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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/doma-group">DOMA Group</a> has unveiled plans for Newcastle Quay, a major waterfront precinct set to reshape Newcastle’s harbourfront and further cement the city’s evolution into one of Australia’s fastest-growing urban destinations.

Positioned on a prominent site within the Honeysuckle Precinct, Newcastle Quay will span both sides of Honeysuckle Drive, connecting directly to the Foreshore Promenade and sitting within walking distance of Newcastle Interchange.

The mixed-use precinct is planned to include around 1,000 apartments, more than 28,000 sqm of commercial office space, 6,000 sqm of retail, and a 180-room hotel anchored by a 500-seat conference and exhibition centre, a move expected to significantly lift Newcastle’s ability to attract major business and tourism events.
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<img alt="DOMA Group unveil Newcastle’s future with transformative Newcastle Quay Precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0642ca09-67cc-4920-8a7e-d18df9729b4e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/%3D.png?VersionId=CnDmZxQnOV5LN0ePu7jaFBXC9tPGTrWm" />

The proposal builds on DOMA’s growing Newcastle pipeline, where the developer has already delivered 866 apartments and more than 19,000 sqm of commercial and retail space since entering the market in 2013. A further $2 billion pipeline is also in the works across the city.

The masterplan and executive architecture are led by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, with building concepts developed alongside Stewart Architecture, Architecture AND and Curious Practice, and landscape design by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/turf-design">Turf Design Studio</a>. More than 11,000 sqm of open space is planned, including a new waterfront park known as Honeysuckle Green, upgrades to Tree of Knowledge Park, and new pedestrian and cycling links throughout the precinct.

At the centre of the development will be the heritage-listed Wickham School of Arts, which DOMA plans to reposition as the civic and cultural heart of the precinct through restaurants, bars, events and public gathering spaces.

The broader vision is to create a genuine day-to-night precinct, blending residential, hospitality, retail, commercial and cultural uses in a way Newcastle has yet to experience at this scale.

DOMA Group Managing Director Jure Domazet said the aim was to create a precinct that becomes synonymous with Newcastle itself.

“Our vision is to create a precinct that not only delivers high-quality commercial, residential, and cultural spaces, but also defines Newcastle’s waterfront for generations to come,” Domazet said.

DOMA’s Chris Farrington said the project would fundamentally change how Newcastle is perceived nationally.

“Newcastle Quay is more than a waterfront precinct, it is a national announcement for this city,” Farrington said.

“A world-class Conference and Exhibition Centre will open Newcastle and the Hunter Region to a national and international audience for the first time, delivering something this city has long deserved.”

The project is expected to generate more than 4,000 full-time equivalent jobs and act as a major economic driver for the Hunter region through tourism, business events, hospitality and commercial investment.

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Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the final parcel of harbourfront land will be a "true mixed-use precinct destination that includes housing, hospitality and entertainment, commercial spaces, retail, economic and social outcomes."

Joel Robinson

DOMA Group unveils 1,000-apartment Newcastle Quay precinct

ASX-listed developer Stockland is continuing to ramp up its return to the apartment market.

In late 2024, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/stockland">Stockland</a> announced it would resume apartment development after a 13-year absence, launching with Stanton Place in Rosebery, a 144-apartment project now under construction.

Last week, the developer unveiled plans alongside the NSW Government for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-nsw-gov-unveils-plans-for-3-300-home-waterloo-south-renewal">3,300-home precinct in Waterloo</a>.

Now, Stockland has shifted its focus in St Leonards, lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to replace an approved 42-storey office tower with a 52-storey residential development comprising more than 500 apartments.

<img alt="Stockland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8979095e-9072-432b-a7da-58b180cf994d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-20%20at%204.27.36%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=_jbRXYOafCSHjwsz.yQCNIymMyCj8zkF" />

An existing 14-storey commercial office building would make way for a 264.5-metre tower designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bates-smart">Bates Smart</a>. The project would deliver 538 apartments, including 30 affordable housing units, alongside retail and commercial uses at the podium and ground plane.

It will rise from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">601 Pacific Highway</a>, a prominent 2,844 sqm triangular site adjoining Mitchell Plaza and fronting Pacific Highway.

The development is being pursued under the Housing Delivery Authority pathway after Stockland’s proposal was declared State Significant Development earlier this year.

<img alt="First look: Stockland plans 52-storey mixed-use tower with 538 apartments in St Leonards" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="67f40f35-0458-47ab-80c0-a4e98a31838a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/stockland%201.png?VersionId=rxXe3njr.auuGDuiR0k42uI8Zr4K.gZA" />

The apartment mix includes 217 one-bedroom apartments, 191 two-bedroom apartments, 122 three-bedroom apartments, and eight four-bedroom residences. Six basement levels would accommodate 300 car spaces, bicycle parking, loading areas, and building services.

Bates Smart said the project has been shaped around a series of urban design principles intended to improve the pedestrian experience and respond to the evolving character of St Leonards.

“With a boundary length of almost 75m along Pacific Highway and 70m along Atchison Street to the north, complying simply with the LEP envelope and required setbacks would result in a very wide tower form on the skyline,” the architects noted in the Design Report.

“We propose breaking the tower form into two defined volumes rather than a singular form.”

The podium has similarly been articulated into separate forms to reduce perceived bulk and create a finer-grain response to Mitchell Plaza and Atchison Street. Retail tenancies would activate the lower levels, while commercial space is proposed across the podium floors.

<img alt="First look: Stockland plans 52-storey mixed-use tower with 538 apartments in St Leonards" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="90149990-0551-40d2-bd48-14b69a015d12" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/stockland%202.png?VersionId=MJC2KIIWFvU9FPGr3IVq09gkRN_gX3m8" />

The design also places a significant emphasis on communal amenity and environmental performance. Residents would have access to landscaped terraces, wellness areas, flexible workspaces, and rooftop communal facilities, while the all-electric building is targeting an average 7-star NatHERS rating. Bates Smart said the project incorporates passive design measures including natural ventilation, integrated shading, and lightweight façade systems.

Planning documents note the site is around 350 metres from St Leonards Station and 400 metres from the metro entrance, placing it within one of Sydney’s most connected emerging residential precincts.

The project arrives amid a wave of large-scale redevelopment proposals reshaping the St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline. Several nearby sites have recently been approved, lodged, or declared under the Housing Delivery Authority pathway as the precinct absorbs significant residential density uplift tied to transit-oriented development policies.

