<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sunland-group">Sunland Group</a> has officially lodged plans for its first Gold Coast apartment project since the departure of the Abedian family from the company three years ago, unveiling a new high-rise proposal for a prominent Broadbeach corner site on Old Burleigh Road.

The application was submitted by an entity directed by Tom Jamieson, stepson of longtime Sunland leader Soheil Abedian, and Riaz Rezvanipour, brother-in-law of Sahba Abedian, Soheil’s son.

Sunland acquired the 1,283 sqm site on the corner of Old Burleigh Road and Armrick Avenue for $9.5 million late last year and is now seeking approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/99-101-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">42-storey tower with 81 apartments</a>.

<img alt="First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fea2946d-90ee-4cfc-babe-2a8ad5db2cb6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers.png?VersionId=BV0fihJw31nDIQ8ozY_h3GbS8mxDyhnm" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/contreras-earl-architecture">Contreras Earl Architecture</a>, the proposed tower at 99-101 Old Burleigh Road would deliver a predominantly larger-format apartment mix aimed at the owner-occupier market. Plans include 17 two-bedroom apartments, 55 three-bedroom apartments, and nine four-bedroom residences across 35 residential levels.

The development also incorporates three basement levels, four podium parking levels, two levels of communal recreation facilities, and rooftop plant and equipment. A total of 189 car spaces are proposed, significantly exceeding the 90 spaces required under the planning scheme.

The architecture adopts a sculpted, curvilinear form, with deep wraparound balconies and integrated landscaping intended to soften the tower’s vertical expression. The planning report states the building’s “slender footprint/form provides a complimentary yet varied built form within the local streetscape” and contributes to “a varied, yet ordered skyline.”

Contreras Earl noted in its Architectural Statement that from the early stages, the project addressed a fundamental challenge: how to accommodate the required residential yield while avoiding the conventional model of a tower sitting on a rigid, fully resolved parking podium.

“The most direct response would have been to consolidate parking into a singular, flat podium and extrude a repetitive tower above,” the statement said. “While efficient, this approach would result in a consolidated built form with limited engagement with the surrounding landscape and public realm.”

Instead, the conventional podium model was “deliberately rejected”. The architects described the base of the building as “a landscaped architectural condition where structure, planting and circulation are integrated”.

“Rather than presenting a continuous built mass, the base of the building is articulated through a series of concrete planter elements that organise the podium into a fragmented system,” the statement said. “This approach reduces the perceived bulk of the lower levels while establishing a more permeable interface with the streetscape and adjacent open space.”

<img alt="Sunland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="923fad8d-c960-4527-8fbe-975cf1ddf88d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%2010.32.03%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=pngwb0hYOIUpq9vDw6F2EsOiVuHF3DiX" />

&nbsp;

The site sits within the High Density Residential Zone and inside the City of Gold Coast’s unrestricted “HX” building height area, where the planning framework anticipates intensified residential development tied to the expanding light rail corridor. The planning report notes the area is undergoing “transition toward more intense development forms” given its proximity to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, and high-frequency public transport infrastructure.

Positioned directly opposite Broadbeach Park and within walking distance of Florida Gardens light rail station, the development would sit among a rapidly evolving stretch of Old Burleigh Road that has become one of the Gold Coast’s most active apartment development corridors.

The application joins a growing pipeline of luxury residential projects reshaping Broadbeach, including nearby developments by 5Point Projects, Polycell, and Graya.

The planning report argues the project contributes toward the Gold Coast’s long-term housing targets under the South East Queensland Regional Plan, which forecasts the need for more than 100,000 additional high-rise dwellings across the city by 2046.

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The Abedian family departed Sunland Group in late 2023, ending a four-decade association with the company, and subsequently established the private development firm Abedian &amp; Co. The group is currently delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/greenmount-residences-cnr-hill-street-and-marine-parade-coolangatta-qld-4225">Greenmount Residences</a> at Rainbow Bay and recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/18-mary-avenue-14-18-mary-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">18 Mary Avenue</a> in Broadbeach.
</section>

Joel Robinson

First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach new apartment market with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans

The Minns Labor Government has established the new Bays West Delivery Authority to lead the development&nbsp;of the Bays West Precinct and Blackwattle Bay Precinct.&nbsp;

The Authority is charged with creating Sydney’s newest precinct, a thriving, connected, sustainable hub with White Bay Power Station as its cultural heart. Its vision is to build on the area’s natural, cultural and industrial history to shape a vibrant new neighbourhood.

The precinct will deliver up to 8,500 well-located homes, including a minimum of 10 per cent affordable and essential worker homes. Combine new housing with public open space, opening public access to the waterfront for the first time in more than 100 years, while retaining important deep-water facilities to support Sydney’s working harbour.

Located just minutes from the Sydney CBD and connected to a world-class metro, ferry, walking and cycling links, the Bays West precinct will rebalance housing growth towards well-serviced inner-city locations and help tackle the state’s housing crisis.

The Bays West Delivery Authority,&nbsp;an agency of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, will report to the NSW Minister for Lands and Property who already has oversight of major precinct renewal projects including at Blackwattle Bay and Barangaroo.

As part of the broader Bays West transformation, the Minns Government recently announced that a proposal from Lendlease to redevelop part of the Bays West Precinct has progressed to Stage 2 of the NSW Government’s unsolicited proposals process.

<img alt="Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2ed71eb9-d8e8-4fa7-b9d1-de4531dcf2f3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%209.42.31%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=IDryFIbped9SNDg72LEN_EecvhUsOPvp" />

The Minns Labor Government has also confirmed the Bays West precinct will have a new suburb name. This will be the first major suburb built in close proximity to Sydney’s CBD in decades and will encompass the area currently being referred to as Bays West, including Glebe Island and the White Bay Power Station. Served by a new Metro station just five minutes from the CBD, it will become one of the most populous suburbs in the Inner West and one of Sydney’s premier cultural destinations.

An early works program is taking shape, which&nbsp;includes the first stages of an international design competition.&nbsp;

The aim of the Bays West&nbsp;International&nbsp;Design Competition is to&nbsp;ensure design excellence is embedded in the project from the start. The competition will deliver an&nbsp;urban framework that defines the character, ambition and long-term identity of&nbsp;this&nbsp;former industrial precinct as it transitions to a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable residential&nbsp;neighbourhood.

