<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> (GVG) is heading back to Stones Corner with its latest Brisbane apartment development.

GVG, which completed Stonebrook last year, has filed plans for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/vivo-71-cleveland-street-greenslopes-qld-4120">VIVO, a 320-apartment development</a> less than 200 metres away on the corner of Cleveland and Zillah Streets.

VIVO will be delivered across two stages, with the first comprising 167 apartments and a further 153 in stage two. The first stage is expected to be completed in 2029, with the full project scheduled for delivery by 2032.

The development will include a mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, above two ground-floor retail tenancies. VIVO will sit between the 5.2-hectare Hanlon Park and the Stones Corner café and retail precinct.

Crowning the buildings will be an expansive rooftop terrace with outdoor dining and CBD views, dual resort-style swimming pools, integrated indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces, and a fully equipped gym and wellness offering.

<img alt="Vivo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dcfd0ba2-cf9e-4bad-89f7-deab0169d897" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-23%20at%209.23.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=3J4AqHZpDPnJsKvry1Lw6.8_IqdUVcny" />

Sam Gardner, Commercial Director at GVG, said the project reflects both market demand and the group’s continued investment in well-located Brisbane suburbs.

“VIVO represents a natural progression of our work in Stones Corner and our confidence in the long-term fundamentals of this precinct," Gardner says.

"The combination of proximity to the CBD, access to green space like Hanlon Park, and a well-established local amenity offering makes this an incredibly compelling location for buyers.

"Having recently delivered Stonebrook nearby in 2025, we’re able to provide a tangible example of what Gardner Vaughan Group does well. It gives our clients, the community and our partners confidence in both the quality of our product and our ability to deliver.”

<img alt="Vivo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8408faca-34a0-4fbb-864c-c75caa366f0c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-23%20at%209.23.35%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=48S5bvrbHMPPGT0EWAQDqhXX_mdsqL0y" />

Architecture firm Ellivo Architects says Vivo, meaning 'to live', "draws from the life of Stones Corner itself, its rich blend of old and new, where heritage masonry buildings, community life and evolving architectural languages coexist."

"The design responds to this layered urban fabric by reinterpreting the site’s historic ziggurat and stepped-grid geometries. The tower is shaped through three distinct tiers that reinterpret the site’s historic stepping forms, a central tier expressed in soft green tones that dissolve into the gum-tree canopy behind, stepped by denser, articulated edge tiers which reinforce the village character and urban grain of Stones Corner."

The submission of VIVO comes at a time of continued strength in the Brisbane property market, with growing demand for well-located, design-led apartment living. Looking ahead, Brisbane’s preparations for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games are expected to further accelerate infrastructure investment and reinforce the appeal of inner-city precincts such as Stones Corner.

Joel Robinson

Gardner Vaughan Group plans VIVO, Stones Corner apartment development

Prominent developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/blue-earth-group">Blue Earth Group</a> is seeking approval for a revised and expanded second stage of its Pentridge Village development in Coburg, increasing the scale and yield of a previously approved scheme with a new 16-storey mixed-use building.

The proposal for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/45-pentridge-boulevard-coburg-vic-3058">45 Pentridge Boulevard</a> would deliver 252 apartments, up from the 201 previously approved, alongside ground-floor retail and a suite of resident-focused amenities, positioning the project as a key contributor to housing supply within Melbourne’s inner north.

The development is planned for the south-west portion of the broader 9,485 sqm site, which has already seen the completion of 48 townhouses under Stage 1. The Stage 2 site sits prominently on the corner of Pentridge Boulevard and Urquhart Street within the Pentridge Village precinct.

The new scheme retains the approved 16-storey height but introduces a revised internal layout and enhanced façade treatment. It will comprise a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments, a wide ranging mix of one-bed plus studies and two-bedrooms with either one or two bathrooms.

At ground level, the building is designed to incorporate a café alongside resident amenities including a business centre, home offices, and a gym. Upper levels will include additional communal facilities such as cinema rooms, games areas, and a rooftop terrace spanning over 400 sqm with views toward the Melbourne CBD.

<img alt="First Look: Blue Earth Group plans 16-storey mixed-use tower with 252 apartments at Pentridge Village, Coburg" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="60456ba5-406b-447f-be53-d4685082eda5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/coburg.png?VersionId=B.3bp4eCO_c.Pc9O17UgF27Gow3lL39C" />

The architectural response by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/life-architecture-and-urban-design">LIFE Architecture and Urban Design</a> builds on an existing permit scheme, retaining the approved massing while refining the building’s articulation and material expression. “The proposed design response… will result in a highly resolved architectural, urban design, landscaped and mixed-use outcome befitting of the Site’s urban and evolving context,” the planning report states.

