Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

Joel Robinson

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Local Little Bay residents, along with buyers from premium postcodes across Sydney’s affluent Eastern Suburbs, have dominated purchases in developer-builder Urban Property Group’s first Eastern Suburbs apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a>.

The $250 million coastal project, one of the first new developments in the area in several years, has proven particularly popular with downsizers, especially those from Coogee and Bondi. One Double Bay downsizer paid $4.7 million for a four-bedroom penthouse, setting a new local apartment price record in the process.

Buyers have been attracted to the combination of coastal tranquillity, premium design and amenity-rich neighbourhood living. The walkable village setting, along with proximity to three of Sydney’s leading golf courses, New South Wales Golf Club, St Michael’s Golf Club and The Coast Golf Club, has also been a key drawcard.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352689]

Built across two low-rise buildings designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hill-thalis-architecture-urban-projects-pty-ltd">Hill Thalis</a> and set along a lush, landscaped green spine, designed by leading landscape architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, ESTE Little Bay offers a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences with interiors by Richards Stanisich.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> Sales Director, Tom McIvor said the response to ESTE has been "nothing short of extraordinary."

“Buyers have been quick to recognise ESTE as a rare opportunity to invest in a coastal sanctuary that offers both seclusion and connectivity to the heart of Sydney,” McIvor said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352687]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">SRM Residential</a> Senior Director, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">Clayton Ross</a> said the local market has responded incredibly well, driven by ESTE’s exceptional location and the rarity it offers.

“We’ve seen strong interest from a variety of buyer groups, all of whom are drawn to the exclusivity and quality of the build and construction by the 4.5-star iCIRT-rated builder / developer, Urban Property Group. There’s truly nothing else like it along Sydney’s coastline.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352690]

The project also includes robust buyer protections, including Resilience Insurance’s Latent Defects Insurance, providing 10 years of structural cover, and an independent iCIRT-rating of the developer.

“The iCIRT-rating adds another layer of confidence,” Ross added. “Buyers see it as a safeguard for their investment and their lifestyle.” A highlight of ESTE’s offering is its exclusive wellness amenities, including a heated rooftop infinity pool and outdoor heated spa, a state-of-the-art Technogym fitness centre, and a sauna.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a> is topped out and is on track to complete towards the end of 2026, with residents moving in before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112343]

Eastern Suburbs buyers snap up ESTE Little Bay apartments

Hayball

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Melbourne now has a second vertical school campus under construction. McCorkell Constructions is in charge of the build that will deliver a new integrated educational and communal facility on the corner of Highett and Gleadell Street, <a href="/new-apartments/richmond-vic-3121">Richmond</a>.

Designed by <a href="/architects/hayball">Hayball</a>, Richmond High School as it has been labelled will be built for 650 students, and has an overall value of $43 million. With completion slated for the beginning of the 2018 academic year, the build will encompass two separate sites; 16 Gleadell Street will be a multi-purpose facility whilst 280 Highett Street will encapsulate the academic building.

To mark this week's construction commencement, Hayball Director David Tweedie provided the following commentary on the design ethos and traits that define the project.

<h2>On the design brief</h2>

Set in a diverse neighbourhood with a large cohort of students, our brief for Richmond High School touched on a number of areas in terms of the client’s vision and values. Community, diversity, wellbeing, sustainability, safety, technology and ensuring learners are at the centre of everything – these were central to the brief and areas we really prioritised with our design of the vertical school.

<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/image13_13.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression of the facility's atrium space"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="300" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image13_13.jpg?itok=kRlKpm3K" title="Artist's impression of the facility's atrium space" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist's impression of the facility's atrium space</figcaption></figure>‘Learning communities’ and relevant design

A key approach has been to design for ‘learning communities’ - flexible, adaptable spaces accommodating up to 108 children which incorporate specific functionalities. We wanted the possibility for these learning communities to be combined allowing a number of school structures – two sub schools, middle / senior school, or year level groupings. 

Simply put, we developed two floors of these learning communities for general learning that sit on different levels to the spaces for specialist subjects such as science, technology and arts. This way, you’ve got equitable access to general learning areas and specialist learning areas.

A challenge when creating a school that sits across a number of levels is always, how do we ensure it feels welcoming, and what defines it as a ‘school’?  Our strategy was firstly to focus on locating all the functions that invite school community participation on the ground floor – the library, the performing arts spaces, and spaces for sharing food, and secondly to make visible from the outside the activities of the school – including science spaces and outdoor learning.

These are balanced with a series of protective enclosures to bring light and air into the interior.

We were concerned that the building felt like one place, a holistically integrated place for learning – spaces needed to be purposeful and well defined, but interconnected. The atrium building form that we’ve developed has allowed this while providing light and air to the interior spaces.

<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/image14_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Overview of the wider precinct"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="389" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image14_8.jpg?itok=5eQALFUH" title="Overview of the wider precinct" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Overview of the wider precinct</figcaption></figure><h2>Richmond the suburb and Hayball's specific design resoponse</h2>

As one of the oldest industrial suburbs in Melbourne which has gone through dynamic generation shifts, while retaining a strong commitment to social housing, Richmond is an area full of rich and diverse cultures and students come from a range of socio economic backgrounds.

