National diversified developer Fortis has officially launched Crest &amp; Walker, its latest Brisbane apartment development, with construction now underway on the 20-storey Newstead project.

Award-winning builder BINAH has commenced construction on the Bureau^Proberts-designed building, which will deliver a limited collection of 65 two and three-bedroom apartments on Kyabra Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373556]

The project marks Fortis' fourth active residential development in Brisbane, following River House, which is nearing completion, alongside projects in New Farm and Hamilton as the national developer continues to expand its South East Queensland pipeline.

Fortis General Manager – Development Queensland Dan Boman said Crest &amp; Walker reflects the developer's long-term commitment to delivering design-led residential projects in Brisbane's established inner-city suburbs.

"We're proud to be strengthening our presence in Brisbane with Crest &amp; Walker, particularly in such a sought-after lifestyle destination as Newstead," Boman said.

"Every Fortis project is shaped by its context, and we approach each one with the respect and care it deserves.

"Our focus is always on creating places that feel connected to their neighbourhood and elevate the everyday experience for residents. Newstead continues to evolve as one of Brisbane's most sought-after urban communities, and Crest &amp; Walker reflects our ambition to contribute meaningfully to that story."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373559]

Positioned between Gasworks Plaza and James Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> has been designed as a boutique residential address offering privacy and generous living spaces within one of Brisbane's most established lifestyle precincts.

The building features a contemporary brick podium softened by integrated landscaping, while the upper levels are characterised by restrained architecture and enduring materiality. Interiors have been designed to maximise natural light, acoustic performance and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373583]

Residences comprise spacious two and three-bedroom floorplans, with two-bedroom apartments priced from $1.55 million and three-bedroom, half-floor residences from $3.95 million.

Residents will have access to a wellness-focused rooftop featuring a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, landscaped dining spaces and outdoor lounge areas overlooking Newstead and the Brisbane CBD.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373571]

Sales are being managed by Slaite Projects, with Fortis expecting strong demand from owner-occupiers seeking a high-quality, design-focused apartment in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.

Completion of Crest &amp; Walker is slated for late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145922]

Joel Robinson

Fortis expands Brisbane pipeline with launch of Crest & Walker in Newstead

The enormity of delivering a true skyscraper in Australia's new development market is often overlooked.

It has taken the best part of a decade since plans for Chevron One were first unveiled, but the 52-storey tower is now complete, with residents collecting their keys and moving into what has become one of the Gold Coast's most recognisable new landmarks.

Rising 127 metres above Chevron Island, Chevron One stands almost twice as high as any other building on the island. Its scale places it alongside the trio of towers at Jewel, arguably the last truly significant addition to the central Gold Coast skyline when they were completed around six years ago.

While there are several developments underway around a similar height to Chevron One, they are more concentrated within clusters of the highest towers in the city. The fact Chevron One sits within a developing precinct, looking back at the other high-rise developments in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, makes it a different proposition altogether. It will certainly become a reference point on the Gold Coast skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68833]

Developer Bensons Property Group is behind the 52-storey tower, which has just shy of 250 apartments, along with an exhaustive list of resident amenity spread across what is the largest development site ever assembled on Chevron Island.

The tower has been the talk of the town for years, says Ray White Projects Gold Coast agent Caitlin Rosenboom, who is selling the remaining apartments.

"People have been watching Chevron One go up for years," Rosenboom says, adding that many prospective buyers have been surprised by the scale of the views once they step inside.

"It's only when they walk through a completed apartment that they truly understand the position of the building," Rosenboom says.

"The views are jaw-dropping. Whether you're looking east over the ocean, across Surfers Paradise, along the river systems or out to the hinterland, every level offers something different but equally impressive."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=360215]

One of Chevron One's defining advantages is its location on the eastern side of Chevron Island on Stanhill Drive, a position which protects the views forever.

"There's only one row of houses between Chevron One and the water, and the height restrictions along the river means views from Chevron One can never be built out,"&nbsp;Rosenboom says.

While new apartment developments continue to emerge across the Gold Coast, Rosenboom says opportunities to secure a completed apartment with this level of outlook are becoming increasingly rare.

"The size of the site is something that would be incredibly difficult to replicate today," she says.

