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.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

"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]

Joel Robinson

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

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]

Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]

The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]

Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]

The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Rainbow Bay apartment doubles in price since off the plan sale during pandemic

Commercial

<html><body>
ROTHELOWMAN has designed RPM Real Estate Group’s new headquarters with the company’s mobile workforce in mind and with a desire to create an office with a "bit of soul." The relocation comes as a result of RPM’s rapid growth.

Due to a high proportion of RPM salespeople working in­-house just one day a week, ROTHELOWMAN has been faced with the challenge of designing a space that caters to this dispersed and mobile workforce.

The layout of the new headquarters replaces the traditional four­-wall office with a series of breakout workstations that encourage collaboration and connectivity and allow for easy on­-the-­go use by team members, visitors and clients.

<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_3549.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="RPM Office Melbourne interior. Photo by Rachael Dere"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="356" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_3549.jpg?itok=CrFoCzH6" title="RPM Office Melbourne interior. Photo by Rachael Dere" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>RPM Office Melbourne interior. Photo by Rachael Dere</figcaption></figure>The new headquarters has been developed to cater for RPM’s rapid growth. The company has experienced a 370 per cent increase in revenue over the last four years, and has sold 25 per cent of all residential lots available across Melbourne’s metropolitan growth areas over the 2014/2015 period.

Located across two storeys (levels three and five) of a commercial South Melbourne building, the workplace design combines the people­-oriented, sophisticated and approachable nature of the RPM business, along with the company’s high proportion of salespeople operating primarily offsite. One third of RPM team members operate primarily outside of the company’s South Melbourne headquarters and are only in­-house one day a week.

The integration of highly adaptable and cleverly integrated breakout workspaces by ROTHELOWMAN allows RPM to better manage its non-­traditional workforce. This challenge is further enhanced by the unorthodox layout of the office, being located across two non-­consecutive levels of a commercial building.

Urban.com.au spoke to ROTHELOWMAN head of interiors Andrew Wales who says the biggest logistical challenge for the office was working out how to cater for a dispersed workforce in a way that did not look temporary. The last thing the design team wanted to do was create spaces that would only be used 20 per cent of the week.

According to Wales the team challenged this by implementing ‘breakout areas’ that are power connected, which allow for easy on­ the­-go use by team members, visitors and clients.

ROTHELOWMAN’S interior design incorporates strong graphics and confident colours to artistically communicate the strength of the business and the friendly nature of its people. The office layout is a design representation of the company's services as a suburban real estate agency. A main walkway lined with custom designed lamps, reminiscent of street lamps, provide a demarcation between work areas. This demarcation replaces four-wall offices.

<blockquote>
We proposed a design to RPM which effectively reflects their company values: intelligent, people-oriented, sophisticated, well connected with unrivalled knowledge about their industry to share with others. The aim was definitely not to squeeze as many people into the space as possible, but rather to enhance this open, cooperative and research driven organisation. It’s actually quite rare among real estate agencies to employ this type of open-­plan design, but RPM is not a stock standard business.

The approachable nature of RPM is also articulated in the light-weight appearance of furniture and joinery details within the reception and client lounge. The furniture is not solid and corporate, but more the kind of furniture you would have in your living room.
<cite>Andrew Wales, Head of Interiors, ROTHELOWMAN</cite>
</blockquote>

A liberal use of the colour black including on the few office walls is a direct reference to the business. Wales notes that black can be "quite confronting, but it’s not if you get it right," adding that "(it )results in a space and business that looks strong, confident and bold, creating a marriage of brand and business."

Another major element of RPM’s company culture reflected in the design is the high level of customer service offered to clients. On site is a large outdoor area, presentation room and lounge, plus meeting rooms with a full-­size working bar all for the purposes of client entertainment and enjoyment. User experiences are further enhanced through the curated selection of materials including timber, stone and steel, with several custom-­made furniture pieces by Jardan and Stylecraft.

The use of residential-­style furniture reinforces the concept of an office space that is both corporate but also laid back with ROTHELOWMAN drawing on its experience in residential and hospitality projects to help inform how the spaces are designed. As Wales puts it a workspace is a living space ­ people can spend more time in the office than they do at home, so it has to be more than just a place to go to work. It has to provide opportunities which facilitate and encourage good working relationships while also providing spaces to work alone.

The design has also considered future growth and expansion with the capacity to accommodate an increase in staff numbers of around 15% based on RPM's ambitions and aspirations. Beyond this says Wales RPM's mobile staff would be required to split their time across two days. Overall, the innovative layout and interiors of the new RPM headquarters are visual proof of the company’s strong growth and its approach to real estate in Melbourne. The result is a layout and interior palette that is sophisticated and modern but also approachable and a strong representation of the RPM Real Estate business itself.

