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

Joel Robinson

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

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

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

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

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

The Gold Coast Planning Committee has supported the preliminary approval for the Benowa Gardens Urban Village project following an extensive community consultation and assessment process.

The proposal will now proceed to a full council vote on June 2.

The application sought approval for a masterplanned urban village on the existing Benowa Gardens Shopping Centre site, combining new housing, retail, dining, health and lifestyle amenities within a walkable, integrated precinct.&nbsp;

The proposed redevelopment includes around 413 apartments integrated above a revitalised mixed-use centre featuring a full-line supermarket of 4,000 sqm, 6,000 sqm of specialty retail and dining space across around 30 retailers, a 7,000 sqm health and wellness precinct, and roughly 9,630 sqm of office and medical suites.&nbsp;

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fb36ae47-80bc-45f0-9914-31b0c7b6007d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C4%201121%20FI.jpg?VersionId=6mRKk2uU4r67TmTt39DKGUlvFRbTVqWa" />

The broader masterplan also includes very significant traffic and transport improvements, wide pedestrian walkways, upgraded pedestrian and cycle connections, and enhanced public areas designed to create a more connected and walkable community environment.&nbsp;

Centre owner Patrick Lu said the milestone reflected months of detailed planning, technical assessment and ongoing communication with local residents, businesses, schools and stakeholders.

“We appreciate the time, consideration and care Council officers and the Planning Committee have given this proposal throughout the assessment process,” Lu said.

“We also sincerely thank the local community for engaging with us, sharing feedback and participating in the consultation process over many months.

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="32fd1fc3-d0e6-485f-ac57-9916c9bcb818" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C5%201121%20FI_2.jpg?VersionId=fz8qQKDBLQ7MyFRc856Zccfbh9nFwLOe" />

“We understand projects of this scale bring questions and concerns, which is why we have worked hard to listen carefully, provide information transparently and continue refining elements of the proposal where possible.

“Our vision has always been to create a well-designed, community-focused urban village that responds to the changing needs of the Gold Coast, while delivering improved amenity, housing diversity, healthcare access and local lifestyle benefits.

“This proposal is about creating a genuine live-work-play environment where residents can access everyday services, schools, healthcare, dining, shopping and green space within walking distance, while also supporting local jobs and economic activity.”

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="50dfbd04-590e-4fc6-983b-766880947867" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Dining%20Day%20Time%20-%20High%20Resolution.jpg?VersionId=BP7ZoKJ0DdL_8iRkkC8VVx99moICV6kg" />

Lu said the proposal had evolved significantly through consultation and technical review, particularly around traffic, pedestrian and student safety and neighbourhood connectivity.&nbsp;

Melissa Griffin, Director at Urbis, said the recommendation recognised the strategic importance of delivering more housing and services within established urban areas already supported by infrastructure.

“This proposal represents the type of thoughtful, integrated growth that planning frameworks across South-East Queensland are encouraging,” Ms Griffin said.

“The project seeks to place housing, retail, healthcare and employment opportunities together in a highly accessible location close to schools, transport and existing services.

“Importantly, the process has involved significant technical assessment and community engagement to ensure local issues and feedback were properly considered throughout the planning pathway.”

$1 billion Benowa Gardens Urban Village heads to council vote following Planning Committee support

Surfers Paradise is officially set for its first new residential development with a 45-storey skybridge connecting the two towers.

John Camilleri’s Celestino Developments has been given the green light by the Gold Coast City Council to develop its major beachfront precinct across its huge 4,000 sqm oceanfront site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/63-79-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">63–79 Garfield Terrace</a>, just five months after its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-billionaire-winx-breeder-s-bold-two-tower-surfers-paradise-play-with-45th-storey-skybridge">submission in late 2025</a>.

The approved scheme will deliver two towers rising 55 and 48 storeys, connected by a skybridge positioned on level 45 that will house a range of resident-only wellness and entertainment spaces.

In its notice of approval, the Gold Coast City Council said the&nbsp;proposed overall built form has been designed to complement the scale, intensity and protect the adjacent amenity and surrounding streets through the use of varied setbacks, site cover and architectural elements.

<img alt="First look exclusive: Billionaire Winx breeder’s bold two-tower Surfers Paradise play with 45th-storey skybridge" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-30%20at%209.53.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=ADyPJ_TFbJvSU9wZFOiCBnlPtgF7VWqW" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dbi">DBI</a>, the development will comprise 275 apartments across the two towers, including a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences, as well as several penthouses. The apartments will sit above a landscaped podium featuring more than 90 metres of beachfront pool frontage, private resident lawns, lounges, and wellness spaces.

