Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Joel Robinson

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

First look: Inca eyes Mona Vale with State Significant DA for Dawn apartments

Seasoned Victorian apartment developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-equity">Central Equity</a> has logged more than $400 million in sales in its luxury apartment project Palmera Residences at Northcliffe on the Gold Coast.&nbsp;

Central Equity Director Karl Kutner said the sales result reflected a combination of location, product quality and delivery certainty with the project already under construction by building powerhouse Multiplex.&nbsp;

"Surpassing $400 million in sales since launch is a significant milestone and an outstanding endorsement of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-gold-coast-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera Residences</a>,” he said.&nbsp;

"We believe one of the key reasons for this strong result is the confidence purchasers have in knowing the project is under construction with Multiplex. Buyers are increasingly looking for certainty. They want to know that the project they commit to today will be delivered by an experienced team with a proven track record."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365782]

Kutner said it was clear there was still high demand for luxury projects that offered certainty of delivery.&nbsp;

“We are in a market where many residential developments have faced delays due to rising construction costs, labour shortages and financing challenges,” said Kutner.&nbsp;

"But having construction underway has provided our buyers with resounding confidence backed by more than 40 years of development delivery by Central Equity combined with construction by one of Australia's most respected construction companies."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365785]

Central Equity is one of Australia's most experienced privately-owned property developers. Over more than four decades, the company has delivered in excess of 85 residential developments including 10,000 apartments and many thousands of stand alone homes.&nbsp;

Located on Garfield Terrace at Northcliffe, between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, Palmera Residences occupies one of the Gold Coast's most sought after beachside locations. The development has been designed to appeal to owner occupiers seeking premium residences that combine generous living spaces and resort style amenities.&nbsp;

Palmera Residences will feature an exceptional collection of resort style amenities, including two swimming pools: a generously sized family pool with safe shallow zones for relaxed recreation, and a 20 metre lap pool positioned to maximise all day sunlight.&nbsp;

Residents will also enjoy exclusive access to wellness and recreational facilities including a magnesium pool, sauna, yoga studio, expansive fitted gymnasium, resident lounge, outdoor BBQ’s&nbsp;and indoor and outdoor dining areas, together with a dedicated concierge and luxurious hotel inspired entrance foyer.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365767]

A unique feature at Palmera Residences has been designed to enhance the Gold Coast lifestyle which includes both indoor and outdoor gymnasium facilities, together with thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor dining and entertaining areas. A corner café has also been incorporated to provide residents with a destination for their everyday needs.&nbsp;

Kutner said buyer demand had been broad based with purchasers attracted from interstate as well as throughout South East Queensland.&nbsp;

"We're seeing strong interest from owner occupiers, lifestyle buyers and people relocating to the Gold Coast. Many purchasers have been searching for a premium beachside residence where quality, design and delivery are equally important."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365771]

Kutner said the sales milestone was an important achievement, but the focus remained firmly on delivering an exceptional development.&nbsp;

"While reaching $400 million in sales is an important milestone, our priority remains delivering a project that exceeds purchaser expectations,” he said.&nbsp;

"Palmera Residences has been designed to become one of the Gold Coast's landmark residential addresses, and we look forward to welcoming our purchasers to their new homes."&nbsp;

There are a limited number of residences remaining in selected configurations with pricing from $2,950,000 to $8,950,000. Palmera Residences is also crowned by expansive penthouses with wrap around views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108274]

Construction certainty and strong buyer demand drive major sales result for luxury Gold Coast development

Palmera Residences fly out the door as sales pass $400 million

National property developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/goldfields-group">Goldfields</a> has appointed BINAH as its construction partner for Quartet, its new Brisbane apartment development in the undersupplied suburb of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/milton-qld-4064">Milton</a>.

Located just two kilometres from the Brisbane CBD and moments from key 2032 Olympic precincts, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/quartet-milton-33-manning-street-milton-qld-4064">Quartet</a> will deliver 131 one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments priced from $1 million to $4.2 million, combining elevated design with a wellness-focused lifestyle offering.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=368000]

Goldfields’ Chief Executive Officer, Lachlan Thompson, said the appointment of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/binah-constructions">BINAH</a> marked an important milestone for the project.&nbsp;

“Bringing BINAH on board as our construction partner will allow us to bring our vision for Quartet forward with a team that has a proven track record of delivering high-quality residential projects,” Thompson said.&nbsp;

“We’ve taken a considered approach to progressing the site because we wanted to deliver the whole package. Buyers ultimately back great developers, great projects and great builders, and with Quartet, we’ve made sure all three line up.

“People want certainty, they want to know the project will be built, that the homes will be delivered as promised, and that the developer stands behind the quality of what they create. That’s something Goldfields has built its reputation on over many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367993]

BINAH’s Managing Director, Khalil Hafza, said the company was proud to be partnering with Goldfields to deliver Quartet.&nbsp;

“Quartet is an exciting project to bring to life, particularly given the level of detail in the residences and the extensive rooftop amenity planned for the building,” Mr Hafza said.&nbsp;

“Our focus is on delivering a high-quality build that brings that design vision to life and creates homes residents will enjoy for many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367999]

The facilities at Quartet have been feared towards the roof, with a&nbsp;25 metre lap pool, spa, sauna and cold plunge, and a communal barbecue area and alfresco.

Town planning was designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and brought to life by Melbourne-based architecture firm Cera Stribley.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/cera-stribley">Cera Stribley</a> Co-Founder and Managing Principal, Dom Cerantonio, said the project responds to both its riverside setting and Brisbane’s evolving urban character.&nbsp;

“Quartet has been designed to sit comfortably within its riverside context, offering a refined take on urban living through well-planned, generously proportioned residences that will stand the test of time,” Mr Cerantonio said.&nbsp;

“An emphasis on natural light, natural textures and carefully selected finishes from timber and marble to premium appliances, creates calm, considered interiors designed for comfort and long-term liveability.”&nbsp;

Construction of Quartet will commence in July 2026, with completion anticipated in Q4 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108736]

Construction to commence on 131-residence tower designed around wellness-focused living

Goldfields appoints BINAH for Quartet apartments in Milton

The first partnership between national developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis">Fortis</a> and Adelaide-based developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> has made a strong start, with the pair securing $21 million in unconditional sales at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-four-four-hutt-adelaide-144-hutt-street-adelaide-sa-5000">One Four Four Hutt</a>&nbsp;on the edge of the Adelaide CBD.

