Mass timber is becoming an increasingly popular construction material in apartment developments, but Adelaide developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> is taking the approach a step further.

At its new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flowe-bowden-18-gibson-street-bowden-sa-5007">Flowe Bowden</a> development, the exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure isn't just about reducing the building's environmental footprint. It also forms the foundation of a broader wellness strategy, influencing everything from indoor air quality and natural materials to the way residents move through and experience the building.

The 115-apartment mixed-use development, designed by Melbourne-based architecture practice Fieldwork, will occupy a prominent island site opposite Bowden Village Reserve, combining one, two and three-bedroom apartments with retail and a dedicated wellness destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375528]

Wellness isn't confined to a gym or shared resident facility at Flowe. Instead, Fieldwork embedded the concept into the building itself.

The development has been split into two residential wings connected by a naturally ventilated central breezeway, replacing traditional enclosed corridors with open-air walkways that improve natural light, encourage cross ventilation and create more opportunities for neighbourly interaction.

"Rather than treating wellness as something that only happens on the ground floor, our response integrates it throughout the building, which led us to ask what it really means to design a healthy building," Fieldwork Director Quino Holland said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375531]

The building's architecture also reflects Bowden's industrial heritage. The lower podium references the area's historic brick and sandstone buildings, while the upper levels transition to exposed CLT, allowing the timber structure to become a defining feature throughout the apartments and shared spaces.

The use of mass timber sits alongside a range of sustainability initiatives, including a fully electric, gas-free design, rooftop solar and a targeted 5 Star Green Star rating.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375524]

Inside the residences, the focus remains on natural, durable materials. Blackbutt engineered timber flooring, exposed CLT ceilings, porcelain surfaces and warm timber joinery create a calming interior palette, while low-VOC finishes and responsibly sourced materials have been selected to improve indoor air quality.

Kitchens have been designed as the centrepiece of each apartment, featuring porcelain island benchtops, timber-look cabinetry and brushed steel tapware, with layouts that maximise natural light and ventilation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375530]

The more traditional interpretation of wellness comes in the form of Level Eleven, a two-storey wellness club spanning the ground floor, mezzanine and first floor.

The facility will include a gym, yoga and reformer Pilates studios, Finnish and infrared saunas, magnesium hot and cold plunge pools, and dedicated recovery spaces. Unlike many residential wellness facilities, Level Eleven will also operate commercially, allowing the broader Bowden community to access the venue while giving residents exclusive membership benefits.

The ground floor has also been designed around everyday living. A café overlooking Bowden Village Reserve will activate the street frontage, while a bike workshop with tool storage, co-working space and dog wash has been incorporated to support daily routines and encourage interaction between residents.

"Flowe brings together my two biggest passions, creating places and creating healthier lives," Otello founder Daniel Harris said.

"We wanted to create something Adelaide hasn't seen before, a genuinely healthy building, where the way you live is lifted without even trying."

Flowe is positioned directly opposite Bowden Village Reserve and within walking distance of Bowden Railway Station and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, placing future residents just minutes from the Adelaide CBD while remaining connected to one of the city's most established urban renewal precincts.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152022]

Joel Robinson

Otello launches wellness-focused Flowe Bowden with Adelaide-first mass timber apartment design

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

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Goldfields appoints BINAH for Quartet apartments in Milton

Koichi Takada

Johnson Property Group has received State significant masterplan approval for its $600 million Trinity Point development in Lake Macquarie.

The green light fast-tracks the masterplanned community’s plans to provide a unique blend of sustainable luxury living and a significant economic boost to Lake Macquarie and surrounding areas.

Set against the scenic 3.8-hectare backdrop of waterfront property overlooking Barden’s Bay, Trinity Point promises a mix of premium resort hospitality, retail spaces and apartments, as well as a state-of-the-art marina and helipad.

<a data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4e7a4306-1545-4303-8757-498bd3b47266" href="/new-apartments/trinity-point-estate-81-trinity-point-drive-morisset-park"><img alt="Johnson" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-10-06%20at%2012.36.07%20pm.png?VersionId=5OaqRTMm9aqE.5x_GFEQmXQllS.Ru0_0" /></a>

The masterplan features 180 luxury apartments with 614 car spaces, a 218-room hotel, a function centre for up to 300 people, a medispa and wellness retreat, six serviced apartments and two 300-seat restaurants.

Currently on the site sits restaurant 8 at Trinity.

