Builder-developer Urban Property Group (UPG) is continuing to expand into new markets. UPG is heading to the Hills District, where it is planning a 40-storey mixed use building near Castle Hill Metro Station.

They've gone down the favoured developer route of a State Significant Development Application, which should see developments approved within the space of nine months.

The tower will comprise 371 apartments, 42 of which will be affordable housing, above a ground-floor retail precinct at 16-20 Old Castle Hill Road, on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and within walking distance of Castle Hill Metro Station, an area identified for higher density under both local and state strategic planning frameworks.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/studiosc">Studio SC</a>, the tower would rise from a brick podium base, accommodating one retail tenancy and communal open space, before transitioning to a slender glazed residential form above. Six basement levels are proposed beneath the building to house parking and services.

<img alt="First Look: Urban Property unveils 40-storey mixed-use tower in Castle Hill with 371 homes and affordable housing component" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="08dc82f9-b826-4e18-8c60-4c90f7472317" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%20G%20%28b%29%20-%20Ground%20level%20render.jpg?VersionId=EOv1ly45k_Bc1F73C0hdwXSG4FVSTETt" />

“Castle Hill is undergoing a significant transformation, evolving from a traditionally low-rise suburban centre into a true metropolitan destination anchored by the Sydney Metro Northwest," the Architectural Design Report prepared by Studio SC noted.

The majority of apartments (194) will be two-bedrooms. 90 one-bedroom apartments are planned, 83 three-beds, and four four-bedroom apartments.

Studio SC’s design adopts a podium-and-tower composition, with warm-toned masonry at the lower levels intended to anchor the building within its streetscape context.

"At the podium, the architecture is anchored through solid brickwork in warm, earthy tones, reflecting the local sandstone formations and the natural colour palette of the surrounding hills," Studio SC added.

Above, the tower transitions to a lighter glass expression, articulated with fins and tonal variation to reduce visual bulk and respond to changing light conditions.

<img alt="First Look: Urban Property unveils 40-storey mixed-use tower in Castle Hill with 371 homes and affordable housing component" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f13cb2ee-ebfc-4204-9aba-e2dbd9e5d4bd" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%20G%20%28a%29%20-%20Pool%20view.jpg?VersionId=Dnpusa.b5d6Nkx2clPlzWosDdh_1QW2V" />

Urban Property Group is one of Sydney's most active developers. They have projects currently under construction in Little Bay, Penrith, and Macquarie Park, with future projects earmarked for Wollongong.

Castle Hill has been one of the most popular suburbs for development across Sydney in the last five years, as developers scramble for land around the newly extended Sydney Metro.&nbsp;

Kassis Homes kicked it all off with Grand Reve, along with Deicorp who has delivered over 1,000 apartments in the area and continues to develop. The likes of Dubai-backed developer Arada will take to market their project in the coming months, while Masscon has just launched Avenue on Cadman Crescent.

Joel Robinson

First Look: Urban Property Group unveils 40-storey mixed-use tower in Castle Hill

One of the Gold Coast’s ‘bridesmaid suburbs’ is experiencing a wave of local suitors, with the latest sales figures from <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> revealing over two thirds of buyers will be relocating from within a 5km average radius of the 16-hectare masterplan.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lewis-land-group">Lewis Land</a> Head of Development Michael Long said the figures underlined a powerful shift for Biggera Waters that would reshape it into a thriving force behind the region’s growth corridor.&nbsp;

“We’ve seen a huge wave of interest from residents of Arundel, Paradise Point and Runaway Bay who recognise the urban transformation that is well underway here and want to be part of it,” Long said.&nbsp;

“Interestingly, 25 per cent of our Gold Coast buyers are also coming from the city’s southern hotspots, including Burleigh and Palm Beach.&nbsp;

“<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/biggera-waters-qld-4216">Biggera Waters</a>, and Harbour Shores in particular, has all the advantages of waterfront living with the benefits of resort-style amenity, for greater value than the southern beachfront suburbs.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=290031]

Long said half of the purchasers at Harbour Shores were under the age of 55.&nbsp;