The competition will be led by the Bays West Delivery Authority in partnership with Government Architect NSW.&nbsp;

It will launch with an invitation for a global Expressions of Interest, before moving to an invitation-only stage that will be assessed by a panel that&nbsp;will provide advice to Cabinet who will select a winner.

Premier of NSW, Chris Minns said the establishment of the new Authority is the first step in transforming the Bays West precinct into a vibrant, livable suburb minutes from the Sydney CBD and two stops from Hunter St Station on the Metro West line.

“The Authority will deliver well-located homes close to the heart of the city and integrate the new precinct with Blackwattle Bay and the new Sydney Fish Market.

“This is a generational opportunity to build a new suburb on the city’s edge and open the harbour foreshore to the public for the first time in a century.”&nbsp;

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the new Bays West Delivery Authority established by the Minns Government will turbocharge the development of Sydney’s newest suburb.

“The Authority is working at a record pace to deliver an international design competition, planning pathways and a financial model so that this development benefits Sydney with well-designed homes in a central location, close to public transport, jobs, entertainment and essential services.

“If we want Sydney to stay liveable and affordable, we need to be bold about using underutilised government-owned land to deliver homes for the future while making sure essential working harbour functions can be accommodated.”

Bays West Delivery Authority established to "turbocharge" Sydney’s newest suburb

Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.

A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.

Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.

“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.

Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.

“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.

The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.

It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.

The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.

One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.

Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.

The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.

Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.

Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.

Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.

“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”

Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.

Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.

Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.

400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.

The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.

Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" />

“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.

The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”

The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" />

The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.

According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.

“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.

A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.

Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" />

All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.

The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.

Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.

The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.

Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" />

Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.

The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.

"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.

The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.

The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" />

Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.

Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.

First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Fitzroy apartments

Design

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The string of apartment-based planning applications with 'design excellence' at their core continues within Moreland City Council's boundaries.

Already the heartland for the Nightingale series of apartment projects, other developers too have joined the push to realise sustainable, community-driven apartment developments in the municipality. Apartments.com.au has in recent weeks covered <a href="/news/emphasis-on-sustainable-design-for-milieus-latest-in-brunswick">Milieu's Brunswick development</a> in waiting, in addition to <a href="/news/brunswicks-progressive-apartment-design-dynamic-gains-another-devotee">Excelon's recent Sydney Road</a> application.

Further to the above projects, entity Antipodean Land Developments Pty Ltd is seeking approval for a substantial apartment development in Brunswick East. Breathe Architecture and Kerstin Thompson Architects have collaborated on the design for the project which is sited 10-16 Little Miller Street.

<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_16.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A new Little Miller Street outlook. Planning image: Breathe Architecture / KTA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="328" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image22_16.jpg?itok=E9-VJk-a" title="A new Little Miller Street outlook. Planning image: Breathe Architecture / KTA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A new Little Miller Street outlook. Planning image: BA / KTA</figcaption></figure>For Antipodean, the Little Miller Street site is the second tilt at gaining approval for an apartment project after the entity was given the green light for 77-83 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East during February. That retail and apartment project was also the work of Kerstin Thompson Architects.

10-16 Little Miller Street is located directly behind 77-83 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East, and provided the former gains approval, Antipodean stands to hold the right to deliver just under 200 apartments across both sites.

The Little Miller Street proposal is currently at advertising and features 115 apartments and townhouses across four buildings, arranged around a central green space. A cafe, 235 bicycle bays and 135 car parking spaces across two basement levels constitute the balance of the development.

<h2>Seeking design excellence</h2>

Excerpts from the application's joint Design Statement point toward the architecture firms intent in creating a high-end design across the four separate residential buildings.

<blockquote>
This (the design) has drawn upon the thought leadership in architecture for which each practice is independently renown and our shared values especially around the potential for social and environmental sustainability that stems from the formation of high quality living environments.

Together BA + KTA have collaborated on the site masterplanning and over-arching design principles. Each practice has then undertaken the more detailed design for two of the four buildings that make up an exciting ensemble for the Little Miller street development.

Little Miller Street development aims to be a housing exemplar. In addition to prioritising high quality internal amenity, dwelling diversity and a strong sense of community for its occupants it will also benefit beyond the site to enhance the broader neighbourhood (public realm).

Underpinned by a strong commitment to passive design the project has targeted a 7.5 NatHERS average across the development. HIP V. HYPE Sustainability has worked closely with KTA and BA to identify and adopt measures to improve the project’s environmental, social and economic sustainability.
</blockquote>

<h2>Nicholson Street evolves</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/image25_12.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Nightingale Brunswick East and 77-83 Nicholson Street. Images: CHC / KTA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="224" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image25_12.jpg?itok=hEKRiCOP" title="Nightingale Brunswick East and 77-83 Nicholson Street. Images: CHC / KTA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Nightingale Brunswick East and 77-83 Nicholson Street. Images: CHC / KTA</figcaption></figure>Within the grander context of thousands of new apartments in development over the northern reaches of Nicholson Street, a subcontext of developments pushing for heightened design principles is appearing in the area.

10-16 Little Miller Street is adjacent to the freshly at construction Nightingale Brunswick East apartment development. The duo along with 77-83 Nicholson Street are forming a pocket of apartment developments which are focused on passive yet socially progressive design.

These developments are in contrast to more 'typical' apartment developments that lack many of the design nuances that are boasted by projects such as Nightingale Brunswick East and 10-16 Little Miller Street.
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silvermb

Antipodean style: Another design sensitive apartment project for Brunswick East

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Brisbane-based landscape contractor Martin Brothers is shining a light upon the increased utilisation of rooftop spaces across a host of Brisbane-based apartment projects.

So much so, in release penned by the landscape construction and maintenance firm, they posed the question; is rooftop amenity the new standard inclusion for residential development? The fortitude Valley-based builder has extensive experience in a range of high density and detached residential, commercial projects, and has 40 staff on its books.

In an inner city residential context, Martin Brothers contend that the new Great Australian Dream is an apartment, particularly for young Australians looking to own their first home. The sustained growth in apartment living in Brisbane, and the continued differentiation of product in the market, has seen amenities, particularly useable rooftop space, take precedence.

<blockquote>
As apartment living becomes a standard choice for not only Millennials but also many downsizing retirees, developers need to think about how they improve their customers’ quality of high density living.

