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.

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<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.

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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.

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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.

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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>

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SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Broadbeach

The Gold Coast developer QNY Group, headed by the respected local businessman Anthony Quinn, has secured its next apartment development site.

It will be in Broadbeach where QNY Group, who is in a joint venture with Polites Property Group for the Main Beach development La Mer, has secured a 511 sqm prime corner site at 21 Broadbeach Boulevard. It cost $10.1 million, nearly $20,000 per sqm.

Located at the end of a coveted no-through road with Broadbeach Bowls Club to the west and Broadbeach Surf Lifesaving Club to the south, the site is currently occupied by a two-storey walk-up building, comprising four units.

Quinn says the site is one of the best on the Gold Coast, with the added exclusiveness of a no-through road and show-stopping 280-degree view corridors from Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta extending to the hinterland beyond.

<a href="/new-apartments/21-broadbeach-boulevard-broadbeach">To track this project through to development application and sales, click here.</a>

&ldquo;I have loved this site for as long as I can remember, as a Gold Coast local I&rsquo;ve known about this exclusive little pocket for a long time and have had ambitions to develop it,&rdquo;&nbsp;Quinn says.

&ldquo;As far as I am aware, there is no other site like it on the Gold Coast that provides no through thoroughfare, beach amenity with this prime view corridor, plus it&rsquo;s away from the hustle and bustle of Broadbeach, but within walking distance to all amenities giving you a feeling of being removed enough to enjoy the privilege of peace and quiet.&rdquo;

<a href="/new-apartments/21-broadbeach-boulevard-broadbeach">To track this project through to development application and sales, click here.</a>

Quinn says once he understood the increasingly high demand for boutique owner-occupied residences on the Gold Coast he wanted to get started on his next development project as soon as possible.

&quot;The demand for boutique owner-occupied residences on the Gold Coast is not slowing down so I intend to develop this site in line with this demand offering just one residence per floor, exceptionally high-quality amenity, with the development&#39;s design showcasing the priceless view as the focal point,&quot;&nbsp;says Quinn.

&ldquo;It is certainly an exciting time to be developing on the Gold Coast.&rdquo;

“I have loved this site for as long as I can remember, as a Gold Coast local I’ve known about this exclusive little pocket for a long time and have had ambitions to develop it,” Quinn says

Anthony Quinn's QNY Group secure Broadbeach apartment site

The Sydney-based developer Iris Capital has lifted the wraps on what buyers can expect from its highly anticipated $800 million Victoria &amp;&nbsp;Albert Broadbeach (V&amp;A Broadbeach) development, revealing that Broadbeach is set for a new era of relaxed sophistication with the landmark project.

V&amp;A Broadbeach, designed by award-winning Gold Coast architects DBI, brings together two individually designed towers of 56 and 40 storeys, created to complement the lifestyle and convenience of its location in the heart of Gold Coast’s cosmopolitan coastal suburb.

The project builds on the reputation of Iris Capital, led by leading Hotelier Sam Arnaout, for creating high quality integrated residential and mixed-use developments.

The east and west towers of V&amp;A Broadbeach will rise on the current site of Niecon Plaza and stretch across an entire city block from the Broadbeach Mall at Victoria Avenue to Albert Street, bringing to the market 399 apartments, extensive high-end retail and commercial offices.

&nbsp;

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The east tower, named Albert, will be dedicated exclusively for owner-occupiers and offer prime ocean views. The west tower, Victoria,&nbsp;will provide an opportunity for those looking for a holiday home and investors to gain a foothold in the most significant development in central Broadbeach since the Oracle more than a decade ago.

Each tower will boast its own premium lobby entry and the mixed-used project will be complemented by two levels of premium offices and commercial facilities and a retail arcade, in line with the existing uses of the site.

V&amp;A Broadbeach will become the new home of high-end retail on the Gold Coast with the ground floor offering elevated ceiling heights for the luxe retail experience. The twin towers will share a subtropical recreational podium on level four, giving access for all residents to world-class amenities such as a 25-metre lap pool, a fully equipped gym, a yoga deck and a resident’s lounge. The podium will also feature a children’s area, a Zen garden, and an outdoor dining and barbecue area adorned with lush green landscape.

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Amenities in the east tower are taken to the next level with an exclusive boutique residents’ lounge and the lavish double beach shower and surfboards storages to complement the iconic beach lifestyle at Broadbeach.