Johnson Property Group's Natalie Johnson says they built an $8 million, 350-seat pop-up&nbsp;restaurant to showcase a taste of what is to come in the proposed development.

“It currently attracts up to 1000 to 1200&nbsp; customers per day with 80% travelling up from Sydney for the experience," Johnson says.

"It makes you feel like you could be anywhere in the world without getting on a plane, proving the incredible demand and future success of a project of this calibre.”

<a data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e4cdfd47-2eaa-4633-9b26-87babcec951b" href="/new-apartments/trinity-point-estate-81-trinity-point-drive-morisset-park"><img alt="Johnson" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-10-06%20at%2012.36.33%20pm.png?VersionId=ticI7ug2NWq91pN_CnXjhT6NapWCo82J" /></a>

Trinity Point’s 188-berth marina is poised to become one of New South Wales’ largest, creating hundreds of new jobs in the region.&nbsp;

Keith Johnson of Johnson Property Group said Trinity Point isn’t merely a development, it’s a world-class resort development.

"[The] 188-berth marina will attract tourism from around the World because there is nothing else like it in Australia," Johnson says. The marina will become one of&nbsp; New South Wales’ largest marinas, creating hundreds of new jobs in the region.&nbsp;

Renowned architect Koichi Takada has been in charge of the designs of the new stage of Trinity Park. He took&nbsp;inspiration from the serene surroundings and rolling Watagan Mountains.

“Our design concept aims for harmonious interaction with nature,” Takada said.

Fluid, sculptural forms are blanketed with green roofs touching the ground in the same manner as the nearby mountains meet the lake.

<a data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="63d1d846-fc91-4791-b71d-02f57cf1ba5c" href="/new-apartments/trinity-point-estate-81-trinity-point-drive-morisset-park"><img alt="Jonson" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-10-06%20at%2012.38.27%20pm.png?VersionId=e3FTqZw3lOSRCBZkQmc8oxcQ2f_a4OKe" /></a>

Much of the site will remain publicly accessible, featuring a major public pedestrian walkway along the foreshore and secondary through-site links weaving around the buildings. These walkways offer a trail experience, connecting private and public areas.

Koichi Takada Architects will also bring its signature biophilic design to Trinity Point. Think solar panels tucked between lush green roofs, rainwater collection systems, and boardwalks that don’t just look good—they do good.&nbsp;

Lake Macquarie’s property market has shown up to a 40 per cent increase over the last year alone. The recent completion of the Sydney–Newcastle Expressway adds to the region’s desirability.

The masterplan features 180 apartments, a 218-room hotel, a function centre, a medispa and wellness retreat, six serviced apartments and two 300-seat restaurants

Johnson Property Group secure approval for Koichi Takada-designed Trinity Point, Lake Macquarie development

Prominent Eastern Suburbs developer Eduard Litver is set to bring something to Double Bay it's never seen before.

Litver, who runs Capit.el Group and is best known for the redevelopment of the Bondi Pacific, has had Japanese architect Koichi Takada design a new mixed-use development in the heart of the suburb,&nbsp;just across the road from The Cosmopolitan Centre where Litver owns the retail component.

Takada's plans include two retail spaces at street level, as well as two food and beverage tenancies.

<img alt="Litver Double Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bca31464-adfe-4449-a085-75193cbc0098" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-01-20%20at%202.12.13%20pm.png?VersionId=jmP3kefQU116yu.fzaV6WHdG9skPoafg" />

Above will be parking, and then a level of commercial space.

The top two levels will be dedicated to just two two-level apartments. The downstairs will home the living, kitchen and dining area, with two terraces overlooking both Knox Street and Knox Lane.

Upstairs will be three ensuited bedrooms, with the master opening to a huge terrace, another overlooking Knox Street.

Litver has been patient with the project, his first site acquisition dating back to 2018 when he secured 31-37 Knox Street at auction for $12.5 million. A year later he spent $9.83 million on 27-29 Knox Street,

<img alt="Litver Double Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1a813a69-79ed-48b4-a6ed-b69f855397b9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-01-20%20at%202.12.48%20pm.png?VersionId=OoOAv8R91.OKHe2e9nRYUNUJSi6kMYYw" />

Litver has gone on record previously saying he wants to transform the Cosmopolitan Centre into a world-class venue, having paid $40 million for the retail in 2018.