DBI said the design draws heavily from the movement and form of the coastal environment, with curving balcony lines and sculpted façades intended to soften the scale of the towers while maximising ocean outlooks and passive shading outcomes.

“The project occupies a rare, uninterrupted oceanfront site and has been shaped by a design philosophy that merges architectural elegance with environmental responsiveness and a carefully curated lifestyle experience,” DBI said in planning documents submitted to the Gold Coast City Council.

The most distinctive element of the approved project is the skybridge linking the two towers at level 45. The elevated communal space is planned to include executive lounges, formal dining areas, wellness facilities, and panoramic ocean-facing outlooks.

“The skybridge enhances the identity of the development, promotes social interaction, and delivers a lifestyle experience not found elsewhere on the Gold Coast,” DBI said.

At podium level, residents will have access to a suite of resort-style amenities, including resident lounges, private dining rooms, a yoga lawn, gymnasium, plunge pools, and treatment spaces. The beachfront pool has been designed with separate lap, lounge, and children’s areas extending across the width of the site.

The project will also introduce new food and beverage offerings along the Enderley Avenue and Oceanway frontages, contributing additional activation to the beachfront precinct.

First look: Winx billionaire’s beachfront Surfers Paradise apartment development greenlit

Footscray

The brief for <a href="/buildings/cowper-residences-footscray-34-cowper-street-footscray">Cowper Residences</a> in <a href="/developments/footscray-vic-3011">Footscray</a> was straightforward enough: a residential community of around 400 homes, designed for enduring value and built to last using high-quality materials.

The triangular Cowper Street site however presented multiple challenges along with extraordinary opportunities.

Toby Lauchlan, multi-residential partner at community-focused design studio <a href="/architects/clarke-hopkins-clarke-0">ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects</a>, says the highly collaborative client and project team saw a great location for an inclusive, walkable community of flexible typologies to suit diverse residents who value quality materiality and seamless connections to each other and the broader neighbourhood.

“The site was zoned for six and 10 storeys but it wasn’t huge, and it had three very different interfaces with surrounding streetscapes,” Lauchlan said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4761 project_image_fid=21421]

“The residential interface along Cowper Street was single story, and the other boundaries were hard up against the rail line and Hopkins Street, one of <a href="/developments/footscray-vic-3011">Footscray’s</a> busiest mixed-used streets. But the site was literally surrounded by everything that makes Footscray great - <a href="/developments/footscray-vic-3011">a very diverse neighbourhood</a>, industrial architecture with loads of character, fantastic amenities including public transport, retail, hospitality, arts and culture, employment, and education. Plus local institutions like Footscray Market and Flemington Racecourse, and incredible views in all directions."

Lauchlan said they knew they needed&nbsp;to avoid a singular expression and provide an answer that was multi-faceted, with a diversity of spaces, heights, scales and materials.

"It had to be a fine grain collection of buildings connected by communal spaces including beautiful landscaped gardens and terraces, all which would contribute to the character of Cowper Street and the broader neighbourhood.”

Instead of simply going upwards, like so many surrounding developments, the architects drew on ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects’ distinctive Creating Vibrant Communities methodology and urban design expertise to maximise the entire site.

Double-height SOHOs and three-storey townhouses are located along and off low-rise Cowper Street. Six and 10-storey apartment precincts are set back towards the rail line and Hopkins Street interface.

At ground level, an entry plaza accommodates retail and hospitality tenancies and leads to a welcoming landscaped courtyard on the expansive podium. These communal spaces are destinations in themselves, not merely thoroughfares, with the built form and landscaping maximise 360-degree views.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4761 project_image_fid=21420]

Multiple entry and exit points create easy flow and surrounding connections. SOHOs and retail and café tenancies activate the ground plane. A new side street, unusual in a development of this size, creates a townhouse precinct for larger homes with separate entrances.&nbsp;

The design considers residents’ interactions, outlooks&nbsp;and public-private interface, and connects them in multiple ways to <a href="/developments/footscray-vic-3011">Footscray’s bustling activity</a> and to each other – via the podium-level gym with multiple access points and gobsmacking views, for example, and shorter-than-usual apartment corridors, which increase casual interactions between neighbours.

