Sydney developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/deicorp">Deicorp</a> has secured planning approval for a $300 million residential development in Lindfield, marking the company’s second project on Sydney’s North Shore and its first on the Upper North Shore.

Located on Beaconsfield Parade and designed by DKO Architecture, the state significant development comprises three buildings of up to 10 storeys and will include 399 residences, including 59 affordable homes and 40 adaptable homes.

Residences will range in size from one, two and three bedrooms, with two-bedroom apartments accounting for over 60 per cent of the product make-up. Residents will have access to a broad suite of amenities, including a wellness area, indoor and outdoor recreational spaces, a pool, a gym, a community room and a golf simulator.

In line with Deicorp’s long-standing focus on creating transit-oriented communities, the project is located just 260 metres from the Lindfield Train Station, reinforcing its role in delivering well-connected housing close to established infrastructure, retail and local services.

The inclusion of affordable and adaptable housing supports greater diversity within the local market, while the mix of apartment types responds to demand from downsizers, young professionals and families seeking access to the Upper North Shore.

Deicorp Founder Fouad Deiri OAM said the approval represents an important milestone for both the company and the suburb

“This approval allows us to deliver well-designed homes in a location that is already supported by strong transport and community infrastructure," Deiri said.

"Our focus is on creating places that integrate into their surroundings and provide long-term value for residents, and the broader Lindfield community. Being within walking distance of the station ensures this project supports sustainable growth in the right locations."

Across its portfolio, Deicorp currently has 4,703 apartments under construction, playing a leading role in shaping connected, liveable communities across Sydney.

Its expanding portfolio of Metro-linked developments includes Tallawong Village, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kings-bay-village-five-dock-53-75-queens-road-five-dock-nsw-2046">Kings Bay Village</a> in Five Dock, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/hyde-metropolitan-sydney-133-141-liverpool-street-sydney-nsw-2000">Hyde Metropolitan</a> in Sydney CBD, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/falcon-alexander-crows-nest-8-alexander-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Falcon &amp; Alexander</a> in Crows Nest and Showground Village, Castle Hill.

Deicorp purchased the Beaconsfield Paradise site last year. Construction is scheduled to commence in Q2 of 2026 and will be completed in 2029.

Joel Robinson

Deicorp expands portfolio to nearly 5,000 apartments with Lindfield project

In a joint venture with The Trump Organization, Australia developer Altus Property Group has announced plans to bring a Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower to the Gold Coast, marking the first Trump-branded project in Australia.

&nbsp;

"Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower, Gold Coast is our first official project in Australia and reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering world-class luxury experiences in iconic locations around the world," Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization, said.

"This development exemplifies the Trump brand’s dedication to quality, sophistication, and unmatched service, and we are thrilled to bring this vision to the vibrant Gold Coast community."

The 91-storey building, which will become the tallest in Australia at 335 metres, will feature a&nbsp;285-room luxury hotel bearing the trademark Trump logo. It will also include 272 luxury residential apartments, a three-level podium with an exclusive Beach Club, and over 3,400 sqm of premium commercial, retail, and dining space, revitalizing the central Surfers Paradise precinct.

“Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower, Gold Coast will be a truly unique offering in the Australian market, bringing the prestige and allure of a world-class luxury brand,"&nbsp;Altus founder and chief executive David Young said.

"Altus Property Group is proud of its track record in delivering landmark developments across Australia, and our expertise ensures this project will be an outstanding success."

Trump Hotel heads for the Gold Coast to become Australia's tallest building

More than a century after the Corrimal Coke Works first opened in 1912, the industrial landmark that helped shape the suburb is being reinterpreted as a walkable residential neighbourhood, with Stage One of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-works-stage-one-27-railway-street-corrimal-nsw-2518">The Works</a> now underway at 27 Railway Street.

For 102 years, the site was central to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/corrimal-nsw-2518">Corrimal</a>’s economic and social identity before operations ceased in 2014. Rather than erasing that legacy, developer Legacy Property has embedded it into the masterplan, retaining and reinterpreting elements such as the iconic 1912 brick chimney and sections of the original C1 Coke Oven Battery, alongside the adaptive reuse of the former powerhouse building.

