<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/far-east-consortium">Far East Consortium</a> is preparing to commence construction on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/640-bourke-street-melbourne-640-bourke-street-melbourne-vic-3000">640 Bourke Street</a> this October, marking the next milestone for the Melbourne CBD development and its higher-end Eliza Collection.

Spanning levels 44 to 68 of the 68-storey <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>-designed tower, the Eliza Collection has been conceived as a lower-density offering within the broader development, with only five apartments on each floor, dedicated lift access and a collection of resident spaces reserved exclusively for Eliza Collection residents.

The Eliza Collection forms part of Far East Consortium's broader move toward larger-format residences at 640 Bourke Street, where the number of apartments was reduced from earlier plans as apartment sizes increased.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365685]

"What it's meant for 640 Bourke is we've actually reduced the number of apartments. We've increased the overall size of the apartments. We don't have any studios in here, and what that does for a project is it elevates it," Far East Consortium Director of Sales and Marketing Lauren Sheldon said.

Rothelowman Associate Jun Chang said the design process provided an opportunity to create more generous floorplans.

"We were given the opportunity to be more generous. The apartments became bigger and squarer than any other apartments which had been designed in the CBD before that."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=368869]

That thinking carries through to the Eliza Collection, where the residences have been designed around the space and functionality associated with a larger home, but positioned high above the centre of Melbourne.

Kitchens are equipped with Gaggenau appliances, a butler's pantry, temperature-controlled wine cabinet and sculptural pendant lighting, while engineered timber flooring, stone and porcelain finishes and custom cabinetry feature throughout the broader interiors.

Privacy and security are another point of distinction. Eliza Collection residents have dedicated lift access, while 640 Bourke Street will provide concierge services and secure resident parking. Short-stay accommodation, including Airbnb, will not be permitted within the development.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365689]

Eliza Collection residents will also have exclusive access to selected amenity spaces across levels one and three of the restored Eliza Tinsley building. These include the Salon with grand piano, an art therapy room, private dining rooms and treatment rooms.

They sit within more than 3,000 sqm of amenity planned across 640 Bourke Street, alongside facilities including a pool, gym, whisky lounge and further social and wellness spaces.

The Eliza Tinsley building itself is central to the wider project's identity. Rather than treating the existing Eliza Tinsley façade as a separate element, Rothelowman used it as a starting point for the architecture of the new tower, with the historic building to accommodate the project's gallery and lobby.

"It's a significant asset and wants to be celebrated and experienced by all residents every single time they go in and out of the building," Rothelowman Principal Stuart Marsland said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=368872]

The tower will rise behind the retained heritage building at 640 Bourke Street, placing residents within walking distance of Southern Cross Station, Flagstaff Gardens, Queen Victoria Market and the Docklands waterfront.

With construction scheduled to begin in October, Far East Consortium has established an onsite display gallery at 640 Bourke Street, including fully built apartments that allow the project's layouts, materials and finishes to be inspected at full scale.

A fully built Eliza Collection apartment is also available to view at the display suite by appointment ahead of the planned October construction commencement.

Eligible purchasers who buy before construction commences can secure the full available off-the-plan stamp duty savings, subject to eligibility and applicable conditions.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=509]

Joel Robinson

Far East Consortium brings Eliza Collection to 640 Bourke Street ahead of October construction start

By the time S&amp;S Projects began planning <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia</a>, the developer already had three Rainbow Bay projects from which to draw.

Flow, Awaken and Esprit had given <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ss-projects">S&amp;S Projects</a> experience developing in the southern Gold Coast enclave, as well as buyer feedback that could be carried into its fourth project, a boutique collection of 38 residences at 271 Boundary Street.

“We have experienced a lot of success in this location and as this was our fourth building we had taken all of the learnings and buyer feedback from previous projects to arrive at a design and apartment mix that we believe had captured all of that experience and remained a true S&amp;S Project in its design and amenity,” the developer said.

That experience has translated into a collection of two, three, four and five-bedroom residences including two penthouses positioned on an elevated corner in Rainbow Bay, where the site opens to multiple coastal view corridors and the area's distinctive north-facing bay.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140491 project_image_fid=284542]

S&amp;S Projects says the Boundary Street site took years to assemble, having previously comprised six units, a house and a duplex. The developer worked individually with the existing owners to bring the properties together after an earlier attempt to sell the site had been complicated by the number of parties involved.

“We are constantly looking for properties that meet our brand standards of location, views, and sites that are rare with unique aspects that we can develop to maximise the lifestyle of residents who live in our buildings,” S&amp;S Projects said.

The Boundary Street site gave <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a> a different set of conditions to work with.&nbsp;

“Our design brief was to design a building that took advantage of its unique elevated corner siting offering a range of spectacular view corridor opportunities,” Cottee Parker said.

“The design had to reinforce the strong brand pillars of S&amp;S which are quality, luxury and superior resident amenity.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140491 project_image_fid=284543]

Cottee Parker responded with a sculptural floorplate and strong horizontal banding, with continuous balconies and landscaped planters wrapping the building. Operable screens along the balcony edges allow residents to manage light and shade while creating an additional layer of pattern across the facade.

The tower rises above a heavily landscaped podium incorporating the entry lobby and recreational level, while the broader architectural expression takes cues from Rainbow Bay's coastal environment through its organic forms and light material palette.

Cottee Parker says the design has also been developed to complement S&amp;S Projects’ three previous Rainbow Bay developments while retaining its own architectural identity.

Inside, the residences continue that coastal response through two interior schemes centred on warm timbers and neutral tones, alongside patterned natural stone and fluted detailing.

Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors connect open-plan living areas to wraparound balconies, while natural stone is used across benchtops, splashbacks and bathroom walls. Specifications also include light-washed timber flooring, gas fireplaces, integrated bar and wine fridges, freestanding stone baths and 100 per cent wool carpet.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140491 project_image_fid=284559]

Cottee Parker Director Sandra Brown said the intention was to create an architectural response closely connected to its surroundings.

“Imagine architecture that breathes with the rhythm of nature, where every curve and line flows seamlessly – creating spaces that dance with the elements, where sunlight kisses every surface and the gentle sea breeze fills every space,” Brown said.

The lessons S&amp;S Projects carried into Radia also extend to its resident amenity, with a substantial collection of shared facilities planned for just 38 residences.

A dedicated Residents Club will include a lap pool and spa, gymnasium, ice bath, sauna, steam room and hot rocks sauna. A residents' lounge, private dining room, outdoor dining and barbecue area and business centre are also planned, along with storage and dedicated surfboard and beach lockers.

S&amp;S Projects Founding Director Paul Gedoun said the facilities were also designed around the project's Rainbow Bay setting.

“Each amenity is designed to capitalise on the lifestyle of Rainbow Bay, ensuring residents can enjoy the relaxed coastal experience the enclave is famous for,” Gedoun said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140491 project_image_fid=284555]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/pezet-matheson">Pezet Matheson</a> says purchasers to date have predominantly included local downsizers, interstate lifestyle investors and families, alongside a strong contingent of repeat S&amp;S purchasers.&nbsp;

According to the project sales team, feedback has centred on the natural stone and joinery, generous floorplans, natural light and the ability for residences to capture views in multiple directions. The completed Flow, Awaken and Esprit developments have also provided prospective purchasers with an existing reference point for S&amp;S Projects' delivery in Rainbow Bay.

There has also been interest from high-profile surfers and people connected to the surf community, with the elevated building providing outlooks towards several of the area's recognised surf breaks.

Radia continues S&amp;S Projects' concentration of development in a tightly held part of the southern Gold Coast, close to Rainbow Bay Beach, Snapper Rocks, Duranbah Beach, Greenmount Beach and the Tweed River. The neighbourhood also includes a growing collection of hospitality venues, while Coolangatta Airport provides connections beyond the southern Gold Coast.

Hutchinson Builders is now delivering Radia, continuing the project from early works privately funded by S&amp;S Projects. The $250 million development is expected to reach completion in the third quarter of 2027.

“With our history in Rainbow Bay, we have been fortunate to be heavily involved in how the development landscape has unfolded and this project slides into the property landscape comfortably and will feel like it was always there,” the developer said.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=140491]

How three Rainbow Bay projects shaped S&S Projects' fourth, Radia

Nearly 40 years after <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sheida-group">The Sheida Group</a> began working on the northern Gold Coast, the family-owned developer is continuing its involvement in Hope Island with Marina Point Apartments, where apartment scale has been a central part of the development.