"That's allowed Chevron One to deliver the sort of amenity, open space and resident facilities that very few projects can offer. There are not many completed apartment buildings on the Gold Coast right now that can compete with the combination of scale, quality and amenity."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68839]

There's around 2,000 sqm of amenity solely for the use of residents of Chevron One. Club One features a uniquely shaped swimming pool that mirrors the footprint of the building itself, set within a extensively landscaped gardens. There's also an indoor pool and spa, a fully equipped gym with a Pilates room, a yoga garden, a bookable private dining area and lounge that can host up to 30 people, and a 24-hour concierge service.

As for the buyers, Rosenboom is fielding enquiry from everywhere: Sydneysiders and Melburnians looking at the new and off-the-plan market following the changes in the Federal Budget, as well as those looking to relocate, through to South East Queenslanders seeking either a permanent home or a weekender bolthole.

"The Gold Coast lifestyle continues to resonate with people relocating from the southern states, and when they see the views and the quality of what's been delivered at Chevron One, it becomes very easy for them to understand the appeal," Rosenboom says.

A diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments remain available, with each offering "something a little different", be it the orientation and views, configuration, or level, to suit a wide variety of buyers.

The remaining apartments are ready to inspect in person, by appointment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6515]

A decade in the making: Residents to move into Chevron One as construction wraps up

A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.

It's a formula that's become commonplace across Australia's apartment market. Residents might have access to a pool, gym or barbecue facilities on a dedicated lower level, but the most desirable outdoor spaces are typically reserved for the highest-priced homes at the top of the building.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> has taken the opposite approach.

Rather than dedicating the rooftop to a handful of buyers, the Gold Coast developer has made it the centrepiece of its Flourish collection, creating expansive shared spaces from the best vantage point in the building.

The philosophy has reached its most ambitious expression at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> in Palm Beach, where two rooftop precincts connected by a skybridge will deliver one of the most extensive lifestyle offerings seen in a residential apartment project on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374053]

"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.

"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.

"That's where amenity becomes critical. It's not just about what's included, but how those spaces are designed to be used every day."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374052]

The breadth of amenity has already attracted buyers across multiple demographics. Younger first home buyers have been drawn to Soleira's one-bedroom apartments, a product rarely delivered in Palm Beach, while families have responded to practical inclusions such as the shallow children's pool adjoining the main lap pool and the extensive communal recreation areas.

Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

The southern rooftop has been dedicated to wellness, featuring a gym, yoga and Pilates studio, work-from-home facilities, a wellness centre, spa, and hot and cold plunge pools.

The northern rooftop focuses on recreation and entertaining, incorporating a heated resort-style pool, private dining rooms, pizza ovens, barbecues, a golf simulator, children's recreation areas, and what is expected to be the Gold Coast's first rooftop basketball court, which will also double as a squash court.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374054]

Beyond the rooftops, Soleira will introduce 1,500 sqm of curated retail beneath the towers, creating one of Palm Beach's first genuinely mixed-use lifestyle precincts where cafés, restaurants and convenience retail become part of residents' everyday lives.

Sherpa has also retained management rights across the development, allowing it to oversee the long-term operation of the building through a 24-hour concierge model. The developer is also exploring additional revenue streams within the precinct aimed at helping offset ongoing body corporate costs for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370962]

While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.

It began with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>, the first project released under the Flourish brand. Rather than competing at the ultra-luxury end of the market with oversized half-floor and full-floor residences, Sherpa focused on creating lifestyle-driven apartments supported by resort-style shared spaces.

Amargo introduced more than 800 sqm of rooftop amenity, combining wellness facilities, heated pools, entertaining areas, cabanas, pizza ovens and private dining spaces into what was designed as an extension of residents' homes rather than a facility used only occasionally.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=366550]

That approach continued with Flourish Oasis, where the same amenity-led philosophy was refined into a more boutique development. Strong demand from Sherpa's growing VIP database saw much of the project sold before it reached the broader market, reinforcing buyer appetite for apartment communities centred around shared lifestyle experiences.

Flourish Amargo is slated for completion mid-way-through next year, with Oasis to be delivered by late 2027. Flourish Soleira is expected to complete in 2030.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa takes amenity to the sky as Flourish Soleira captures booming Palm Beach demand

As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]

The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.

Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.

In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]

The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.

Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.

This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]

What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.

The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.

Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

Elevated amenity anchors daily life at Aeris, Melrose Park

Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

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"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

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The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

ClarkeHopkinsClarke

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Polaris 3083 is a $500 million community development encompassing its own town centre, apartments, townhouses, shops, recreational areas, aged care and student accommodation. Developed by Deal Corp with masterplanning and architecture by ClarkeHopkinsClarke (CHC), the intent of Polaris is to create a diverse and rich community that caters to all demographics through a variety of amenities and housing typologies.

Deal Corp acquired the 12-hectare Bundoora site from VicUrban following a formal tender process. Having worked with CHC on a number other mixed-use and residential projects, Deal Corp engaged the practice to design Polaris 3083. The initial planning efforts were concentrated on the Village Centre, a key element of the project. This was completed last year as part of Stage 1 along with 64 apartments across five buildings. The early delivery of The Village Centre ensured the development had a vibrant town centre that provided optimal amenity to residents from the outset.

<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/polaris_masterplan.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Polaris 3083 Master Plan."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="277" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/polaris_masterplan.jpg?itok=39NtsSHH" title="Polaris 3083 Master Plan." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Polaris 3083 Master Plan. Courtesy Polaris 3083 website.</figcaption></figure>Urban.com.au spoke to CHC Partner Robert Goodliffe about the office's involvement on Polaris 3083 and its future. Goodliffe attributes CHC's engagement on the project to the office's considerable experience in the multi-residential and retail sector, which has enabled the practice to deliver a vibrant and diverse mixed-use community on a brownfield site.

The project features a full-line Woolworths supermarket and Dan Murphy’s store among the current retail offering at ground level, developed along with a suite of eight two-storey apartment buildings. While these buildings share a similar materials palette, they were deliberately given to different design teams within CHC.

This approach has ensured a level of aesthetic variation that creates local character and avoids the homogeneous appearance of many planned communities. The last of these buildings, Summit 22, is currently commencing construction and will complete the village square with 22 apartments set above retail.

<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/07_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Two-storey apartments atop ground level retail is a feature of Polaris 3083. "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="287" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/07_1.jpg?itok=LIj2zNVx" title="Two-storey apartments atop ground level retail is a feature of Polaris 3083. " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Two-storey apartments atop ground level retail is a feature of Polaris 3083. Courtesy ClarkeHopkinsClarke</figcaption></figure>Reinforcing the idea of community is the inclusion of a Red Cross Blood Bank, next to council's community centre. This facility is currently under construction and will be housed within one of the historic Larundel buildings. A series of laneways filters people through the town centre from a variety of directions contributing to the creation of a walkable community. A series of townhouses are also nearing completion, while a suite of three apartment buildings are under construction at the centre of the site.

Originally, Deal Corp were considering using a variety of different architects to enable a diversity in architectural responses. However, having seen the range of design delivered by the CHC team, Deal Corp engaged the practice for the remainder of the estate. The project will eventually deliver over 1000 additional dwellings.

Attention is currently focused on a number of areas on site that will deliver further retail opportunities to activate the main entry driveway as well as residential apartments, a 24/7 gym plus serviced apartments and a tavern along Plenty Road. There’s also potential for an office component, completing the south-west corner of the master plan. Meanwhile, the old Linakers Cottage was sold to another developer who is converting this into a childcare facility.

To the site’s north, CHC are working on the Aspire apartments, involving the adaptive re-use of two of the heritage listed Larundel Buildings. The council were keen to see these buildings redeveloped early in the development process due to their poor state of repair. Dwellings in Aspire will be converted into New York loft-style apartments. They will retain some of the heritage fabric such as the colonial multi panel windows and the high ceilings to “enrich a modern renovation," Goodliffe says.

Due to squatters and various fires over time, the buildings have fallen into a state of disrepair that will require them to be stripped back to their core structure and rebuilt. Despite the cost in doing so, Goodliffe says Deal Corp have made a commitment to retain the buildings. A basement carpark will provide parking for Aspire's residents while a series of three storey townhouses to the east overlooking the existing village green rounds out the development. The Aspire apartments are currently selling well due to their premium location overlooking abundant parkland.