Stage One will introduce 181 apartments across low-rise buildings, offering predominantly two and three-bedroom residences with completion targeted for mid-2027. The scale and configuration reflect a deliberate focus on owner-occupiers, targeting those seeking a lower-maintenance home in a prime location within the northern suburbs of Wollongong.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359833]

Apartments have been designed to maximise natural light and cross-ventilation, with floor-to-ceiling glazing extending living areas onto generous balconies. Engineered timber flooring, induction cooktops and 900mm ovens in larger residences support everyday functionality, while two interior palettes allow buyers to tailor finishes to their preferences. The material selection draws on a restrained coastal language, intended to connect homes to their surroundings rather than compete with them.

The Works forms part of a broader 18-hectare masterplan that will ultimately deliver around 550 dwellings, new parks, and a heritage precinct celebrating the site’s past. More than seven hectares are dedicated to open space, including Southern Park and a Village Green with community gardens and recreation areas. The creek corridor is being rehabilitated with 150,000 native plantings, restoring biodiversity to the site and softening landscape.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359841]

Positioned adjacent to Corrimal Station and within walking distance of Corrimal Town Centre, the precinct places daily essentials, rail connections and local retail within easy reach. Wollongong CBD, including the hospital, university and entertainment venues, sits approximately 6.5 kilometres to the south.

For buyers more familiar with North Wollongong, Corrimal offers a different proposition: a well-established coastal suburb framed by beaches to the east and the escarpment to the west, with a strong sense of local identity shaped in part by the former Coke Works. The Works seeks to reinforce that identity by creating a connected, walkable neighbourhood between coast and escarpment, rather than a standalone apartment complex.

Sustainability underpins the development approach. The Works is targeting Wollongong’s first 5-Star Green Star-rated community, with water-sensitive urban design, recycled materials and energy-efficient buildings integrated across the masterplan. For residents, these measures provide not only environmental benefits but also reduced operational costs and future resilience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359842]

With construction commenced and display materials available to view, prospective buyers can now engage more directly with the project’s vision, reviewing floorplans, material selections and the broader masterplan in detail. For many local homeowners weighing a move, the opportunity to experience how heritage, landscape and contemporary design intersect may help bridge the gap between familiarity and the next chapter.

As Stage One progresses toward its mid-2027 completion, The Works represents a significant chapter in Corrimal’s evolution, transforming a site that once powered local industry into a walkable residential precinct designed for its next generation of residents.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=143415]

Legacy Property’s The Works reimagines Corrimal’s century-old Coke Works

When it comes to developing in Melb​ourne's Bayside region, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lowe-living">Lowe Living</a> knows exactly what buyers want.

With a longstanding presence in the area and a string of sell-out projects, Lowe Living consistently delivers developments that are as sought-after as their predecessors.

Their latest instalment is in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-vic-3188">Hampton</a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-east-vic-3188">&nbsp;East,</a> the same postcode where they have previously delivered Hampton Hill and Oceano. The developer-builder recently commenced construction on its newest project,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marella-hampton-31-35-alicia-street-hampton-east-vic-3188">Marella</a>, a collection of 32 apartments just five minutes from the beach.

Site acquisition is paramount to success. Lowe Living rarely brings a building to market that isn’t within walking distance of essential amenities, whether it be the beach, a prominent retail strip, or a train station. Marella is no exception, located at its Alicia Street address, less than a kilometre from the retail heart of Hampton Street and Hampton Station.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358495]

Equally important to Lowe Living is the architecture.

For Marella, they appointed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>, who explains that the architectural vision was to create a contemporary reinterpretation of the Californian bungalow, a style that’s iconic to Hampton’s heritage.

"By borrowing, abstracting, and reinterpreting elements of this quintessential style, such as strong datum lines, articulated columns, exposed structures, and roof tiles, our design strikes a balance between modernity and familiarity," says Cera Stribley.

"This approach ensures that the development is not only visually appealing but also contextually sensitive, resonating with Hampton's existing architectural landscape."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358499]

The building features terracotta brick, soft cream masonry, and exposed metal detailing, giving it a tactile presence that is intended to weather gently over time.

Internally, the focus on lasting quality continues, with two and three-bedroom residences anchored by sculptural stone kitchen islands, natural light, and clearly defined transitions between living, dining, and outdoor spaces.