Across the 235-apartment waterfront community, the developer has prioritised larger floorplans, substantial open space and marina access, responding to a purchaser base that has predominantly comprised local owner-occupiers and downsizers moving from larger homes.

"Having already delivered Anchorage nearby, we also understood this particular market and how people live here," developer Rick Sheida said.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marina-point-apartments-hope-island-66-view-line-terrace-hope-island-qld-4212">Marina Point&nbsp;Apartments</a> gave us the opportunity to build on those lessons and create the next evolution of our work in Hope Island."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136992 project_image_fid=293151]

The Sheida Group acquired the Marina Point land around 2018. Its appeal, Sheida says, went beyond having a waterfront address.

"What attracted us was not simply that the site was waterfront, but the way it meets the water," he said.

"It sits at the junction of broad waterways, creating long sightlines, changing views and a sense of movement throughout the day. Its shape also allowed us to orient the buildings outward, improve privacy between residences and make better use of natural light and breezes."

The buildings have subsequently been positioned around the perimeter of the site, allowing most apartments to take in water views while others look across the resort amenity or hinterland. Once all four buildings are complete, approximately one hectare of the site is expected to remain as open space.

The waterfront also provides the potential for up to 50 marina berths, with berths ranging from 15 to 24 metres and options designed to accommodate wider vessels including catamarans. Access from the marina to the Gold Coast Seaway is bridge-free.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136992 project_image_fid=293149]

The developer says purchasers to date have predominantly been owner-occupiers and downsizers from <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marina-point-apartments-hope-island-66-view-line-terrace-hope-island-qld-4212">Hope Island</a> and elsewhere on the Gold Coast, generally aged between 45 and 70. Many have sold larger family homes or properties requiring significant upkeep.

That purchaser profile informed a design brief centred on retaining the space and functionality of a larger home within an apartment format.

"Many of our buyers are coming from large, well-appointed homes in Sanctuary Cove and the surrounding area," the project team said.

"They are accustomed to generous spaces and thoughtful design, so it was important that the apartments delivered the same sense of comfort and functionality.

"Every room needed to feel well proportioned, every space needed a clear purpose and nothing could feel compromised."

Residences range from 139 sqm through to 319 sqm penthouses, with two car spaces provided to apartments and three to penthouses. Minimum 2.7-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glazing, entertainer's kitchens with butler's pantries, substantial storage and balconies ranging from 18 sqm to 37 sqm further reflect the emphasis on space.

One purchaser from Sanctuary Cove has taken the concept further, combining two of Marina Point's largest apartments to create a 552 sqm residence with raked ceilings reaching up to 4.5 metres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136992 project_image_fid=293155]

With Building 1 now complete, the developer is also seeing its original design assumptions tested against purchaser feedback.

Three completed display residences allow prospective purchasers to compare apartment sizes, layouts, finishes and outlooks in person. The sales team says one of the most consistent responses has been to the scale of the apartments, with visitors describing them as feeling more like homes than conventional apartments.

The first stage of resident amenity is also operational, including a 25-metre heated lap pool, Technogym-equipped gym, infrared sauna, golf simulator and yoga room. Future facilities are set to include a resort-style pool and spa, waterfront barbecue area and a residents' lounge with a library, fireplace, pool table, kitchen and bar.

Rather than treating the four buildings independently, the design brief called for a complete waterfront neighbourhood, balancing private residences with landscaping, open space, marina access and shared amenity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136992 project_image_fid=293152]

For Sheida, Marina Point Apartments is ultimately an extension of the developer's longer-term involvement in Hope Island and its view of how the suburb is evolving.

"We were equally interested in the long-term future of Hope Island," he said.

"Its position between Brisbane and the central Gold Coast gives residents access to both, while improving transport connections are making the northern Gold Coast increasingly attractive as a permanent place to live."

Hope Island Marketplace is 1.3 kilometres from Marina Point, while Sanctuary Cove and Paradise Point are within six kilometres. Links Hope Island, The Pines and The Palms golf courses are also nearby, and the new Hope Island train station is under construction around five kilometres from the development.

Building 2 is under construction, with completion scheduled for 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136992]

Marina Point Apartments continues The Sheida Group's 40-year Hope Island story

Sydney-based fund manager and developer EG is seeking to turn part of the former Roche pharmaceutical campus in Cromer into a 130-home residential community, introducing a mix of low-rise apartments, townhouses and duplexes to the tightly held Northern Beaches market.

The SJB-designed masterplan has been prepared for the 3.2-hectare site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/100-south-creek-road-cromer-nsw-2099">100 South Creek Road</a>, part of the former Roche landholding that EG acquired for $55 million in 2017 through its Yield Plus Infrastructure Fund No. 2.

EG is proposing what SJB describes as a new "urban village" set within the site's significant existing tree canopy.

<img alt="Cromer" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="482c9a58-49f1-4c53-a12e-aaa02336229f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-24%20at%2011.20.57%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=hZP8_XfPnfNq500dbcjlpVwYU1ebhF9_" />

Around three hectares of the site is considered developable, with the balance incorporating a riparian corridor that would be rehabilitated and revegetated as part of the proposal.

The indicative masterplan comprises approximately 72 apartments in low-rise residential buildings and another 58 townhouses and duplexes.

The apartment component would include around five one-bedroom, 37 two-bedroom and 30 three-bedroom residences, while the townhouse and duplex component would be spread across several different housing typologies. The overall scheme would deliver around 19,500 sqm of gross floor area at an FSR of 0.6:1.

Parking for the apartment component is currently estimated at around 112 resident spaces and 14 visitor spaces, while the townhouse and duplex component would have 116 resident and 12 visitor spaces.

A significant part of the masterplan revolves around retaining the established landscape character of the former Roche campus.

SJB's plans show heavily treed setbacks along both Campbell Avenue and South Creek Road, a centrally located collection of significant native and exotic trees retained as communal open space, and the regeneration of the northern bushland area.

The existing creek corridor along the site's western edge would also be rehabilitated and revegetated, creating additional separation between the new homes and the neighbouring Northern Beaches Business Park.

A heritage-listed cottage and its garden setting would be retained and restored, with SJB flagging its potential adaptive reuse as communal space.

The proposal also includes new communal recreation areas, pedestrian connections to Campbell Avenue and South Creek Road, and a contribution toward improvements to the adjoining Michele Reserve.

Vehicular access would be restricted to South Creek Road, with no vehicle entry proposed from Campbell Avenue. The main internal road would largely follow the site's existing driveway to minimise the impact on established trees.

SJB said residential redevelopment presented an opportunity to retain the majority of the site's heritage-listed mature trees while delivering a broader range of housing types than typically seen across the Northern Beaches.

"The site being 3.27 hectares in area represents one of the largest vacant sites in common ownership in the Cromer and Dee Why area capable of residential renewal," SJB noted in the masterplan.

The architect said the proposal would particularly target housing diversity through townhouses and other "missing middle" typologies suitable for singles, young families, downsizers and retirees.

<img alt="Cromer" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e3f5d841-8491-427e-8ada-c70d3d03d6bc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-24%20at%2011.21.02%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=xTV7r.q8lrTzC9vKzMS9zMbjm9wKwhgm" />

The site emerged following the subdivision of the former Roche campus into eastern and western parcels.

EG has already transformed the western portion into the Northern Beaches Business Park, which incorporates heritage-listed office space, modern warehouses and indoor recreation facilities.

The proposed residential community, referred to as Cromer East in SJB's plans, adjoins established housing to the north, east and south-east, while the business park sits beyond the creek corridor to the west.

It is also within 250 metres of Pittwater House School and Northern Beaches Secondary College, while bus stops within a three-to-five-minute walk provide connections to Dee Why, Brookvale and express services to the Sydney CBD. Cromer Park and the South Creek open space corridor are also nearby.

EG acquired the broader 7.5-hectare former Roche campus in 2017 for $55 million through its Yield Plus Infrastructure Fund No. 2. The campus at the time comprised more than 25,000 sqm of industrial and office buildings set within landscaped grounds.

The current residential site represents the eastern portion of that original holding.

EG's investment strategy for the fund has centred on acquiring income-producing real estate with longer-term rezoning and repositioning potential, particularly assets benefiting from infrastructure and changing land-use patterns.

EG also has an established residential track record across Sydney, including Bosco in Five Dock, Tempo in Drummoyne, The Flour Mill in Summer Hill and Pindari in Randwick.

