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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GUEST OBSERVER
Secret Agent has updated its price per square metre index for secondary apartments in inner Melbourne. 
An additional 478 apartments have been added to the index so that it now consists of a total of 870 apartments which have sold between 1st January 2016 to 30th June 2016. 
<a href="/images/2016/08/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-26%20at%2011.48.21%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/08/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-26%20at%2011.48.21%20AM.png" alt="">
The new average square metre rate for apartments in inner Melbourne is $8,679/sqm.
The inner South remains the most expensive region for apartments with the average totalling $9,664/sqm. 
This is closely followed by the inner East at $9,089/sqm. 
Central and inner North apartment rates are $8,466/sqm and $8,395/sqm respectively. The cheapest region to buy secondary apartments in is the inner West, at $7,124/sqm.
For more information, <a href="https://secretagent.com.au/" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Inner Melbourne’s most affordable and expensive apartments: Secret Agent

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Developer Riverlee is seeking to rework an approved commercial scheme within Docklands, in order to capitalise upon Melbourne's near rampant hotel sector.

The developer has released details regarding its intended project at 731-739 Flinders Street which encompasses the heritage Northbank Goods Shed. Under plans submitted this week, the approved plans for a commercial building straddling the goods shed will be dropped in favour of a mixed-use hotel and residential proposal.

Included in the new scheme are 180 hotel suites, which would further bolster the hotel pipeline along the Yarra. Four Points By Sheraton, PARKROYAL and Quest Newquay are at differing stages of development, with another hotel project at nearby Victoria Harbour also a possibility.

Opposite Northbank Goods Shed, Probuild are undertaking an expansion of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre which incorporates the construction of a 331-room hotel tower.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/riv_northbank_v01_across_river1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Riverlee have chosen Fender Katsalidis for North Wharf. Image: Riverlee"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="352" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/riv_northbank_v01_across_river1.jpg?itok=xINjgmkw" title="Riverlee have chosen Fender Katsalidis for North Wharf. Image: Riverlee" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Riverlee have chosen Fender Katsalidis for North Wharf. Image: Riverlee</figcaption></figure>Riverlee have installed Fender Katsalidis as project architect, with the hotel supplementing 250 intended apartments.

In line with original plans, landscape architects Oculus have been retained and are tasked with creating a new 3,500sqm public park that Riverlee expects will act as the missing connector between Docklands and the Yarra River’s north bank. As part of the intended works the onsite heritage listed crane will also be brought up to scratch with a complete restoration planned.

Retail and event spaces are envisaged within the restored Goods Shed. Creating a new waterfront promenade will see the refurbishment of the area's wharf, while a pontoon is optioned with an eye toward waterfront activation.

Riverlee's change of use for the project is underpinned by the aforementioned expansion of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the precinct playing host to a multitude of conferences and conventions. The subsequent undersupply of hotel suites has prompted the change of use; the state of the commercial leasing sector would have also been taken into consideration.

<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/nw03_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The superseded scheme. Image: Oculus"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/nw03_0.jpg?itok=_KBr7tUo" title="The superseded scheme. Image: Oculus" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The superseded scheme. Image: Oculus</figcaption></figure>The change of use is also expected to bring activity to the area around the clock, something that the 25,000sqm commercial scheme would have struggled to achieve.

How the intended public aspects of the building stack up relative to the initial scheme remain to be seen. With Oculus retained and Lovell Chen acting as Heritage Architects, the new scheme's public interface is difficult to judge based on the sole image released by Riverlee.

<blockquote>
Our plans include an extruded glass pavilion at the eastern end of the shed both to help preserve the heritage façade and hero it within the design, particularly at night when the façade will be lit from within the glass to create a beacon for night-time activity.

We’ve created a number of places to integrate and encourage interaction with these heritage elements, such as the former slipway which will be covered with glass inside the pavilion so people will be able to walk literally right on top of this unique piece of history
<cite>Karl Fender, managing principal architect, Fender Katsalidis</cite>
</blockquote>

What's established is the developer's existing work along the Yarra's north bank in the area. <a href="http://riverlee.com.au/projects/world-trade-centre">Riverlee refurbished more than 150 metres of water frontage</a> in the adjoining World Trade Centre complex, with the subsequent WTC Wharf retail zone completed during 2010.