Especially in cities like Brisbane, that enjoy a temperament climate year-round, planning the inclusion of beautifully landscaped rooftop amenity can not only help developers capitalise on once-overlooked space, but also improve the capital value of their residents’ apartments over the long term.

Brisbane City Council’s ‘Buildings that Breathe’ guidelines have resulted in rooftop amenity being increasingly recognised for its potential, and for subtropical tailored infrastructure, developers are utilising rooftop space as an asset, which in turn becomes a major talking point for their development.
<cite>Jack Martin, co-founder and Director</cite>
</blockquote>

The prime example is Silk One who's recently launched marketing and sales campaign saw its rooftop terrace space become the primary selling aspect of the apartment project. Apartments.com.au <a href="/news/silk-one-secures-woolloongabbas-best-seat-in-the-house">covered the project last month</a>; it boasts Brisbane's only rooftop Skystand which will include tiered seating and unobstructed views over The Gabba.

<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/image32_17.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Silk One's Skystand. Image: CBRE"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="338" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image32_17.jpg?itok=SIIJuFfQ" title="Silk One's Skystand. Image: CBRE" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Silk One's Skystand. Image: CBRE</figcaption></figure>Martin Brothers has recently completed three major rooftop amenity areas atop high-density residential projects in inner Brisbane. The lead image depicts the firm's build for Oxley and Stirling, a 16-storey South Brisbane project designed by Elenberg Fraser.

Atop the tower is a 1,300 square metre communal rooftop space which includes a pergola laden with greenery, a lap and plunge pool, al fresco barbeques, day beds and terraced seating areas. Martin Brothers describe the South Brisbane project's rooftop amenity as a national benchmark.

On the back of developments such as Oxley and Stirling, Martin Brothers are urging developers to capitalise on a huge opportunity to leverage what is traditionally a ‘second thought' on most projects.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image33_15.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Pinnacle@Duxton's rooftop garden. Image: ArchitectureLab"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="421" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image33_15.jpg?itok=hbb-YLRI" title="Pinnacle@Duxton's rooftop garden. Image: ArchitectureLab" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Pinnacle at Duxton's rooftop garden. Image: ArchitectureLab</figcaption></figure>In terms of benchmarking, Mr Martin has found overseas projects particularly inspirational.

<blockquote>
Looking abroad to more densely developed cities such as Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore, developers have long leveraged the potential offered by rooftop spaces.

In Hong Kong, for example, the rooftop amenity at Skypark in central Kowloon is geared towards young professionals seeking a lifestyle balance, with developer New World creating a setting primed for socialising and relaxation, offering lawned gardens, a green clubhouse and park spaces with amphitheatre-style outdoor seating.

Mr Martin also singled out Singapore’s Pinnacle at Duxton building, winner of the CTBUH’s award for Best Tall Building Asia &amp; Australasia in 2010, which features the world’s two longest linear sky gardens at 500 metres each.

At 50 levels above ground, the higher sky garden features publicly accessible, tropically-landscaped recreation zones, separate green zones and children’s play equipment, which is prime greenspace for such a high-density urban area.
<cite>Jack Martin, co-founder and Director</cite>
</blockquote>

Martin Brothers has also had a hand in the emerging South City Square development in Woolloongabba. Once complete the project will include six rooftop gardens across five residential towers and a hotel building onsite.

<blockquote>
We worked closely with Pellicano and Oculus to rethink the boundaries of green space in a high-density urban area. Buyers are looking for apartments that offer state-of-the-art design, bespoke fittings and resort-style experiences.

A well-planned rooftop amenity is invaluable, especially in high-density areas that are lacking in green space and outdoor facilities.
<cite>Jack Martin, co-founder and Director</cite>
</blockquote>

 

Lead image: Aria Property Group
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Martin Brothers sees the rooftop amenities area take precedence across Brisbane 

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Northcote will sport a uniquely designed and essentially daring new mixed-use building should Darebin City Council provide approval for a current application on dsiplay.

A distinct step away from most Melbourne buildings of a similar scale, Sharif Abraham Architects have gone above and beyond in terms of designing a striking visual marker. The long thin structure addressed 38 Arthurton Road is tucked up against the South Morang rail line and Herbert Street, making for an elongated site.

The design is noted as taking three to four years to refine within the planning documents, with the result a predominantly mesh facade capped by an almost whimsical double roof level which accommodates a 152 space childcare centre. 

<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/image104.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="38 Athurton Road from differing angles. Planning image: Sharif Abraham"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="297" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image104.jpg?itok=fgUs2Lpg" title="38 Athurton Road from differing angles. Planning image: Sharif Abraham" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>38 Athurton Road from differing angles. Planning image: Sharif Abraham</figcaption></figure>Alongside Sharif Abraham Architects, LR &amp; EC Enterprises Pty Ltd is the entity behind the development. Jointly they have dubbed 38 Athurton Road 'The Parent' due to its robust form and holistic and considered design response to its surrounds.

"It is practical, flexible and fun and will provide an exceptionally high quality environment for its future users, whilst integrating with its surrounds, particularly having regard to the emerging character along Arthurton Road toward High Street."

Included in the design are 28 one and two bedroom apartments, with 5 offices and a retail pod at ground level. Three basement levels accommodate parking for the project whilst a mid building double height void/terrace is present at the northern end.

The void is expected to provide visual relief to the design whilst also enhancing the architectural integrity of the development.

<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/image101_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="External finishes laid out. Planning image: Sharif Abraham"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="252" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image101_0.jpg?itok=ggaCgh2D" title="External finishes laid out. Planning image: Sharif Abraham" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>External finishes laid out. Planning image: Sharif Abraham</figcaption></figure>Materials prevalent across the design include differing modes of metal screens, cladding and shutters alongside timber and concrete elements. The 'bling' factor comes by way of a pod atop the building finished with tinted rainbow glass in a orange hue.

The orange-hued glass feature is also replicated across an oversized sphere which forms part of the childcare facility.

Referenced above is the changing urban dynamic of the Arthurton Road and High Street precinct. A swag of new mid-sized apartment developments have taken their place along High Street, although Arthurton Road has been comparatively sluggish.