The developer says it has delivered more than 1,000 homes to date, with a further 3,000-plus residences across its development pipeline.

First look: EG plans 130 apartments on former Roche pharmaceutical campus in Cromer

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> has lodged plans for a $750 million, three-tower mixed-use precinct that would complete the long-running redevelopment of Carlton's former Carlton United Breweries site.

The proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/185-195-queensberry-street-carlton-vic-3053">46-78 Bouverie Street and 185-195 Queensberry Street</a> spans a 6,468 sqm site, the last remaining undeveloped parcels within the former brewery's 2007 masterplan.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the development will comprise two purpose-built student accommodation towers and a third build-to-sell apartment tower above a shared commercial podium and basement.

Across the three towers, SP Setia is proposing 606 build-to-sell apartments and 1,499 student accommodation units containing 2,009 beds.

The apartments will sit in the tallest tower, which will rise nearly 200m and 55 storeys. It will become&nbsp;one of the more substantial new build-to-sell apartment projects at the northern edge of Melbourne's CBD.

The apartment mix is weighted toward smaller inner-city product, with 188 studios, 206 one-bedroom apartments, 192 two-bedroom apartments and 20 three-bedroom apartments

<img alt="First look: SP Setia plans three-tower finale for Carlton’s former CUB precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8271bc87-1b0a-41b7-ac73-a425ee375261" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/3_2.png?VersionId=G4lw23o90B1boX4k4dj7rdz2ZEajS9wy" />

Part of the precinct will be a large-scale&nbsp;3,684 sqm supermarket and a further 2,198 sqm of speciality retail, creating close to 5,900 sqm of new commercial space within the precinct.

But one of the biggest components of the proposal is what sits between the buildings.

Around 4,650 sqm, or roughly 72 per cent of the site, will be publicly accessible open space, incorporating plazas, pedestrian connections, landscaped laneways and retail spill-out areas.

The ground plane is intended to finally complete pedestrian connections envisaged when the CUB masterplan was first approved nearly two decades ago, stitching together Victoria Street, Queensberry Street, Bouverie Street and Swanston Street through the former brewery precinct.

Urbis said the development would "complete the CUB precinct", with the public realm providing important north-south and east-west connections through what is currently the final undeveloped portion of the masterplanned site.

SP Setia is also exploring a new linear park within the Bouverie Street road reserve, with the concept to be developed further with the City of Melbourne through the planning process.

The proposal is being pursued through the Victorian Government's Development Facilitation Program under Clause 53.23 for significant residential development with affordable housing.

The planning report acknowledges the proposed heights exceed those contemplated under the original Comprehensive Development Plan and masterplan, but argues the built-form context has changed considerably over the past two decades.

Urbis said the three towers would instead create a stepped transition between Carlton and the Hoddle Grid, rising progressively from the 94.1-metre Tower One along the Queensberry Street edge to the 199.44-metre Tower Three closer to the established CBD-scale buildings to the south.

<img alt="SP Setia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e885a07a-592c-40fc-bf82-e6dbaf32da54" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.52.24%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=7s_ErUkSKAdY1mAWp3GRZgMNCGtwhk5m" />

SP Setia plans to deliver the development across three stages.

Stage One would deliver the basement, podium and retail areas for the entire precinct alongside the first student tower. Tower Two would follow in Stage Two, before the 606-apartment Tower Three is delivered as the final stage.

If approved and delivered, the project would close out a redevelopment process that has been underway since the former brewery masterplan was approved in 2007, adding more than 2,600 student beds and apartments to a precinct already home to Swanston Central, the Barak Building, RMIT Design Hub and several large student accommodation developments.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

SP Setia plans three-tower finale for Carlton’s former CUB precinct

Lendlease

<a href="/developers/lendlease-development">Lendlease</a> have been commissioned to build the new Sydney Football Stadium which will replace the Allianz Stadium at Moore Park.

Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said reaching this major milestone has paved the way for the redevelopment of the Stadium to commence in January 2019.

“NSW deserves the best stadiums and the new Sydney Football Stadium will make us number one again,” Ayres said.&nbsp;

“NSW needs it, we’re delivering it. It’s time to get it done.&nbsp;

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/12/21/Stadium2.jpg" />

“This stadium will set a new standard for fan experience in Australia. It will kick Melbourne to the kerb and punt Brisbane to reserve grade.”

Ayres said Labor don’t have any positive policies, just plans to cancel major infrastructure projects.&nbsp;

“There will be no F6 Extension, no Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link, no Sydenham to Bankstown Metro rail upgrade and a hole where the Sydney Football Stadium used to be.

“Labor have made it clear they would rather have a hole in the ground than a world class stadium that attracts events and provides a huge boost for jobs and tourism.

“We want the world’s best and biggest events right here in NSW. Labor want to give away the NRL Grand Final for the first time in the State’s history.”

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/12/21/Stadium3.jpg" />

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the <a href="/new-apartments/nsw">NSW</a> Budget was in a strong financial position allowing the Government to invest billions in projects right across the State.

“We are building the next generation of infrastructure for NSW, with more than $87 billion being invested over the next four years,” Perrottet said.

“NSW deserves world class sporting stadiums as part of that commitment. All Labor can offer are Michael "Grinch" Daley's list of cancelled projects.”

Sydney Cricket Ground Trust CEO Kerrie Mather said the new Sydney Football Stadium will be a nationally and globally competitive venue, ensuring that <a href="/new-apartments/sydney-nsw-2000">Sydney</a> remains a preferred destination for major local and international events.

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/12/21/Stadium4.jpg" />

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with Infrastructure NSW and Lendlease to ensure the redevelopment runs smoothly, on schedule and with as little disruption as possible to the sports, communities and businesses that share the SCG precinct,” Mather said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“The new stadium is a public asset on public land, like its predecessor, and it will be built for the people of NSW.&nbsp;

“The key difference will be modern facilities that will make it safe, secure and far more welcoming for fans, customers and the community in the future.”&nbsp;

The project will create more than 600 construction jobs and support around 300 jobs once operational.&nbsp;

The stadium is expected to be complete in early 2022.

jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Lendlease announced as builder of new Sydney Football Stadium

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<a href="/developers/charter-hall">Charter Hall</a> has announced that it has secured the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) as a tenant within its $700 million Wesley Place development, currently under construction at the eastern end of Melbourne's CBD. AFCA joins Vanguard, Telstra Super, Cbus Super and the Uniting Church in committing to <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">130 Lonsdale</a> after agreeing to occupy approximately 7,600 sqm across Skyrise Levels 24-27. 

Upon completion in 2020, 130 Lonsdale will comprise 55,000 sqm of Premium-Grade, tech-enabled office space across a 35-storey tower. The future-ready workspace is registered to pursue WELL certification and target 6-Star Green Star design, As-Built v1.1 and 5-Star NABERS ratings - aligning with the Charter Hall's vision for a precinct’ with a sustainable legacy for the future.

AFCA's 12-year lease will commence upon practical completion in July 2020, bringing the new office tower’s committed Net Lettable Area (NLA) to approximately 78%. Charter Hall has engaged <a href="/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> to lead the design of the three commercial office buildings which together form the Wesley Place precinct – 130 Lonsdale, <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic">140 Lonsdale</a> and 150 Lonsdale. <a href="/builders/lendlease-building">Lendlease</a> is currently progressing construction on 130 Lonsdale and the wider site.

<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/charter_hall_-_wesley_place_-_130_londsdale_terrace_view.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="130 Lonsdale Street is currently under construction. Image: Charter Hall"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="931" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/charter_hall_-_wesley_place_-_130_londsdale_terrace_view.jpg?itok=XfgmnyzL" title="130 Lonsdale Street is currently under construction. Image: Charter Hall" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>130 Lonsdale Street is currently under construction. Image: Charter Hall</figcaption></figure>According to Charter Hall, 130 Lonsdale will house one of the largest end-of-trip facilities in Melbourne along with a wellness centre, business hub and concierge services, integrated with Wesley Place’s retail precinct. Charter Hall believes the building's sculptural tapering-form will provide a unique addition to Melbourne’s skyline, whilst The Manse building, located beneath 130 Lonsdale, will deliver a distinct heritage quality to the Premium Grade workspace.