V&amp;A Broadbeach offers a mix of apartments in one, two and three-bedroom configurations, while upper residences will be available in three and four-bedroom styles. Both the east and west towers will be topped by two exclusive penthouses each.

“The apartments will be located from the fifth level on both of these towers, which greatly enhances view corridors on the lower-level apartments,” DBI director Raith Anderson said.

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“While there is a diversity of apartments in our design, V&amp;A Broadbeach firmly embraces the principle of creating larger residences to deliver lifestyle amenities for residents.”

The use of full-height windows and operable panels across all the living areas maximise the ocean views and bring natural lighting to the residences.

“While this development is notably within walking distance of all that Broadbeach has to offer, from the iconic beach to acclaimed restaurants and entertainment facilities, the larger residences and ancillary resident facilities create the ultimate in residential amenity,” said Colliers’ Director Residential David Higgins.

“Everything is at your fingertips if you choose, or you can remain at home to enjoy the benefits of supreme privacy, a beautiful outlook and unparalleled amenities.”

While the Gold Coast apartment market is currently dominated by local downsizers, Higgins said V&amp;A Broadbeach also held considerable appeal for interstate buyers and investors.

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“The mature buyer has been the big demographic shift on the Gold Coast, moving to owner occupiers seeking larger, well-appointed apartments in village locations close to the beach, transport and lifestyle amenity and this sums up the positioning of V&amp;amp;A Broadbeach in the current market,” he said.

“V&amp;A has been designed and orientated for the aspirational Broadbeach family buyers from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, although there is strong interest from owners within the older existing Broadbeach apartment buildings where they predominantly holiday rent their properties.

“The west tower provides these buyers with many options, including the opportunity for strong holiday rental market income and personal use during major holiday periods for them and their families.”

The central Broadbeach location puts V&amp;A Broadbeach within walking distance of the beach, restaurants, Pacific Fair, The Star Casino, Kurrawa Surf Club and&nbsp;kids’ play areas in the adjacent parkland.

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The project builds on the reputation of Iris Capital, led by leading Hotelier Sam Arnaout, for creating high quality integrated residential and mixed-use developments

Inside the Victoria & Albert, Broadbeach apartment towers

Sydney-based developer Iris Capital saw strong sales results across their projects last year, with new Broadbeach development Victoria &amp; Albert outperforming 2020 results.

V&amp;A, an $800 million residential and commercial precinct, is expected to transform the heart of Broadbeach and create a vibrant new destination for the Gold Coast.

Designed for the coastal environment, V&amp;A will comprise a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments on the lower levels, while the upper residences will offer a mix of three-bedroom apartments, with both towers topped by sub‐penthouses and penthouses.

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David Higgins of Colliers International Gold Coast said the development is an exciting breakthrough for Broadbeach, thanks to the complexity of lifestyle and amenity on offer.

&ldquo;It is a pretty exciting milestone for the Gold Coast and, more especially, for Broadbeach because Broadbeach is really one of the most heavily developed lifestyle precincts&rdquo;, he said.

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&ldquo;The walkability of this location in the centre of Broadbeach, you can&#39;t replace.&rdquo;

Straddling both streets and the mall, the site ties Victoria Avenue and Albert Avenue together, whilst bringing the history of Broadbeach into the project with its name.

The largest tower to the west is Victoria, the &ldquo;crowning glory&rdquo;, while the smaller tower to the east is Albert.

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The two towers, designed by DBI Architects over a subtropical recreational podium, will home over 400 apartments, two levels of premium offices and commercial facilities and fresh food and dining retail on the street level.

The project boasts over 5,500sqm of dining, retail and A-grade commercial, adding to the strong hospitality offerings already available within the suburb.

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&ldquo;When we put a new arcade, new retail and dining, fresh food with some A-grade commercial, [V&amp;A] will be a very unique, new entrant into the Gold Coast lifestyle market&rdquo;, said Higgins.

In the six months to June 2021, the development team saw apartment sales 20 per cent ahead of the result for the entire year of 2020.

&ldquo;We expect next year to be as good, if not better&rdquo;, Higgins added.

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Iris Capital&rsquo;s decision to transform Newcastle and head north to Queensland was a very strong move, based upon the knowledge of the Gold Coast of Iris Capital chief executive, Sam Arnaout.