Waiting in the wings and opposite the Sharif Abraham Architects design is Meydan Group's Arthurton Gardens project which is expected to yield hundreds of new apartments in the years to come.
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Sharif Abraham's super sleek Northcote design on show

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<a href="/new-apartments/melbourne-vic">Melbourne's</a> tag as the World’s Most Liveable city will have a companion, although the physical manifestation will not avail itself for a few more years yet.

YarraBend which is the reincarnation of the former Alphington Paper Mill site has been identified as the World’s Most Liveable suburb by 2025. The Liveable City Futures report compiled by international trend forecasters, The Future Laboratory, anointed YarraBend as the suburb of choice based upon current and future-facing factors.

These factors which "impact urban planning across the world to identify major trends that will shape the way we live, work and play to create optimised communities" are at the heart of the report. 

The Future Laboratory include standard benchmarks for measures of liveability such as education, infrastructure, crime rates, sustainability and affordability. Beyond these though the report includes indices that reflect further measures such as quality of life, convenience, connectivity, green spaces, wellbeing, innovation and culture.

With all the above factors considered, the United Kingdom-based Laboratory considered YarraBend the most worthy of all future suburban developments on a global scale.

<figure><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="529" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image38_10.jpg?itok=l3mYk85V" title="Mixed use and technologically advanced. Image: Glenvill Group" width="580"><figcaption>Mixed use and technologically advanced. Image: <a href="/developers/glenvill">Glenvill Group</a></figcaption></figure>On the announcement, Co-founder of The Future Laboratory Martin Raymond noted the following:

<blockquote>
Suburbs of the future will generate their own energy, contain their own innovation hubs, monitor our health levels, check our wellbeing, even crowdsource civic engagement at the tap of a screen. Our research finds that factors that will influence liveability in the future boil down to how communities can be optimised through technology and design, supporting convenience, wellbeing, connectedness, collaboration and sustainability.

Developments such as YarraBend are at the forefront of profound cultural shifts in which people – and buildings – are optimising everything, which is why we’ve identified that it will become the World’s Most Liveable Suburb in the future.

Food quarters and artisan quarters have become hugely important in defining and measuring an area’s liveability and are usually found in an area that also places a high emphasis on culture, innovation, design and the entrepreneurial mindset.

This is why cities such as Melbourne, San Francisco, Stockholm, Seattle and Toronto tend to figure concurrently and regularly on Liveable City, Creative City, Culture City and Wellness City indexes.
</blockquote>

Rather than laud the announcement, Glenvill Group, the developer behind YarraBend, was quick to reinforce factors that underpin the perceived future needs and status of the development. Creative Director Len Warson said:

<blockquote>
YarraBend is founded on six visionary pillars, including health and wellbeing, technology, art and design, sustainability, knowledge, food and entertainment. These pillars were identified to reflect the changing needs and desires of the public and shape a new way of living.
</blockquote>

YarraBend design features are set to include:

<ul>
<li>Four parks and a state of the art health and wellness centre complete with an indoor spa, yoga and spin rooms with virtual reality and real life classes, massage rooms, Technogym equipment and indoor pool</li>
</ul>
<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_12.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Spa, Health &amp; Wellness Centre. Image: Glenvill Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="430" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image35_12.jpg?itok=QIPppCti" title="Spa, Health &amp; Wellness Centre. Image: Glenvill Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Spa, Health &amp; Wellness Centre. Image: Glenvill Group</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>A gallery space, art installations and an annual art prize for local artists valued at $50,000 over five years</li>
	<li>A dedicated three-level building for coworking and recreational purposes with a rooftop for entertaining</li>
	<li>Outdoor cinema</li>
	<li>A Scandinavian road design, where cars, bikes and pedestrians get equal share of the road, ultimately encouraging a change of attitude through safe roads for active transport</li>
	<li>Dubbed as the world’s first Tesla Town, the suburb will also feature Telsa Powerwalls in select residences to reduce energy costs and electric car charging points</li>
	<li>Free high-speed WiFi for all residents in parks</li>
</ul>
<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_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The future Turbine Park. Image: Glenvill Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="683" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image41_9.jpg?itok=1gCUklsG" title="The future Turbine Park. Image: Glenvill Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The future Turbine Park. Image: Glenvill Group</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>A technology concierge available to residents should they have any IT issues</li>
	<li>A Resident app that will connect the community to each other and the surrounding environment</li>
	<li>An artisanal food district, curated by one of Australia’s top chefs, Scott Pickett, boasting leading restaurants, cafes and bars</li>
</ul>
In a broader sense The Future Laboratory's report reflects the changing goalposts in terms of what constitutes livability.

According to The Future Laboratory "access to behavioural data helps to inform planning and design and our lifestyle priorities continue to evolve, we can expect to see revolutionary concepts emerge to lift the standard of living to new heights."

To that end, YarraBend has been successfully positioned as a world-leading exponent of research-driven design. The former paper mill onsite is now demolished, with Glenvill Group progressively rolling out various stages of the 16.5 hectare parcel of land.
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Melbourne adds the World’s Most Liveable suburb title via YarraBend

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Dynamic Property Group's move into the Melbourne development scene has been underlined with the success of their maiden project. Elwood Park is the first physical manifestation of the business created during 2016 by Sonya Miller and Olivia Christie.

The $25 million Elwood project was launched to Market during March and immediately found traction with buyers. 

DKO Architecture and Mim Design were enlisted to bring the project to fruition, accounting for overall and interior design duties respectively. Dynamic Property Group's want to encapsulate their stance toward development with Elwood Park resulted in only 14 apartments that range in size between 95 and 160 square metres.

<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/image114_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Elwood Park's communal terrace"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="360" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image114_4.jpg?itok=1DJhGExW" title="Elwood Park's communal terrace" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Elwood Park's communal terrace</figcaption></figure>On the back of Elwood Park's success, Apartments.com.au spoke with both Sonya Miller and Olivia Christie on all things Dynamic Property Group.

Regarding Elwood Park's design credentials, the question regarding the choice of architect was posed. In response, Olivia Christie noted that a handful of firms were shortlisted, with DKO Architecture ultimately chosen due to a shared enthusiasm and vision for the small-scale development.

Furthermore, DKO Architecture was able to meet the brief that requested a simple, efficient, elegant yet high spec design.

This has translated into the project achieving sales success on the back of it being billed as a development akin to a family home, heavy on surrounding amenity and ideal in location. The buyer catchment has seen the surrounding suburbs provide the bulk of buyers, although a Templestowe-based buyer has also chosen Elwood Park.