Charter Hall says a key part of the precinct’s development will be the rejuvenation of heritage architecture, including the careful restoration of one of Melbourne’s most important collections of Neo-Gothic architecture - the Wesley Church, Caretaker’s Cottage, Manse, School House and Nicholas Hall. The centrepiece of the precinct will be the Wesley Church, one of Melbourne’s finest and earliest examples of Gothic Revival architecture, which will include intricate stained-glass window and stonework restoration, and a new slate roof.

The precinct has been designed with active an active public realm comprising a series of laneways, green spaces, and food and beverage offerings, all of which will support and enhance the existing heritage buildings. Of particular note, according to Charter Hall, will be the grounds surrounding the heritage buildings which will feature "one of only five beautifully curated green spaces in Melbourne’s CBD for the public to meet, relax and socialise, akin to Melbourne Library or Parliament Gardens."

The AFCA's commitment to 130 Lonsdale leaves only a number of Skyrise floors available for lease, complete with cascading terraces designed for outdoor team meetings, functions and social occasions. Additionally, the two-level foyer space provides a place to meet clients or host informal breakout meetings.

A summary of the two other developments which complete the balance of the Wesley Place precinct - 140 Lonsdale and 150 Lonsdale - are further discussed below;

<h2><a href="/developments/melbourne-vic">140 Lonsdale</a></h2>

This A-Grade, technology-enabled building will provide 22,000 sqm of office space across 20 levels above the existing car park structure onsite. The 5-Star Green Star rated office building will include an outdoor terrace, direct access to Wesley Place's public realm and high-quality end-of-trip and concierge facilities. Workers will also have access to the wide-ranging amenities housed across the precinct. Cox Architecture's design links 140 Lonsdale to the Wesley Precinct whilst providing a complimentary backdrop to the heritage architecture.

Charter Hall says it is currently discussing leasing opportunities within the building with a number of potential pre-commitment tenants and expects to commence construction of the new tower in the first half of 2019.

<h2>150 Lonsdale</h2>

Already calling itself home to a number of Melbourne businesses, Charter Hall is in the early stage of planning to transform 150 Lonsdale St to a modern A-grade standard. Citing the work undertaken at its 570 Bourke Street office asset, Charter Hall says it plans to reposition 150 Lonsdale St with a new lobby, arrival experience, revitalised façade and end-of-trip facilities

Located on Lonsdale St, the building offers 28 levels of customisable, flexible floor plates and currently carries a 4.5 Star Green Star rating and is targeting a 5 Star NABERS energy rating

---------------------------------------------

The Wesley Precinct anchors Charter Hall's strong development pipeline which encompasses projects across Australia. This is highlighted in the interactive map below:

<iframe frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments?developer=Charter%20Hall&amp;embeddable=map" width="100%"></iframe>

Also on the drawing board for Charter Hall is a significant commercial development spanning 55 King Street and 555 Collins Street after the developer acquired the site at the end of October.

According to Charter Hall, it plans to "deliver a modern office tower that will enrich the precinct and community... the Charter Hall team is progressing key design and development appointments, with further news to be announced in 2019."

<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/555_collins_carousel2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Indicative concept for 555 Collins Street. Image: Charter Hall"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="319" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/555_collins_carousel2.jpg?itok=skc_XXGb" title="Indicative concept for 555 Collins Street. Image: Charter Hall" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Indicative concept for 555 Collins Street. Image: Charter Hall</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say...</h2>

<blockquote>
AFCA is a new organisation providing consumers and small business owners with fair, free and independent solutions to their financial disputes. Our new premises at Wesley Place will enable our Melbourne staff to deliver a high quality and flexible service. We are very excited about this move and value our relationship with Charter Hall. We believe the Wesley Place development will be a great one for our customers, members and our people.

- David Locke, CEO and Chief Ombudsman of AFCA
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
Welcoming AFCA to the Wesley Place development is a great milestone and demonstrates the strong leasing momentum we have been able to create with approximately 78% of the asset secured. Upon completion, Wesley Place will further enhance CPOF’s portfolio quality and total return metrics and deliver our Fund Investors a coveted new Premium Grade office building in the tightly held Melbourne CBD core office precinct.

This new lease demonstrates our approach to securing significant tenant pre-commitments to de-risk the approximately $1.3 billion of committed projects that we have underway nationally within our office funds management platform. The depth of our internal development capabilities, with experienced teams based in each major capital city means that we are able to collaborate with our tenant customers to deliver great workspace experiences as well as create institutional quality investment opportunities in the office sector.

- Matthew Brown, CPOF Fund Manager
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
Our working and social lives are increasingly intertwined. That’s why we’re creating forward thinking workspaces, that are smart, agile and offer a diverse destination where both businesses and the wider public can use and enjoy the space. 130 Lonsdale Street continues to offer opportunities to new customers to join major corporates AFCA, Vanguard, Telstra Super and CBUS in this location, with the ability to secure the best skyrise space available, four floors of which boast outdoor terrace areas.

The common link across all buildings is the future-proofed technology throughout the precinct for workforces now and into the future. We are delivering laptop-enabled green spaces, customised precinct apps and modern property technologies within the buildings that will keep tenants connected and ahead of the curve.

Wesley Place is one of Melbourne’s earliest settlements dating back to the 1800s. It is therefore immensely important for us to ensure any of the plans we have for the commercial office spaces seamlessly blend with the heritage buildings on site.

We’re incredibly proud to be working with Lovell Chen and Heritage Victoria on this major piece of heritage development for the City of Melbourne, so that the local congregation, community groups and future generations can continue to use the space as a community meeting point.

Wesley Place is set to be the next, quintessential Melbourne destination. Food, beverage, and convenience offerings will ignite the surrounding Melbourne shopping district, catering to the needs of the busy yet savvy workforce within and general public.

As developers and long-term managers of this significant project, we have a longstanding commitment to seeing the precinct come to life. Our partnership with the site’s owners, the Uniting Church, is key to realising the best outcomes for all involved.

- Charter Hall’s Regional Development Director, Simon Stockfeld
</blockquote>
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Laurence Dragomir

Charter Hall secures another tenant at its Wesley Place precinct

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<a href="/builders/lendlease-building">Lendlease’s</a> <a href="/developments/fortitude-valley-qld-4006">25 King in Brisbane </a>designed by Australian architecture and interiors firm <a href="/architects/bates-smart">Bates Smart</a>, takes Australia to the forefront of innovation in timber construction design.   
  
The 10-storey, 45-metre tall open-plan office complex – the tallest timber structure in Australia – establishes new frontiers in the design of commercial buildings, bringing a clear expression of its exposed timber structure to the building’s transparent envelope and promoting a warmer, more natural workplace environment of the future.  
  
25 King heralds a move away from steel and concrete towards the more sustainable resource of timber. Acknowledging historic principles of timber construction, the structure combines Glulam (glued laminated timber) and CLT (cross laminated timber) – embodying Bates Smart’s research into engineered timber technology and typologies to meet modern-day demands of function and sustainability. The engineered timber structure is substituted for concrete or steel but with a significantly lower carbon footprint, with sequestered carbon locked within the timber structure.1 25 King incorporates a range of fire safety measures in accordance with the National Construction Code and relevant Australian Standards. Durability requirements are as per traditional construction forms – same design life, warranties and performance criteria of the building code.2 
  
Combining honest expression of structure and materials with a sustainable ideology, the building is part of the 22-hectare Brisbane Showgrounds regeneration district. It was commissioned by international property and infrastructure group Lendlease for <a href="/developers/impact-investment-group">Impact Investment Group</a> and will be anchored by global engineering firm Aurecon.

<blockquote>
“Each time an engineered timber project completes, architects learn more about CLT’s potential as a new building material and how we can work and innovate with it on all types of buildings. This building marks a genuine commitment to CLT from the industry. It’s exciting to see the ideas take hold and evolve across the globe, and we’re happy to contribute with the lessons we’ve learned on 25 King.”

- Philip Vivian, Bates Smart Director
</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/25king_columns.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="397" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/25king_columns.jpg?itok=a_Ety0AL" width="580"></a></figure>Raised on massive exposed timber v-columns and with the south facade expressed as a ‘verandah’ of engineered timber, 25 King covertly references the wooden vernacular of the ‘Queenslander’ building type as well as nodding to the historic pavilions of the Showgrounds district. Nine levels of open-plan office space, serviced via a north-facing side core, are balanced above a ground floor shaded timber colonnade hosting cafés and restaurants, which open up the building as part of the public realm. 