<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/apsire_polaris_ext.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aspire Apartments currently selling."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="337" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/apsire_polaris_ext.jpg?itok=7M3fCyGo" title="Aspire Apartments currently selling." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aspire Apartments currently selling. Courtesy ClarkeHopkinsClarke</figcaption></figure>Future stages will see more townhouses developed and apartment buildings up to six-storeys. Supported aged care is also on the cards allowing for Polaris 3083 to develop into, as Goodliffe puts it, "a fully integrated lifestyle community that spans a generation from childcare through to supported residential."

Polaris 3083 is expected to be completed over the course of the next five years as the last remaining sites are due to be lodged for town planning approval in the not-too-distant future.
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Laurence Dragomir

Robert Goodliffe of ClarkeHopkinsClarke discusses Polaris 3083

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The currently ingrained ‘business as usual’ approach to retirement living and residential aged care requires radical transformation to suit Australia’s ageing population.

Approximately 12 per cent of Australia’s population are over the age of 65, a statistic that’s expected to increase to 16 per cent by 2030. The next generation of retirees - the baby boomers - are expected to be the wealthiest cohort of retirees the nation has seen yet. These consumers have greater expectations of their retirement years than previous generations.

In a world where 75 is the new 55, developers and facility operators are being offered the chance to cash in on these markets where growth is virtually guaranteed. However, despite these clear opportunities, Australia’s residential aged care and retirement facilities are already showing signs of falling behind.

Here we explore three out-dated assumptions of aged care design that are jeopardising and restricting innovative solutions:

<h2>Assumption one: All retirees have similar housing needs</h2>

The University of NSW prepared a report for the National Housing Supply Council in 2012 that identified six typical types of requirements retirees may have for housing:

<ul>
<li>Age-in-place: The group that wants to, and is able to, keep living in the family home.</li>
	<li>Local-adapters: The group that has recently or wants to, and is able to, move out of their current home but keep living in the same area.</li>
	<li>Scene-changers: The group that has recently or wants to, and is able to, move out of the current home and area to somewhere with greater amenity.</li>
	<li>Constrained-retreat: The group that wants to keep living in their current home, or even the same area, but is forced to make compromises due to financial constraints.</li>
	<li>Increased-dependency: The group that wants to stay in their current home but has to make housing or location compromises due to deteriorating health.</li>
	<li>Older-renters: The group that has reached retirement without purchasing their own home, and will need to retain or find ongoing rental accommodation.</li>
</ul>
Local-adaptors and scene-changers, for example, will be on the lookout for well-appointed and convenient housing in middle and inner ring suburbs as well as sought-after sea and tree change locations.

Constrained-retreat consumers will most likely need to release equity from their homes by moving to less expensive and more convenient housing in the middle and outer ring suburbs. Increased-dependency consumers will be seeking housing that provides access to assistance and services.

When we consider retirees who must move away from neighbourhoods where they have lived long term, access to activities or environments in which they can build new social networks may increase in importance, particularly to those who are single or widowed retirees. It is entirely possible that consumers require a combination of these needs, such as a single individual with increased dependency who prefers to and can afford to also be a local-adaptor, provided there are appropriate housing options available.

<h2>Assumption two: People over the age of 65 want to live in designated precincts</h2>

Many older Australians want to mix with younger people and don’t want to be typecast as being ‘old’.

The traditional retirement village and aged care home typology is an unattractive prospect to this cohort, particularly when located at sites that have limited connections with the surrounding neighbourhood.

A new approach to urban design for retirement living may also assist with avoiding negative perceptions. Considerations such as locating retirement living close to town or village centres, avoiding a “gated” appearance and incorporating cafes and community facilities that can be accessed and utilised by the wider community are all ways of achieving this. ClarkeHopkinsClarke is currently implementing these principles on our St Germain Village project in Clyde North, Victoria.

Last year in Britain, a commission chaired by a former minister recommended that new housing for the elderly and disabled should be incorporated into shopping developments, new apartment blocks and even universities to prevent the elderly from being cut off in “care ghettoes”. This idea is gaining momentum in Australia, with residential developments expected to attract a high proportion of retirees under consideration above and adjacent to well-known Victorian shopping centres such as Chadstone, Northland and Highpoint.

<h2>Assumption three: Only young people want to live in apartments</h2>

Retirees are already strong contributors to Australia’s booming apartment market. Only 6-8 per cent of retirees live in retirement villages, whereas currently, they make up approximately 30 per cent of Australia’s medium-high density housing market.