Riverlee also initiated <a href="http://riverlee.com.au/projects/7-23-spencer-st">redevelopment of the former Melbourne Convention Centre</a> with the site now nearing demolition completion. In the interceding time, approval was obtained for a tri-towered residential complex onsite, with the site recently sold.
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silvermb

A reborn North Wharf adds to Melbourne's swelling hotel numbers

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Two highly prominent locations are now free to host substantial residential buildings after receiving planning approval in recent days.

VCAT has green-lighted St Kilda's tallest development to date at 8-12 Punt Road while Darebin City Council were satisfied with the merits of what is set to become Reservoir's biggest apartment development at 830 Plenty Road.

8-12 Punt Road, which is also referred to as One St Kilda Junction first <a href="/news/st-kilda-junction-subject-to-its-biggest-development-yet">appeared on Urban.com.au during February</a>, with subsequent planning movements landing the Plus Architecture-designed tower at VCAT.

For its part, City of Port Phillip's <a href="https://jaagstkilda.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/cpp-punt-8-12-1227-2015-delegate-report.pdf">report for VCAT</a> determined that it had made the decision to refuse the application based upon the development unreasonably impacting the amenity of the immediate and wider neighbourhood. This can be read as an overdevelopment of the subject site.

In response, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VCAT/2016/1396">VCAT's decision</a> was to approve the project which consists of a main 26 level tower, with a smaller 10 level extension to its east. In total 203 apartments will be serviced by 397 car spaces across seven basement 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/image1_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="One St Kilda Junction. Image: Plus Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="436" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image1_5.jpg?itok=gjbqshaE" title="One St Kilda Junction. Image: Plus Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>One St Kilda Junction. Image: Plus Architecture</figcaption></figure>On the opposite side of town, 830 Plenty Road was issued a permit yesterday for an expansive multi-building apartment development. Dubbed <a href="http://www.architeria.com.au/reservoir-reflection-star-island">Star Island</a> and conceived by Architeria Architects, final numbers for the project will see 338 apartments and townhouses, in addition to commercial and retail spaces.

Submitted for approval during June of 2015, 830 Plenty Road had been subject to numerous proposals prior to the current iteration headed by Architeria Architects.

Three separate apartment buildings will front Plenty Road, with a fourth building and 17 townhouses nested in behind.

The expansive 10,194sqm site coupled with its elevated position and low-rise surrounds allows Star Island to hold a very pronounced position along one of Melbourne's major northern transport corridors.

<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/1507_reservoir_front_architeria_architects_email_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Star Island. Image: Architeria Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="327" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/1507_reservoir_front_architeria_architects_email_1.jpg?itok=eGjljuLS" title="Star Island. Image: Architeria Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Star Island. Image: Architeria Architects</figcaption></figure>
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Two major residential projects receive approval

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It seems a little counter-intuitive that in an apartment market coming off its peak, there's still scope for locations around Melbourne to be shaping as apartment hot spots.

Malvern Road is such an example; while the majority of projects are quite small relative to those of the CBD and surrounds, they do shape as the right stock for current market preferences which have drifted toward larger suburban dwellings.

Focusing on Malvern and Glen Iris, the number of Malvern Road apartment projects in the Apartments.com.au Project Database weighs in at 22. Added to these are a healthy number of projects queued, and which have yet to enter the Apartments.com.au Project Database.

<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/15_images2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Bonview is one of the few existing apartment projects. Image: Balmain &amp; Co"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="402" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/15_images2.jpg?itok=-7Kcr2Pp" title="Bonview is one of the few existing apartment projects. Image: Balmain &amp; Co" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bonview is one of the few existing apartment projects. Image: Balmain &amp; Co</figcaption></figure>With a limited number of apartment projects completed along this stretch of Malvern Road, the pending surge of projects set to call the thoroughfare home could well push future apartment stock in the area beyond 550 dwellings.

Typically spanning 3-5 levels, these Malvern Road apartment projects are defined by larger internal apartment sizes which are on average supported by a proportionately larger number of car spaces. This is very much a reflection of the type of purchaser developers are chasing, and a reflection of the suburbs in question.

What also bolsters Malvern Road's emergence as an apartment hot spot is that very few of the 22 projects at the foot of the article have yet to reach construction.

Grace at 1555-1559 Malvern Road is all but complete, with Vivid on Malvern also well into its construction schedule. Backing these projects up are Abby Apartments, The Henderson and Turner Residences which are at sales.

