Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

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Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

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Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Joel Robinson

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

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Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]

La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=364551]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]

La Vera closes in on completion as Macquarie Park continues residential transformation

Brisbane developer Red &amp; Co's decision to include dual key apartments in its debut Gold Coast apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/como-varsity-lakes-22-lake-street-varsity-lakes-qld-4227">COMO Varsity Lakes</a>, is proving to be one of the project's biggest drawcards, with buyers quickly snapping up the flexible residences.

More than half of the project's 36 dual key apartments have already sold, helping drive COMO beyond the 50 per cent sold mark within the first month of launch.

The strong response highlights growing demand for apartment designs that can adapt to changing lifestyles, with buyers increasingly looking for homes that accommodate multi-generational living, provide rental income opportunities or simply offer greater flexibility over time.

Located on the shores of Lake Orr, COMO will deliver 156 apartments across 16 levels, with the dual-key residences forming a limited release within the broader development.

Each combines a primary two-bedroom apartment with a fully self-contained studio on a single title, connected by a shared foyer and lockable internal door. The design allows owners to house ageing parents, adult children or guests while maintaining privacy, or lease the secondary residence to generate additional income.

Just 17 of the original 36 dual key apartments remain available.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=367096]

The innovative configuration combines two fully self-contained residences on a single title, typically comprising a primary two-bedroom apartment alongside a separate studio residence, connected via a shared foyer and lockable internal door.&nbsp;

The model is proving particularly attractive to owner occupiers navigating changing family dynamics and the realities of the current housing crisis.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363511]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/npa">NPA</a>&nbsp;CEO Andrew Erwin said dual key living was resonating strongly with modern buyers because it delivered both financial flexibility and practical lifestyle benefits.&nbsp;

“The housing crisis and rising cost of living are fundamentally changing how Australians think about home ownership,” Erwin said.&nbsp;

“Dual key apartments provide a genuine solution for families who want to stay connected while maintaining independence. Parents can help adult children save for a future home, ageing parents can remain nearby without moving into aged care, and owners still retain privacy and flexibility.

“Importantly, buyers are also recognising the financial advantages. It creates the opportunity to generate additional income from part of the home without the holding costs associated with owning a separate investment property.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363509]

Unlike traditional dual occupancy arrangements, the residences operate under a single title, meaning owners only incur one set of body corporate fees, council rates and holding costs.&nbsp;

The secondary residence can also evolve over time - functioning as guest accommodation, a home office, creative studio or private retreat before later becoming an income-producing asset.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/red-co">Red &amp; Co</a>&nbsp;Director and Co-Founder David Laverty said the strong early sales reflected growing buyer urgency and changing priorities within the market.&nbsp;

“Securing more than half of COMO’s residences within such a short timeframe is an outstanding result and a clear endorsement of both the design and location,” Laverty said.&nbsp;

“Buyers are responding to the combination of location, connectivity and amenity, but ultimately it’s value relative to other East Coast markets that is driving enquiry.”&nbsp;

“We’re also seeing strong interest from owner occupiers looking for homes that can adapt with them over time. Flexibility has become one of the most important considerations for buyers in today’s market.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363515]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, COMO features a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom residences with 2.7-metre ceilings and larger-format floorplans aimed at owner occupiers, downsizers and lifestyle-focused buyers.&nbsp;

The development will feature an extensive rooftop recreation and wellness offering including a 25-metre lap pool, sundeck, barbecue and dining areas, gym, sauna, plunge baths, landscaped gardens, wellness spaces and rooftop pickleball and paddleball courts.

The remaining dual key apartments range from 137 sqm to 167 sqm and include generous three-bedroom layouts with separate self-contained studio accommodation and dual parking.&nbsp;

Erwin said the dual key concept represented a broader shift in how Australians would live in the future.

“People want homes that can evolve with their lives,” he said.&nbsp;

“A dual key apartment can suit a family today, support an ageing parent tomorrow, and potentially generate income later on. That adaptability is becoming incredibly valuable in the current environment.”