Director Project Marketing Residential at Colliers International, David Chittenden, has said,”Apartment living is now an emerging trend for [retirees]. These people don’t want to do chores, with large houses and gardens to maintain; they’re looking for an easier lifestyle with more time for themselves and a community around them.”

This sentiment has been proven to be correct on our Soho Village project in the outer suburb of Point Cook, Victoria with a large percentage of the luxury townhouses in the development being snapped up by retirees. Despite this, very few apartment developments are marketed to retirees.

Creating medium and high-density housing developments in which a portion of dwellings are either designated as ‘retirement living’ or are easily adapted for the needs of ageing consumers is a market opportunity that is currently being missed.

Such an approach would be an effective way to improve the current deficiency of downsizing options available in the middle ring suburbs of Australia’s capital cities.

Robert Goodliffe is a Partner at ClarkeHopkinsClarke and has been an architect since 1981, working predominantly on Education, Multi-Residential, and Health &amp; Aged Care projects. Robert has also been elected to serve as an Australian Institute of Architects Victorian Chapter Councillor for 2015-16.
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Robert Goodliffe

Three assumptions limiting Australian aged care design

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The proposed implementation of standards across Melbourne apartments is strongly supported by ClarkeHopkinsClarke, a Melbourne architecture firm committed to the creation and support of vibrant communities.

Contrary to recent media arguing the proposed standards in the Victorian Government’s ‘Better Apartments’ discussion paper will only lead to increased housing prices, we believe the implementation of standards has the potential to encourage greater innovation, particularly if the standards are based on performance.

Currently much debate is focused on the introduction of a minimum standard for room and apartment sizes. While the size of apartments is one aspect to consider, we believe the standards would be more beneficial if based on performance, whereby each situation is accessed on its merits.

The problem with regulating based on size is that a well-planned small apartment of 45 square metres can often have better natural light penetration, to be more spacious and more functional than a poorly planned 50 square metre apartment with unnecessary corridors and few windows. It's all about efficient design, maximising light, space and storage.

One of our recent projects, Parkside Apartments, Essendon, offered 50 square metre apartments with a flexible plan. A large sliding panel adjacent the living area transformed the internal area to create either or larger living area or a second bedroom or study. 50 per cent of the one-bedroom apartments feature this flexible floor plan concept.

The flexi-apartments mean residents can choose between a larger living space or a second bedroom, dining room or study. Whilst these apartments subscribe to the proposed minimum for a one-bedroom apartment, not a two bedroom, they offer choice and flexibility for buyers. Instead of making assumptions about how people want to live, we have provided them with the flexibility to choose for themselves.

The conundrum faced by builders and developers under the proposed standards will be to minimise their construction costs, while providing larger apartments, and maintaining a level of finish that the market has come to expect.

Performance based standards would promote clever and flexible apartment design as builders and developers strive to provide a point of difference in the crowded marketplace.

The City of Moreland’s ‘Moreland Apartment Design Code’ is a great example of performance based planning tool that helps to better inform the needs of residents.

This code dictates a streamlined assessment of development proposals with a set of objectives, guidelines and standards for assessing any development of five or more storeys throughout Moreland. We believe the resource benefits all stakeholders, providing clarity to the council, residents, developers and architects, while also emphasising the importance of site responsive design.

The implementation of the new apartment standards hosts great potential for Melbourne if rolled out effectively. With architects and developers each working towards the similar specifications, we can expect a more competitive marketplace that will fuel innovative solutions, improvements and efficiencies, and provide stakeholders with greater certainty and more measurable outcomes.

The standards also have the potential to ensure better amenity for public and communal spaces, serving to increase the appeal of apartment living overall.

Toby Lauchlan is Partner at Collingwood-based architecture practice <a href="http://www.chc.com.au/">ClarkeHopkinsClarke</a>.
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Toby Lauchlan

Apartment standards should be based on performance

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Melbourne-based architectural firm ClarkeHopkinsClarke (CHC) has won a fourth award for its Highett mixed use development, most recently taking out the GHD Woodhead Award for Best Mixed Use Development at the 2015 Property Council of Australia (PCA) event. Awarded as part of the PCA’s National Innovation and Excellence Awards, the project has been acknowledged for its development of affordable medium density housing, job creation and the revitalisation of its retail location.