<img alt="Stockland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7805bd7c-dfd7-4b35-8e15-ec4a8bf8e61b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-20%20at%204.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=iY12K2m2bQ6EeDnshqfZC9rbLx_oEugP" />

Bates Smart’s report describes St Leonards as transitioning away from its historical commercial identity toward a more mixed-use urban environment.

“In recent years, the character of St Leonards has started to evolve, driven by new development trends along the Pacific Highway corridor,” the report said.

“These projects have increasingly focused on residential accommodation, marking a shift from its purely commercial roots.”

Sekisui House Australia is currently selling Waterstone down near Newlands Park, in a pocket being branded "St Leonards South." Hyecorp recently completed Audrey in the same pocket.

First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower

ANZ believes the Reserve Bank is in no rush to move again.

Following the release of the May Monetary Policy Board Minutes, ANZ has taken the view that the RBA is now firmly in a holding pattern, with the cumulative impact of previous rate hikes giving the Board scope to assess how the economy evolves from here.

That positioning, in ANZ’s view, makes a June rate hike unlikely.

The bank continues to expect the cash rate to remain unchanged at 4.35 per cent for an extended period, with the RBA adopting what is effectively a wait-and-see approach.

The Minutes point to a Board that sees financial conditions as already restrictive, but without a clear read on just how restrictive they are. That uncertainty has shifted the focus away from immediate policy action and toward monitoring both domestic conditions and global developments, particularly the conflict in the Middle East.

As ANZ interprets it, the Board is deliberately avoiding strong forward guidance.

Instead, it is allowing itself flexibility, acknowledging that monetary policy has limited ability to influence the near-term trajectory of inflation, while also recognising that economic growth is likely to remain below potential for some time.

Despite that pause in momentum, ANZ notes that the Board still carries a tightening bias.

The Minutes reveal that, in weighing up its decision, the Board seriously considered another 25 basis point increase. The key debate centred on the trade-off between inflation and activity, particularly in the context of global uncertainty.

Ultimately, most members leaned toward the inflation side of that equation.

Underlying inflation is still expected to remain above target for an extended period, regardless of how external risks evolve. That has led to a view within the Board that the risks to its inflation objective have increased, and that the current cash rate may not be sufficiently restrictive to fully contain those pressures.

That’s important.

While the decision, for now, is to hold, the underlying tone of the Minutes suggests the door to further tightening has not been closed.

ANZ also points to commentary from Assistant Governor (Economic) Sarah Hunter, who highlighted the risk that inflation could pass through the economy more quickly and broadly than in previous cycles. Both Hunter and a majority of the Board expressed concern that inflation expectations could become less anchored after such a prolonged period above target.

That combination, persistent inflation and the risk of expectations shifting, is what continues to underpin the RBA’s cautious stance.

However, where ANZ diverges from the RBA is on the outlook for activity.

The Board appears relatively comfortable with current spending patterns, effectively downplaying recent declines in business and consumer sentiment. It notes that sentiment has historically been only weakly correlated with actual spending, and that feedback from its liaison program has not yet pointed to a meaningful slowdown in consumption.

ANZ is less convinced.

The bank believes the link between household disposable income, sentiment and spending is more direct than the RBA is currently acknowledging. With inflation continuing to erode real incomes, ANZ expects household spending to soften more materially than the central bank is forecasting.

That divergence matters because it shifts the balance of risk.

If activity weakens more than expected, the trade-off between inflation and growth changes. In ANZ’s view, that would reduce the need for further tightening and reinforce the case for the RBA to remain on hold.

It also suggests that the current policy setting may already be doing more work than the Board fully appreciates.

The broader takeaway from ANZ’s interpretation is that the RBA is walking a narrow path.

On one side sits the risk of inflation remaining elevated for longer than expected. On the other is the growing pressure on households and the potential for a sharper slowdown in activity.

For now, the Board is choosing to wait.

But it is a pause that still carries an underlying tightening bias, rather than a clear pivot toward easing.

In practical terms, that leaves the cash rate anchored at 4.35 per cent for the foreseeable future, with the next move still uncertain.

For borrowers, it reinforces the reality that relief is not imminent.

And for the broader economy, it highlights the delicate balance the RBA is trying to strike, between bringing inflation back to target and avoiding an unnecessarily sharp slowdown in growth.

According to ANZ, it is a balance that is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain.

RBA to hold rates for "prolonged period" rather than hikes: ANZ

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/venturecrowd-property-projects">VentureCrowd</a> is down to the final Canopy Villa release at Cumulus Grand Villas in Carrara, as construction continues on the 59-residence gated community positioned above 100 hectares of natural savanna on the Gold Coast.

The remaining Canopy Villa forms part of one of four collections within the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>-designed community and has attracted interest from buyers seeking larger-format homes that combine privacy, security and low-maintenance living. Positioned within a private cul-de-sac and facing a protected black she oak forest, the four-bedroom villa includes a large private outdoor area suited to pet owners and families wanting more flexible space.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/cumulus-grand-villas-carrara-17-baltimore-court-carrara-qld-4211">Cumulus Grand Villas</a>, located at 17 Baltimore Court, comprises a mix of three and four-bedroom villas across the Skyline, Canopy, Savanna and Broadview collections. Prices currently range from $1.455 million to $1.895 million, with the final Canopy Villa priced from $1.825 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135663 project_image_fid=360477]

The Canopy Collection villas offer four bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and approximately 245 sqm of internal space, alongside double garages and landscaped private areas. Expansive glazing, open-plan living spaces and private balconies have been designed to maximise natural light and outlooks toward the surrounding savanna landscape.

Construction is now underway across the fully funded development, which VentureCrowd says has become an increasingly important consideration for buyers assessing off-the-plan opportunities on the Gold Coast. The project is being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/devcon">Devcon Property Group</a>, which has operated in South East Queensland since 1993 and delivered more than 1,000 homes across the region.

VentureCrowd Director of Property David Whitting previously said the project responds to changing buyer priorities in the prestige Gold Coast market.

“Flexible floorplans have proven particularly relevant for purchasers aged between 40 and 65, including next home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Whitting said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135663 project_image_fid=360505]

The buyer profile at Cumulus has reflected that shift toward owner-occupier-driven demand. Stuart Towns and Tracey Loynes recently purchased a Canopy Villa, drawn to both the lifestyle offering and the flexibility the home provided for their next stage of living together.