Prices currently range from $2,115,750 to $2,583,000.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135546]

Inter-generational living drives demand for COMO’s dual key apartments as housing pressures reshape buyer priorities 

Builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ceerose">Ceerose</a> has doubled down on its Leichhardt ambitions, lodging its second State Significant Development Application (SSDA) in the suburb in the last six months.

Their newest proposal seeks to transform a former industrial precinct into a new residential community centred around the adaptive reuse of one of the site's heritage warehouse buildings.

The new project, on a 6,930 sqm block at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/40-76-william-street-leichhardt-nsw-2040">40–76 William Street</a>, will bring more than 200 apartments to a suburb that has seen little to no new supply in recent years. It follows Ceerose's late 2025 SSDA for a mixed-use apartment project on nearby Parramatta Road, signalling the developer's growing investment in Sydney's Inner West.

Ceerose Founder Edward Doueihi told Apartments.com.au the developer’s long-standing presence in Leichhardt and the Inner West had given it a strong understanding of how the area has evolved and where its future opportunities lie.

“Ceerose has had a long-standing presence in Leichhardt and the Inner West, giving us a unique understanding of the area’s evolution and future potential,” Doueihi said.

“Having delivered projects throughout the region, we have witnessed the suburb’s transformation first-hand and understand the opportunities for its continued growth.”

Doueihi said that understanding also informed the planning process, with a comprehensive Stakeholder Engagement Outcomes Report prepared before the application was lodged.

The report identified the key issues and concerns raised by neighbouring residents and other stakeholders, allowing those matters to be considered and incorporated into the design where appropriate.

He said the delivery of additional housing would also play an important role in supporting the revitalisation of Norton Street and the Italian Forum.

“By increasing the local residential population, the development is expected to strengthen demand for local businesses, encourage further investment, and help restore the vibrancy that made the precinct a thriving destination in the early 2000s.”

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7258c54c-8167-479e-8361-2d5fca9915b4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010B%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%202.jpg?VersionId=S9DQfxu_jpcB5LrAEYFUbyMzg5odW6i5" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a>, the redevelopment would involve the demolition of four existing industrial buildings while retaining and adaptively reusing the site's most significant warehouse. The retained structure would anchor a new residential precinct comprising five interconnected buildings arranged around a large central landscaped courtyard, with heights stepping from five storeys along the surrounding residential streets to 11 storeys at the William Street corner.

According to the Architecture Design Report by Woods Bagot, the proposal "seeks to create a residential village centred around a generous green heart while celebrating the site's industrial heritage through the adaptive reuse of the existing warehouse building."

The development would comprise 203 apartments, with 188 proposed as build-to-sell residences, alongside 15 affordable housing apartments.

Rather than treating the retained warehouse as a standalone heritage object, Woods Bagot has sought to weave the site's industrial history throughout the masterplan. The proposal retains the north and west facades of the landmark corner warehouse, while new buildings reinterpret the site's brick-and-steel industrial language through their material palette and architectural expression.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9e8c64c2-881b-49e1-8c90-6b6acaaa45b6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010C%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%203.jpg?VersionId=Qm8_8H_Xrg_sc4Mdjc59vlAcKF_5wRTb" />

The design is organised around what Woods Bagot describes as a "green heart", a landscaped communal open space that reinstates the leafy character removed when the site became an industrial storage facility. A new pedestrian laneway running through the site would improve permeability between William, North and Francis streets, linking residents through landscaped public spaces while activating the ground plane.

Residents would have access to communal gardens and shared recreation areas distributed throughout the development. Sustainability has also been prioritised, with the project targeting an average 7.9-star NatHERS rating. Proposed initiatives include rooftop solar generation, rainwater harvesting, passive solar design, naturally ventilated lobbies, extensive cross-ventilation and the reuse of existing building fabric to reduce embodied carbon.

The adaptive reuse strategy became a defining feature of the application after heritage investigations found only one of the site's industrial buildings could feasibly be retained. The Heritage Impact Statement concludes that preserving the key warehouse façades while referencing the site's industrial character throughout the new development provides an appropriate balance between renewal and conservation.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="efffafdb-594f-4e2b-a067-921fd51c05e1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010D%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%204.jpg?VersionId=DPmE4.k16YRt0i27hEZVtJAffarpvUfx" />

"Retention and adaptation of the site buildings has been explored but found not to be feasible except for the tallest building, whose street facades will be retained," the heritage report states.