Our design is fully supportive of this diverse community - the way people are welcomed in the ground floor is key, but the flexible design of the outdoor learning environments is also a key part of the story.

We’ve created outdoor cooking facilities and food spaces that break out to the ground landscape and the school community has responded well to this – it encourages parents to come together on site. The way the landscape is configured allows space for exhibitions or functions to take place outside too, and there’s space for food trucks, pop-up exhibitions and events.

Taking inspiration from the nearby farmer’s market, we’ve created an edible productive garden which will have many education benefits for the students. The fresh food is intended to be used by students or families, while from a science perspective, students can learn about agriculture and sustainability. It’s symbolic of the idea of coming together around food, which has the potential to unite communities.

<h2>Community facilities a key design plank</h2>

There are facilities for the broader community to use, most notably the four competition grade netball courts and the multipurpose space on Gleadell Street – these are of high value for the community out of hours in terms of recreation, community meetings and the like, supporting the existing assets of the City of Yarra in this location.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_5233.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="South Melbourne Primary School going up"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="448" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_5233.jpg?itok=MSlGfQNh" title="South Melbourne Primary School going up" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>South Melbourne Primary School going up</figcaption></figure>Richmond High School is second to South Melbourne Primary School in terms of construction, with the latter now well under steam at the hand of ADCO Constructions.

Also designed by Hayball, South Melbourne Primary School <a href="/news/hayballs-south-melbourne-vertical-school-wins-on-an-international-scale">shot to prominence</a> from a design perspective last year, winning the Education – Future Projects category during the World Architecture Festival in Berlin. It like Richmond High School is set for completion in time for the beginning of the 2018 academic year.
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silvermb

Hayball provides design commentary on Melbourne's latest vertical school

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Prominent builder Hickory Group has added a third Melbourne project that will utilise the Hickory Building System (HBS). A proponent of prefabricated construction methods, Hickory Group's latest HBS-driven project will be Brisbane outfit Blue Sky Funds' 42-50 La Trobe Street.

In addition to residential projects La Trobe Tower and Collins House which have/will utilise HBS, 42-50 La Trobe Street is the first student accommodation project to do so. Hickory Group expect the build to become one of the world’s tallest student accommodation projects delivered via non-traditional construction methods.

Floor slabs, facades and Hickory’s Sync bathroom pod system will be manufactured offsite, and subsequently trucked to 42-50 La Trobe Street for final assembly.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image5_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="42-50 La Trobe Street's modified heritage frontage. Image: Hickory"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="530" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image5_10.jpg?itok=_MY7KyWg" title="42-50 La Trobe Street's modified heritage frontage. Image: Hickory" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>42-50 La Trobe Street's modified heritage frontage. Image: Hickory</figcaption></figure>First entering Apartments.com.au's project database during late 2015, 42-50 La Trobe Street has seen a number of design adaptations to this point, with architecture firm Hayball the design lead.

Chief of which is the facade retention of 50 La Trobe Street, which was to have been demolished along with its neighbour under initial plans. Dated 1862, 50 La Trobe Street's retained facade will now serve as an entry point to the student accommodation project, with a public through link to connect La Trobe Street and Bell Place.

Onsite demolition is freshly completed, meaning Hickory will soon take control of the site in order to deliver the 43 level tower, with a smaller 7 level building to the rear of the site; combined they will house 783 student beds.

In line with Apartments.com.au's <a href="/news/blue-skys-ambitious-student-accommodation-project-42-50-la-trobe-street">overview of the initial planning application</a>, the current build will also include a ground floor café, numerous communal spaces, terraces and collaborative learning spaces, in addition to the public access laneway.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_9474.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hickory Building System's first Melbourne endeavour: La Trobe Tower"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_9474.jpg?itok=0W-Ya0Jt" title="Hickory Building System's first Melbourne endeavour: La Trobe Tower" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Hickory Building System's first Melbourne endeavour: La Trobe Tower</figcaption></figure>Key to the HBS construction method is the speed at which any given tower can be completed.

42-50 La Trobe Street with a gross floor area approaching 25,000sqm is slated to be delivered 8 months faster than traditional construction methods would allow, resulting in a 30% saving over conventional construction methods.

Similar to La Trobe Tower, 42-50 La Trobe Street will employ an electric crane to lift the modules into place outside of traditional work hours, minimising traffic disruption and site congestion. This will allow shotcreting during normal work hours, with the high-velocity concrete spray work essentially binding the modules together.

Between 42-50 La Trobe Street and Collins House (which will be a HBS structure above level 14), Hickory Group's innovative construction method has found its niche in the Melbourne construction landscape.
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Hickory Building System scores another major Melbourne skyscraper

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Those who pushed for Fishermans Bend to host a primary school will be feeling somewhat chuffed with the news that the Hayball-designed project has scored a gong at the World Architecture Festival in Berlin.

