<p>There are few property developers nationally that can boast a workbook like the ASX-listed developer Cedar Woods. With eight apartment buildings under construction across four states, Cedar Woods is well positioned to take advantage of what Managing Director Nathan Blackburne says is a “national shortage of apartments.”</p>

<p>Cedar Woods purposefully has a diversified portfolio of apartments, townhouses, commercial, and residential communities across the country, enabling the business to remain resilient through market cycles and respond to shifting buyer demand.</p>

<p>Blackburne says there is a great shortfall of housing of all typologies, none more so for apartments. He says that is the case particularly in Perth, where the lack of new apartment projects has been particularly acute.</p>

<p>“Perth has been more affected than Melbourne,” Blackburne explains, noting that over the past five years, “very few new apartment projects” have been launched in either city. Historically, apartments made up around 20 per cent of new housing nationally. Cedar Woods estimates that figure has fallen to around 10 per cent today, a gap they believe must close.</p>

<h2>Apartment appeal rebounding as supply shrinks</h2>

<p>There are signs the tide is turning however. Blackburne says buyer apartment sentiment really picked up in mid 2025. “In October we saw our strongest sales month for apartments in Perth.” The buyer demand has driven their Subiaco apartment development, Incontro, to nearly 70 per cent sold. The increased buyer sentiment has strengthened Cedar Woods’ confidence in bringing forward the next apartment project in Western Australia, a three tower development planned for the prime site on Upham Street in Subiaco, adjacent to Incontro.</p>

<p>Demand is being driven by several factors; the lack of new apartments coming to the market, the increased demand with migration far outstripping the aforementioned supply, and the appetite to live closer to the city.</p>

<p>“Over the past three years, Perth’s population has grown by around 250,000 people, while only around 50,000 dwellings have been delivered,” Blackburne says, adding that more than twice that number would be needed just to keep up.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said that many buyers are being forced to the urban fringe because of the greater supply of land product, but that, Blackburne argues, is pushing the fringe further out and motivating a re-evaluation of the value of inner- and middle-suburb apartments.</p>

<p>Demographic shifts are helping drive this rethink. Cedar Woods is seeing more boomers downsizing, young professionals entering the market, and a rising number of single-person households. There’s also a growing trend of parents buying apartments for teenage children, motivated by fears that housing prices will become out of reach. “It’s not only a strong investment now, but it can serve as a first home when their children move out.”</p>

<h2>National diversification strategy</h2>

<p>Cedar Woods’ strategy is not limited to Perth. Blackburne outlines their aim to diversify by price point, product type, and geography, which “gives us a broad customer base and smoother earnings profile.” Throughout their markets, they’re combining apartments, townhouses, and masterplanned communities, allowing flexibility to pivot toward undersupplied segments as demand evolves.</p>

<p>In Victoria, Cedar Woods is pressing ahead with a major site in Fairfield, just northeast of Melbourne’s CBD, a site which Blackburne says the company has had its sights on for many years. They are planning to deliver three towers with over 300 apartments, with the plans likely to be submitted in early 2026.</p>

<p>Blackburne also expresses optimism about broader inner-Melbourne supply dynamics.<br />
<br />
“While Melbourne’s apartment market is better supplied than Perth’s, and population growth remains strong, Cedar Woods believes the current stock will be absorbed quickly,” Blackburne says, however he warns that policy disincentives remain. “In Victoria … there are quite a lot of obstacles for apartment buyers,” he says, adding that the industry is working with the state government to “remove those barriers” and avert prolonged undersupply.</p>

<p>Cedar Woods has plans on the desks of the VIC Government to develop a 20-storey tower in Southbank, in the heart of Melbourne’s arts precinct. Designed by Rothelowman, the proposed tower will deliver 180 apartments, ranging from studios to three-bedrooms, along with creative amenity space devoted to arts and digital industries, a food and drink tenancy at street level, and a 700sqm recreation deck with indoor lounge space will provide a resident amenity hub.</p>

<p>Blackburne frames the project as a response to Melbourne’s growing undersupply of signature inner-city living. “We saw a thematic: a looming undersupply in inner-Melbourne, particularly in high-quality apartments, and wanted to capitalise on that,” he says. The site’s proximity to the Melbourne Arts Precinct, key tram lines, and Southbank’s cultural fabric makes it especially appealing, Blackburne says.</p>

<h2>Charting the course forward</h2>

<p>On top of the apartment developments underway and planned in Perth and Melbourne, Cedar Woods has a multi-stage apartment development in Brisbane’s Woolloowin, and several years remaining on their masterplanned communities in Williams Landing in Melbourne and Glenside in Adelaide, both of which offer a mix of apartments and townhouses.</p>

<p>Blackburne says the developer has been able to mitigate some of the macro risks currently at play in the new development space, particularly in the construction sector.</p>

<p>“Cedar Woods has been able to make many apartment projects work because of good buying of the raw land in the first place, as well as its strong pipeline of apartment projects, enabling the company to attract builders to build deep, multi-year relationships.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>For Cedar Woods, 2026 is set to be significant, with anticipated approvals and submissions laying the groundwork for fresh apartment supply and multiple launches in 2027.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Joel Robinson

Cedar Woods ramps up apartment development amid Australia’s deepening housing shortfall

<p data-end="524" data-start="374">Rockdale has long been characterized as a suburb on the cusp. Well-located, well-connected, but historically underserved by modern apartment offerings.</p>

<p data-end="956" data-start="526">It has everything going for it: outstanding connectivity to the Sydney CBD, just four train stops to Central Station, strong local amenity anchored by Roc​kdale Plaza and a growing main-street dining scene, and enviable proximity to Brighton-Le-Sands. The six-kilometre beachfront is lined with bayside restaurants, cafés, and walking paths, giving residents a lifestyle typically associated with much more expensive coastal suburbs.</p>

<p data-end="1241" data-start="958">What Rock​dale has lacked is high-quality contemporary apartments. Most existing developments date back several decades, with floorplans that no longer support modern living needs, and buildings constructed long before today’s standards in engineering, efficiency, and sustainability.</p>

<p data-end="1627" data-start="1243">Lender, fund manager and apartment developer Princeton identified the gap early. Seeing all the right ingredients in Rockd​ale, transport, lifestyle, retail, and affordability, they set out to deliver what the suburb was missing. Their answer is <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marque-rockdale-602-608-princes-highway-rockdale-nsw-2216">Marque Rockdale</a>, a collection of 58 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments now nearing completion just a short walk from Ro​ckdale Plaza, home to over 50 specialist retailers and anchored by&nbsp;Woolworths, Big W and Aldi.</p>

<p data-end="1627" data-start="1243">[smartcode_project:default project_id=136442 project_image_fid=355216]</p>

<p data-end="1847" data-start="1680">Understanding they would be resetting the benchmark for the area, Princeton focused on ensuring buyers received best-in-class quality, longevity, and protection.</p>