The Urban Design Report submitted by AE Design Partnership says the design of the proposal has been developed through detailed site and analysis to ensure a contextually harmonious development

"The proposal will enhance the streetscape by redeveloping the existing outdated buildings into a contemporary built form with vertical and horizontal articulation accentuated by sculpted timber look aluminium framing, light timber look aluminium timber batten screens, glazing and upper-level planting," the report read.

Litver has been involved in a number of luxury developments across the Eastern Suburbs over the years. He was a part of the redevelopment of The Bondi Pacific, as well as The Bondi further down on Campbell Parade, and the QT Pacific Bondi Beach on Beach Road.

&nbsp;

<h2>27-37 Knox Street at a glance</h2>

• 178.1m2 of retail floor space and 126.9m2 food and beverage space on the ground floor

• 1,001.6m2 of commercial floor space across levels 1-3

• two large double-storey apartments on levels 4 and 5

• parking located in one basement level and on level 1 comprising:

• 21 car spaces

• 2 motorcycle spaces

• 18 bicycle spaces

Takada's plans include two retail spaces at street level, as well as two food and beverage tenancies.

First look: Double Bay's Knox Street to get facelift with Koichi Takada development

It can be argued, whether by average sale price or by a simple glance, that the recent Burleigh Heads apartment projects by the South East Queensland developer Forme, are among the best ever built on the Gold Coast.

First to be completed under the new development brand Forme&nbsp;was Norfolk, the&nbsp;first multi-residential development on Burleigh&#39;s Goodwin Terrace in three decades.&nbsp;

Completed half way through last year, Norfolk is one of the most impressive ever produced in the area, if not Queensland, a rare development on the Gold Coast designed by internationally acclaimed Sydney architecture firm Koichi Takada Architects. Norfolk was the first building designed by Koichi Takada on the Coast.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The design was a&nbsp;hit across the country. The curved facade even became one of the famous Bondi-based Aquabumps prints, after going viral on Instagram. Adding to its obvious design aesthetics&nbsp;was the average sale price,&nbsp;touching $5 million, with the $9 million penthouse sale marking the highest ever apartment price south of Mermaid Beach for a completed development. There was another $8.5 million sale in the building, which itself would have also set the record.

Norfolk was also recently nominated for Building of the Year in the ArchDaily Awards, a world-wide competition where it was pitched against apartment projects in Japan, the United States, France, Germany and Sweden. More recently Norfolk has been featured on one of the worlds largest design blogs DeZeen, making it the first ever project on the Gold Coast to be featured on this blog.

Norfolk really has put the Gold Coast on the world stage with respect to architecture and design.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Norfolk set the scene for Luna, completed just a few months after Norfolk. The&nbsp;eight apartments, sold out around a year before completion, fetched&nbsp;an average $4.6 million. It was the international success and acclaim&nbsp;of Norfolk however that&nbsp;had&nbsp;Forme managing director David Calvisi thinking about their latest project.

&quot;We went back to Koichi and had him design another masterpiece&quot;, Calvisi said, although it wasn&#39;t just the chief architect who was retained from Norfolk.

&quot;Everyone from Mim Design, the award-winning Melbourne-based interior design firm, to the landscape architecture firm and&nbsp;builders, were brought on again,&quot; Calvisi added.

The new project, dubbed Sea, around the corner from Luna and Norfolk at 96 The Esplanade, has just 27 apartments across its 18&nbsp;levels.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=99968 project_image_fid=187431]

There&nbsp;will be 23 half-floor apartments of around 245&nbsp;sqm, as well as three full-floor residences with around 490 sqm of space.

Crowning the tower will be a special&nbsp;two level penthouse, expected to fetch around $16&nbsp;million. Across its 822&nbsp;sqm floor plate will be a gym, library and executive office, wine cellar, theatre and private rooftop pool.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=99968 project_image_fid=187416]

The layouts of all of the apartments have been designed to maximise the views and take in natural light.

The open plan living areas typically have bene oriented east to face the ocean, with more private spaces located at the rear of the building.

So far the project has been a hit with a mix of interstate buyers and local owner-occupiers. There&#39;s even been a number of buyers come from Luna and Norfolk.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=99968 project_image_fid=187419]

&quot;Some are wanting a second high-end apartment in the area in which they will move in to when it is completed, while others have bought a Sea apartment for the extended family.&quot;

&quot;It&#39;s great to see repeat buyers from previous projects that acknowledge the high quality product we design and deliver. Development is not just about producing a pretty render, delivering is the most challenging aspect,&quot;&nbsp;Calvisi said.

