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.
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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Apartments

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Inner and metropolitan Melbourne is currently flush with development sites listed with the city's largest real estate firms, all of whom are still eager to cash in upon the favourable market factors allowing for consistently high sales prices.

A sweep through available listings sees scarce few truly blue-chip development sites on offer, but rather an abundance of noteworthy (some may argue secondary) development sites capable of handling a multitude of predominantly apartment projects. While development sites are always in demand, the increased number of permit approved development opportunities is also on the rise.

Seen below is an overview of what is currently on offer.

<h2>CBRE City Sales remain the dominant force</h2>

CBRE City Sales account for the majority of large development sites and schemes on offer. The most recent addition is 18 Moray Street on Southbank which has been offered for sale with a residential development scheme of 47 levels mooted over the 438sqm site. Also on Southbank and 57-59 Haig Street is also offered for sale, with an approved Bruce Henderson-designed 39 level apartment tower in tow.

Two additional heavyweight development sites are also under the guidance of CBRE City Sales; they being 596 St Kilda Road and 8 Claremont Street, South Yarra. Both plots are expected to see 20-odd level residential projects in due course.

Of the plethora of additional sites with CBRE City Sales up for grabs, a number stand out for differing reasons. <a href="/new-apartments/686-doncaster-doncaster">682-686 Doncaster Road Doncaster</a>, 808 Sydney Road Brunswick and 111 Canning Street North Melbourne are available with approved planning permits attached while <a href="/new-apartments/100-park-street-south-melbourne-vic-3205">100 Park Street South Melbourne</a> presents as one of the few projects which is available for purchase with significant apartment pre-sales in place. Developer 94 Feet has elected to move the site on.

Of the remaining CBRE City Sales listings 1234 Nepean Highway Cheltenham and 409 Spencer Street West Melbourne shape as likely residential plots capable of handling high-rise 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/image94.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Assorted projects within the CBRE City Sales stable"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="346" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image94.jpg?itok=bCzHDi9D" title="Assorted projects within the CBRE City Sales stable" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Assorted projects within the CBRE City Sales stable</figcaption></figure><h2>A clean slate</h2>

There is no shortage of traditional knock-down development sites on offer,although there'll be no knocking down of the first site shown below. Among Colliers healthy number of listings is 150 Oxford Street Collingwood. Covering 3,336.4sqm, the site sits within the Foy &amp; Gibson precinct and has been touted as a likely candidate for additional levels to be added above the existing structure.

Notable sites also with Colliers include 22-28 Courtney Street North Melbourne and The Millennium Site at 1000 La Trobe Street which has been <a href="/news/opportunity-arises-from-a-failed-digital-harbour-development">covered on Urban.com.au previously</a>.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image109_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Prospective development sites yet to enter the planning sphere"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image109_0.jpg?itok=QlvCWD9A" title="Prospective development sites yet to enter the planning sphere" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Prospective development sites yet to enter the planning sphere</figcaption></figure>Fitzroys are offering 63-69 City Road Southbank with an indicative outline suggesting a slim tower in the vicinity of 200 metres is on the cards while JLL have listed 87-105 Racecourse Road North Melbourne. At 6,500sqm the site could accommodate multiple buildings in any chosen form.

Perhaps most interesting is 134-148 Little Lonsdale Street and 17-23 Bennetts Lane Melbourne with Mulcahy &amp; Co listing the 1,543sqm site. In what was once a low-rise precinct, the area has seen intense residential development including the completed 57-level Abode 318 and the proposed 52 level 141-149 La Trobe Street which backs on to Bennetts Lane.

<h2>Permit approved sites lessen the workload</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/image97.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="a variety of approved development schemes currently on offer"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="432" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image97.jpg?itok=-bFDJr6I" title="a variety of approved development schemes currently on offer" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>a variety of approved development schemes currently on offer</figcaption></figure>The term 'flipping' has become quite prevalent of late, with negative connotations associated with the term in certain circles. It could be argued more often than not though the selling of permit approved development sites is generally the result of land owners realising the worth of their land, but also not having the financial means or experience to bring a given development to fruition.

Seen above are another five permit approved development sites currently available. Vinci Carbone have<a href="/developments/north-melbourne-vic-3051"> 3-5 Bedford Place North Melbourne</a> as being 'under contract' while Crabtrees' <a href="/buildings/chester-3-chesterville-road-cheltenham">3 Chesterville Road Cheltenham</a> is also available, involving 32 apartments within a six level development.

Others ready to go include <a href="/buildings/m-carnegie-316-neerim-road-carnegie">316-320 Neerim Road Carnegie</a>, 3-7 Noble Street Noble Park with 92 approved apartments, <a href="/new-apartments/53-earl-street-kew">53 Earl Street Kew </a>and 2-8 Barry Street, Brunswick. Combined these six projects could yield 282 if realised.
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silvermb

Development sites to the fore

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Already underpinned by a handful of current apartment developments, Moonee Ponds looks set to receive as many as 400 new apartments over two separate residential buildings.

The suburb's two main property developers are behind the respective developments. The Moloney Group continues to add to their pipeline of projects in and around the Moonee Ponds Activity Centre with 687 Mount Alexander Road, while Cremorne-based Caydon by virtue of their purchase of the expansive 13,390sqm Readings site weigh in with that site's first offering, 36 Margaret 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/image58aw.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Amnon Weber's design for 687 Mount Alexander Road"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="553" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image58aw.jpg?itok=xVFzDSe9" title="Amnon Weber's design for 687 Mount Alexander Road" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Amnon Weber's design for 687 Mount Alexander Road</figcaption></figure>Revised plans have been submitted for <a href="/new-apartments/687-mount-alexander-road-moonee-ponds">687 Mount Alexander Road</a> in response to requests made by Moonee Valley City Council. In its current form 687 Mount Alexander Road would see 220 apartments created within a 14 level residential tower. Originally prepared during December 2014, the rejigged design also sees the creation of six new retail spaces at ground level with a total of 548sqm available.