South Melbourne Ferrars Street Primary School as it will be known, cleaned up in the Education – Future Projects category, beating out an international field of projects to claim the prize. 10 other entrants were vying for the title, encompassing architects from countries which included Vietnam, Taiwan, Russia, UK, Turkey, Morocco and Bangladesh.

Held late last week, the World Architecture Festival is a three-day event for architects and interior design professionals, culminating in the presentation of awards for design merit across dozens of categories.

<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/image38_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hayball's winning entry alongside fellow WAF finalists"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="345" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image38_6.jpg?itok=_Kdg_ENm" title="Hayball's winning entry alongside fellow WAF finalists" width="580"></a>
<figcaption>Hayball's winning entry alongside fellow WAF finalists</figcaption></figure>On news of Hayball's win, firm Director Richard Leonard issued the following statement:

<blockquote>
It’s an incredible honour to be recognised on a global scale for our work on South Melbourne Ferrars Street Primary School in Victoria, Australia in the Education – Future Projects category at the WAF Awards. As the first vertical school in the state, the project is both experimental, innovative and enthralling.
What we’re most proud of is the combination of a learning hub with a community centre for the local residents to enjoy, which embraces the connection between learning and recreation, students and neighbours.The school will be the educational home to 525 students and will include an early learning centre, multi-purpose community rooms and indoor and outdoor multi-purpose sports courts across a sleek, light-filled building spanning five storeys.
Inside, the school invites students to learn in an open atrium that connect the ground floor to the ceiling, offering endless possibilities to all who enter.
In a precinct that is one of Australia’s largest urban renewal areas and expected to swell to 80,000 residents over the next 40 years, future proofing educational facilities is a critical factor in ensuring a suburb can evolve and behave according to the needs of its residents. With this primary school which offers more than the traditional spaces for learning, we’re building a new model for education that caters to more than just students, but the broader community.
<cite>Richard Leonard, Director, Hayball</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_8436.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Early works have been completed"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="346" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_8436.jpg?itok=dwNaXLY0" title="Early works have been completed" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Early works have been completed</figcaption></figure>Kane Constructions have completed early works onsite, with a contractor for the main works to be announced shortly.

The project's <a href="http://www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/Pages/Schools/South-MelbourneFerrars-St.aspx">website</a> indicates that the new facility is expected to be operational by January 2018, with student enrolments open from the latter part of 2017. Spanning five storeys, South Melbourne Primary School will be Victoria’s first vertical school with $44 million allocated to the project over the 2016-2017 State budget.

In collaboration with City of Port Phillip, Hayball have also created a new streetscape/public realm for the Ferrars Street Education and Community Precinct. Over a 5,000sqm site, the school and surrounds have been designed as a showcase for common integrated education and communal facilities, while also considering the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and ease of access to nearby public transport.
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Hayball's South Melbourne vertical school wins on an international scale

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A substantial mixed-use development set for the former Courtney and Patterson Ford auto site looks to be creeping toward reality, with promotional signage appearing onsite labelling the project Bellelle.

With a primary address of 37-69 Bell Street, the Hayball-designed project set across a roughly 8,925sqm plot also maintains frontages to Lynden Avenue and Myrtle Street. After revisions which saw the initial scheme trimmed to better meet Council's expectations, final approval was gained during April via a compulsory conference held at VCAT.

Developer JTX also carries information on Bellelle via their website, with Probuild nominated as the builder of choice.

<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/image2_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Linden Avenue perspective: Image: JTX Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="328" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image2_8.jpg?itok=9uc1a7y0" title="Linden Avenue perspective: Image: JTX Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Linden Avenue perspective: Image: JTX Group</figcaption></figure>Bellelle will be a true mixed-use project featuring private apartments, aged care and independent living units, retail spaces and childcare, provisions for a GP and Allied Health clinic, gymnasium and hotel accommodation which is aimed toward servicing the surrounding medical precinct.

Partnering with Blue Whale Property Group on the project, JTX describe Bellelle as:

<blockquote>
An integrated and genuinely mixed use development within in an identified Activity Centre with an emphasis on place making and successful connections to precinct. This JTX development promotes economic viability, deliverability and social benefit.

The architectural approach aims to moderate the size of the scheme while providing a strong overall coherence within the precinct. With a vision for overall design value and high quality residential amenity, key design drivers are for a high quality public realm and pedestrian experience through designing for human scale and vibrancy at street level.

To accommodate a range of demographics and families, the project provides a rich diversity of dwelling types with generous outdoor spaces suited to family occupancy. Enhancing the amenity and lifestyle opportunities are a diverse range of outdoor areas and internal communal zones include a dining room, lounge/library, family lounge and kids’ games room.