<p data-end="2400" data-start="1849">A major step was securing the sought-after Latent Defects Insurance policy from Resilience Insurance. This policy protects apartment buyers from structural or waterproofing defects for the first 10 years of the building’s lifecycle. Crucially, it is first-response insurance, meaning that if an issue arises, the insurer pays immediately for remediation—rather than waiting for lengthy investigations to determine fault before work can begin. For purchasers, it offers an unprecedented layer of security rarely seen in Sydney apartment projects.</p>

<p data-end="2845" data-start="2402">During construction, independent building inspection firm SDSS has been providing Technical Inspection Services, bringing highly specialised construction experts on-site at key stages to ensure workmanship meets the highest standards. The project is being built by Coplex, an iCIRT-rated construction company, and throughout the build SDSS has frequently referred to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marque-rockdale-602-608-princes-highway-rockdale-nsw-2216">Marque Rockdale</a> as one of the best projects currently on their books.</p>

<p data-end="3134" data-start="2884">Princeton also doubled down on comfort, acoustics, and livability.&nbsp;As well as being the only building along Princes Highway with a landscaped buffer between the building and the road, Princeton has purposefully included double-glazed windows in all apartments to reduce noise.</p>

<p data-end="3134" data-start="2884">Apartments feature double-glazed, noise-reducing windows and ducted air conditioning in every residence.&nbsp;In addition to the project’s transport convenience, Princeton has partnered with GoGet Car Share to provide a dedicated GoGet vehicle housed permanently within the building. Residents will receive a free annual GoGet membership, paying only usage fees, offering a flexible alternative to owning a second car and enhancing the project’s sustainability credentials.</p>

<p data-end="3134" data-start="2884">[smartcode_project:default project_id=136442 project_image_fid=277075]</p>

<p data-end="3271" data-start="3136">Residents will enjoy an exclusive rooftop oasis, purpose-designed as an extension of their living space. The communal rooftop includes BBQ facilities and outdoor entertaining areas, a&nbsp;pergola-shaded dining zone, a dedicated children’s play space, and a landscaped herb garden.</p>

<p data-end="3558" data-start="3424">Princeton and Coplex is approaching completion of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marque-rockdale-602-608-princes-highway-rockdale-nsw-2216">Marque Rockdale</a>, and are expecting residents to move in early in the new year. The mix of apartment configurations and price points have been a hit with young professionals, those who need to commute to the CBD, and families who appreciate doorstep amenity.</p>

<p>“Marque is a place where residents will be proud to call it home," Princeton Head of Development George Young says.</p>

<p>"We’ve worked really hard with Coplex and our design team to deliver an incredible building for the future home owners to make their own. The homes are all designed to allow the residents to make it their own, a place to belong and live a stylish urban life."</p>

<p data-end="3558" data-start="3424">[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136442]</p>


Marque Rockdale sets a new standard of apartment living in Sydney's south

<p>Plans to revitalize the&nbsp;long-established Benowa Gardens Shopping Centre into a mixed-use community combining living, shopping, dining, health and wellbeing facilities, have been proposed to the Gold Coast City Council.</p>

<p>The Benowa Gardens Urban Village proposal by Benowa Gardens Holdings seeks to transform the 17,660 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/203-ashmore-road-benowa-qld-4217">203 Ashmore Road</a> into a contemporary, sustainable destination that reflects global trends in modern community design while retaining the familiar local character residents value.</p>

<p>The site is bordered by Ashmore and Benowa Roads and Carrara, with ready access to Pindara private hospital, four schools, TAFE, sports fields and the nearby Botanic Gardens.</p>

<p>Benowa Gardens Holdings is seeking a preliminary Council approval only for its proposed masterplan and variations to the site’s Neighbourhood Centre zoning.&nbsp;<br />
Formal Public Exhibition commenced Friday and also marks the start of comprehensive community consultation with surroundings residents, schools, P&amp;Cs, existing retailers, nearby sporting clubs, arts groups and Botanic Gardens volunteers.</p>

<p>Designed by Neylan Architecture, the masterplan envisions around 413 new apartments, complemented by upgraded retail, dining, and wellness amenities as part of 10,000 sqm of retail, and 9,630 sqm of office space/medical suites.</p>

<p>The development will feature green open spaces, shaded promenades, landscaped terraces, pedestrian walkways, and expanded healthcare and lifestyle services in synergy with the neighbouring Pindara Private Hospital and local schools.</p>

<p><img alt="Benowa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="244f4d54-2e67-4141-92b8-78d5735f47c2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-11-26%20at%2012.47.34%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=FmF5lzhpwVZc7POsdB770TJ_Bf2c0od8" /></p>

<p>“This concept embraces the way people increasingly want to live - safely, conveniently, and within strong local communities,” said Patrick Lu, Director of Benowa Gardens Holding.</p>

<p>“Benowa Gardens will set a new benchmark for integrated living on the Gold Coast. It’s a thoughtful, community-minded evolution that brings global best practice in urban design to one of the city’s most established areas.”</p>

<p>Lu said this isn’t just a redevelopment, it’s a renewal with purpose.</p>

<p>“Benowa Gardens has served the community for decades. Our goal is to ensure it continues to do so for generations to come, as a lively, connected Urban Village where people can truly live, work and thrive. We’re already talking to school leaders and the community to seek their feedback on our proposal, and have taken on board their ideas to improve student safety with additional “traffic calming” measures on Carrara Street. We’re conducting meaningful and sincere consultations and want to play our role in preserving and enhancing the local community."</p>

<p>The proposed redevelopment aims to deliver tangible benefits across the Benowa and wider Gold Coast community, including:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Improvement of retail amenity, to capture the under-served local market demand and keep the local business at their local shopping centre.</li>
	<li>Housing diversity; offering a range of apartment types for key workers, downsizers, and local families who wish to remain in the area.</li>
	<li>Enhanced shopping and dining; revitalised retail spaces designed to support local businesses and attract more visitors.</li>
	<li>Health and wellbeing access; additional medical and wellness amenities to complement existing local facilities.</li>
	<li>Improved traffic flow and access; two new access points, upgraded intersections, upgrade pedestrian pathway’s signal and proposed upgrade of pedestrian and cycle connections/space to improve safety and convenience, especially for school children.</li>
	<li>Environmental sustainability; energy-efficient design, green rooftops, and water-sensitive landscaping to reduce emissions and enhance comfort.</li>
	<li>Local jobs and investment; supporting hundreds of construction and long-term roles while stimulating local economic growth.</li>
</ul>

<p>The group behind the project boasts extensive experience in the property development industry, both in Australia and international markets. Over the past 23 years, the group has been involved in the development and management of a diverse portfolio of assets including residential dwellings, shopping centres, bulky-goods stores, community and medical facilities, childcare centres, offices, hotels, and taverns, across Brisbane, Ipswich, and the Gold Coast.</p>