The 364 apartments, 16 townhouses and 10 SOHOs each required distinctive, complementary architectural forms and interior identities, and options for residents to upgrade to deluxe finishes and fixtures.

ClarkeHopkinsClarke senior interior designer, Sa Bayley, capitalised on the apartments’ spacious, light-filled interiors with warm tones, natural palettes and textured materials including charcoal groove feature panelling, refined bathroom tiles and engineered timber flooring.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4761 project_image_fid=214425]

Corridors awash with views and natural light feature Deco-inspired way finding, timber-texture ceiling battens, graphic wall murals and subtle differences on each level, avoiding hotel-like sameness.

The SOHOs are warehouse loft-like spaces with warm textures and industrial touches like exposed brick facades, warm concrete ceilings, groove panel joinery, crisp white walls, balustrades of black powder-coated steel and mesh and exposed track lights.

Their flexible floorplans feature a gorgeous, glazed, street-front office with its own entry and views onto tree-lined Cowper Street. For those not running a business from home these spaces are also being used as dens, studies or additional bedrooms or living spaces.

With 3.7-metre-high ceilings and clerestory windows, these refined spaces feel particularly voluminous. The SOHOs also feature a private courtyard with separate entry directly into the home’s main living and dining spaces, and bedrooms and balconies energised by city views.

In a new side-street introduced to create a comfortable spaciousness within and between residential precincts, three-storey, three-bedroom townhouses provide similarly flexible floorplans, making them easy to re-configure&nbsp;over time as needs and preferences change.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4761 project_image_fid=21418]

They all feature private entrances, balconies, courtyards and high-end fixtures and fittings, with upgrade options including brass tapware and Herringbone floors.

Residential precincts are linked by abundant landscaping designed by MDG Landscape Architects. This includes private courtyards, terraces and balconies as well as communal spaces like the&nbsp;central courtyard and the rooftop gardens and terraces atop the apartment precincts. Planting is a lush mix of natives, flowering trees, vines and grasses.

Precincts and buildings are oriented, constructed and specified for&nbsp;passive solar design, maximising natural light, ventilation, thermal mass, acoustic privacy, rainwater collection and indoor-outdoor connectivity.

They also maximise views in all directions, from the glazed southern wall of the gym to terraces with vistas of the docks and considered framing of city and treetop-views in the apartment precincts’ shared corridors and lift lobbies.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4761]

Cowper Residences reinvents a tricky site in Melbourne’s inner west through sustainable placemaking, inventive typologies and robust local character

alisonwarters@gmail.com

How a Footscray car yard was transformed into a community-focussed precinct

Growland continue to achieve milestone after milestone at their <a href="/developments/footscray-vic-3011">Footscray</a> masterplan, <a href="/buildings/victoria-square-8-hopkins-street-footscray">Victoria Square</a>.&nbsp;

The integrated community at <a href="/buildings/victoria-square-8-hopkins-street-footscray">8 Hopkins Street</a> will comprise six towers and 939 apartments when it's completed.

Apartments in the first stage <a href="/buildings/victoria-square-8-hopkins-street-footscray">of the development</a> are completed and settled, with stage two soon set to follow suit after L.U Simon Builders completed the second building.

Renowned <a href="/architects/fk-australia">architecture firm Fender Katsalidis</a> drew&nbsp;inspiration from the surrounding environment for the design. A rhythmic pattern adorns the facade, combining concrete and shading to create a textured and visually engaging exterior that extends into the interiors.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1187 project_image_fid=170413]

<a href="/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a> Interior Designer, Cassandra Fahey, said they want people to feel that they really belong to a place.&nbsp;

“We aimed to find a balance for the interiors between the <a href="/developments/footscray-vic-3011">historical story of Footscray</a> — the down to earth, edgy vibe — and the contemporary urban scene that’s lively and bespoke."

FK Director James Pearce said they wanted to&nbsp;celebrate a sense of ownership and belonging to a place.

"That’s why we’ve weaved the <a href="/developments/footscray-vic-3011">spirit of Footscray</a>&nbsp;and the contour of the river through the design. The pattern isn’t just an afterthought, it’s essential to how the building is constructed and experienced," Pearce said.