<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/rothelowman-rpm-rachael-dere-01.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="RPM Office Melbourne interior. Photo by Rachael Dere"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/rothelowman-rpm-rachael-dere-01.jpg?itok=EA6gTF-v" title="RPM Office Melbourne interior. Photo by Rachael Dere" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>RPM Office Melbourne interior. Photo by Rachael Dere</figcaption></figure>
</body></html>

Laurence Dragomir

Designing for a mobile workforce: RPM's new head office by ROTHELOWMAN

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With <a href="/news/the-new-victoria-police-centre-looks-set-to-become-reality">construction tenders called for during May</a>, the new Victoria Police Centre at 311 Spencer Street appears to be moving ever closer to reality. But what form will the new tower take?

According to the Ozscrapers forum, a new application has been lodged for the project which greatly expands the design to 39 storeys or 174 metres. To be built on a vacant piece of land adjoining the relatively new City West Police Complex, the tower was originally intended to accommodate approximately 40,000sqm of office space over 20-storeys.

Having put the scheme out to tender, CBUS Property and Australia Post would be ready to go with the initial Woods Bagot-designed scheme, pending final negotiations with the Victorian Government. Regardless of the design, the development team would likely be required to have the building operational by 2020, when Victoria Police's current lease at the World Trade Centre expires.

<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/image11_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="311 Spencer Street old and new? Image ourtesy Skyrise85 via Ozscrapers"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="292" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image11_10.jpg?itok=k2Sh--AT" title="311 Spencer Street old and new? Image ourtesy Skyrise85 via Ozscrapers" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>311 Spencer Street old and new? Image ourtesy Skyrise85 via Ozscrapers</figcaption></figure>The reworked design, which would be the tallest office tower to be constructed in the city for over two decades, features a sloping roof across three levels, and a number of similarities in expression and articulation to <a href="http://oma.eu/projects/de-rotterdam">OMA's De Rotterdam</a> project in The Netherlands. It should be noted that of the current crop of prospective commercial towers, 80 Collins Street is approved at a taller height, but proponent QIC have stumbled in getting the tower to construction.

Whatever its final form, 311 Spencer Street continues the ongoing transformation of Spencer Street, eliminating the gap between the Spencer Outlet Centre and City West Police Complex at 313 Spencer Street, while also covering the latter's substantial concrete core.

<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/e1b5a7d4e9b0e3a790a3a996957ea11e.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="311 Spencer Street's revised design. Image courtesy Skyrise85 via Ozscrapers"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="427" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/e1b5a7d4e9b0e3a790a3a996957ea11e.jpg?itok=Sb1qpY3r" title="311 Spencer Street's revised design. Image courtesy Skyrise85 via Ozscrapers" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>311 Spencer Street's revised design. Image courtesy Skyrise85 via Ozscrapers</figcaption></figure>Diagonally opposite 311 Spencer Street is Far East Consortium's pending West Side Place development, featuring Ritz Carlton set within the development's tallest tower at 270 metres. As the CBD continues to expansion westward into Docklands, locating Victoria Police in a single centrally located complex adjacent to Southern Cross Station looks to be the current thought process.

Cbus Property's 311 Spencer Street along with the likes of <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">477 Collins Street</a>, <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">405 Bourke Street</a>, <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">130 Lonsdale Street</a>, <a href="/buildings/one-melbourne-quarter-695-collins-street-docklands">695 Collins Street</a>, <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">80 Collins Street</a> and <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">271 Spring Street</a> are set to herald the next wave of commercial office towers, following the unprecedented boom in residential towers over recent years.

With the <a href="/news/35-spring-street-marks-its-place-in-the-skyline">recent topping out</a> of its flagship residential project at 35 Spring Street, CBUS Property will be keeping busy with its mixed-use Collins Arch project which also features a considerable slab of premium office space. Site preparations will begin during September with construction proper commencing during 2017.

<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/collinsarch.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Collins Arch. Image courtesy of Colliers"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="880" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/collinsarch.jpg?itok=QNvsrQIW" title="Collins Arch. Image courtesy of Colliers" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Collins Arch. Image courtesy of Colliers</figcaption></figure>
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Could 311 Spencer Street become one of Melbourne's tallest office towers?

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The development team behind one of Melbourne's most recent commercial tower applications has had right of reply to City of Melbourne's varied concerns regarding their proposal located at 267-271 Spring Street.

Property fund manager and developer ISPT has Australian Unity pencilled in as the prospective project's tenant, with John Wardle Architects handed the task of creating the modern edifice above the current low-rise heritage buildings onsite. Post the project's submission during June of this year, City of Melbourne have raised concerns regarding a variety of aspects relating to the development.