Benowa Gardens to become new mixed-use urban village

<p>Demand for townhouses in Melbourne’s inner west has surged as buyers seek the elusive combination of space, affordability, and location.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With family-first apartments increasingly rare and standalone homes often out of reach, townhouses have emerged as the new sweet spot, delivering generous living areas with lower maintenance needs within close proximity to the Melbourne CBD.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/kings-lane-south-kingsville-50-58-new-street-south-kingsville-vic-3015">Kings Lane</a>, the new under-construction townhouse development by the family-owned developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/blue-run">Blue Run</a>&nbsp;in South Kingsville, responds directly to this trend. Comprising just 25 residences designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, the project offers a compelling alternative to both apartment downsizers and family upsizers. With three-bedroom homes priced under $1 million, it presents one of the area’s rare attainable pathways to townhouse living less than eight kilometres from the CBD.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=145042 project_image_fid=355147]</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/south-kingsville-vic-3015">South Kingsville</a> itself is quietly becoming one of Melbourne’s most dynamic pockets of urban renewal. Flanked by the established appeal of Yarraville, Newport and Williamstown, the suburb balances quiet, village-like streetscapes with major infrastructure upgrades and a growing slate of retail, dining and lifestyle amenity.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kings Lane occupies a well-connected site at 50–58 New Street, just off Blackshaws Road and within walking distance of the emerging Union Quarter precinct, a major retail destination anchored by Woolworths, specialty food outlets and wellness services.</p>

<p>A 400-metre stroll brings residents to the Vernon Street shops, a local favourite known for its mix of independent grocers, cafes and family-run eateries. For broader shopping options, Altona Gate Shopping Centre and Yarraville Square are both within a short drive. Spotswood IGA and the Williamstown retail strip further broaden the convenience of daily essentials.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=145042 project_image_fid=355139]</p>

<p>Dining options in the area lean toward eclectic and community-driven, with standouts like Rocco’s Deli, Dad and Dave’s, and Pizza d’ASPORTO offering a range of casual and elevated menus. Cafés such as Hudson Road Wine &amp; Beer and Blacksheep Coffee add to the lively yet local feel of the neighbourhood.</p>

<p>Green space is another hallmark of life at Kings Lane. Edwards Reserve is close enough for morning walks or casual sport, while larger parks like Newport Lakes, Yarraville Gardens, and Cruickshank Park are all a few minutes’ drive away. More than half of the nine-hectares of new green space or parkland being created as part of the West Gate tunnel works is located just at the end of New Street, the same street as Kings Lane.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>For those with school-age children, South Kingsville is home to a range of quality childcare centres and schools, including Kingsville Primary, Spotswood Primary, and Williamstown North Primary. Community Children’s childcare and South Kingsville Preschool are nearby, making the suburb particularly attractive to young families.</p>

<p>Transport links continue to improve, with Spotswood Station and the West Gate Freeway both within a five-minute radius. Future upgrades, including the proposed sky rail for Newport and Spotswood, and the delivery of the West Gate Tunnel project, promise even better access to the CBD and Melbourne Airport in the years to come.</p>

<p>Kings Lane's 25 all-electric townhouses are currently under construction, and will complete in late 2026.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145042]</p>


Staff Writer

Kings Lane townhouses offers rare value in Melbourne's thriving inner west

<p>Developer-builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/billbergia">Billbergia</a> has set a new apartment price record for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/rhodes-nsw-2138">Rhodes</a>, a suburb the company has been instrumental in transforming over the past two decades.</p>

<p>The milestone follows the delivery of thousands of apartments across the harbourside peninsula, culminating in the $4.5 million sale of a 220 sqm penthouse in the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/rhodes-central-oasis-39-marquet-street-rhodes-nsw-2138">Rhodes Central Oasis</a> building, which Billbergia completed earlier this year. It is the first apartment in Rhodes to surpass not only the $4 million mark for settled sales, but also the $3 million mark, eclipsing the previous $2.75 million record set in 2021.</p>

<p>The purchaser had originally secured several apartments in the 40-storey tower off the plan as investments. During settlement, she spent more time in the Rhodes area and was so impressed with the building that she decided to downsize from her Northbridge home into the four-bedroom plus MPR penthouse.</p>

<p>The sale underscores the long-term work Billbergia has undertaken in Rhodes since the early 2000s. The company, rated 4.5 Gold Stars under the NSW iCIRT system, identifying it as one of the state’s most trustworthy and financially secure developers, was a pioneer of the area’s urban renewal. What was once a heavily industrial waterfront has become one of Sydney’s most successful examples of transit-oriented development.</p>

<p><img alt="Billbergia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="56093d7f-db18-42f4-bf9b-115bdf76f5f3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-11-26%20at%2011.10.06%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=pca77Mr.H83nwXbJexmaLUAqBewtQ7d9" /></p>

<p>Billbergia is now driving the peninsula’s next major evolution: the most ambitious project in its nearly four-decade history. They are planning the Rhodes Bay Masterplan, an eight-tower, mixed-use precinct on Leeds Street. Currently with the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority which is now championing large-scale projects across the state, the Rhodes Bay Masterplan lays the groundwork for a generational reshaping of this important pocket of Sydney’s Inner West.</p>

<p>The masterplan spans more than 31,000 sqm of amalgamated industrial land along the foreshore, land that has been privately held and inaccessible to the community for more than a century. According to Billbergia’s Development Director, Saul Moran, reclaiming this land for public use is central to the company’s vision.<br />
<br />
“What’s so exciting is that we have over 300 metres of privately-held industrialised waterfront, land that’s been locked away for more than 100 years, which we’re bringing back to the community,” he says. “It’s taken many years to assemble sites like these, and the goal now is to transform them into meaningful public space where new homes can be built in an integrated, amenity-rich setting.”</p>

<p>At full completion, the Rhodes Bay Masterplan is expected to deliver over 2000 apartments, with the first 1000 to be completed by 2029. Billbergia’s design focused on nine slender towers, so they could give back more to the ground plane. There will be more than 16,000sq m of new parkland and recreation space, including sports fields, a foreshore play area and waterfront green links. Around 14,600 sqm of retail is also proposed, extending the precinct’s role as a true mixed-use hub.</p>

<p><img alt="Rhodes Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="240ffc41-4f26-421a-9606-5c56f6fc2d93" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-11-26%20at%2011.05.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=BkBxZr7S8CAt1vgNa8AF3zjdc3YuVh0L" /></p>

<p>“Density only works when it’s paired with amenity, transport and open space, and that’s what’s made Rhodes such an amazing success story,” Moran says, adding that the demographic shift Billbergia has seen over the last two decades has informed their future development pipeline in the suburb.</p>

<p>“Rhodes has moved from being largely an investor market to a strong owner-occupier community,” Moran says. “There’s real demand for three-bedroom homes, flexible intergenerational layouts, and apartments people can grow into.”</p>

<p>&nbsp;“We’re designing taller, more slender towers to free up the ground level for sport, recreation and green space. High-density communities thrive when people have the best backyards in Australia, and that’s what we want to create here.”</p>