Within the Amnon Weber-designed tower are 94 x 1 bedroom apartments, 122 x two bedroom apartments and 4 x three bedroom apartments designated as penthouses. 167 car parking spaces and 134 bicycle bays are catered for within two basement levels.

Post the completion of One9 Apartments, The Moloney Group have <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/west/moonee-ponds-to-become-mecca-for-highrises/story-fngnvmj7-1226880892573">four separate development plots</a> in their Moonee Ponds portfolio. 687 Mount Alexander Road joins fellow 14-level proposal <a href="/news/central-35-33-35-hall-street-moonee-ponds">33 Hall Street</a> as projects which have gone to council on behalf of the developer.

<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/image59mar.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Preliminary marketing image for 36 Margaret Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="339" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image59mar.jpg?itok=F2Doevr6" title="Preliminary marketing image for 36 Margaret Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Preliminary marketing image for 36 Margaret Street</figcaption></figure>Elsewhere and Fender Katsalidis Architects have landed in Moonee Ponds with a scheme for 176 dwellings within 36 Margaret Street. Conceived for Caydon, the project consists of 79 x single bedroom apartments, 34 singles with an additional flexi room and 63 x two bedroom options.

Oculus have devised a green and timber rooftop deck with entertainment pods, inground spa, hanging chairs and an expansive dining area included. 36 Margaret Street represents the first phase of Caydon's Moonee Ponds precinct, with a further three stages of development to follow. It's unknown whether Caydon will go with <a href="/buildings/hall-st-40-hall-street-moonee-ponds">40 Hall Street</a> which went to council under previous site owner Leighton Properties; 40 Hall Street shapes as forming part of Stage 2 of the site's development.

As part of future development of the Readings plot, a new pedestrian thoroughfare with bisect the site, linking Homer Street and Hall Street. Adjacent to the thoroughfare will be a half acre Oculus-designed garden and leisure area for use by residents.

<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/image62.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The private garden and public passage envisaged for the Readings site"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="346" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image62.jpg?itok=ei6Kq921" title="The private garden and public passage envisaged for the Readings site" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The private garden and public passage envisaged for the Readings site</figcaption></figure>Moonee Ponds has progressed inline with many Melbourne suburbs of late in that it has seen an increased amount of apartment development activity.

Set to join <a href="/buildings/the-montgomery-521-mt-alexander-road-moonee-ponds">The Montgomery</a> and <a href="/buildings/twenty-park-20-park-street-moonee-ponds">20 Park Street</a> under construction is <a href="/new-apartments/mopo-333-ascot-vale-road-moonee-ponds">MO.PO.</a> with the 11 level, 126-apartment development to be taken on by Buildcorp Commercial. Close-by and Giancorp have approval for a mixed-use building at <a href="/buildings/penny-lane-moonee-ponds-6-14-young-street-moonee-ponds">6-14 Young Street</a> while <a href="/new-apartments/sur-53-homer-street-moonee-ponds">Iliad on Homer</a> adds to the projects which are currently at sales in the area.

Rounding out the notable apartment developments within Moonee Ponds are <a href="/new-apartments/moore-21-moore-street-moonee-ponds">21-23 Moore Street</a> and CDG's <a href="/buildings/9-shuter-street-moonee-ponds">3-9 Shuter Street</a> which between them have the ability to add another 100 plus apartments to the locale.
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Moonee Ponds on the up and up!

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GUEST OBSERVER
The Inner Sydney apartment market has experienced a rise in demand for off–the–plan apartments in recent years, which has resulted in new supply reaching its highest annual total in fifteen years of 3,350 apartments in 2014/15. 
In particular, development in Inner Sydney has been dominated by large scale and high rise development in the following locations: 
<ul>
<li>City Core, including Quay (1), City Centre (2) and City South (3)</li>
<li>Pyrmont/Ultimo (4),</li>
<li>East Sydney (5),</li>
<li>Surry Hills (6)</li>
<li>South Dowling (7)</li>
<li>
North Sydney (8) 
</li>
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APARTMENT PROFILE
Rental apartments account for 55% of total apartments in the ISA area, considerably higher than the 28% share across all Greater Sydney dwellings. This highlights the preference of investors to purchase low maintenance dwellings such as apartments, as well as properties close to good transport links and major commercial, retail and entertainment centres, such as a Central Business District, where tenant demand is likely to be greatest.
Owner occupied dwellings represented 34% of ISA area stock, with a greater share of these having a mortgage (being purchased). Conversely, an Inner Sydney apartment area significantly higher 65% of all Greater Sydney dwellings were owner occupied.
In addition, unoccupied dwellings—those that are held as second homes or kept empty as a speculative investment—comprise 11% of total apartment stock in the ISA area, compared to 8% across Greater Sydney. Despite relatively high new apartment supply in 2014/15 being forecast to continue through to 2018/19, unoccupied apartments share of total ISA area dwellings is not expected to substantially increase. Given the current deficiency of rental stock in the ISA area, the majority of investor purchased apartments are likely to be made available for rental. 
 
