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

Architects

Due North is the latest development by the respected Melbourne developer Caydon Property, located in the hive of Melbourne&#39;s lively Preston precinct.

Inspired by the industrial past of Preston, the&nbsp;fa&ccedil;ade of the 12-level High Street building features raw brickwork, exposed concrete, custom metalwork and glass.

Caydon aren&#39;t like most developers, whose standard practice is to outsource the architecture and design to an independent firm.

Urban recently sat down with&nbsp;Giuditta De Santis, Caydon&#39;s&nbsp;director of architecture and design, to discuss the Melbourne development.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5502 project_image_fid=155335]

MK: Due North was managed and delivered by Caydon&rsquo;s in-house team. Why do you think this adds value to the project?

GDS: Working in-house allows us to take full ownership of the project, and helps simplify decision making.

Our team is very experienced and resourceful, and working in-house helps us maintain control of the overall design and ensure material consistency.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5502 project_image_fid=155330]

MK: What was the design brief for the Architecture &amp; Design Team?

GDS: We wanted to ensure that the interiors reflected the modern yet eclectic vibe of the suburb.

So when looking at finishes and fixtures, we created a contemporary palette of stone, marble, timber flooring and a choice of grey or charcoal colour palettes.

MK: What spoke to you about Due North in particular?

GDS: Due North has a fantastic location, right in the hive of High St. Preston is a very vibrant suburb and has a great amount of local amenities.

We wanted the size of the project to reflect the area, so it&rsquo;s a more boutique-style development. &nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5502 project_image_fid=155332]

MK: Due North boasts a number of communal amenities. What are some of the amenities and benefits that residents can expect to enjoy?

GDS: Many of Due North&rsquo;s amenities are located on the rooftop, giving you stunning views of the city - which is quite unusual in this area. There&rsquo;s also a rooftop pool, yoga lawn, outdoor gym, and private entertaining booths with BBQs.

I think this space will be hugely popular with residents, as it allows them to form new connections in a safe and peaceful environment.

Shared spaces create a feeling of community in the building, especially in times where many of us value our immediate community, including our neighbours.

Working from home has also cemented itself in our 9-5 culture, so there are a variety of coworking spaces in the lobby. Each space is equipped with everything you&rsquo;d need to set up your laptop and work from home.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5502 project_image_fid=155331]

MK: What design features have you included that the average homebuyer may not notice straight away?

GDS: We really wanted Due North to reflect the current needs of our homebuyers, which is why we have focused on creating ample storage, working from home spaces, and pet-friendly living.

For example, we ensure that there are additional areas for storage when we design a floorplan - such as linen cupboards and fully fitted robes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5502 project_image_fid=155338]

In terms of working from home, many of our apartments have a flexi-space that you can turn into a home office, plus there&rsquo;s a coworking area downstairs that is available for all residents to use.

When choosing materials and finishes, we look at what is easiest to clean and can withstand playtime with our furry friends, such as engineered timber flooring and reconstituted stone benchtops.

Plus, all of our apartments have balconies and shared outdoor spaces that both you and your pets can also enjoy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5502 project_image_fid=155337]

MK: Were there any challenges during the development or design process that you had to overcome?

GDS: Melbourne&rsquo;s lockdown would be the key challenge we have had to overcome. It&rsquo;s quite hard to collaborate with our suppliers online, plus sourcing materials and samples of finishes was very difficult during this time.

However, in the end, the team really pulled together, and we were able to overcome these issues.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=5502]

Caydon director of architecture and design, Giuditta De Santis, discusses the Melbourne development

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"The interiors created to reflect the modern yet eclectic vibe of the suburb" - The design details behind Due North, Preston apartments

If you&#39;re looking for an affordably priced home, without compromising on quality or style, Geelong Quarter&#39;s latest addition, <a href="/buildings/ryrie-home-geelong-44-ryrie-street-geelong">Ryrie Home</a>, is a truly unique find. With exceptional design by Architectus and delivered by the innovative team at&nbsp;Franz&eacute; Developments, these apartments won&#39;t be on the market long.

