Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

&nbsp;

One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

WM Residences fills gap in Mordialloc townhouse market

Breathe Architecture

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The first tangible building that heralds the start of the Queen Victoria Market's (QVM) renewal is now at <a href="http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/building-and-development/property-information/planning-building-registers/Pages/town-planning-permits-register-search-results.aspx?appid=268732">advertising</a>.

Breathe Architecture has designed a new structure, which will act as a temporary market facility whilst the QVM undergoes its comprehensive overhaul. Absorbing a tract of land adjacent to Queen Street, Market Garden as it has been dubbed will cater for traders that are currently spread over airsheds A, B, C and D.

In line with a lengthy construction timeline for the overall QVM precinct redevelopment, market-goers and traders can expect Market Garden to operate for a period of five years.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image35_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aerial perspective of the Market Garden. Image: OPENWORK Pty Ltd"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="203" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image35_9.jpg?itok=sUJxvCKo" title="Aerial perspective of the Market Garden. Image: OPENWORK Pty Ltd" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aerial perspective of the Market Garden. Image: OPENWORK Pty Ltd</figcaption></figure>The two storey modular structure will include an open air trading hall at ground level, with a market garden situated above.

Running from Victoria Street to Franklin Street, Market Garden will span 264 metres in length, and encompass 4,100sqm of ground floor trading area. The green spaces across Level 1 will add another 2,250sqm of useable area, with amphitheatre steps at the northern end of the structure for the purposes of event and gallery use.

Whilst the first floor is earmarked as an ‘urban greenhouse’, planning documents also flag the space being used conjointly as an educational facility. 

Breathe Architecture have conceived Market Garden as a lightweight structure, built primarily of steel and Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene plastic (think Southern Cross Station), with clear glass capping the 13m high form. A degree of design flair comes by way of Market Garden's flanking forms which consist of white bird netting. 

<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/tile-3-qvm-new-market-pavilion668.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Perspective view of temporary pavillion from Victoria Street. Image: City of Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/tile-3-qvm-new-market-pavilion668.jpg?itok=3GLMF4Ye" title="Perspective view of temporary pavillion from Victoria Street. Image: City of Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Perspective view of temporary pavilion from Victoria Street. Image: City of Melbourne</figcaption></figure>Openwork Pty Ltd has chimed in with landscape concept for the project.

Existing street trees onsite will be enclosed with the Market Garden structure, supplemented by new mounded turf and rejuvenated park space at the southern end of the site. Adjacent storage containers in support of Market Garden will also see receive succulent planters atop.

Current timelines for QVM's overhaul has demolition works commencing on the existing market sheds at the turn of 2018, with Market Garden set to be operational by October of this year. Once works are completed for the QVM's $250 million overhaul, Market Garden's prefabricated design will allow it to be potentially relocated and re-used elsewhere.
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silvermb

Breathe Architecture conceive QVM's new market facility

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Thrust into the spotlight last year, <a href="/new-apartments/brunswick-vic-3056">Brunswick's</a> <a href="/new-apartments/brunswick-vic-3056">Nightingale apartment</a> development has re-entered Moreland's planning system after VCAT revoked the project planning permit in a highly contentious decision.

At 6 Florence Street, the project became a poster boy of sorts for current planning inconsistencies with the project's approval nullified due to a lack of onsite car parking even though it is located within metres of Anstey Railway Station, Upfield Bike Path and Tram 19. The tribunal challenge came from adjoining developer Chaucer Enterprises, with VCAT ultimately ruling that Nightingale should make a contribution towards meeting the parking demands it generates, in line with other apartment developments.

The decision was so contentious the Victorian Planning &amp; Environmental Law Association and Ratio Consultants held a <a href="/news/vpela-seminar-summary-vcats-nightingale-decision-car-parking-and-the-future-of-sustainable-development">special seminar</a> on the ruling, exploring possible ramifications.

<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/ca627_florencest_5094.21.25pm.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Commons led the way in sustainability. Image courtesy nightingale.melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/ca627_florencest_5094.21.25pm.jpg?itok=wHj2MBtW" title="The Commons led the way in sustainability. Image courtesy nightingale.melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Commons led the way in sustainability. Image courtesy nightingale.melbourne</figcaption></figure>Nightingale is much the same as <a href="/new-apartments/brunswick-vic-3056">The Commons</a> directly opposite, with the completed project serving as a prototype for many of the ideas fundamental to <a href="http://www.nightingale.melbourne/">The Nightingale Model</a>. The Commons has no car parking spaces onsite.