&ldquo;He saw the trends and he liked what he saw in Southeast Queensland&rdquo;, Higgins said in his interview with MediaHunt.

&ldquo;Obviously, last year [Queensland] had the best interstate migration [they] have had for 13 years, over 30,000 people, and we expect the next year to be better again.&rdquo;

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V&A, an $800 million residential and commercial precinct, is expected to transform the heart of Broadbeach and create a vibrant new destination for the Gold Coast

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Iris Capital see strong demand in Broadbeach at V&A following their move into the Queensland market

Victoria &amp; Albert is a landmark mixed-use development featuring two residential towers, Victoria Residences and Albert Residences

Colliers&rsquo; director residential David Higgins says the&nbsp;development is the first major apartment project in Broadbeach for the last five years.

A very strong family market, Broadbeach is back in the frame with this new oceanside precinct offering one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments with private amenities.

Urban has taken a look in detail at V&amp;A, and what buyers will like about the project.

1. Strong development team

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Developed by Iris Capital, with apartments designed by DBI Design, Victoria &amp; Albert residences are being delivered by a strong development team.

Founded and led by entrepreneur Sam Arnaout, Iris Capital now boasts more than&nbsp;$3.5 billion in enterprise value, significantly expanding over the past year after the acquisition of 17 Ibis hotels from AccorInvest.

The Sydney-headquartered development giant is behind the large-scale East End development in Newcastle, as well as other projects including Bondi&rsquo;s Grand and Potts Point&rsquo;s new Queensgate development.

&ldquo;We are no stranger to large scale projects and have built a reputation on our ability to deliver transformative developments that add remarkable value to their broader community,&rdquo;&nbsp;Arnaout said.

2. Broadbeach&rsquo;s most walkable new development

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&ldquo;V&amp;A is arguably the Gold Coast&rsquo;s most walkable new address&rdquo;, Arnaout said.

Located in the heart of Broadbeach, the project scores a 10 out of 10 for walkability, thanks to its close proximity to the light rail, casino and restaurant precinct.

Residents&rsquo; daily needs are just moments from their door, with Oasis Shopping Centre, which contains a Woolworths and other specialty retailers, only a two-minute walk from the residence.

Just four minutes&rsquo; drive away is the expansive surrounds of Pacific Fair, while Gold Coast airport is only half an hour away.

3. Resort-style living

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Both Victoria Residences and Albert Residences offer an elevated recreational podium that connects the two, featuring a 25-metre lap pool, gym, yoga deck and residents&rsquo; lounge.

Indoor and outdoor amenities are surrounded by lush, subtropical landscaping, including a zen garden and outdoor dining spaces in this sprawling beachside day club area.

Both towers also feature&nbsp;top-floor residents-only lounges, complete with dining, yoga room, offices and views across the Gold Coast skyline.

Hosting private functions are a breeze with two private dining rooms, each boasting an adjoining kitchen, one galley-style, along with a private wine cellar.

4. Ground-floor retail and dining

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A vibrant new retail arcade is on offer at the world-class Broadbeach address, with Victoria &amp; Albert boasting the first high-end residential, retail and culinary precinct in central Broadbeach since the Oracle towers more than a decade ago.

&ldquo;Just an elevator ride away, take a leisurely stroll and you&rsquo;ll be sure to find new restaurants and bars to sample, no matter which route you take&rdquo;, the project marketing reads.

The precinct boasts over 50 restaurants and cafés within 300 metres of its front door.

5. Ideal location

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Surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, Victoria &amp; Albert invites outdoor leisure and recreation all year round.

Combined with a subtropical climate, it forms a breathtaking locale that residents will find a hard time abandoning.

Along the coastline, residents can enjoy a bike ride past Kurrawa and Mermaid Beaches, or a walk on the beach from the Spit.

Other neighbourhood recreational amenities include Burleigh Head National Park, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and, for golf lovers, both the Southport and Burleigh Golf Clubs.

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Colliers’ director residential David Higgins says the development is the first major apartment project in Broadbeach for the last five years

Five things we love about the landmark Broadbeach precinct, Victoria & Albert

The busy Broadbeach market is expecting a new residential apartment tower targeted at the high end owner-occupier.

A company linked with local estate agent, Ali Mian, has submitted plans to the Gold Coast City Council for a 21 level tower with just 27 three and four-bedroom apartments.