Forme, ran by Calvisi and his&nbsp;mate Byron Griffith, have been developing on the Gold Coast since 2017. Their first development was North Residences in Burleigh Heads, which was the first one-per-floor luxury development on the Gold Coast post GFC.

It&#39;s clear Calvisi and Griffith were early to understand the attractions of beach front developments on the Southern part of the Gold Coast.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&quot;It&#39;s always been about delivering quality for buyers. That&#39;s how you keep people coming back to your projects, and ultimately retain business.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=99968 project_image_fid=188074]

&quot;It&#39;s been clear with Norfolk, Luna, and Sea, that if you continually produce a high-level of finish, with high quality architecture, interior design, and most importantly a high quality builder, you will get repeat business, and local foot traffic and word of mouth builds.&quot;

Calvisi said the aim with&nbsp;Norfolk was to&nbsp;create a&nbsp;product which the Coast hasn&#39;t seen before.

&quot;We really wanted to break through what has been produced previously, bringing on Koichi whose designs were prominent down South, but hadn&#39;t graced the beaches of the Gold Coast before. Koichi and myself drew inspiration from international destinations such as Miami in Florida.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=99968 project_image_fid=187411]

&quot;It was no surprise to us how the three projects have been welcomed, both by buyers who were seeking a unique design&nbsp;which hadn&#39;t been on offer before, and&nbsp;the real estate and design industry.&quot;

Forme is currently putting plans together for their next project, another by Koichi design, located just behind Sea.

&quot;We&#39;ll be developing something that is&nbsp;a little more price-pointed orientated, with the option of one and two-bedroom apartments, as well as the larger apartments toward the top of the building. However the high quality finish and design that has become synonymous with Forme developments will of course be retained,&quot;&nbsp;Calvisi said.

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Calvisi said the aim with Norfolk was to create a product which the Coast hasn't seen before

The best collection of apartment projects on the Gold Coast? Five minutes with Forme's David Calvisi

The high-end South East Queensland developer, Forme, has been given the green light for its next luxury Gold Coast apartment development.

Dubbed Sea, the boutique apartment building follows the rhythms and designs as their sold-out Goodwin Terrace projects Norfolk and Luna.

Demand was so high for Norfolk, which recently settled as one of the Gold Coast's most expensive apartment developments, that Forme boss David Calvisi put together the same team to create a similar-style project slightly further south on The Esplanade.

He had&nbsp;Koichi Takada again handle the architecture. His designs for Norfolk made the building a hit on Instagram. The curved facade even became one of the famous Bondi-based Aquabumps prints.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=99968 project_image_fid=187434]

Interiors have again been directed by the Melbourne-based interior design firm Mim Design, headed by the interior design queen Mim Fanning. The design approach came from the coastline just across the road.

Sea comprises half-floor apartments, each spanning 240 sqm and homing&nbsp;three bedrooms, three bathrooms, two car spaces and a panorama of beach, ocean, skyline and headland views.

Full-floor apartments of around 480 sqm are configured to include three ensuited bedrooms, a multi-purpose room, media lounge, home gym, walk-in wine display bar, and a&nbsp;lifestyle space with a fireplace and butler’s pantry.

Residents are afforded exclusive access to an array of in-house amenities including a pool, sauna, ice baths, gymnasium and pilates studio, and an alfresco dining terrace serviced by an integrated barbecue kitchen ensconced by idyllic gardens.

Sea is crowned by a 790 sqm, two-level penthouse.

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Forme director David Calvisi said Sea translates to a sophisticated statement of inspired design, refined social amenity and considered lifestyle opportunities to become an outstanding destination in its own right.

“Sea is the very essence of beachfront living embracing our coastal climate, contemporary comforts and relaxed vibe in an unequivocally refined, intuitive and practical composition for the astute purchaser.”

Sea is set&nbsp;to launch in December,&nbsp;with a number of apartments already secured in the pre-release phase through JLE Projects.

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[smartcode_project:default project_id=99968 project_image_fid=187420]

Dubbed Sea, the boutique apartment building follows the rhythms and designs as their sold-out Goodwin Terrace projects Norfolk and Luna

Forme get green light for Sea, their latest luxury Burleigh Heads apartment development by Koichi Takada

Crown Group has expanded its footprint out of Sydney, announcing&nbsp;Artis at Southbank as their first ever development outside of Sydney.

They&#39;ve had their go-to Sydney architect, Koichi Takada, design the 16-level, 152-apartment tower, his first in Melbourne.