No car parking is fundamental to The Nightingale Model; its core expectation is that financial return is equal to sustainability and liveability, where it is suggested that financial return is far and away in front for the typical development model.

In the revised plans submitted during December, three car parks have been included within Nightingale at ground level with access via a laneway to the rear of the site. 42 bicycle spaces are also included.

<h2>Better luck this time</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/image12_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Preliminary sketch of Nightingale 2.0. Image courtesy nightingale.melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="361" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image12_3.jpg?itok=qMrfUTz6" title="Preliminary sketch of Nightingale 2.0. Image courtesy nightingale.melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Preliminary sketch of Nightingale 2.0. Image courtesy Nightingale, Melbourne</figcaption></figure>Florence Street and its three car spaces aside, the partnership behind The Nightingale Model are hoping for a less complicated planning run with their next project dubbed Nightingale 2.0.

After a survey where near on 200 respondents registered their desire to live within a Nightingale apartment, planning documents for the project at <a href="/buildings/nightingale-2-0-30-railway-place-fairfield">72A Station Street, Fairfield </a>were lodged in the first week of the new year. Designed by <a href="/architects/six-degrees-architects">Six Degrees</a>, the project is adjacent to Fairfield Railway Station and will include 20 apartments and three retail premises.

Nightingale 2.0 will have zero car parks in line with the philosophy of the project partners.

<h2>Comment</h2>

Three car spaces within Nightingale comes across as an almost token offering from the development team to placate VCAT's ruling. Considering The Commons directly opposite has no car spaces included, that all the prospective Nightingale buyers were comfortable with no car parks attached to their apartment and that <a href="/news">Moreland City Counci</a>l unanimously voted to approve the development in its original guise, it makes the VCAT ruling all that much more questionable.

No doubt a degree of hypocrisy can be levelled at VCAT with Fairfax Media this week reporting on the tribunal's fresh ruling which has <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/five-storeys-zero-car-parks-vcat-gives-green-light-to-contentious-building-20160117-gm7kx6">permitted a Brunswick East development</a> to proceed with zero car parks, even though it is a comparatively fewer public transport options relative to Nightingale.

VCAT inconsistencies aside, it is highly likely that Moreland City Council will green light the alterations to Nightingale's design in quick time.
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Nightingale heads back to planning in the wake of VCAT's howler

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Last week Moreland Council presided over one of the most important planning applications it will see all year. The project in judgement was the Nightingale Apartments, a five storey proposal in a small off-street in Brunswick Victoria. What makes this application of such importance is that it is being undertaken using the same design principles and development strategy as its neighbour across the road ‘The Commons’.

The Commons, by Breathe Architecture, is of national significance (with awards to prove it) due to its principled environmental design response combined with a unique financial model which enabled the apartments to be sold at affordable prices. In both ‘The Commons’ and ‘Nightingale’ the developers are a band of local architects who share a belief that high quality, yet affordable medium density housing can be a reality.

<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_3037.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Commons apartments by Breathe Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="773" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_3037.jpg?itok=SP-9c4bK" title="The Commons apartments by Breathe Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Commons apartments by Breathe Architecture</figcaption></figure>The Commons is proof of that reality. Through removing the typical ground level car park the project both promotes more environmentally friendly transport options and significantly reduces the cost per apartment. By providing a very high standard of sustainable features, running costs are kept to an absolute minimum. Laundries for the apartments are provided communally rather than individually, reallocating the space in the apartments to higher purposes and reducing the number of machines required.

The financial model is perhaps even more innovative. The profits of the developers are capped at 15%, rather than the traditional developer model which starts at 20% and then squeezes the costs and quality to get a bonus return. In the Nightingale model, Marketing costs, real estate costs and showroom costs are all eliminated completely with savings passed on to the buyers.