The layouts have been carefully designed. Open-plan zones extend to private balconies, with light-filled interiors and generous kitchen proportions, supported by Miele wall ovens, induction cooktops, and integrated fridge-freezers. These are not small apartments rebranded as luxury; they have been designed at scale, with ample storage, hotel-style entry access, and secure basement parking provided as standard.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358492]

At the uppermost level, Marella’s Signature Collection penthouses offer city or bay views, large entertaining terraces (some with outdoor spas), and elevated finishes, including fully wrapped stone kitchen benches and a Liebherr wine fridge.

Flexible room arrangements allow for a fourth bedroom or secondary living space, sought-after by both empty nesters who want the space when family visits and families with older children.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358498]

A residents’ lounge on the ground floor reinforces the project’s small-community feel. With a fireplace, private dining area, and adjoining terrace, it’s one of several shared spaces that balance amenity with privacy and scale.

Construction has commenced, with completion expected in early 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146197]

Lowe Living continues Bayside legacy as Marella rises in Hampton

A Moroccan-bathhouse residential tower has been unveiled for Budds Beach, with Australian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/homecorp">Homecorp</a> announcing plans for a $260 million resort-style project in one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held waterfront precincts.

A development application has been submitted to the Gold Coast City Council for a 27-storey tower at 8-10 Acacia Avenue and 25-27 Oak Avenue, Surfers Paradise, marking one of the few new large-scale residential projects proposed for the precinct in more than a decade.

The project will comprise 156 two- and three-bedroom residences, anchored by a residents-only Moroccan spa-inspired wellness sanctuary featuring private treatment rooms, a traditional Nordic sauna and steam room, hot and cold plunge pools and a curated juice bar. There will also be a resort-style rooftop precinct, complete with a heated infinity pool and spa, a residents’ lounge with a private kitchen and bar, a contemporary fitness centre with a yoga and Pilates studio, and outdoor BBQ areas with entertaining lounges.

<img alt="8-10 Acacia Avenue and 25-27 Oak Avenue, Surfers Paradise" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="997f8dbb-4ed1-47e4-8780-d12a3d5cd0e9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_3.png?VersionId=IsDJXxE8.HG92i4dnbmmPQi.fVXjME7I" />

"At Homecorp, we are driven by the pursuit of better - challenging expectations, thinking bigger and shaping communities that leave a lasting legacy," said Ron Bakir, CEO and Founder of Homecorp.

"This project draws on our experience and expertise to take what the market has been craving to the next level - a home that nurtures wellness, calms the mind and lifts the everyday stresses away. A home is more than a place you live, it’s where you rest, reset and find balance."

&nbsp;

Bakir says what sets the location&nbsp;apart is its rare, tightly held nature within one of the Gold Coast’s most vibrant lifestyle and entertainment precincts, yet quietly tucked away in a peaceful, beachside enclave.

"Budds Beach has remained exceptionally limited in supply over the past decade and this site presented an unmatched opportunity to deliver something truly special to both Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast.”

Conveniently connected to major roads and the G:link, residents will enjoy easy access to Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads, while still being just minutes from the city’s most iconic beaches and the Broadwater’s ‘golden mile’.

The 2130 sqm site acquisition adds to Homecorp’s growing Gold Coast multi-storey portfolio on the Gold Coast, following the success of Eve Residences in Labrador upon its completion in November 2024. In 2025, Eve earned multiple national accolades and went on to win ‘Best Oceanview Condo Development’ in the Asia Pacific region at the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final, outperforming entries from more than 13 prestigious international markets.

The company also commenced construction last year on the highly anticipated $250 million second stage of Cienna Varsity Ridge, set to deliver 289 residences by 2027 in the heart of Varsity Lakes, and launched the $210 million Florence Residences along Surfers Paradise’s Monte Carlo Avenue to the market, with construction kicking off last month.

"The property market is constantly evolving, particularly here on the Gold Coast, which continues to outperform national trends thanks to its unmatched lifestyle, natural beauty and growing infrastructure, especially ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. We are proud to be adding more homes to the skyline, creating spaces that are not only designed for liveability but also nurture wellness within. They are homes that are built to last a lifetime and beyond," concluded Mr Bakir.

The project is set to launch to the market later this year.