Raunik Design handled the architecture of the tower at&nbsp;38 Australia Avenue.

There will be 20 three-bedroom apartments, from levels two to 12, and then a recreation level which will feature a swimming pool, day beds, a barbecue area, dining and seating spaces, as well as a kids play room, a board room and a gym.

<a href="/new-apartments/aceno-broadbeach-38-australia-avenue-broadbeach">To track the project through to its availability, enquire here.</a>

<a href="/new-apartments/aceno-broadbeach-38-australia-avenue-broadbeach"><img alt="" height="754" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/38_australia_ave.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

Above the recreation level to the top of the building is where the four bedroom apartments will live, topping out with a two level penthouse at level 21.

The penthouse covers 267 sqm, with the two living areas and three bedrooms on the lower level. Upstairs, the master suite includes a walk in wardrobe and ensuite, as well as a second kitchen, living and dining area. Stepping onto the balcony, the 116 sqm space comes with a private pool, an outdoor kitchen, as well as a barbecue and pizza oven.

<a href="/new-apartments/aceno-broadbeach-38-australia-avenue-broadbeach">To track the project through to its availability, enquire here.</a>

The developer joins a host of interstate property groups currently sweeping up sites on Broadbeach as they look to take advantage of rising demand for new apartments and a looming under-supply of stock.

Developers have also been buoyed by state government forecasts that suggest the Gold Coast could now attract up to 15,000 people per annum.

A company linked with local estate agent, Ali Mian, has submitted plans to the Gold Coast City Council for a 21 level tower with just 27 three and four-bedroom apartments

alisonwarters@gmail.com

Busy Broadbeach set for another owner-occupier apartment tower

Woods Bagot are the latest architecture firm to showcases their designs in Broadbeach, crafting Bottega Property Group&rsquo;s 123 Old Burleigh Road development.

123OBR, made up of&nbsp;13 three and four-bedroom apartments, as well as a two-storey penthouse,&nbsp;has been designed with lifestyle in mind, utilising and adapting spaces within the home to create larger entertaining areas, while keeping the idealistic beachfront living at the forefront.

The 17-level building, described as vertically stacked verdant Queensland beach houses, is named after its location of 123 Old Burleigh Road, one row back from Broadbeach. Woods Bagot&rsquo;s lead designer David Lee says Bottega&#39;s open brief without parameters allowed them complete flexibility with how to define the site, which is where the series of vertically stacked verdant Queensland beach houses was born.

&ldquo;This unique approach to collaboration really allowed us to sequence the space in a way that allowed us to design residences like private homes,&quot; Lee says.

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&ldquo;The interior layouts of the homes are carefully separated into private sleeping quarters looking towards the Hinterland, and active and functional living spaces towards the ocean in the East.&rdquo;

123OBR apartments are designed to be multi-functional. The third bedroom or study is designed with large sliding panels to two of the walls, which when slid away, allow the room to become part of the larger verandah space, affording even more space to the area.

The resident amenity is located on level five, where there&#39;s the swimming pool and adjoining deck, a private dining room, lounge, and a gym.

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&ldquo;The core of the building has also been designed to afford more space to verandah, with the corners rounded to allow both ease of movement, and a greater opportunity to dwell within the space,&quot; Lee added.

The architecture of the tower is defined by sculpted, raft-like projections; articulated slab edges shaped to provide privacy, but still maintain views and amenity.

&quot;The bow-like shapes are a playful nautical reference, given the tower&rsquo;s proximity to the beach and ocean,&quot; Lee says.

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&quot;The &lsquo;bow&rsquo; motif is consistently expressed throughout the facade, and also forms the crown of the tower, capping the two-storey penthouse housed on levels 16 and 17. The roof peels away above the penthouse living area, forming a skylight that also emphasises the raft shape.

&quot;The shape of the &lsquo;bow&rsquo; provides opportunity for the incorporation of planters and greenery, with the position of the balustrade allowing for these elements to be accessed and maintained from the inside by residents.&quot;

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The 17-level building has been described by Woods Bagot as vertically stacked verdant Queensland beach houses

How Woods Bagot designed 123OBR, Broadbeach apartments

The Gold Coast residential apartment developer, Raptis, are continuing with their development in the Broadbeach area.