<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/v16021_1hero_b_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Henderson is symptomatic of Malvern Road apartment projects. Image: thehendersongleniris.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="272" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/v16021_1hero_b_0.jpg?itok=eiyuLg3S" title="The Henderson is symptomatic of Malvern Road apartment projects. Image: thehendersongleniris.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Henderson is symptomatic of Malvern Road apartment projects. Image: thehendersongleniris.com.au</figcaption></figure>That leaves the bulk of projects along Malvern Road at either planning assessment or approval. Falling within City of Stonnington's borders, the planning process for a number of projects has been lengthy.

Two of the more recent projects to gain approval are 1437-1441 Malvern Road and 1795 Malvern Road, both of which are located in Glen Iris. After an initial failure to determine, Stonnington issued a permit for 1437-1441 Malvern Road on the 29th of August. Spanning six levels when submitted for approval, the Ascui &amp; Co-designed project is one of the larger projects to filter through in the area.

1795 Malvern Road which gained approval during September is more a typical Malvern Road development; three levels with 20 apartments in tow.

The remaining projects are generally at planning, leaving Malvern Road with a strong development pipeline and a claim to being an up and coming apartment hot spot.

<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_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="1437-1441 Malvern Road, Glen Iris. Planning image: Ascui &amp; Co"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="341" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image24_7.jpg?itok=gvuW-lrN" title="1437-1441 Malvern Road, Glen Iris. Planning image: Ascui &amp; Co" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>1437-1441 Malvern Road, Glen Iris. Planning image: Ascui &amp; Co</figcaption></figure>
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Malvern Road emerges as another apartment hot spot

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Another Fishermans Bend proposal has broken cover, taking Hayball as the architecture firm responsible past a noteworthy milestone. With the addition of 272-280 Normanby Road, Southbank-based Hayball now has in excess of 3,000 apartments in play across Fishermans Bend.

Referencing the Apartments.com.au Project Database, 272-280 Normanby Road's 396 apartments takes Hayball's total apartment numbers for submitted projects within Fishermans Bend to 3,229. In the process Hayball have made a stretch of Normanby Road their own, with seven separate residential towers at planning maintaining a Normanby Road address.

Proponent 280 Normanby Road Pty Ltd is behind the latest proposal which at 40 levels would peak at the maximum floor limit, as per the interim mandatory height limits in place. Currently housing a dual level commercial building, the repurposed site would see the new 126m tower rise in its place.

<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/272-280.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="272-280 Normanby Road. Image: proUrban"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="661" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/272-280.jpg?itok=b8mU3Ueh" title="272-280 Normanby Road. Image: proUrban" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>272-280 Normanby Road. Image: proUrban</figcaption></figure>Of the 396 apartments within 272-280 Normanby Road, 156 have been designated as single bedroom dwellings, 201 hold two bedrooms and 39 or 10% of the total number of apartments maintain three bedrooms.

An affordable housing element exists within the proposal, with two single bedroom apartments to be transferred to a specified housing trust while a further three single bedroom apartments are set to be leased for 20 years at 75% of market rental value, with management of these dwellings apportioned to the housing trust.

A 342sqm space is allocated within the tower's podium as a public community facility area. This is supported by multiple commercial and retail tenancies, with 736sqm allocated to commercial and 530sqm retail respectively. 124 car spaces and 204 bicycle bays are also part of the proposal.

Externally the tower will be dominated by pewter coloured precast concrete, charcoal and grey coloured panel-rib metal and aluminium cladding, pewter coloured glass, glass balustrades and grey coloured double glazing.

Lodged with DELWP during May, the proposal has been referred to City of Port Phillip (CoPP) for comment. As has almost become the norm, CoPP have indicated they are against the development, citing issues such as tower height, tower setbacks from street and side boundaries, tower separation between neighbouring properties, justification for tower seeking the maximum allowable height, cumulative wind and traffic impacts and the proposal's overall community benefit aspects as being sticking points.

Nonetheless <a href="http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/Report_5_-_272-280_Normanby_Road.pdf">CoPP in their report on 272-280 Normanby Road</a> have also included various draft conditions that they believe would improve the proposal.

<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/image52_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Assorted Hayball-designed projects within Fishermans Bend"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="302" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image52_3.jpg?itok=7FxQYeCX" title="Assorted Hayball-designed projects within Fishermans Bend" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Assorted Hayball-designed projects within Fishermans Bend</figcaption></figure>As touched upon earlier, Hayball leads the way within Fishermans Bend in terms of the number of apartments under design for projects that are public knowledge. Its nine projects and 3,229 apartments shadow the work of ROTHELOWMAN which currently have six apartment projects and in excess of 2,000 apartments within the urban renewal area.