Homecorp lodges plans for $260 million Moroccan bathhouse-inspired tower in Budds Beach

Chadstone

Aultun Group&rsquo;s latest Melbourne development, Collins &amp; Bates, is a collection of 98 one, two and three-bedroom residences across two individually styled buildings.

Designed by Point Architecture and C&amp;C Interiors, each apartment encapsulates elegance, style and timeless design.

The project features open-plan living spaces, monsoon showers, ample storage and leafy courtyards, offering an ideal setting to entertain or unwind in the home&rsquo;s various living spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3950]

With one-bedroom apartments priced from $420,000 and three-bedroom apartments priced from $1,000,000, Chadstone will suit the needs of first home buyers, investors and downsizers alike.

Flooded with natural light from over-sized windows and calming green nature, Collins &amp; Bates makes each home a private sanctuary in the premium Melbourne suburb of Chadstone.

Still unsure? Urban takes a look at four reasons why buying in Melbourne&#39;s Chadstone area could be a smart move.

1. Chadstone is seeing a recovery trend

As Australian dwelling markets saw an accelerating recovery trend through the December quarter, CoreLogic expects that the incidence of profit-making sales may increase in Melbourne over the coming months.

While investor resales may come under some pressure in the inner-city Melbourne market as a result of lower rental asking prices, the current record low mortgage rates appear to be an offsetting factor.

2. It&rsquo;s Australia&rsquo;s fashion capital

<a href="/buildings/collins-bates-19-25-collins-street-chadstone"><img alt="" height="563" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/shutterstock_1393312640.jpg" width="1000" /></a>

The revered suburb of Chadstone is Australia&rsquo;s premier retail destination and luxury fashion capital. In close location to Chadstone Shopping Centre, the area provides unmatched access to endless retail options from designer boutiques to apartment stores.

Following the Centre&rsquo;s $660 million refurbishment in 2016, Chadstone is all you need to get your fashion fix.

3. The lush, green setting

Chadstone&rsquo;s various offerings aren&rsquo;t just limited to its premier retail and entertaining facets, but its lesser-known parklands offer residents the chance to unwind from city living. North of the suburb, Gardiners Creek provides a leafy setting unearthing natural serenity.

Whether you&rsquo;re looking for recreation areas and playing fields or scenic cycling trails, Melbourne has you covered, with trails following through Malvern Valley Golf Course all the way to the Yarra River.

4. Chadstone is a culinary destination

<a href="/buildings/collins-bates-19-25-collins-street-chadstone"><img alt="" height="1302" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/lifestyle2.jpg" width="1850" /></a>

Melbournians love their food, wine and beer, and Chadstone&rsquo;s vibrant eateries provide all three. Not too far afield are some of Melbourne&rsquo;s most distinctive and beloved urban villages, with an array of restaurants from every cuisine.

Collins & Bates makes each home a private sanctuary in the premium Melbourne suburb of Chadstone

max.kwok_55688

Find out the top reasons why buying in Melbourne's Chadstone precinct could be a smart move

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These three and four bedroom townhouses offer contemporary living with stylish interiors and meticulously landscaped gardens. You'll love coming home to your new Churchill Townhouse, fully equipped with everything you need in one of Melbourne's most desired pockets of the south-east. Nestled in an exclusive area of Melbourne's established south-eastern corridor, Churchill Townhouses are only 20km from the city centre. With an abundance of local amenities, including world-class shopping experiences, you'll feel right at home.

Learn, work and play in a community that continues to offer its residents 5-star living and an endless list of amenities accommodating every member of the family.

A further benefit to the location of Churchill Townhouses is that they are positioned within a sea of educational options. You'll be spoiled by your choice at Churchill, with Monash University, Wesley College, Ashwood Secondary and Mount Waverley Heights all just moments away.

Modern aesthetics expand across the living area, with a combination of contemporary interiors featuring Tasmanian Oak hardwood floors, square set cornices as well as bi-fold doors opening onto a large alfresco and landscaped garden. These 2-storey townhouses provide a perfect balance between living and sleeping quarters. The kitchen, dining and laundry areas are all on the ground floor, followed by 3 well-sized bedrooms on the first floor. Pending on which plan you choose, you'll also be provided with either a guest room or study on the ground floor. Each townhouse features a 2-car garage as well as adequate space for all of your storage needs.