The couple, who met three years ago, sold their Robina home earlier this year after identifying what they saw as strong long-term investment potential at Cumulus while remaining within the same Gold Coast market. The villa’s private backyard was a major drawcard for their dog Luna, while proximity to golf courses including Emerald Lakes also aligned with their lifestyle interests.

Beyond the residences themselves, the community has been planned around shared lifestyle and recreation amenities. The Infinity Terrace will include a 20-metre heated pool, barbecue facilities, alfresco dining spaces and elevated retreat areas overlooking the surrounding landscape. Walking trails, a private nature reserve, orchard and herb garden are also integrated into the masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135663 project_image_fid=360473]

BDA Architecture Director Darren Greenaway said the design approach was heavily influenced by the site’s outlook and secluded setting.

The practice sought to create what Greenaway described as a “little piece of paradise,” drawing inspiration from the elevated views, surrounding greenery and quiet location.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/carrara-qld-4211">Carrara</a> continues to attract buyers seeking larger homes within proximity to the coast but without direct beachfront pricing. Cumulus sits within easy reach of Broadbeach, Pacific Fair, Robina Town Centre and the M1, providing connections north to Brisbane and south toward the Gold Coast Airport and northern New South Wales.

The first stage of Cumulus Grand Villas is targeting completion in 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135663]

VentureCrowd nears sell-out of Canopy Collection at Cumulus Grand Villas in Carrara

Waverley Council has made a call that many councils have been reluctant to make publicly. Growth is coming, regardless of who controls it.

The release of the Bondi Junction Vision and Master Plan is less about whether the Eastern Suburbs’ primary centre will change, and more about how that change is shaped, funded, and ultimately experienced on the ground. Waverley Council has released a 100-page plan which is effectively the first comprehensive blueprint for Bondi Junction in over two decades, and in doing so, signals a clear shift in how councils are positioning themselves in the current planning environment.

For the past 18 months, the conversation across New South Wales has been dominated by the State Government’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms and the emergence of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway. Both have created faster, more centralised avenues for development approvals, particularly in well-located, infrastructure-rich areas like Bondi Junction.

Waverley Council’s response has been to move early, and decisively.

Rather than react to individual proposals as they come through the HDA or broader State-led reforms, Council has sought to establish a clear, place-based framework that sets the terms for how Bondi Junction evolves. The underlying position is relatively straightforward: if densification is inevitable, it should be tied to infrastructure, public domain improvements, and a cohesive vision for the centre, not delivered piecemeal through ad hoc applications.

<img alt="bondi junction" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7f1f729c-ed99-4c6c-bf87-ffbce6991941" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-19%20at%209.58.16%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=ULX4OlXKjeJ5BvNCNGL86evgXCjCfMih" />

At its core, the document is attempting to reposition Bondi Junction from what it largely functions as today, a transport interchange anchored by a major retail centre, into something far more layered. The ambition is to transform it into what the plan describes as the “civic and cultural heart of Sydney’s East,” a place that is active beyond commuting hours and capable of supporting a broader mix of uses, experiences and communities.

That repositioning is built around four key ambitions.

The first is to create a true destination. Bondi Junction already attracts significant foot traffic, with more than 86,000 daily transport users and millions of annual retail visits, but much of that activity is transient. People pass through, rather than stay.

The Master Plan seeks to change that dynamic. It leans heavily into the idea of an “18-hour economy,” extending activity well beyond traditional retail hours through dining, cultural programming, events, and a more active night-time offering. This is not just about adding more hospitality venues, but about fundamentally shifting how the centre operates, from a daytime shopping destination to a place that functions across the full span of the day and into the evening.

Oxford Street Mall sits at the centre of that shift.

Long seen as underperforming relative to its potential, the Mall is identified as one of the key catalyst projects in the plan. It is to be reimagined as a day-to-night spine, combining retail, dining, wellness and cultural uses in a way that creates a continuous flow of activity. Outdoor dining, rooftop venues, laneway activation and a curated events program are all part of the strategy, alongside significant public domain upgrades that aim to improve comfort, safety and usability.

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The second ambition is to transform Bondi Junction into a world-class interchange.

Despite being one of the most heavily used transport nodes in Sydney, the current experience is fragmented. Connections between the station, Westfield, Oxford Street Mall and surrounding streets are often unclear, and major roads create physical barriers that disrupt pedestrian movement.

The Master Plan proposes a more seamless, people-focused network. That includes clearer pedestrian links, improved wayfinding, better integration between transport modes, and a rethinking of how arrival into the centre is experienced. The aim is to shift the perception of Bondi Junction from a place people move through, to a place they arrive in.

The third ambition focuses on greening and open space.

One of the more consistent pieces of community feedback throughout the Vision phase was the need for more greenery, better public spaces, and a more comfortable urban environment. Despite being surrounded by major parks, Bondi Junction itself has relatively limited accessible open space, with much of the public realm dominated by hard surfaces and traffic infrastructure.

The plan responds with a network of new and upgraded public spaces, increased tree canopy, and what it terms the “Parkline,” a green link connecting Waverley Park through to Centennial Park. This is not just about aesthetics. It is about addressing heat, improving liveability, and ensuring that increased density is matched by access to high-quality outdoor space.

The fourth ambition is perhaps the most important from a development perspective: growth that gives back.

Bondi Junction is already the primary location for new housing supply in the Waverley LGA, and that is expected to continue. The area carries a target of 2,400 new dwellings by 2029, with further growth projected beyond that as demand for well-located housing continues to rise. The Master Plan does not seek to limit that growth. Instead, it attempts to shape it.

New housing is to be concentrated around transport, with stepped building heights designed to protect the character of surrounding neighbourhoods. At the same time, the plan introduces a more explicit link between development uplift and public benefit. This is where value capture becomes central.

The document outlines a framework where increased development potential is tied to contributions that fund public domain improvements, community infrastructure, open space, and affordable housing. It is an approach that recognises that much of the transformation of Bondi Junction will be delivered by the private sector, but seeks to ensure that the benefits of that growth are shared more broadly. The Civic Precinct is a key part of that equation.

Leveraging Council-owned land, the plan proposes a consolidated civic and cultural hub centred around Ebley Street. This would include new community facilities, cultural spaces, and potentially a new Council Chambers, creating a focal point for civic life that currently does not exist in Bondi Junction at scale.

It is one of several catalyst projects identified in the Master Plan, alongside the Oxford Street Mall transformation. These projects are intended to anchor change, acting as early interventions that unlock broader investment across the precinct.