Takada, who created Crown Group&#39;s award-winning Mastery by Crown Group and Waterfall by Crown Group, was inspired&nbsp;by two nearby iconic landmarks - the flowing spine of the Arts Centre, and the new NGV Contemporary art and design gallery, the latter forming part of the $200 million redevelopment of the precinct.

Koichi Takada said the&nbsp;project&rsquo;s name is a nod to the concept of &lsquo;art in motion&rsquo; which is reflected in the design of the fluid ribbon-motion fa&ccedil;ade of the two elliptical-shaped buildings.

<a href="/new-apartments/175-187-sturt-street-southbank">To keep up to date with the development and its launch, enquire here</a>

&quot;Every aspect of the interior will also reflect the bohemian art culture of Southbank,&quot; Takada added.

<img alt="" height="674" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/artis_southbank_2.jpg" width="1200" />

Crown Group Chairman and Group CEO, Iwan Sunito, said the decision to branch out to Melbourne made sense, given the amount of interest from&nbsp;Melburnians in their Sydney projects.

&quot;We&rsquo;re excited to finally bring our iconic design and luxury resort-style amenity to the Victorian capital,&quot; Sunito said.

&quot;Melbourne is a vibrant city with long-term investment potential and a key market in our plans for growth across Australia.

&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve been waiting for the perfect site in a prime inner-city location for about 10 years..

&ldquo;We wanted to create something rare and unique for our first project in Melbourne, and this location and the luxe, refined and timeless design will appeal to many.&rdquo;

Wellbeing and connection to nature, a staple of Crown Group&#39;s Sydney developments, is on show at Artis, which will have a number of&nbsp;exclusive resident facilities and amenities, including an indoor lap pool, spa, sauna, yoga studio, gym, resident&rsquo;s lounge and landscaped rooftop garden with views of the Melbourne skyline and Port Phillip Bay.

<a href="/new-apartments/175-187-sturt-street-southbank">To keep up to date with the development and its launch, enquire here</a>

Situated adjacent to a tram stop for convenient access into the city and universities, the residence is only a short walk to St Kilda&nbsp;Arts Precinct including the Malthouse Theatre, National Gallery of Victoria and Queen Victoria Gardens.

Crown Group Sales Director, Prisca Edwards said that currently all signs for the Melbourne property market are looking positive with housing and apartments seeing growth in the last quarter.

&quot;We are already seeing an upturn in property prices, auction clearance rates and sales,&quot; Edwards noted, adding that Artis is&nbsp;located at a prime inner-city location that boasts good investment opportunity and strong long-term capital growth prospects.

Crown Group recently celebrated its 25-year anniversary since its conception. Over that period they&#39;ve received 50 national and international awards.

Two of their Sydney projects - Infinity by Crown Group and Arc by Crown Group, were awarded the 2021 Best Tall Building under 100 metres by the prestigious Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats.

Koichi Takada said the project’s name is a nod to the concept of ‘art in motion’ which is reflected in the design of the fluid ribbon-motion façade of the two elliptical-shaped buildings

Crown Group reveal first Melbourne apartment development, Artis at Southbank

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Crown Group's third land parcel within their expansive Waterloo development precinct has reached planning.

Koichi Takada Architects have taken on design duties once more for the latest instalment, which is referred to as Building B. Thus far Buildings D and E edged into planning during March; Koichi Takada Architects have maintained a similar scale and design language across all three intended apartment projects.

The latest inclusion will cost in excess of $33 million to deliver and consists of 56 apartments across various living formats.

<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/image73_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Reed Street perspective. Planning image: Koichi Takada Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="328" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image73_5.jpg?itok=IOcDZd3U" title="Reed Street perspective. Planning image: Koichi Takada Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Reed Street perspective. Planning image: Koichi Takada Architects</figcaption></figure>Set over 6 levels, the 56 apartments are split between 6 x studio, 18 x 1 Bedroom, 28 x 2 Bedroom and 8 x 3 Bedroom options. The inclusion of studios within Building B is reflective of Crown Group's move to diversify the living options within the initial two planning applications.

Basement parking provides 58 vehicle bays alongside provisions for bicycles.

An expansive 240 square metre retail tenancy will corner Reed Street and Archibald Avenue, bolstering the retail intentions of the overall development. Thus far 16 retail and food/cafe tenancies have been included over the initial two buildings.