Churchill Townhouses are only 20km from the city centre. With an abundance of local amenities, including world-class shopping experiences, you'll feel right at home.

Urban's three favourite things about Churchill Townhouses, Chadstone:

Spacious townhouses with landscaped gardens.

Located within moments of Chadstone Shopping Centre.

Surrounded by leading schools and parklands.
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urban.com.au

You’ll love coming home to your new Churchill Townhouse, in the heart of Chadstone. Subject - Only 20km from the city centre.

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The first stage of Chadstone’s $660 million redevelopment was unveiled yesterday.
The redevelopment includes the Southern Hemisphere's first LEGOLAND Discovery Centre.
The development will also feature 100 new retailers, two new dining precincts, a Hoyts digital cinema complex and a Tesla Motors dealership.
The development has been under construction for more than two years and is set to be completed in mid-2017. 
Principal Andrew Mackenzie said the journey has been unlike any other he has experienced in his career.
“Buchan began work on Stage 1 of Chadstone’s redevelopment in the early 1980’s, and today we witness the extent of its incredible evolution as Stage 40 comes to life.  It has been truly remarkable watching the centre’s growth over the years and we are extremely proud to have played a leading role in the Chadstone story.
A 7000 square metre grid shell roof covers the atrium, and si 30 metres above the ground.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Chadstone reveals first stage of $660m revamp

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Legoland is due to open in mid-2017 at Chadstone shopping mall.
The Chadstone Lego centre will make be the first discovery centre in southern hemisphere for Lego, part of a global network of Lego Discovery Centres operated by British group Merlin Entertainment, including nine in North America, four in Europe and two in Japan.
"It could become Australia's version of the New York's FAO Schwarz," said Zelman Ainsworth, head of Melbourne retail leasing at property group CBRE said of the iconic, but recently closed New York toy store.
Merlin's chief new openings officer John Jakobsen told Fairfax Media the discovery centre concept has been a huge success worldwide, offering a family day out of shopping and dining.
Australia and Asia are very important development areas for Merlin with the group's Sydney attractions including Madame Tussauds and Sydney Aquarium.
Lego will take 2800 square metres, designed to entertain three-to-10 year olds for up to three hours.
Legoland was described in January by Forbes' Fast Company publication as "the Apple of toys". 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Legoland to open at Chadstone shopping mall

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Like it or loathe it, Chadstone Shopping Centre is about to enter another expansionary phase which will further solidify its position as Australia's largest. Beyond the planned push to over 215,000 square metres of leasable space, the headline construction note within the upcoming phase will be the delivery of premium office tower fronting Dandenong Road.

With near 16,000 square metres of office space expected, the soon to be under construction commercial building will in due course be joined by an additional tower containing 190 hotel suites. Both towers were covered in a <a href="/news/chadstones-twin-towers-sharpen-up" target="_blank">previous Urban.com.au article</a>.

<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/Image3_10_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hotel and commercial towers side by side. Image © Bates Smart"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Image3_10_0.jpg?itok=ZGbjPIn5" title="Hotel and commercial towers side by side. Image © Bates Smart" width="580"></a>

The office tower is included within Stage 38 and according to website <a href="http://www.estimateone.com/" target="_blank">EstimateOne</a> also includes the following:

Early Works

<ul>
<li>Bulk excavation and site retention of the new car park located under the office tower</li>
	<li>Underpinning of the existing Myer car park</li>
</ul>
Stage One Works (Separable Portions apply)

<ul>
<li>New Myer car park deck</li>
	<li>Pedestrian link</li>
	<li>New bus interchange</li>
	<li>Road works to Eastern Road</li>
	<li>New signage gantries to Eastern Road</li>
	<li>Road works to Princes Highway</li>
	<li>Commercial in-ground carparking and ramping</li>
	<li>Office tower excluding tenant fitout</li>
	<li>Landscaping</li>
	<li>Screeding over future site for Hotel</li>
</ul>
<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/Image10_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image © chadstoneshopping.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="241" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Image10_10.jpg?itok=1Yt7GCoI" title="Image © chadstoneshopping.com.au" width="580"></a>

In addition, Stage 40 which centres around an expanded retail offering is also out to construction tender. According to the <a href="http://www.chadstoneshopping.com.au/chadstonedevelopment/chadstone_capital.htm" target="_blank">official website</a>, "The new development proposal represents an investment of over $500 million by its owners, creating significant employment throughout the economy for the broader community (2,700 direct jobs during construction and 2,200 ongoing)."