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 Rents, Prices and Yields
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Table 2 outlines the weighted median two bedroom (the most common type of unit) rent and weighted median unit price of the ISA area post codes, along with an indicative yield representing the rent divided by the price.
Tight vacancy rates of below 2% in Inner Sydney during the second half of the 2000s decade resulted in solid unit rental growth and the indicative yield in the ISA area improving to a high of 5.93% at June 2009.
Unit rental yields remained relative attractive over the following four years to June 2013, at above 5.5%. However, an easing trend emerged in 2012/13, as interest rate cuts from late 2011 started to lift purchaser demand, which drove solid unit price growth of 7.4% in 2012/13.
The low interest rate environment has persisted, strengthening investor demand, which has resulted in solid unit price growth of 10.2% in 2013/14 and an estimated 9.5% in 2014/15. Relatively low borrowing costs also reduced cash outflows for investors and diminished the necessity for landlords to seek a higher rental return, leading to rental growth of less than 1% in 2013/14 and a similar expected rise in 2014/15. Consequently, the indicative unit yield in the ISA area has diminished to an estimated 4.65% at June 2015, and slightly below the previous low 2003–2004 levels. 
 
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Angie Zigomanis is senior manager, BIS Shrapnel and can be contacted <a href="mailto:azigomanis@bis.com.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
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angiezigomanis-VT64gGbExQ

Inner Sydney's apartment constraints: BIS Shrapnel's Angie Zigomanis

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The past fortnight has brought a number of high profile approvals which have been placed firmly in the public eye, but what of the lesser known planning applications that have been given or are poised to receive the green?

85-93 Lorimer Street, 1 Warde Street and Avant at 54-64 A'Beckett street have all had their time in the sun owing to their sizeable nature, with the three projects combining to add as many as 1,780 apartments to the Melbourne skyline. Avant in particular is set to make a striking addition to the northern end of the CBD due to it's reddish-pink exterior, carrying an expected $500 million development tag along the way.

There has also been a wave of other approvals of late, all of which will add to the city's development pipeline. In a variety of locations, some of the more notable developments to gain approval include:

<h2>3 Shiel Street, North Melbourne</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/1018_3-5_shielst_tp_-_3d_view_-_view_01_-_shiel_st.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="3 Shiel street has been given the green light. Image courtesy SPEC Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="321" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/1018_3-5_shielst_tp_-_3d_view_-_view_01_-_shiel_st.jpg?itok=YJ6c1Xfe" title="3 Shiel street has been given the green light. Image courtesy SPEC Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>3 Shiel street has been given the green light. Image courtesy SPEC Property</figcaption></figure>SPEC Property have secured a permit for a project dubbed The Shiel Apartments at 3 Shiel Street, North Melbourne. Melbourne City Council saw fit to provide a permit for the 65-apartment project earlier this month.

The Shiel Street development is notable in that it along with a handful of other projects sited on Shiel Street and the adjoining Haines Street represent the vanguard push of residential developers into the Arden-Macaulay Precinct; a large tract of North Melbourne and Kensington slated to become a high density residential zone.

<h2>20-22 Queens Road and 74 Eastern Road</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/image34_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Queens Road and Eastern Road"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="295" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image34_3.jpg?itok=19_PZJCm" title="Queens Road and Eastern Road" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Queens Road and Eastern Road</figcaption></figure>VCAT have ruled on both these projects which fell under the jurisdiction of Port Phillip City Council. Respective developers JD Group and GURNER are now free to pursue their approved schemes as they see fit.

20-22 Queens Road is the larger of the two developments at 17 levels, consuming a 4,598 sqm site and holding 269 dwellings. Both projects are at the foot of Albert Park, with 20-22 Queens Road set to enjoy unencumbered views.

<h2>6-10 Keele Street, Collingwood</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/image296.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="SJB's Keele Street design"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="330" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image296.jpg?itok=eHEkmgkP" title="SJB's Keele Street design" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>SJB's Keele Street design</figcaption></figure>Keele Street comes into focus as the latest project for local developer Pirovich. Submitted during late 2014, the SJB-designed project has gained approval according to Yarra City Council. With a determination dated June 25th, the 55-apartment project over a 930sqm block has a nominal value of $12 million and looks set to join the multitude of apartments projects within postcode 3066.

<h2>Incoming</h2>

Two high-profile projects are also set to gain approval in the not-too-distant future. A planning officer's report set to be tabled before Monash City Council on July 28th recommends the approval of The Glen redevelopment at 227 Springvale Road. Initially submitted with 515 apartments over three buildings, a variety of conditions have been suggested, chief of which is the reduction of the 'Signature Tower' from 86 metres to 63.7 metres in height.

<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/about-header-2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression of the revamped Royal Womens Hospital"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="329" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/about-header-2.jpg?itok=bJA6Ih-7" title="Artist's impression of the revamped Royal Womens Hospital" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist's impression of the Royal Women's Hospital first stage</figcaption></figure>July 28th also looms as the date where <a href="http://www.carltonconnect.com.au/">Carlton Connect</a> will formally be adopted by Melbourne City Council. The project involves rezoning the former Royal Women’s Hospital to allow for a comprehensive redevelopment yielding three buildings which are expected to accommodate Australia’s premier innovation precinct.

Melbourne University will anchor the redevelopment which will seek to deepen the application of knowledge throughout the Australian economy according to the project's website.
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Poised and primed: key developments gain approval

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White-hot developer GURNER has continued Footscray's apartment march by gaining approval for a twin tower development capable of accommodating between 350-380 apartments. Estimated at over $200 million in value, <a href="/buildings/liberty-one-1-warde-street-footscray">1 Warde Street</a> is another joint effort between GURNER and the irrepressible Elenberg Fraser.