"The proposed building will interpret the brick and steel character of the subject site, including reuse of some components and construction of a large 'sawtooth' structure in the proposed open space."

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3bfef2b5-83f5-40cd-9cab-767092f34266" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010E%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%205.jpg?VersionId=7asb3i_ql4ybbuJOUb5UHBEIy0Q9t.DF" />

The William Street site is located around 300 metres from Leichhardt North Light Rail station and a short walk to Norton Street's retail, dining and hospitality precinct. The surrounding area has increasingly become a focus for urban renewal given its proximity to public transport and the Parramatta Road corridor.

Doueihi founded Ceerose in 1998 and has grown the business to become one of Sydney's more active apartment developers in recent years, with completed projects including The Alex Collective in Alexandria, Abbie's Lane in Annandale, and the award-winning Munro House in Elizabeth Bay. They are currently delivering Belgravia, 17 luxury apartments in Potts Point.

First look: Ceerose doubles down in Leichhardt with adaptive reuse of former warehouse site

Genton

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Following our coverage of Up Property's <a href="/news/up-property-pushes-ahead-with-morris-moor-master-plan">Morris Moor development</a> in Moorabbin earlier this year, Apartments.com.au caught up with Up Property Founder and Managing Director Adam Davidson to discuss his interest in property investment, site acquisition, progress on Morris Moor and Up Property's future ambitions.

With more than 18 years of property investment experience, he transitioned from his dentistry practice to follow his passion for investing full-time. As Founder and Managing Director, Adam leads the Up Property team, business operations and strategy. He is responsible for all aspects of acquisitions, and investor and stakeholder involvement.

According to Davidson, his vision was to create an integrated property development and investment business renowned for quality landmark projects.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/2.-gent9345_moorabbin-hq_e02_building-1_hero-corner_a1cmykr.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Morris Moor will see the adaptive re-use of the existing buildings on site. Image: Up Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="292" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/2.-gent9345_moorabbin-hq_e02_building-1_hero-corner_a1cmykr.jpg?itok=mcFmmmd5" title="Morris Moor will see the adaptive re-use of the existing buildings on site. Image: Up Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Morris Moor will see the adaptive re-use of the existing buildings on site. Image: Up Property</figcaption></figure>Apartments.com.au: Making the switch from dental practice to property investment and development is a big shift - What brought this change about?

Adam Davidson: The change was brought about simply because of a drive to wake up each day and do something that I was truly passionate about. I worked the dental industry in a very successful private practice for over eight years and while I enjoyed what I was doing, especially the people I was working with, I was always searching for something else that I had greater passion for.

Over the years as a dentist I bought and sold a number of residential properties and slowly but surely  came to realise that my true passion was in property.

In the early days my weekends were spent almost exclusively at open houses and I found myself constantly researching new properties. Once I had acquired a number of commercial and residential properties I decided, with great enthusiasm but to be honest no real plan, to quit dentistry and focus full time on property investment and development.

Up Property was formally founded in 2008 and has since completed 36 projects combining a broad mix of residential and commercial developments, with in excess of 250 proposed dwellings in the pipeline as well as various commercial developments underway.

U: Up Property has developed and is developing a range of projects not only in Melbourne but also in Geelong. What is your strategy for site identification and acquisition?

AD: As a team, we are very opportunistic and approach each site on a case by case basis. We focus on properties that we feel we can add significant value to.  The properties we tend to acquire may seem too hard or less desirable to some due to issues with the sites, but have greater potential that can be unlocked through experience and problem solving.

We ultimately look to have a broad range of projects for our portfolio, ideally across a range of asset classes that can be developed and transformed into projects that provide greater amenity and have positive impact for the community in which the sites are located. A perfect example of this is the two latest acquisitions for Up Property, a standard residential block set to become architecturally designed townhomes and a 3,300 sqm approximate net lettable area (NLA) main road showroom facility, with surplus developable land.