A host of world-class amenities are also on offer for residents of <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic">Victoria Square</a>. The development boasts Australia's first and only Olympic-sized aerial outdoor track, while the 2,400 sqm sky garden, situated atop the four-level podium, provides panoramic views of the city, giving residents a serene oasis within the bustling urban landscape.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1187 project_image_fid=80716]

There's also a heated indoor pool, with <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic">Melbourne's skyline</a> serving as the backdrop to the space, in addition to a gym, private dining room complete with a commercial kitchen and bar, and a thriving retail and dining precinct with a variety of cafes, bars, supermarkets and restaurants.&nbsp;

Beyond the allure of the development itself, the location of <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic">Victoria Square</a> adds to its appeal. Situated between the trendy neighbourhoods of <a href="/developments/kensington-vic-3031">Kensington</a> and <a href="/developments/yarraville-vic-3013">Yarraville</a>, and just under four kilometres away <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic">from the CBD</a>, <a href="/developments/footscray-vic-3011">Footscray</a> serves as a gateway to both the city centre and the western suburbs. The proximity to fashionable suburbs like <a href="/developments/williamstown-vic-3016">Williamstown</a> and <a href="/developments/seddon-vic-3011">Seddon</a>, along with popular beaches, further enhances the attractiveness of this cultural hub.

One-bedroom apartments are priced from&nbsp;$398,000. Two-bedroom units start at $547,000 and the three-bedroom apartments from&nbsp;$850,000.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=1187]

Renowned architecture firm Fender Katsalidis drew inspiration from the surrounding environment for the design

Buyers to move into Growland's second stage of Victoria Square in Footscray

At the Western gateway to Melbourne, Footscray has become one of the city's most popular destinations for those seeking an inner-city lifestyle.&nbsp;

As the area continues to grow and develop, Bensons Property Group's Liberty One has emerged as a beacon of luxury living, offering an unparalleled opportunity to experience all that Footscray has to offer, with the group welcoming the first crop of residents recently.&nbsp;

The development boasts 24 levels, including a rooftop and four levels of basement car park, comprising of 378 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and 10 retail shop tenancies across the ground floor.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=709 project_image_fid=211787]

There's been a big uptake from first home buyers at Liberty One, with the location of the project a major drawcard a Bensons' spokesperson said.&nbsp;

"Situated just five kilometres from the CBD, residents are within proximity to a bustling and diverse foodie culture, along with proximity to transport, retail and major education institutions."

"Now that the project is completed, its and exciting time for buyers to walk through the spaces and really envision their future home."

With prices for a one-bedder starting from $509,850, first home buyers have also been keen to call the Footscray development home, with the option to secure an apartment with just a $10,000 deposit another drawcard.&nbsp;

Designed by CHT Architects, Liberty One takes on a modern and sleek design, with floor-to-ceiling windows that, as you ascend up the floors, only help to display the expansive view lines from the tower even more impressively.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=709 project_image_fid=210299]

A suite of residential amenity is on offer at Liberty One, with the rooftop a stand out feature, offering communal barbecue spaces, a lounge area, and an outdoor cinema.&nbsp;

The ground floor Joseph Road Precinct is abuzz with convenient amenity as well, with the 12,000 sqm space home to cafes, wine bars, three new parks, yoga studios, gyms and a large scale commercial supermarket.&nbsp;

The tree-lined and town-square-styled boulevards open up the project, spilling retail and dining out from within, while also creating a metaphorical link between the flow of the river and the dynamic culture of Footscray.

Liberty One has also been pitched to the investor market, with a five-year residential lease guarantee on offer. This scheme provides buyers with a consistent return of five per cent gross net for five consecutive years, meaning a stable cash flow and no vacancies.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=709 project_image_fid=210301]

There's been a strong uptake from both local and interstate investors, with Liberty One's price point highly competitive when compared to other markets, such as the Sydney market.&nbsp;

"Investors have also been strongly encouraged by the government's investment in infrastructure, including the West Gate Tunnel project and Footscray hospital upgrades."

One, two and three-bedroom floorplans still remain at Liberty One, with two-bedders priced from $693,365 and three-bedders from $921,733

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=709]

 First residents move into Footscray apartments, Liberty One

It's a rare feat to find new, completed and ready to move in apartments in Melbourne’s inner-city at the moment.&nbsp;

A number of developments have been hit by extreme worker shortages, the pandemic, and rising material costs, resulting in prolonged construction times.&nbsp;

A handful of developers have managed to overcome these, prevailing through to deliver, with a handful even welcoming their first residents this year.&nbsp;

We’ve taken a closer look at some of the ready-to-move-in options across Melbourne.&nbsp;

<h2>HOME&nbsp;</h2>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24441 project_image_fid=167645]

Located in Alphington at the corner of Heidelberg Road and Chandler Highway, HOME sits atop the highest and most prominent position in the Alphington Paper Mill Development.