The Highett project wins to date include the Mainstreet Activation Award at the 2014 Mainstreet Australia Awards, Best Mixed Use Development Award at the 2013 Urban Taskforce Development Excellence Awards, and winner of the Judges Award at the 2013 UDIA Victoria Awards for Excellence.

Completed in May 2013, the project represents an emerging design typology, combining retail with medium density residential development. In the case of Highett, this comprises a Woolworths supermarket and 17 specialty retailers at ground level, with 130 residential dwellings above.

<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/mixed-use_highett-02.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Highett Road frontage. Image courtesy CHC"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="301" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mixed-use_highett-02.jpg?itok=usL_mCsQ" title="Highett Road frontage. Image courtesy CHC" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Highett Road frontage. Image courtesy CHC</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
Highett is a relatively low profile project to have attracted a national award. Its significance lies in its demonstration of how introducing increased density can actually work to enhance suburbs.

If we are to accommodate population growth within the current growth boundary, developments like Highett will become increasingly common.
<cite>Toby Lauchlan, Partner at ClarkeHopkinsClarke</cite>
</blockquote>

Located within Melbourne’s Highett Road shopping strip in the City of Bayside, the development has brought renewed vitality to the previously declining retail strip that was initially established in the 1950s at a time of substantial residential growth. The Highett mixed use development has effectively maintained the existing urban fabric of the Highett Road strip by positioning the majority of the specialty retail tenancies along the street front facing Highett Road, with the Woolworths store accessed via an internal mall.

In line with the CHC’s philosophy to “create vibrant communities,” the project has been successful in invigorating local commercial opportunities, achieving the economic and financial objectives of the developers Fabcot and Accord Property Group, while also providing economic benefits to the community.

<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/image40_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A nod to the site's heritage. Image courtesy CHC"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="345" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image40_0.jpg?itok=qAqEshqr" title="A nod to the site's heritage. Image courtesy CHC" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A nod to the site's heritage. Image courtesy CHC</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
The Highett development responds sensitively to the surrounding context by preserving the scale and character of the existing streetscape.
<cite>Toby Lauchlan</cite>
</blockquote>

Approximately 180 full time, part time and casual jobs have been generated by the supermarket and specialty retail outlets since the opening of the centre, located at 284-286 Highett Road whilst the residential component has also been a financial success.

Scott McVilly, Managing Director at Accord Property Group said, “The residences have proven to be highly marketable. They sold quickly off the plan with 120 of the 130 apartments sold prior to completion.” Furthermore, 50 per cent percent of the residential properties were sold under the NRAS scheme, providing the economic advantage of affordable housing to numerous residents.

CHC's Highett design joins fellow projects such as <a href="http://www.chc.com.au/soho-village/">Soho Village</a>, <a href="http://www.chc.com.au/polaris-3083-shopping-centre-and-apartments/">Polaris 3083</a>, <a href="http://www.chc.com.au/springvale-mixed-use-town-centre/">Springvale</a> and <a href="http://www.chc.com.au/fitzroy-coles-the-bullring/">The Bullring</a> in bolstering the firms strength in mixed use design.
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Amelia Barnes

ClarkeHopkinsClarke wins fourth award for Highett mixed use development 

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Urban.com.au recently caught up with <a href="http://www.chc.com.au/">ClarkeHopkinsClarke</a> Partner Toby Lauchlan to discuss their Pica development in Richmond which forms part of their growing body of work.

<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/140623_-_richmond_aerial_-_final_2000_reduced.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Pica Richmond Aerial. © Clarke Hopkins Clarke"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/140623_-_richmond_aerial_-_final_2000_reduced.jpg?itok=BOkbv51t" title="Pica Richmond Aerial. © Clarke Hopkins Clarke" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Pica Richmond Aerial. © ClarkeHopkinsClarke</figcaption></figure>Laurence Dragomir: Can you provide us with a brief overview of Pica's internal specs including apartment sizes, finishes and what differentiates the development from a buyer's perspective?

Toby Lauchlan: We started Pica back in 2011, it comprises 19 bespoke apartments over six storeys at 8-10 New Street in inner Richmond. It's a brilliant location, in really close proximity to parks, Fitzroy Gardens, the MCG and so forth. The developer owns a ballooning company called <a href="http://www.picturethisballooning.com.au/">Picture This Ballooning</a> and has operated onsite for many, many years in the current building so there was a strong reference to this ballooning culture in Melbourne and the history of the site.