Sonya Miller also confirmed that construction of Elwood Park is on track to commence in a few short weeks, with completion expected in late 2019.

<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/hero-facade-preview.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Elwood Park exterior render"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="280" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/hero-facade-preview.jpg?itok=bJO1IZaP" title="Elwood Park exterior render" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Elwood Park exterior render</figcaption></figure>Asked how Dynamic Property Group came to be, the duo pointed out their experience in Armitage Jones. Their joint property management business has allowed both Olivia and Sonya to garner the skill set required to branch into property development.

That experience, including site acquisitions and settlement, plus project management across all facets and scale of development was pointed out as being the decisive factor behind the creation of Dynamic Property Group.

Asked about their project pipeline, Olivia noted that between Armitage Jones and Dynamic Property Group many potential sites come into focus. A handful of potential sites are under scrutiny, but the vast majority are of no interest owing to a variety of constraints.

Sonya Miller confirmed that delving into commercial development is of interest, underlining the duo's push to immediately diversify their project type.

On to where the duo see Dynamic Property Group in five years from now, they expect the brand will represent quality at the right price point. Wellness also factors highly, reflective of the desire to create livable spaces from a residential perspective.

A question commonly asked of the duo is their position of influence given they are two leading females in what is historically a male-dominated industry. Both Olivia and Sonya effectively dismiss any notion of they being pioneers in certain aspects of development.

They do though want to be known for their collaborative approach, quality of work and passion for development.
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Elwood Park represents Dynamic Property Group's successful entry into development

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Intentions to create a new World Trade Center on Sydney's western periphery are gaining momentum.

Infrastructure earmarked for the area, prompted by the construction of Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek, will be fast-tracked by the state and federal governments. Adjacent to land reserved for the new airport, Sydney World Trade Center is backed by Aerotropolis Group who have in turn enlisted Woods Bagot for master plan design duties.

Aerotropolis Group has presented the high-profile $8 billion mixed-use proposal to the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet. Included in their vision is "an international convention and exhibition centre, commercial space for multinational companies, an innovation and incubation centre for start-ups and retail and residential space."

Front and centre among the many buildings expected are four signature towers highlighting the latest ESD initiatives.

<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/image83_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ground level perspective. Image: Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="357" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image83_4.jpg?itok=NoN9IWZ0" title="Ground level perspective. Image: Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ground level perspective. Image: Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure>Woods Bagot for their part have envisaged the Sydney World Trade Center precinct as a net zero carbon development.

According to the design practice "energy production, use, storage, recycling and sharing between different types of development in the cluster of the towers and low rise mixed use – and the spaces between them – is a key part of the sustainability goal."

Controlling the master plan has allowed Woods Bagot to implement citywide design and livability features. One of the city's intended outcomes is to "achieve connectivity for allied uses across the project, economy and resilience of the development and to promote sustainable living with food, entertainment, commerce, work and housing, all within reach."

<h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
In combination, the new Western Sydney Airport and the realisation of the Greater Sydney Commission's strategy for the Western Parklands City is an extraordinary opportunity to conceive urban development hosting high tech industries synthesised with the unique natural environment of the Nepean river system and Cumberland Parklands for sustainable living.
<cite>Woods Bagot's design director Neil Hill</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
WTC Sydney is a project that will resolve the structural problem faced by Sydney by bringing balance to our city which is historically tilted to the east.

We are excited about this project, it will create an ecosystem to promote international trade, economic activity and employment generation by connecting Sydney to the 322 cities in 90 countries through the WTC network.

WTC Sydney will ensure a seamless flow of demand from these 322 international cities to Sydney, causing export from NSW to increase significantly.
<cite>Aerotropolis Group Managing Director and CEO Jomon Varghese</cite>
</blockquote>

An Aerotropolis Summit held today will further push the project's various design and economic aspects. The summit is underpinned by research undertaken by PwC which shows that the Sydney World Trade Center would create 43,500 direct jobs annually, whilst injecting $13 billion to the NSW economy.

The city is penned in for a 2026 opening that will coincide with the new Western Sydney Airport opening.

<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/image88_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Sydney World Trade Center. Image: Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image88_8.jpg?itok=VIdEGlU5" title="Sydney World Trade Center. Image: Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Sydney World Trade Center. Image: Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure>Aerotropolis Group is also active across a number of projects in Leppington, directly south of Western Sydney Airport's future location. The amalgamation of their Leppington interests and Sydney World Trade Center will see a substantial development pipeline in place for the next decade.
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Further details emerge for Western Sydney's proposed World Trade Centre

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With more than half of Melbourne's architecture fraternity currently overseas to see <a href="http://wp.architecture.com.au/venicebiennale/">Baracco + Wright &amp; Linda Tegg's exhibition</a> at the Australian Pavilion for the Venice Biennale, the announcement of the shortlist for the 2018 Victorian Architecture Awards took a slight backseat to social media (boasts) posts all over Venice.

The 2018 awards program, run by the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects, saw a record 268 entries received, with the shortlist comprising a total of 108 projects across 14 categories ranging from residential to public, commercial and educational architecture.

<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/bunjil_place_exterior_-_fjmt_photo_glenn_hester.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Bunjil Place by FJMT. Photo: Glenn Hester"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="189" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bunjil_place_exterior_-_fjmt_photo_glenn_hester.jpg?itok=wiLpTSQr" title="Bunjil Place by FJMT. Photo: Glenn Hester" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bunjil Place by FJMT. Photo: Glenn Hester</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
Truly exceptional architecture has the power to improve how people experience life, both in their own private spaces and in the public realm. As reflected in this year’s awards, it’s been a significant year for architecture.

In Victoria we have a rich and ingrained culture supporting strong and diverse architectural endeavours. It is always so encouraging to see architects continuing to challenge the status quo in order for our cities and communities to evolve.

This shortlist defines the many forms outstanding design can take, from projects that provide innovative educational spaces offering varying ways for students to learn and engage, to new housing typologies that create a platform for better community engagement.

The common denominator in successful projects is supportive and engaged clients who acknowledge the value that quality architecture interventions can bring to building strong and successful communities.

Carefully considered buildings, urban design interventions and infrastructure projects can take many years to procure. The awards program is an opportunity to celebrate the passionate and cohesive teams of architects, clients, consultants and builders who bring them to fruition.