Sleek lines and bold design create this landmark building. The brick podium is a nod to the industrial heritage of the site whilst the parallel lines of the curved glazed tower showcase the latest in contemporary architecture.

Every material used on the exterior is raw and timeless. Brick, concrete, timber, metal and glass forms are cleverly sculpted together to reveal vast inner spaces. And space is something you'll find in abundance at HOME.

The leafy, riverside, sits just 6.5-kilometres north-east of the city, with HOME comprising 16 stories of terrace homes, sky homes and apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24441 project_image_fid=84979]

All of the one-bedroom apartments have already been sold in HOME, with a handful of two and three-bedders remaining. &nbsp;

Cera Stribley collaborated in the design of the residences, with all 326 apartments featuring large floorplans and light-filled living spaces.&nbsp;

Designed with the homeowner in mind, the 326 apartments feature large floor plans, light-filled living spaces and the modern must-haves, with generous storage, quality appliances, secure parking, concierge services and home automation technology.

The Terrace Homes offer an exclusive living option within HOME, with each spread across three spacious levels.&nbsp;

Natural materials reign supreme throughout, with wood grain joinery, wool-rich carpets, solid timber partitions and brass metal handles giving the living spaces a refined, pared-back feel.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24441 project_image_fid=84981]

The proportions are generous as well, with three queen-sized bedrooms in each Terrace Home, along with walk-in and fitted robes and ensuites.

Abundant natural light features through the open plan living spaces, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a double-height lightwell above the lounge and bi-fold doors opening out to the expansive balconies as well.&nbsp;

<h2>Ovation</h2>

<h2>Developer: Keystone Property Group</h2>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5490 project_image_fid=78490]

Located in the heart of Footscray, Ovation reaps all the benefits of inner-city living, maintaining proximity to public transport, schools, dining and recreational amenity, while still feeling like its own set place.

Locals Keystone Property Group are the developers behind Ovation, which comprises 131 residences with a mix of two and three-bedders remaining.&nbsp;

Keystone are no strangers to the burgeoning Footscray area, with the developers boasting a string of already sold out projects, including, The Buckley and Victoria Corner.

Kavellaris Urban Design (KUD) handled the design of Ovation, with owner Billy Kavellaris saying the vision was to honour Footscray’s unique architectural character, while still establishing a new level of design ingenuity for the area.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5490 project_image_fid=78497]

The building’s form is bold in its depiction of recessed voids, unique shapes and protrusions, with a layer of greenery added through the landscape design which is integrated tactfully into the recesses on the façade, juxtaposing the building’s built form with lush, natural beauty.

The interiors of Ovation are also very much defined by what exists outside of the apartments, with full height windows inviting in ample sunlight and stunning views of the city skyline and surrounding streetscapes.

Textured timber joinery teams with oak floors, imbuing living spaces with a neutral warmth; a blank canvas of sorts for buyers to fill with their own memories and moments.&nbsp;

Kitchen bench tops are appointed with a modern concrete finish for style and durability, next to plentiful integrated storage.&nbsp;

<h2>Yarra One</h2>

<h2>Developer: EcoWorld International&nbsp;</h2>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3127 project_image_fid=181982]

EcoWorld's recently completed South Yarra apartment development, Yarra One, was a solid addition to the group's already substantial international portfolio.

Carrying on the traditional themes see throughout other EcoWorld projects, the completed Claremont Street development is designed with liveability and lifestyle in mind.

Presenting as the finishing touch to the elite Forest Hill pocket of South Yarra, Yarra One delivers 250 residences, designed by multi-disciplinary international design firm, Fender Katsalidis.

The 27-storey tower offers a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, as well as a collection of penthouses, with floor plans spanning from 56 sqm up to 109 sqm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3127 project_image_fid=181983]

In designing Yarra One, Fender Katsalidis envisioned the birth of a new urban space to unwind and connect for the community and neighbours of Forrest Hill alike.

The location of Yarra One’s atrium between the South Yarra train station and Chapel Street makes it a key destination and gathering place for residents and neighbours of South Yarra, while the tower’s façade and slender linear form speaks directly to the existing language of its neighbouring towers.