The project is underpinned by a serious commitment to sustainable outcomes, with initiatives equivalent to a 4 Star “Best Practice” Green Star.
<cite><a href="http://www.jtx.com.au/project/bellelle/">Bellelle Ivanhoe, JTX Group</a></cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image3_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Evergreen Ivanhoe and The Orchard"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="244" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image3_5.jpg?itok=8kb85YJ4" title="Evergreen Ivanhoe and The Orchard" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Evergreen Ivanhoe and The Orchard</figcaption></figure>Bellelle is poised to join a number of other noteworthy projects within Ivanhoe.

Most notable is Kokoda Property Group's <a href="/buildings/evergreen-1-westley-avenue-ivanhoe">Evergreen Ivanhoe</a> which is nearing completion and includes approximately 120 apartments. Smaller projects under construction within the in-demand postcode include <a href="/buildings/lady-ivanhoe-985-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe">Lady Ivanhoe</a>, <a href="/new-apartments/ivanhoe-vic-3079">Insignia</a>, <a href="/buildings/the-orchard-ivanhoe-1045-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe">The Orchard</a> and a host of smaller projects which will add hundreds of new apartments to the suburb.

When Bellelle does progress, it will be a short distance from the area's tallest apartment project, <a href="/buildings/ivanhoe-apartments-443-upper-heidelberg-road-heidelberg">Ivanhoe Apartments</a>, which at has just been awarded to builder Hacer.
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Ivanhoe's largest mixed-use project emerges as Bellelle

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Population and employment growth is propelling Box Hill to become its own mini city. In addition to bustling retail, restaurants, health and education facilities, Box Hill also sports the <a href="http://www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/Building-Box-Hill">busiest transport hub</a> in Melbourne’s east with more than 20,000 train commuters a day.

Add the <a href="http://www.economicprofile.com.au/whitehorse/economy/employment#geography">13,000 jobs</a> on the go and a population set to increase by <a href="http://www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/Building-Box-Hill">26 percent in the next 5 years</a>, and Box Hill is being eyed off by developers and home buyers alike.

With the 117m <a href="/buildings/whitehorse-trio-845-851-whitehorse-road-box-hill">845-851 Whitehorse Road</a> receiving a Notice of Decision and Golden Age's purchase of a 7344sqm site at 517-521 Station Street, planning confidence within Box Hill is also on a high. Box Hill's massive growth is also underpinned by the fact that <a href="http://www.domain.com.au/news/box-hill-booms-upwards-with-apartments-as-suburban-grows-up-20160630-gptv7k/">1,200 units</a> were approved in the suburb during 2015.

Hayball shapes as the dominant architecture practice in the municipality, with 18 projects completed or underway in the City of Whitehorse. Box Hill alone holds 11 for Hayball, including <a href="http://www.chloeboxhill.com.au/">Chloe</a>'s 96 apartments and <a href="http://taohome.com.au/">Tao Home</a> with 82 units and a focus on Chinese senior living. These projects continue the firm's approximately 6 year involvement in the area, beginning with the award winning Jade Apartments student accommodation project for Jeff Xu's Golden Age.

<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/john_street_rhiannon_slatter_screen-2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Jade Apartments, Box Hill. Image courtesy Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="773" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/john_street_rhiannon_slatter_screen-2.jpg?itok=GdIrm_hZ" title="Jade Apartments, Box Hill. Image courtesy Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Jade Apartments, Box Hill. Image by Rhiannon Slatter</figcaption></figure>Urban.com.au met with Hayball director Eugene Chieng at the firm's Sturt Street offices to discuss their involvement in Box Hill, having completed over a dozen projects and with another half a dozen on the books in the 80-100 dwelling range. Chieng identifies a number of factors which have contributed to the growth in Box Hill, breaking down the components that make Box Hill such an emphatic apartment stroghold.

According to Chieng it's a combination of the suburb's culture, and the desire of government at local and state level to turn Box Hill into a thriving activity centre. This is seen in the number of mixed-use developments which are predominantly residential in nature, but with extensive retail at ground level.

However there has also been an increase in the number of developments which have a component of hotel and/or serviced apartments. 

Box Hill has also undoubtedly a hub for Australians of Chinese descent, with the area a magnet for Chinese-backed investment and development.

With so many apartment developments at sales and marketing and with more in the pipeline, Chieng says developments need to offer a point of difference to distinguish themselves in a competitive market. To this end Hayball have designed 82 apartments within 19-21 Poplar Street in Box Hill for developer Sunbright Investment Australia. 

Known as TaoHome, Chieng believes the project has been envisaged as a new way of living; an apartment community that’s designed especially for seniors, with shared facilities like a rooftop walking track, traditional Chinese Wellbeing Centre and Mahjong area also included. The tailoring of TaoHome for a specific demographic also sees Chinese satellite TV, universal power plugs for Chinese appliances and Fotile kitchen rangehoods to accommodate Chinese stir-frying. 

<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/tao_home_communal_lounge_low_res.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Tao Home communal lounge. Image courtesy Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="349" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/tao_home_communal_lounge_low_res.jpg?itok=TJ2rvV0y" title="Tao Home communal lounge. Image courtesy Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Tao Home communal lounge. Image courtesy Hayball</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
Culturally it is widely common practice for the Chinese to look after their parents but the younger generation here in Australia generally don't want to live with their parents, so Tao Home has been designed in response to this. TaoHome offers the opportunity for multi-generational living.