<p>Demand remains robust, evidenced by Billbergia’s recent results. “We achieved a record sale across the entirety of Rhodes Central just last week,” Moran says. “It shows the depth of confidence buyers have in what’s being built here.”</p>

<p>Billbergia’s vertically integrated model allows them to overcome the recent cost escalation and challenges in the build environment. “Having an in-house construction team lets us control feasibility, value management and quality from day one,” Moran says. “It’s critical in the current market, where construction escalation is at the forefront of every project’s viability.”</p>

<p>The company is also leveraging the NSW Government’s new Housing Delivery Authority process, which Moran describes as a more efficient pathway without compromising design standards.<br />
<br />
“We’re really applauding the NSW Government for its efforts to increase housing supply. There’s been a remarkable improvement in how they’re helping deliver more homes, more quickly.”</p>

<p>Billbergia has already commenced construction of Stage One of the Rhodes Bay masterplan. They will be lodging the State Significant Development Application before Christmas.</p>

<p>“We’re moving quickly, but with due care,” Moran says. “This is a generational precinct, and it needs to be done right.”</p>


Billbergia smashes suburb record as Rhodes transformation continues

Commercial

<p>Gold Coast property professionals Jared Johnson and Zac Potter have teamed up to launch their debut property development, Basalt Lane, a boutique collection of architecturally designed warehouse units set to rise in Tweed Heads South.</p>

<p>Potter, a proven developer in his own right, is the founder of 21 Property Group and son of respected developer John Potter, while Johnson, director of leading commercial real estate agency Coastal Commercial, has been involved in hundreds of high-profile industrial transactions across South-East Queensland and Northern NSW.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Located at 80–82 Industry Drive, Basalt Lane will feature just eight premium warehouse units with flexible low-impact zoning, rare dual street access, and sleek, contemporary finishes not often seen in the Industrial sector. Construction is scheduled to commence in Q4 2025.</p>

<p>“This joint venture made sense from day one,” says Johnson, who is spearheading the sales campaign.</p>

<p>“Zac brings proven development experience, and I have a strong grasp of the local industrial market through years of commercial sales in the area. By combining our strengths, we saw an opportunity not just for ourselves — but to deliver something the local community genuinely needs. There’s a clear demand for modern, flexible, and flood-free industrial spaces in this region, and Basalt Lane is our answer to that.”</p>

<p>Strategically positioned just 700 metres from the M1 Motorway and under 10 minutes from Gold Coast Airport, the project offers high appeal for investors, small business owners looking for a coastal work base with premium connectivity or a secure storage solution.</p>

<p>The launch of Basalt Lane comes amid a surge in industrial development across the Tweed region. According to Tweed Shire Council, the area is undergoing major transformation, including the Industry Central Land Swap, a government-backed initiative relocating flood-affected businesses to higher ground. The $11.3 million program is creating modern, job-generating industrial hubs built for long-term resilience.</p>

<p>Projects like Quarry Business Park, also marketed through Johnson’s Coastal Commercial — are also breaking ground in 2025 — highlight the growing demand for flood-free, future-proof industrial space in one of Australia’s fastest-growing regional economies.</p>

<p>“We’re proud to be contributing to the next chapter of growth here,” said Potter. “Basalt Lane is a long-term play — it’s designed to deliver value now and remain relevant for years to come.”</p>

<p>The project responds to broader market trends, including the rise of flexible “co-warehousing”, demand for hybrid industrial-office spaces, and growing interest in regional coworking hubs. With Australia’s coworking sector forecast to grow at 23.6% CAGR to 2030, and similar small-scale developments selling out in major cities, Basalt Lane offers a timely, lifestyle-forward business solution.</p>

<p>Potter and Johnson bring years of experience across real estate and development throughout the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers corridor. For them, Basalt Lane represents more than just a business move — it’s a personal milestone.</p>

<p>“There’s no big fund behind us. We’re not a national group,” said Potter. “We’re two mates with experience and vision and we’re having a go.”</p>

<p>With limited supply and rising demand, Basalt Lane is expected to attract strong early interest from entrepreneurs, trade-based businesses, owner-occupiers, and investors seeking solid long-term returns in a high-growth coastal hub.</p>


Jared Johnson and Zac Potter, have teamed up to launch their debut property development: Basalt Lane, Tweed Heads - a boutique collection of architecturally designed warehouse units set to rise in Tweed Heads South.

Gold Coast entrepreneurs launch premium industrial project in booming Tweed Heads South

<p>The Brisbane City Council has just received an exciting new commercial development application, with a proposal lodged over the vacant block at 166-188 Breakfast Creek Road, Newstead, next to the Bunnings.&nbsp;⁣</p>

<p>The main 3,686 sqm block of land was offloaded by Bunnings in 2017 for $13,475,000. It was bought by Associated Finance Pty Ltd, whose directors Martin Ward, Sophie Moore, Keith Thornton and Denis Stark are part of the ASX-listed Eagers Automotive giant.<br />
⁣<br />
Designed by Arkhefield, the eight&nbsp;floor building features almost 19,000sqm of lettable area, a child care centre, day spa, ground floor retail tenancies and a lush rooftop terrace within the leafy, subtropical commercial scheme.</p>

<p>&ldquo;The intent of the development is to support the continued growth and revitalisation of the Breakfast Creek Precinct, and of the gateway to the inner city more broadly,&quot; the application from Mewing Planning Consultants read.</p>

<p>The proposal sits five&nbsp;commercial floors atop a striking podium, and is capped off by a heavily landscaped terrace that includes an artificial lawn space and a stage/band platform. Each commercial floor also contains river-facing balconies which are oriented to capture the views of Breakfast Creek, Newstead House and the Brisbane River.&nbsp;⁣<br />
⁣<br />
Designed by Arcadia, they noted their intention to use a lighthouse as the basis of their landscape narrative - aiming to have the building serve as a beacon for those entering Brisbane City from the north along Kingsford Smith Drive.&nbsp;⁣<br />
⁣<br />
The building would certainly be a nice addition on the block which has been vacant as long as I can remember, and serves as a reminder that Newstead is booming across every sector.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Developments in Newstead</h2>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=90553]</p>

<p>Mirvac have recently released their latest tower in their billion dollar Quay Waterfront Newstead development.</p>

<p>The latest tower, Sky Precinct, located alongside the Brisbane River, join&#39;s previously completed stages Pier, Park and Unison as part of the grander Waterfront Newstead community.</p>


Designed by Arkhefield, the eight floor building features almost 19,000sqm of lettable area