By far Hayball's largest project in Fishermans Bend is 850-858 Lorimer Street within Port Melbourne. One of the early batch of applications for the area, the reworked tri-towered scheme's most recent iteration carries in excess of 1,100 apartments for developer Goodman Group.

Other design firms also prevalent in the Urban Renewal Area include Elenberg Fraser, Artisan Architects and CHT Architects. To date 17 different architecture firms are represented across a gamut of residential projects within Fishermans Bend.
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272-280 Normanby adds to Hayball's dominant Fishermans Bend portfolio

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A fresh presence has brought a new design perspective to Fishermans Bend in the form of a planning application for 118 Bertie Street, Port Melbourne. With the majority of the development team behind the intended 18 level tower based in New South Wales, the result is a design that distinguishes itself from the majority of the pack within the fledgling Urban Renewal Area.

118 Bertie Street represents Sydney-based MAKO Architecture's first listing in the Apartments.com.au Project Database; the same can be said for Lateral Estate with the Fishermans Bend application their first project in Melbourne as developer/builder.

The conceived tower form coupled with an almost eccentric exterior allows 118 Bertie Street to sharply depart from the norm within Fishermans Bend, where many intended towers to date employ clean curtain glazed exteriors.

More pertinent to Fishermans Bend's strategic planning goals, 118 Bertie Street acknowledges the Fishermans Bend Strategic Framework Plan (April 2015) and has been designed with the Better Apartments Discussion Paper (May 2015) objectives in mind.

<h2>118 Bertie 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/image42_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Design and greenery combined over 118 Bertie Street's exterior. Image: MAKO Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="384" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image42_1.jpg?itok=OcX3N0pL" title="Design and greenery combined over 118 Bertie Street's exterior. Image: MAKO Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Design and greenery combind over 118 Bertie Street's exterior. Image: MAKO Architecture</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Application lodged: June 2016</li>
	<li>3,031sqm site currently utilised as a warehouse</li>
	<li>Proposed 18 level tower at 67.9 metres</li>
	<li>264 apartments: 8 x studio, 115 x 1BR, 111 x 2BR, 30 x 3BR</li>
	<li>554sqm of commercial space over four tenancies</li>
	<li>191sqm of communal recreational space</li>
	<li>191 car spaces &amp; 303 bicycle bays</li>
	<li>GFA: 32,954sqm</li>
	<li>Estimated development cost: $66 million</li>
</ul>
<h2>Design Statement</h2>

<blockquote>
This design proposal has been conceived of as an activator for the local community and a signal of the future residential neighbourhood. The design intentionally seeks to maximise the available envelope to provide additional density and vibrancy to the public domain surrounding the proposal. The design is able to straddle the varying context of the building over time, and throughout the at present unknown context of the future open space network.

The podium is conceived of as a visually distinctive landmark in the short term context of the light industrial area. It should be a herald of the future and begin to suggest the change in use to a vibrant residential neighbourhood and address the future green linear park. The podium combines three strong elements; textural patterned mesh, varyingly proportioned active windows to the podium apartments, and large scale “green” openings screening the resident parking beyond.

The tower is a carefully modulated distinctive object appearing as a sharp black onyx piece contrasted against the sky. A subtle variation of black and bronze glazing starts to break down the monolithic quality of the broad facade and begins to give direction and movement to the composition. The tower adopts a fluidity, with the reflective qualities of dark glazing surrounding north, east, south and west frontages.
<cite>MAKO Architecture: Urban Context Report</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image23_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="118 Bertie Street's envisaged street level integration. Image: MAKO Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="346" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image23_5.jpg?itok=n6ioY9kN" title="118 Bertie Street's envisaged street level integration. Image: MAKO Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>118 Bertie Street's envisaged street level integration. Image: MAKO Architecture</figcaption></figure>The above image is perhaps best mirrors early concept sketches that were bandied about for Fishermans Bend during its planning infancy.

The development team have gone to great lengths to ensure the tower's podium is front and square in terms of adhering to design ideals, likening the podium to a beacon in that it was conceived as a visually distinctive landmark in the existing context of the light industrial area. Project landscape architects NBRS+Partner have established a green zone as part of the project that aligns directly with the open space network as described in the Fishermans Bend Strategic Framework Plan.

Further the Bertie Street frontage is activated at ground level by way of Soho apartments that have the ability to be used as either home offices, or retail spaces depending upon demand.