Buyers will be at home with a residents' dining room, wine cellar, and rooftop terrace with barbecue facilities, along with a gym, yoga room, outdoor spa, sauna and steam room, pet wash and Tesla car share services.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3127 project_image_fid=181997]

With a number of developers hit by worker shortages and rising material costs, we’ve taken a closer look at some of those who have prevailed through, with a handful of ready-to-move-in options across Melbourne now. 

The top Melbourne apartments welcoming residents now 

A crop of new residents will soon be calling Footscray home.

The Keystone Property Group project, Ovation, recently topped out, with Platinum Construction behind the build of the inner-city apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5490 project_image_fid=78497]

Located just 5.6 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, Footscray is one of those rare suburbs that, while possessing a strong village-like atmosphere, enjoys the same connectivity to that of a city fringe locale.

Designed by architects, Kavellaris Urban Design (KUD), Ovation delivers 131 residences to the heart of the suburb, with a mix of two and three-bedroom apartments.&nbsp;

Ovation’s façade speaks to the domain’s industrial past, featuring red brick, concrete and steel, while the interiors have been designed to evoke a homely atmosphere and a sense of familiarity for its residents.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5490 project_image_fid=78494]

Textured timber joinery teams with oak floors, imbuing living spaces with a neutral warmth - a blank canvas of sorts, to suit every buyer’s style.&nbsp;

Kitchen benchtops are appointed with a modern concrete finish for style and durability, next to plentiful integrated storage.&nbsp;

The interiors of Ovation are also very much defined by what exists outside of the apartments, with full height windows inviting in ample sunlight along with views to the city skyline and surrounding streetscapes.

Bringing a layer of greenery to the development, John Patrick Landscape Architects designed the verdancy to integrate tactfully into recesses on the façade, juxtaposing the building’s built form with lush, natural beauty.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5490 project_image_fid=78492]

Two and three-bedders can still be snapped up in the development, with prices starting from $572,500.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5490]

Located just 5.6 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, Footscray is one of those rare suburbs that, while possessing a strong village-like atmosphere, enjoys the same connectivity to that of a city fringe locale.

Construction wraps on Footscray apartments, Ovation

Residents at the soon to be completed Liberty One in Footscray will be in a prime position on the doorstep of the upcoming vibrant retail precinct, Joseph Road.

Liberty One by Bensons, which recently held a traditional topping out ceremony of the 24-level, 375-apartment building, is a stones throw from the huge 12,000 sqm precinct, offering both owner-occupiers and investors a reason to invest in the Warde Street tower.

Joseph Road will feature a number of&nbsp;restaurants, cafes and wine bars, as well as three parks, yoga studios and gyms, and&nbsp;a 550 sqm large-scale commercial supermarket.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=709 project_image_fid=29990]

Newly designed bike paths within the precinct will provide residents of Liberty One seamless connections between Footscray and surrounding areas, including Melbourne’s CBD which is just four-kilometres away.

After being recognised as a priority precinct, Footscray forms the cultural heart of the west and is also a major health and education centre. It is the gateway between Melbourne’s CBD and the wider western suburbs, providing key access beyond the city limits to regional Victoria.&nbsp;

The State Government has committed $31 billion to the local area which will be invested across a range of sectors by 2026 with projects like the $15 million Metro rail, the $6.1 billion West Gate Tunnel and the $1.5 billion Footscray Hospital redevelopment, giving buyers even more reason to invest in Liberty One.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=709 project_image_fid=97123]

The second release of Liberty One is now selling, with a selection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments still available.&nbsp;

With high demand for the project and increasing popularity of the suburb, a premium second release launched to include an upgraded interior scheme, featuring the latest cutting-edge home technology.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=709]

Joseph Road will home a number of restaurants, cafes and wine bars, as well as three parks, yoga studios and gyms, and a 550 sqm large-scale commercial supermarket

Why Liberty One's proximity to the Joseph Road precinct is drawing buyers

The under-construction Ovation Footscray is nearing completion, with the final touches being added to the Buckley Street residences.

Platinum Construction have been building the inner-city apartments, which is expected to welcome its first residents by September this year.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5490 project_image_fid=78490]

Landing just 5.6 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, Footscray is one of those rare suburbs that, while possessing a strong village-like atmosphere, it enjoys the same connectivity to that of a city fringe locale.