Over a third of apartments have been snapped up in the boutique 44-apartment project on the corner of Hutt Stret and Wakefield Road. Local downsizers and owner-occupiers wanting to remain in Adelaide's tightly-held southeast quarter have been the most prominent purchasers.

The DKO-designed, mixed-use development is one of the few new apartment projects in the precinct, an area where new housing supply has remained limited despite continued demand from buyers wanting to stay close to the CBD, Victoria Park and Adelaide's established east-end amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375378]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

"The level of early commitment reflects the confidence local buyers have in the Hutt Street precinct," Dendrinos said.

"Many purchasers are long-term east-end residents who love the area and want to stay connected to the neighbourhood. They recognise the value of a well-designed, well-located development.

"Our partnership with Otello has been central to this success, and the number of unconditional sales at this stage only strengthens our confidence in the South Australian market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375379]

Otello Director Daniel Harris said the sales result also highlighted the lack of new apartment opportunities within the Hutt Street precinct.

"One Four Four Hutt has clearly resonated with buyers, with strong early sales reflecting both the appeal of the Hutt Street corridor and the lifestyle on offer," Harris said.

"The activated ground-floor retail has also been a key drawcard, with purchasers responding to the vision of a more vibrant and connected streetscape, not just the residences themselves."

One Four Four Hutt will deliver 44 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a collection of penthouses, above a ground-floor retail offering designed to further activate the Hutt Street precinct.

Construction is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year, with completion anticipated in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151233]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

Fortis makes Adelaide debut with Otello as One Four Four Hutt records strong early sales

Fender Katsalidis

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Developer Riverlee is seeking to rework an approved commercial scheme within Docklands, in order to capitalise upon Melbourne's near rampant hotel sector.

The developer has released details regarding its intended project at 731-739 Flinders Street which encompasses the heritage Northbank Goods Shed. Under plans submitted this week, the approved plans for a commercial building straddling the goods shed will be dropped in favour of a mixed-use hotel and residential proposal.

Included in the new scheme are 180 hotel suites, which would further bolster the hotel pipeline along the Yarra. Four Points By Sheraton, PARKROYAL and Quest Newquay are at differing stages of development, with another hotel project at nearby Victoria Harbour also a possibility.

Opposite Northbank Goods Shed, Probuild are undertaking an expansion of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre which incorporates the construction of a 331-room hotel tower.

<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/riv_northbank_v01_across_river1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Riverlee have chosen Fender Katsalidis for North Wharf. Image: Riverlee"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="352" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/riv_northbank_v01_across_river1.jpg?itok=xINjgmkw" title="Riverlee have chosen Fender Katsalidis for North Wharf. Image: Riverlee" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Riverlee have chosen Fender Katsalidis for North Wharf. Image: Riverlee</figcaption></figure>Riverlee have installed Fender Katsalidis as project architect, with the hotel supplementing 250 intended apartments.

In line with original plans, landscape architects Oculus have been retained and are tasked with creating a new 3,500sqm public park that Riverlee expects will act as the missing connector between Docklands and the Yarra River’s north bank. As part of the intended works the onsite heritage listed crane will also be brought up to scratch with a complete restoration planned.

Retail and event spaces are envisaged within the restored Goods Shed. Creating a new waterfront promenade will see the refurbishment of the area's wharf, while a pontoon is optioned with an eye toward waterfront activation.

Riverlee's change of use for the project is underpinned by the aforementioned expansion of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the precinct playing host to a multitude of conferences and conventions. The subsequent undersupply of hotel suites has prompted the change of use; the state of the commercial leasing sector would have also been taken into consideration.

<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/nw03_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The superseded scheme. Image: Oculus"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/nw03_0.jpg?itok=_KBr7tUo" title="The superseded scheme. Image: Oculus" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The superseded scheme. Image: Oculus</figcaption></figure>The change of use is also expected to bring activity to the area around the clock, something that the 25,000sqm commercial scheme would have struggled to achieve.

How the intended public aspects of the building stack up relative to the initial scheme remain to be seen. With Oculus retained and Lovell Chen acting as Heritage Architects, the new scheme's public interface is difficult to judge based on the sole image released by Riverlee.

<blockquote>
Our plans include an extruded glass pavilion at the eastern end of the shed both to help preserve the heritage façade and hero it within the design, particularly at night when the façade will be lit from within the glass to create a beacon for night-time activity.

We’ve created a number of places to integrate and encourage interaction with these heritage elements, such as the former slipway which will be covered with glass inside the pavilion so people will be able to walk literally right on top of this unique piece of history
<cite>Karl Fender, managing principal architect, Fender Katsalidis</cite>
</blockquote>

What's established is the developer's existing work along the Yarra's north bank in the area. <a href="http://riverlee.com.au/projects/world-trade-centre">Riverlee refurbished more than 150 metres of water frontage</a> in the adjoining World Trade Centre complex, with the subsequent WTC Wharf retail zone completed during 2010.

Riverlee also initiated <a href="http://riverlee.com.au/projects/7-23-spencer-st">redevelopment of the former Melbourne Convention Centre</a> with the site now nearing demolition completion. In the interceding time, approval was obtained for a tri-towered residential complex onsite, with the site recently sold.
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silvermb

A reborn North Wharf adds to Melbourne's swelling hotel numbers

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Another of Melbourne's batch of sizeable apartment projects is closer to reality, with a construction tender now open for <a href="/buildings/queens-place-157-a-beckett-street-and-370-queen-street-melbourne">Queens Place</a> Tower 1. The tender process was initiated mid July with developer 3L Alliance expecting construction to begin toward the end of the year or early next year.

Queens Place is currently 81% sold. Consisting of dual residential towers spanning 246 metres in height, Queens Place is a joint design between firms Cox Architecture and Fender Katsalidis Architects, with Hecker Guthrie handling the interiors.

Fronting La Trobe Street and Queen Street, the $1 billion dollar project covers a 7,295sqm site and will include the retention of KTS House at 350 Queen Street, in addition to roughly 1,700 apartments spread over two towers.

<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/qppodium.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="An elevated perspective of the podium. Image: 3L Alliance"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/qppodium.jpg?itok=B0UpdEyG" title="An elevated perspective of the podium. Image: 3L Alliance" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>An elevated perspective of the podium. Image: 3L Alliance</figcaption></figure>The sheer size of both site and project has facilitated a design that includes a mass of services at ground level.