<blockquote>
The tower itself consists of the irregular placement of geometric forms to create an interesting and innovative design response. At the ground floor, the building will appear almost entirely glazed with the podium above treated with grey brickwork or a copper coloured perforated screening, used to hide the internal car park from street view.

The tower form above appears to be separated into different structural elements, breaking up the built form and softening its appearance. The tower façade is treated with dark grey and bronze tinted glazing with black, bronze and champagne coloured metal framing.
<cite>Urbis: Town Planning Report</cite>
</blockquote>

The Port Melbourne proposal also includes 30 three bedroom dwellings, a disproportionately high number relative to many of the adjoining developments slated for Fishermans Bend.

<h2>118 Bertie Street development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Lateral Estate</li>
	<li>Architecture: MAKO Architecture</li>
	<li>Planning: Urbis</li>
	<li>Landscape Architect: NBRS+Partner</li>
	<li>Traffic Engineer: TTPA </li>
	<li>Waste Management: Elephants Foot</li>
	<li>Sustainable Design: ARK Resources</li>
	<li>Acoustic Engineer: Acoustic Logic</li>
	<li>BCA Consultant: McKenzie Group</li>
</ul>
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MAKO make their mark in Fishermans Bend: 118 Bertie Street, Port Melbourne

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VicTrack's gradual purge of ancillary land is set to encompass a handful of additional stations, as the Government-backed body looks to further facilitate development around its key assets.

The first station to receive development under the Station Precinct Enhancement Program was Glen Waverley, which with development partner Consolidated Properties saw the delivery of the $70m IKON mixed-use project. Completed in late 2013, IKON is still a leading example, winning the national award for ‘Government Leadership’ at the Property Council of Australia’s Innovation and Excellence Awards during 2016.

With <a href="/news/jewell-stations-all-encompassing-ethos-set-to-provide-a-unique-development-outcome">Jewell Station's urban renewal underway</a>, which are the next locations that are set to fall into line under VicTrack's development program?

<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/36_05-05-2016_1802.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hampton isw set for change. Image: epc.Pacific"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="385" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/36_05-05-2016_1802.jpg?itok=Vqx6ItdK" title="Hampton isw set for change. Image: epc.Pacific" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Hampton is set for change. Image: epc.Pacific</figcaption></figure>Hampton Train Station has been announced as the next precinct to receive change. VicTrack has entered into a development agreement with Southbank-based developer epc.Pacific and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in order to create a new residential precinct adjacent to Hampton Station.

Set over 7,056sqm, VicTrack have seeded the land in order to "make the area around Hampton Station safer, more vibrant and more accessible, by delivering station precinct improvements funded by an adjoining mixed-use development." New buildings will incorporate social housing units in order to replace units currently onsite which will be demolished for the much larger development.

For its part, epc.Pacific have described the project which fronts Koolkuna Lane as carrying four separate five level buildings that will result in one, two and three bedroom apartments. With a nominal value of $120 million, the Hampton project is in the hands of ARM Architecture and Jam Architects, according to the developer's website.

Having been awarded the development rights for Hampton Station Precinct during 2015, the project has a tentative completion date of 2019.

<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/image127_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Longhouse was initiated by VicTrack. Image: JAM Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image127_1.jpg?itok=WTXg_NKD" title="Longhouse was initiated by VicTrack. Image: JAM Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Longhouse was initiated by VicTrack. Image: JAM Architects</figcaption></figure>Initiated by VicTrack, the subsequent approval of a land slither fronting Lynch Street, Hawthorn was sold to APL Developments. It has consequently proceeded to sales with the project having been dubbed Longhouse.

While Lynch Street was a land disposal, VicTrack do have a number of projects in the pipeline.

Essendon, Windsor, West Footscray, Victoria Park, Watsonia, Ringwood and East Richmond are stations that have been bandied around, with some locations seemingly more advanced than others. SMA Projects for instance have <a href="http://This%20includes%20a%20fresh%20agreement%20with%20developer%20SMA%20Projects%20to%20build%20above%20the%20railway%20tracks%20at%20Windsor%20station,%20between%20Chapel%20Street%20and%20a%20park%20called%20the%20Windsor%20Siding.">secured a land parcel above rail lines leading to Windsor Station</a> that will most likely result in apartments and community facilities.

An announcement regarding West Footscray is also nearing with a VicTrack spokesperson describing the <a href="http://www.starweekly.com.au/news/more-apartments-planned-opposite-west-footscray-station/pub/maribyrnong_hobsons_bay/">5,000sqm site as moving closer to reality</a>. Interestingly Maribyrnong City Council recently rejected development of an adjacent West Footscray site, even though Council planners raised no objections to the scheme for some 86 apartments over 7 levels. The project is seen below.