Submitted for assessment during July 2012, the project which sits within Footscray's Joseph Road Precinct has been subject to a very lengthy approvals process which has seen the initial design consisting of 19 and 26 level buildings adjusted to carry dual 25 level towers. Consequently the apartment yield has increased from an initial 311 to as many as 380 within the approved version, with 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments expected.

With such a long lead in time prior to approval GURNER has stated they expect to reflect the low cost of site purchase (relative to today's robust market) via highly competitive apartment pricing at the time of the project's release.

<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/image1warde.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Initial and approved schemes. Images courtesy Elenberg Fraser &amp; GURNER"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="367" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image1warde.jpg?itok=W1LnwV_K" title="Initial and approved schemes. Images courtesy Elenberg Fraser &amp; GURNER" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Initial and approved 1 Warde Street designs. Images courtesy Elenberg Fraser &amp; GURNER</figcaption></figure>Dubbed Romeo and Juliet on GURNER's website, 1 Warde Street will hold 4,000sqm's of retail space at ground level, in part servicing the wider Joseph Road Precinct precinct which is expected to see thousands of apartments constructed.

<h2>Tim Gurner's take</h2>

<blockquote>
The site was purchased over four years ago when prices were siting below long-term averages so we are now able to pass this on to purchasers by delivering a project that will rival our crowning ‘FV’ project in Brisbane at prices that sit under market rates, ensuring our clients enjoy long term capital gains.

This regeneration precinct in Footscray is the perfect opportunity to breathe new life into a former industrial precinct and create a thriving residential, retail and cultural hub within five kilometres of the CBD. People who buy into the early stages of new precincts such as this one, tend to do incredibly well as they buy against the market trends and then see a large upswing when the precinct really starts to take shape.

We saw it with Port Melbourne and Richmond’s former industrial precincts which have now been transformed into luxury apartment pockets so I believe Joseph Road will be another example where people will kick themselves down the track if they don’t get in early.

Having just received planning approval from the State Government we will now move into the early design stages and we hope to bring this project to market in early 2016. We are excited to bring this project to the market as soon as possible; I’m happy to see there are other developers already in the market there as the activity will help put this precinct on the map.

There has been talk that this precinct may become over populated with new developments however we see it no differently to opening an Italian restaurant or cafe on Lygon Street - as long as you ensure you are delivering the best possible coffee or product in the market at a competitive price, it is sure to be a success.
<cite>Tim Gurner</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>On a wider note</h2>

1 Warde Street is the latest development to enter the GURNER stable, which includes <a href="/buildings/107-cambridge-street-collingwood">107 Cambridge Street</a> and <a href="/buildings/28-stanley-street-collingwood">28 Stanley Street</a> (both of which have sold out prior to construction) and the recently announced apartment conversion of 57 Johnston Street, Fitzroy. In addition <a href="/buildings/74-eastern-road-south-melbourne">74 Eastern Road</a> and <a href="/new-apartments/278-282-kings-way-south-melbourne">278-282 Kings Way</a> shape as forthcoming projects.

With sales of 1 Warde Street expected to hit sales at the beginning of 2016, the interceding period will see GURNER and Elenberg Fraser embark upon an expanded design process prior to the project's launch. Incidentally Warde Street also caps off a successful fortnight for Elenberg Fraser, with planning approval also secured for two additional projects. <a href="/developments/docklands-vic-3008">85-93 Lorimer Street</a> and <a href="/buildings/avant-60-abeckett-street-melbourne">Avant</a> within Melbourne's CBD are also the handy work of the Queen Street-based architecture practice.

<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_3578.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Joseph Road Precinct set to rise"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="257" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_3578.jpg?itok=M-t40ddz" title="Joseph Road Precinct set to rise" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Joseph Road Precinct set to rise</figcaption></figure>The approval of 1 Warde Street is also another shot of momentum for Joseph Road Precinct, with 2015 a year of excel for the designated urban renewal area. In addition to GURNER's Warde Street approval, AZX Group's <a href="/buildings/riverina-22-hopkins-street-footscray">Riverina</a> has sold strongly, with a construction tender now open on the first phase of the 968-apartment project.

Joining the above two developments is <a href="/new-apartments/footscray-vic-3011">The Tannery</a> which is slated for a construction start as of late 2015 while directly opposite Joseph street Precinct another large project is on the verge of commencing sales. The Riverside located at <a href="/buildings/the-riverside-1-moreland-street-footscray">1 Moreland Street</a> is set to carry in excess of 200 apartments, with an onsite display suite nearing completion.​
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GURNER's 1 Warde Street adds to Joseph Road Precinct's momentum

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Not another apartment development on <a href="/buildings/e-s-smith-368-374-smith-street-collingwood">Smith Street</a>? Well, no, Trilby is not like any other in certain regards with the team at SPEC Property going to great lengths in order to tailor the development toward the owner-occupier market.

Apartments.com.au visited the display at 410 Smith Street Collingwood in recent days following SPEC Property's latest residential release. The broad-ranging discussion encompassed topics such as the shifting dynamics of the residential sector, successfully designing a project relative to its surrounds and harnessing the target buyer for a development aiming to achieve an 80% owner-occupier buyer rate.