Newstead set for new commercial centre

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<p>Savills have advised clients on what they see as the <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">four advantages of </span>utilising<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> SMSF for direct commercial property investment, in preference to other asset classes.</span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Commercial property is one of the few assets that can be bought by an SMSF from its members. Your SMSF can potentially buy your own business premises and then you can pay rent to your SMSF. <br><br>A residential property, on the other hand, cannot be lived in by a fund member or any fund members’ related parties, nor can it be rented by a fund member of any fund members’ related parties. <br><br></span></li>
<li>
<span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">MoneySmart</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> website details the strict rules against using borrowed funds to make improvements to residential property that forms an asset in your SMSF portfolio, so don’t even think about buying a renovators’ delight. This can severely limit potential capital gains as you cannot renovate it to increase its value. <br><br>In contrast, an investment such as a bulk storage unit or warehouse has very low capital expenditure requirements.<br><br></span>
</li>
<li><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Commercial leases are typically for a longer period than residential leases – usually around five years with a further option for another five years with incremental rental increases built into the lease. <br><br>If you choose the right property and tenants with stable businesses which are unlikely to be adversely affected by an economic downturn you won’t have to deal with a regular turnover of tenants and can rely on a steady rental return. <br><br></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Many industrial properties are purely functional in design and construction, so there is less concern about tenants maintaining them or investors having to pay for costly renovations, which is often the case with residential property investments. <br><br>That said, it’s important to ensure any essential, expensive upgrades, such as those required to meet new fire safety or health and safety standards, have already been carried out before investing in a commercial premise.</span></li>
</ol>
<p><span>Visit the </span><span><a href="https://www.asic.gov.au/" target="_blank" title="Australian Securities and Investments Commission ASIC">Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)</a></span><span> website to familiarise yourself thoroughly with all the rules and regulations surrounding SMSFs and property investment.</span></p>
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Four reasons why commercial and industrial property suits SMSFs: Savills

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<p><span>So why choose commercial property over residential?</span></p>
<p><span>Obviously this is the question every residential investor asks… whenever they are considering the transition across to commercial property.</span></p>
<p><span>However, you will quickly discover the reasons are rather compelling.</span></p>
<p><span>Reason #1: Your tenants stay for longer</span></p>
<p><span>For the most part, you find residential tenancies will be on a month-by-month basis… maybe 6 months, perhaps for a year if you’re lucky.</span></p>
<p><span>Whereas commercial leases will tend to range between 3 and 5 years - and it can often be for longer. That means you have fewer tenancy changes, and a far more predictable income stream.</span></p>
<p><span>Reason #2: You have greater control</span></p>
<p><span>When residential tenants wish to leave half-way through a lease, they simply need to find a suitable substitute tenant. And then, they will transfer the lease across to that person.</span></p>
<p><span>From there on, this new tenant becomes responsible for the rental, over the remainder of the lease term.</span></p>
<p><span>Whereas commercial tenants are running a business from your property. And whenever they sell their business, they also require your approval to “assign” the lease.</span></p>
<p><span>However, here’s the real difference: If the new commercial tenant defaults in paying the rental, you also have recourse to the previous tenant as well - because commercial leases are business contracts, enforceable by law.</span></p>
<p><span>Reason #3: You no longer need to pay the outgoings</span></p>
<p><span>Typically, residential properties will provide you with a 5% gross rental return.</span></p>
<p><span>From this, you need to pay the rates &amp; taxes, insurance, maintenance and so on — leaving you with about a 2.5% to 3% NET return, at the end of the year.</span></p>
<p><span>Depending upon what (and where) they are… commercial properties will generate a 5% to 9% NET rental return, each year.</span></p>
<p><span>And that’s because commercial tenants are also required to pay the various building outgoings <em>on top of their rental</em> - making this a true NET rental return for you.</span></p>
<p><span>Reason #4: Commercial tenants maintain your property</span></p>
<p><span>As you know, if the toilet stops working in an apartment … the tenant asks you to send around a plumber. Whereas commercial tenants quickly attend to (and pay to fix) the problem themselves - so as not to disrupt their business.</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p><span>Furthermore, the overall appearance of the property becomes a reflection on them. As such, your property is maintained in top condition … at their expense.</span></p>
<p><span>Therefore, whether the lease requires it or not … most commercial tenants will regularly repair and repaint the property, in order to maintain a good corporate image.</span></p>
<p><span>Reason #5: Greater regularity with rental payments</span></p>
<p><span>Most residential properties are rented by individuals. Therefore, the rent is often paid in cash, by personal cheque or by direct transfer. And this can often vary in its timing.</span></p>
<p><span>Because they are running a business, commercial tenants consider rent as simply another regular expense each month.</span></p>
<p><span>And generally, this gets set up as an automatic Periodic payment - and can be specified as such, within the lease.</span></p>
<p><span>Bottom Line: In essence, you find yourself having to deal with the vagaries of individual people… as a residential investor.</span></p>
<p><span>However, when you become a commercial investor… you start to enjoy a more predictable long-term relationship with your tenants - based upon a proper business footing.</span></p>
<p><span>Doesn’t that sound like a far better arrangement - particularly when you can purchase a small office for the same price as a two-bedroom apartment?</span></p>
<p><strong><em>Chris Lang </em></strong><em>is an advisor to commercial property investors, sell-out author and regular speaker on how to invest in commercial property. You can contact Chris <a href="https://commercialpropertymadeeasy.com" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></p>
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Why choose commercial property over residential? Chris Lang