- Amy Muir, Victorian Chapter President
</blockquote>

The most significant themes to emerge from this year’s shortlist were the emphasis on the importance of the public realm and the far-reaching contribution that architecture makes to daily life.

<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/atrium_of_holy_agels_mausoleum_-_harmer_architecture_photo_jonathan_hadiprawira.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Atrium of Holy Angels Mausoleum by Harmer Architecture. Photo: Jonathon Hadiprawira"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="385" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/atrium_of_holy_agels_mausoleum_-_harmer_architecture_photo_jonathan_hadiprawira.jpg?itok=KT5kVK-h" title="Atrium of Holy Angels Mausoleum by Harmer Architecture. Photo: Jonathon Hadiprawira" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Atrium of Holy Angels Mausoleum by Harmer Architecture. Photo: Jonathon Hadiprawira</figcaption></figure><h2>2018 Victorian Architecture Awards Shortlist </h2>

Residential Architecture – Houses (New) 27 entries / 16 shortlisted projects 

Tucks Ridge House - Adrian Bonomi Architect | Moonah Home - Bellemo &amp; Cat | Shrouded House - BKK Architects | Humble House - Coy Yiontis Architects | DATUM HOUSE - FIGR Architecture | Park House -  Kerstin Thompson Architects Compound House - March Studio | Triangle House - Molecule Studio | Two Halves - Moloney Architects | Ross - Ola Studio | First Lessons House - Ray Dinh Architecture | House on the Coast - Sean Godsell Architects | Lauriston House - Seeley Architects | Bellerine Pavilion House - Tecture Architecture &amp; Interior Design | Matilda - Templeton Architecture | Towers Road House - Wood Marsh Architecture

Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing 25 entries / 9 shortlisted projects 

35 Spring Street - Bates Smart | Nightingale 1 - Breathe Architecture | Campbell Street - DKO Architecture and SLAB | Parkville Townhouses - Fieldwork | McAuley Community Services for Women - Hede Architects Pty Ltd | Averi - Jackson Clements Burrows | Banksia, NewQuay - McBride Charles Ryan | Elwood House - Woods Bagot | C.F. Row - Woods Bagot

Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations &amp; Additions) 50 entries/ 11 shortlisted projects 

Hatherlie - Andrew Simpson Architects | The Kite - Architecture Architecture | King Bill - Austin Maynard Architects | St Vincents Place Residence - B.E Architecture | Old Be-al - FMD Architects pty ltd | Boneo Country House - John Wardle Architects | Dark Light House - MRTN Architects | Highbury Grove - RITZ&amp;GHOUGASSIAN |Station Street House - Robert Simeoni Architects | Fawkner Street - Workshop Architecture | Tiger Prawn - WOWOWA Architecture

Small Project Architecture 30 entries / 8 shortlisted projects 

Sound Field - BLOXAS with Arup | Campbell Street - DKO Architecture and SLAB | Gertrude Contemporary - Edition Office | Multipurpose Centre - Kosloff Architecture | Garden Wall (NGV Architecture Commission) - Retallack Thompson and Other Architects | Elgin Street Residence - Sonelo Design Studio | Koondrook Wharf - TERROIR | Sorrento Visitor Centre - Workshop Architecture

Urban Design 14 entries /5 shortlisted projects 

Monash Transport Interchange - John Wardle Architects | New Academic Street, RMIT University - Lyons with NMBW Architecture Studio, Harrison and White, MvS Architects and Maddison Architects | Caribbean Park, Public Realm Stage 1 and 2 - Peter Ryan Architects with OCULUS Landscape Architecture and Urban Design | Koondrook Wharf - TERROIR | Deakin Link - watsonarchitecture+design

Heritage Architecture 14 entries / 8 shortlisted projects 

St Vincents Place Residence - B.E Architecture | James Street Residence - B.E Architecture | Carlton Court House - HLCD Pty Ltd with Somerville Design | Longsong - Jackson Clements Burrows with John van Haandel | Elberfeld House - Jane Riddell Architects | Victorian College of the Arts former Mounted Police Stables - Kerstin Thompson Architects | North Melbourne Terrace - Matt Gibson Architecture + Design | 'Cassiope' alterations &amp; additions - RBA Architects + Conservation Consultants

<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/entry-mrnlbpwx-649202.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Victorian College of the Arts former Mounted Police Stables by Kerstin Thompson Architects. Photo: Trevor Mein "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/entry-mrnlbpwx-649202.jpg?itok=7AYYA9so" title="Victorian College of the Arts former Mounted Police Stables by Kerstin Thompson Architects. Photo: Trevor Mein " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Victorian College of the Arts former Mounted Police Stables by Kerstin Thompson Architects. Photo: Trevor Mein</figcaption></figure>Commercial Architecture 17 entries / 5 shortlisted projects 

Jackalope - Carr | Barwon Water - GHDWoodhead | Mercedes Me - Jackson Clements Burrows | Pt Leo Estate - Jolson Architecture &amp; Interiors | GMHBA Stadium - Populous

Interior Architecture 58 entries /12 shortlisted projects

Jackalope - Carr | Henry Street House - Eugene Cheah Architecture | Passage - Honeyman + Smith | Boneo Country House - John Wardle Architects | Monash University Caulfield Library Refurbishment - John Wardle Architects | Monash University Learning and Teaching Building - John Wardle Architects | Victorian College of the Arts former Mounted Police Stables - Kerstin Thompson Architects | Our Lady of Good Counsel Church Deepdene - Law Architects | New Academic Street, RMIT University - Lyons with NMBW Architecture Studio, MvS Architecture, Harrison &amp; White and Maddison Architects | Armadale Residence - Rob Mills Architecture &amp; Interiors | Station Street House - Robert Simeoni Architects | Space &amp; Time - Russell &amp; George

Public Architecture 11 entries / 4 shortlisted projects 

Atrium of Holy Angels Mausoleum - Harmer Architecture | Bendigo Hospital - Silver Thomas Hanley with Bates Smart | Bunjil Place - fjmt | North Fitzroy Library and Community Hub - GroupGSA