“When locals choose to stay local, it creates a genuine community, turning the most sustainable master planned community in the Gold Coast’s history into a diverse and vibrant ‘village of villages’.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=336743]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/colliers">Colliers</a> Gold Coast Sales Director David Higgins said the hyper-local market demand was unique to Harbour Shores when compared to other projects in the region.&nbsp;

“We are seeing as much as 60 per cent of new apartment sales on other projects go to interstate or international buyers, but Harbour Shores is bucking this trend and attracting a larger proportion of the local market,” Higgins said.&nbsp;

“Only 13 per cent of Harbour Shores’ existing purchasers are interstate. There has been a resounding endorsement from local buyers and that validates the project’s vision and investment in design, lifestyle and liveability.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=4579]

Harbour Shores is 16ha visionary masterplan dedicated to wellness and an active, healthy lifestyle. Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, Harbour Shores embeds extensive green connections and more than 2.5km in pedestrian networks – including a 1.2km boardwalk along the water’s edge.

Harbour Shores was recently recognised by the BETTER FUTURE World Design Awards 2026 as a silver winner in the category of environmental sustainability. Boasting a 6 Star Green Star Communities V1.1 rating, Harbour Shores will deliver more than 2,000 homes over the next ten years.&nbsp;

The first stage will deliver three residential collections including luxury three and four-bedroom waterfront villas at The Residences, as well as apartments in The Waterline and Palm House, surrounded by resort-style amenities.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

Biggera Waters no longer a 'bridesmaid suburb' as Gold Coast locals jump to Harbour Shores

Developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ellipse-property-group">Ellipse Property</a> has officially launched Lily Lane, the second stage of its Carrington Place masterplan in Sydney’s North-West. The new stage will deliver over 200 apartments to the sought-after Hills District, supported by new retail and resident amenity.&nbsp;

Located near the Hills Showground Metro Station at 32 Carrington Road, Castle Hill, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lily-lane-at-carrington-place-castle-hill-32-carrington-road-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Lily Lane</a> has launched with the release of 105 apartments.

Designed by award-winning architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ptw">PTW</a>, Lily Lane comprises a combined total of 213 units over two 12-storey towers anchored by a ground-floor retail offering. A range of floorplan configurations are available including 67 one-bedroom, 100 two-bedroom and 46 three-bedroom apartments.

One-bedroom apartments are sized from 50-72 sqm with prices starting at $720,000, while two-bedrooms are priced from $960,000 with sizes ranging from 75 to 132 sqm. The three-bedroom floorplans are sized between 97 and 182 sqm, with prices starting at $1,350,000.&nbsp;

Six exclusive penthouses crown the Lily Lane towers, offering opulent interiors of up to 285 sqm. They are priced from $2.9 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151821 project_image_fid=360285]

Blake Schulze, National Director – Residential at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/colliers">Colliers</a>, says Lily Lane builds on the sell-out success of Carrington Place’s first stage, Atrium.&nbsp;

“Lily Lane offers everything north-west buyers are seeking - including spacious, flexible floorplans with premium finishes and sweeping views of the Hills District to the north," Schulze said.

"Its central location brings residents even closer to Hills Showground Metro Station, with retail, dining, recreation and essential services at their fingertips.

Schulze says early enquiries reflect pent-up demand for Lily Lane’s three-bedroom and penthouse apartments, reinforcing the appetite for house-sized units in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a>,&nbsp;especially among downsizers.

Lily Lane has sought to incorporate features that are more&nbsp;traditional in freestanding homes. Over 75 per cent of residences include dedicated studies, multipurpose rooms or family rooms, with select layouts offering walk-in pantries and laundries.

Buyers have two interior colour schemes to choose from. ‘Breeze’ is a light-toned palette with warm timber accents, and ‘Dawn’ is a cooler mid-toned colourway.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151821 project_image_fid=360572]

Apartments also feature premium Miele appliances, including ovens, washing machines, dryers, gas cooktops and dishwashers. Larger homes offer integrated Miele microwaves, Fisher &amp; Paykel integrated refrigerators and five-burner Miele cooktops.

Lily Lane’s ‘village-style’ architectural design is designed to maximise walkability and access to green space. Its two elegant towers are separated by a central landscaped laneway lined with lily plants, giving the project its name.&nbsp;

The towers will be crowned by rooftop terraces with BBQ areas offering views of the Hills District. Residents can also access a shared community room, complete with a fully equipped kitchen.