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<div>The ABS released its Lending Finance figures for August 2015 this morning.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>August was a weaker month for commercial lending, with the trend estimate declining by -2.1% in the month to $44.1 billion, having peaked at more than $48 billion back in April.<br><br>The trend certainly appears to be softening in sympathy with weak capex intentions surveys and macroprudential measures to trim back property investment loans - but then, that's been said before through this cycle, so time will tell. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>On the other hand, home lending to owner-occupiers is now trendng up sharply, with the seasonally adjusted result showing a +6.1% leap in August, and the trend estimate bolting +18% higher over the year. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Significantly, AMP announced today that it would chop a variable rate home loan package available to owner-occupiers to a highly competitive rate of just 3.99%.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>It seems likely that the major banks will be targeting this sector hard in the months ahead.<br><br>Total lending finance has also trended down a little from an April peak.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2015/10/13/A1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/10/13/A1.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span>Charted below is what at face value is happening to owner-occupier home loans at the state level, which is to say now apparently burning up in the most populous states.</span></div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><a href="/images/2015/10/13/OwnerOccupiersRolling12m.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></div>
<div><span><img src="/images/2015/10/13/OwnerOccupiersRolling12m.jpg" alt=""></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>In obliquely related news, the latest credit card figures from the Reserve Bank showed that Aussies are clearing credit balances more comfortably than before, with balances down over the year and more of us opting to pay off balances by the due date.</div>
<br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Switcheroo</span></strong><br><div> </div>
<div>For the remainder of 2015, the housing market story will largely be a tale of whether banks and borrowers can find a way to shoehorn owner-occupier lending higher in order to offset any pending declines in investor loans.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In August the answer was seemingly at an emphatic "yes" with investor loans essentially flat at $13.6 billion but owner-occupier commitments ripping more than <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/housing-finance-shock" target="_blank">+6 per cent higher</a> to $20.8 billion. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>In this regard, the AMP decision to cut its variable rate to below 4 per cent effective from today appears to be a clear statement of intent.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>That said, the August figures may yet prove be <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/housing-finance-shock" target="_blank">bogus</a> to some extent, and another month or two of data will shed more light. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>In the words of one eminent Chief Economist "we can conclude that the figures have suddenly become a lot murkier", while Westpac instead opted for a more canine theme in describing the latest data as "a dog's breakfast".</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Overall it seems that the macroprudential story has some way to run yet before the waters are de-murkified (or the dog's morning meal is digested). </div>
<br><span>I looked at this in more detail in relation to last week's Housing Finance release </span><a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/housing-finance-shock" target="_blank">here</a><span>.</span><br><br><div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Investor loans cooling...</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Of course the flip side to the new-found strength in the homebuyer space is that property investment loans should now be cooling in response to APRA's calming macroprudential measures.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>On a rolling annual basis New South Wales originated investor loans climbed to a new high of $67.6 billion, but there have now been two consective months of declines in original terms from the May 2015 monthly peak of $6.6 billion.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Although investment loans remained at a high level in Victoria and Queensland, there has been a general cooling of this sector across recent months.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2015/10/13/LF1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/10/13/LF1.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<span>Since the investment loans data is not seasonally adjusted I also look at it on a 12mMA basis, and we can see that while the trend in Queensland has risen to its highest level since April 2008, the trend is now falling in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.</span><br><br><span>In the Northern Territory the trend in investment loans seems to be dropping off a cliff so there is likely to be some fallout for Darwin.</span><br><br><span>More on all of these figures and trends to follow tomorrow.</span><br><br><span>The detailed monthly investor loans figures for New South Wales show loans tracking at $5.53 billion in August, down from the all-time record high of $6.62 billion in June.</span>
</div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><a href="/images/2015/10/13/LF3.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></div>
<div><span> </span></div>
</div>
<div><span><img src="/images/2015/10/13/LF3.jpg" alt=""></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div><span>Looking at total lending for housing in New South Wales, the total housing market finance for August surpassed $13 billion for the third time, however it could not quite match the record levels seen in June.</span></div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><a href="/images/2015/10/13/LF2.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><span><img src="/images/2015/10/13/LF2.jpg" alt=""></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div class="separator">The most important release of the week will be the Labour Force data for September on Thursday morning. </div>
<div class="separator">
<br>Expecting to see a flat result for the month, both for total employment and the unemployment rate.</div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div class="separator">
<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
</div>
</div>
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The housing market switcheroo: Pete Wargent

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<p>While the anticipated trend might be a post-pandemic pivot away from office to residential projects, one Melbourne developer is sticking to their original intentions.</p>

<p>Developer DeGroup will embark on their new $70 million office tower in Melbourne’s CBD despite concerns over rising vacancy rates.</p>

<p>Founder Colin DeLutis said the group was more than confident that the new building would find a ready leasing market.</p>

<p>Located at 263 William Street, in the heart of Melbourne’s legal precinct, the project is set to rise 75 metres above the Metropolitan Hotel which will be retained with a suite of restoration works.</p>

<p>"With nothing new and modern having been built in the legal precinct for over 20 years, we are quite bullish about the market and very confident about the building’s leasing potential”, DeLutis said.</p>

<p>The company’s confidence diverges from commentary by property experts who have expected a lessening of demand for commercial developments in the Melbourne CBD.</p>

<p>“We’re going to see CBD office buildings converted into residential,” Kernel Property’s Steve Urwin said in July.</p>

<p>This has been supported by recent national office statistics for Q3, released by JLL.  </p>

<p>“The extended lockdown in Melbourne has negatively impacted the leasing market with the availability of backfill space and sublease space contributing to the uplift in vacancy”, said JLL’s head of leasing Tim O’Connor.</p>

<p>According to JLL’s insights, the Melbourne CBD recorded -70,100 sqm of net absorption over the quarter and vacancy increased to 11.3 per cent in 3Q20. </p>

<p>The presumed push away from offices has yet to influence some Melbourne’s commercial developers who are confident that businesses and their clients want COVID safe, hygienic spaces.</p>

<p>The 20-storey, 7,013sqm building, offers 3,799sqm of office space over 17 levels and features an 822sqm multi-level restaurant and bar.</p>

<p>The self-contained office floors will feature kitchenettes, shower facilities, natural light from all sides and views of Flagstaff Gardens and the surrounding CBD.</p>

<p>Crema Constructions have been appointed as builders of the WMK Architecture designed building.</p>

<p>The tower is due for completion in 2022.</p>
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While the anticipated trend might be a post-pandemic pivot away from office to residential projects, one Melbourne developer is sticking to their original intentions

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DeGroup to go ahead with $70m office tower in Melbourne CBD

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<p>Two projects touted by their respective developers as being exceptional developments in waiting have instead been put on the market as permitted opportunities.</p>

<p>In <a href="/new-apartments/north-melbourne-vic-3051">North Melbourne</a>, <a href="/developers/fridcorp">Fridcorp</a> has chosen not to develop <a href="/new-apartments/3-15-shiel-street-north-melbourne">3-15 Shiel Street</a>, which until recently had been dubbed Wild Apartments. In light of approval being granted during May, Fridcorp along with joint venture partners Daniel Besen and Wingate had expected to launch the project to market this year.</p>

<p>The associated media release at the time of approval specified an expected September sales campaign launch with construction slated to begin in the first quarter of 2019. Despite earlier intentions of seeing the project to fruition, <a href="https://www.cbremelbourne.com.au/properties/3-15-shiel-street-north-melbourne/">CBRE City Sales has been instructed to move the 1,311 square metre site on</a>.</p>

<p>Approval is in place for the $65 million residential project in North Melbourne’s evolving Arden Urban Renewal precinct. <a href="/architects/fraser-partners-0">Elenberg Fraser's</a> design for Shiel Street includes 82 one, two and three bedroom apartments over nine levels, supported by 70 basement car parks and an extensive rooftop terrace.</p>

<p>During May Fridcorp founder and director, Paul Fridman said “North Melbourne is a new market for Fridcorp but, together with Daniel Besen and Wingate, we saw an opportunity with the Victorian Planning Authority’s proposed Arden precinct to deliver quality medium-density housing in Melbourne’s inner-ring that will provide long-term investment potential and growth for owner-occupiers and investors."</p>

<p>Fridcorp picked up the North Melbourne site from fellow developer <a href="/developers/samma-property-group">SPEC Property</a> during 2016 and went about reworking the previously permitted design onsite with Elenberg Fraser.</p>

<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/image105_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="3-15 Shiel Street. Image: Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image105_2.jpg?itok=40vCl4BK" title="3-15 Shiel Street. Image: Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>3-15 Shiel Street. Image: Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure><p>Also offered for sale is <a href="/developments/abbotsford-vic-3067">Abbotsford's 329 Johnston Street</a>.</p>

<p>The <a href="/architects/fieldwork">Fieldwork-designed</a> application had initially sought a mixed-use outcome incorporating retail, medical suites, offices and 41 serviced apartments in a building veiled in expanded mesh. In order to gain approval the design was trimmed to seven levels, with the serviced apartment component dropped in favour of an increased net leasable area of 6,517 square metres.</p>