The façade strategy introduces a layered composition of podium and tower elements, with a clear distinction between lower street-wall levels and the upper residential form. The design prioritises “a timeless aesthetic, low maintenance, durable material palette, suburban constructability, [and] openness &amp; activation at street level,” according to the façade strategy report.

Material selections include dusty red and dark grey masonry, bronze and grey glazing, and textured concrete panels, referencing the industrial character of the former Pentridge Prison precinct while establishing a contemporary identity.

<img alt="First Look: Blue Earth Group plans 16-storey mixed-use tower with 252 apartments at Pentridge Village, Coburg" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b62f01f2-46f2-4ae1-ac51-8b0f87264355" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/coburg%20site.png?VersionId=zliGtROqtre4LgVCGA9tr2_FGfbIO8ep" />

The building envelope responds to its irregular site through a series of setbacks and cantilevered elements, creating plaza-like spaces at ground level and enhancing pedestrian activation along both street frontages. A setback from Level 4 to the north provides a transition to the adjoining townhouse development.

The site sits within the Coburg Major Activity Centre, approximately nine kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, and is surrounded by a rapidly intensifying urban environment. Nearby developments range from eight to 20 storeys, including multiple mixed-use projects within the Pentridge precinct and along Sydney Road.

Residents will benefit from strong connectivity, with Coburg Station around 700 metres away and multiple bus routes operating along Bell Street. The site is also adjacent to McDonald Reserve and close to schools including Coburg High School and Coburg Primary School.

First Look: Blue Earth Group plans 16-storey mixed-use tower at Coburg's Pentridge Village

A consolidated Whitehorse Road site previously approved for townhouses is being repositioned for apartment living, with new plans filed for a four-building residential scheme in Deepdene’s neighbourhood centre.

The proposal seeks to replace an earlier townhouse-led approval with a 76-apartment development across a 4,755 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/18-30-whitehorse-road-blackburn-vic-3130">18–30 Whitehorse Road</a>.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/kerstin-thompson-architects">Kerstin Thompson Architects</a>, the project introduces a medium-density housing model comprising four separate buildings ranging from three to six storeys. The two central buildings reach six levels, while the outer buildings step down to three and four storeys, creating a graduated built form that responds to surrounding residential interfaces.

The development will deliver a mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, positioning the project as a significant contributor to housing diversity in an area traditionally dominated by detached housing.

The planning report states the proposal “will deliver sustainable, high-amenity and high-quality housing in a location with excellent access to public transport, open space, services and amenities.”

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for four-building, 76-apartment ‘missing middle’ development in Deepdene" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9e1596b8-58a0-4e89-9d5c-e1df90b1ab9f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/whitehourse%20da.png?VersionId=XIcpH2AFY3WjLXTiwouLLA7niYfdXPgK" />

The design adopts a pavilion-style arrangement set within a landscaped environment, described as “distinct built forms in a garden setting,” with an emphasis on separation between buildings and integration with the adjoining Anniversary Trail reserve. Communal open space, landscaped corridors, and pedestrian connections are central to the scheme, strengthening links between Whitehorse Road and the trail network to the west.

Sustainability performance is a key component, with the development targeting an average 8-star NatHERS rating. All apartments will achieve natural ventilation, with a significant proportion benefiting from cross-ventilation, reinforcing the project’s focus on liveability and environmental performance.

The proposal also incorporates ground-floor retail along Whitehorse Road, maintaining active street interface within the Commercial 1 Zone. Car parking is provided across basement levels, with a reduction sought in statutory visitor and retail parking requirements.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for four-building, 76-apartment ‘missing middle’ development in Deepdene" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eb9a3ad3-d2a0-49dc-b9d4-2e7f7dc9593e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site%20whitehorse.png?VersionId=eL_4rgAwLRN9T4kcClYe4isVyPD8FW7R" />

The project is being advanced under Victoria’s ‘Great Design Fast Track’ pathway, with eligibility confirmed and supporting advice received from both the Office of the Victorian Government Architect and Invest Victoria. This positions the development for streamlined assessment, reflecting its alignment with state housing and design objectives.

The site occupies a prominent position within the Deepdene Neighbourhood Centre, with a 56-metre frontage to Whitehorse Road and direct adjacency to the Anniversary Trail, a key pedestrian and cycling corridor. Tram services along Whitehorse Road connect the precinct to Box Hill and the CBD, while nearby parklands, including Deepdene Park and local sporting facilities, reinforce the area’s established amenity base.

The new plans mark a clear shift from the previously approved 25-townhouse scheme toward a higher-yield apartment outcome, aligning with broader policy directions encouraging ‘missing middle’ housing in established suburbs.

As noted in the planning report, the development “provides contextually appropriate infill housing… increasing the density and diversity of dwellings in Deepdene and Boroondara more broadly.”