Importantly, the Master Plan is not just a design document. It includes a delivery framework that sets out how these ambitions are intended to be realised.

Council is explicit in acknowledging that it cannot deliver the transformation alone. Implementation will require coordination between State agencies, private developers, landowners and the community, with a mix of planning agreements, infrastructure contributions and direct delivery mechanisms used to fund and stage improvements over time.

The plan outlines a mix of short-term, medium-term and long-term actions, from immediate public domain upgrades and planning controls, through to larger-scale projects that will unfold over the next decade or more. In practical terms, the next 12 to 24 months will be the most important.

This is when the Master Plan will move through exhibition, refinement and eventual adoption. It is also the period in which Council will seek to embed the framework into its planning controls, giving it weight in the assessment of future development applications.

Council officers have indicated that once the Master Plan is in place, it could be used as a benchmark when assessing Housing Delivery Authority proposals, and potentially reduce the need for further HDA declarations within Bondi Junction. In effect, it is an attempt to bring planning control back to the local level, while still aligning with State housing targets.

That tension between State-led reform and local planning control is not unique to Waverley. It is playing out across Sydney.

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If delivered as intended, Bondi Junction will become denser, more active, and more complex. It will support more residents, more workers, and a wider range of uses, extending beyond its current retail core into a more layered urban environment.

“The civic and cultural heart of Sydney’s East”: Bondi Junction masterplan revealed

Fender Katsalidis

The Melbourne-based Orb Property Partners has&nbsp;launched their latest project, WOBO, a collection of industrial-inspired apartments in North Melbourne.

Designed by the renowned architecture firm Fender Katsalidis and set in landscaping by&nbsp;Oculus, the warehouse-style apartments form the beginning of Orb&#39;s, The Tapestry development, which, when complete, will be a new creative precinct in the heart of North Melbourne.

&quot;Designed for the many, home to the eclectic,&quot; is Orb&#39;s approach to The Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112082 project_image_fid=193775]

The Tapestry will be released over five stages, and, as well as residential apartments, will also feature a skatepark, theatre, hotel, and rooftop dining.

WOBO (West of Boundary), combines New York-style warehouse living with the unmistakably warm feeling of home, drawing on colours, textures and fabrics of a modern community.

Drawing inspiration from the industrial fabric of the area, a striking articulated brick podium creatively re-uses materials from the former factory site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112082 project_image_fid=193769]

The soaring upper floors are a contrast of steel and glass, with bold accents of living greenery and unrivalled city aspects. The raw materiality continues inside, with recycled brickwork greeting residents in the lobby and exposed concrete ceilings set high inside the apartments.

Crowning the apartments is the rooftop terrace, complete with outdoor dining, firepit area, seating pods and views to the city, Royal Park and Docklands.

The private Members Lounge is set directly below the roof terrace on level 11, reimagining communal space. The private lounge features a central fireplace and modular lounges and has been specifically&nbsp;designed for conversation, connection and community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112082 project_image_fid=193774]

There are one, two, and three-bedroom apartments on offer at WOBO, as well as a handful of penthouses.&nbsp;

Completion of WOBO expected mid-2024.

While itself set to be a lifestyle precinct, The Tapestry is located a short walk from local shops and amenities, as well as Macaulay Station.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=112082]

Committed to creating vibrant new communities and providing innovative approaches, Orb are delivering a thriving urban lifestyle precinct, “designed for the many, home to the eclectic.”



alisonwarters@gmail.com

Orb Property Partners launch WOBO apartments, first stage of North Melbourne precinct, The Tapestry

Australia 108 is one of Melbourne&#39;s most well known, and well regarded, buildings.

Having completed construction toward the end of 2020, the striking tower, offering the highest residences in the Southern Hemisphere, was designed by the renowned architecture firm Fender Katsalidis, whose goal was to form a bridge between earth and sky.

Australia 108, on Southbank Boulevard, sits next to Eureka Tower, also talked about as one of&nbsp;Melbourne&#39;s best buildings. That too was&nbsp;designed by the team at Fender Katsalidis.

We recently caught up with&nbsp;Nicky Drobis, Director at&nbsp;Fender&nbsp;Ka​tsalidis, to discuss the design process of Australia 108, and how it came to be.

<div>JR:&nbsp;What was the design brief for Australia 108 from World Class Global?</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>ND: For what was their first major project in Melbourne, World Class Global partnered with us to deliver their vision for a landmark residential tower in Southbank. The outcome &ndash; the highest residences in the Southern Hemisphere &ndash; reflects a seven-year aspiration for a building intended to feel like a close-knit community, forming a bridge between earth and sky.</div>

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<div>[smartcode_project:default project_id=582 project_image_fid=182856]</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>JR:&nbsp;What interested you about the project?</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>ND: We were most interested in connecting people through a neighbourhood streetscape &ndash; but in a vertical sense. Taking a building-as-precinct approach led to offering new way of living for different sizes of families with residents able to share the beautiful space and luxurious amenities with families and friends.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>JR:&nbsp;How early in the design process did you know Australia 108&nbsp;was going to be&nbsp;the tallest apartment tower in the Southern Hemisphere?</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>ND: From the outset, World Class Global and our design team envisaged a distinctive landmark building for Melbourne. The aspiration was always to design a supertall tower in excess of 100 floors. Ultimately soaring to 319 metres in height, Australia 108 became the tallest building in Melbourne and the tallest residences in the Southern Hemisphere.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>
<div>[smartcode_project:default project_id=582 project_image_fid=183086]</div>
</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>JR:&nbsp;What was the most challenging aspect when designing the tower?</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>ND: Whenever approaching something new, especially at such great height, challenges abound. To achieve a build that had never been attempted before in Australia required a lot of innovative thinking and detailed planning. This also presented ample opportunity to develop many new and exciting design and engineering solutions.</div>

<div>
One key consideration was how the structure would cope with tremendous wind speeds of up to 140km/h. To overcome this, the structural stability was bolstered by a super-sized damper tank filled by high-pressure pumps in level 100&rsquo;s subfloor to act as a counterbalance.

Due to local soil conditions, carparking was unable to be placed below ground. We saw an opportunity to create a new typology of open-deck carpark as a series of terraced and interlocking garden beds flanked with large mature palms and cascading foliage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=582 project_image_fid=182851]

One of the greatest construction challenges we faced was how to assemble the starburst structure which cantilevers 6 metres from the building on all sides at more than 200 metres in the air. Constructed from 24 prefabricated steel trusses, each piece was transported at night to allow truck drivers to safely manoeuvre them into loading areas where they were hoisted and secured into position. Purpose-built platforms allowed workers to safely install the feature, protecting themselves and those on the streets below.