<p>Based on a cross laminated timer design, 329 Johnston Street was to have provided a carbon-neutral construction method with an abbreviated construction time frame.</p>

<p>Dubbed <a href="https://329johnston.com/">Sol House</a>, Pirovich describes 329 Johnston Street as "seeking to achieve Passive Haus, giving future occupiers of the building a happier and healthier place to work, rest and play. As part of the new development we are setting the building back at ground level and ceding over 200 square metres of the site to the public realm."</p>

<p>Savills have instead been appointed to market the 1,912 square permit approved corner site.</p>

<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/image112_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="329 Johnston Street. Image: Fieldwork"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image112_3.jpg?itok=iOdx7cKQ" title="329 Johnston Street. Image: Fieldwork" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>329 Johnston Street. Image: Fieldwork</figcaption></figure><p>Pirovich joins fellow developer <a href="/developers/alpha-14-property-group">Alpha14 Property Group</a> in offering for sale a permitted commercial site within City of Yarra.</p>

<p>Alpha14 Property Group had advanced <a href="/developments/collingwood-vic-3066">Collingwood's 71-93 Gipps Street </a>to construction tender with the intent of beginning construction on the 1,579 square metre site this year. Instead the site and Hayball-designed office building have been listed for sale with Colliers, incorporating an approved net leasable area of 8,426 square metres.</p>

<p>It is likely that the offering of both permitted and prospective office-driven development sites within City of Yarra will increase due to the torrent of commercial applications currently within the municipality.</p>

<p><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/image111_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" style="text-align: center;" title="Gipps Street opportunity. Image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image111_6.jpg?itok=guQSDWLm" title="Gipps Street opportunity. Image: Hayball" width="580"></a></p>

<figure><figcaption>Gipps Street opportunity. Image: Hayball</figcaption></figure>
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silvermb

Fridcorp and Pirovich opt to drop their respective development opportunities

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<p>It hasn't materialised yet, but there's more than enough evidence to show that the eastern reaches of Richmond's Swan Street will become one of Melbourne's premier suburban development pockets.</p>

<p>The notion has been reinforced by two fresh commercial development applications that not only underpin Swan Street's looming development credentials, but those of City of Yarra's in general. The flight of developers to the municipality seeking to create 'new experience' commercial developments had been well documented of late.</p>

<p>Swan street though has yet to see any tangible construction activity, save for Olor Apartments. At 306 Swan Street, Olor with its 31 new apartments over 7 levels is the first salvo in a development push that will likely change the fundamental complexion of Swan Street east of Bridge Road.</p>

<p>Characterised by small retail and commercial premises along its flanks, Swan Street has a <a href="https://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/the-area/planning-for-yarras-future/adopted-strategies-and-plans/structure-plans-and-local-area-plans">structure plan in place</a> that will allow for the transition away from an intimate small-scale streetscape to a medium and high-rise outcome, particularly so when heading east toward Burnley Station and surrounds.</p>

<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/image13_26.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Bruce Henderson's latest alongside t-a square's effort"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="255" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image13_26.jpg?itok=SSwXMwVi" title="Bruce Henderson's latest alongside t-a square's effort" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bruce Henderson's latest alongside t-a square's effort</figcaption></figure><p>The developments in waiting are a clear indication that developers consider the area prime for renewal. Latest to enter the Apartments.com.au project database are a duo of boutique commercial developments.</p>

<p>439-443 Swan Street is a Bruce Henderson Architects-designed complex for Swan Street Property Pty Ltd. 10 levels is sought for the 603 square metre corner site, with a Net Leasable Area of 3,467 square metres.</p>

<p>A rooftop terrace and provisions for 54 vehicles and 43 bicycles are rolled into the design. Another 'pocket' development claiming a small development site is 389-393 Swan Street; t-a square architects have conceived a 9 level office complex incorporating 1,548 square metres of Net Leasable Area.</p>

<p>Both these projects join 345 Swan Street as being ideal smaller tenants or strata uses based upon site size and floorplate limitations.</p>

<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/image14_21.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Minicon have begun site works on Farmer, Cutter and Swan"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image14_21.jpg?itok=lQWdnyJk" title="Minicon have begun site works on Farmer, Cutter and Swan" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Minicon have begun site works on Farmer, Cutter and Swan</figcaption></figure><p>Highlighting the mixed-use nature of the emerging precinct, a quartet of developments are devoted to apartment and serviced apartment living.</p>

<p>Builder Minicon has taken Farmer, Cutter and Swan's 53 apartments to construction whilst Mitpit Constructions has signage up over 314-320 Swan Street. The Ewert Leaf-designed project will add private apartments, commercial office space and a sizeable serviced apartment component to the area.</p>

<p>Also looking to add serviced apartments is 291-295 Swan Street which went to planning during June. </p>

<p>Next to launch publicly is TWO51. Backed by Blueprint Projects the pending sales campaign will launch 28 luxury apartments in to the marketplace at 251 Swan Street.</p>

<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/image22_18.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Swan Street's largest trio "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="480" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image22_18.jpg?itok=3nREoAYO" title="Swan Street's largest trio " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Swan Street's largest trio</figcaption></figure><p>The balance of projects destined for Swan Street are also the biggest. </p>

<p>A permit is in place for the Bruce Henderson Architects-designed 370-374 Swan Street whilst 484-486 Swan Street is still at planning. Both commercial developments could add a combined 28,400 square metres of commercial office space to what is essentially a virgin area in terms of catering for major tenants with new commercial builds.</p>

<p>The closest precinct to see such large sized tenants drawn to the area is the Botanicca corporate park in adjacent Burnely.</p>

<p>Last cab off the Swan Street rank is 462-482 Swan Street with Bamfa Properties hoping to realise 200 plus apartments within dual buildings designed by Elenberg Fraser. Earlier designs for the site reached 17 levels although the current bid reaches 10 and 12 levels respectively.</p>

<p><span style="font-size:10px;">Lead image: Bruce Henderson Architects</span></p>
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Future intent - profiling the impending rise of Swan Street

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<p>Two firms with a history of development within the Monash National Employment and Innovation Cluster (MNEC) are angling for bigger projects.</p>

<p>Both Salta Properties and Cedar Woods are pushing plans which are larger than their previous respective developments within Monash. Salta is all but assured of the right to build a substantial office complex as an extension of its Nexus Corporate precinct whilst Cedar Woods is pushing for hundreds of new dwellings within its Jackson Green development.</p>

<p>At either end of the MNEC, both intended developments speak to the increasing scale of development expectations in the area. These expectations would only be enhanced by the State Government's proposed Melbourne orbital rail proposal which has two stations in the heart of MNEC.</p>

<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/image70_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: Gray Puksand"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="287" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image70_11.jpg?itok=QGVFLamR" title="Image: Gray Puksand" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: Gray Puksand</figcaption></figure><p>Salta last week received backing for its proposed office complex at 633-647 Springvale Road, after nabbing the corner site for a reported $11 million during 2015.</p>