In essence it's about reinventing the site for the new generation of people that are going to live there, so the exterior responds to this with a strong ballooning reference which has been abstracted over the height of the building. We've now got a series of rectilinear forms that appear to float up and over the streetscape, and then there are a number of large panels that began as direct images of balloons and through working closely with David Pidgeon (graphic designer) the images evolved into a series of pixellated references of clouds, skies and balloons. The panels also incorporate visual cues to Melbourne's four seasons in a day.

There are taller buildings around Richmond, but this is taller than its immediate context so it offers up some spectacular views. Much of the marketing material associated with the project revolved around the views and the artwork.

Croten Investment's Damian Crock has been closely involved all the way along the process, working together with the interiors team at ClarkeHopkinsClarke (CHC) to create a neutral palette inside. It's a very black and white scheme but with really crisp finishes; black taps and other fittings, black high-gloss overhead cupboards above the kitchens with a white joinery base. We've tried to keep the palette simple internally but quite vibrant externally.

The development targets the owner-occupier market; every apartment is different, no two apartments are the same and there's a mix of 9 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom apartments ranging from approximately 50sqm to one that is over 100sqm on the top floor with views towards the city. There's a small café on the ground level near the main entry, 14 car spaces, 20 bicycle parks and 2 motorcycle spaces spread across ground and first floor.

With only 19 apartments it's quite a compact development, very boutique but with some great height on it.

LD: With no two apartments being the same did that throw up any challenges for the design team?

TL: If you compare it to other apartment buildings that we're doing across Melbourne within the middle ring and inner urban areas, predominantly we do try and get repetition where possible. This leads to efficiency in apartment types but on a project like Pica, which is quite constrained site-wise, has setback requirements and so forth, the inevitable result was that we ended up with different apartment types. In saying that there's a lot of standardisation in joinery units, kitchens and bathrooms. So that did throw up some challenges but nothing too extreme.

<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/140611_-_richmond_-_living_-_kitchen_-_final_-_2000.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Pica interior. © Clarke Hopkins Clarke"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="390" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/140611_-_richmond_-_living_-_kitchen_-_final_-_2000.jpg?itok=4Y42jHM0" title="Pica interior. © Clarke Hopkins Clarke" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Pica interior. © ClarkeHopkinsClarke</figcaption></figure>LD: Can you tell us a bit about the practice, the type of work you do?

TL: There's 65 people in the practice, so it's a large practice and we're quite diverse in the sectors that we target. The practice was founded in 1960 by partners Les Clarke, David Hopkins and Jack Clarke, designing houses but also with a real focus on the retail and education sectors.

Melbourne’s ClarkeHopkinsClarke has more than 50 plus years’ experience in creating vibrant communities across the design of entire urban communities as well as education, multi-residential, health and aged care projects.

CHC’s extensive knowledge of technical requirements and ability to lead design trends, across a variety of building types are critical to our success.

As well as our multi-sector portfolio of works CHC are currently carrying out a major research process into the key elements that make up a vibrant community and are actively leading the discussion on our St Germain greenfield development with the State Government’s Metropolitan Planning Authority as to how these theories can be tested in reality. www.creatingvibrantcommunities.com aims to start to bring together a wider array of stakeholders, designers and government and provide new tools to help improve the quality of life for those living in new greenfield suburbs.

LD: Would it be correct to say that CHC seem excessively strong in mixed-use developments. Would you say that this is now the practice's area of expertise?

TL: We've developed and evolved over the years so yes we do a lot of mixed-use and Pica for example is essentially a mixed-use project with retail being a very small component to it. We do a lot of pure residential but also a lot of mixed-use with a residential focus that include a small cafe at ground floor, SOHO's or offices for example. There's also a number of large retail focused projects with apartments, with townhouses etc, so there's a real cross section.

Then there's the outer urban but my focus within the practice is multi-res and mixed use in the middle and inner urban developments.

LD: What do you / the practice consider to be the main factors which most influence a CHC design and sets it apart from other architectural practices in Melbourne?

