging from two and three bedrooms to double storey loft apartments over a single basement level.  Communal facilities for residents include Collins Terrace on Level 3, a private indoor / outdoor space with private dining and gourmet kitchen and the St James Club on Level 27, a private club space with fitness facilities, outdoor deck, dining room and bar.

- Hickory
</blockquote>

<h2>600 Collins Street</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/06_collins_melbourne_corner_plaza_hires.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="600 Collins Street base and plaza. Image: ZHA "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/06_collins_melbourne_corner_plaza_hires.jpg?itok=RsjW4isc" title="600 Collins Street base and plaza. Image: ZHA " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>600 Collins Street base and plaza. Image: ZHA</figcaption></figure>Developer Landream has applied to amend the approved plans to include a six star hotel in the tower with a marketing campaign not too far off for the ZHA and Plus Architecture designed tower. The development distinguished by 3-stacked vases, will deliver a plaza to Collins Street and laneway to the west of the site activated with retail and a gallery space.

^00 Collins was approved with 420 apartments in place, although that final release will likely see this number change.

<blockquote>
The design has been defined by Melbourne's rich and diverse urban landscape, reinterpreted in a contemporary solution driven by the logical division of its overall volume that will enhance the city's public realm with generous communal spaces. We are honoured to be working with our partners in Melbourne to deliver this project for the city.

- Michele Pasca di Magliano, Zaha Hadid Architects. 
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Laurence Dragomir

Apartments galore set to breathe new life into the western CBD 

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Last spring, Secret Agent investigated the cost of rebuilding two period homes in inner Melbourne using current technology and materials. Our results below demonstrate that the prices paid for period property fairly represent the quality, history and scarcity of these types of homes in today’s market.
Using real examples of a Victorian terrace and an Edwardian house, we found that recreating these homes from scratch would cost at least $740,000 more than what you would pay for a genuine period home.
While it is possible to build a new home that imitates the defining features of Victorian and Edwardian houses, replacing period character to its full extent is almost impossible to get right. Note that the figures in the analysis of replacement values are conservative estimates only.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/05/25/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-25%20at%2011.18.22%20AM.png">Click to enlarge</a>
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<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/05/25/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-25%20at%2011.18.22%20AM.png" alt="">
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/05/25/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-25%20at%2011.19.08%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/05/25/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-25%20at%2011.19.08%20AM.png" alt="">
For more information, <a href="https://secretagent.com.au/">click here</a>.
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mick.cee-iDmgDDAmu8

Why period homes represent good value: Secret Agent

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Near on a year after being submitted, Footscray's last major development within the Joseph Road Precinct is all but reality.

Last week it was recommended by internal planners that Maribyrnong Council's City Development Special Committee issue a Notice of Decision to Grant a Permit for the multi-towered development which accounts for the last 'super site' within the 17 hectare renewal area. 2 Neilson Place is the final piece of the puzzle within the vast formerly light industrial land holding which constitutes the Joseph Road Precinct.

Over recent years six separate scheme within the precinct have gained approval, amounting to some 3,300 new apartments. 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image77_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="2 Neilson Street. Planning image: Architecton"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="542" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image77_2.jpg?itok=tP_P4IeT" title="2 Neilson Street. Planning image: Architecton" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>2 Neilson Street. Planning image: Architecton</figcaption></figure>Carrying a cost of development of $180 million, 2 Neilson Place is positioned to add another 500 plus apartments to Joseph Road Precinct. Of these, 5% are to be allocated as affordable housing.

Set across 6,323 square metres, 2 Neilson Place also adds 620 square metres of retail floor space, 3,418 square metres of office space and capacity for a childcare centre. A variety of amenities are anchored by podium and tooftop open spaces.

Well beyond the preferred maximum building height of 12 storeys, "consideration has been given to reducing the heights, however any reduction in height would not make any significant difference to the urban environment of Joseph Road." This is in response to earlier approvals in some instances reaching 32 levels.

<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_0054.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Riverina's first phase under construction"><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_0054.jpg?itok=ylsRe4Gi" title="Riverina's first phase under construction" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Riverina's first phase under construction</figcaption></figure>With the planning aspect of Joseph Road Precinct all but complete, the challenge for developers is to now deliver the thousands of approved apartments.

In total 23 separate residential towers are in play within the precinct, and of those only a trio of mid-sized towers which represent stage one of Riverina are at construction. Having ridden the wave of foreign-based interest in Melbourne's apartment market, Riverina had sold well initially, although the rate of sales for current and future releases may not be as rapid.

The sheer number of apartments involved coupled with the restrictive measures placed on foreign investors and the 'cooling' within certain pockets of Melbourne's apartment market may lead to a slower roll-out of construction within Joseph Road Precinct.

4 Neilson Place known as The Tannery has conducted a low-key sales campaign whilst Growland's Victoria Square opposite Riverina has begun its sales campaign in earnest.
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Joseph Road precinct's final application sails toward reality; now for the task of delivery

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On average, Melbourne apartments increased in price by $260 per square metre, or three percent over the past year, according to Secret Agent’s latest bulletin.
The buyer's agency said that one bedroom apartments have remained about the same in nominal terms (which means they have fallen in value in real terms) and are now the cheapest apartments at $8,650 per square metre.
All other apartments increased in price, with four bedroom apartments now averaging $11,450 per square metre.
"Not many of these properties get sold each quarter, so prices tend to fluctuate a bit," the report said. 
Three bedroom apartments increased by about $1,000 to $9,400 per square metre in the first three months of 2017.
Two bedroom apartments are also up slightly ($8,900 per square metre), while studios were more expensive than one and two bedroom apartments over the past three months ($9,200 per square metre).
East Melbourne was the most expensive area for apartments so far in 2017 ($11,850 per square metre), selling for more on average than Fitzroy ($11,600 per square metre) and Middle Park ($11,450 per square metre), which was at the top of the table over the first three months of 2016,” the bulletin advised.
Inner West suburbs, including Travancore, Kensington and Flemington continue to be the most affordable regions, with average apartments in these suburbs costing buyers between $6,000 and $7,800 per square metre.
Average prices per square metre of indoor space increased the most in the inner North, with the suburbs Brunswick, Fitzroy, Carlton North and North Melbourne all increasing by over 10 percent since Q1 2016.
The only suburbs analysed which saw average prices decrease were Fitzroy North (11 percent), Carlton (5.5 percent) and Brunswick East (3 percent).
“As the year continues and many more apartment projects are completed in inner Melbourne, we expect apartment prices to continue flatlining or even decreasing," the report said.
"However, larger apartments are still a rarity, as shown by our recent reports on supply and apartment standards.
"This makes it likely that three and four bedroom apartments will remain the most expensive both in terms of average prices and on a square metre basis."
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