Last week Urbis responded on behalf of the development team.

<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/image41_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The project's Little Lonsdale Street perspective. Planning image: Urbis"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="373" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image41_6.jpg?itok=VRIBT64d" title="The project's Little Lonsdale Street perspective. Planning image: Urbis" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The project's revised Little Lonsdale Street perspective. Planning image: Urbis</figcaption></figure>Many of City of Melbourne's concerns focus on the project's impact upon the heritage buildings in the immediate area, along with the appropriateness of the tower's form. The concerns in many ways mirror the stance taken by Melbourne Heritage Action, which considers the proposal to be <a href="https://melbourneheritage.org.au/2016/07/01/call-for-action-objection-to-facadism-of-elms-famil-hotel-and-demolition-of-surrounding-heritage/">demonstrative to the heritage precint's overall existing character</a>.

<blockquote>
Not only will the proposed office block involve the facadism of the 1925 Elms Family Hotel, it will dominate other heritage buildings on the site, like the 1913 Mission Hall, and the cottage on Casselden Place behind. It will also destroy some of the last remnants of the famous (infamous!) ‘Little Lon’ district, including the last section of Griffin Lane, and two small-scale 1920s red brick buildings that do not have individual heritage protection.

Melbourne Heritage Action believes that the precinct as a whole, from the Mission in Spring Street down to Oddfellows Hotel, is one that should obviously have been made a Heritage Precinct many years ago. This group of buildings not only creates an area and streetscape that hasn’t changed since the 1920s, but is the largest intact remnant of the notorious ‘Little Lon’ area.

<cite>Melbourne Heritage Action</cite>
</blockquote>

As of last week 38 objectors had taken their concerns to Council.

<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/image46_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The tower's exterior. Planning image: John Wardle architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="629" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image46_6.jpg?itok=DtA-1m6M" title="The tower's exterior. Planning image: John Wardle architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The tower's exterior. Planning image: John Wardle architects</figcaption></figure><a href="http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/building-and-development/property-information/planning-building-registers/Pages/town-planning-permits-register-search-results.aspx?appid=257302">Urbis' response</a> acknowledges the concerns raised by the objectors, while also asking Council to consider the "balance of objectives sought by the planning scheme and the extended consultation process conducted between the proponent and Council." Further to this Urbis point out that 267-271 Spring Street with Australian Unity in tow would be a boost to the CBD's economic success, given very few permitted commercial developments have proceeded to construction within the CBD during recent years.

For the most, the development team's response justifies the design ethos and outcome of the originally submitted scheme. Essentially Urbis' response adds further weight to the development team's stance, rather than making wholesale changes to the tower's design.

Concerns regarding heritage issues, setbacks to Spring Street and Littler Lonsdale Street, the project's perceived community benefit (or lack of), overshadowing and overlooking have all been addressed by Urbis. Following consultation with Melbourne Heritage Action and other vested parties, the only discernible changes to the proposal have been to retain the internal rear and side walls of the Elms Hotel and a change to the podium treatments to Little Lonsdale by way of additional glazing.

Beyond the above machinations, 267-271 Spring Street's fate lies in the hands of City of Melbourne, with a final approval decision likely to be some months away.
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silvermb

Key sticking points hammered out as ISPT seeks approval for its Spring Street tower

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It's been an eventful few weeks for Sydney-based DEXUS Property Group in its Melbourne sphere of operations. Whilst a number of big ticket items have grabbed the headlines, the real estate group has managed to secure all but final approval for one of suburban Melbourne's largest commercial developments.

City of Monash have green lighted DEXUS's plans to greatly expand their Axxess Corporate Park within Mount Waverley.

Lodged with Council during 2015, DEXUS proposed dual office buildings and an associated multi deck car park at 11-21 Gilby Road, Mount Waverley. Designed by Gray Puksand, the development would carry a development cost of $61 million and encompass a commercial NLA of 19,950sqm.

This would position the development as one of suburban Melbourne's largest pending commercial developments.

Supplementing the commercial space is 1,260sqm of retail space, communal landscaped amenities and a massive 1,009 car parking spaces. Currently listed as Planning Permit to Issue, final approval looks to be a formality.

<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/image38_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Elevations of the approved office buildings. Planning image: Gray Puksand"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="238" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image38_4.jpg?itok=ZYtfm6Kq" title="Elevations of the approved office buildings. Planning image: Gray Puksand" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Elevations of the approved office buildings. Planning image: Gray Puksand</figcaption></figure>It was <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/dexus-offloads-melbournes-southgate-complex-for-578m/news-story/349a19743a8d46fa21a6d32a73759641">reported over the weekend that DEXUS Property Group has sold the Southgate Complex</a> for $578 million. This still leaves the outfit with a strong asset sheet across inner Melbourne, including properties such as 8 Nicholson Street, 180 Lonsdale Street within QV and 360 Collins Street.