Shaping as a prime example of a vertical master-planned community, Queens Place joins the likes of West Side Place and Southbank's approved 93-119 Kavanagh Street in bringing a gamut of uses throughout its lower levels.

Queens Place will include a criss-cross network at ground level of public spaces, including a laneway running from La Trobe Street to A'Beckett Street.·A central public plaza will be surrounded by a supermarket, medical clinic, crèche, professional office space and shared facilities for a farmers market, outdoor cinema and/or art exhibitions.

Across its lower levels, Queens Place has been designed by the development team to enhance the way in which pedestrians interact with their surroundings. Currently the site is dominated by a single level car park that was built as an infill development a little over a decade ago.

<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/qplobby.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Queens Place's lobby. Image: 3L Alliance"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/qplobby.jpg?itok=21PI8o6C" title="Queens Place's lobby. Image: 3L Alliance" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Queens Place's lobby. Image: 3L Alliance</figcaption></figure>The twin-tower project is arguably a genuine master-planned community, albeit a vertical one.

Queens Place will sit in stark contrast to many of the contemporary apartment projects appearing through the northern reaches of Melbourne's CBD, which are located on smaller single tower sites, lacking the size capacity to incorporate extensive public features. City of Melbourne's Munro site shapes as the next project that will have a highly interactive and permeable public podium interface, with a 200 plus metre residential tower tipped to sit above.

On a wider note, Queens Place's construction start will likely coincide with those of <a href="/new-apartments/union-tower-296-300-little-lonsdale-street-melbourne">Union Tower</a>, <a href="/buildings/399-little-lonsdale-street-melbourne">399 Little Lonsdale Street</a> and Iglu's student accommodation project at <a href="/new-apartments/iglu-229-franklin-street-melbourne">229 Franklin Street</a>, providing the northern CBD with its next wave of construction activity.
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Construction beckons for Queens Place

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Box Hill continues its evolution into a high density activity centre with a fresh town planning application under assessment for a 30-storey residential tower at 820 Whitehorse Road, rising to a height of 99.78 metres.

Designed by Fender Katsalidis for Longriver Group, the proposal seeks to join a growing list of high rise residential towers in the area such as SkyOne (36-storeys / 122.8m) and <a href="/buildings/east-central-tower-820-whitehorse-road-box-hill">Whitehorse Towers</a> (36-storeys / 115m + 26-storeys / 83m). The site in question is currently occupied by a 3-storey office building.

<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/box_hill_towers.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="SkyOne and Whitehorse Towers. Images courtesy Golden Age Group and Peddle Thorp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="249" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/box_hill_towers.jpg?itok=OzeM_YKl" title="SkyOne and Whitehorse Towers. Images courtesy Golden Age Group and Peddle Thorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Whitehorse Towers and SkyOne. Images: Peddle Thorp and Golden Age Group</figcaption></figure>What is proposed begins with a grided timber podium with an overall height of 29.5 metres, to be built to the full extent of each boundary. Level 6 forms the rooftop of the podium and is dedicated in part to residential amenities such as a 60sqm pool with associated outdoor seating and landscaping, casual and formal dining spaces, theatre, gym and sauna/steam room.

The timber pergola aesthetic of the podium was first adopted on Republic Tower and subsequently employed in some form or another on other Fender Katsalidis-designed projects such as Fulton Lane, Australia 108, Melbourne Quarter and 16-22 Claremont Street.

The tower element, in contrast, features a concrete lattice wrap which recedes in density as the tower transitions upwards, further revealing the glazed skin underneath. The intended tower has three major setbacks creating a tiered silhouette on the skyline and the illusion of an erosion of tower form and shell.

The orthogonal nature of the building form and facade articulation also displays strong similarities to the ATO building diagonally opposite and a departure from the curvilinear forms of SkyOne and Whitehorse Towers.

<blockquote>
Being above the typical viewing cone of people passing by, the tower is conceived as more of an urban form. Whilst materiality and grain of the podium is heightened, by contrast that of the tower is reduced.

Recognising the prominence of the north western corner of the site, the building quarter in that location rises some metres higher than the other elements, thereby acknowledging that important view to Box Hill, and further articulating the skyline of the building. At the top of the building the southern elements step down to further accentuate the skyline articulation and to protect residential properties south of the building from overshadowing.

Within the broad structuring of that urban scale articulation is a filigree of smaller concrete elements wrapping themselves around the primarily glazed facade of the tower. That filigree is visually denser at the base of the tower, and becomes sparser and thinner as it climbs up the buildings. In doing so the materiality of the tower is responding to a key characteristic of the topography of this locale: the variegated skyline of the bounding ridges in Box Hill and north in Doncaster.

Those ridges can be perceived as having a visually dense base which at its skyline transforms to a lacework of leaves.
<cite>Fender Katsalidis Architectural Statement</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image5_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="An earlier iteration of 820 Whitehotrse. Image: Longriver"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="342" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image5_5.jpg?itok=V9xyoJ2R" title="An earlier iteration of 820 Whitehotrse. Image: Longriver" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>An earlier podium iteration of 820 Whitehorse Road. Image: Longriver</figcaption></figure>820 Whitehorse Road seeks to accommodate 301 apartments comprising 45 x 1 Bedroom, 249 x 2 Bedroom and 1 x 3 Bedroom apartments, in addition to 6 duplexes providing a degree of housing diversity although it could be argued that more 3 bedroom apartments should be considered.

There are 272 car spaces in total, contained predominantly within two basement levels and throughout the 5 level podium. Vehicular access to the car park is via Fairbank Lane which also includes a number of ancillary services along its frontage. There is also provision for 92 bicycle spaces within the development.

A retail wrap in the form of a 152sqm cafe and 66sqm alfresco dining area, and a 434sqm auto showroom seeks to activate Whitehorse Road and Young Street . The remaining podium levels contain a wrap of apartments, concealing podium car parking for the most part. These podium apartments all feature outdoor balconies providing the streets with a level of passive surveillance.