JR: When was the golden starburst idea thought of, and how?

ND: From the genesis of the supertall investigation, the starburst had always played a role as the centrepiece of the design. Inspired by the Commonwealth Star, our vision for the distinctive golden Starburst was as a central connection point.

The golden starburst expression is fundamental to both the building&rsquo;s identity and structural composition; the cantilevered structure intervening with the sculptural building&rsquo;s curvaceous form to create a dramatic exclamation mark in the skyline. Intended as a celebration of community within the building, this civic area was envisaged as the tower&rsquo;s &lsquo;town hall&rsquo; and remote working option above the clouds.

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JR:&nbsp;How important were the amenities to the design of the building?

ND: Central to building a residential community within a supertall tower was to provide residents with generous communal spaces and a high quality of internal amenity. Australia 108 offers more than 4,000 sqm of internal communal space, including dining and function spaces, theatrettes, gymnasiums and many other spaces which allow for programmed events and social activities. 

The starbust alone accommodates a double-height sky garden and two infinity edge swimming pools.

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JR:&nbsp;Where did you draw inspiration from for Australia 108?

ND: Standing in dialogue with its neighbour, Eureka Tower, Australia 108&rsquo;s material palette shares a golden connection with its fellow&nbsp;Fender&nbsp;Kat​salidis-design supertall tower. However, an entirely different geometry has been expressed in the floorplate of Australia 108. 

Horizontal banding up the building&rsquo;s exterior amplifies the curvilinear shape of the floorplan. The gradient, which intensifies as it works its way up, draws your eyes upward to celebrate the building&rsquo;s form.

JR: Was there another building, either one you&#39;ve previously worked on, or just another in the world, that helped in the design idea process?

ND: Instantly recognisable, Australia 108&rsquo;s elegant silhouette embodies a strong visual relationship with its skyline partner, Eureka Tower. Australia 108 expresses its distinctive identity, while sharing elements of design language and materiality with Eureka, creating a strong, visually symbiotic relationship.

Australia 108 embodies the essence of the city. Its design pays homage to the cultural arts precinct it resides in, connecting masterfully to the Southbank neighbourhood through its deliberately inviting ground-level experience.

JR:&nbsp;What part of the building are you most proud of?

ND: We are most proud of&nbsp;the creation of such a diverse community across more than 100&nbsp;floors. Despite its enormity, Australia 108 is a building that manages to operate and feel more like close-knit community. 

With Australia 108, we have successfully conceived a vertical community in an era when densification of the city is becoming increasingly critical.

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</div>

"From the outset, World Class Global and our design team envisaged a distinctive landmark building for Melbourne. The aspiration was always to design a supertall tower in excess of 100 floors."

"Forming a bridge between earth and sky": How Fender Katsalidis designed Australia 108, the southern hemisphere's tallest apartment tower

Yarra One is the final residential tower in South Yarra's Forrest Hill precinct.

Yar​ra One, just the&nbsp;second Australian project by the international developer EcoWorld,&nbsp;offers 247 residences in one, two and three-bedroom configurations.

The $250 million development boasts numerous amenities and a striking design, with rectilinear patterns and pure geometry from the regarded architecture firm Fender Kats​alidis.

Urban takes a look at the top 10 reasons a buyer should look at Yarra One.

1. Grand atrium

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Connecting Yarra Lane to Daly Street, Yarra One's atrium has been designed to be used and embraced by the community.

It has been positioned in the centre of the area’s pedestrian traffic between the train station and Chapel Street, and is enclosed by the building’s grand signature trellis.

“With soaring frames and climbing greenery, this will be a dramatic space for the South Yarra community and a proud entranceway for Yarra One itself”, the developer said.

2. Inspired by Melbourne’s laneways

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Yarra One has embraced the tradition of Melbourne’s network of laneways, bustling with cafés, galleries, specialty shops and eclectic boutiques.

Alongside the landscaped walkway, the new precinct will include café, restaurant and retail shopfronts.

3. Designed by Fender Katsalidis

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Yarra One has been designed by Fender Katsalidis, who has been mindful to anchor the sculptural building and its curved façade within the context of South Yarra.

“For the residents, the experience within Yarra One is one of immersive materiality and refined detail”, Fender Katsalidis founding director, Karl Fender, said.

“Composed of clean lines, subdued lighting, green outlooks and rich textures, both the shared amenity spaces and the residences themselves offer a haven of calm and the warmth of a traditional home.”

4. Concierge services

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Yarra One residents will have access to a 24-hour concierge-style app, which will allow for booking of a number of hotel-style services, with everything from&nbsp;pet grooming and walking to personal trainer bookings.

“By offering our residents 6-star services 24 hours a day, we aim to further amplify the&nbsp;Yarra One&nbsp;living experience as a beautiful, luxurious home that pampers, comforts, and inspires our residents," Ong says.

The concierge desk is as luxe as the rest of the building, set in the ground-floor&nbsp;lobby which features a marble block sculpted as a reception desk, framed by elegant brass and bronze detailing.

Services offered by the concierge include welcoming guests, receiving packages, organising transport or arranging reservations for amenity spaces within the building.

5. Dining and library spaces

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Dining and library spaces were designed to act as a natural extension of the apartments at Yarra One, created with smoked timber floors and soaring double-height ceilings.

Residents will have access to the mezzanine cocktail level, plush lounge around an elegant fireplace or the lush gardens of the rooftop.

These communal lounges create an open and stylish space for spending time alone or entertaining friends.

6. Bespoke interiors

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Yarra One features impressive apartments with intelligently-designed interiors in a range of configurations.

Each residence includes floor-to-ceiling windows, custom-designed pendant lights and elegant island benches that introduce an additional layer of sculpted artistry.

Premium integrated Miele appliances and generous butler’s pantries form the kitchen and provide an elegant and practical space for everyday living.

7. Choice of light and dark scheme

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Residents at the South Yarra development can choose between two colour palettes, a light and a dark scheme.

The light scheme features lighter tones in the oak flooring, benchtop and light joinery that connect visually with the bronze pendant lights and kitchen rangehoods.

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In the darker scheme, the pendant lights and rangehood provide a contrast with the dramatic tones of the dark stone benchtop, ebonised joinery and rich oak flooring.