Listed on the Apartments.com.au Project Database are two substantial commercial developments under the DEXUS banner with approval, and which have yet to be acted upon. 385 Bourke Street is a Grimshaw Architects-designed expansion seeing additional commercial NLA of 24,000sqm added whilst Flinders Gate at 172 Flinders Street is subject to a scheme with an additional 20,000sqm in play.

<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/image35_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Future CBD commercial developments under the DEXUS banner"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="265" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image35_6.jpg?itok=qJtWWBgf" title="Future CBD commercial developments under the DEXUS banner" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Future CBD commercial developments under the DEXUS banner</figcaption></figure>Approval for Gilby Road follows on from the July approval for DEXUS' sole residential project in Melbourne located at 32-44 Flinders Street.

After the best part of two years at planning, the project has finally been given the green light to replace a 539 bay car park built over 10 levels. Constructed during 1998, the car park structure is now prime land which holds more value as a development asset.

SJB Architects have designed the project to contain near on 500 dwellings over two buildings.

With the Flinders Street car park asset now repositioned, DEXUS Property Group will choose between developing or onselling the site with a permit in place.

<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_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Initial and abbreviated versions of 32-44 Flinders Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="306" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image40_5.jpg?itok=9cFHeJkd" title="Initial and abbreviated versions of 32-44 Flinders Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Initial and abbreviated versions of 32-44 Flinders Street</figcaption></figure>
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Dexus doubles up with approval for a substantial commercial development

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MAB Corporation has sold a state-of-the-art service station and convenience store complex on Melbourne's West Gate Freeway for $22.5 million, the largest sale of a petrol station anywhere in Australia for more than 10 years.
The sale reflects a 5.5 percent yield.
The property was sold by Savills Chris Jones, Clinton Baxter and Ben Hegarty, in conjunction with Dawkins Occhiuto's Andrew Dawkins and Walter Occhiuto.
They said the marketing campaign generated strong international and local interest, with the purchaser a Melbourne based private investor.
 
"In addition to numerous local bids, we also generated multiple offers from Asia and Europe, with purchasers particularly driven by the property’s enviable and unique position on the West Gate Freeway, one of Australia’s busiest roads," Chris said.
"It was an opportunity that rarely comes to market and unlikely to be repeated given the dearth of similar sites and properties offering such strong locational advantages."
Clinton said investor interest was also driven by the state-of-the-art facility and the first rate tenancy profile offering stable long-term cash flow.
"The property offered investors a brand new state-of-the-art facility with maximum depreciation benefits to complement the strong income from A-grade tenants Shell, Hungry Jacks and Red Rooster."
"It really ticked all the boxes of a superb commercial investment,’’ he said.
The property at 62 Cook Street, Port Melbourne was constructed and opened earlier this year.
Walter Occhiuto said the property was sold subject to leases to Viva Energy Australia (Shell/Coles Express), Hungry Jack’s and Red Rooster on 15 year terms, for a total net income of $1.41 million.
The brand new complex comprises nearly 700 sqm of buildings, 1200 sqm of canopy and 57 parking spaces on a large 10,000 sqm site.
 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

MAB’s West Gate sells for $22.5 million

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Prime development sites continue to pour into the market, with some new and noteworthy land offerings freshly loaded onto sister website <a href="https://developmentsites.melbourne/">Development Sites Melbourne</a>.

As always the bulk of listings present as residential opportunities, with the vast majority found in suburban Melbourne. This reinforces the current trend whereby developers of both existing and prospective land holdings are favouring inner and middle suburbs over the heart of Melbourne.

One of the more prominent new listings comes in the form of <a href="https://developmentsites.melbourne/coburg/35-urquhart-street">35 Urquhart Street, Coburg</a> which forms part of the former Pentridge site. With Shayher Group and Future Estate established developers within the emerging Pentridge Precinct, 35 Urquhart Street is a sizeable 4,645sqm land holding with approval in place for 250 apartments, although RotheLowman have a scheme on offer potentially increasing the site's yield to 334 apartments.

Also one to watch is <a href="https://developmentsites.melbourne/sunshine/499-ballarat-road">499 Ballarat Road, Sunshine</a>. Within the intended Sunshine National Employment Cluster, the 10,920sqm gateway site comes with an Approved Development Plan allowing a major mixed-use project of approximately 12-14 storeys with the total approved NSA approaching 65,000sqm.