<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/nightingale-apartments-breathe-architecture.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Proposed design of the Nightingale Apartments by Breathe Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="411" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/nightingale-apartments-breathe-architecture.jpg?itok=dEanJk5K" title="Proposed design of the Nightingale Apartments by Breathe Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Proposed design of the Nightingale Apartments by Breathe Architecture</figcaption></figure>Typically within our planning system the number of objections to a project is a telling story. In developments of a similar scale it would not be uncommon to have 15 – 30 objections from the public submitted to council. By comparison Nightingale had just 3. It did however have an unprecedented 177 letters of support from architects and the local community wanting to see more affordable and environmentally sustainable housing.

<blockquote>
We didn’t have a column [in our internal filing system] for tallying the number of supporters
<cite>Moreland Councillor CR Samantha Ratnam</cite>
</blockquote>

Prior to last night’s meeting, the council planning officers distributed a detailed report styled agenda for the Councillors and public. In the report, the council officers noted the following:

<blockquote>
It is considered that the proposed development achieves excellent sustainability outcomes through no car parking provision, emphasis on alternative modes of transport, provision of renewable energy sources and use of passive design principles. High quality contemporary architecture has also been achieved with engaging facades, a rooftop productive garden, and ground level activities to enhance the public realm.
<cite>Moreland Council Urban Planning Committee agenda</cite>
</blockquote>

Despite this, the ultimate conclusion of the officer’s report was a recommendation that a permit should be granted subject to significant changes to the distance of the front façade to the street front at the upper levels. The justification for this recommendation was that the Nightingale project was not compliant with a new policy which, according to the applicants, had not existed at the time the planning application was originally lodged. Further to this, the planning policy in question is still yet to be adopted as an official policy of the council. The idea that a retrospective application of a yet to be adopted planning policy could be used to substantially modify a building design at the eleventh hour is ridiculous. Yet that was exactly what was proposed by the council planning department. It was then up to the elected Councillors to decide.

The Moreland Council Urban Planning Committee Meeting commenced at 6:30pm in front of a crowd so large that the furniture had to be re-arranged to allow more standing room at the back. After an introduction by CR Helen Davidson as Chair of the Committee a council planner talked through the submission.

From a more practical viewpoint, the issue in question was: should the building be allowed to overshadow the footpath on the other side of the road at the equinox? The road itself is an important pedestrian link from Sydney Road to Anstey Train Station and the pedestrian experience is a valid issue to consider.

With this issue lingering in the air, objectors were offered a chance to speak. With the brief silence that followed, it was unclear if there were none willing or just none present.

Then it was the supporters’ turn. Rather than the customary 3 minutes per person (which could have taken all night) Jeremy Mcleod, the director of Breathe Architecture, led the discussion, first introducing the people who have already been balloted to purchase and live in the apartments. There were some extraordinary comments from the new home buyers.

<blockquote>
I never thought about apartment living until I encountered The Commons.
<cite>Mim</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
I couldn’t afford anything else of that quality as a single person.
<cite>Bonnie</cite>
</blockquote>

Next to talk was a housing affordability researcher. Describing the project as a deliberative development rather than a speculative one, she strongly urged the Councillors not to reduce the building size, as it may affect the overall viability of the project. She also made the excellent point that whilst the architect developers might accept a reduction in profit, the financiers of the project would almost certainly not. After a final discussion by Jeremy Mcleod discussing and proving the very minor nature of the street overshadowing issue it was over to the Councillors to make their remarks and to vote.

Immediately CR Samantha Ratnam took the opportunity firstly to praise the project for its quality and secondly to remove the suggested design change conditions originally proposed by the planning officers. This motion was seconded by CR Lambros Tapinos who described the overshadowing concerns as “a very small price to pay for all of the benefits”. With that, the motion was passed unanimously to spontaneous cheering from the crowd.

Afterwards a jubilant Jeremy McLeod said he was “Incredibly buoyed by the support of the architectural community. The collegiate nature of the profession will hold us in good stead for the 21st Century”

As commented by others such as Stuart Harrison, this new model has the potential to change the property development industry. Nightingale style projects offer the purchaser a better quality home at a lower price. It also comes with a community centered and environmentally sustainable lifestyle as a bonus.

Massive congratulations to all of the Architects involved and in particular Breathe Architecture and Jeremy McLeod.

This piece of architecture is exactly the type of project that proves architecture is for everyone.

Michael Smith is Director of Melbourne architecture firm Atelier Red + Black. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theredandblackarchitect.wordpress.com/">The Red and Black Architect blog</a>.
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