“As the gateway to the wider Carrington Place masterplan, this new stage delivers a premium experience,"&nbsp;said Puja Khanna, Associate Director – Design, Marketing and Sales at Ellipse Property.

"It features beautifully curated landscaping, refined interiors and architecture designed to maximise space, light and views. With a supermarket and essential services just minutes away, the addition of Lily Lane’s ground-floor retail will elevate everyday convenience and deliver a vibrant precinct for residents.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151821 project_image_fid=360286]

Lily Lane will be constructed by award-winning iCIRT-rated builder Decode Group, with construction to commence in mid-2026 and expected to complete early 2029.

Carrington Place comprises more than 800 apartments and is being delivered across multiple stages. Completion of the masterplan is expected in 2032. Integrated with neighbouring bushland, the project will feature over 20,000 square metres of outdoor recreational area, including a one-kilometre boardwalk to the nearby Fred Caterson Reserve.&nbsp;

The Hills Showground Metro Station is just a two-minute walk away, offering fast connectivity to Sydney’s CBD, North Sydney, Chatswood, Macquarie Park and Norwest Business Park.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151821]

Ellipse launches Lily Lane, stage two of Carrington Place

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/one-global-capital">One Global Capital</a>, a Sydney-based global property development and investment firm, is set to transform a 1.4-hectare site in Five Dock into a $1.5 billion mixed-use precinct.

The integrated precinct is planned to include 750 apartments across five residential towers, a 150-key hotel, around 10,000 sqm of retail and lifestyle space, as well as health and wellness facilities, extensive landscaped open space, and community amenities.

Planning approval submission is targeted for June 2026.

One Global Capital Founder Iwan Sunito told Apartments.com.au that the Five Dock site, which he has owned for over two decades, is one of the best he's ever had.

"I probably hadn't appreciated the uniqueness of the site until more recently when putting together the concept plans," Sunito says.

"The proximity to the water, and the golf course opposite, is unlike any other part of Parramatta Road. We have a unique position and view corridors over the water that makes this one of the best sites I've worked on."

<img alt="Urban renewal in Five Dock via mixed-use precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="76667592-c421-49f5-9ab8-45cfec815651" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Five%20Dock%201.png?VersionId=puhL_lSxd5IB5VA9fQKPsKHgmkinuwuI" />

Sunito said he wants to create a "city within a city", designing a multi-cultural precinct with the convenience of retail and public space at the forefront.

"We want to create a development that's not only to be seen, but to be experienced by the whole local community."

He adds that the Five Dock is emerging into a "really solid suburb", with the growth in&nbsp;the area continuing to be supported by rising residential values across the Canada Bay and Leichhardt local government areas, driven by major infrastructure investment and enhanced transport connectivity.&nbsp;

The new precinct will benefit from close proximity to a key transport network, including the Five Dock Metro Station, located approximately 1.1 kilometres from the site. The new Burwood Metro stop will be just 800m.

The project marks a renewed collaboration between Sunito and internationally acclaimed architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/koichi-takada-architects">Koichi Takada</a>, the creative partnership behind some of Sydney’s most recognisable residential landmarks, &nbsp;including Infinity, Arc, and Skye North Sydney.&nbsp;

<img alt="Urban renewal in Five Dock via mixed-use precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a9184a45-f429-4628-87ce-9bd6c70cb597" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Five%20Dock%202.png?VersionId=zJZRfLAZCkpww5VcmR_wgRXjoaSgPSyv" />

“The concept for this development is born from our design approach to naturalising architecture," Koichi Takada said.

"The public realm benefits from biophilic design that integrates generous landscaping, and the development is optimised &nbsp;for natural daylight, airflow and water views to foster wellbeing, sustainability and spaces that foster community interaction."