The apartments have been designed so that they can be combined or left separated for privacy. The idea is not too dissimilar to  a granny flat. - Eugene Chieng, Director, Hayball
</blockquote>

Chieng describes the project as a "very collaborative process" with a client that was very open minded, which was required for a project that was very lateral in its way of thinking. The project still contains traditional apartments but also dual key apartments which include a number of features for elderly care.

The project is 80% sold with completion on the 8-storey building expected in early 2018.

Another Hayball project, Chloe Apartments at 15-17 Irving Street features 96 high end 1 and 2 bedroom apartments over 9 levels for Cubick Property. Chieng says the project has been well received with apartments almost sold out. The project offers views to the adjacent Box Hill Gardens across the road as well as towards the city, and features a 'Rooftop Club' offering residents indoor and outdoor dining, lounges and a fireplace.

Chloe is more 'western' in its approach particularly in light of TaoHome, says Chieng and more investor and owner-occupier driven. Chloe has been tendered and construction is commencing soon.

<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/chloe-1-847x1024.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Chloe, Box Hill. Image courtesy Cubick"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="701" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/chloe-1-847x1024.jpg?itok=vZtp3I5E" title="Chloe, Box Hill. Image courtesy Cubick" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Chloe, Box Hill. Image courtesy Cubick</figcaption></figure>Hayball's experience and body of work in Box Hill has seen the firm field several enquiries and approaches by new and return clients for developments in Ringwood. Its appeal lies in the new train station and bus interchange, in addition to Eastland's expansion which includes associated community facilities.

Ringwood much like Box Hill has also been identified as an activity centre where density is appropraite. Hayball are particularly interested in working on multi-generational and highly mixed-use projects in the area says Cheing, building on the office's work on TaoHome - creating more meaningful retirement developments with less high care and greater shared facilities, either via a vertical village model or townhouse typology. 

Urban.com.au will continue to follow the progress of Box Hill and Ringwood with a keen interest.
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Laurence Dragomir

Hayball's Eugene Chieng discusses the rise of Box Hill 

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It looks to be one of those instances where a single image says it all.

In this case the lead image above illustrates the rapid change engulfing the northern stretch of <a href="/new-apartments/melbourne-vic">Melbourne's CBD</a>. During a recent visit to Hickory Group's topping out ceremony for <a href="/buildings/la-trobe-tower-323-la-trobe-street-melbourne">La Trobe Tower</a>, the scale of this change became patently evident.

Given abundant coverage to date on Apartments.com.au, towering individual planning applications and rendered city models fail to adequately convey the emergence of a new crop of tall Melbourne towers. The above image for instance would be greatly augmented should the 210 metre <a href="/buildings/uno-melbourne-117-abeckett-street-melbourne">111 A'Beckett Street</a> rise in the foreground; essentially block out three of the new crop of towers which all weigh in above the 200 metre mark: Vision, <a href="/buildings/victoria-one-452-472-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Victoria One</a> and <a href="/buildings/light-house-450-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Light House</a>.

Assuming that we're currently at a nominal half-way point in the construction of this rash of new residential towers across the north of Melbourne's CBD, what observations can be made at this time?

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_8244_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Welcome to the new Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_8244_0.jpg?itok=2sMDbtcB" title="Welcome to the new Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Welcome to the new Melbourne</figcaption></figure>On a more intimate level, the street character of Elizabeth Street in particular has been drastically altered.

Minimal setbacks have given the eastern site of Elizabeth an imposing presence from street level; some will argue it as a welcomed change representing Melbourne's progression, while others will note that Elizabeth Street is becoming a cold and uninviting public place. Much will depend upon how readily these new towers interact with the streetscape upon their respective completions.

A previously rundown streetscape or an uninviting wall of towers, for those who value urban design it could be argued neither is a particularly palatable outcome.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_8245.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Lighthouse on show"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="388" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_8245.jpg?itok=neLmdL4H" title="Lighthouse on show" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lighthouse on show</figcaption></figure>On a larger scale though, these new towers have definitely brought a fresh design dynamic to Melbourne's skyline, with <a href="/architects/fraser-partners-0">Elenberg Fraser</a> the primary firm responsible.

The architecture practice can lay claim to seven current towers in the northern stretch of Melbourne's CBD; five are at construction with the shortest being the 172 metre <a href="/buildings/avant-60-abeckett-street-melbourne">Avant</a>. Colour and form are coming to the fore, with Light House above a prime example of Elenberg Fraser's progressive design dynamic.