<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/820_whitehorse_road_dual.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="820 Whitehorse Road. Planning images: Fender Katsalidis "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="343" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/820_whitehorse_road_dual.jpg?itok=CfioIJ5f" title="820 Whitehorse Road. Planning images: Fender Katsalidis " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>820 Whitehorse Road. Planning images: Fender Katsalidis</figcaption></figure>Lodged with Whitehorse City Council during February 2016, the development team behind 820 Whitehorse Road includes:

<ul>
<li>Fender Katsalidis Architects: Architectural plans</li>
	<li>Ratio Consultants: Traffic Impact Assessment Report</li>
	<li>Urbis: Planning</li>
	<li>David Lock Associates: Urban Design Statement</li>
	<li>Wood and Grieve Engineers: Sustainable Management Plan</li>
	<li>Leigh Design Pty Ltd: Waste Management Plan</li>
	<li>MEL Consultants Pty Ltd: Wind Assessment Report</li>
	<li>Development site sale transaction handled by Savills in September 2015.</li>
</ul>
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Laurence Dragomir

A new order: 820 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill

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City of Melbourne's Future (Planning) Committee convened last week to consider the merits of the tri-tower residential development that forms part of developer Lend Lease's $1.9 billion Melbourne Quarter development fronting Collins Street. The Committee resolved to provide conditional support for the Fender Katsalidis-designed towers, with final approval from Planning Minister Richard Wynne likely to follow as the development does not overshadow Southbank and has its own planning controls in place.

This follows the Minister's approval of the first stage of Melbourne Quarter last month which features a commercial building of 25,000sqm and a 2,000sqm sky park to be built above Collins Street. Lend Lease secured engineering firm Arup for the building known as One Melbourne Quarter.

<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/skypark.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Skypark and One + Two Melbourne Quarter. Images: Lend Lease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="288" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/skypark.jpg?itok=2YxWz-hO" title="Skypark and One + Two Melbourne Quarter. Images: Lend Lease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Skypark and One + Two Melbourne Quarter. Images: Lend Lease</figcaption></figure>The proposal for the Flinders Street neighbourhood comprises two residential towers of 136 metres known as R1 and R2 and a shorter 58m building adjacent to the Batman’s Garden park. While Council are generally supportive of the height and form of the towers, which are in keeping with the approved development plan, there is a degree of concern that a uniform and singular visual expression will result in a greater visual dominance and mass on the skyline.

<blockquote>
While the general bulk, height, setbacks and scale of the proposed buildings are supported, there is concern about the uniform materials, in particular to R1 and R2. To limit the visual dominance of the two towers it is recommended that there be a greater differentiation between R1 and R2 through a combination of variations in height, podium / tower distinction, diversity of materials and varied upper level setbacks  
<cite>Future Melbourne Committee Report</cite>
</blockquote>

As per the recommendations of the report a variation in height and facade articulation and materiality looks to be a likely outcome. Further to this the applicants have been asked to provide additional 3D renders and 1:50 detailed elevations for the lower sections of the towers to ensure that the buildings are designed with an active and engaging interface with the public realm. 

The towers feature a diverse mix of housing options with a total of 595 x 1 bedroom, 1014 x 2 bedroom, 27 x 3 bedroom apartments and 6 x studio apartments. Despite this, council have also raised concerns about the layouts of some apartments and the quality of amenity to them, namely  borrowed light to the certain studio apartments and ‘saddlebag’ bedrooms.

<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/image29_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Render and plan for Melbourne Quarter's residential emelent. Image: Lend Lease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="282" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image29_4.jpg?itok=xk1ibpRm" title="Render and plan for Melbourne Quarter's residential emelent. Image: Lend Lease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Render and plan for Melbourne Quarter's residential emelent. Image: Lend Lease</figcaption></figure>Meanwhile, rumours abound that Lend Lease are also in negotiations with hotel operator W Hotels for the Melbourne Quarter site. 

Should a hotel eventuate within Melbourne Quarter it would also add further diversity to the precinct. Melbourne Quarter would be the third (known) site investigated by W Hotels after previously considering the Savoy site at 134-160 Spencer Street and the failed development on the site of the Palace Theatre.

Construction on the Melbourne Quarter development is expected to begin in earnest later this year, beginning with One Melbourne Quarter and the Skypark. The next stage, construction of C2 / Two Melbourne Quarter, the North-South Link and the City Room, are expected to be lodged soon following pre-application meetings.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_2181.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Lend Lease on the move on Collins Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_2181.jpg?itok=oSdTRPmb" title="Lend Lease on the move on Collins Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lend Lease on the move on Collins Street</figcaption></figure>Melbourne Quarter's emergence follows on from Lend Lease's successful residential cluster further west along Collins Street. 888 Collins Street is the area's tallest building and has seen its final facade elements added whilst the sizeable 839-889 Collins Street has made rapid progress dureing the early stages of 2016.

Combined these two projects contain in excess of 1,300 apartments, with Melbourne Quarter likely to yield another 1,600 dwellings.
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Lend Lease's Melbourne Quarter granted City of Melbourne support

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While they may be differing segments of the market, the demand for both pedigree owner-occupied apartments and short stay accommodation in Melbourne is excessively strong at the moment. Enter Melbourne developer Ubertas who have in recent times unveiled plans to capitalise upon both.

Headed by Albert Dadon AM, Ubertas has released for sale a collection of prestige residences at its distinctive 505 St Kilda Road complex, while also preparing to deliver a tower within Melbourne's CBD.

Urban.com.au paid a recent visit to 505 St Kilda Road; the work of Fender Katsalidis, the tower is defined by its asymmetric front and rear and exceptional position overlooking Fawkner Park. Capital Property Marketing founder Bryce Patterson was on hand to provide a guided tour through the tower, highlighting the unique features which define 505 St Kilda Road.

Dubbed the Ubertas Private Collection and held by the developer to this point, the release of in excess of 20 premium 2 and 3 bedroom residences is expected to in part absorb the currently strong demand for high end residences in the Melbourne apartment market.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_0071.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Inside one of the oversized apartments on offer"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_0071.jpg?itok=8pdkWsUR" title="Inside one of the oversized apartments on offer" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Inside one of the oversized apartments on offer</figcaption></figure>Spaced between 130sqm and 400sqm, the Ubertas Private Collection are considerably more expansive than the average Melbourne 2 and 3 bedroom apartment, yet are available from a relatively modest $1 million. The largest residence will set a prospective buyer back a cool $4.3 million.

With Ubertas sensing that market demand for premier apartments is at a high point, the Ubertas Private Collection were released with the intention of allowing prospective buyers to move in immediately, in turn maintaining an advantage over rival developments which are in many cases some years away from completion.