<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/image26_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Coburg and Sunshine developments offer views towards Melbourne's CBD"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="169" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image26_2.jpg?itok=hqhOdjXK" title="Coburg and Sunshine developments offer views towards Melbourne's CBD" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Coburg and Sunshine developments offer views towards Melbourne's CBD</figcaption></figure>Brunswick has something substantial to offer with the dual-fronted <a href="https://developmentsites.melbourne/sunshine/499-ballarat-road">125-131 Brunswick Road</a> listed at 5,100sqm. Set over eleven title allotments, the combined site has street frontage to Brunswick Road (45m) and Barkly Street (52m), and is positioned midway between Sydney Road and Lygon Street.

In nearby Fitzroy, <a href="https://developmentsites.melbourne/fitzroy/44-brunswick-street">44 Brunswick Street</a> has been listed with 18 luxury apartments approved atop what is now the Metropole Hotel. On offer are fully leased ground level hotel facilities, a penthouse apartment, car parking, plus building air rights which include the aforementioned apartment which are designed by Sgourakis Architects.

Maintaining the inner north-west theme and Kensington has two development sites on offer. <a href="https://developmentsites.melbourne/kensington/393-399-macaulay-road">393-399 Macaulay Road</a> maintains three street frontages and an overall site are of 1,551sqm. Holding Mixed Use zoning, six to eight levels is the nominated development outcome for the site which sits between two train stations.

<a href="https://developmentsites.melbourne/kensington/51-61-hardiman-street">51-61 Hardiman Street</a> is also up for grabs, the the tri-fronted 1,107sqm development site abutting a current planning application seeking an eight level outcome.

Ever popular Footscray has a substantial development site on offer by way of <a href="https://developmentsites.melbourne/footscray/26-30-buckley-street">26-30 Buckley Street</a>. The 1,890sqm site holds approval for a RotheLowman-designed apartment scheme of 139 apartments and five townhouses. 

<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/image27_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Kensington and Footscray come with mid-rise intentions"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="193" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image27_4.jpg?itok=vakFTsPK" title="Kensington and Footscray come with mid-rise intentions" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Kensington and Footscray come with mid-rise intentions</figcaption></figure>Skipping to the southern side of Melbourne's CBD and three prominent sites are on offer. 

<a href="https://developmentsites.melbourne/highett/1-5-dart-street">1-5 Dart Street, Highett</a> is a permit approved development of 32 apartments. In addition to the eight Highett residential projects found within the Apartments.com.au Project Database, 1-5 Dart Street which is over a 2,103sqm site adds to the growing popularity of Highett as an emerging apartment hub.

Windsor and Richmond round out the more notable recent development site listings. <a href="https://developmentsites.melbourne/windsor/168-peel-street">168 Peel Street</a> is a development opportunity set behind red brick edifices. 168 Peel Street is one of the limited development sites emanating from Windsor with the 817sqm land holding capable of accommodating a higher density outcome.
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Current suburban development sites reinforce the prevailing development trend

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Of the 107 listings falling within City of Yarra throughout the Apartments.com.au Project Database, a mere seven are solely commercial in use.

Whilst residential projects rule the roost, recent months have seen three of the municipality's larger commercial developments enter planning. These projects are set to be joined by what shapes as Fitzroy's tallest commercial development, located at 151-159 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy.

After recently acquiring the 1,684sqm corner block, expanding local developer Angelo Property Group in conjunction with Pulitano Transport Group is looking to press ahead with the outfit's largest project thus far. At 16 levels the commercial tower shapes as a significant addition to Fitzroy's skyline, and will also boost the area's largest commercial footprint.

<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_2022.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rendered image of Angelo Property Group's intended 151-159 Victoria Parade"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="742" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_2022.jpg?itok=H9mkvZRH" title="Rendered image of Angelo Property Group's intended 151-159 Victoria Parade" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendered image of Angelo Property Group's intended 151-159 Victoria Parade</figcaption></figure>With a nominal value of $180 million, 151-159 Victoria Parade is expected to be retained by Angelo Property Group upon completion. 

Ground floor sees a large showroom space set aside for a prestige automotive brand, whilst the intended tower's position surrounded by various institutions will see it aimed squarely at medical, education and corporate organisations. 2019 has been nominated as the completion date for 151-159 Victoria Parade.

As mentioned, Angelo Property Group's tower is not the only commercial project in the pipeline within City of Yarra. <a href="/developments/cremorne-vic-3121">9-11 Cremorne Street</a> entered planning during March, <a href="/developments/collingwood-vic-3066">80-90 Johnston Street, Collingwood</a> during April and Grocon unveiled plans during May for <a href="/buildings/2-16-northumberland-street-collingwood">2-16 Northumberland Street, Collingwood</a>.