Internally, the use of an exposed CLT timber slab for ceiling soffits has eradicated the need for a suspended ceiling system, opening up the floorplates to a lofty ceiling height and creating a warmer interior aesthetic with softer surfaces and acoustics, which maximise the psychological benefits associated with timber in interiors.3

<blockquote>
“25 King reflects a turn towards making buildings and spaces that are warm and inviting. We know that people want to connect to nature, and using timber on the exterior and interior of buildings helps complete the connection, making people feel more at ease within the built environment.”
</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/25king_floorplates.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="391" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/25king_floorplates.jpg?itok=Z19gmtyX" width="580"></a></figure>The structure and highly flexible floorplates evolved from extensive research and testing of engineered timber typologies. It employs a 6 x 8 metre grid in terms of both optimum distribution of columns and ceiling heights, which are determined by the span of the Glulam ceiling beams (building services ducts run parallel without the need to penetrate). The arrangement of columns creates a more intimate open-plan scale while allowing flexible and efficient spatial organisation of office floors. It also minimises the size of the exposed Glulam columns, allowing them to register almost as joinery rather than structural elements. 

25 King’s innovations in rapid modular CLT construction provide significant economic and environmental benefits for clients. The extensive pre-construction design process and off-site fabrication led to a significantly shortened and cleaner on-site construction programme with minimal waste. The building was constructed in 15 months, with the facade envelope following structure in a floor-by-floor sequence.

The building is projected to achieve a 6 Star Green Star Design and As Built v1.14 and a NABERS Energy 5 Star5rating as well as a WELL v16 Platinum rating. In addition to employing responsibly sourced timber, 25 King maximises natural daylighting to the floorplates through its south-facing facade while incorporating sunshades of folded aluminium on other facades to reduce heat build-up. Further sustainable features include rainwater harvesting, energy efficient lighting, optimised air-conditioning and a green wall in the entrance lobby.

<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/25king_lobby.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="391" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/25king_lobby.jpg?itok=U1zMKB4k" width="580"></a></figure>Bates Smart is currently exploring the potential of CLT as a new lightweight building material with major carbon benefits in a range of contexts and typologies across four states including: a 10-storey curved engineered timber ‘tower extension’ to an existing low-rise building in Melbourne’s <a href="/new-apartments/southbank-vic-3006">Southbank</a>; two five-level engineered timber buildings in <a href="/new-apartments/canberra-act">Canberra</a>, totalling 10,200sqm; and a six-level commercial building in <a href="/new-apartments/cremorne-vic-3121">Cremorne</a>.

<h2>25 King project facts:</h2>

<ul>
<li>Ten new levels of CLT construction </li>
	<li>The building’s total area is 14,965sqm (NLA), with each office floor providing 1,596sqm (NLA)</li>
	<li>6,270m3 circa of timber with 100% responsibly sourced7
</li>
	<li>74% saving in embodied carbon1
</li>
	<li>46% reduction in energy, not including GreenPower8
</li>
	<li>29% reduction on Potable Water Consumption8
</li>
	<li>25 King was constructed in 15 months - the shorter construction time is due to the quantum of prefabrication off site</li>
	<li>On-site wastage is reduced due to the fact that all slabs and walls are pre-fabricated and all openings required for services were set out prior to manufacture. Good potential for disassembly and reuse. Lower life cycle assessment impacts compared to conventional concrete and steel </li>
	<li>CLT is 20% lighter than concrete</li>
</ul>
Footnotes

1. The embodied carbon saving, represents the cradle to constructed onsite life cycle stages, saving accounts for the sequestered carbon locked within the timber structure, compared to an equivalent conventional reinforced concrete building. Refer to EN15978 compliant Building Life Cycle Assessment Report, prepared by Lendlease Applied Insight for Brisbane Showgrounds K5, issued 11 October 2018

2. If CLT is exposed to fire, a process known as “pyrolysis” (whereby gas emissions from combustible components in the wood burst into flame) occurs, leaving a charring area behind it. This char layer protects the internal CLT layers which have not yet been exposed to fire thus retaining the effective structure.The process of pyrolysis and the behaviour of wood can actually be predicted (unlike steel or concrete constructions). A range of fire safety measures have been adopted for 25 King that meet National Construction Code and relevant Australian Standards. Being greater than 25m in height, it exceeds the new Timber Deemed to Satisfy solutions, adopting a range of performance solutions that’s satisfy the Performance Requirements, using an appropriate Assessment Method. More on Fire Regulation Compliance through Alternative Solutions <a href="https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/articles/fire-regulation-compliance-through-alternative-solutions">https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/articles/fire-regulation-compliance-through-alternative-solutions</a>. 

3. Recent research by Pollinate for Wood Solutions has quantified the benefits of timber in interior spaces in terms of wellbeing and productivity, <a href="https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/wood-at-work">Workplaces: Wellness + Wood = Productivity</a> 

4. <a href="https://new.gbca.org.au/green-star/rating-system/design-and-built/">The Green Building Council of Australia</a>’s assessment of the sustainability outcomes from the design and construction of new buildings or major refurbishments, across nine holistic impact categories. 

5. <a href="https://www.nabers.gov.au/about/what-nabers">National Australian Built Environment Rating System</a> to measure a building’s energy efficiency, carbon emissions, as well as the water consumed, the waste produced and compare it to similar buildings.

6. <a href="https://www.wellcertified.com/">WELL</a> is the leading tool for advancing health and well-being in buildings globally.Project is targeting Core &amp; Shell Certification V1, Q1 – 2018.

7. Certified by a forest certification scheme that meets the GBCA’s ‘Essential’ criteria for forest certification or is from a reused source.

8. When compared to the GBCA Green Star Design and As-Built v1.1 benchmarks.
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Bates Smart

Australia’s Largest Engineered Timber Commercial Building opens in Brisbane

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Construction has commenced on the University of Melbourne's Melbourne Connect - a pedestrian friendly innovation precinct located on the site of the former Royal Women’s Hospital, and connecting Carlton with the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus. This follows the demolition of the existing structures on the site and ground works.

Developed by the University of Melbourne in partnership with a consortium led by Lendlease, the precinct will provide facilities where university staff and students, researchers, local and international businesses, government and start-up companies are encouraged to connect, collaborate and execute breakthrough new ideas. Woods Bagot have designed the precinct in collaboration with Hayball and ASPECT Studios, with the aim of establishing a new benchmark in industry collaboration upon completion in late 2020.

The design features a 3,260 sqm ‘Superfloor’ on the mezzanine level which Woods Bagot says "embodies the value of collaboration in a very physical sense." The Superfloor connects the buildings that comprise Melbourne Connect, forming the interior 'heart' of the project and providing a contiguous, physical space for tenant partners and visitors to congregate and exchange ideas.

<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/130395_n30_printhicmyk.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The ensemble of buildings are arranged around a central 'Oculus.' Images: Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="330" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/130395_n30_printhicmyk.jpg?itok=_sJEGtBX" title="The ensemble of buildings are arranged around a central 'Oculus.' Images: Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The ensemble of buildings are arranged around a central 'Oculus.' Images: Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure>Woods Bagot says it is committed to ensuring the project continues to be an exemplar of design and sustainability, highlighting this as a key driver since the consortium won the design competition in 2016. This intent is expressed in the mass timber structure of the smallest building in the precinct ensemble. According to Woods Bagot, the use of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) demonstrates the aspirational, future-focussed nature of the project. 

Designed to be bright and open, the building will play host to pitch nights, hackathons and masterclasses, workshops – providing opportunities to actively engage with government and industry. Childcare facilities will span the upper floors to the rooftop terrace. The lower levels of the CLT building form a centre dedicated to enriching the culture of entrepreneurship within the university and creating the future’s leading entrepreneurs.

The precinct will provide public spaces, retail, cafes, accommodation for more than 500 students and visiting academics, a childcare centre, a co-working and commercial office space, a fabrication laboratory and Science Gallery Melbourne, which will deliver cutting-edge exhibitions, events and experiences. The public realm is enhanced by a range of fixed and loose outdoor furniture elements, power outlets and WI-FI to support working and studying outdoors.

The ensemble of buildings are arranged around a central and publicly-accessible open space known as the 'Oculus', which has been designed by ASPECT Studio in conjunction with Hayball and Woods Bagot. The Oculus features vertical green “living louvres” that connect with the upper floors of the buildings as part of the visually identifiable ESD features within the precinct. 

The Oculus is supported by three laneways and a plaza which connect pedestrians and cyclists through to Swanston, Grattan and Cardigan streets. Public urban furniture is dispersed throughput these public spaces and form part of the precinct-wide way finding strategy.