Raptis, who recently completed construction of The Gallery&nbsp;in the sought-after suburb, has secured another site, locking out the last two apartments in the Avalon Court&nbsp;complex of four apartments at 44&nbsp;Chelsea Avenue.

It adjoins 42 Chelsea Avenue, a duplex which a company linked to Raptis recently acquired, as well as 46 Chelsea Avenue, bought for $1.7 million in April through GV Property Group, with the site all up costing $6.5 million.

The sites will be amalgamated to create around 1500&nbsp;sqm across 42-46 Chelsea Avenue.

Raptis will be busy in Broadbeach over 2022. They&#39;re soon to launch The Sterling Broadbeach, their 40-level, Koichi Takada-designed project at 6-8 George Avenue.

<img alt="" height="1085" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/raptis_broadbeach_2_0.jpg" width="1200" />

The Sterling Broadbeach will have&nbsp;134 apartments, made up of 64&nbsp;two-bedroom apartments&nbsp;and 64 three bedders. There will be four sub penthouses and two penthouse apartments.

The resident amenities on level three will feature a 20 metre pool met with outdoor lounges, a gym and sauna,&nbsp;resident&#39;s lounge, kids club, and a communal dining area.

There&#39;s also another site in Broadbeach, 5-9 Anne Avenue,&nbsp;which will see 35-levels, around 150 or so apartments, added to Raptis&#39; workbook.

All three of the sites were sold by GV Property Group&#39;s Antonio Mercuri and Luke Reaby.

Currently they&#39;re selling Pearl, their first project in Main Beach.

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Now with four more levels but eight less apartments, the 31-level tower now&nbsp;comprises 80 apartments, a mix of two, three and four-bedroom apartments.

Raptis were adapting to the changing market, putting in more three and four-bedroom apartments in place of two-bedders.

&quot;The changes have been proposed as a result of the ongoing detailed design phase of the project and in response to buyer feedback, which includes a preference for large units which is reflect in the fact that height is proposed to be increased whilst at the same time the number of units and bedrooms is also proposed to be decreased,&quot; the submission to the Gold Coast City Council read.

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The tower, which will also feature a&nbsp;rooftop swimming pool and recreational facilities with skyline views, as well as a dining area with wine cellar, available for private bookings, on the same level.

The remaining two-bedroom, two-bathroom&nbsp;Pearl apartments&nbsp;that span 85 sqm start from $850,000. The three-bedroom, 140 sqm&nbsp;apartments are priced from $1,575,000.

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&nbsp;

Raptis will be busy in Broadbeach over 2022. They're soon to launch The Sterling Broadbeach, their 40-level, Koichi Takada-designed project at 6-8 George Avenue

Raptis secure Chelsea Avenue, Broadbeach apartment development site

The Sydney-based Iris Capital has officially launched Victoria &amp; Albert, their&nbsp;first apartment project on the Gold Coast.

The two 40 and 56-level towers will home over 400 apartments, with an intent on developing something that suited every type of buyer.

Iris Capital, led by the hotelier and developer Sam Arnaout, had the local architecture firm, DBI Architecture, create a development with subtropical design traits unique to the Gold Coast.

Urban caught up with DBI Architecture Director&nbsp;Raith Anderson to discuss about the project.

JR: What was the brief from Iris Capital for V&amp;A? What were the key features that were essential?

RA: The client brief was simple, "Create 'The'&nbsp;lifestyle destination on the Gold Coast."

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Resort style living in the heart of Broadbeach with every amenity that you would need within the development, or within short walking distance. Apartments had to be designed to be liveable i.e. large spaces that flowed with quality finishes that would meet the needs of the full range of potential purchasers:

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; High end buyers

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; families or couples downsizing

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; investors

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; first home buyers

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The focus on amenity was recognised early as being important which resulted in the entire podium containing a range of facilities, including a swimming pool for each tower, and both towers being afforded their own more exclusive amenities located at the top of the building.

The overall design was to appear seamless through the integration of the architecture, interiors and landscape.

JR: Was there a project that inspired you in the design?

RA: There were two key initial ideas that set the initial design direction. The first was the James Street precinct in the Valley, Brisbane. For the podium we were looking to create a sense of place that was welcoming, warm, and had a high level of texture and materiality. We wanted to create a vibrant, active environment that would meet the needs of the residents and the surrounding locals.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107928 project_image_fid=184936]

The second idea was more what we weren’t looking for on this project. No white pre-cast curves. DBI started using this language 17 years ago on the Gold Coast so we were looking to create a more current style that would complement the luxury living the development would provide. A style that was clean and sophisticated. One that would contrast with the podium and the immediate surrounding buildings.