A key feature of the mixed-use development will be a lifestyle retail precinct, offering shopping and dining &nbsp;experiences - including a proposed state-of-the-art car showroom - as well as communal spaces for community &nbsp;use. Veteran retail and commercial property practitioner, Simon McTigue, has been engaged to consult on the &nbsp;delivery and leasing of the retail precinct, having previously worked on notable mixed-use projects such as East &nbsp;Village Shopping Centre in Zetland and South Village Shopping Centre Kirrawee, as well as other projects with &nbsp;Iwan Sunito in Green Square and Parramatta, to name a few.&nbsp;

“The Five Dock site offers a unique opportunity for retailers, conveniently located within easy walking distance &nbsp;of the metro station. On completion, the integrated precinct will provide the community with a new Inner West &nbsp;town centre, offering daily convenience via a proposed large format supermarket and fresh food precinct, as well &nbsp;as a restaurant and café district situated alongside key services such as a medical and health centre. It will be a &nbsp;place to live, work and play,” said Simon McTigue, Director of Wallaringa Consulting.&nbsp;

Samuel Sunito, Director of Capital at One Global Capital, confirmed strong inbound interest from both domestic and global investors seeking co-investment opportunities in the project. “We are currently engaging with &nbsp;investors both locally but also globally from Indonesia, the United States, China, Singapore, Vietnam, and Dubai &nbsp;to ensure alignment of vision and long-term value creation,” he said.&nbsp;

Investment participation will remain open until approximately Q2 2026, with equity allocations managed selectively.&nbsp;

“Equity available to the broader market will be limited, with priority given to long-standing capital partners. In terms of One Global Capital’s investment philosophy, we will continue to retain majority ownership, ensuring &nbsp;strong alignment of interests and preserving the long-term integrity of the project for all stakeholders,” Samuel &nbsp;said.

"A city within a city": Iwan Sunito flags $1.5 billion mixed-use precinct in Five Dock

Holiday home buyers who have long gravitated to Queenstown’s alpine setting are increasingly looking for low-maintenance apartments that allow them to lock up and leave, while still generating income when they’re away.

For Wendy, who had spent years visiting the Queenstown and Arrowtown region, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/safari-group">Safari Group</a>’s Mountain Oak Apartments provided the opportunity to formalise what had previously been a recurring holiday pattern.

“We always had Queenstown in the back of our minds to buy something there as a holiday home,” she says. “We love the Queenstown and Arrowtown area.”

<img alt="From slopes to markets: Mountain Oak connects residents to the best of Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/658d4f_48c3ec1ae5df4a2cab7d23c07c7f51b3~mv2.jpg?VersionId=27K8oQ4ExDN8Yu70VHDa9Olq59XU36m3" />

Time spent visiting her sister-in-law, who owns in Arrowtown, along with regular stays at Millbrook Resort, had already shaped a strong personal connection to the region.&nbsp;

Rather than approaching the purchase purely as an investment play, Wendy’s starting point was lifestyle.

“We were more thinking about ourselves and where we could stay, and then the rental aspect was second.”

Mountain Oak Apartments, located within the masterplanned Remarkables Park precinct in Frankton, aligned with that thinking. The ability to secure the apartment with a deposit and settle on completion made the timing work.

“The fact that we could put a deposit down with the balance on completion was a bonus for us,” she explains.

<img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/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/313_Livingv2_WEB.jpg?VersionId=nV229fM0ZeYpoxOrX372HyGjfwY_LR8c" />

Wendy selected a two-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse, a configuration that supports both private use and guest flexibility.

“The two-bedroom, two-bathroom configuration appealed from both a rental viewpoint and for the ability to have friends stay while we are there,” she says.

Across the development, two-bedroom apartments range from 64sqm to 78sqm, with two-bedroom plus flexi options from 71sqm to 75sqm, each with an allocated car park. The flexi layouts introduce an additional space suited to work or hobbies, reflecting demand from buyers who split their time between leisure and remote work.

Apartments include underfloor heating in bathrooms, heat pumps to living areas, and joinery positioned to maximise natural light and mountain outlooks. The Remarkables Park precinct is known for its extended winter sunshine hours, water frontage and open views toward The Remarkables.&nbsp;

Units come in light and dark interior colour schemes.