Perhaps though the most stylish tower on the rise anywhere in Melbourne is <a href="/buildings/eq-tower-127-abeckett-street-melbourne">EQ Tower</a>. It's pinkish-purple facade and inverse flowing lines are particularly attractive and it has rapidly emerged as a beacon of design prowess, owing to its many unique characteristics.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_8229.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="EQ Tower"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_8229.jpg?itok=My0-ANw-" title="EQ Tower" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>EQ Tower</figcaption></figure>With many towers under construction now taking on their own unique characteristics, here is an overview of the current status of all major towers within Melbourne's northern CBD zone:

<h2>Planning and approved</h2>

<a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">386 William</a>, <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">183 A'Beckett</a>, <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">Scape La Trobe</a>, <a href="/buildings/97-franklin-street-melbourne">97 Franklin</a>, <a href="/new-apartments/441-451-elizabeth-street-melbourne">441 Elizabeth</a>, <a href="/developments/greater-dandenong-vic">102 Franklin</a>, <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">478 Elizabeth</a>, <a href="/buildings/eq-tower-127-abeckett-street-melbourne">111 A'Beckett</a>

<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/97_franklin_talls.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="97 Franklin Street as rendered into the new Melbourne skyline."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="428" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/97_franklin_talls.jpg?itok=Mr2k9-IG" title="97 Franklin Street as rendered into the new Melbourne skyline." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>97 Franklin Street as rendered into the new Melbourne skyline.</figcaption></figure><h2>Sales</h2>

<a href="/buildings/wills-place-17-wills-street-melbourne">Wills Place</a>, <a href="/buildings/queens-place-157-a-beckett-street-and-370-queen-street-melbourne">Queens Place</a>, <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">303 La Trobe</a>

<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/image69_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="303 La Trobe has joined Queens Place at project sales"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="350" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image69_4.jpg?itok=tge5ePVc" title="303 La Trobe has joined Queens Place at project sales" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>303 La Trobe has joined Queens Place at project sales</figcaption></figure><h2>Early phase construction</h2>

<a href="/new-apartments/iglu-229-franklin-street-melbourne">229 Franklin</a>, <a href="/buildings/aurora-melbourne-central-224-la-trobe-street-melbourne">Aurora Melbourne Central</a>, <a href="/buildings/scape-melbourne-393-swanston-street-melbourne">Scape Swanston</a>, <a href="/buildings/avant-60-abeckett-street-melbourne">Avant</a>

<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/image66_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aurora Melbourne Central on the rise. Image: Adrian"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="391" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image66_3.jpg?itok=_fhDPQ01" title="Aurora Melbourne Central on the rise. Image: Adrian" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aurora Melbourne Central on the rise. Image: Adrian</figcaption></figure><h2>Mid construction</h2>

<a href="/buildings/empire-melbourne-398-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Empire</a>, <a href="/buildings/light-house-450-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Light House</a>, <a href="/buildings/victoria-one-452-472-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Victoria One</a>, <a href="/buildings/eq-tower-127-abeckett-street-melbourne">EQ Tower</a>

<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/image65_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Empire and Light House have progressed rapidly"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="360" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image65_0.jpg?itok=bK2WonaE" title="Empire and Light House have progressed rapidly" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Empire and Light House have progressed rapidly</figcaption></figure><h2>Topped out</h2>

<a href="/buildings/la-trobe-tower-323-la-trobe-street-melbourne">La Trobe Tower</a>, <a href="/buildings/eporo-tower-279-la-trobe-street-melbourne">Eporo Tower</a>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_8228.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A recent shot of La Trobe Tower"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_8228.jpg?itok=8ck0dVB4" title="A recent shot of La Trobe Tower" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A recent shot of La Trobe Tower</figcaption></figure>
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The changing face of Melbourne's northern CBD

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Another Fishermans Bend proposal has broken cover, taking Hayball as the architecture firm responsible past a noteworthy milestone. With the addition of 272-280 Normanby Road, Southbank-based Hayball now has in excess of 3,000 apartments in play across Fishermans Bend.

Referencing the Apartments.com.au Project Database, 272-280 Normanby Road's 396 apartments takes Hayball's total apartment numbers for submitted projects within Fishermans Bend to 3,229. In the process Hayball have made a stretch of Normanby Road their own, with seven separate residential towers at planning maintaining a Normanby Road address.

Proponent 280 Normanby Road Pty Ltd is behind the latest proposal which at 40 levels would peak at the maximum floor limit, as per the interim mandatory height limits in place. Currently housing a dual level commercial building, the repurposed site would see the new 126m tower rise in its place.

<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/272-280.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="272-280 Normanby Road. Image: proUrban"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="661" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/272-280.jpg?itok=b8mU3Ueh" title="272-280 Normanby Road. Image: proUrban" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>272-280 Normanby Road. Image: proUrban</figcaption></figure>Of the 396 apartments within 272-280 Normanby Road, 156 have been designated as single bedroom dwellings, 201 hold two bedrooms and 39 or 10% of the total number of apartments maintain three bedrooms.

An affordable housing element exists within the proposal, with two single bedroom apartments to be transferred to a specified housing trust while a further three single bedroom apartments are set to be leased for 20 years at 75% of market rental value, with management of these dwellings apportioned to the housing trust.