<p>Adjacent to Salta's existing Nexus Corporate precinct and spanning 2.4 hectares, the first phase of the Springvale Road development site found favour with Monash City Council and encompasses 21,226 square metres of net leasable area. That space is configured over two separate buildings with Gray Puksand undertaking the design.</p>

<p>Existing campus-style buildings within Nexus Corporate have traditionally been smaller in stature to date; the freshly completed Nexus 10 building holds in excess of 6,000 square metres of net leasable area. </p>

<p>The upsizing of expectations for 633-647 Springvale Road also includes a very substantial 785 basement vehicle spaces, end of trip facilities and provision for 197 bicycle bays.</p>

<p>Two additional future buildings are slated for the balance of 633-647 Springvale Road, whilst Salta also has an eye toward delivering a high-rise hotel at <a href="/news/salta-pursues-mulgraves-first-hotel">12 Nexus Court</a> which sits within the initial Nexus Corporate precinct.</p>

<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/image74_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Cedar Woods' latest alongside Gardenia Apartments progress during late August. Image: DKO Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="205" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image74_2.jpg?itok=xH7zTD8G" title="Cedar Woods' latest alongside Gardenia Apartments progress during late August. Image: DKO Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Cedar Woods' latest alongside Gardenia Apartments progress during late August. Image: DKO Architecture</figcaption></figure><p>Cedar Woods too is after more within their Jackson Green estate in Clayton South.</p>

<p>Midway between Westall and Huntingdale stations, the residential development has to date seen townhouse and small scale apartment stages built onsite. The gradual upswing in development size now sees the DKO Architecture-designed Gardenia Apartments under construction; it includes 74 dwellings over six levels.</p>

<p>Cedar Woods are now seeking approval for two additional residential buildings housing a combined 165 apartments. Also designed by DKO Architecture, the taller of the duo reaches 9 levels.</p>

<p>The intended apartment split for the project at planning which is sited over 1408-1418 Centre Road sees 20 single, 131 double and 12 triple bedroom apartments.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/img_6168.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A small section of the M-City site"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_6168.jpg?itok=Ah9uT4MP" title="A small section of the M-City site" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A small section of the M-City site</figcaption></figure><p>Whilst the above duo seek bigger development outcomes they are minuscule relative to the largest current development within the MNEC, which also happens to be the largest mixed-use development being delivered outside of Melbourne's CBD. Clayton's M-City is now at full construction with Multiplex overseeing works for the $1 billion project over a 35,000 square metre site.</p>

<p>Backed by Saraceno Group and Schiavello Group, M-City includes 643 apartments and serviced apartments, a 4.5 star Mantra hotel, up to 60 specialty retail spaces, 17,330 square metres of office space and 1,905 car parks supporting a projected population of about 4,000 residents, workers and shoppers.</p>
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Salta and Cedar Woods upsize their Monash intentions

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<p>City of Melbourne are processing a gaggle of towers that are at planning and looking to make their mark on the skyline in years to come.</p>

<p>Across Melbourne and West Melbourne the applications combined have the ability to add hundreds of apartments, plus a considerable lump of short stay accommodation. In fact four of the five towers include hotel accommodation, amounting to 1,000 plus additional rooms.</p>

<p>Each of the towers in planning is outlined below:</p>

<p><strong>539-545 Flinders Lane Melbourne </strong></p>

<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/image245_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: CBRE"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="371" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image245_0.jpg?itok=sIVhqTIe" title="Image: CBRE" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: CBRE</figcaption></figure><p>Hotel and serviced apartment accommodation is planned for a significant development site fronting Flinders Street.</p>

<p>Demolition is expected across 540 Flinders Street and 539-545 Flinders Lane for the delivery of two towers of 24 and 32 levels. 476 hotel rooms and 99 serviced apartments are expected across the 1,741 square metre site.</p>

<p>CBRE marketed the site during 2016.</p>

<p><strong>45-55 Dudley Street, West Melbourne</strong></p>

<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/image241.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: Savills"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="372" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image241.jpg?itok=sFdRo5U7" title="Image: Savills" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: Savills</figcaption></figure><p>United Asia Group is pushing for approval for the 1,304 square metre site after initially being rebuffed by City of Melbourne.</p>

<p>Having paid approximately $20 million for the Flagstaff City Inn, an application went before Council late last year for what is expected to be a 32 level tower with 189 apartments and 40 hotel rooms in tow. 45-55 Dudley Street is now noted as being at appeal after having failed its initial planning run.</p>

<p>Agent Savills sold the site last year, setting a new a new land record of approximately $15,000 per square metre for West Melbourne in the process.</p>

<p><strong>372-378 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne</strong></p>

<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/image242_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: Doig Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="271" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image242_2.jpg?itok=KoQbzkqx" title="Image: Doig Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: Doig Architecture</figcaption></figure><p>Berjaya Developments is believed to be behind a new office tower is planned to sit above the Hardware Lane precinct.</p>

<p>372-378 Little Bourke Street also spills onto Niagara Lane, with the current low-rise retail tenancies expected to be replaced by a predominantly commercial development spanning 18 levels. The slender yet long site will include retail tenancies along its ground level plane.</p>

<p>Doig Architecture have created the tower's design.</p>

<p><strong>475-485 Flinders Lane, Melbourne</strong></p>

<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/image246_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: Google"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="402" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image246_1.jpg?itok=9x_HjVch" title="Image: Google" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: Google</figcaption></figure><p>The Flinders Lane proposal went to planning earlier this year with the expectation of yielding 391 new hotel suites within a 27 level tower. Also fronting Highlander Lane, the application directly south of Rialto Towers would replace an existing 4 level commercial building.</p>

<p>Date of first documented occupation onsite spans back to 1839, and consequently the site holds heritage significance "for its potential to contain historical archaeological remains associated with the settlement and growth of early Melbourne. Under the terms of the Heritage Act 2017 there is protection for all historical archaeology sites and objects in the state."</p>

<p>The application includes basement levels.</p>

<p><strong>407-415 King Street, West Melbourne</strong></p>

<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/image244_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The rejected design. Image: Plus Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="390" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image244_1.jpg?itok=3iIHkGK9" title="The rejected design. Image: Plus Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The rejected design. Image: Plus Architecture</figcaption></figure><p>Developer DCF Property initially tried to <a href="/news/dcf-property-looks-to-capitalise-atop-flagstaff-hill">gain approval for an 81 metre tower</a> onsite during 2016. With that Plus Architecture-designed tower also rebuffed by City of Melbourne, a new and yet to be seen application was submitted late last year.</p>

<p>Much like the initial application, partial demolition is sought for the corner site which plays host to a two to three storey building which carries an individual Heritage Overlay.</p>

<p>Whereas the initial application included both hotel capacity and apartments, the current multi-storey application is dedicated to hotel use. It is expected that the most recent design would be significantly lower in height.</p>
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