A ClarkeHopkinsClarke design, the Johnston Street office project is aiming to add near enough to 8,000sqm of prime office space whilst Grocon have employed John Wardle Architects for their 13 level development which absorbs part of the existing onsite Telstra exchange building.

Waiting in the wings is Malaysian developer TRC Synergy Berhad's <a href="/developments/burnley-vic-3121">East Edge Botanicca</a> office project which has been at leasing for some time. The initial 6,200sqm strata office block is set to add to the already well established Botanicca campus office precinct found in Burnley.

<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/image27_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="110 Church Road and 13 Cremorne Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="285" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image27_3.jpg?itok=1tYAqfwI" title="110 Church Road and 13 Cremorne Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>110 Church Road and 13 Cremorne Street</figcaption></figure>At the smaller end of the scale, current builds adding to City of Yarra's commercial stock are found in Richmond and Cremorne. Buildcept is advancing <a href="/developments/richmond-vic-3121">110 Church Street</a> whilst 13 Cremorne Street is delivering 2,900sqm on a block of 530sqm.

A design by Architects EAT, the boutique 13 Cremorne Street also sees a penthouse event space atop the building whose design highlight involves folded metal facade elements.
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Yarra receives a commercial boost, including plans for Fitzroy's tallest office building

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In light of Michael Banak's recent appointment to the role of Principal at national design firm <a href="/architects/rothelowman">RotheLowman</a>, Apartments.com.au thought it an opportune time to chat with the Michael given his extensive credentials in sustainable workplace design.

Holding a membership with the Green Building Council of Australia and accreditation as a Green Star professional, Michael Banak also participated in the Australian Institute of Architects’ mentoring program. Partnering with fellow Principal Ben Pomroy, the duo will spearhead RotheLowman's expansion into the commercial office sphere with a view toward technologically intelligent and sustainable workplace solutions.

Encompassing topics such as RotheLowman's current commercial-driven workbook, evolving expectations and emerging sustainability trends, the chat transpired as follows.

Apartments.com.au: How many current commercial projects are in design on a national scale. Is commercial design a growing sector within RotheLowman?

Michael Banak: RotheLowman is currently working on 14 wide-ranging commercial projects from large-scale office to boutique and mixed-use commercial outcomes. These projects are at varying stages from concept design through to construction across our three national offices.

Our collaborative architecture and interior design teams are specialists at embedding organisational culture into our architectural solutions and as a result it’s a sector that’s expanded in our business. My recent appointment combined with the existing knowledge of our established commercial team has allowed us to provide an increased offering specialising in business spaces.

UM: RotheLowman is particularly strong in residential design in Melbourne. Are there any commercial projects in Melbourne on the radar?

MB: We are also working on a major office development in <a href="/new-apartments/south-melbourne-vic-3205">South Melbourne</a> pending town planning. This project will showcase the firm’s commercial knowledge through an innovative design featuring flexible and efficient office space; green roofs and break-out terraces; atrium spaces with communication stairs that frame key city views; and cutting edge mechanical and lifting systems.

<a href="/new-apartments/richmond-vic-3121">Richmond</a>-based <a href="/developments/burnley-vic-3121">East Edge Botanicca</a> is in planning; cutting-edge strata offices settled amidst the beauty of the Yarra River designed to elicit the professionalism of a tightly held corporate hub. Offices and communal spaces transition the outdoors in using light interplay and generous balconies, while sleek finishes, restrained warehouse-inspired design and communal green hubs facilitate professional interaction.

<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/image17_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="East Edge Botanicca. Image: ROTHELOWMAN"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="245" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image17_6.jpg?itok=QZ6l8Ntk" title="East Edge Botanicca. Image: ROTHELOWMAN" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>East Edge Botanicca. Image: RotheLowman</figcaption></figure>We have recently completed a refurbishment of the RPM Real Estate Group headquarters for a company that has experienced a 370 per cent increase in revenue over the last four years, and has sold 25 per cent of all residential lots available across Melbourne’s metropolitan growth areas over the 2014/2015 period.

The design reflects the people-oriented, sophisticated and approachable nature of the RPM business in a unified manner that overcomes the physically divided office and high proportion of dispersed workers.

UM: Advancing technology has become more prevalent in commercial design. What are the current prevailing technologies influencing green building design?

MB: New technologies I’ve observed in green office buildings, firstly, include connectivity. Ease of communication between workers provides efficiency and therefore reduced use of environmental resources. These technologies allow greater user control of their environments.

The user for example can dial into the office before or after work and control lighting, heating and sound, this can be set to change for different times of the day, moods or seasons. Other technologies that I’ve begun to see regularly integrated include low emittance windows and smart glass; cool roofs and photovoltaic (solar) cell technology that can be used as a thin film applied to glass.