TL: I think having a real experience across all sectors allows us to bring that experience into individual projects, particularly those middle ring areas like Brunswick, Doncaster, Essendon Glen Huntly, Kew; sort of scattered everywhere. We work closely with a lot of councils during the town planning and pre-application phases, we provide community spaces, a strong retail base to the building that the apartment focus can really drive off that as well.

We have a really good design ethos in the practice, we attempt to push every project, getting individuality and strong identities to our buildings, driving off those for the marketing. But then there's also a real focus on the provision of amenity and really maximising it: the natural light, the openness, terraces, the interface with the public realm and then creating a sense of community within.

We do a thorough site analysis looking at the context, the history of the site, the amenities within the precinct that can be used by future residents, how does the retail respond to the existing retail strip. There's a lot of aspects that we look at to bring into and help inform the project as well as responding with our clients' imperative and ensuring the project will be successful for them. There's the marketing side of it so if a project's not marketable, if it doesn't generate any interest or residents and tenants don't like the building then it's not a successful project.

LD: It seems like the practice places a strong emphasis on the macro scale as well. Looking beyond just the site in question at not just its immediate context, but also how it fits in within a greater precinct?

TL: Our practice works on a number of new growth suburbs, new town centres and so we're doing a lot of urban design work in those areas with projects like <a href="http://www.chc.com.au/soho-village/">Soho Village</a> which is a project CHC Partner Dean Landy has been working on down at Point Cook. It comprises apartments, townhouses, a small boutique supermarket (name to be confirmed), church and office buildings; essentially designing that whole community, making sure that it works and that it fits in within a predominantly single storey, single dwelling suburb.

Having that experience through to working with Coles and Woolworths who are a couple of our bigger clients that are also involved with a lot of mixed-use developments such as <a href="http://www.chc.com.au/highett-road-shopping-centre-and-apartments/">Highett Road</a>. The project was completed a year or so ago and features 130 apartments above a full line Woolworths supermarket with 17 specialty stores and office space. Having those projects and the connections they create within the community; this type of project influences our inner urban residential work and other mixed use projects.

<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/2013_udia_vic_awards_highett_mixed_use_02.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Highett Road Shopping Centre and Apartments. © Clarke Hopkins Clarke"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="325" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/2013_udia_vic_awards_highett_mixed_use_02.jpg?itok=xG8I8cuJ" title="Highett Road Shopping Centre and Apartments. © Clarke Hopkins Clarke" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Highett Road Shopping Centre and Apartments. © ClarkeHopkinsClarke</figcaption></figure>A few projects that I'd like to mention are one that was just completed and launched last week in Doncaster, Six Thiele Street. A purely multi-residential development of 50 luxury apartments, with no retail component as it's located on the fringe of Doncaster's retail precinct close to Westfield Shopping Centre, and features a mix of one and two beds over 4-storeys with a three bedroom apartment on top.

<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/thiele_-_exterior_-_final.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Six Thiele Street Doncaster. © Clarke Hopkins Clarke"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="337" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/thiele_-_exterior_-_final.jpg?itok=fR9AgQfT" title="Six Thiele Street Doncaster. © Clarke Hopkins Clarke" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Six Thiele Street Doncaster. © ClarkeHopkinsClarke</figcaption></figure>We then have a few in Brunswick such as Fabrik Apartments on Albert and Beith Street. The area is seeing quite a number of apartment buildings going up, one which we've been working on that's just been approved by council is in Breese St. It's 7 levels and has been praised by the council for its architecture and design. There's a cafe at ground with 60 or so apartments above that feature 6-star apartments with rain gardens and an environmental focus.

LD: Lastly, to finish us off, is the practice looking at making the transition to working on high-rise multi-residential projects?

TL: Going back many years we started off working on a number of 3-4 storey apartment buildings and it has increased with the middle ring being in the vicinity of 5-7 storeys which we're doing a lot of at the moment. We have looked at and are currently looking at a number of high-rise projects so stay tuned. One of the taller projects we have worked on is the <a href="http://www.chc.com.au/mutual-store-and-empire-apartments/"> Mutual Store and Empire Apartments</a> on Flinders Street, and that involved the construction of 14 new floors so still high-rise but not the 100-storey scale.

Stay tuned as there are definitely some high-rises in the pipeline as part of our portfolio of creating vibrant communities around all of our projects across every sector.

LD: Looking forward to hearing more about them in the not-too-distant future. Thanks again for your time Toby.
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