Located&nbsp;in the heart of Footscray, Ovation reaps all the benefits of these attributes, maintaining proximity to public transport, schools, dining and recreational amenity, while still feeling like its own set place.

Inner-city locals, Keystone Property Group are the developers behind Ovation, which will comprise 131 residences upon completion.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5490 project_image_fid=78492]

Keystone are no strangers to the burgeoning Footscray area, with the developers boasting a string of already sold out projects, including, The Buckley and Victoria Corner.

<a href="/architects/kavellaris-urban-design" target="_blank">Kavellaris Urban Design</a>&nbsp;(KUD) handled the design of Ovation, with owner, Billy Kavellaris saying the vision was to honour Footscray&rsquo;s unique architectural character, while still establishing a new level of design ingenuity for the area.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5490 project_image_fid=78493]

&ldquo;Positioned in one of Melbourne&rsquo;s fastest emerging domains, innovation and liveability were of equal importance when designing ovation,&rdquo; Kavellaris said.

Ovation delivers a collection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, starting from $585,000.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=5490]

Platinum Construction have been building the inner-city apartments, which is expected to welcome its first residents by September this year

Ovation, Footscray apartments, set to welcome residents by Spring

Keystone Property Group&rsquo;s latest Footscray offering delivers Ovation to the inner-west of Melbourne, marking the project as the nearly the 10th development in the area for the group.

Designed by&nbsp;<a aria-label="Kavellaris Urban Design - opens in new tab" data-uw-rm-brl="false" data-uw-rm-ext-link="" data-uw-styling-context="true" href="/architects/kavellaris-urban-design" target="_blank" uw-rm-external-link-id="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/kavellaris-urban-design$kavellarisurbandesign">Kavellaris Urban Design</a>&nbsp;(KUD), Ovation comprises 131 residences, with a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5490 project_image_fid=78492]

&ldquo;Positioned in one of Melbourne&rsquo;s fastest emerging domains, innovation and liveability were of equal importance when designing Ovation,&rdquo; said KUD Owner,&nbsp;Billy Kavellaris.

Situated at 94 Buckley Street, Footscray, Ovation immerses itself in the diverse and multi-cultural charm of the suburb. &nbsp;

Having experienced rapid-fire gentrification in recent years, the inner-western gem now plays host to a vibrant caf&eacute; culture and a melting pot of eateries churning out flavours from across the globe.

Just three minutes down the road is the bustling Victoria Street, where in-demand cafes like Common Galaxia, Hunter&rsquo;s Harvest and Alfa take residence, while at night, Footscray is equally as equipped, playing host to a bevy of sleek wine bars, lively restaurants, casual eateries, with both Victoria St and Barkley St coming to life with a selection of riverside destinations.

Ovation buyers will be nearby to a range of recreational offerings with a flurry of green, open spaces and leafy retreats peppering the suburb.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5490 project_image_fid=78497]

The closest park to the project, Bristow Reserve, sits just 700 metres away, with two playgrounds, two barbeques spaces and a pergola.

Ovation is also close by to Footscray Park, which sits beside a stretch of the Maribyrmong River, providing further amenity for residents.

Stretching from Mount Macedon to Port Phillip Bay, the Maribyrnong River trail passes a myriad of parks and attractions including&nbsp;<a href="/developments/footscray-vic-3011">Footscray</a>&nbsp;Community Arts Centre,&nbsp;<a href="/developments/footscray-vic-3011">Footscray</a>&nbsp;Park, and Flemington Racecourse.

&ldquo;<a href="/developments/footscray-vic-3011">Footscray</a>&nbsp;is one of those rare suburbs that, while possessing a strong village atmosphere, enjoys connectivity characteristic to that of a city fringe locale.&rdquo;

CoreLogic data shows Footscray apartments are selling up to eight per cent higher compared to last year, positioning Ovation as a hot buy for investors and owner-occupiers alike.

Further playing into the card of the investor, the median weekly rent for the suburb sits around $350 with the median gross yield at 3.5 per cent according to CoreLogic.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5490 project_image_fid=78494]

Since their inception Keystone has developed more than 450 properties across 17 projects, with particular experience across growth suburbs such as Footscray, Brunswick and Prahran.

The group currently has a number of other projects in the pipeline and under construction, including The Buckley and Victoria Corner in Footscray, VOX in Prahran, and Ensemble in Elwood.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=5490]

Having experienced rapid-fire gentrification in recent years, the inner-western gem now plays host to a vibrant café culture and a melting pot of eateries churning out flavours from across the globe.