VicTrack will invariably be hoping that its intentions for West Footscray Station and surrounds fare better.

<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/image17_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="West Footscray's first attempt at higher density living. Image: 11 Dimensions"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="223" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image17_7.jpg?itok=Cd2BgiyL" title="West Footscray's first attempt at higher density living. Image: 11 Dimensions" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>West Footscray's first attempt at higher density living. Image: 11 Dimensions</figcaption></figure>
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The stations set for change under VicTrack's development drive

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From a purely aesthetic perspective, Melbourne's suburbs have received a wave of project completions of late that achieve more than a pass mark in terms of design nous.

Over the last quarter, Apartments.com.au has tracked in excess of 40 separate projects that have reached completion, with the vast majority residential in nature and given little to no coverage upon completion. Far from the precast, cookie cutter design flops that are symptomatic of early builds in suburbs such as Preston, Footscray and Doncaster, the current rash of completions bring a heightened level of design flair.

Editorialising for a moment, aesthetically better design should of course be the norm as opposed to the exception, or at least one would hope. Thankfully a healthy number of recently completed projects do indeed distinguish themselves in the design stakes.

Dotted around metropolitan Melbourne, the cream of the crop of recent completions can be seen below, beginning with a trio in Melbourne's North West.

Opened during late July, the mixed-use Brimbank Community and Civic Centre shapes as the most daring build Melbourne has received of late. The clash of colours and atypical shapes are trademark Lyons Architects features, particularly among their civic projects.

Project Group recently completed works on Leake Apartments, with the Essendon build featuring two floors clad in gold banding. Designed by BBP Architects, the final result provides the immediate area with a focal point, as does North Melbourne's Assembly apartments. A low-rise design by Woods Bagot, Assembly results in 138 dwellings across four separate buildings which are clad predominantly in metal.

<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_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Brimbank Community and Civic Centre with Leake and Assembly"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image11_9.jpg?itok=7ki0taPw" title="The Brimbank Community and Civic Centre with Leake and Assembly" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Brimbank Community and Civic Centre with Leake and Assembly</figcaption></figure>Hawthorn East's Burwood Road has a contemporary design high point by way of Solstice Apartments. Its 106 apartments are arranged around a central courtyard with privacy over the higher levels consisting of a tight configuration of vertical batons, resulting in a screening that looks attractive from street level. Not far behind in the design stakes is Orbit Architecture's Radius Box Hill which is clad in a variety of finishes, including screening with circular motifs.

In neighbouring Doncaster, Panorama Doncaster Hill is over the line. The Peddle Thorp Architects design was built by LU Simon and its sheer size allows for its exterior to carry a differing design language to all elevations. From angular honeycomb-like balconies to sweeping bends, Panorama Doncaster Hill is an altogether crisp outcome.

<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/image6_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Solstice, Panorama and Radius"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="748" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image6_9.jpg?itok=XhvMILrZ" title="Solstice, Panorama and Radius" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Solstice, Panorama and Radius</figcaption></figure>The South Eastern suburbs witnessed a disproportionately large number of completions, headlined by BPM's The Standard on Bay Road, Brighton. The Elenberg Fraser design carries vertical white 'ribbed' elements to all elevations, providing a uniform and clean outcome.

Jackson Clements Burrows' Elsternwick Place also looks sharp, albeit with a very different architectural language; simulated brickwork contrast by white mesh screens and an angular roof provide the project with a unique appearance. Beck Property's Stage 1 of Caulfield Heath is also complete with Probuild having delivered the initial buildings that were designed by SJB Architects.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image4_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Standard Brighton, Caulfield Heath and Elsternwick Place on show"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="560" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image4_8.jpg?itok=B5QKZEGJ" title="Standard Brighton, Caulfield Heath and Elsternwick Place on show" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Standard Brighton, Caulfield Heath and Elsternwick Place on show</figcaption></figure>Prahran bobs up with two residential projects; one definitely a step away from the norm. Zac Apartments is a smart design by Ascui &amp; Co Architects on behalf of developer Peregrine Projects and features 36 apartments.

Presenting an all red exterior, Vox Prahran at 59 Porter Street is the creation of Kavellaris Urban Deisgn. Built by Merkon, the seemingly uniform facade can be adjusted, with the retractable louvres revealing balconies behind. Definitely something out of the box in terms of appearance.