Currently six major builders are in the running, although Probuild may have the upper hand given they have delivered a variety of expansion projects for the centre over a 15 year period.
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silvermb

Chadstone Capital moves to construction

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... and that's the problem.
Melbourne was very good at locating shopping centres away from rail lines and stations when they were first proposed, and we're paying for it now.  Well at least, the good 'burghers of Chadstone, who live opposite or in the immediate vicinity of the shopping centre that bears the same name, are.
In our <a href="http://urbanmelbourne.info/development/2013/04/16/chadstones-twin-towers-sharpen-up#content">piece</a> yesterday on the updated proposals for a Hotel and Office at Chadstone Shopping Centre, Mark posted images from Atomic 3D and Bates Smart that act as a perfect example of  how utterly auto-centric these “activity” centres are. Have a look at the Dandenong Road vista – shopping centres have always been internally focused and Chadstone is no exception – however the new proposal has solidified this internal mentality by only providing a barely windowed facade at ground level, completely cut off from the footpath.
There’s absolutely zero active frontage and it's dominated by vehicular access paths.  Some effort in opening the proposed section of the site to Dandenong Road may have been been a good sign of things to come; nevertheless we're stuck with the ode to auto-centric suburbia that Chadstone and other centres are synonymous with.
Sure, Dandenong Road is a major arterial and not the most pedestrian friendly environment comes to mind of but Chadstone could do so much better.  If we accept shopping centres are going to become legitimate multi-use activity centres in the decades to come, we must correct the past mistakes of not integrating them with high capacity mass public transport routes, reject dumb design that turns its back on the street and start opening them up to their surrounds.
Chadstone’s public transport is currently riding on the back of the humble bus.  At present the best train + bus option is to take a train to Oakleigh and then swap to the 802, 900 or 902, or walk from Hughesdale Station.  The buses are timetabled for 9 minutes between Oakleigh and Chadstone SC, but as we all know that is susceptible to Warrigal Road and Middle Road traffic. PTV’s site states there’s a 4-5 combined frequency across the aforementioned routes - excellent service compared to other routes around the metropolitan area.
It is interesting to see the bus bay has been placed closer to the Dandenong Road entry for Chadstone in yesterday’s piece by Mark.  Buses – from Oakleigh – will be able to avoid all the Monash FWY-bound traffic on Middle Road and turn left at Dandenong Road from Warrigal Rd and then right turn almost directly into the bus station.  This should improve reliability and potentially shave a minute or two off the timetable.
But going by how quickly Chadstone expands and its popularity citywide – good marketing will do that – at what point do we say: enough is enough, bite the bullet and start providing alternative high-capacity access?
As I alluded to a few weeks ago, one of the biggest elephants in the room with regards to the Rowville Rail Study was the ignoring of Chadstone and more recently with the release of the PTV Heavy Rail plan, the Rowville line is completely dependent on the Metro Tunnel.
Rowville study Mark II (as the first one outlined further investigation must be carried out on the city side of Huntingdale) should focus on studying the benefits of removing the Rowville line’s dependency on the Metro Tunnel and as an alternative, study how the Burnley group of lines could work in Rowville’s favour.
We now know that PTV sees the eventual quadruplication of Burnley to Camberwell, but before we get to that – lets look at how Rowville can assume the operation of Alamein with a terminus at Camberwell – at least for the first stage.
We know that there is some spectre of hope for a Rowville rail line eventually, so lets take that for granted. 
From Huntingdale another track pair could be built alongside the existing corridor to Oakleigh, with a 1-2km tunnel built from Oakleigh underneath Dandenong Road and adjacent to Chadstone SC to the old Outer Circle Rail alignment just south of Waverley Road.  From there a line could transition to an elevated structure with a station at East Malvern, and then traverse the Monash Freeway and Gardiner’s Creek valley (where the old trestle bridge from the outer ciricle line did 100 years ago) and then use the old alignment to south of Alamein.
The existing Alamein line would require grade separation at Riversdale Rd and Prospect Hill Rd offering an opportunity to delete Willison Station as Willison and Riversdale stations are 300m from one another. Entries to the newly grade separated Riversdale station located to the south of Riversdale road could eaasily cater for the loss of Willison and reposition the new Riversdale station to cater for both catchments.  Click <a href="https://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?msid=211205020527797360410.0004da78fe6cb979be7b7&amp;msa=0&amp;ll=-37.876208,145.082788&amp;spn=0.054538,0.132093" target="_blank">here</a> to see full map.
<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/chad_line_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/chad_line_1.jpg?itok=PBMS-dXu" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
PTV similarly wouldn't need to create expensive and longer stations on the Rowville line - as the Alamein and Camberwell-City sections are not mooted to get the same upgrades as the Dandenong corridor.  And as a start, off-peak 10 minute services moving to 7-8 minutes in peak would interface with all the activity centres and the 3 primary lines this Camberwell-Rowville shuttle would intersect.
Creating this line will not only provide a one-stop rail journey for the East and South East of Melbourne to Chadstone, it will start linking the region’s other activity centres (Monash/Mulgrave, Camberwell and Glenferrie), provide numerous more non-car Public Transport options for those who live or work in the east and also add heavy rail network redundancy to all Eastern and South Eastern lines.  
Rowville Mark II needs to look at how linking Alamein and Oakleigh via Chadstone could impact the economic case for the Rowville rail line and it should similarly probe Gandel/CFS on their thoughts on potentially going into a PPP - i.e Gandel/CFS pay for the Chadstone station allowing them to fully integrate it into the centre in return for being allowed to expand the use of the land - residential apartments and more commercial above the shopping centre below.
It’s clear that Gandel and CFS have their eyes on diversifying the land use at Chadstone Shopping Centre, and in order to make it work let's integrate it so as to start linking even more eastern suburbs activity centres at the same time.
 