Features include the aforementioned larger floor plans and expansive views in addition to a porte corcherè and on call building concierge. In addition Melbourne-based interior design office Fiona Lynch has gone about reworking the Ubertas Private Collection with interiors now featuring marble, timber and plush upholstery finishes.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_0070_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The highly distinctive 505 foyer"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_0070_0.jpg?itok=RziFd6XX" title="The highly distinctive 505 foyer" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The highly distinctive 505 foyer</figcaption></figure>The release of the Ubertas Private Collection coincides with the developer firming plans to proceed with 360 William Street. With Melbourne's hotel and serviced apartment sector running hot, the 22 level tower will be positioned in order to capitalise upon the currently robust demand for short stay accommodation.

Designed by Fender Katsalidis as a sister building to 350 William Street which maintains Oaks Hotels &amp; Resorts as an incumbent, the new build fronting Flagstaff Gardens can expect approximately 240 suites. If all of 360 William Street were to be dedicated to hotel or serviced apartments, this would more than double Ubertas' efforts in creating short term Melbourne accommodation suites given 350 William Street holds 220 4.5 star serviced apartments.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image246_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Fender Katsalidis' impression of 360 William Street."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="554" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image246_0.jpg?itok=2FpCbgIL" title="Fender Katsalidis' impression of 360 William Street." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Fender Katsalidis' impression of 360 William Street.</figcaption></figure>Albert Dadon has also overseen the delivery of Blue Basement, a jazz venue located at the base of 350 William Street which is now open to the public. Designed by Mills Gorman Architecture, the new 200 seat venue ties together Albert Dadon's two great public pursuits; property and live music.
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Ubertas pounces upon two Melbourne markets in high demand

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Subsequent to an earlier article which <a href="/news/moonee-ponds-on-the-up-and-up">highlighted the first phase</a> of the massive and long overdue redevelopment of the former Readings site in Moonee Ponds, further plans are now available which detail the second and more substantial portion, of what will constitute stage one of the overall development.

While <a href="/buildings/margaret-st-7-aspen-street-moonee-ponds">34-36 Margaret Street</a> is well advanced with preliminary marketing material circulating throughout the industry, the wraps can be taken off 40 Hall Street which envisages two apartment towers with the tallest reaching 22 levels.

Stage one of the development has the capacity to deliver 626 apartments on the site which sits between multiple transport nodes.

<h2>34-36 Margaret Street and 40 Hall Street</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_6580.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hero perspective from Hall Street. Image courtesy Caydon"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="644" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_6580.jpg?itok=t0b_EXOt" title="Hero perspective from Hall Street. Image courtesy Caydon" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Hero perspective of the Hall Street aspect. Image courtesy Caydon</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Site area: 7,979.6sqm (60% of the Readings site)</li>
	<li>6, 13, 16 and 22 level residential buildings</li>
	<li>Heights ranging between 18.6 and 67.9 metres</li>
	<li>626 apartments: 385 x 1BR, 240 x 2BR, 1 x 3BR</li>
	<li>1,044sqm of retail space over six double height tenancies</li>
	<li>3 basement levels holding 551 vehicles and 226 bicycles</li>
	<li>Extensive landscaping includes a new civic plaza, green podium treatment and rooftop gardens</li>
</ul>
<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_6578.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Moonee Ponds Market's expected yield. Image courtesy Caydon"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="313" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_6578.jpg?itok=V5HVKMCZ" title="Moonee Ponds Market's expected yield. Image courtesy Caydon" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Moonee Ponds Market's expected yield. Image courtesy Caydon</figcaption></figure>The graphic above demonstrates the sections of the site that will be split over the staged development. Margaret Street and Hall Street will be activated via Stage1, with the balance of the site which fronts both Homer Street and Everage Street set for future attention.

A civic plaza is slated for the mid regions of the site, acting as a linking space to surrounding streets.

<blockquote>
The plaza will be characterised by strong spatial containment punctuated by advanced tree planting. The paving design provides a way to transition between the language of Hal Street paving (by Council) and the language of the plaza, which will be made from sampling the diverse and textured materials that can be seen within the Moonee Ponds site.
<cite>Oculus statement, landscape report</cite>
</blockquote>

Glass, timber, metal, concrete and brick finishes will define the building exteriors.

The overall layout depicted above is generally in line with a <a href="http://www.plusarchitecture.com.au/portfolio/monee-ponds-masterplan/">Plus Architecture-conceived masterplan</a> for the entire site. While indicative heights have been given for three of the four future buildings, it remains to be seen what will materialise at the north east corner of the site, with previous concept plans indicating 30 levels of apartments living is not out of the question.

<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/image29_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A comparison of old and new. Images courtesy Caydon and Plus Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="296" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image29_2.jpg?itok=BPhVbmOQ" title="A comparison of old and new. Images courtesy Caydon and Plus Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A comparison of old and new. Images courtesy Caydon and Plus Architecture</figcaption></figure>Caydon have rapidly advanced plans for the prime site after revealing they were the buyer of the 1.34­ha parcel during April of this year. Leighton Properties and project partner Qualitas had held the site until the sale, submitting plans for a Plus Architecture-designed 16 level residential tower (above right) that subsequently gained planning approval.

Caydon have of late used Fender Katsalidis to design their upcoming batch of projects, with the Margaret Street and Hall Street designs no exception.

<h2>Hall and Margaret Street planning application team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Caydon</li>
	<li>Architecture: Caydon (with Fender Katsalidis)</li>
	<li>Planning: Urbis</li>
	<li>Landscaping: Oculus</li>
	<li>Traffic: GTA Consultants</li>
	<li>Wind: Vipac</li>
	<li>Waste: Leigh Design</li>
</ul>
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Moonee Ponds in the market for some high-rise activity

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Gone is the 26 level proposal for Heidelberg which stirred local resentment earlier in the year, with a new scheme in place that developer Caydon hopes will receive the green light. Gone too are initial architects Peddle Thorp, with Fender Katsalidis installed to deliver an altogether different proposal.

Shorter in stature and gaining a handful of apartments over the initial proposal, Fender Katsalidis have endeavoured to bring a heightened level of architectural flair to 443 Upper Heidelberg Road. Heavily curved with multiple setbacks and an articulated podium, Fender Katsalidis continue their run of projects for Caydon which has also seen the firm create apartment schemes in both <a href="/buildings/the-malt-district-154-cremorne-street-cremorne">Cremorne</a> and <a href="/buildings/margaret-st-7-aspen-street-moonee-ponds">Moonee Ponds</a> for the developer.