We were attracted to Geelong because the local market was experiencing a downturn due to the well documented announcements in 2013 around Ford ceasing production in Geelong and the likely ramifications. We felt the underlying fundamentals of the property market were solid and saw investing in Geelong as a unique opportunity.  Over the past decade we have gained a great knowledge of the local market and forged valued relationships within Geelong that, despite the rapid growth Geelong has recently experienced, continues to make it an attractive market for us to invest.

Our strategy to unlock a site’s hidden potential is also evident at our Morris Moor development in Moorabbin. Many developers saw the property as purely land value and would have likely demolished the site, however by retaining and re-purposing the eight buildings we have been able to preserve and pay homage to the rich history and, in turn, transform the former Phillip Morris manufacturing facility into a dynamic urban destination for the local community, a new neighbourhood, an exciting place to work, play, eat and drink.

U: The Morris Moor development is, in many ways, very unique in that we very rarely see the adaptive re-use and re-purposing of office-warehouse structures in suburban Melbourne particularly the more modernist era. What influenced Up Property to work within the framework of the existing structures and not take a completely fresh approach.

AD: To us it was apparent from the first inspection. We saw great potential and value in retaining the original buildings of the former Phillip Morris site, each building has great structure and unique individual character. For that reason, rather than rebuilding and starting fresh, we made the decision to re-imagine the existing site and create a unique community focused development.

Despite this resulting in a more challenging pathway towards transforming the original buildings into the contemporary, industrially-inspired facade of Morris Moor, we feel we’ve been able to use the site’s existing features to create a new, unique master plan.

<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/morris_moor_-_fb_artist_impression_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Morris Moor's hospitality precinct. Image: Up Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="288" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/morris_moor_-_fb_artist_impression_0.jpg?itok=XIUUzzd6" title="Morris Moor's hospitality precinct. Image: Up Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Morris Moor's hospitality precinct. Image: Up Property</figcaption></figure>U: What were some of the challenges and opportunities of working within existing structures?

AD: Bringing older buildings up to comply with modern day standards and regulations can often add substantial costs and complexities to a project. This can only be mitigated by having an experienced, engaged and pro-active project team to quickly and effectively respond to any unforeseen circumstances. Regardless of these challenges, which were known to us upon committing to the project, our design aims to work with and celebrate the existing industrial architecture as much as possible, to create a location that is unique and distinct from typical suburban office environments.

Fundamentally, it is always a far simpler process to develop new buildings from the ground up as opposed to retrofitting existing buildings.

In retrofitting old buildings, you are dealing with areas and structures that were designed originally for a use that is completely different to what we’re looking to achieve now. For example, the change from primarily warehousing and manufacturing use to a broad mix of uses including office, childcare, retail and hospitality to name a few.

Further to this, all new buildings must be made safe and compliant to current day regulations. Not to say the buildings were not safe and compliant previously, they simply need to achieve a different standard in today’s terms. These items can add up and add to the complexity of the overall design.

U: There has also generally been a preference to redevelop these types of sites - the former Sigma site in Clayton South is an example of this - into residential. 

AD: Morris Moor sits within the Moorabbin Business and Industrial precinct. Even though it borders the existing residential neighbourhood, the current zoning and planning controls over the property do not allow for residential development meaning this was not a consideration in our strategy. Council have been extremely supportive to date in our master plan as it exists today and support the commercial re-development of this iconic site as a key driver to support the regeneration of the Moorabbin Business and Industrial precinct.

This said, the fact that this project sits adjacent to a large residential catchment of the bayside suburbs greatly influenced our master plan to develop Morris Moor into a multi-use community to work, play, eat and drink. The existing layout of the site inspired our plan to unify the individual buildings and connect the spaces within to create a modern commercial and social campus.

U: Did you identify a commercial and co-working suburban hub as a gap in the market with the residential market being somewhat over saturated at this point?

AD: Instinctively we felt that the middle ring suburbs held an underlying demand for satellite co-working spaces which is currently under-serviced. There are so many operators fighting for space in traditional office locations, such as the Melbourne CBD and city fringe however, business owners and employees are continuously looking to live and work in close proximity and trade the time spent in the car or on the train with time at home with the family. Young businesses wanting the flexibility to work closer to home and avoid the commute to the city. These local business operators were seeking a more flexible arrangement as opposed to within a traditional office on a long-term lease agreement. We noted the rise of such spaces within other suburban business parks (e.g. Caribbean Park and Chadstone).