ASPECT Studio's design approach for the public realm sought the adaptive reuse of materials from the former Women’s Hospital. This strategy was adopted to provide a visual reference to the history of the site in an innovative and environmentally sustainable manner.

The consortium delivering Melbourne Connect comprises Lendlease as developer, builder, co-investor and investment manager of the commercial space; GIC the major co-investor in the commercial space; Spotless as the facilities manager; and Urbanest as investor and manager of the student accommodation. The Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre and Science Gallery Melbourne will each be located at Melbourne Connect, with the Melbourne School of Engineering co-located in the precinct.

<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/130395_n32_printhicmyk.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Connect will transform the streetscape when completed in 2020. Images: Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="332" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/130395_n32_printhicmyk.jpg?itok=ik4MKMZs" title="Melbourne Connect will transform the streetscape when completed in 2020. Images: Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Connect will transform the streetscape when completed in 2020. Images: Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say...</h2>

<blockquote>
CLT stands out for its sustainability, versatility, strength and aesthetic. Long championed by Lendlease, its benefits translate to safer working environments, improved quality and faster construction time on site due to prefabrication. It’s inspiring to use a technologically innovative product in an equally ground-breaking project.

Connected to the other buildings via a bridge link in the Superfloor, the building has been designed to maximise wellbeing by welcoming as much sunlight inside as possible. As inviting and innovative as the young entrepreneurs that will occupy it, it looks outward over the green space and creates a visually permeable environment that encourages spontaneous networking and alliance

- Hazel Porter, Principal and Project Architect, Woods Bagot
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
An extension of the workplace for meeting, workshopping, socialising, exhibiting and hosting events, the Superfloor sits at the heart of Melbourne Connect. Taking cues from the central Oculus space below, the interior spaces create an interior ‘landscape’ that allows for serendipitous peer-to-peer meetings and promotes innovation and knowledge exchange for the whole precinct.

The Superfloor ensures that visitors can easily and naturally move between a variety of enclosed and open spaces in a way that encourages connection with others via permeability, visual connection and prioritising human comfort. The flexible spaces have been designed in a way that considers how the area will be occupied at different times throughout the year –focussing on how people meet and like to work together.

- Sue Fenton, Senior Associate and Interior Design lead, Woods Bagot
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
The laneways create moments of curiosity, discovery, warmth, contemplation and occupation for those coming to Carlton Connect. We designed with the pedestrian at the forefront of our mind. Comprehensive site studies of wind and light ensure that the space is welcoming, social and inviting.

Carlton Connect is a great example of cutting edge collaborative design where our advice and input as landscape architects is integral to the precinct as a whole. We’re informing a lot of the decisions. Our design for the public realm is responsible to every person using it; not just one user group.

- Terrence Stapleton, landscape architect, ASPECT Studios
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
We’re thrilled to be involved in this flagship initiative, to develop Australia’s leading innovation precinct to facilitate the connection between researchers, industry, government bodies and community.

What’s exciting about this precinct is that it’s not just offering a post-graduate living quarter – it’s a completely integrated, mixed-use offering that combines spaces for industry, research and development, academics, public showcase and community facilities like childcare and retail all in one.

Students are part of a world-class academic precinct, a hub where everything is happening on their doorstep. It’s innovation immersion at another level.

Hayball is leading the design for the student accommodation offering at the precinct, working in partnership with Urbanest as the developer and operator of this space and as part of the Lendlease-led consortium to develop the precinct. One of the biggest design considerations was ensuring the 527 beds and communal spaces cater to the post-graduate market and visiting academics, while bringing the enthused and active academic culture into the common spaces.

Because of this, it was important to create spacious rooms that go above and beyond, homes that are equipped with amenities and offer plenty of breathing space. Likewise, with the communal spaces, there was a strong emphasis on creating a mix of meaningful spaces that are open, welcoming and inclusive to encourage students to mix with others, as well as have opportunity for quiet reflection.

- Thomas Gilbert , Principal at Hayball 
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
Melbourne Connect is a project that will make a significant contribution to the city’s reputation as an international research and innovation leader. The precinct will make a real difference, delivering innovative solutions to major societal challenges.

- Duncan Maskell, Vice-Chancellor, University of Melbourne  
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
Melbourne Connect brings together university led research, industry and elite thinking in a purpose-built innovation precinct, and demonstrates how the combined expertise of industry and academia can be harnessed to achieve great outcomes.

- John Burton, Managing Director Urban Regeneration, Lendlease
</blockquote>

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C_B0TuoYkwc" width="560"></iframe>
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Construction commences on University of Melbourne's Melbourne Connect

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Lendlease officially opened the first stage of its $2.5b Melbourne Quarter mixed-use development this morning, with Minister for Planning Richard Wynne and Lendlease Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Steve McCann on hand to open the group’s new Victorian home at One Melbourne Quarter.

Located within the Batmans Hill precinct of Docklands, One Melbourne Quarter is home to approximately 400 Lendlease employees who have relocated from three different office locations across Melbourne. Lendlease occupies levels four to six of the 13-storey building, the first commercial tower to be delivered in the 2.5 hectare Melbourne Quarter precinct on Collins Street.

A key feature of the development is the first phase of the precinct’s elevated Sky Park, characterised by a feature sculptural spiral staircase providing access to the park from Collins Street. The second phase will be delivered as part of the future Melbourne Quarter Tower commercial development.

The concept of the Sky Park was conceived by Denton Corker Marshall and developed in collaboration with ASPECT | OCULUS to improve health and well being. Based on principles of biophilic design, the elevated park comes complete with wifi and encourages workers to work outside and connect with nature.

<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/2018_1melbqrtr_521_lowres.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="One Melbourne Quarter is now complete. Image: Lendlease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="687" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/2018_1melbqrtr_521_lowres.jpg?itok=Amuq3Xnw" title="One Melbourne Quarter is now complete. Image: Lendlease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>One Melbourne Quarter is now complete. Image: Lendlease</figcaption></figure>Lendlease’s new office tenancy is based on the concept of team neighbourhoods of 15 – 20 employees. Allocated desks are eliminated and replaced with centralised team tables to promote a team based working culture and opportunities for immediate feedback, staff connectivity and collaboration. Employees are free to choose how and where they work. Each neighbourhood has a range of spaces including ‘working walls’ for visual communication, enclosed meeting pods with access to virtual technology, breakaway areas for collaboration and services such as IT help desks on each floor to support high performance.

The provision of a wellness hub reinforces the Lendlease's commitment to employee health and well being and offers discretionary nutrition options, wellness and lifestyle seminars, health checks and group training activities including yoga, pilates and bootcamp. Additional features include a dedicated event space, a high-tech immersion room, a social hub with a barista and interconnecting stairs across the three floors, promoting free movement and social connectivity.

2,500 workers will ultimately call One Melbourne Quarter home, with design and engineering firm Arup joining Lendlease in moving in, with AMP due to move in early next year. The building is targeting a 6 Star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, a 5.5 star NABERS Energy tenancy rating and a WELL New Interiors Certification.

Meanwhile, work continues at pace on Lendlease's two construction sites within Melbourne Quarter - Two Melbourne Quarter and East Tower. Due for completion in mid-2020,  Two Melbourne Quarter will comprise 50,000 sqm of A-Grade commercial space with EnergyAustralia secured as the anchor tenant.

Melbourne Quarter has achieved a 6 Star Green Star Communities rating, showcasing world leadership in sustainability and upon completion 50 per cent of the Melbourne Quarter's development footprint will be dedicated to public open space. A central plaza and neighbourhood park designed by ASPECT | OCULUS, will join the already completed Sky Park.

<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/melbourne_quarter-2018.10.06sm.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Construction continues at Melbourne Quarter. SkyscraperCity user: worzil"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/melbourne_quarter-2018.10.06sm.jpg?itok=QP5WcLFP" title="Construction continues at Melbourne Quarter. SkyscraperCity user: worzil" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Construction continues at Melbourne Quarter. SkyscraperCity user: worzil</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say...</h2>

<blockquote>
One Melbourne Quarter is active demonstration of Lendlease’s integrated model – delivering a workplace that is owned by a Lendlease-managed fund, built by our building business, in a precinct transformed by our urban regeneration business. Bringing our Melbourne workforce together in one central location means we’ll be more accessible to our customers while championing excellence, wellbeing and innovation.