<img alt="Mountain Oak Apartments draws holiday home buyers to Queenstown" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fd685a22-3b95-43a1-87cb-48fdd42bb4ba" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/658d4f_f9f89107c2704ebbbe5a6b36da508cb3~mv2.jpg?VersionId=MigFIEm6b.mrANANwxSmwHvC4RdJUuyR" />

While lifestyle was the primary driver, the fundamentals of the Queenstown market added reassurance.&nbsp;

“Proximity to the airport and tourism being the main attraction all year round,” Wendy says, when asked what stood out from an investment perspective.

Mountain Oak sits just eight kilometres from Queenstown’s CBD and around a two-minute drive from Queenstown Airport.&nbsp;

For Wendy, that airport proximity carries practical value.

“The airport proximity is a bonus, we think that being so close will be an attraction for the convenience side.”

Residents are also a short drive from Coronet Peak, Jack’s Point Golf Course, New World Supermarket, Five Mile Shopping Centre, and the dining, medical, gym, cinema and library amenities within the town centre, as well as the seasonal Remarkables Market.

Importantly, the purchase does not lock owners into a single use. Mountain Oak offers the flexibility to opt for short-term visitor accommodation or longer-term residential rental management, with 365-day visitor accommodation consent in place. Owners can utilise Safari Group’s 24/7 on-site management service or appoint their own provider, and do not need to decide on a strategy immediately.

“It was a bonus that we can rent it out as well as use it for ourselves,” she says.

Additional buying options, including furniture packages and storage units available for purchase within the building, further support a lock-and-leave model suited to interstate and overseas owners.

<img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Ext_Cam15_Sunny.jpg?VersionId=SJAROUM_1s.Tr5ciMk4EEj5oAt_Vewmv" />

Mountain Oak Apartments comprises 141 residences, ranging from one-bedroom configurations through to larger apartments and penthouses. One-bedroom apartments are currently priced from NZ$639,000, with three-bedroom options from NZ$1,299,000.

With 365-day visitor accommodation consent, the development is structured to respond to Queenstown’s established four-season tourism economy, spanning winter ski traffic and summer hiking, cycling, golf and lake-based activity.

Although Wendy acknowledges the strength of rental demand, her approach remains long term.

“We’re not planning to sell it anytime soon, so we are keen to hang on to it, but the passive income will be a bonus.”

Confidence in the developer also influenced her decision. Before proceeding, Wendy sought feedback within the local building community.

“We asked around and Safari Group had a good reputation,” she says.

Safari Group has delivered more than 2,000 hotel units and residential apartments across over 18 developments nationwide, with more than 25 years’ experience in the sector.

With completion anticipated by mid-2027, Mountain Oak is attracting a cross-section of buyers, from yield-focused investors to lifestyle purchasers seeking a foothold in one of New Zealand’s most tightly held alpine markets.

For Wendy, it represents both a future holiday base and a long-term asset within Queenstown’s year-round tourism economy.

How Mountain Oak Apartments draws holiday home buyers to Queenstown

Carr Design Group

<html><body>
The campaign to raise the profile of Melbourne's latest, and potentially smallest hotel is on in earnest. United Places Botanic Gardens is weeks away from completion and is being billed as pioneering new levels of luxury for travellers to this city.

Conceived by Carr Design Group, the hotel at 157-159 Domain Road spans only four levels, with a ground floor eatery christened Matilda the latest local venue for Melbourne Chef and Restaurateur, Scott Pickett.

Thereafter the building includes a mere 12 hotel suites, each of which maintains a north and south aspect owing to the building's small floorplate. 

<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/29666370_10215100670687854_1570636027_n.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Domain Road's new addition is nearing completion. Image: Stab studio"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="652" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/29666370_10215100670687854_1570636027_n.jpg?itok=Xjbx9VXQ" title="Domain Road's new addition is nearing completion. Image: Stab studio" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Domain Road's new addition is nearing completion. Image: Stab Studio</figcaption></figure>According to Carr Design " The principle façade is articulated through an exposed concrete frame, which contrasts with the refined glazing system and delicate bronze balustrading. The overall effect references the early 20th century work of Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld, and will present a jewel to South Yarra upon completion."

United Places Botanic Gardens is a joint effort between Melbourne-based developer Tallow Group and creator/owner of United Places, Darren Rubenstein. Trio Construct took on the build which commenced during mid 2017, working across the compact site which bookends Domain Road's restaurant and cafe strip.