Educational Architecture 21 entries / 13 shortlisted projects

Artemis Centre, Melbourne Girls Grammar School - BVN Monash University | The Sir Louis Matheson Library Refurbishment - Cox Architecture | The Geoff Handbury Science and Technology Hub, Melbourne Grammar School - Denton Corker Marshall | Monash University Learning and Teaching Building - John Wardle Architects | Monash University Caulfield Library Refurbishment - John Wardle Architects | Victorian College of the Arts former Mounted Police Stables - Kerstin Thompson Architects | 18 Innovation Walk Revitalisation Project - Kosloff Architecture + Callum Morton + MAP (Monash Art Projects) | New Academic Street, RMIT University - Lyons with NMBW Architecture Studio, Harrison and White, MvS Architects and Maddison Architects | Trinity Grammar School, Centre for Business and Social Enterprise - Mc Intyre Partnership Architects | Monash Business School Redevelopment Caulfield - NH Architecture | Camberwell Grammar School Sports Centre and Chapel - Peter Crone Architects | Ruyton Girls School, Junior School Campus - Sally Draper Architects with DP Toscano Architects | University of Melbourne Academic Services - Six Degrees Architects

Sustainable Architecture 6 shortlisted projects 

Nightingale 1 - Breathe Architecture | Barwon Water - GHDWoodhead | North Fitzroy Library and Community Hub - GroupGSA | 18 Innovation Walk Revitalisation Project - Kosloff Architecture + Callum Morton + MAP (Monash Art Projects) | New Academic Street, RMIT University - Lyons with NMBW Architecture Studio, Harrison and White, MvS Architects and Maddison Architects | Space &amp; Time - Russell &amp; George

Regional Prize 3 shortlisted projects

Barwon Water - GHDWoodhead | Koondrook Wharf - TERROIR | Sorrento Visitor Centre - Workshop Architecture

COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture 4 shortlisted projects 

King Bill - Austin Maynard Architects | Compound House - March Studio | Bugiga Hiker Camp, Grampians National Park - Sean Godsell Architects | Unfolding House - Sibling Architecture

Melbourne Prize 4 shortlisted projects 

Nightingale 1 - Breathe Architecture | North Fitzroy Library and Community Hub - GroupGSA | McAuley Community Services for Women - Hede Architects Pty Ltd | New Academic Street, RMIT University - Lyons with NMBW Architecture Studio, Harrison and White, MvS Architects and Maddison Architects

 
The winners of the 2018 Victorian Architecture Awards will be announced at the awards dinner on 29 June 2018. Winners of each category will then progress to compete in the National Architecture Awards program.

Lead image: New Academic Street RMIT University, Peter Bennett
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Laurence Dragomir

2018 Victorian Architecture Awards Shortlist announced

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Yet another Brunswick apartment development has gone to 'the green side'.

A proposal for 211-213 Sydney Road currently before Moreland City Council is hoping to convert approval onsite for a more typical planning permit to one that includes heightened environmentally sustainable design aspects. Design practice Six Degrees have taken over design duties for the site, replacing what was a failed design and marketing campaign for The Saxon apartments.

Prior to it being offered for sale, The Saxon included 24 apartments within a Rothelowman-designed project. Eventually though the roughly 600 square metre site was put forward for developers to consider 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/image55_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="211-213 Sydney Road as The Saxon"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image55_9.jpg?itok=4fmLr9w2" title="211-213 Sydney Road as The Saxon" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>211-213 Sydney Road as The Saxon</figcaption></figure>In a sign that other developers are acknowledging the worth of what is being achieved in Brunswick from an apartment design perspective, new site owner Excelon Group has enlisted Six Degrees to mirror other cutting edge and environmentally sympathetic designs in the area, including Nightingale 3 which abuts the intended project directly to the south.

In <a href="http://Milieu%20Propert">a recent piece</a> on Urban, Milieu Property too realised the worth in continuing the design impetus created by projects such as The Commons and Nightingale, describing the area as "on the precipice of a housing revolution of international significance." Excelon Group to this point has delivered more typical developments, with their most noteworthy being <a href="/news">560 Flinders Street</a>.

The current application is a stark departure from the previously approved scheme onsite, defined by a new facade which includes operable perforated metal shutters "that will provide a coloured translucent filter" over the building's 21 intended apartments.

Design highlights for the new 211-213 Sydney Road which landed before Moreland City Council during March sees:

<ul>
<li>A retail tenancy to Sydney Road and a commercial/retail tenancy to Saxon Street</li>
	<li>Preserved facade and volume of the heritage building fronting Sydney Road</li>
	<li>Open walkways bisecting each floorplate</li>
	<li>All apartments receive cross ventilation and no borrowed light</li>
	<li>Adjustable levels of privacy and shading due to operable facade</li>
	<li>Low energy consumption and thermal break design features</li>
	<li>Rooftop productive gardens, worm farm system and water harvesting tanks</li>
	<li>Zero car parks included</li>
</ul>
<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/image56_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Six Degrees' Saxon Street perspective of the development"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image56_8.jpg?itok=f2h2ktDL" title="Six Degrees' Saxon Street perspective of the development" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Six Degrees' Saxon Street perspective of the development</figcaption></figure>In Six Degrees words, 211-213 Sydney Road "is an exciting opportunity to showcase best practice sustainability initiatives and technologies in high-density living. In summary, the development seeks to provide an exemplary high-density residential environment, actively promoting ideas around community, shared spaces and environmental sustainability."

<ul></ul>
The aforementioned Nightingale 3 is poised to add further credence to the area's environmentally sustainable design credentials, whilst <a href="/news/nightingale-housing-plans-seven-buildings-across-brunswicks-duckett-street">Nightingale Village</a>'s designs are beginning to appear at planning.

That benchmark development will see seven buildings of up to eight storeys containing 210 dwellings and multiple ground floor tenancies.
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Brunswick's progressive apartment design dynamic gains another devotee

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Last week alone three new hotels were confirmed for Melbourne, adding to the seemingly unrelenting boom in hotel development which has and will continue to deliver thousands of new rooms/suites citywide.

Competition between design practices and developers to attract these new hotel operators is intense, and much along the lines of Melbourne's residential market, the competition and desire to discern one development from another has seen hotel design taken strides forward in terms of sophistication.

DKO Architecture is currently enjoying immense success in hotel design, not only locally but on a pan-Asian scale. Of the three hotels revealed last week, DKO is responsible for designing Hyatt Place Melbourne Springvale.