UM: Net Zero commercial buildings. Are they viable, should or will they become the norm via legislation? Is the onus on the architect or the developer to create such an outcome?

MB: Net zero buildings are grid-integrated buildings capable of generating as much energy as they consume through advanced technologies and on-site power generation. This includes power generated from the sun, wind or earth to exceed demands of the building.

To meet our energy reduction targets this type of development is inevitable. It needs to be legislated and supported by government to be successful, in the same way Green Star was supported in the early days by government for all government commercial projects. This paved the way for Green Star rated commercial buildings to be the norm.

It is the architect’s responsibility to promote net zero buildings, to protect the environment and provide a business case to the developer to support this. Generally, a developer will only entertain this idea if they are looking for a long-term investment.

UM: You are a Green Star accredited professional and a member of the Green Building Council of Australia. What benchmarks in design are required to fulfill the requirements as outlined by the two bodies, and are these requirements often changing to meet evolving expectations/benchmarks?

MB: The Green Star accreditation requires further education – I undertook a course and spent six months studying to pass the exam. I ensure that I undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements each year to maintain my accreditation and stay up to date with current trends.

The CPD requirements for the accreditation cover a range of areas including Green Star sustainable developments, rating tools, case studies and innovation. Memberships to the GBCA also provide access to events and resources to ensure that my practice continues to lead and innovate.

UM: How have workplace interiors changes to suit evolving tenant needs/requirements and how do you think they will further evolve into the future?

MB: The emergence of remote working has widespread implications for the traditional commercial office. Technology allowing us to work less at our desks has increased our office mobility, reducing the space required for a typical office.

Architects are now able to design non-designated office space where a mobile workforce can plug in on their days in the office. The trend towards hot-desking has been refined through trial and error – a scaled, team-based version of hot-desking is now most common in project-based commercial offices, rather than an all-encompassing model.

The reduction in use of paper has also meant less storage is required and therefore spaces can exist with a smaller footprint. Activity based work settings are popular at the moment, and I envision in the future that workplaces will incorporate greater control for workers, enabling them to dictate the ambient conditions of their workplace instantly, wherever they choose to be.
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Sustainability in the commercial sphere: RotheLowman's Michael Banak talks to Urban.com.au

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Following on from last week's Docklands construction update on <a href="/news/docklands-update-june-2016-newquay-and-harbour-town">NewQuay and Harbour Town</a>, is an update on the Victoria Harbour precinct being delivered by Lend Lease. Construction has been constant on the peninsula site, just as one project is finishes another begins.

At the moment construction is centred largely to the west with a series of large scale residential buildings at various stages of their construction programmes. The built form of the precinct will continue to edge ever closer to the Bolte Bridge as the final stage known as Collins Wharf gets underway.

The current projects below will between them provide over 1500 apartments within the precinct.

<h2>The Residences</h2>

<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/theresidencesvh.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="186" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/theresidencesvh.jpg?itok=ikHAEUj5" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Residences at Victoria Harbour</figcaption></figure>Located behind Forte, the boutique development known as 'The Residences' comprises six luxury freehold terrace homes nestled within the heart of Victoria Harbour, and located on Geographe Street. The materiality of the individual homes reflects the materials of the surrounding context, with Melbourne bluestone grounding the houses in the active laneways and parkland and the timber screens softening the façade and introducing a natural element.

The project is progressing with the townhouses reaching their full height and installation of the timber screens commencing.

<h2>888 Collins Street</h2>

<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/888_collins_street.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="88 Collins Street progress."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="409" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/888_collins_street.jpg?itok=ke4DjLXl" title="88 Collins Street progress." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>88 Collins Street progress.</figcaption></figure>888 Collins Street, which commands the corner site where Bourke and Collins Street converge at the waterfront has topped out with facade installation across both buildings now complete. Testing of the LED lighting display on the shorter building continues and retail fitout to Bourke Street is yet to commence.

Along with the Concavo building, 888 Collins Street completes the Bourke Street streetscape.

<h2>839-889 Collins Street</h2>

<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/839-889_collins_street.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="839-889 Collins Street progressing well"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="409" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/839-889_collins_street.jpg?itok=JPh56OLo" title="839-889 Collins Street progressing well" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>839-889 Collins Street progressing well</figcaption></figure>Four towers consisting of two sets of twins sit atop massive podia with frontages to the Yarra River and Collins Street is progressing well with facade installation commencing on the western half of the project and the tower floorplates beginning to rise. The podiums feature a combination of timber and brick spandrels providing the project with a historical and site specific contextual response, referencing the maritime history of the Docklands.