The hotel is aiming for a niche aspect of the short-term accommodation market, based upon the idea of combining a hotel and home, with Prahran-based design practice Projects of Imagination also playing its part in fine-tuning the new brand's 'holistic experience'. This translates to oversized hotel suites accompanied by a personalised butler service and a tailored in-room menu devised by Matilda.

<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/image68_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Carr Design have created all interior spaces within the Domain Road development"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="393" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image68_9.jpg?itok=UD_aiZqF" title="Carr Design have created all interior spaces within the Domain Road development" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Carr Design have created all interior spaces within the Domain Road development</figcaption></figure>The project's common areas are restrained in palette akin to the exterior but are finished to a high level. On the interior design, "the furnishings and artist commissions within the hotel soften the buildings brutal form and minimal palette of grey and bronze, lending itself to carefully considered juxtapositions – it is exclusive yet inclusive, public and private, dark and light."

A similar design ethos is present for the development's nine one-bedroom suites and three two-bedroom suites, albeit with lighter and brighter notes. 

Darren Rubenstein summed United Places niche in Melbourne's crowded hotel market; "We wanted to create a home for guests, where they could revel in the luxury of Melbourne's best design, food and location in the privacy of their own suite."

<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_8350_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="United Places under construction during late 2017"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="378" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_8350_0.jpg?itok=Gsuu2E-d" title="United Places under construction during late 2017" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>United Places under construction during late 2017</figcaption></figure>
</body></html>

silvermb

United Places announces itself as Melbourne's latest hotel 

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The City of Melbourne's Future (Planning) Committee this week resolved to issue conditional approval for a 10-storey building at 1071-1081 Hoddle Street in East Melbourne. The building would rise to a height of 31.54m and accommodate 26 apartments on a triangular shaped site with a total area of 311 sqm.

The railway cutting for the Hurstbridge and South Morang lines abuts the rear of the site and a council lane stretches along the southern boundary of the site. The existing property on site is known as ‘Ascot Private Lodge’ and was previously used as a boarding house.

The development will retain the façade of the 'Ascot' which is an ungraded building, with a café slated for the ground floor, but no car parking will be provided due to the location and site constraints.

Additionally the development will breach the 24m height limit outlined in DDO21 which applies to the site by 7m but this is supported by Council as ".... the proposal meets the design objectives by not having a direct impact upon Wellington Parade, Fitzroy Gardens and Yarra Park and respecting the scale and significance of heritage buildings in the vicinity of the site."

<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/hoddle_gf.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Ground Floor Plan. Image: Carr Design Group Planning Report"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="352" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/hoddle_gf.png?itok=sizBiawG" title="Ground Floor Plan. Image: Carr Design Group Planning Report" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ground Floor Plan. Image: Carr Design Group Planning Report</figcaption></figure>One of the few sticking points for the City of Melbourne and one they are seeking to address via a condition on the permit is further resolution to the new development's facade.

<blockquote>
Despite the minor projection in height above the preferred 24m datum and bold massing profile of the proposal, the sophisticated architectural response warrants urban design support. The demonstrated level of design quality within the application package are befitting both of the retained heritage base and highly exposed site to the residential hinterland to the north and Hoddle Street to the east. Further, we are confident specifically in the demonstrated ability of the project architects from our knowledge of previous work.

The design of the addition is considered appropriate, subject to conditions to further refine the façade design to integrate the development into the retained portion of the building. Other detailed matters can be addressed via recommended permit conditions.

- City of Melbourne Future (Planning) Committee Report, 15 August 2015
</blockquote>

To that end, Carr proposes the use of a combination of materials and finishes for the new build including metal cladding (charcoal), precast concrete, steel framed windows, balustrades and fins (charcoal) and clear glazing. A number of variations of how this palette might be applied to the same building form with subtle distinction is indicated below.