Based on the workplace strategies implemented at our global headquarters in Barangaroo, our new Melbourne location demonstrates greener and healthier ways of working. This creates a workplace that lives and breathes a culture of collaboration and purposeful interactions, providing employees with a sense of belonging. Moving into One Melbourne Quarter cements our bricks and mortar commitment to the precinct, while demonstrating our belief in our capacity to create the best places for our employees, customers, the environment and the community.

- Steve McCann, Lendlease Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
The opening of Melbourne’s first Sky Park at Melbourne Quarter has brought an exciting new green public space to the city for residents, visitors and thousands of Victorians who work nearby. I want to congratulate Lendlease on its commitment to this bold project, which represents a long-term commercial and residential investment in the area.

The Melbourne Quarter precinct creates an important gateway, linking Docklands to the CBD, creating thousands of jobs for Victorians both during construction and once complete.This is a place where Melburnians will want to visit, live and work.

- Richard Wynne, Minister for Planning
</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/2018_1melbqrtr_102_lowres.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The feature spiral stair leads up to the Sky Park. Image: Lendlease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/2018_1melbqrtr_102_lowres.jpg?itok=pjoGtwLh" title="The feature spiral stair leads up to the Sky Park. Image: Lendlease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The feature spiral stair leads up to the Sky Park. Image: Lendlease</figcaption></figure>
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Lendlease officially opens its new offices at One Melbourne Quarter 

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Macquarie Bank has finalised negotiations with the NSW Government for air rights above a new Metro station at Martin Place, clearing the way for the bank’s ambitious commercial proposal over the station to proceed. The proposal was previously approved as part of the Department of Premier &amp; Cabinet’s unsolicited proposals process but required the negotiation of these air rights.

The agreement marks a new era in the delivery of mass transit infrastructure in Sydney, demonstrating a form of value capture. It also puts on show the focus of Sydney Metro Corporation in strategically matching new metro stations with the leveraging of land use potential. This is part of a broader trend in Sydney and other global cities; London’s Crossrail project - a suburban-rail, rapid-transit line which alleviates constraints on the Tube Metro network - employs a similar commercial arrangement to construct some of its new city centre stations, most prominently at the financial district at Canary Wharf. 

Macquarie Bank has agreed to pay $355 million for the Martin Place station air rights and will proceed to build the metro station and two commercial towers, in partnership with Lend Lease.

<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/buildings_cut_thru_-_metro_martin_place.png" rel="gallery-all" title="A section diagram of the proposed integrated development. "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="466" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/buildings_cut_thru_-_metro_martin_place.png?itok=R_I01QPf" title="A section diagram of the proposed integrated development. " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A section of the proposed integrated development showing the complexity of the site. Source: Metro Martin Place</figcaption></figure>The distinctive northern tower design responds to the challenges of protecting sunlight access to Martin Place - in fact, both towers are fully compliant with City of Sydney solar access planes which protect sunlight access to Martin Place and Hyde Park.

The north tower is approximately 170 metres tall (38 floors) with almost 80,000 sqm of premium office space. The smaller south tower, amended to provide commercially viable floor plates of 1,100 sqm, offers 39,000 sqm of premium grade office space over 28 floors. 

As a result of the deal, the Government will foot little of the $378 million cost to build the new station and its associated connecting passages.

The new station is being compared in style to New York’s WTC and Hong Kong’s IFC stations; the station will become part of a new retail and social precinct that is envisioned to be an embedded, seamless part of its locality.

<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/atrium_look_down_-_source_macquarie_bank.png" rel="gallery-all" title=" Macquarie Bank"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/atrium_look_down_-_source_macquarie_bank.png?itok=nMrSXMJ5" title=" Macquarie Bank" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The sunlight-filled atrium below the north tower, providing access to the station concourses and platforms. Source: Macquarie Bank</figcaption></figure> ​​​​​The scale of the precinct is impressive, and it should be noted the level of attention afforded to the quality, legibility and experience of the pedestrian environments, both in the underground concourses and at street level. 

Grimshaw in partnership with Johnson Pilton Walker and Tzannes, are the architects responsible for the design of the station and its commercial and social precincts. The firms have a long experience in crafting quality human-scale environments.

The station connects to the T4 Bondi Junction &amp; Illawarra suburban station; it is likely to also connect to a new CBD station as part of the mooted West Metro line. Collectively, this anticipates a northern CBD mass transit interchange, relieving overcrowding at Central, Town Hall, and Wynyard stations.

<blockquote>
Acknowledging the special role Martin Place Metro Station will play in Sydney’s transport system, and the nature and exceptional prominence of its location, Macquarie Chief Executive Nicholas Moore affirms; “We recognise that we have been entrusted by the NSW Government to deliver this once-in-a-generation opportunity for the community. We are committed to delivering a new transport-led destination that is customer-centred, inclusive and comparable with the world’s great integrated urban precincts.” He goes on to say, “As a long-time resident [of Martin Place], Macquarie Bank understands and respects the historic, cultural and civic significance [of Martin Place].”
</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/mmp-east.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title=" Macquarie Bank"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mmp-east.jpg?itok=_BrPU7cy" title=" Macquarie Bank" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The station will feature active street frontages, elevated terraces, and an architectural style in keeping with the heritage and grandeur of Martin Place. Source: Macquarie Bank</figcaption></figure>The development reinforces the role of the northern CBD as the financial hub of Australia and as a globally connected business precinct. The towers feature modern side-cores with large, uninterrupted floorplates ensuring flexible office design that can adapt to future needs. The proposed buildings have been awarded 6-star environmental ratings from the Green Building Council of Australia and will house workspace for 8500 people. Macquarie Bank will consolidate its operations in the northern tower, which will be connected directly with its existing heritage headquarters at 50 Martin Place. 

In the broader strategic context, this is just one - albeit prominent - example of similar projects in the pipeline; new metro stations at Victoria Cross (North Sydney), Pitt St (Town Hall), Waterloo, and Crows Nest are undergoing similar work to both embed them in their locality and leverage the transit capacity and connectivity they bring.

2500 new jobs will be created during construction and the office towers, social and retail precinct, and the station are expected to be completed shortly before Metro City &amp; South-West opens in 2024.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boiuhoRrxkA">Fly-through of Martin Place Metro Station Integrated Development</a>
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ModernBradfield

Martin Place Metro Station's Integrated Development Clears Final Hurdle

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839 Collins Street, the last major commercial building within Lendlease's Victoria Harbour development at Docklands, has topped out.

The 21-storey building designed by architects Denton Corker Marshall, takes advantage of its location and orientation overlooking the Yarra River, to create a unique clear glass ‘river window’ façade.

At ground level, the glazed foyer opens up river views for pedestrians along Collins Street, with its primary façade comprising fine grain retail shop 'boxes'.

Boutique office units of 1,170 sqm occupy the first two floors of the Collins Street podium, with an accessible, landscaped roof terrace sitting above.

The 56,200 sqm GFA development accommodates 19 floors of office space in large, column-free floor plates of 2,000 sqm NLA - providing an open and flexible office plan.  

Upon completion in early 2019, ANZ will take occupation of 12 levels within 839 Collins Street as the building's anchor tenant directly opposite its existing world headquarters at 833 Collins Street.

With principles of sustainable design embodied throughout, 839 Collins Street is targeting a 5-Star Green Star, and a 4.5-Star NABERS energy rating, building on Victoria Harbour's green credentials.

The precinct boasts one of the highest concentration of Green Star-rated buildings in Australia. 

Additionally, Victoria Harbour has been recognised as an exemplar in master planning via its 6-Star Green Star Communities rating by the Green Building Council of Australia.

<blockquote>
The topping out of 839 Collins Street represents a significant milestone for Lendlease as it completes a total of 270,000 sqm of commercial space delivered in Victoria Harbour to date.

- Bill Alexandrakis, Lendlease General Manager for Building (Victoria)
</blockquote>

839 Collins Street follows the recent topping out of No.1 Collins Wharf, designed by Bates Smart, as development within Victoria Harbour begins to spread down the peninsula.

<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/no1_collins_wharf.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="No.1 Collins Wharf has also topped out. Image: Mark Baljak"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/no1_collins_wharf.jpg?itok=lvcALrGs" title="No.1 Collins Wharf has also topped out. Image: Mark Baljak" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>No.1 Collins Wharf has also topped out. Image: Mark Baljak</figcaption></figure>Earlier this month, Lendlease submitted plans for the next stage of Collins Wharf - a dual-tower development of up to 30-storeys at 938 Collins Street, to be known as Collins Wharf 2 &amp; Collins Wharf 3.