Submitted prior to Christmas last year, the proposal is set to come to a head during October with VCAT to hear from relevant parties on the merits of the project.

<h2>443 Upper Heidelberg Road application summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image91_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Fender Katsalidis' new take on Heidelberg"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="389" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image91_0.jpg?itok=c3rBXijd" title="Fender Katsalidis' new take on Heidelberg" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Fender Katsalidis' new take on Heidelberg</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Site area: 3,360sqm</li>
	<li>Proposed 16 level residential tower (previously 26 levels)</li>
	<li>54.8 metres in height</li>
	<li>269 apartments (previously 258)</li>
	<li>126 x 1BR / 89 x 2BR / 3 x 3BR</li>
	<li>51 serviced apartments (no change)</li>
	<li>2,208sqm office space &amp; 713sqm retail space</li>
	<li>GFA: 36,756sqm</li>
	<li>296 car spaces &amp; 156 bicycles over four basement levels</li>
</ul>
<h2>Design changes</h2>

The total redesign of 443 Upper Heidelberg Road has led to ten fewer levels as opposed to the initial Peddle Thorp design. While the tower has been shortened, the podium has been bulked up which has effectively covered for and expanded upon the initial number of apartments envisaged for the project.

The lower levels have seen a redistribution of retail tenancies which now facing Bell Street, with the layout of intended office tenancies also adjusted. Residential facilities and an external pool have been moved upwards in line with the expanded podium, while expected residential facilities atop the tower have been scrapped.

As opposed to a solid rectangular design, the oval-shaped tower element now consists of two interlocking elements while lower levels now feature planter boxes to all frontages.

<h2>VCAT bound</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image24_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Peddle Thorp's initial scheme for the Heidelberg site will not proceed"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="364" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image24_2.jpg?itok=Yr2yDM7p" title="Peddle Thorp's initial scheme for the Heidelberg site will not proceed" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Peddle Thorp's initial scheme for the Heidelberg site will not proceed</figcaption></figure>Banyule City Council had upon inspecting the initial plans identified a number of issues with the proposal. Building design and scale, landscaping and tree retention, car/bicycle parking, access and layout, future residential amenity of some apartments plus the strain placed upon the surrounding road network were considered key sticking points.

Consequently an application for review was lodged with VCAT during June, with the revised plans circulated on 21st August. Mid October shapes as the key juncture in proceedings with a VCAT date set to determine the merits of the reworked 443 Upper Heidelberg Road.
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443 Upper Heidelberg Road reborn

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Further light can now be shed on the proposed 'Queens Place' development which is expected to eventually consume a sizeable and underutilised CBD corner site. Developer 3L Alliance has found a new home within the existing 350 Queen Street office complex onsite, that will eventually be flanked by dual high-rise residential towers.

With a nominal value of $750 million, the project will see an expansive five level podium topped with two towers terminating at 246 metres in height. Having only purchased the site during late 2014, 3L Alliance instated Cox Architecture and Fender Katsalidis as joint project architects following a limited design competition.

The sheer size of the development will likely see the residential towers delivered over two stages, with the current planning application seeking approval for Towers 1 and 2, with Tower 2's building envelope subject to further detailed development plans which will be provided by the development team for assessment at a future point.

Aviation exclusion zones has seen a separate Stage 1 plan for a 206 metre tower included, although for all intents and purposes the planning application focuses almost exclusively upon the dual 246 metre design.

<h2>350 Queen Street application summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image60a.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="350 Queen Street aspects. Image courtesy COX &amp; FKA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="398" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image60a.jpg?itok=YdSZwfYA" title="350 Queen Street aspects. Image courtesy COX &amp; FKA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>350 Queen Street aspects. Image courtesy COX &amp; FKA</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Planning application lodged April 2015</li>
	<li>Site area: 7,295sqm with existing 20L office complex retained, other structures to be demolished</li>
	<li>Application seeks full approval for Stage 1 and envelope approval for Stage 2</li>
	<li>Dual 79 level residential towers at 246.23 metres envisaged, with secondary Stage1 design of 206 metres included (non-OLS incursion)</li>
	<li>Total GFA sought: 176,217sqm</li>
	<li>554 car parking &amp; 603 bicycle spaces (154 bay commercial car park included within basement)</li>
	<li>1,925sqm of retail space and 120-space child care facility</li>
	<li>Strata offices suites between 174sqm and 647sqm</li>
	<li>Stage 1 apartment total: 864</li>
	<li>Amenities: Pools/spas, gym, saunas, home theatre, kitchen/lounge, yoga studio, karaoke area</li>
</ul>
<h2>COX and FK on 350 Queen Street</h2>

<blockquote>
‘Queens Place’ is a compelling opportunity to re-engage the site at 350 Queen St into the precinct. Using a finer grain of public connections and amenity paired with taller elements of urbane city proportions; the site is redefined to offer Melbourne’s CBD an activated, connected and enlivened precinct.

The design process has given rise to a concept that enriches the ground plane with new connections and an enhanced public realm within the Queen Victoria Market Precinct. In the podium, a variety of uses such as retail, childcare and commercial suites provide activation to the critical ‘first 25m’.

Atop the podium are positioned two towers, shaped and sculpted by design drivers from within and around the site. They step as they ascend, forming a dynamic pairing on Melbourne’s continuously evolving skyline. At both the ground plane and in the sky, this development has real potential to enliven and enrich the liveability and character of Melbourne’s CBD.
<cite>Cox Architecture and Fender Katsalidis, architectural report</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>Overs and unders: OLS / PANS-OPS a consideration</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image57_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="OLS Diagram. Image courtesy COX &amp; FKA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="303" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image57_2.jpg?itok=f5I03ufG" title="OLS Diagram. Image courtesy COX &amp; FKA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>OLS Diagram. Image courtesy COX &amp; FKA</figcaption></figure><a href="/news/aviation-impact-on-building-development-in-the-melbourne-cbd">Obstacle Limitation Surface</a> (OLS) exclusion zones have been taken into account within the 350 Queen Street planning documents. OLS is essentially a series of height limits for objects surrounding a particular aerodrome, with Essendon Airport the major consideration.