<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/image3_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Prahran style"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="299" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image3_3.jpg?itok=oGBgEQtg" title="Prahran style" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Prahran style</figcaption></figure>Aged care also welcomed two new completions by way of Regis Aged Acre's Malvern build and the Emmy Monash Aged Care/Gandel House complex on Hawthorn Road. According to architect Bates Smart's website, Emmy Monash involves 97 rooms with a variety of amenities and internal landscaped courtyards.

Icon Co delivered Emmy Monash with a construction value of $43 million.

<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/image1ac.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Malvern and Caulfield North upon completion"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="727" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image1ac.jpg?itok=6wodWCmW" title="Malvern and Caulfield North upon completion" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Malvern and Caulfield North upon completion</figcaption></figure>Not to be forgotten and staying close to Melbourne's CBD is the National Tennis Centre's Administration and Media Building. As the only commercial completion of late, the Hassell Studio-designed complex houses permanent admin offices above lower levels dedicated to media use. At peak use during the Australian Open, 600 media personnel can be accommodated over the building's lower 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_6865.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Administration and Media Building"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_6865.jpg?itok=ZTv-yKi3" title="Administration and Media Building" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Administration and Media Building</figcaption></figure>Finally one of the longest running builds has drawn to a close with Eastland's makeover complete. Designed by The Buchan Group, builder Probuild has seen the final eastern expansion works over the line, bringing a new dynamic to large-scale retail design in the process.

Readers may recall an article by Apartments.com.au earlier in the year highlighting the project's <a href="/news/a-new-public-realm-for-ringwood">highly impressive urban realm works</a> that are soon to be added to with the addition of a new multi-level hotel within the precinct.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image2_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Eastland, where even the car park holds a level of design intrigue"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="713" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image2_7.jpg?itok=_cWdvFTm" title="Eastland, where even the car park holds a level of design intrigue" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Eastland, where even the car park holds a level of design intrigue</figcaption></figure>See below further images of the above projects.
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Recent completions bolster suburban Melbourne's design dymanic

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The successful relationship between developer, architect and development/project manager rolls on with the emergence of plans for 15-27 Wreckyn Street.

With Mammoth Empire Holdings securing the site post an expression of interest campaign dating back to July 2014 which was handled by CBRE City Sales, plans for the North Melbourne site have been lodged two years later. Called for over the 2,271sqm are 191 dwellings, by way of apartments and a solitary townhouse.

Hayball are once more the architect of choice with PDS Group returning as project manager. Wreckyn Street shapes as Mammoth Empire Holdings' third Melbourne apartment development.

Formerly owned by Lort Smith veterinarian hospital, the T-shaped land holding maintains 130m of frontage to four separate street addresses.

<h2>15-27 Wreckyn Street aplication 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/image18_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Wreckyn Street perspective. Planning image: Hayball"><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_10.jpg?itok=WZxTHOFz" title="Wreckyn Street perspective. Planning image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Wreckyn Street perspective. Planning image: Hayball</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Application lodged July 2016</li>
	<li>Current use: vacant site post demolition </li>
	<li>Proposed: 11 level residential building at 33.9m in height</li>
	<li>191 dwellings: 1 x 2BR townhouse, 104 x 1BR, 85 x 2BR, 1 x 3BR</li>
	<li>71sqm retail space to Wreckyn and Vale intersection</li>
	<li>115 vehicle bays and 1119 bicycle bays within 3 basement levels</li>
	<li>Level 4 communal terrace at 151sqm &amp; level 8 communal lounge/terrace at 255sqm</li>
</ul>
With immediate buildings ranging between 5-6 levels, 15-27 Wreckyn Street is larger, although in the wider precinct context there are height precedents including the recently completed 33 Flemington Road at 18 levels.

The project's Urban Context Analysis report has identified the balance of the Lort Smith Animal Hospital as a prime development capable of handling multiple development outcomes on a similar scale to 15-27 Wreckyn Street. On the same block AZX Group are in control of <a href="/new-apartments/68-courtney-street-north-melbourne">68-74 Courtney Place</a> which involves another Hayball-designed apartment complex of 74 dwellings over 5 levels, raising the propects of the block bound by Wreckyn and Villers becoming a predominantly high density enclave.