JR: What were the most important features of the site/location which influenced your design?

RA: Given the sites location and being one of the last major sites available for redevelopment in Precinct 1 of Broadbeach meant that the opportunity had to be maximised. The sites proximity to the beach required the apartments to be designed to make the most of the view opportunities to water. Having two street frontages, one being the Victoria Avenue Mall, meant that connectivity was important, and the legibility of that connection through the projects retail offering to Albert Avenue was clear.

The mixed-use nature of the heart of Broadbeach allows for a diverse range of uses within the development which provides the opportunity for a more intense, more active, style of development. We also saw the occasion to express the sub-tropical nature of the Gold Coast within the building design and in particular the podium with greenery draping the façade connecting down to a well landscaped streetscape.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107928 project_image_fid=178909]

JR: What was the biggest challenge in the design of V&amp;A?

RA: The biggest challenge was bringing such a diverse range of uses and project requirements together in what was seen as a heavily constrained site, and from this creating an overall cohesive concept. It was certainly an achievement. This is where having such a great team comes into play. These complex projects are challenging, and it takes a focussed team to deliver them.

JR: What are the differences between the two towers, apart from the density?

RA: The concept was to have the most eastern tower, The Al​bert, with the most direct views to water, to be the more exclusive, residents only tower. The apartments in this tower are consistently larger. The western tower, The Victoria, will have a mix of residents. Both towers have a very high level of amenity with the podium level spanning the two towers.

From an expression point of view, The Victoria tower, being the taller of the two will appear more dominant but this affords the top levels of the tower 360 degree views.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107928 project_image_fid=180734]

JR: How do you approach designing a two-tower development?

RA: As with any project design, we start with a detailed site and contextual analysis to ensure that orientation, views, ventilation, and solar aspect are well considered. With two towers we have the benefit of being able to manipulate both forms and their layouts to maximise the overall design outcome for the betterment of the development. For example, while the western tower is located “behind” the eastern tower, by making the floorplate of the eastern tower more compact and lengthening the floor plate of the western tower, we were able to maximise solar and view orientations so that nearly every apartment is afforded a view of the water and receives natural daylight.

With a multiple tower development there are generally two ways of approaching the building heights. The first is that the towers are a twin of each other. The second is to the vary the hei​ghts so that each tower has it’s own identity. They still need to compliment each other and read as a cohesive family. This is achieved through the external expression and selection of finishes. We chose the latter approach.

Being a mixed-use development, we were able to create a very strong base, this being the sculptured podium which anchors the overall development and sits it firmly within the heart of Broadbeach.

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The client brief was simple, "Create 'The' lifestyle destination on the Gold Coast."



How we designed Victoria & Albert, Broadbeach apartment development: Five minutes with DBI's Raith Anderson

The Sydney-based developer Iris Capital is getting closer to unveiling its debut $800 million Gold Coast apartment development, Victoria &amp; Albert Broadbeach.

The two towers, designed by DBI Architects over a subtropical recreational podium,&nbsp;will home over 400 apartments, two levels of premium offices and commercial facilities and a fresh food and dining retail on the street level.

Designed for&nbsp;the coastal environment, V&amp;A will comprise a mix of one, two&nbsp;and three-bedroom apartments on the lower levels,&nbsp;while the upper residences will offer a mix of three-bedroom apartments,&nbsp;with both towers topped by sub‐penthouses and penthouses.

Both towers offering an elevated recreational podium with a 25m lap pool, a gym, a yoga deck and resident’s lounge as well as kid’s area, a zen garden, an outdoor dining and BBQ facilities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107928 project_image_fid=178909]

Both will also feature&nbsp;top floor owners-lounges complete with dining, yoga room, offices and views across the Gold Coast skyline.

Colliers’ Director Residential David Higgins says there is an air of anticipation for the launch of the first major apartment project in Broadbeach for the last five years.

Higgins said V&amp;A Broadbeach would create the first high end residential, retail and culinary precinct in central Broadbeach since the Oracle towers more than a decade ago.