8. Health and wellness offerings

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With designated spaces with a focus on wellness and helping residents available at Yarra One, buyers can enjoy convenient fitness and relaxation offerings.

A gym on level one looks out onto the residents’ garden, while the yoga and dance studio connects to the private spa terrace.

9. Wine room

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“Modelled after a finely detailed cigar box, the wine room at Yarra One has been designed to reflect the prestige of the bottles contained within”, the project marketing reads.

The luxury temperature-controlled room features smoked oak floors, timber joinery and bronze accents.

Adjacent to the lounge and dining room, the wine room is perfect for uncorking bottles or preparing cheese boards for a cocktail party.

10. Connected locale

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Coming home to Claremont Street, residents are nestled amongst the very best of South Yarra and within reach of all of life’s needs.

The suburb is within walking distance to some of Australia’s best known private schools, a ten-minute train ride from the Melbourne CBD, nearby renowned sporting venues and the sprawling Royal Botanic Gardens.

Leading tertiary institutions, fine galleries, and shopping along Collins Street make up the best of urban living.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=3127]

The $250 million development boasts numerous amenities and a striking design, with rectilinear patterns and pure geometry.

max.kwok_55688

The top 10 reasons to buy at the South Yarra apartment development, Yarra One

Buyers wanting to understand what luxury living is like need not look further than the new Melbourne Quarter development.

Situated on Flinders Street, residents at Melbourne Quarter are surrounded by the city&rsquo;s contagious buzz.

Delivered by Lendlease, this new precinct will offer world-class design in an unrivalled location next to Melbourne&rsquo;s main transport hub, Southern Cross Station.

Renowned architects, Fender Katsalidis, Denton Corker Marshall and Woods Bagot, have joined forces with urban design specialists Aspect Oculus, to help create this landmark development and its one, two and three-bedroom apartments.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Urban takes a look at what it&rsquo;s like coming home to this luxurious off-the-plan property.

1. Enter the grand lobby

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&ldquo;Drive through the Flinders Street entrance, past the charming heritage wall, and the elegant porte-coch&egrave;re will lead you to a grand lobby&rdquo;, the project marketing reads.

With a soaring nine-metre canopy, the lobby will welcome residents to their new luxury lifestyle.

2. Burn off steam at the Club MQ

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3459 project_image_fid=147571]

Residents will enjoy exclusive access to Club MQ, three levels of exclusive resident resort-style amenities,

After returning from work, homebuyers at Melbourne Quarter can stay in shape thanks to gym access, including a private yoga space, a spa and sauna, plus a 25-metre indoor swimming pool.

3. Enjoy dinner in a flexible outdoor dining space

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3459 project_image_fid=157359]

Flexible private dining spaces cater for all occasions, from a cosy, intimate affair to a lavish banquet.

Indoor dining areas lead to private outdoor terraces, with BBQ facilities and casual open-air seating designed for alfresco entertaining.

4. Relax in the Sky Park

<img alt="" height="609" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2021-03-11_at_2.33.40_pm_0.png" width="1160" />

After dinner, residents can kick off their shoes and feel the grass under your feet at their new neighbourhood sky park.

This great amenity boasts lush lawns, views of Melbourne&rsquo;s skyline, private outdoor dining and barbeque facilities to entertain friends.

5. Watch a movie in the private cinema

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Melbourne Quarter includes a private lounge-style theatrette for residents to unwind in comfort and style.

To create a relaxing space, the cinema fuses dark timber wall panelling with flexible seating arrangements.

6. Relax in your elegant home

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Each apartment in Melbourne Quarter boasts contemporary elegance with European appliances and refined finishes.

The practical design creates a calm, inviting space with amazing views and abundant natural light.

&ldquo;Come home and savour a well-deserved cocktail on the sleek, stone-paved balcony while you drink in the views&rdquo;, the project marketing reads.

The development features contemporary fittings, European appliances and timber flooring.

“Drive through the Flinders Street entrance, past the charming heritage wall, and the elegant porte-cochère will lead you to a grand lobby”, the project marketing reads.

Enjoy a relaxed lifestyle at Melbourne Quarter: What it’s like coming home to this new Lendlease development

The Melbourne developer Riverlee has seen an interesting buyer demographic emerge at its&nbsp;luxury mixed-use Docklands development, Seafarers.

Entrepreneurs and executives have swarmed the Fender Katsalidis-designed development, which incorporates a 280 room 1 Hotel, as well as 123 apartments, which together have been dubbed 1 Hotel and Homes.

Around 70 per cent of buyers so far have been business owners or those in C-suite and executive positions.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=161090]

They&#39;ve been drawn to Seafarers, with the under construction development giving buyers the ability to customise their apartments, including adding home office spaces.

They&#39;ve also been keen on the unique inclusion of the hotel support staff, who they can lean on for tasks similar to personal assistants.

David Lee, development director at Riverlee, says they are catering to those that are accustomed to or seeking an international way of living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=161089]

&ldquo;The hotel residence lifestyle has gained a lot of traction in places like New York and Asia, but there is a need for this type of home in Australia.

&quot;There are various residential buildings out there with features such&nbsp;as a concierge service but hotel-branded residences, particularly those with an international focus, take it to another level,&rdquo; Lee added.

&ldquo;Business owners and executives are a key target market at Seafarers with its connectivity to the city and the airport as well as the lifestyle on offer.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=73042]

&quot;Looking at hotel-branded residences globally, they hold their value extremely well, showing that their enduring appeal is also a savvy investment.&rdquo;

Residents will be able to use&nbsp;the hotel amenity, including the swimming pool, gym, sauna and spa, housekeeping and personal shopping, in home room service and wellness treatments, and 24-hour concierge services.

Residents will also have access to exclusive resident only amenities, including a rooftop BBQ and garden overlooking the Yarra River, bookable private dining rooms, and library and lounge areas.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=27728]

Around 70 per cent of buyers so far have been business owners or those in C-suite and executive positions

Entrepreneurs and executives favour hotel lifestyle as Seafarers, Docklands sales surge

Newly complete and ready-to-move-in, Rise is the latest Melbourne development delivered by leading property developer Caydon.

Situated in the highly sought-after Moonee Ponds, the 29-storey tower is located in the heart of a vibrant village and is just moments from transport to take you to Melbourne and beyond.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5328 project_image_fid=155355]

Comprising 297 one, two and three-bedroom residences, Rise delivers a luxury living experience with spacious floorplans, cutting-edge interiors, floor-to-ceiling windows and numerous amenities.