<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/image211_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="DKO Architecture's newly unveiled Springvale influence"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="481" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image211_0.jpg?itok=7mEUKAOn" title="DKO Architecture's newly unveiled Springvale influence" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>DKO Architecture's newly unveiled Springvale influence</figcaption></figure>On the intersection of Springvale, Centre and Dandenong Roads, and situated within the Monash Employment and Innovation Cluster, Hyatt Place Melbourne Springvale will see a 200-key hotel completed by 2020. DKO Architecture's Springvale project is in addition to two Marriott hotels and two boutique hotels under their design control.

Their gaggle of Melbourne hotel projects, which includes a forthcoming Southbank announcement, is in addition to a strong current catalogue of 4-star hotels designs throughout South East Asia and New Zealand.

DKO Architecture have noted that the ability to swiftly adapt to changing user preferences has seen their work in the hotel design field bloom. Their response has been to take a bolder stance regarding hotel design, whilst also "acknowledging and anticipating future design trends in the hotel market."

One such trend has been the rise of the Chinese tourist which continues to propel visitor numbers, whilst also changing the nature of hotel design; DKO Architecture note that a greater emphasis is now placed on food and beverage offerings. In a broader sense, the practice notes that "hotel design trends evolving to become more personalised, connected, and flexible enough to address different cultures with growing tourism."

<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/fourpoint_dko-24645_preview.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fourpoint_dko-24645_preview.jpeg?itok=Afa_bNrB" title="Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
Hotels are incredibly complex buildings as there are so many different components: back of house, front of house, restaurants and bars (that often need to be used in different ways throughout the day). Therefore flexibility of space becomes increasingly important in addressing the needs of different tourism markets such as the Chinese.

Why do we have so much Hotel work? We understand that from a design point of view, the hotel in Docklands needs to feel different to a hotel in South Yarra and through Sydney.

At DKO we have a lot of apartment projects which has translated to apartment/hotels in a single project with serviced apartments. But more and more this is translating to stand alone hotels with increased tourism.
<cite>DKO Architecture’s Principal, Koos de Keijzer</cite>
</blockquote>

The aforementioned food and beverage offerings are pivotal as around 50% of hotel revenue currently being generated is via food and beverage offerings, with predictions seeing that figure rise to 80% by 2020.

Fewer guests are choosing to work in their rooms, leaning toward communal spaces which in part has led to the mushrooming of ancillary revenues. 

<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/image171.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="869" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image171.jpg?itok=K-53BLp5" title="Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
This trend assists with the rising food and beverage revenue. 
From a design perspective, we need to be mindful as to the flexibility of the space. For example, the breakfast space is often hidden away following service then goes into a la carte. Food and Beverage will help create identity for a venue.

It has it owns story, its own aesthetic.
<cite>Michael Drescher, DKO Interior Design Director</cite>
</blockquote>

Hotels have also strayed away from "template-style design" to be more reflective of their locations. 

The hotel room/suite is also experiencing change with DKO Architecture noting that open bathrooms are on the outer, whilst flexibility is key to catering for differing cultural backgrounds. Hand in hand with flexibility is an increased design aesthetic, which in the case of DKO Architecture's recently completed Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands has resulted in a brooding design outcome.

<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/image167_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Docklands' Four Points by Sheraton interior"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="385" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image167_1.jpg?itok=MCGshUiB" title="Docklands' Four Points by Sheraton interior" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Docklands' Four Points by Sheraton interior</figcaption></figure>
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DKO Architecture on the changing face of hotel design

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The owners of the site with a permit to build the 55 Clarke Street project have put the site up for sale through Colliers International.

<a href="/news/51-65-clarke-street-shapes-as-a-southbank-tower-with-a-twist">In 2016 when we profiled the project</a>, the 1,787 square metre site originally had a proposal for 73 levels that included 112 hotel suites and 512 apartments across all three main apartment configurations.

Developer Newcity Group also engaged Ellenberg Fraser to design a tower that also included 120 car spaces and 327 bike spaces.

Fast forward and the project that was eventually approved was chopped down to 69 levels that included 565 apartments, 653 square metres of office space and a further 462 square metres of retail space.

Approval for the project occurred prior to the new floor-space ratios that are now governing new proposals on land which has a Capital City Zone in Central Melbourne with marketing material for the sale of the site with a permit referencing the 'unrepeatable' 30:1 FSR.

<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/zz7JzUpRRAR2">The site</a> sits one block back from City Road and has three frontages to Clarke, Hancock and Catherine Streets in Southbank.  Its nearest neighbours include recent developments such as Salvo's Platinum, 283 City Road and the 2013-era Habitat at 58 Clarke Street.

<h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
Conveniently located in one of Melbourne’s most proven apartment market’s 55 Clarke Street features an approved planning permit to deliver one of Melbourne’s most impressive towers.

At 69 levels, the Elenberg Fraser design comprising a range of 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments featuring spectacular views over Port Philip Bay, Melbourne CBD and Albert Park Lake.

With a prime position located in between Melbourne CBD, and South Melbourne 55 Clarke Street will afford its future residents easy access to public transport, retail amenity, along with the arts and sporting precincts providing a dynamic and exciting lifestyle in the world’s most liveable city. 
<a href="http://www.colliers.com.au/206929/"><cite>Colliers International</cite></a>
</blockquote>

Trent Hobart, Bryson Cameron and Jun Lai of Colliers International have been appointed to sell 55 Clarke Street.

"55 Clarke Street represents an exceptional development site for connected inner city living, located in the middle of the South Melbourne lifestyle precinct, the Melbourne CBD and Crown Casino entertainment complex and the Melbourne Arts precincts, in what is considered the ultimate location for connected living,” Trent Hobart, Residential Director at Colliers International, said.

Bryson Cameron added “there is over $7 billion worth of private and public infrastructure investment within Southbank's future supply pipeline through to 2021. This includes a combination of commercial and mixed-use projects adding to the public amenity and fuelling local employment." 

The sale of 55 Clarke Street is by expression of interest which closes at 2pm on June 13th.

<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/55_clarke.png" rel="gallery-all" title="The 55 Clarke Street project render from the street - image: Colliers"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="425" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/55_clarke.png?itok=xXGYYG8c" title="The 55 Clarke Street project render from the street - image: Colliers" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The 55 Clarke Street project render from the street - image: Colliers</figcaption></figure>
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