“Currently Broadbeach has plentiful luxury full floor and half floor 3 bedroom plus apartments on the market very offer a choice of 1,2,3-bedroom apartments with access to leading luxury amenity”, he says

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107928 project_image_fid=184936]

“Historically Broadbeach has had a very strong family market, but this has dissipated in recent years. However, we believe the opening of the borders will bring this market right back into the frame.

“We’re looking to introduce a mix of product right in the heart of Broadbeach that attracts the family buyer, luxury downsizer and investors looking for solid returns as the Gold Coast grows out of the Covid lockdowns.

“The project scores a 10 out of 10 for walkability located in the heart of Broadbeach in walking distance to the light rail, the casino, convention centre, the restaurant precinct and the beach and will bring a new type of residential apartments to the market that we have not seen for some time.”

Iris Capital,&nbsp;founded and led by entrepreneur Sam Arnaout, has extended its reach over the past decade to become a developer of high quality integrated residential and mixed-use developments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107928 project_image_fid=184935]

The company now holds&nbsp;$3.5 billion enterprise value, having significantly expanded its footprint over the past year through the acquisition of 17 Ibis hotels from AccorInvest.

“We are no stranger to large scale projects and have built a reputation on our ability to deliver transformative developments that add remarkable value to their broader community,”&nbsp;Arnaout said.

“The Broadbeach precinct is primed for a rebirth, and we are thrilled to be creating a pillar of the community to connect the next generation of Gold Coast locals to the idyllic beachside dream.”

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The two towers, designed by DBI Architects over a subtropical recreational podium, will home over 400 apartments

Iris Capital's $800 million Victoria & Albert, Broadbeach apartments set for launch

The Melbourne-based Little Projects has sought to meet the ever-growing demand for high-end apartments at their latest Gold Coast apartment development, Aperture.

The Broadbeach tower will be home to just 29 apartments across its 35 levels&nbsp;when it is completed in mid-2023, with buyers already showing interest due to the&nbsp;200 sqm plus of living space across each apartment.

Leighton Pyke, director at Little Projects, said that after the sell-out success of Signature around the corner, the team wanted to create something a little different.

&quot;Signature was obviously higher density with 245 apartments, a project of that scale takes considerably longer to move,&quot; Pyke said.

&quot;We saw there was a good level of demand for that larger product and wanted to take something to the high-end owner-occupier market quickly to try and meet that demand.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108327 project_image_fid=181290]

Pyke and the Little Projects&nbsp;team engaged the Melbourne-based architect, Elenberg Fraser, to create the 120 metre tower, having worked with them previously on the design phase of a development of around 1000 apartments in Fisher​mans Bend in Melbourne.

It&#39;s only the second time the architecture firm has designed an apartment project on the Gold Coast. The only other is the mixed-use hotel and apartment development Mondrian at Burleigh Heads, currently in market.

&quot;We wanted to put a slightly different spin on what the Gold Coast usually offers - giving it an injection of an outside perspective,&quot; Pyke says.&nbsp;

&quot;Their involvement certainly sets us apart, potentially bringing a few new ideas to the Gold Coast.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108327 project_image_fid=181281]

Pyke says there&#39;s already been a big wave of Sydney residents enquiring on Aperture.

With house prices rocketing in the Harbour capital, some downsizers and retirees are happy to take advantage of current market conditions and cash in on&nbsp;their longtime family homes and buy something smaller as a city base, freeing up money to secure a more expensive holiday home that they will spend a significant amount of time at.

Pyke however added that the same sentiment is felt with the local market, where there&#39;s also windfall house sales.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108327 project_image_fid=181283]

House prices in Broadbeach - Burleigh experienced the highest annual growth in the Gold Coast in the 12 months to August 2021, with gains of over&nbsp;38&nbsp;per cent, according to data from the data-driven buyer&rsquo;s agency, InvestorKit.

Apartments in the same area&nbsp;grew by 15.7 per cent over the same period.

&quot;It&#39;s speeding up that transition to downsize, which is why we are seeing huge levels of owner-occupiers wanting to buy something that might be toward that higher price point.&quot;

Pyke says the team have a firm belief in the longevity of the Gold Coast apartment market, and are working towards securing more development sites heading in to 2022.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=108327]

"We wanted to put a slightly different spin on what the Gold Coast usually offers - giving it an injection of an outside perspective,".

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