The project has a whopping 1,070 apartments.

<h2>No.1 Collins Wharf</h2>

<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/collins_wharf_site.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="No.1 Collins Wharf. Photo courtesy of Redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="294" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/collins_wharf_site.jpg?itok=AmRSUiRA" title="No.1 Collins Wharf. Photo courtesy of Redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>No.1 Collins Wharf. Photo courtesy of Redden</figcaption></figure>1 Collins Wharf is the latest Victoria Harbour project to reach sales with early works progressing in preparing for construction. Given Lend Lease's record it's a fair assumption that 1 Collins Wharf may well keep rolling into construction, adding another 321 apartments to the area.

<h2>Who's next?</h2>

<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/imagepreview_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A new hotel for Victoria Harbour?"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/imagepreview_2.jpg?itok=hqxRzWHc" title="A new hotel for Victoria Harbour?" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A new hotel for Victoria Harbour?</figcaption></figure>Seen above is one of a number of concept images for the remaining land parcel at 839 Collins Street. While the possibility of a boutique hotel remains, recent talk has shifted toward another commercial complex for the site, quite possibly in order to expand the presence of ANZ which maintains its headquarters next door.

Whatever its final use, 839 Collins Street shapes as the next project for Victoria Harbour.
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Docklands update June 2016: Victoria Harbour

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Following news last week that <a href="http://www.afr.com/real-estate/deloitte-to-move-to-mirvacs-collins-street-tower-20160503-gokw2w#ixzz47dSTkXYT">Deloitte has all but signed up</a> to Mirvac's 477 Collins Street project, another large-scale commercial office build is nearing reality with a construction tender released for the new Victoria Police Complex.

Located alongside the near new Melbourne West Police Station, the Victoria Police Complex at 311 Spencer Street would consist of approximately 40,000sqm of office space. With the calling for construction tenders, Cbus Property and project partner Australia Post now look set to realise the project following extensive negotiations with the Victorian government.

Both the Melbourne West Police Station and Victoria Police Complex share an 11,750sqm site which was previously utilised by Australia Post.

<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/image30_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Street level perspective of the Victoria Police Centre. Image: Department of Treasury and Finance"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="372" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image30_6.jpg?itok=vxx5Zufa" title="Street level perspective of the Victoria Police Centre. Image: Department of Treasury and Finance" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Street level perspective of the Victoria Police Centre. Image: Department of Treasury and Finance</figcaption></figure>Created by architecture firm Woods Bagot, the new $300 million police headquarters has been designed to complement its $240 million neighbour which was completed during 2015.

According to <a href="http://www.dtf.vic.gov.au/Infrastructure-Delivery/Market-led-proposals">Department of Treasury and Finance details</a>, 311 Spencer Street was cleared during February 2016 to move to phase four of the development process after first being put forward during May 2015. Phase four involves the negotiation and assessment of a final offer between the State government and development team.

The market-led development would see Cbus Property and Australia Post fund and develop the new Victoria Police Centre in return for a substantial long term lease from Victoria Police, given the force's current lease within Docklands' World Trade Centre expires during 2020.

<blockquote>
The proposed development creates a unique opportunity for Victoria Police to co-locate and consolidate their Melbourne CBD operations into one stand-alone precinct.

The features of the site combined with landscaping, urban design interventions, built form initiatives and invisible technologies will provide Victoria Police with a secure facility that remains integrated into the wider streetscape. The site is within close proximity to Southern Cross Station and provides excellent access and egress to arterial road networks.

The precinct will be a Melbourne landmark, creating new opportunities for the Victoria Police to engage with the community, whilst also enabling more effective services to be delivered to the community. 
<cite>Market-led Proposals Guideline: Victoria Police Centre Project Overview</cite>
</blockquote>

<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/cbus.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="313 Spencer Street with the adjoining vacant 311 Spencer Street. Image: DCWC"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/cbus.jpg?itok=O32_Gx9D" title="313 Spencer Street with the adjoining vacant 311 Spencer Street. Image: DCWC" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne West Police Station with the adjoining vacant 311 Spencer Street. Image: DCWC</figcaption></figure>Incidentally 412 St Kilda Road which formerly served as the St Kilda Road Police Complex has been subject to a separate development process with ARM Architecture heading plans to convert the commercial building into luxury apartments.

<a href="/new-apartments/the-mayfair-412-st-kilda-road-melbourne">Outlined by Urban.com.au earlier in the year</a>, the project is the latest local foray for Malaysian developer UEM Sunrise with approximately 180 apartments set within the refashioned building, which will be clad largely in bronze coloured cladding. According to City of Port Phillip's Online Planning Register, 412 St Kilda Road received a council-issued permit during March 2016.
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