<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/shot01-hero.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Trilby as envisaged from smith Street. Image courtesy SPEC Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="406" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/shot01-hero.jpg?itok=XUrZsymn" title="Trilby as envisaged from smith Street. Image courtesy SPEC Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Trilby as envisaged from smith Street. Image courtesy SPEC Property</figcaption></figure>SPEC Property like many local developers has recognised a shift toward smaller scale, non-CBD developments which are more intimate in nature than the sizeable towers within Melbourne's CBD. Shying away from large, investor-grade apartment stock is nothing new to SPEC Property, with a sweep through the Apartments.com.au Project Database showing <a href="/developers/samma-property-group">eight small and medium-scale residential developments</a> currently under the guidance of the Cremorne-based property outfit.

<a href="/buildings/trilby-466-smith-street-collingwood">Trilby Apartments</a> is the latest to join this stable of projects. Upon purchasing the site the developer immediately went about redesigning the initial scheme which was still with Yarra City Council. Chief architect Ariel Lopez of Inhabit Design explained that the previous scheme was not in line with the developers expectations and ethos, thus the decision was made to rework every aspect of the project to better suit its setting.

Consequently Trilby apartments now presents as being more open to Smith Street, and with a softer exterior relative to the previous proposed design. Timber and greenery have been introduced, as has been a revised podium that better integrates with the retained facade.

<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/shot06-loft-apartment.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression of a loft within Trilby. Image courtesy SPEC Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="313" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/shot06-loft-apartment.jpg?itok=f0qzsgkM" title="Artist's impression of a loft within Trilby. Image courtesy SPEC Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist's impression of a loft within Trilby. Image courtesy SPEC Property</figcaption></figure>Maintaining every aspect of development from design to delivery in-house, SPEC Property have gone with a revamped interior layout in order to create living options that will best suit the target market. The in-house nature of the business allows for, and almost demands that the developer taps into their customer database in order to gain critical feedback on issues of design, livability and the like.

Consequently loft apartments have been introduced throughout the Trilby podium; a direct result of the success of their experience of placing lofts within <a href="/buildings/helio-91-flemington-road-north-melbourne">Helio</a> on Flemington Road.

The sales team have been delighted to date with the volume of foot traffic through the display suite. Quizzed on the catchment area of both prospective and actual purchasers, it's explained that the bulk of traffic to date is from Collingwood and surrounding suburbs, with a skew to areas such as Kew and Hawthorn. Tram 86 which stretches to Bundoora also accounts for a notable amount of display traffic, with a tram stop in close vicinity to the display front door.

Downsizers have also been prevalent in the buyer profile, with the most notable being a couple who have chosen to leave Shepparton behind in favour of a podium loft-style apartment.

In addition to the lofts, terrace apartments are located over level three with the balance of the building's 106 dwellings dedicated toward one and two bedroom apartments; all of which have been given the touch befitting of an apartment set to be owner-occupied. As Ariel Lopez explained, it serves no purpose going to such great design lengths to simply churn out further investor-driven apartment stock.

<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/image55_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A two bedroom interior. Image courtesy SPEC Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="367" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image55_2.jpg?itok=DmBd6IZ1" title="A two bedroom interior. Image courtesy SPEC Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A two bedroom interior. Image courtesy SPEC Property</figcaption></figure>As such the apartments are finished to an exceedingly high level and carry a number of features previously unseen by Apartments.com.au. The surprise within the display are the kitchen kickboards which are actually draws, providing additional storage space.

All apartment finishes carry an industrial edge in their design. Aged bronzed tapware, Smeg appliances and powder-coated steel island benches define the kitchen spaces, with a similar motif throughout the bathrooms. Resembling plywood in appearance, the novel finish to the joinery continues the industrial theme, but with an underlying quality.

Crowning Trilby will be an external rooftop deck incorporating a lounge and kitchen, library, bar, ping pong facilities, playground, outdoor cinema and Teppanyaki grill. Bricks salvaged from the site demolition will be reused throughout the rooftop deck, bringing a lived-in quality to the communal area while avoiding the perception of sterility which tends to define many communal areas of recent residential projects through Melbourne.

In-house builder TriUrban Construction is set to commence construction works on Trilby 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/image56_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Recycled bricks frame the rooftop area. Image courtesy SPEC Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image56_1.jpg?itok=NF_Ey5xE" title="Recycled bricks frame the rooftop area. Image courtesy SPEC Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Recycled bricks frame the rooftop area. Image courtesy SPEC Property</figcaption></figure>
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Trilby Apartments a reflection of its target market

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A planning application has been lodged with Yarra City Council for one of Melbourne's most recognisable development sites. Following a Colliers campaign to sell the Richmond Malt site during 2014, Caydon was revealed as the purchaser and has recently lodged plans for the first phase of the expansive site which includes the famed Nylex Clock.

With a land area in excess of 11,000sqm, the Richmond Malt site joins Caydon's existing adjoining development plot at 17-21 Harcourt Parade. The combined and expansive tract of land fronting Cremorne Street, Gough Street and Harcourt Parade has seen the development team indicate that a new residential-based precinct will be rolled out over stages.

The current planning application designated 2 Gough Street is relevant to a portion of the Richmond Malt site, with the balance of that site which includes the concrete silos and Nylex Clock, and the Harcourt Parade development site subject to future planning applications.