Designed by Fender Katsalidis, the development features a level 22 conservatory with skybar, landscaped deck and gorgeous city views.

Urban takes a look at three of the featured floorplans available at Rise.

1. Apartment 1001

<img alt="" height="780" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2021-06-23_at_9.21.18_pm.png" width="1404" />

Apartment 1001 is one of the many floorplan configurations available at Rise, delivering one bedroom, one bathroom and a car space on the tenth floor.

Boasting an internal area of 56sqm, the homes feature natural timber throughout, with a choice of light or dark timber schemes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5328 project_image_fid=164755]

The bathroom, designed for Rise by Omvivo, includes a full-width shower, bespoke solid surface basins and clever storage solutions.

Other features in the home include a 6sqm balcony and a built-in study space.

2. Apartment 1003

<img alt="" height="852" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2021-06-23_at_9.21.02_pm.png" width="1414" />

Also located on the tenth floor is Apartment 1003, a three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment delivering clever shared spaces and a holistic living experience.

The 124sqm apartment features bespoke includes integrated European appliances and built-in robes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5328 project_image_fid=163913]

Other features in the home-sized residence two car spaces, a walk-in pantry and a 13sqm light-filled balcony

The queen-sized master bedroom also includes an ensuite, soft carpeting and walk-in robe.

3. Apartment 2408

<img alt="" height="1030" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2021-06-23_at_9.20.36_pm.png" width="1420" />

Situated on level 24, Apartment 2408 is one of the 62 penthouse-style apartments that occupy the top eight levels of Rise.

Named Skyhomes, these residences are defined by high-end architecture and walls of glass that frame views of Melbourne.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5328 project_image_fid=163914]

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment includes open-plan kitchen, living and dining and sliding doors out to a large balcony.

Among its other features include wide oak floors, gold metallic rangehood suspended from the ceiling and a free-standing bath in the bathroom.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=5328]

Comprising 297 one, two and three-bedroom residences, Rise delivers a luxury living experience with spacious floorplans, cutting-edge interiors, floor-to-ceiling windows and numerous amenities

Floorplan focus: Uncover the spacious residences at newly complete Moonee Ponds apartments, Rise

The Docklands development Seafarers will be immediately recognised with its unique and striking facade when it is completed in 2024.

The $500 million development by the Melbourne-based developer Riverlee on the banks of the Yarra River is part of the rejuvenation of the Northbank precinct at the end of Flinders Street.

The global architecture firm Fender Katsalidis were tasked with reimagining the&nbsp;heritage-protected Goods Shed 5, preserving&nbsp;the only intact remnants from the days before containerisation.

Recently Urban caught up with Nicky Drobis,&nbsp;director at Fender Katsalidis, to discuss the development and how the design came to fruition.

JR: What was the brief for Seafarers from Riverlee?

ND: The brief was to design Melbourne&rsquo;s most dynamic mixed-use precinct, which restored and celebrated the site&rsquo;s heritage as the heart of the development.

It was also to create a development that connected to the Yarra River and the natural environment, resulting in plans for the new park at Seafarers Rest.

The goal was to achieve true diversity within the building with entertainment, health and wellbeing, as well as luxury hotel accommodation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=73048]

JR: What interested you in the project? 
 
ND: Beyond the brief itself, and the opportunities it afforded to create a new community within Melbourne, the most interesting part of the project would be the actual building. This is an important part of the revitalisation of the broader Northbank section of the Yarra River, which is undergoing a metamorphosis. The resulting building and community will soon make Seafarers a destination in its own right.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=73049]

JR: What were the key priorities?

ND: The careful retention and restoration of the heritage-listed Goods Shed No. 5 and the Malcolm Moore Electric Crane were key to celebrating Melbourne and the Yarra River&rsquo;s industrial heritage.

We also prioritised the view opportunities across the site, not only to the river, but back towards the CBD and Docklands areas.

Looking at it holistically, we focused on an environmentally sustainable design that incorporated key initiatives for a development of this scale.

Finally, we wanted to create enchanting and intriguing journeys through unique building experiences for hotel visitors and residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=161091]

JR: Was the string of amenities high on the priority list?

ND: A focus on health and wellbeing was fundamental in the design process of the building. We have designed numerous wellness spaces which directly engage with the natural environment and incorporate living green, in addition to the landscaped terrace spaces.

A selection of private amenities includes a library and lounge, dining rooms, spa and sauna spaces and a rooftop garden.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=97028]

JR: What was the biggest challenge in conceiving the design? 
 
ND: As much as a mixed-use development can be a challenge, this adds increased complexity, requiring a higher level of design thinking and execution.

The numerous challenges of design and construction start with the heritage shed, then work through those associated with the different uses.

In a planning sense, you have a cantilevered element of the building laid on top of the heritage shed, as well as the addition of a basement, while multiple uses are split horizontally throughout the building.

JR: Was it difficult to combine the residential apartment element with the hotel space?

ND: There are great synergies afforded by residents being able to utilise all the food and beverage offerings provided by the hotel. However, we&rsquo;ve worked carefully to create independent spaces for residents to provide them with a sense of exclusivity and privacy within the building. This way we can offer residents their own exclusive spaces, while allowing them to use every bit of the hotel.

JR: Had you done this on a previous project? 

ND: Yes. A lot of our work has involved precinctual design and mixed-use buildings, with all the complexities and opportunities that come with each. Seafarers is not dissimilar, albeit in a singular building.

One example we have currently in construction is Merdeka118, which upon completion will become the second tallest skyscraper in the world.⁠⁠ Its incredibly complex infrastructure and mix of uses includes a shopping centre, commercial floorplates and luxury hotel accommodation, each atop one another.

JR: Where did you draw inspiration from for the building?

ND: The components of the building&rsquo;s form are derived from their uses and are defined as such externally. Most visibly, the heritage shed is retained, restored and celebrated at the base of the tower with the next seven levels being hotel accommodation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=97032]

Above that, reading quite distinctly, we have the apartment levels with a highly articulated floorplan edge, which enables the fa&ccedil;ade glazing to reflect light in a way that is reminiscent of the movement of water.

JR: How did you collaborate with Carr Design to make sure the interiors of the apartments were in keeping with the rest of the building?

ND: The Carr team worked very carefully to design interiors that are both elegant and luxurious.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=73043]

The overriding idea in the design the of the apartments was to maximise the view opportunities for residents. There is a rigour to the planning which is experienced as you move through the plan, creating a seamless experience. The apartments are also very generously sized with finely considered details and a warm, classic palette of materials.