Check out our video tour:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C6-kjIF3XfQ" width="660"></iframe>

RYRIE HOME&nbsp;AT A GLANCE

Developer:&nbsp;<a href="/developers/franze-developments">Franz&eacute; Developments</a>

Architect:&nbsp;<a href="/architects/architectus">Architectus</a>

Location: 44 Ryrie Street, Geelong VIC 3220

Number of residences: 109

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="/buildings/ryrie-home-geelong-44-ryrie-street-geelong" rel="gallery-all" target="_blank" title="Ryrie Home. Image supplied. "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="908" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/ryriehome-urban_2.jpg?itok=8cWOKpNU" title="Ryrie Home. Image supplied. " width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Ryrie Home. Image supplied.</figcaption>
</figure>

The minimalist aesthetic of each property features exposed concrete ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows bringing a sense of modern luxury.&nbsp;All homes feature a private balcony where you can enjoy the panoramic bay views and alfresco dining year-round.

<figure><a href="/buildings/ryrie-home-geelong-44-ryrie-street-geelong"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="497" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/geelong-quarter-44-ryrie-street-geelong-08f4d1601c99a1f02cf738ed60234039.jpg?itok=AgJJ3pag" title="Ryrie Home. Image supplied. " width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Ryrie Home. Image supplied.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure><a href="/buildings/ryrie-home-geelong-44-ryrie-street-geelong"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="381" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/geelong-quarter-44-ryrie-street-geelong-47ce5c5e6acc5dd4f56565391fc135e5.jpg?itok=oChMGo76" title="Ryrie Home. Image supplied. " width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Ryrie Home. Image supplied.</figcaption>
</figure>

Each kitchen has been designed with spacious island breakfast bars and includes state-of-the-art Fisher &amp; Paykel appliances, and if you don&#39;t feel like cooking one night, Geelong Quarter has a superb selection of eateries within walking distance or if you&#39;d like to travel further afield, the Geelong Train Station provides a direct route to Melbourne CBD.

<figure><a href="/buildings/ryrie-home-geelong-44-ryrie-street-geelong"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="678" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/geelong-quarter-44-ryrie-street-geelong-8b9bf1ee905f2b81c4ea7acbc665b1ba.jpg?itok=bxygf9_4" title="Ryrie Home. Image supplied. " width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Ryrie Home. Image supplied.</figcaption>
</figure>

The bathrooms feature large-format floor and wall tiles with floating vanities and brushed nickel tapware - every detail has been considered.&nbsp;

Ryrie Home&#39;s material palette encapsulates timeless style, with stunning wooden flooring, and your choice of a light or dark design scheme, giving you the perfect canvas to make your new home your own.

If you&#39;d like to enjoy year-round holiday living at Ryrie Home, then <a href="/buildings/ryrie-home-geelong-44-ryrie-street-geelong">request a call from a Ryrie Home sales consultant</a> today via Urban.&nbsp;

Olivia Round

Urban's tour of the Ryrie Home display suite

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Here at Apartments.com.au we're suckers for data. We compile it. We analyse it. We publish it. It provides us with a good snapshot of the behaviours and interests of those who visit the site. It also makes for good article content. And so with that in mind, today we look at the Top 5 Most Viewed Architects on Apartments.com.au.

What does this mean exactly? The data is based on the number of project page views, with each project being associated with an architect, developer, suburb or builder. To be clear, this doesn't represent the architect with the most projects on our database and the data will be heavily Melbourne-centric as a legacy from our Apartments.com.au days. The most prominent architects in the Apartments.com.au database will be the subject of a future series article.

We've also been working on a new embeddable widget of our project database map (and list) which we can include within the body of our articles (such as this one) or on other sites. The widget allows us to filter the project map and list by any criteria from Architect or Builder to Local Government Authority. 

So without further a adieu, here are the Top 5:

<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/urban_top_5_architects_oct.png" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="280" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/urban_top_5_architects_oct.png?itok=fSwdYgh3" width="580"></a>

<figcaption> </figcaption></figure><h2><a href="/developments?architect=Fender%20Katsalidis%20Architects">1. Fender Katsalidis</a></h2>

Having designed the likes of Eureka Tower, Republic Tower, World Tower and the currently under construction Australia108, and with 49 projects in the database, it's no surprise that Fender Katsalidis tops the list.