<h2>2 Gough Street (Stage 1A) 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/image3malt.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Renders of the proposed residential tower. Image courtesy Fender Katsalidis"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="273" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image3malt.jpg?itok=MKvPqPQs" title="Renders of the proposed residential tower. Image courtesy Fender Katsalidis" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Renders of the proposed residential tower. Image courtesy Fender Katsalidis</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Total site area: 11,337sqm with 1A site area of 2,128sqm</li>
	<li>19 storeys at 57.25 metres in height</li>
	<li>271 apartments: 187 x 1BR / 83 x 2BR / 1 x 3BR</li>
	<li>6 SOHO dwellings: 4 x 2BR / 2 x 1873BR</li>
	<li>2 retail tenancies, including a 474sqm IGA supermarket</li>
	<li>366 car parks and 184 bicycle bays over basement and podium levels</li>
	<li>GFA: 37,722sqm</li>
</ul>
<h2>Tower design</h2>

<blockquote>
The Parcel 1A building has been designed by Fender Katsilidis, a well-regarded Melbourne architecture firm, and utilises a design response which reflects the existing disorder, layering and eclectic mix of building styles, ages, shapes, materials and colours present across the Richmond Malt site.

This existing character is referenced through the inclusion of the B4 heritage building, angular podium, retained wall fragments, and twin tower components, which each have their own distinct visual appearance. This conglomeration of building styles reflects the existing characteristics as set out above. Landscaping pockets including creepers, green walls and planter boxes work to further emphasise the building’s form, whilst also referencing the existing, ad hoc landscaping across the wider Richmond Malt site.
<cite>Urbis: Town Planning Report</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>Site permeability a focus</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/image132.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Conceptual laneway format and landscaping. Image courtesy Oculus"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="297" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image132.jpg?itok=sB5lqbuq" title="Conceptual laneway format and landscaping. Image courtesy Oculus" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Conceptual laneway format and landscaping. Image courtesy Oculus</figcaption></figure>Oculus have been charged with creating enhanced public spaces, with three design principles in place:

<ul>
<li>Public Theatre: Creating opportunities for people to occupy and use the landscape</li>
	<li>Indoor / Outdoor: Creating a permeable landscape that bridges both internal and external spaces to devise a responsive and fluid landscape</li>
	<li>Domesticating: Utilising an adaptive approach to greening</li>
</ul>
Arranged in a semi-grid format, the public realm surrounding Parcel 1A will be framed by green walls, elevated lawn terraces and a viewing platform above the Yarra.

Nominated landscaping materials include recycled brick, concrete, bluestone, corrugated iron and steel; elements which are currently present onsite and which are expected to be incorporated into eventual works. The tower's podium also features a mixture of finishes designed to compliment both the landscaping and existing chararcter of the site.

Ochre and brick elements through the podium will reflect the existing brickwork seen over the wider Richmond Malt site, with the ochre referencing a section of the existing street which is expected to be retained.

<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/image131_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Indicative ground level landscaping within the development. Image courtesy Fender Katsalidis / Oculus"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="339" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image131_1.jpg?itok=lO729jTJ" title="Indicative ground level landscaping within the development. Image courtesy Fender Katsalidis / Oculus" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Indicative ground level landscaping within the development. Image courtesy Fender Katsalidis / Oculus</figcaption></figure><h2>2 Gough Street (Stage 1A) development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Caydon Property Group</li>
	<li>Architect: Fender Katsalidis</li>
	<li>Planning: URBIS</li>
	<li>Landscape report: Oculus</li>
	<li>Traffic: GTA Consultants</li>
	<li>Acoustic report: Renzo Tonin</li>
	<li>Waste management plan: RB Waste Consulting</li>
	<li>Wind report: Vipac</li>
	<li>Sustainability report: Simpson Kotzman</li>
</ul>
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The Richmond Malt site heads to planning

<html><body>
Australia’s first convertible apartment spaces have been revealed, designed by architecture practice ROTHELOWMAN and developed by Hamton.

The multifunctional spaces are prime examples of the innovation that can be achieved in small apartments despite current debate surrounding the implementation of minimum size standards.

Currently under construction, the spaces form part of the final stage in the master-planned Sanctuary on the River development, located in Abbotsford.

The apartments include moveable walls, pull down beds and integrated joinery, offering residents the flexibility to extend and define their living space as necessary.

The multifunctional capabilities of the compact design include cupboards that move to create a divider between a separate kitchen and bedroom, or removed for a studio-style apartment feel.

A bed folds out from the wall and an extra room can be created through a separate divider.

Australia’s first convertible spaces illustrate the exciting possibilities for flexible thinking around the way we perceive small living 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/image61.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A convertible apartment in action"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="220" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image61.jpg?itok=JBOwDaXp" title="A convertible apartment in action" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A convertible apartment in action</figcaption></figure><h2>A case for innovation</h2>

Convinced of the benefits a convertible space can offer, ROTHELOWMAN went on to test potential mechanisms for creating maximum spatial flexibility.

In an Australian first, ROTHELOWMAN were able to hone the living space down to the essentials.

They have created the apartment design from the ground up, incorporating multiple space-saving solutions to present a holistic, cohesive layout.

"Intelligently designed with meticulous attention to detail, the convertible spaces allow you to make the most of your space,” says ROTHELOWMAN principal Chris Hayton.

“By day you can have a studio apartment and by night you can maximise your entertainment capacity by increasing your living areas."
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Amelia Barnes

Inside Australia’s first convertible apartment

<html><body>
The correct answer to that question is: it's complicated.

On one hand if you look solely at the number of dwellings in developments, they are very much concentrated in the City of Melbourne + Fishermans Bend Renewal Area and the traditional high-density areas of inner Melbourne: Cities of Yarra, Stonnington and Port Phillip.