Apartments planned for Deepdene's 'missing middle' on Whitehorse Road

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/collingwood-vic-3066">Collingwood</a>’s northern edge continues to sharpen its reputation as one of Melbourne’s most compelling cultural precincts, where established creative institutions, leading hospitality, and independent fashion converge within a tightly held inner-city neighbourhood.

Set within this evolving pocket, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/derby-street-by-milieu-collingwood-4-derby-street-collingwood-vic-3066">Derby Street by Milieu</a> draws on a location that balances proximity to some of the inner north’s most influential destinations with the quieter, tree-lined character that defines the streets edging East Melbourne. Positioned just moments from both Smith and Gertrude Streets, the address sits on the periphery of Collingwood’s cultural core, offering immediate access without the intensity of its busiest frontages.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145576 project_image_fid=355945]

Gertrude Street, in particular, anchors the area’s identity as a destination for Melbourne’s leading food, art and fashion. Within a short walk, venues such as Marion, Cutler &amp; Co, IDES and the Builders Arms Hotel define a tightly curated dining scene with enduring citywide appeal, complemented by a strong fashion and retail presence including Havn, Le Labo and a selection of independent boutiques.

Nearby, institutions such as the Australian Print Workshop and Collingwood Yards sustain a constant rhythm of exhibitions, performances and creative output, embedding art and culture into the everyday fabric of the neighbourhood.

Smith Street, running parallel, extends this offering with a broader mix of hospitality and nightlife, maintaining its status as one of Melbourne’s most active inner-urban strips.

Beyond these high-energy streets, the immediate surrounds shift in tone. Derby Street and its neighbouring blocks are defined by low-rise heritage terraces, mature trees and a settled residential character. Fitzroy Gardens and Carlton Gardens are both within walking distance, alongside the Royal Exhibition Building and Melbourne Museum, bringing together green space and cultural landmarks within minutes of home.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145576 project_image_fid=355985]

Connectivity remains a key advantage. The CBD sits within easy reach, accessible by tram along Smith Street in around 20 minutes, while also remaining close enough to walk or cycle, supported by the inner north’s established bike network.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/milieu-property">Milieu</a>’s long-standing connection to Collingwood underpins the project’s approach. With a portfolio that includes multiple nearby developments across Bedford, Peel and Napier Streets, the developer brings a sustained understanding of the area’s character and evolution. Derby Street continues this trajectory as a collaboration with award-winning Melbourne-based <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/studio-bright">Studio Bright</a>, marking the practice’s first multi-residential project in the inner north and reflecting a shared focus on design integrity and contextual response.&nbsp;

Balancing connection to the neighbourhood with a sense of seclusion and refuge, Derby Street by Milieu embodies a level of care and craft typically reserved for single residential projects. Comprising 22 residences across six storeys, with two to four-bedroom configurations priced from $1.15 million, the project is currently under construction with completion expected in late 2027.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145576]

Derby Street by Milieu, at the top end of Collingwood

A rare new apartment development in the Blue Mountains is the latest in a string of State Significant Development Applications submitted through the New South Wales Government's Housing Delivery Authority.

A total of 270 apartments are being proposed for the 1.16-hectare site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/blue-mountains-alpine-retreat-142-150-narrow-neck-road-katoomba-nsw-2780">142–150 Narrow Neck Road in Katoomba</a>, a parcel of land adjoining the former Katoomba Golf Course. The site was acquired for $3.85 million in 2021 by private developer VDM Prime.

The apartments, comprising a mix of serviced apartments, affordable housing, and traditional build-to-sell product, will be spread across eight low-rise buildings, along with a separate building for a new restaurant, arranged around a green spine that leads to a central park.

<img alt="Katoomba" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ee9a2072-f465-44f1-9076-80c9c8ecca02" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-22%20at%209.20.21%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4bT0vQ7j_syl65wcrJmHGm3m5pTvwrY_" />

The Urban Design Report by Atlas Urban says the vision is to create a "contemporary mountain precinct that is responsive to its escarpment landscape, heritage character, and community context."

"The development responds to the current housing supply and affordability challenges identified under the NSW Housing Delivery Authority (HDA), providing a balanced mix of standard, affordable, and short-stay accommodation," the report noted.

"By introducing a variety of dwelling types and tenures, the proposal supports intergenerational living, local workforce retention, and greater housing choice within an area constrained by topography, heritage, and environmental protections."

Of the 270 units proposed, 52 will be serviced apartments. The remainder will comprise 54 studios, 121 one-bedroom units, 39 two-bedroom apartments, and four three- to four-bedroom residences.

<img alt="Katoomba" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f704508d-1bdf-4170-955d-0256652402a7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-22%20at%209.56.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=TzarHMO4gTOsblCqsbJQkvMqWj9nu2Au" />

The Design Report, by VDM Prime and appointed architect Antoniades Architects, noted that the design seeks to "provide a built form outcome that is highly considered, respectful and contextually fitting, whilst contributing positively to an evolving precinct."