15-27 Wreckyn Street itself will be finished off in a variety of brick patterned finishes with the hit and miss format prominent. Perforated metal screens, zinc cladding and brick snap precast panels will also be present over the project's 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/img_7659.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Empire continues to make rapid progression at the top end of Elizabeth 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_7659.jpg?itok=mxzJUYTw" title="Empire continues to make rapid progression at the top end of Elizabeth Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Empire continues to make rapid progression at the top end of Elizabeth Street</figcaption></figure>Should Mammoth Empire's Wreckyn Street proposal proceed as planned, the Malaysian-based developer would take its Melbourne development catalogue to in excess of 1,150 dwellings.

One of the early high-profile Asian-based entrants into Melbourne's property scene over recent years, Mammoth Empire has mirrored a number of its competitors by seeking a smaller development opportunities post a big entrance within Melbourne's CBD. That came by way of MY80 on Elizabeth and A'Beckett which produced 487 apartments.

Second in line was Empire on the corresponding corner to MY80, which involves 474 apartments. At the hand of head contractor Probuild, Empire is rapidly taking its place in the crowded northern CBD area, leaving Wreckyn Street as Mammoth Empire's next Melbourne play.
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Mammoth Empire seeks approval for a third Melbourne development

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The next wave of projects readying for construction will see well in excess of $1 billion worth of additional development across Melbourne. Supplementing recently awarded projects and open construction tenders, a handful of major projects are also seeking permits to begin the construction process.

The most recent site to receive builders signage is CBD Development Group's 288 Albert Street, with LU Simon snaring Brunswick's tallest current development. At 14 levels, 288 Albert Street joins the likes of Reflections and The Burgin Residence (ABD Group), Dux Richmond Hill (Hacer Group) and Meridian (Platinum Constructions) as projects which have builders in place, but have yet to start works onsite.

Combined the above five projects alone will add near enough to 750 new apartments to Melbourne's inner suburbs.

Whilst the above projects are poised to begin construction, a wave of additional projects are at construction tender. Among them are two aged care projects that continue Melbourne's verticalisation of retirement living.

<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/image28_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Design firm smith+tracey's St Kilda Road development will become reality"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="407" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image28_3.jpg?itok=f0986tyy" title="Design firm smith+tracey's St Kilda Road development will become reality" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Architecture firm smith+tracey's St Kilda Road design will become reality</figcaption></figure>Jewish Care Victoria and TLC Aged Care are both pursuing their respective projects on St Kilda Road and Queens Parade, Clifton Hill. With both freshly listed as new construction tenders, the end result will be hundreds of new aged care and community care beds, along with various facilities and services supplementing either development.

With its call to construction <a href="/news/construction-beckons-for-queens-place">recently outlined on Urban.com.au</a>, Queens Place Tower 1 headlines the prospective residential builds at tender. At the lower end of the size spectrum a swag of residential projects are also looking to lock away a builder. 

Rosslyn Apartments, Harvard Apartments, Piccolo Developments' 228-230 Dorcas Street, Rockley Gardens, 7-15 Little Oxford Street and the John Wardle Architects-designed 424 Malvern Road are all at tender.

<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/ext1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rosslyn Apartments. Image: The Buchan Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="325" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/ext1.jpg?itok=jCpz-FKb" title="Rosslyn Apartments. Image: The Buchan Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rosslyn Apartments. Image: The Buchan Group</figcaption></figure>In the student living stakes two noteworthy projects are at tender.

IGLU's 229 Franklin Street is a roughly 30 level tower that will mark the provider's entry into the Melbourne market, whilst Flemington Road is in for another shot of student living development. This is likely in the form of 5-17 Flemington Road, although a number of other student apartment projects are also active in the area.

From a commercial perspective three projects are preparing their tilt at construction, headlined by 161 Collins Street's T&amp;G Building refurbishment which is at tender. Owner Pembroke Real Estate's plans for the historic building involve a Bates Smart-driven overhaul of the famed Melbourne landmark.

Direct off Apartments.com.au's Forum is news that two of the CBD's larger commercial proposals have taken steps toward construction. 405 Bourke Street is subject to a Construction Management Plan submission which is with City of Melbourne and reportedly calls for a 10 month demolition and excavation programme, followed by 27 months of construction.

A Demolition Management Plan is also up for 477 Collins Street, with the Mirvac-backed development inching toward construction. Demolition is slated through to mid 2017, with construction complete in time for accounting firm Deloitte as the initial tenant to take up space by June 2020.

<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/side-elevation.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="405 Bourke Street as per the development's website"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="813" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/side-elevation.jpg?itok=UdkioSBY" title="405 Bourke Street as per the development's website" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>405 Bourke Street as per the development's website</figcaption></figure>
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