<blockquote>
Koichi Takada Architects' design for Lot 9 (Building B) focuses on providing a building that enhances the new streetscape. The proposal provides an iconic and recognizable addition to the new Lachlan Precinct.

A highly articulated facade defines the horizontality of the building, creating an organic form along the entire building’s length. The articulation assists to break down the mass of the building facade while the organic nature of the horizontal banding helps emphasise the street corners.

The artfully designed facade incorporates an integrated awning into the design to create a holistic design aesthetic. 
<cite>Design Statement: Koichi Takada Architects</cite>
</blockquote>

The 56 apartments slated for Building B are in addition to the 139 across both earlier stages.

<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/image72_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Crown Group's initial two residential intentions for Waterloo. Planning images: Koichi Takada Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="222" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image72_3.jpg?itok=fzMuOllF" title="Crown Group's initial two residential intentions for Waterloo. Planning images: Koichi Takada Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Crown Group's initial two residential intentions for Waterloo. Planning images: Koichi Takada Architects</figcaption></figure>Crown Group's trio of modest-sized apartment projects are located within the Lachlan Precinct in Waterloo which forms part of the Green Square Urban Renewal Area.

City of Sydney's vision for the Lachlan Precinct is that "it will continue to gradually transition from industrial and warehouse uses to a mixed-use residential neighbourhood with high-quality buildings and public spaces." The developer and architect have heavily invested into their precinct's ground plane, as evidenced by the numerous retail spaces principally fronting Archibald Avenue.

Crown Group's development site is strategic in that it holds the major axis intersection. Gadigal Avenue runs north-south and is pegged as a major mixed-use thoroughfare whilst Archibald Avenue is on an east-west setting and is slowly developing as the precinct's main retail and café strip.

Imagery for Building B also includes the taller 19 level future residential tower <a href="https://architectureau.com/articles/kengo-kuma-koichi-takada-to-design-vertical-urban-forest-for-sydneys-waterloo/">jointly designed by Kengo Kuma and Koichi Takada Architects</a>. 

Crown Group can expect approximately 380 apartments across all stages of their Waterloo development.
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silvermb

Third time over; Crown Group tracks a third Waterloo apartment project

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Crown Group have lodged their second development application within a month for a large tract of land in Waterloo.

Building D is the second of five separate land parcels within the developer's expansive site which falls across the Lachlan Precinct renewal area. Addressed 44-48 O'Dea Avenue, the development in its entirety will see buildings of up to 20 levels delivered.

For the time being though Crown Group has seen it fit to focus on the smaller-scale aspect of their budding precinct. The freshly lodged Building D at 7 levels is similar in scale to <a href="/news/koichi-takada-designs-crown-groups-next-considerable-residential-project">Building E which was lodged during March</a>, albeit with a lower overall apartment count.

As with the first stage, Koichi Takada Architects have been given the design duties.

<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/image11_22.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Archibald Avenue and Reed Street perspective. Planning image: Koichi Takada Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="307" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image11_22.jpg?itok=dXav2A5-" title="Archibald Avenue and Reed Street perspective. Planning image: Koichi Takada Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Archibald Avenue and Reed Street perspective. Planning image: Koichi Takada Architects</figcaption></figure>Building D contains 7 commercial tenancies and 44 residential apartments above 2 levels of basement parking and services. The intended apartment split sees 2 studios, 12 single bedroom, 24 double bedroom and 6 triple bedroom apartments rolled into the building.

Both Buildings D and E maintain similar external gold banding, although Building D's external arrangement is in a vertical configuration. Koichi Takada Architects describe Building D as follows:

<blockquote>
The development is organised in 2 primary masses formed in a L-shape. This comprises of a 4 storey low rise built form along Archibald street, and a 7 storey mid rise fronting Gadigal Ave.

The continuous awning both enhances the streetscape quality and continuous nature of the active street frontage. The upper floors integrate a vertical blade treatment along the facade which assists in breaking down the massing.

As the facade wraps around the building on the three primary frontages, it assists in creating a dynamic facade that helps to break down the apparent mass and visual bulk of the building. The built form is driven by principles of natural ventilation, solar access and visual privacy. 
</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/image14_16.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Crown Group's initial Waterloo site. Planning image: Koichi Takada Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="382" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image14_16.jpg?itok=37FzSdoj" title="Crown Group's initial Waterloo site. Planning image: Koichi Takada Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Crown Group's Waterloo site. Planning image: Koichi Takada Architects</figcaption></figure>Thus far combined apartment numbers between both lodged applications amount to 139.