Around Keystone’s Footscray apartments, Ovation

The Melbourne property developer Bensons Property Group is well on track to have residents move into their new Liberty One, Footscray apartment project by the end of the year.

Next week Bensons will top out the project&nbsp;at the Warde Street site, ideally located soaring 24 levels overlooking&nbsp;Flemington Racecourse and the Maribyrnong River.

The tower will also benefit from the burgeoning Joseph Road precinct, some 12,000 sqm&nbsp;of restaurants, cafes and wine bars, three new parks, yoga studios, gyms and a large-scale commercial supermarket, right at Liberty One&rsquo;s doorstep.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=709 project_image_fid=29990]

Liberty One was designed by CHT Architects, whose&nbsp;design intent was to create a building that reinforces the metaphorical link between the flow of the river and the dynamic culture of Footscray.

Residents are connected to the surrounds both inside and outside of their apartments. Each apartment features floor to ceiling windows, spacious terrace balconies and the latest in smart home technologies.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=709 project_image_fid=97120]

Sora Interior Architecture &amp; Design handled the apartment interiors, with the result at Liberty One a creation of spaces that&nbsp;people want to engage with; places to eat, to stay, to sleep and work.

Residents are at one with nature in the building facilities. The&nbsp;dedicated communal rooftop space complete with an open-air yoga space, meditation zone and gym.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=709 project_image_fid=198443]

As the social bedrock of the building, the rooftop is complete with high-end cooking facilities, as well as indoor and outdoor lounge and dining areas and an outdoor cinema.

One-bedroom apartments are&nbsp;priced at $496,975, with two-bedders&nbsp;from $693,365&nbsp;and the biggest apartments on offer, the three-bedrooms,&nbsp;from $943,219.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=709]

As the social bedrock of the building, the rooftop is complete with high-end cooking facilities, as well as indoor and outdoor lounge and dining areas and an outdoor cinema


Liberty One Footscray apartments approach completion 

Keystone Property Group are well on track to deliver its latest apartment development, Ovation, in the heart of the burgeoning Footscray area.

Ovation, on the popular&nbsp;Buckley Street, is currently being built by&nbsp;Platinum Construction and will home&nbsp;131 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments just over five kilometres from the Melbourne CBD.

Kavellaris Urban Design (KUD) handled the design of Ovation.

KUD&#39;s&nbsp;Billy Kavellaris said the&nbsp;vision for the Buckley Street development was to honour Footscray&rsquo;s unique architectural character while still establishing a new level of design ingenuity for the area.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5490 project_image_fid=78492]

&ldquo;Positioned in one of Melbourne&rsquo;s fastest emerging domains, innovation and liveability were of equal importance when designing ovation,&rdquo; Kavellaris said.

The fa&ccedil;ade speaks to the domain&rsquo;s industrial past, exhibiting red brick, concrete and steel, while the building&rsquo;s form is bold in its depiction of recessed voids, distinctive shapes and protrusions.

Bringing a layer of greenery to the development, the landscape design by John Patrick Landscape Architects is integrated tactfully into recesses on the fa&ccedil;ade, juxtaposing the building&rsquo;s-built form with lush, natural beauty.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5490 project_image_fid=78495]

According to the architects, Ovation&rsquo;s interiors were designed to evoke a homely atmosphere and a sense of familiarity in residents.

Featuring textured timber joinery teamed with oak floors, kitchen bench-tops are appointed with a modern concrete finish, along with brushed-nickel and matte black tap-ware, Bosch appliances and integrated storage.

The interiors of Ovation are also very much defined by what exists outside of the apartments, with full height windows enveloping residences with natural sunlight whilst also providing vistas to the city skyline and surrounding streetscapes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5490 project_image_fid=78490]

Level one of Ovation is where the residential amenities are located. The facilities include a lap pool, theatre, and barbecue and dining areas.

On the outskirts of the Melbourne CBD, Footscray is a rare suburb&nbsp;that, while possessing a strong village atmosphere, enjoys connectivity characteristic to that of a city fringe locale.

Located in the heart of Middle Footscray, Ovation reaps all the benefits of this attribute, close to public transport and an exorbitant list of convenient amenity.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=5490]

KUD's Billy Kavellaris said the vision for the Buckley Street development was to honour Footscray’s unique architectural character while still establishing a new level of design ingenuity for the area


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