Through the support of Kingston council, we have been connected to several local community groups, small businesses and individuals who are very keen to see professional, well-coordinated and managed co-working spaces within the precinct. This provides us with further confidence that demand is there.

Upon taking ownership of the site in May last year, we continued to receive overwhelming interest from different businesses looking for opportunities beyond that of a typical office precinct – from gymnasiums and coffee roasters to recreational facilities and childcare centres.

These conversations, whether through council or the local community, have helped shape what Morris Moor is today - a unique business campus that offers a range of uses to support the office workers on-site as well as, provide the local residential catchment with a convenient place to eat and drink.

U: Up Property has engaged Genton and Techne as architects on the project, focusing on the working spaces and lifestyle hubs respectively. What influenced Up Property to engage these two practices?

AD: Both Genton and Techne are dynamic and fresh architecture teams with experience that aligns with our design led principles. Genton helped to design the visionary masterplan behind Morris Moor that interprets the existing buildings and landscaping, while Techne have assisted with the development of the hospitality precinct by introducing a proposed tenancy mix of different uses for the three central buildings including restaurant, coffee roastery and cafe, brewery, distillery, wine bar, convenience store, florist, event function spaces and more.  

U: How is the Morris Moor project progressing and when is the expected completion date?

AD: The project is progressing really well. We have already leased over 12,000 sqm of space, with our first two tenants having commenced their leases on-site and secured our first office tenancy, a child care operator and we’re in substantial negotiations with some key anchor tenants for the hospitality precinct such as a brewery, coffee roaster and health and wellness offerings, who are interested in coming on board to create an urban destination that will be a catalyst for the inevitable gentrification of the area.

We currently have our permits in place with construction having started on the office building due to be completed Q1, 2019.  

Our next phase of construction began this month, in which the 5,000 sqm corner office building is being revitalised with a new facade, lobby and complete internal refurbishment, creating premium office spaces for new exciting businesses to occupy. The surrounding common areas, landscaping and car parks will undergo full re-development.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/building01_-_lobby_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image of the new lobby for the soon to be revamped corner building. Image: Up Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="348" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/building01_-_lobby_0.jpg?itok=dYkNbbbt" title="Image of the new lobby for the soon to be revamped corner building. Image: Up Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image of the new lobby for the soon to be revamped corner building. Image: Up Property</figcaption></figure>U: And finally, what is coming up on the horizon for Up Property?

AD: Some may say that for a team of our size, Morris Moor should be more than enough to occupy us for the immediate term! To the contrary, we’re always on the lookout for new and different opportunities that align with our style and speciality. Our team love being challenged and relish in solving difficult and interesting problems.

We have already acquired several strategic residential and commercial properties over the last few years that we are planning on, or currently in the midst of developing in a similar way to that of Morris Moor.

Recently we acquired a number of unique and unconventional commercial sites within Geelong CBD that require significant re-positioning in the market. This includes our development on Little Malop Street which is currently being converted from a dis-used retail operation into a modern office building which has been 100% pre-leased to tenant’s the Geelong Advertiser &amp; Barwon Health.

We also acquired the former CSIRO site off the Australian Federal Government, a 6.2ha site destined to become a new community within the heart of an established neighbourhood within Geelong. This will be re-zoned and transformed into a large master-planned community, likely to yield in excess of 250 dwellings.

While the market has been quite difficult in recent times to acquire new sites on attractive terms, we continue to be ready should a new opportunity present itself.
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Laurence Dragomir

Q&A with Up Property's Adam Davidson

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Up Property has unveiled plans for the $100 million transformation of Moorabbin’s Philip Morris manufacturing site into a new urban destination, that will introduce opportunities for increased amenity and employment for the area.

Named ‘Morris Moor’ – a reference to the site’s location, history and significance within the community - the development has been designed to inject an element of inner-city urbanism to Moorabbin.