Both are located within the Lachlan Precinct which forms part of the Green Square Urban Renewal Area. City of Sydney's vision for the Lachlan Precinct is that "it will continue to gradually transition from industrial and warehouse uses to a mixed-use residential neighbourhood with high-quality buildings and public spaces."

Crown Group's development site is strategic in that it holds the major axis intersection. Gadigal Avenue runs north-south and is pegged as a major mixed-use thoroughfare whilst Archibald Avenue is on an east-west setting and is slowly developing as the precinct's main retail and café strip.

Koichi Takada Architects' commentary on Building D's street level interaction included the following:

<blockquote>
Koichi Takada Architects focuses on a design that enhances both public and residential amenity. The ground plane opens to Archibald Ave, with a highly active retail frontage that will invigorate the streetscape and public domain, providing continuous row of retail tenancies.

The primary active frontage faces south while maximising the district outlook and enhancing available 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/image12_14.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The prospective view from Gadigal Avenue. Planning image: Koichi Takada Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="315" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image12_14.jpg?itok=Ug438OFN" title="The prospective view from Gadigal Avenue. Planning image: Koichi Takada Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Building D view from Gadigal Avenue. Planning image: Koichi Takada Architects</figcaption></figure>
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Crown Group doubles up in Waterloo

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The initial stage of Crown Group's multiphased redevelopment of a substantial land track in Sydney's Waterloo has been unveiled.

The developer earlier this month lodged plans for the first of five separate stages within its Lachlan Precinct land parcel. Addressed 44-48 O'Dea Avenue, the overall development will ultimately see multiple buildings delivered, climbing as high as 20 levels.

The subject of the initial application though is Building E, a more modest 8 level apartment development. The 2,993 square metre island site is set well back from O'Dea Avenue and is bound by Archibald Avenue, Gadigal Avenue, Reed Street and Hatbox Place. 

Koichi Takada Architects is behind the design, having created a number of stand out residential buildings for Crown Group in recent times. Building E, too, shapes as an architectural statement, holding winged feature aluminium corners that soften an otherwise squared form.

<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/image9_20.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Street level perspective. Planning image: Koichi Takada Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="272" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image9_20.jpg?itok=RXp8qBge" title="Street level perspective. Planning image: Koichi Takada Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Street level perspective. Planning image: Koichi Takada Architects</figcaption></figure>95 apartments are slated for the initial stage, which has a development cost beyond $41 million. Crown Group have provided a spread of living options within Building E, electing to include 10 studio, 29 single, 45 double and 11 triple bedroom apartments.

Internal areas for the respecting living options begin at 35 square metres for studios, 50 square metres for singles, 70 square metres for doubles and 90 square metres for triples.

The apartments, along with 11 retails tenancies predominantly facing Archibald Avenue, will be serviced by dual basement levels accommodating 105 parking bays. 
At ground level, a publicly accessible and landscaped through passage will account for roughly 30% of the site's footprint, with a small degree of built form above, effectively creating a U-shaped building. Part of the above build form is a fourth level terrace for future residents.

<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/image16_12.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Joint Koichi Takada - Crown Group projects to date"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="334" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image16_12.jpg?itok=4oULD1xP" title="Joint Koichi Takada - Crown Group projects to date" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Joint Koichi Takada - Crown Group projects to date</figcaption></figure>Building E aside, Crown Group has taken a liking to Koichi Takada's flowing lines in recent times; the duo has collaborated on a number of projects in inner Sydney. Skye, Arc and the highly distinctive Infinity with its roughly 400 apartments, retail and convention facilities are Koichi Takada designs for the prolific developer.

Another upcoming project sees Crown Group team with architecture firm FJMT to deliver a $1 billion rejuvenation project to Sydney's southern suburb of Eastlakes. Crown Group is also planning its first Melbourne project.

Teaming with G3 Projects, the duo is reportedly developing 175 Sturt Street, Southbank. It went to planning during 2016 and still remains there.
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Koichi Takada designs Crown Group's next considerable residential project

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When the first images of <a href="/news/889-collins-street-next-for-lend-leases-victoria-harbour">889 Collins Street surfaced</a>, eagle-eyed readers would have noticed a second identical set of towers in the background. Having initially brushed it off as artistic license to populate a render I was surprised to learn that the development would in fact consist of four overall towers or two sets of twin towers along the north bank of Victoria Harbour.