A 342sqm space is allocated within the tower's podium as a public community facility area. This is supported by multiple commercial and retail tenancies, with 736sqm allocated to commercial and 530sqm retail respectively. 124 car spaces and 204 bicycle bays are also part of the proposal.

Externally the tower will be dominated by pewter coloured precast concrete, charcoal and grey coloured panel-rib metal and aluminium cladding, pewter coloured glass, glass balustrades and grey coloured double glazing.

Lodged with DELWP during May, the proposal has been referred to City of Port Phillip (CoPP) for comment. As has almost become the norm, CoPP have indicated they are against the development, citing issues such as tower height, tower setbacks from street and side boundaries, tower separation between neighbouring properties, justification for tower seeking the maximum allowable height, cumulative wind and traffic impacts and the proposal's overall community benefit aspects as being sticking points.

Nonetheless <a href="http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/Report_5_-_272-280_Normanby_Road.pdf">CoPP in their report on 272-280 Normanby Road</a> have also included various draft conditions that they believe would improve the proposal.

<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/image52_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Assorted Hayball-designed projects within Fishermans Bend"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="302" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image52_3.jpg?itok=7FxQYeCX" title="Assorted Hayball-designed projects within Fishermans Bend" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Assorted Hayball-designed projects within Fishermans Bend</figcaption></figure>As touched upon earlier, Hayball leads the way within Fishermans Bend in terms of the number of apartments under design for projects that are public knowledge. Its nine projects and 3,229 apartments shadow the work of ROTHELOWMAN which currently have six apartment projects and in excess of 2,000 apartments within the urban renewal area.

By far Hayball's largest project in Fishermans Bend is 850-858 Lorimer Street within Port Melbourne. One of the early batch of applications for the area, the reworked tri-towered scheme's most recent iteration carries in excess of 1,100 apartments for developer Goodman Group.

Other design firms also prevalent in the Urban Renewal Area include Elenberg Fraser, Artisan Architects and CHT Architects. To date 17 different architecture firms are represented across a gamut of residential projects within Fishermans Bend.
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272-280 Normanby adds to Hayball's dominant Fishermans Bend portfolio

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The successful relationship between developer, architect and development/project manager rolls on with the emergence of plans for 15-27 Wreckyn Street.

With Mammoth Empire Holdings securing the site post an expression of interest campaign dating back to July 2014 which was handled by CBRE City Sales, plans for the North Melbourne site have been lodged two years later. Called for over the 2,271sqm are 191 dwellings, by way of apartments and a solitary townhouse.

Hayball are once more the architect of choice with PDS Group returning as project manager. Wreckyn Street shapes as Mammoth Empire Holdings' third Melbourne apartment development.

Formerly owned by Lort Smith veterinarian hospital, the T-shaped land holding maintains 130m of frontage to four separate street addresses.

<h2>15-27 Wreckyn Street aplication summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image18_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Wreckyn Street perspective. Planning image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="416" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image18_10.jpg?itok=WZxTHOFz" title="Wreckyn Street perspective. Planning image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Wreckyn Street perspective. Planning image: Hayball</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Application lodged July 2016</li>
	<li>Current use: vacant site post demolition </li>
	<li>Proposed: 11 level residential building at 33.9m in height</li>
	<li>191 dwellings: 1 x 2BR townhouse, 104 x 1BR, 85 x 2BR, 1 x 3BR</li>
	<li>71sqm retail space to Wreckyn and Vale intersection</li>
	<li>115 vehicle bays and 1119 bicycle bays within 3 basement levels</li>
	<li>Level 4 communal terrace at 151sqm &amp; level 8 communal lounge/terrace at 255sqm</li>
</ul>
With immediate buildings ranging between 5-6 levels, 15-27 Wreckyn Street is larger, although in the wider precinct context there are height precedents including the recently completed 33 Flemington Road at 18 levels.

The project's Urban Context Analysis report has identified the balance of the Lort Smith Animal Hospital as a prime development capable of handling multiple development outcomes on a similar scale to 15-27 Wreckyn Street. On the same block AZX Group are in control of <a href="/new-apartments/68-courtney-street-north-melbourne">68-74 Courtney Place</a> which involves another Hayball-designed apartment complex of 74 dwellings over 5 levels, raising the propects of the block bound by Wreckyn and Villers becoming a predominantly high density enclave.

15-27 Wreckyn Street itself will be finished off in a variety of brick patterned finishes with the hit and miss format prominent. Perforated metal screens, zinc cladding and brick snap precast panels will also be present over the project's exterior.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_7659.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Empire continues to make rapid progression at the top end of Elizabeth Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_7659.jpg?itok=mxzJUYTw" title="Empire continues to make rapid progression at the top end of Elizabeth Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Empire continues to make rapid progression at the top end of Elizabeth Street</figcaption></figure>Should Mammoth Empire's Wreckyn Street proposal proceed as planned, the Malaysian-based developer would take its Melbourne development catalogue to in excess of 1,150 dwellings.