On the other hand if you are looking at the number of individual projects, regardless of the number of dwellings contained with in them, then the balance shifts. The centre of the city plus the traditional high-density areas of inner Melbourne make up 53% of all development projects within the Apartments.com.au project database, with the balance spread throughout what we deem to be the 'emerging' high-density areas of Melbourne and all other outer Local Government Areas.

Let's explain.

At the time of writing there are 805 projects listed in the project database and they can be broken into predominant use:

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th class="rtecenter" scope="col">Use</th>
			<th class="rtecenter" scope="col">Number of Projects</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="rtecenter">Residential</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">724</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td class="rtecenter">Mixed Use*</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">49</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td class="rtecenter">Commercial</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">28</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td class="rtecenter">Hotel</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">4</td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
* Mixed use buildings are where there is substantial other uses, for instance a residential tower with hotel suites or service apartments. Residential regularly feature retail or food outlet space but the primary tower levels are of a single use and therefore recorded as Residential.

If we exclude the commercial an hotel-only buildings we're left with 773 buildings which feature, or will feature, dwellings for sale depending on how far the project progresses through the development cycle.

<h2>The traditional high-density areas</h2>

Next we have dwelling count data for the majority of residential / mixed-use projects and that totals 91,568 for the entire metropolitan area. This is for projects that are either at Planning Assessment, Approved, at Sales or Under Construction. We can break the City of Melbourne plus the three LGAs which are traditionally high-density areas of Melbourne down geographically as follows:

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th class="rtecenter" scope="col">Local Government Area / Precinct</th>
			<th class="rtecenter" scope="col">Number of Projects</th>
			<th class="rtecenter" scope="col">Number of Dwellings</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="rtecenter">Melbourne + Fishermans Bend Urban renewal area</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">194</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">42,585</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td class="rtecenter">Yarra</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">84</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">6,154</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td class="rtecenter">Stonnington</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">74</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">5,667</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td class="rtecenter">Port Phillip (excluding Fishermans Bend)</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">56</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">4,443</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td class="rtecenter">Total</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">408 (53% of metro)</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">58,849 (64% of metro)</td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
There is little doubt that Central Melbourne is seeing the lion's share of medium and high density development, especially when it comes to purely looking at the number of dwellings. Those four local governments are generally located with a 5km radius of Melbourne's GPO (with the exception of Stonnington: it does stretch much further east, but as most of its development activity is concentrated in the western half within the 5km radius I've included it in the above table).

<h2>The emerging high-density areas and hotspots</h2>

Next we have the 'emerging' high-density areas. They're characterised with existing population densities with roughly 4,000 people square kilometre or less located beyond the inner 5km radius of the GPO.

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th class="rtecenter" scope="col">Local Government Area</th>
			<th class="rtecenter" scope="col">Number of Projects</th>
			<th class="rtecenter" scope="col">Number of Dwellings</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="rtecenter">Maribyrnong</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">30</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">6,006</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td class="rtecenter">Moreland</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">52</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">4,702</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td class="rtecenter">Darebin</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">41</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">3,382</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td class="rtecenter">Manningham</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">24</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">2,998</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td class="rtecenter">Whitehorse</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">32</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">2,617</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td class="rtecenter">Boroondara</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">39</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">2,305</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td class="rtecenter">Moonee Valley</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">29</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">2,111</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td class="rtecenter">Total</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">247 (32% of metro)</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">24,121 (26% of metro)</td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The main conclusion I draw from the numbers in the emerging areas is that Melbourne's north and immediate west are the biggest development hotspots outside the inner-city, away from where the majority of people currently live in metropolitan Melbourne. The arc from Maribyrnong to Darebin has just as much development in the pipeline as Yarra, Stonnington and Port Phillip (excluding Fishermans Bend) combined.

While Whitehorse is very much an established middle-ring suburban area, the urban-friendly infrastructure - high-frequency rail and a solid connecting bus network - puts the LGA firmly in the emerging area which might over time pip Manningham for clubhouse leader in the eastern suburbs.

<h2>The remainder</h2>

118 projects and 9,798 medium and high-density dwellings is nothing to sneeze at; just ask cities like Adelaide or Canberra.

Greater Dandenong with just under 10% of the near-on 10,000 dwellings in the development pipeline can only increase from here given it is now either entirely surrounded by suburban areas or green belts.

<h2>Conclusion</h2>

It's tempting to say yes, Melbourne's apartment boom is concentrated in the inner city, but as the data shows it depends on the primary metric in use when attempting to draw a conclusion and it also depends on what your definition of the inner city is.

A final thing to take away from the data tables listed above is that while many of the LGAs in the emerging list straddle the inner-city and middle ring of suburbs, there is an enormous pipeline of development work contained in these areas.

Yes, the inner-city is a beast of a thing but it would be idiotic to completely ignore what's hapenning beyond 5km from the GPO; these areas are richest when it comes to existing residential amenity, services and infrastructure, and they're the areas which have multiple structure plan reviews underway and have likewise undergone planning zone reform.
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Alastair Taylor

Is Melbourne's apartment boom concentrated in the inner city?

<html><body>
Having <a href="/news/you-i-enters-construction-phase">commenced construction during July 2013</a> with Apartments.com.au present at the <a href="/news/you-is-ground-breaking-ceremony">ground breaking ceremony</a>, this month saw the first residents of ICD Property's YOU &amp; I development begin moving in which also marks the developer's first completed apartment development in Melbourne.