 
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Alastair Taylor

All roads lead to Chadstone

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During 2011 Chadstone Shopping Centre owners Gandel Group and CFS Retail Property Trust disclosed their intentions to expand Chadstone with the addition of two towers facing Princes Highway. The initial scheme called for towers up to 14 levels, though as time passed the proposals were refined to the point where by mid last year visualisation firm <a href="http://www.atomic3d.com.au/" target="_blank">Atomic 3D</a> carried the render below on their website.
<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/Image9_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Chadstone Corporate © Atomic 3D"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Image9_2.jpg?itok=chOAxFls" title="Chadstone Corporate © Atomic 3D" typeof="Image"></a>
Gaining approval from both Stonnington City Council and Planning Minister Guy late last year, the scheme has been further refined with project architects Bates Smart adding more visual character to the project.
When realised, the western hotel tower will hold 190 rooms over 10 levels plus ground floor facilities reaching an overall height of 44 metres whilst rooms will range in size between 28sqm and 32sqm. The eastern office building will hold 15,788sqm of lettable space over nine dedicated ofice levels plus ground floor facilites and reach a height of 45.3 metres.
Whilst the office tower seems for the most unchanged, both the podium structure and hotel have gained a new look. The hotel's facade will be a mixture of double glazed glass broken by vertical bands of white alternating ceramic frit.
Further the glassed podium is now covered by a vertical blade screen as seen below. A new semi-enclosed elevated glass pedestrian walk will also be constructed linking the new buildings to the existing shopping centre.
<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/Image5_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Image5_6.jpg?itok=kQLlVHKo" typeof="Image"></a>
While endorsed plans indicate 507 additional car parking spaces will be added via three levels under the towers, a Herald Sun article from last year suggests that upon completion car <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/m-expansion-of-chadstone-shopping-centre-approved-despite-traffic-fears/story-e6frf7kx-1226513984649" target="_blank">parking spaces will near 11000</a> throughout the whole complex.
I'm all for a developments such as this which intensifies an already highly used activity node and centralises large scale development, but the question remains - Is Chadstone too car dependant and are current public transport links sufficient enough to turn a suburban shopping centre into a true activity centre?
Alastair will address Chadstone's transport issues tomorrow, but for today find below more images from both <a href="http://www.atomic3d.com.au/" target="_blank">Atomic 3D</a> and Bates Smart of Chadstone's foray info the commercial and hotel markets.
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