One of the early high-profile Asian-based entrants into Melbourne's property scene over recent years, Mammoth Empire has mirrored a number of its competitors by seeking a smaller development opportunities post a big entrance within Melbourne's CBD. That came by way of MY80 on Elizabeth and A'Beckett which produced 487 apartments.

Second in line was Empire on the corresponding corner to MY80, which involves 474 apartments. At the hand of head contractor Probuild, Empire is rapidly taking its place in the crowded northern CBD area, leaving Wreckyn Street as Mammoth Empire's next Melbourne play.
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Mammoth Empire seeks approval for a third Melbourne development

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Set to open in 2018, the construction for Victoria's first vertical school has begun with the Premier, Minister for Education James Merlino and local member Martin Foley turning the first sod of soil and launching a new state government authority that will oversee building of new, and upgrade of existing local schools and early childhood centres.

Designed by <a href="http://www.hayball.com.au/projects/south-melbourne-primary-school/">Hayball</a>, the P-6 South Melbourne Primary School, located on Ferrars Street, will have five levels with open space on each level according to a Victorian Government media release.

<blockquote>
On a compact inner urban site of 5000m2, it will be located in the Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area which is expected to grow to 80,000 residents over the next 40 years.

Involving the development of a new model for school and community, a key innovation is the unprecedented integration of shared school and community facilities. As well as a government primary school for 525 students, the project includes an early learning centre, administration, multi-purpose community rooms, a recreation hub (indoor netball courts) and associated amenities.
<cite><a href="http://www.hayball.com.au/projects/south-melbourne-primary-school/">Hayball's description</a> of the new South Melbourne Primary School</cite>
</blockquote>

To read more about the project, see the new <a href="http://www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/Pages/Schools/South-MelbourneFerrars-St.aspx">Victorian School Building authority's website</a>.

Select an image below to view the larger renders of the new school, originally posted on the Premier's Facebook feed.
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Alastair Taylor

Victoria's first vertical school to rise in South Melbourne

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Cremorne-based Spacious Property Group have teamed with Hayball to create the developer's next two apartment projects.

Pending approval, St Kilda and West Melbourne will house the respective mid-rise projects, adding to Spacious Property Group's sole current Melbourne project located opposite Blackburn Station.

The St Kilda project involves a 2,110sqm site at 54-60 St Kilda Road which the developer secured at the turn of the year for a reported $13.7 million. The current low-rise commercial complex will make way for a 10 storey residential building holding 103 dwellings, including apartments, townhouses and three bedroom penthouses.

 504sqm of retail space is spread across the design's St Kilda Road frontage, whilst the facade features an urban lighting installation involving colour-programmed LED luminaires set behind perforated vertical metal screens.

 54-60 St Kilda Road adds to the recent upswing of apartment projects at St Kilda Junction; the largest of which is a 28 level tower slated for <a href="/new-apartments/8-12-punt-road-st-kilda">8-12 Punt Road.</a>

<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/image13_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="54-60 St Kilda Road. Planning image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="356" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image13_8.jpg?itok=TrhvmW1P" title="54-60 St Kilda Road. Planning image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>54-60 St Kilda Road. Planning image: Hayball</figcaption></figure>In West Melbourne, Spacious Property Group is attempting to pass its site through planning once more, post the rejection of an initial attempt for a <a href="/news/planning-application-488-494-la-trobe-street-west-melbourne">32 level residential tower</a>. The site at 488-494 La Trobe Street is back at planning with Hayball undertaking the revised design process that has now asked for a more modest 19 levels.

Within the tower 118 apartments are sought with one, two and two plus study options included. Two retail tenancies are at ground level, whilst 95 bicycle and 28 car parking spaces are located within a solitary basement level.

On its initial planning pass, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VCAT/2015/1895">VCAT provided</a> the following assessment on the initial 32 level version:

<blockquote>
We conclude that the proposed building is not an acceptable design response to it physical and policy setting due to its overall height, massing and lack of side or rear setbacks. We consider these are inconsistent with its existing and preferred character setting.

We do not seek to determine what an appropriate response is for this site as this is not our role. However, based on our concerns about visual bulk and direct amenity impacts we note that even if the height of the building was significantly reduced (even below 40 metres) it would not resolve our concerns about the direct building interface on boundary to the north and east or concerns with internal amenity.
</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/image10_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The revised 488-494 La Trobe Street. Planning image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="412" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image10_7.jpg?itok=dXE3QQGw" title="The revised 488-494 La Trobe Street. Planning image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The revised 488-494 La Trobe Street. Planning image: Hayball</figcaption></figure>Spacious Property Group's Melbourne development pipeline is rounded out with 55-65 Railway Road, Blackburn. Purchased by the developer with a planning permit in place, the project was quickly taken to market under the moniker of <a href="/buildings/boardwalk-55-railway-road-blackburn">Boardwalk Blackburn</a>.

The CHT Architects-designed development sees 33 apartments set above 7 retail tenancies over a 1,475sqm triple fronted site. Orange Building Solutions currently have the project above ground with construction with a likely finish date approaching the new year.
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