According to <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/lendlease-pushes-plans-for-barangaroo-timber-complex-docklands-units-project/news-story/90bffb2052582699f1f34e4b974757b5">The Australian</a>, the $292m project will comprise 639 apartments and 40 townhouse-style units, 592 car parking spaces and 331 bicycle spaces, and will target a five-star Green Star sustainability rating.

The buildings - designed by architects Warren and Mahoney - will include materials such as stone cladding, textured concrete, bronze metallic cladding and expansive double glazing.

Lead Image: Apartments.com.au forum member redden
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839 Collins Street tops out at Victoria Harbour

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Lendlease chief Steve McCann has upgraded acreages after securing $7 million in Terrey Hills.
He has bought in nearby Duffys Forest paying $8.135 million for the trophy home known as the Biggest Loser house.
The IT industry entrepreneur Phil Woolley <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-acreage+semi-rural-nsw-duffys+forest-125580366" target="_blank">listed the two-hectare acreage</a> (above and below) in 2013 with $8 million plus hopes.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/6/4/mccann1.jpg" alt="">
Woolley bought in 2005 for $6.5 million when it was sold by the Doyle family, setting a suburb record at the time.
It was previously owned by commercial property businessman Robert Christie, who sold it in 2000 for $2.55 million.
McCann’s purchase comes as he sells his Terrey Hills acreage for $7 million. 
HE sold to Anthony Altomonte, chief of the Alto Group car dealership.
The McCarrs Creek Road property was bought by McCann in 2013 for $4.45 million.
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firstname1-iYD4UYzvBa

Lendlease boss Steve McCann upgrades acreages

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Further details for Hayball's latest student accommodation project, which will form part of the University of Melbourne’s Carlton Connect innovation precinct, have been released. 

Located on the corner of Swanston and Grattan streets in Carlton, the new precinct will be a completely integrated development providing spaces for industry, research and development, academia, accommodation for postgraduates, a public showcase and community facilities such as childcare and retail.

As part of the Lendlease-led consortium delivering the project, Urbanest Australia will operate the on-campus student accommodation component of the development, its first foray into campus housing.

The Hayball designed project will be centrally located, forming the heart of the precinct, and will deliver 527 beds and extensive multi-purpose spaces to cater to the postgraduate market as well as visiting academics.

<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/len0678_carltonconnect_s050_ext_grattancardigan_streetview_r02.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hayball's design for Urbanest will include 527 beds and multi-purpose space. Image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="322" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/len0678_carltonconnect_s050_ext_grattancardigan_streetview_r02.jpg?itok=oSsG88w6" title="Hayball's design for Urbanest will include 527 beds and multi-purpose space. Image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Hayball's design for Urbanest will include 527 beds and multi-purpose space. Image: Hayball</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
Innovation districts are becoming more popular across the globe, but what makes this Melbourne example so special is that it will also be a home for students and academics. Postgraduate students and visiting academics will experience true immersion in the precinct, living and breathing their research or studies while making the most of countless networking opportunities and Melbourne’s vibrant culture on their doorstep.

With contribution to the design process from leading student accommodation provider, Urbanest, design decisions reflected the maturity of the provider and were made with a focus on quality and functionality, while equally ensuring relevance to market, particularly regarding affordability.

A crucial consideration was bringing the enthusiasm and activity unique to academic culture into the common spaces and use this to extend and enhance engagement.

The spatial manifestation of this initiative is the vertical street: an interconnected staircase, directly adjacent to the communal spaces, and opposite the lift core. No walls, no glazed partitions and no doors – a true atrium, open, connected and inclusive.

- Thomas Gilbert, Hayball Principal
</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/len0678_carltonconnect_s060_courtyard_r01.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Open space particularly in a tight urban context was a critical part of the design. Image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="463" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/len0678_carltonconnect_s060_courtyard_r01.jpg?itok=OOQl9L3G" title="Open space particularly in a tight urban context was a critical part of the design. Image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Open space, particularly in a tight urban context, was a critical part of the design. Image: Hayball</figcaption></figure>The basis for Hayball's design was for space which encourages and facilitates students and academics to meet, interact, exchange views and generate ideas within a flexible, and connected precinct.

The design features an expansive mixed-use space within an atrium which is accessed via an open and transparent ground floor foyer and connects to a verdant podium terrace. The major focus of activity is centred around the external oculus space.

According to Hayball, for the current generation of students work, life and study are all intertwined. This was the key driver behind dedicating a third of the vertical street as an informal social precinct with both informal and formal multipurpose areas and outdoor terraces. The intent is that these spaces will assist students in building connections and developing a community.

A series of intimate lounges are scattered over several floors to facilitate socialising in addition to a rooftop level featuring a diner, cinema and expansive outdoor lounge/exercise area.

Urbanest Carlton Connect is one of a handful of student accommodation projects Hayball is designing, with a number of others in collaboration with the University of Melbourne within the wider precinct. 
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Further details of Hayball's design for Carlton Connect emerge

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As indicated in Apartments.com.au's <a href="/news/is-2018-the-year-of-commercial-for-the-melbourne-market">article on commercial development</a>, site works have commenced on the Two Melbourne Quarter site, which forms part of the greater Melbourne Quarter development being delivered by Lendlease within the Docklands precinct.

This has coincided with Lendlease securing EnergyAustralia as the anchor tenant for Two Melbourne Quarter and signing a development agreement to commence construction in earnest. EnergyAustralia has agreed to lease approximately 22,000 sqm of the 50,000 sqm tower, occupying 10-and-a-half levels of the building’s high-rise floors, leaving approximately 12 contiguous floors remaining.

<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/mq_aerial_rs.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Early siteworks are already underway at Two Melbourne Quarter. Image : Ryan Seychell"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mq_aerial_rs.jpg?itok=lAzZ63U5" title="Early siteworks are already underway at Two Melbourne Quarter. Image : Ryan Seychell" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Early siteworks are already underway at Two Melbourne Quarter. Image : Ryan Seychell</figcaption></figure>The Woods Bagot-designed tower features flexible 2,000 sqm floor plates and is expected to house up to 4,500 new workers.

First State Super and Lendlease Investment Management's Australian Prime Property Fund (APPF) Commercial will each hold a 50 per cent interest in the 25-storey tower, which will target leading sustainability outcomes and ratings in energy and water consumption, waste management, and indoor environment quality, including a 6-Star Green Star Design &amp; As Built rating and a 5.5 Star NABERS Energy rating.

APPF Commercial is the first Australian fund to be awarded a 6-Star Green Star portfolio performance rating and was also ranked number one in the 2017 Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) across all sectors globally. Two Melbourne Quarter is the second of three commercial towers planned for the precinct.

The first tower, One Melbourne Quarter is 90 per cent leased and on schedule for completion later this year. Tenants within the 12-storey building include ARUP, AMP and Lendlease.

<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/a367_mq_view_49_wurundjeri_way_low_res.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Two Melbourne Quarter has secured EnergyAustralia as it's anchor tenant. Image : Lendlease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="709" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/a367_mq_view_49_wurundjeri_way_low_res.jpg?itok=RNn32LIL" title="Two Melbourne Quarter has secured EnergyAustralia as it's anchor tenant. Image : Lendlease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Two Melbourne Quarter has secured EnergyAustralia as its anchor tenant. Image : Lendlease</figcaption></figure><h2>WHAT THEY SAY</h2>

<blockquote>
Companies want to attract and retain the best talent and a key way to do this is to offer a fantastic place to work in a vibrant precinct. We’re delighted to welcome EnergyAustralia as a key tenant.

APPF Commercial’s investment in Two Melbourne Quarter follows its recent over-subscribed equity raising. It positions the Fund to continue executing its strategy to invest in efficient, highly-sustainable, next generation office buildings in precincts with superior amenity and connectivity.

- Scott Mosely, Fund Manager, APPF Commercial
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
The Melbourne Quarter precinct is one of the largest urban regeneration developments in central Melbourne and will not only benefit the city but also members of First State Super.

As one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds we look to invest in the communities in which our members live, work and retire. We have around 200,000 members living in metropolitan and regional Victoria and are committed to ensuring long-term sustainable returns for their retirement savings. We are confident that Two Melbourne Quarter will contribute to this.

- Michael Dwyer, CEO, First State Super
</blockquote>
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