"The site offers three frontages and the opportunity to provide a meaningful interface with the public domain environment. the design has a sympathetic response to streetscape and the green open space that surrounds the site."

The report states that the buildings are broken up to establish an appropriate bulk and scale, emphasised through height and setback strategies and defined through articulation that supports the transition of precinct granularity. It also notes that a central communal open space is established through the site to enhance the social dynamic and access to amenity, including natural ventilation and light to the apartments. The east and west frontages receive solar access during the morning and afternoon, whilst maximising views to the green open space.

The site adjoins the recently completed Yarrabee Katoomba development, comprising 24 duplexes that were completed last year and sold through McGrath Projects.

The relatively new Housing Delivery Authority pathway established by the NSW Government allows developers to submit State Significant Development Applications through a fast-tracked state process, effectively reducing reliance on local council approval pathways and aiming to accelerate housing delivery across New South Wales.

First look: Nearly 300 apartments pitched on former Katoomba golf course site

Equire

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The residential property development arm of OpenCorp has been relaunched as a standalone entity under the new name Equire, with almost $500 million of national projects in the pipeline,. Established in 2006, OpenCorp has grown to include five divisions offering investment advice, property management, finance broking, funds management and property development services.

Equire's most recent acquisition was a 1,400 sqm square metre site in Ivanhoe, 10 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD. The site is earmarked to have an end value of $34 million and will include approximately 45 apartments, with a mix of one, two and three bedrooms to suit a variety of purchasers.

Urban.com.au asked Equire director and OpenCorp founder Allister Lewison about the rebrand and his aspirations for Equire.

<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/161209_-_757_toorak_rd_-_v01_-_hero_-_final_2000.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Equire's East Side Village project in Hawthorn East. Image : Equire"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="315" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/161209_-_757_toorak_rd_-_v01_-_hero_-_final_2000.jpg?itok=mmvG1IJn" title="Equire's East Side Village project in Hawthorn East. Image : Equire" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Equire's East Side Village project in Hawthorn East. Image : Equire</figcaption></figure>Urban.com.au : What are your ambitions for Equire? What are the types of projects you want Equire to be synonymous with?

Allister Lewison : At Equire, our core ambition is to build brighter futures for our customers, partners and investors. We want to continue to deliver solutions based not only on what the market needs now but also into the future.  

A core feature of our projects is design excellence – we only create products that will stand the test of time and that are most suitable for our buyers. This might be high-end downsizer apartments in Perth or a first home buyer land subdivision in Brisbane. We make sure that the product we are delivering meets and exceeds the expectations of our purchasers

UM : Is there any overlap between Equire and the other divisions of OpenCorp, in terms of support on projects? 

AL : There is definitely an overlap between Equire and the other divisions within the OpenCorp Group. We share and work closely with our funds, finance and invest divisions.

UM : What future projects are on the horizon for Equire, particularly in Melbourne?

AL : In Melbourne, we will soon be launching our Ivanhoe apartment project. This will include a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments focusing on functionality, style and luxury. The project will be placed amongst Ivanhoe’s leafy streetscapes and likely attract downsizers, first home buyers and investors.

We are also currently contracting a site in South East Queensland for a 300-lot subdivision.

UM : Can you provide an update on your new project in Ivanhoe? When is it likely to launch?

AL : Equire’s latest apartment project in Ivanhoe is set to launch in November 2018. The project will be perfectly located close to public transport, parklands and shops. Our project will steer away from bland apartment buildings and will showcase the best of Ivanhoe’s beautiful streetscape. The architectural design will utilise curved geometry to speak to the art deco aesthetic of the Ivanhoe locality, with lush landscaping incorporated in the architectural design to allow the greenery to build on the character of the building façade.

UM : What are your thoughts on the state of the residential property market in Melbourne at present? 
AL : Melbourne continues to be one of the hottest residential markets in the country, and at the moment we are noticing an influx of first home buyers and downsizers. Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that loans to Victorian first home buyers reached its highest monthly level in November 2017, at 3527, since late 2009. 
We are seeing a demand for good quality, small-scale apartment projects as well as townhouse developments.

UM : In terms of future growth aspirations for Equire, where in Australia do you see the most potential in the residential property market?

AL : We are noticing a lot of potential for residential property in Queensland, most notably in the South East. Data shows that there is forecast growth for the region, particularly due to the Commonwealth Games in April where the government is set to spend up to $1.5 billion on infrastructure and improvements. Additionally, the Gold Coast is one of Australia’s fastest growing cities.

Its current population is over 500,000 and this number is expected to grow to 820,000 in the next 20 years, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

We are currently contracting a site in South East Queensland as well as continuing to monitor the market for any further opportunities.
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