<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/site_plan.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aerial of sites within Victoria Harbour. © City of Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="305" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/site_plan.jpg?itok=CQi8pj0P" title="Aerial of sites within Victoria Harbour. © City of Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aerial of sites within Victoria Harbour. © City of Melbourne</figcaption></figure>Designed by Sydney-based architect Koichi Takada, the project has gained support in the last week via City of Melbourne's Future (Planning) Committee; the final remaining hurdle is now approval from the Planning Minister's office prior to Y4 &amp; Y5/Y6 (seen in the above graphic) officially commencing.

The southern set of towers will be 75.9 metres in height while the northern pair will reach 93.6 metres, with their respective podia rising to heights of 19.5m. The pairing of towers will be such that each podium will accommodate one 30-storey and one 24-storey tower. This variance in height is intended to give the Docklands skyline a more dramatic silhouette than if the towers were to have been paired by common height.

<blockquote>
The elevations are well designed and articulated. All elevations of the towers and podia feature glazing of various types, balconies and timber or masonry finishes to balconies at podium levels, which will serve to create a visually interesting facade. Plant and lift motor rooms are fully screened.

The towers will be worthy additions to the Docklands skyline.
<cite>City Of Melbourne Future Committee Report</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/image.jpg8_zps9xhsay7e.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Tower elevations highlighting height variance and facade articulation. © Koichi Takada Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="366" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image.jpg8_zps9xhsay7e.jpg?itok=bPbakezl" title="Tower elevations highlighting height variance and facade articulation. © Koichi Takada Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Height variance and facade articulation. Image © Koichi Takada Architects</figcaption></figure>All four towers have the same articulation and a consistent material palette whereby the main elevations respond to city context and river context which is expressed and reflected in the choice of materials. The spandrel bands which wrap around the podium levels employ a rich textured palette of brick and timber drawing references to the site's maritime history (which has been lacking in Docklands so far) and presents somewhat of a departure from the typical materials which adorn some of the other apartment buildings.

The tower sections feature bands of fritted glazing of various levels of opacity and colour, which create a distinct rippled patternation across the facades while also providing the impression of a horizontal movement. This in turn creates a kinetic quality, reinforced by the various reflections of water, city and sky throughout the day.

Likened to "the strong, billowing effect" of sails in the wind, the fritted bands vary from the reddish tone of the brick to the silver tone of the weathered timber.

<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/facade_elevation.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Detail elevation of podium materiality and texture elevations highlighting height variance and facade articulation. © Koichi Takada Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="227" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/facade_elevation.jpg?itok=TrGyiYhi" title="Detail elevation of podium materiality and texture elevations highlighting height variance and facade articulation. © Koichi Takada Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Podium materiality and texture. Image © Koichi Takada Architects</figcaption></figure>Interestingly site Y4 originally carried approval for a 9-storey office development designed by Bates Smart with 875 Collins Street as its address. Similarly it is expected that the DCM-designed office tower at 839 Collins Street will be replaced by a $250 million hotel and apartment development for which Lend Lease have put to the market via an open bidding process.

This follows Lend Lease's unsuccessful attempts to secure tenants for both commercial projects before proceeding with construction. This change in strategy has largely been attributed to the strong demand for apartments both from local and overseas purchasers.

Stage One, known more formally as <a href="http://www.889collins.com.au/">889 Collins Street</a>, is due to commence construction this month pending final approval with a completion date of June 2017 forecast.

<h2>Project briefs</h2>

<ul>
<li>Project value: $600 million</li>
	<li>Four towers: 1,070 apartments</li>
	<li>Stage One: 1 x 30-storey + 1 x 24-storey, 539 apartments - 208 x 1BR, 295 x 2BR. 28 x 3BR</li>
	<li>Stage Two: 1 x 30-storey + 1 x 24-storey, 531 apartments - 218 x 1BR. 293 x 2BR. 28 x 3BR</li>
	<li>Car parking 748 spaces over 6 levels across both podiums</li>
	<li>371 bicycle spaces</li>
	<li>SOHO wrap of apartments to podiums to activate facades</li>
	<li>Landscaped rooftop to podiums</li>
	<li>1499sqm of commercial retail</li>
</ul>
<h2>Project team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Lend Lease</li>
	<li>Architect: Koichi Takada Architects</li>
	<li>Planning Consultant: Contour Consulting</li>
	<li>Waste Management: Leigh Design</li>
	<li>Wind Consultant: MEL Consultants</li>
</ul>
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