<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/carr_hoddle.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Facade articulation options. Image: Carr Design Group Planning Report"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="304" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/carr_hoddle.png?itok=zSjOgeAm" title="Facade articulation options. Image: Carr Design Group Planning Report" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Facade articulation options. Image: Carr Design Group Planning Report</figcaption></figure>The design response seeks to distinguish the new built form from the existing Ascot lodge acting as a contrasting element to the cream brick facade rather than trying to mimic. The concrete horizontal spandrel bands of the balconies wrap the building and are a cue to the Art Deco elements of the existing building's facade.

The building's height and mass will provide a strong anchor to the corner site and a focal point on the skyline. While the final composition and facade articulation is still to be resolved, it's expected it will largely be in a similar vein to the endorsed scheme.

<h2>1071-1081 Hoddle Street in Brief</h2>

<ul>
<li>Applicant: Carson Ascot Pty Ltd</li>
	<li>Architect: Carr Design Group</li>
	<li>Planning: Contour</li>
	<li>Partial demolition of existing building with the retention of part of the façade to Hoddle Street</li>
	<li>Construction of a 10 storey mixed use development including a food and drink premises (café), 26 apartments (12 one-bedroom and 14 two- bedroom) and a communal rooftop terrace</li>
	<li>Building height of approximately 31.5 metres (RL59.9) as measured from the Hoddle Street frontage to the top of the plant room and pergola on the rooftop but excluding the lift overrun </li>
	<li>No setbacks to boundaries</li>
	<li>Ground floor comprises a food and drink premises (café) with trading hours between 7am to 11pm (96 square metres), residential entrance via Hoddle Street;</li>
	<li>26 bicycle spaces, 26 storage cages, building services and waste storage accessed via Council Lane CL1379</li>
	<li>No car parking spaces or loading bays</li>
	<li>Level 1 to 2 comprises 4 dwellings (three one-bedroom and one two-bedroom)</li>
	<li>Level 3 to 5 comprises 4 dwellings (two one-bedroom and two two-bedroom)</li>
	<li>Level 6 to 8 comprises 2 dwellings (two two-bedroom)</li>
	<li>Rooftop level comprises a terrace with pergola accessed via a lift and plant room</li>
</ul>
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Laurence Dragomir

Carr's Hoddle Street Development finds favour with Council

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The first apartments within the West End precinct have been launched within the 15-storey Adderley, designed by interiors group Carr Design Group. Covered by Apartments.com.au<a href="/news/go-west-trenerry-to-deliver-west-end"> last month</a>, West End represents the biggest development project in the inner city, transforming a 9200sqm former industrial site into a thriving, self-sustaining neighbourhood.

Adderley is located on the south-western corner of the West End site at the juncture of Adderley and Dudley Streets. It is the tallest building in the precinct and has been designed to anchor the site and provide a high-end cornerstone to the West End precinct.

The building adopts a tower-podium typology with the tower element wrapped in bronze vertical fins, rising above a four-level charcoal concrete podium, grounding the building into the streetscape, with green plantings activating the lower facade. The tower's curved form, draws on the area's industrial past with a strong formal language which references silos.

Entry to Adderley is via a five-star hotel-style lobby featuring an integrated art gallery, which provides residents and visitors with a sense of arrival in addition to a concierge space and marble floor finish.

<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/trenerry_property_west_end_in05_adderley_tower_living.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The expansive views from within Adderley's apartments. Image: Trennery Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="304" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/trenerry_property_west_end_in05_adderley_tower_living.jpg?itok=jD-PGyzL" title="The expansive views from within Adderley's apartments. Image: Trennery Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The expansive views from within Adderley's apartments. Image: Trennery Property</figcaption></figure>Internally, apartments have been designed for open plan living and to maximise Adderley’s panoramic views across the city and Docklands.

Apartments.com.au asked Sue Carr, Principal at Carr Design Group to provide a bit of background on the project and the experience of working on a significant project amongst a diverse group of talented peers.

Apartments.com.au: Is it fair to say that apartment buyers have become more discerning and to really stand out in a saturated marketplace you have to provide almost luxury hotel-like facilities, spaces and interiors?

SC: Apartment buyers have definitely become more discerning and yes, it is now crucial to provide the types of services, amenities and design consistent with the highest rated hotel.

When staying in a hotel, you expect to work out in a high-end gym and relax in a beautiful lounge, but why should this only happen when you’re traveling?