<iframe frameborder="0" height="460px" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments?architect=Fender%20Katsalidis%20Architects&amp;embeddable=map" width="100%"></iframe>

 

<h2><a href="/developments?architect=elenberg%20fraser">2. Elenberg Fraser</a></h2>

In second place is Elenberg Fraser, who have been responsible for the design of the majority of Melbourne's high-rises in the last 5 years and have 53 projects listed in the database. The tallest of these, Aurora Melbourne Central recently topped out.

<iframe frameborder="0" height="460px" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments?architect=elenberg%20fraser&amp;embeddable=map" width="100%"></iframe>

 

<h2><a href="/developments?architect=Rothelowman">3. Rothelowman</a></h2>

In third is Rothelowman which has always had a consistent project pipeline of projects with 89 in total and previously topped the <a href="/news/the-top-15-architecture-practices-referenced-on-the-urban-com-au-project-database">Urban.com.au Top 15 architect's list.</a> Rothelowman are also the architects behind the Hawthorn Park project, featuring a unique 'Sky Pool'.

<iframe frameborder="0" height="460px" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments?architect=Rothelowman&amp;embeddable=map" width="100%"></iframe>

<h2><a href="/developments?architect=Hayball">4. Hayball</a></h2>

In fourth is Hayball, which currently has 57 projects in the database across Melbourne and South East Queensland. The office is currently involved in the Nightingale Village ensemble in Brunswick.

<iframe frameborder="0" height="460px" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments?architect=Hayball&amp;embeddable=map" width="100%"></iframe>

<h2><a href="/developments?architect=DKO%20Architecture">5. DKO </a></h2>

With a presence across Melbourne and Sydney and 64 projects listed in total, DKO rounds out the top 5. 

<iframe frameborder="0" height="460px" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments?architect=DKO%20Architecture&amp;embeddable=map" width="100%"></iframe>

Look out tomorrow for the next article in the series: the Top 5 Most Viewed Suburbs.
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Laurence Dragomir

Urban's Top 5 for October -  Most Viewed Architects

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Today Apartments.com.au turns the spotlight on Warren and Mahoney, an international architectural design practice based in Australia and New Zealand. With a 65-year history and a 300-strong team of outstanding talent, they’ve been recognised with more than 300 awards for work ranging from commercial developments to landmark public buildings.

The design-led practice offers core services including architecture, interior design and workplace design. The office has deep expertise in strategy and briefing, customer experience design, urban design, master planning and sustainable design

Warren and Mahoney strongly believes that identity matters: that projects designed to reflect their users’ shared identity are more meaningful and more enduring, both aesthetically and commercially. They have a deep awareness of cultural context that applies to their work, including indigenous, diversity and environmental considerations.

As a recognised leader in environmentally sustainable design, Warren and Mahoney places emphasis on sustainability as key to architectural excellence, and on finding practical ways to lessen environmental impacts.

Apartments.com.au recently sought to gain further insight into the architectural practice's design process, methodology, portfolio of work and aspirations for the future, summarised in the below Q&amp;A with Warren and Mahoney Principal Nick Deans. Keep an eye out for Apartments.com.au's follow up interview with Principals Nick Deans and Richard Weinman on an upcoming episode of the podcast.

<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/stanley_street_apartments_5_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Interiors of Stanley Street apartments in Collingwood. Image: Warren and Mahoney"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="325" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/stanley_street_apartments_5_0.jpg?itok=n1RPqAk_" title="Interiors of Stanley Street apartments in Collingwood. Image: Warren and Mahoney" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Interiors of Stanley Street apartments in Collingwood. Image: Warren and Mahoney</figcaption></figure>Apartments.com.au: How large is the practice and how many staff are based in the Melbourne office? 

Nick Deans: We are a practice of 300 staff across 7 studios in Australasia, and we currently employ 50 people across our two Australian studios. Our business model operates as one studio, as such we are able to draw on expertise across the studio network, and we are able to scale up/down very quickly in-house to meet client requirements.

UM: What projects is the studio currently working on locally in Melbourne?

ND: Our Melbourne practice is currently engaged in:

<ul style="list-style-type:circle;">
<li>La Trobe University Sports Park</li>
	<li>Deakin University Central Plaza Project</li>
	<li>6 x mid-rise residential projects for Gurner, including The Spanish Club.</li>
	<li>We completed two projects for Gurner in 2017, including Stanley Street Apartments in Collingwood, and Regent Residences in Richmond.</li>
</ul>
UM: One of the more notable projects that has been in the press recently is the former Spanish Club being developed into apartments by Tim Gurner. Can you speak a bit about this project and some of the challenges involved in working in a historically sensitive context such as Fitzroy on the site of a well-known Melbourne institution?