Located along one of Melbourne’s most iconic streetscapes, YOU &amp; I at 450 Smith Street Collingwood consists of 63 apartments designed by Orbit Solutions. Apartments.com.au toured the recently completed building with ICD Property Director of Operations and Development Manager, Sal Quah, who said the team was thrilled to deliver its first project in its expanding development portfolio.

<blockquote>
We’ve had a busy few years and are pleased to see all of our efforts come to life through the completion of YOU &amp; I where buyers have been quick to recognize our vision in creating developments that contribute to Australia’s urban fabric.

YOU &amp; I is just one chapter completed of the ICD Property story with a series of developments underway including Eq. Tower and our latest collaborative project, Maple in Hawthorn, with Melbourne developer, ANGLE also completely sold out.
<cite>Sal Quah</cite>
</blockquote>

ICD recognised the potential of Collingwood as an emerging and desirable suburb due to the popularity of Smith Street and its restaurants, cafes, boutique shops and retail outlets which are considered some of the best in Melbourne. As a result YOU &amp; I is one of the first larger scale residential developments to be built on Smith Street, acting as a visual landmark, particularly when approaching from the north.

<blockquote>
The building represents one of the suburb’s largest residential gentrification projects along the famed Smith Street shopping strip, and we are pleased to breathe new life into this emerging Melbourne suburb.

Considered as one of Melbourne’s most exciting and highly coveted new lifestyle precincts, its little surprise the response we have received in the project from buyers and the local Collingwood community alike.
<cite>Sal Quah</cite>
</blockquote>

With Collingwood once famed for its local artisan residents during the 60s, 70s and 80s, the project team strived to assemble the best collaborators in order to design a development that would contribute to Collingwood’s unique character.

YOU &amp; I has integrated a selection of artworks from local Melbourne artist, Steve Rosendale, turning what would be an otherwise static and blank façade into a visually interesting storyboard which alludes to and draws upon Collingwood's eclectic and artistic history.

Rosendale has created five custom, larger-than-life stencil-style artworks which adorn the façades, referencing the retro and underground cinematic culture that was once synonymous with the area.

At 7-storeys tall and with significant upper level setbacks, the building features a robust base with timber highlights to soffits with a vertically expressed veil that acts to create "visual ambiguity" for the pedestrian. Residents will have access to the communal terrace located on level three of the development which opens out and holds views over Smith Street and back towards the Melbourne CBD skyline.

The setback was employed to alleviate planning concerns about the height and bulk of the building to the 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/you_i_023.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The upper veiled volume setback from Smith Street. Image courtesy ICD Property."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/you_i_023.jpg?itok=qLhxWnIw" title="The upper veiled volume setback from Smith Street. Image courtesy ICD Property." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The upper veiled volume setback from Smith Street. Image courtesy ICD Property.</figcaption></figure>The now fully sold apartments feature soft, neutral interiors with quality fittings and finishes used throughout, with buyers offered a selection of either a light or dark colour palette. Kitchens feature stone benchtops and Miele appliances with apartment afforded ample daylight coupled with generous ceiling heights, giving even the smaller apartments a spacious feel.

Bathrooms feature concealed in-wall cistern and chevron-patterned tiling that tie in with the contemporary look and feel of the 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/you_i_002.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A typical one bedroom apartment. Image courtesy ICD Property,"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/you_i_002.jpg?itok=j-r6znfT" title="A typical one bedroom apartment. Image courtesy ICD Property," width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A typical one bedroom apartment. Image courtesy ICD Property,</figcaption></figure>Sustainability has been considered and included within the building's design via a grey water harvesting system and solar panels that contribute to the building’s energy needs whilst reduce hot water bills.

A ground floor retail tenancy fronting Smith Street has been reserved for a potential café or restaurant space to be occupied with the option to also accommodate multiple smaller tenancies. The tenancy appears to float above the street with planting beds sitting below the projecting plates. Operable windows allow the space to open up to the street and allow for passive surveillance and visual interaction with the action along Smith Street.

Residents access the building via an entry lobby off Mater Street that also accommodates the mailboxes and can also be accessed from the basement car parking level which features triple height car stackers per parking bay and a bicycle storage area. Storage cages are located within a mezzanine level that has been created as a result of the basement's double height space.

<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/you_i_024.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="YOU &amp; I Entry lobby. Image courtesy ICD Property."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/you_i_024.jpg?itok=GCwBxXOl" title="YOU &amp; I Entry lobby. Image courtesy ICD Property." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>YOU &amp; I Entry lobby. Image courtesy ICD Property.</figcaption></figure><h2>Key facts</h2>

<ul>
<li>Address: 450 Smith Street, Collingwood</li>
	<li>Developer: ICD Property</li>
	<li>Architect: Orbit Architecture</li>
	<li>Builder: Harris HMC</li>
	<li>Number of apartments: 63 (28 x 1 bedroom apartments and 35 x 2 bedroom apartments)</li>
	<li>Sizes of apartments in square metres internally:
	<ul>
<li>1 bed 1 bath apartment size 40.3-62.6 m2 (Internal)</li>
		<li>2 bed 1 bath apartment size 61.3 m2 (Internal)</li>
		<li>2 bed 2 bath apartment size 63.8-86.9 m2(Internal)</li>
	</ul>
</li>
	<li>Who is buying: 50% owner occupier, 50% investor</li>
	<li>Prices:
	<ul>
<li>1 bedroom apartments from $385,000-418,000</li>
		<li>2 bedroom / 1 bathroom apartments from $519,000-580,000</li>
		<li>2 bedroom / 2 bathroom apartments from $530,000-680,000</li>
	</ul>
</li>
</ul>
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