Hotel lobbies have always been inviting and well-designed, so logically residential building lobbies are now expected to have this look, too. The high attention to detail that’s expected in hotels - right down to curated art exhibitions, restaurants and intimate bars - is now crucial to residential building design as well.

West End will deliver a host of amenities for residents and the community, including a 500sqm park to be owned by the City of Melbourne, car share facilities, a day spa, retail arcade, restaurants, cafes, bars, a supermarket, gym, medical centre and dog wash and walking services.

Exclusive residents’ facilities include a 50-seat cinema, wine storage, gardens, barbecues, outdoor dining, a 25m lap pool, a separate lounge pool, spa, deck, outdoor event spaces and an app for controlling apartment lighting and electrics as well as booking concierge services.

It’s about creating communities, neighbourhoods, a sense of security, convenience and liveability that provides the anecdote to an often fast paced world.

UM: What was the major design inspiration? The industrial landscape of West Melbourne? How did this manifest in the design of the building?

SC: Situated on the south-western corner of the precinct, Adderley’s solid, grounded form anchors the site to its eclectic heritage. Referencing the curved, undulating structures of West Melbourne’s iconic industrial silos, refined, linear spaces define the aesthetic, with a grey tinted glass façade providing moodiness and subtle references to edgy origins. Complemented by its strong charcoal base, brass vertical fins wrap the building and provide interest from afar.

The design celebrates a sense of authenticity and an originality characteristic of the industrial landscape of the area, yet a timelessness and strength true to the origins of this much loved heartland prevails.

Carr drew inspiration from classic Italian style and pursued a bold and elegant interior solution, with a refined yet industrial character that takes cues from West Melbourne’s heritage as a resilient, hard-working, genuine suburb.

Energetic, dynamic yet elegant and sophisticated, Carr focused on handsome, strong, monochromatic materials - hard and soft, lustrous and tactile, with rich grain timber veneers, terrazzo and metal detailing.

The Adderley brings the high end bespoke design we are known for in residential areas to an apartment setting, creating a truly unique and unexpected home.

The local market is craving something interesting, detailed, classic and timeless but also adventurous and edgy. We looked to the Italian masters and were inspired by bold geometric forms when designing the Adderley

<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/masterplan02.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="West End Master Plan with Adderley in-situ. Image: Trennery Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="336" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/masterplan02.jpg?itok=UlYhpQ4w" title="West End Master Plan with Adderley in-situ. Image: Trennery Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>West End Master Plan with Adderley in-situ. Image: Trennery Property</figcaption></figure>UM: What was it like working in unison with so many other talented designers and architects?

SC: It was a fantastic experience to work with the likes of Mim Design, Hecker Guthrie and Six Degrees. Despite a similar brief, each of us had a distinct and individual design interpretation of this unique and incredibly exciting new urban precinct. The collaborative efforts of the design firms involved has produced a result as diverse as Melbourne itself with a crafted, considered mix of styles to turn a former industrial site into an eclectic, vibrant precinct and community.

UM: How does Adderley fit within the overall vision and master plan for West End?

SC: The Adderley building represents West End’s most exclusive address where luxurious fittings and refined, timeless materials are central to the buyer demand. Featuring 100 one, two and three bedroom apartments across 14 levels, we have changed the concept of apartment design creating luxurious, crafted home-like spaces that are as sophisticated as they are practical for those that respect and appreciate beautiful design.

UM: Do you think West End will be seen as a benchmark or model for other developments in the area and a catalyst for further investment?

SC: Absolutely, West End is the start of something new, something fresh – a precinct that builds on the authenticity and deeply ingrained fondness for an established suburb but building on these foundations to bolster its liveability and liveliness as somewhere to call home. It is the re-awakening of a suburb previously only renowned for its industrial origins and gritty history, bringing together a whole new community of people and personalities from young families to empty nesters.

The provision of 5 star hotel amenities and an eclectic mix of interesting and dynamic architectural and design outcomes across the five buildings comprising West End, will see the creation of a world-class mixed-use retail, residential and leisure precinct of which Melbourne can be proud.

The Adderley is an accompaniment to a curated life, a life well traveled, and offers a unique home for those with a discerning eye for timeless design.
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