ND: Melbourne is a melting pot of cultural diversity and we are very proud to play a part in the continuation of ‘The Spanish Club’ which is an iconic institution on Johnston Street, representing the heart of the Hispanic Festival since its inception.

We have been working with Gurner on the Spanish Club project for the past three years from early feasibility through to the receipt of Town Planning Permit. The project consists of a seven-storey building that includes 40 apartments, and a ground floor tenancy that will become the new home to ‘The Spanish Club’.  Two levels of basement carparking are accessed via a rear lane.

The proposal fully refurbishes the original façade to pay homage to both the heritage of the site and of the Johnston Street precinct.  The massing of the apartment building is set back from the street to visually soften the interface between the old and new.  The design draws on the mass and gravitas of the original façade and reinterprets the scale and portion to create an elegant interplay between both elements.

The upper floors to the building are recessed above the main parapet and feature large terraces over Johnston Street.

We are very excited to be working directly with ‘The Spanish Club’ to create a new club and function space on the Ground Floor of the development. It is great that the iconic institution will be able to continue to operate and will have a future for years to come.

The inherent challenge an infill site is the management of the bulk and massing in the context of the streetscape. Our site sits in an immediate context of largely developed properties, as such we are creating a precedent of development for the streetscape. 

We envisage that in the future it is highly likely that the entire length of Johnston Street will be home to 7-10 storey buildings. We have the responsibility to be good neighbours.  As part of our initial investigation on the site we examined the likely pattern of development from Nicholson to Brunswick Street.  This has informed our setbacks to ensure complementary relationships will exist with a view to the future. Outlook, daylight, and ventilation are fundamentals of inner city living.

The prospect of our city fringe suburbs, Fitzroy, Collingwood, etc, becoming Parisian scale is a future we face to house a growing population. The population is already demanding access to amenity and social infrastructure, ‘The Spanish Club’ is a step toward this ideal.

<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/screenshot_20180411-232750.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Warren and Mahoney's design for The Spanish Club Image: GURNER"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="427" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screenshot_20180411-232750.jpg?itok=51obeNkz" title="Warren and Mahoney's design for The Spanish Club Image: GURNER" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Warren and Mahoney's design for The Spanish Club Image: GURNER</figcaption></figure>UM: What are some of the critical thinking and processes behind the studio's projects? What would people identify a Warren Mahoney project with? 

ND: Our design vision is built on the understanding that the most authentic, successful and enduring projects are those that reflect the shared identity of their users. Our work strives to capture social and cultural identity in ways that resonate with communities and enhance a sense of belonging.

Our design capability is supported by sophisticated processes and technology that allow us to deliver projects of all scales and complexities. Integral to our work are best-practice documentation and quality management systems, a world-class rendering and visualisation division and an advanced Building Information Modelling (BIM) team.

UM: What are the aspirations for Warren and Mahoney in terms of growth and project sectors and typologies? Is there a desire to work on projects of a certain scale?

ND: Warren and Mahoney has been on a strong upward growth path for the previous 5 years, growing on average 20% per annum. Our business aspires to continue that growth and aims to further expand our studios in Sydney and Melbourne.

However, we’re not pursuing growth for growth’s sake. We believe we have a unique and valuable story and we’re excited to take that story into new cities, and to work with new clients. Hand in hand with our clients, we’ll explore the frontiers of sustainable, people-centred design and in doing so, both reflect and strengthen the communities we serve.

UM: Is there a particular project either here or anywhere in the world past, present or yet to be conceived that you wish the studio worked on or would like to work on?

ND: As a studio we look to projects that display an ethos that lies at the nexus of people and the culture of place.  We believe that identity matters so projects in the vein of The High Line in New York inspire us.

The High Line has not only established a successful activated public realm, it has also provided the framework for a progressive architectural and arts programs along its perimeter.  The project epitomises the strong interest of Warren and Mahoney in the creation of space that is embedded in the culture of the city that it exists in.
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