As the preferred 246 metre outcome would breach the OLS ceiling of 228.5 metres, an alternative scheme of 206 metres has been included within the planning documents for comparisons sake (and for approval should the 246 metre version fail). While various CBD towers already penetrate the OLS ceiling, including the nearby Aurora Melbourne Central, they do not penetrate the more rigid PAN-OPS ceiling.

350 Queen Street is no exception in this regard with the development team citing constructability and PAN-OPS limitations as halting their advance skyward.

<h2>The first 25</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image59_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression from Queen and A'Beckett. Image courtesy COX &amp; FKA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="266" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image59_0.jpg?itok=1hA3XQuO" title="Artist's impression from Queen and A'Beckett. Image courtesy COX &amp; FKA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist's impression from Queen and A'Beckett. Image courtesy COX &amp; FKA</figcaption></figure>Numerous references have been made to 'The first 25 metres' within the planning documents, alluding to the weight placed upon creating a dynamic podium structure.

<blockquote>
The importance of the first 25m to the human experience at ground level and contribution to the City’s fabric is crucial. Queens Place makes a clear separation between tower and podium, providing a highly detailed vibrant base and a calm simple tower above.

Rather than treat the public space as the space left over from the development, the design team approached the task from the opposite direction, designing the public realm first responding to existing conditions, through site connections and solar access and then placed the buildings around this space.
<cite>Cox Architecture and Fender Katsalidis, architectural report</cite>
</blockquote>

The result is a highly articulated podium both externally and internally, with a large covered central plaza included at the heart of the project. Transparent glazing wraps ground level frontages while site entry points are discerned with distinctive bamboo plantings which supplements hanging greenery over the podium structure.

The curved podium is veiled with operable, contoured timber louvres which respond to prevailing weather conditions.

<h2>Two towers</h2>

Both Melbourne City Council and the The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning have been consulted with regard to the size and nature of the proposed development. Based upon the joint discussions a twin tower outcome was considered most appropriate for 350 Queen Street.

Setbacks and tower separation has been considered, with a distance of between 15 and 33 metres representing the void between both buildings while a boundary setback of at least 4.5 metres are present above the podium.

The towers present in a clean and simple form, and this has been continued over the plant levels atop each structure. Described as a 'visual flourish' within the architecture report, the crown of each tower has been integrated into the tower form and will be glazed in bronze finishes thus providing a focal point from many surrounding angles.

<h2>350 Queen Street development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: 3L Alliance Pty Ltd</li>
	<li>Architecture, Urban Context Report: Cox Architects and Fender Katsalidis Architects</li>
	<li>Planning: Urbis</li>
	<li>Project Manager: Gallagher Jeffs</li>
	<li>Aviation Report: Airport Consultancy Group Pty Ltd</li>
	<li>Traffic Engineering: GTA Consultants</li>
	<li>Landscaping: Rush\Wright Associates</li>
	<li>Wind Assessment: Mel Consultants</li>
	<li>Heritage Assessment: prepared by Lovell Chen</li>
	<li>Sustainability, Lifts and Services: Aurecon</li>
	<li>Waste Management Plan: Leigh Design</li>
	<li>Geotechnical Report: Golder Associates</li>
	<li>Building Surveyor: McKenzie Group</li>
	<li>Structural Report: WSP Group</li>
	<li>Land Surveyor: Bosco Johnson</li>
</ul>
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3L Alliance pushes for twin 246 metre towers at 350 Queen Street

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Recently Apartments.com.au was invited to inspect the display suite for <a href="http://www.palmerstreetjaques.com.au">Palmer St</a>, the third and final stage of Riverside Group's Jaques development in Richmond. Located just three kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, the site was was once occupied by the renowned Jaques factory.

Founded in 1885 by Edward Jaques who along with his family fled Revolutionary France, his company produced rock crushers for quarries, a specialty in which Jaques would become world leaders with their Palmer Street Plant in Richmond. Jaques machines are still an integral part of the mining and quarry industries with Melbourne’s City Loop employing Jaques burrowing machines to dig its tunnels.

The Richmond plant was eventually sold in 1997 when the company relocated to Clayton South, and it's the site's rich industrial heritage that served as the context for the design of Jaques development.

Designed by Fender Katsalidis as per earlier stages, Palmer St features 56 boutique apartments across a 6-storey wedge-shaped building. A signature café/restaurant of approximately 200sqm will be located on the ground floor at the pointed edge of its wedge-shaped base, while a gym on level one for exclusive use by Palmer St residents will add further to the overall activity created by the development.

The building's exterior is contemporary in design, providing a contrasting counterpoint to the red brick built form of the former factory. It aims to achieve a "lightness of presence" primarily through its articulated glazed façade and tapered footprint.

Although contemporary in nature, Palmer St has been designed to partner with the more industrial referenced Stages 1 and 2, through the application of robust copper panels, white polished pre-cast frame, metal features and copper framing. These have been used in a restrained way to enrich the building and compliment the red brick of the remnants of the factory facades.

<blockquote>
We wanted to create beautiful architecture without alienating the neighbourhood. We’ve worked hard to make Palmer St something the community will love. We wanted to create architecture that while referencing the heritage of the site, is also primarily very contemporary.
<cite>Karl Fender, FKA</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/jacques_stage_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Stage 2 currently under construction. © Riverside Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="324" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/jacques_stage_2.jpg?itok=Be1xJo5s" title="Stage 2 currently under construction. © Riverside Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Stage 2 currently under construction. © Riverside Group</figcaption></figure>The currently under construction Stage 2 features a mix of 229 apartments spread across two buildings; the 10-storey 5 Tonne Apartments, and the 6-storey Iron Works Building. This followed hot off the heels of the success of Stage 1's 126 apartments and townhouses, completed in 2013.

The success of the project is largely attributed to the building’s floor plans which have been designed to appeal to locals that expect and appreciate quality, with 80% of the 300 sales in the Jaques development to date being local buyers the majority of which hail from within a 5-7km radius. Further to this 75% of all purchases have been made by owner-occupiers.

<blockquote>
Richmond is emerging as a top market for empty nesters and downsizers who require luxurious, quality larger format apartments when they sell the family home and want to move closer to the city.

We have limited the number of apartments per floor in order to create larger residences that will meet the needs of owner occupiers. The premium level of finish aims to appeal to buyers who don’t want to compromise – whether they are upgrading their life and home, or downsizing from the family home.
<cite>Kristine Lee, Riverside Group sales and marketing director</cite>
</blockquote>

Apartment layouts feature bedrooms separated by living areas for improved privacy and to provide a lifestyle more akin to a home than an apartment. A linen press, coat cupboard, imported Italian double wardrobes and walk-in-robes provide extensive storage, which the design team has noted as being a valuable selling point.