Through a working partnership with Connect Plus Property Solutions, Up Property plans to re-purpose the existing eight buildings, which collectively represent over 50,000 sqm of leasable space.

The significant heritage site has been re-imagined to become a multi-use community precinct, which according to Up Property "will cultivate experiences and create opportunities that breathe life into the local neighbourhood through the diversity of its tenants."

<blockquote>
Our vision is for Morris Moor to become an iconic destination for Melbourne and the local residential and business community to work, play, eat and drink.

Upon taking ownerships of the site in May last year, we received overwhelming interest from businesses looking for opportunities beyond that of a typical office precinct – from gymnasiums and coffee roasters to indoor golf simulators and cinemas.

This helped shape our Master Plan for Morris Moor as we wanted to be responsive to the market and develop a location that the community would embrace. Morris Moor will forge exciting new opportunities and experiences for Moorabbin and broader Bayside, upgrading an area predominantly known for being an industrial precinct.

- Adam Davidson, Up Property Managing Director
</blockquote>

The 6.27-hectare site, already has a permit in place which will allow it to deliver in excess of 1,600 new jobs for Moorabbin, double the amount that were employed at the site in its previous life.

 Genton Architecture was engaged to design and collaborate on a Master Plan that re-interprets and adapts the existing collection of buildings and landscape into a location that will deliver on Up Property's vision to "bring the best of Melbourne to Moorabbin."

<blockquote>
The design will transform a collection of existing warehouses and commercial buildings into premium office spaces, modern eateries and contemporary amenities. Genton’s concept for Morris Moor maximises the heritage character of the buildings by enhancing the facades of each structure. The design maximises the overall impression while remaining cost effective.

- Genton Arcihitects
</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/morris_moor_-_fb_artist_impression.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression of Morris Moor's hospitality precinct. Image: Supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="288" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/morris_moor_-_fb_artist_impression.jpg?itok=NYhFyd12" title="Artist's impression of Morris Moor's hospitality precinct. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist's impression of Morris Moor's hospitality precinct. Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure>The manufacturing history of the site is being celebrated via a ‘makers theme’, with Up Property seeking future occupants that have an element of on-site production rather than just providing traditional retail tenancies. The focus is on finding place makers not space takers to create a vibrant, engaging community that will collectively form a local destination in its own right. An example of this would be a coffee roaster rather than just a cafe or a brewery instead of just another bar.

Upon completion, Morris Moor will also include approximately 2,879 sqm of hospitality space, designed in consultation with architecture and interior design firm Technē. The precinct will offer ample opportunities for a mix of restaurants, cafes, a brewery, distillery, wine bar, convenience store, florist, event function space in order to create an urban destination that will be a catalyst for further gentrification of the area.

Up Property is currently seeking occupiers for the office space with an impending expressions of interest campaign to commence mid-year for Morris Moor’s carefully master-planned hospitality precinct.

Three tenants have already been secured for the site including:

<ul>
<li>Little Learning School: a 140-place childcare centre set to transform and breathe life into one of the site’s oldest warehouses fronting Chesterville Road</li>
	<li>Clik Collective: a co-warehousing facility in excess of 6,000 sqm from the operators of the well-known Kensington Collective</li>
	<li>Schotts Home Emporium: Melbourne’s much-loved furniture retailer who has already commenced the fit-out of their new 4,140 sqm showroom facility within one of Morris Moor’s far east buildings.</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/building01_-_lobby.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The lobby area of the currently under construction Building 01. Image: Up Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="348" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/building01_-_lobby.jpg?itok=97VKhlEn" title="The lobby area of the currently under construction Building 01. Image: Up Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The lobby area of the currently under construction Building 01. Image: Up Property</figcaption></figure>Construction commenced this month on Morris Moor’s 5,257 sqm office building, which frames the site on the corner of Chesterville and Cochranes Road. The building has the potential to house up to six tenants ranging from approximately 250 sqm to the whole building.

The building will receive a full refurbishment, providing the brick facade with a face lift that will include new glazed elements and introduce a re-imagined CBD style lobby which will be ready for tenant occupation in the first quarter of 2019.
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