JR: What part of the design are you most proud of/what are you most looking forward to seeing? 
 
ND: We are eagerly looking forward to how the building will function, fostering a vibrant series of uses for residents, guests and visitors. We are proud of how it celebrates an important part of Melbourne&rsquo;s heritage in its retention of the shed, and thus its distinctive reflection of uses as a former industrial site.

This also has us looking forward to seeing the building as a sculptural built form to the precinct along the river frontage and a marker for the wider precinct.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=27728]

Fender Katsalidis were tasked with reimagining the heritage-protected Goods Shed 5, preserving the only intact remnants from the days before containerisation



The Design Details: Fender Katsalidis Architects discuss Riverlee's mixed-use Docklands development Seafarers

<html><body>
A two-tower mixed-use development in Melbourne's emerging Northbank precinct by developer Mirvac has received approval from the local council.

The two towers at 7 Spencer Street, which Mirvac bought for $200 million just over a year ago, will comprise a 32-storey build-to-rent tower with 472 apartments and a 20-storey commercial tower.

Craig Baudin, director at Fender Katsalidis, says that the approval of the project will be significant in bringing life to this part of the city.

“Our design is a vibrant new mixed-use precinct, consisting of two distinctive towers that will revitalise and reconnect this overlooked corner of the city,” he says.

The Fender Katsalidis design gives each of the towers its own identity in accordance with their uses while being connected at the podium level through a retail offering and commonality in materiality and colour palette.

The podium forms have been expressed as highly textured and landscaped components, above which sit the simpler and cleaner lines of the two tower forms.

The uses of the towers will give the area activity during and outside of business hours to activate this precinct while creating new laneway connections to the city and Southern Cross Station.

“Comprising a build-to-rent apartment building combined with a landmark office tower, this will be a lively new place to live and work and will leave its mark on Melbourne in a generous and meaningful way," Baudin says.

“With build-to-rent still a new typology in Melbourne, the project is unique by showing how it can engage and integrate with an adjacent office building within a single precinct.

"It signifies the direction of residential living in the city while also catering to agile workplaces with large, flexible floorplates,” Baudin added.
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The two towers at 7 Spencer Street, which Mirvac bought for $200 million just over a year ago, will comprise a 32-storey build-to-rent tower with 472 apartments and a 20-storey commercial tower.

Mirvac secure approval for 472 build-to-rent Melbourne apartment development

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Residences in the new Australia 108 apartment complex, the tallest residential building in the southern hemisphere, have hit the market.

Located in Melbourne’s Southbank, the Australia 108 tower was designed by Fender Katsalidis and pays homage to the Australian flag with a rotated golden structure protruding from the building.

The 161 Cloud Residences are located between 210 metres and 319 metres above ground across the tower’s 72 through 100 floors, atop the building’s iconic Starburst feature. A collection of four limited edition Nova sub-penthouses are also on offer. Located on level 97 the three-bedroom, three-bathroom apartments span up to 200 sqm. They have price tags between $4,746,000 and $5,558,000.

The Cloud Residences also represent some of the most expensive residential apartments real estate in the nation, with prices between $1.9 million for a three bedroom and $25 million for the statement trophy 797 sqm penthouse, the most expensive apartment sold in Australia at the time of its sale in 2015.

<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/cloud_living_room.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/cloud_living_room.jpg?itok=ARb2IetD" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Cloud Residence Living Room</figcaption></figure>Prices for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment start from $470,000 and two-bedroom, two-bathroom starting from $630,000. The apartment's amenities include infinity pools, sauna and steam rooms, a private cinema and sophisticated dining and lounge rooms. Carr Design has curated the interiors of the units.

Australia 108 is located a three minute walk from the Crown Casino and entertainment complex and a seven minute walk to Flinders Street Station.

World Class Land, who developed the project, are also working on 30 Albert Street in Brisbane which is set to rise to over 270 metres.

Other projects by the developers include Melbourne’s Avant, located on 54 A’Beckett Street.
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Offerings include four limited sub-penthouses located on level 97 which starts from $4,746,000.

urban.com.au

Apartments in Melbourne's Australia 108, the Southern Hemisphere's tallest residential tower, listed for sale

Developer EcoWorld International has just announced a new range of single-occupancy duplexes in response to buyer demand for spacious homes in the heart of the city.

The Fender Katsalidis-designed <a href="/buildings/yarra-one-16-22-claremont-street-south-yarra">Yarra One</a> will be adding an additional 5 duplexes which will span across two levels and will be accessible via an indoor staircase. EcoWorld International&rsquo;s Cliff Tan explains that the dual-level duplex concept is already proving to be successful across many global cities.

<blockquote>
&ldquo;Penthouses are traditionally the only two-storey apartments available in residential apartments, however, we have drawn inspiration from cities across the globe to offer a more accessible, Manhattan-style living that is rarely seen in Melbourne.&rdquo;
</blockquote>

Cliff Tan, EcoWorld Head of Project Planning and Development

Each duplex will be sold as single-occupancy units, with the scope of acquiring interest from a broad selection of property seekers, including first home buyers, downsizers, young families, retirees and empty nesters. The concept also alludes to the <a href="/news/multi-generational-living-the-rise-of-the-super-apartment">rise of multi-generational living</a> in Melbourne City, with many families purchasing one or more apartments to create &ldquo;super apartments&rdquo;. The duplex concept provides a solution to the limited landmass on offer in Melbourne&rsquo;s inner suburbs, by creating spacious vertical living spaces.&nbsp;

Owners of the duplexes will have access to all the same on-site amenities as Yarra One apartment owners, including access to the wellness precinct, gymnasium, outdoor spa, dance studio, yoga room, dining room and entertainment lounge. Residents are also invited to utilise the atrium co-working space which aims to give semi-retirees and freelancers the flexibility to work from the comfort of their own home.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3127 project_image_fid=31092]

<blockquote>
&ldquo;We have a much better understanding now on how Australians want to live and we will future-proof our developments to meet their needs.&rdquo;&nbsp;
</blockquote>

Cliff Tan, EcoWorld Head of Project Planning and Development&nbsp;

The duplexes will be priced from $1,300,000 with individualised floorplans available upon request. The entire development is slated for completion by 2020.&nbsp;

Lead image: Yarra One duplex units. Credit:&nbsp;Fender Katsalidis/EcoWorld International

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=3127]

Fender Katsalidis

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New apartments

New townhouses

News