Flexibility of use has also been provided for in some apartments, where a room accessed by a sliding door can be sectioned off for a bedroom or opened to further enlarge generous living areas. A number of studies have been designed as big enough to fit a single bed in, aimed at empty nesters as an extra option when the grandchildren come to stay.

<blockquote>
The inspiration came from thinking about how people really live in apartments. We wanted it to feel chic but casual, stylish yet understated. The application of colour blocking has been used in the kitchens and bathrooms and gives the interiors some edge. It is the fundamental blend of beauty and functionality, which makes for easy living.
<cite>Samantha Eades, interior designer</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/internal_living.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Apartment interior. © Riverside Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="292" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/internal_living.jpg?itok=gDy2WaFP" title="Apartment interior. © Riverside Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Apartment interior. © Riverside Group</figcaption></figure>Palmer St is expected to begin construction in July of this year with completion scheduled to coincide with Stage 2 in August 2016.

An assortment of photos of the completed first stage and the under construction Stage 2 can be viewed below.
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Palmer St - The final stage of Jaques Richmond

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Haig Street continues to prove popular with developers, with the latest application in the area seeking permission for a substantial residential tower against the West Gate Freeway. Sunvale Development is behind the proposal which would see a 170 metre structure replace what is for the most an open air car park.

Perhaps in a sign that Sunvale Development intends to proceed with the project should planning approval be gained, construction firm Built has been nominated within the planning documents as an early project team member.

<h2>65-71 Haig Street, Southbank application summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image119.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="65-71 Haig Street, Southbank. Image © Fender Katsalidis"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="883" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image119.jpg?itok=fSYPkGAH" title="65-71 Haig Street, Southbank. Image © Fender Katsalidis" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>65-71 Haig Street, Southbank. Image © Fender Katsalidis</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Lodged October 2014, updated February 2015</li>
	<li>Current site use: double storey commercial building and vacant at grade car park</li>
	<li>Proposed 55 storey tower @ 169.2m</li>
	<li>361 apartments: 134*1BR, 227*2BR</li>
	<li>376sqm resident common area atop the podium</li>
	<li>118sqm retail space fronting Haig Street</li>
	<li>93 car park allocation via stackers plus 268 bicycle spaces</li>
	<li>GFA: 32,262.7sqm</li>
</ul>
<h2>On the design</h2>

<blockquote>
The design of the proposed development has evolved through an iterative process and responds to the opportunities and constrains identified through investigation of site, urban context and planning context. The development supports and shares the objectives identified in the Southbank Structure Plan 2010 in shaping the suburb with attractive, connected and livable places.

The tower form has been sculpted to appear as a slender form - in particular when viewed from along the West Gate Freeway. The proposed tower height is set at 169.2 metres which is comparable to the heights of neighbouring proposed and approved buildings.
<cite>Fender Katsalidis - Urban Context Report</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>Apartment breakdown</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image123.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Saddle back apartment layouts. Image © Fender Katsalidis"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="290" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image123.jpg?itok=fl1pH3t_" title="Saddle back apartment layouts. Image © Fender Katsalidis" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Saddle back apartment layouts. Image © Fender Katsalidis</figcaption></figure>Split between one and two bedroom apartment options, 65-71 Haig Street's living areas begin within the podium where they provide an active frontage to Haig Street. Beyond the podium a mostly generic floor plan is employed which sees a typical floor carry 5 two bedroom and 2 one bedroom apartments, with balconies designed into a solitary two bedroom dwelling.

According to planning documents the 134 single bedroom apartments sum to 6,334.4sqm which equates to an average area of 47.3sqm per apartment. With a total of 14,917.6sqm between all dual bedroom dwellings, the average sees 65.7sqm allocated to each dual bedroom apartment within the proposal.

<h2>Up against it</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image122.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="65-71 Haig Street and surrounding developments. Image © Fender Katsalidis"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="290" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image122.jpg?itok=6zMoFvo6" title="65-71 Haig Street and surrounding developments. Image © Fender Katsalidis" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>65-71 Haig Street and surrounding developments. Image © Fender Katsalidis</figcaption></figure>65-71 Haig Street is not alone in seeking a piece of the Southbank apartment sector with three projects in the immediate vicinity also yet to be realised. <a href="/news/334-344-city-road-revised-in-order-to-address-planning-concerns">334-344 City Road </a>at 190 metres is the tallest proposal in the Haig Street pocket and also fronts the West Gate Freeway, while <a href="/news/57-haig-street-seeks-extra-height">57 Haig Street</a> is also at planning. A forthcoming Meydan Group project, 57 Haig Street has been resubmitted in order to increase in height to 155 metres.

Yet to be seen is 61-63 Haig Street which in the Fender Katsalidis Urban Context Report is listed as approved. <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/business/property/southbank-site-sold-for-75m-20140624-3ar6q">Reportedly</a> bought by Melbourne-based Blue Earth Group during 2014, the only imagery for the 865sqm site looks to be <a href="http://chtarchitects.com.au/projects-3/multiresidential/haig-street-southbank/">CHT's proposal</a> for a Haig Street residential tower, although this is not a firm indicator of the project. Regardless a distance of 10 metres is shown to separate 61-63 Haig Street 65-71 Haig Street's apartments.

<h2>Comment</h2>

65-71 Haig Street conjures parallels to New York's United Nations Headquarters by way of sheer precast elements running the height of the tower. Some will consider this strong design while others will think it altogether very simple… or worse.

One can only assume Fender Katsalidis have designed the above proposal to meet the brief delivered by the developer; for a firm with such a rich history in producing exceptional design outcomes 65-71 Haig Street is run-of-the-mill.

<h2>65-71 Haig Street, Southbank development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Sunvale Development</li>
	<li>Development manager: Loi Projects</li>
	<li>Architect: Fender Katsalidis Architects</li>
	<li>Early contractor: Built</li>
	<li>ESD &amp; Building Services: Cundall</li>
	<li>Planning: URBIS</li>
	<li>Structural Engineer: 4D Workshop</li>
	<li>Traffic Engineering: Traffix Group</li>
	<li>Waste Management: Leigh Design</li>
	<li>Wind Assessment: MEL Consultants</li>
</ul>
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