Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tsioMLcnjas?si=zq-ys3JuWpfa5hFv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

Joel Robinson

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]

Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]

The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]

Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]

The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Rainbow Bay apartment doubles in price since off the plan sale during pandemic

Lendlease

<html><body>
Leadlease will build a new waterfront residential development in Victoria Harbour named Collins Wharf.
The Victoria Harbour development will extend Collins Street to the water’s edge, and feature more than 25,000sqm of public space, a health and wellbeing centre with public swimming pool and gym, low rise waterfront offices and around 1,500 new residences.
Residences will span five buildings, and feature one, two and three bedroom apartments as well as four level town homes lining Collins Street.It is masterplanned by architects Jackson Clements Burrows (JCB) in collaboration with Aspect Oculus.
<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/2017/03/10/Yarra%20Walk.jpg" alt="">
Mark Menhinnitt, managing director of Urban Regeneration, Lendlease, said the Collins Wharf development will take advantage of Victoria Harbour’s existing retail and public space, including Library at The Dock, Community Hub at The Dock, Knowledge Market and more than 80 dining and entertainment options – while adding diverse new public spaces,” he said.
“The design of this precinct offers future residents panoramic views and world-class public realm that maximises the unique waterfront location," he said.
"Once complete, a pedestrian and cyclist promenade will enable people to walk, cycle or run all the way around the 2.5kms of the Victoria Harbour waterfront.
<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/2017/03/10/Eco%20Park%202.jpg" alt="">
“Following our consultation with the local community in 2015 and engagement with authorities over the past 18 months, I’m confident that our Collins Wharf vision will present one of Melbourne’s most desirable locations for residents, visitors and local workers to enjoy.”
 
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

New residential neighbourhood to bring Collins Street to the water

<html><body>
Lendlease is set to push ahead with the final stage of its Victoria Harbour development at Docklands, after receiving Ministerial approval for its Collins Wharf master plan earlier this week.

The primarily residential master plan for Collins Wharf will include an extension of Collins Street down the peninsula to the water’s edge, servicing more than 25,000sqm of public realm. A health and wellbeing centre with public swimming pool and gym, low rise waterfront SOHO's and approximately 1,500 new residences can be expected within the new waterfront neighbourhood.

Jackson Clements Burrows (JCB) in collaboration with Aspect | Oculus have developed the master plan, deliverable over five stages or 8 years. Collins Wharf's unique location along the end of the Victoria Harbour peninsula provides future built form the opportunity for dual waterfront aspects - the Yarra River to the south and Victoria Harbour to the north. 

The master has been designed to respond to the site’s history, built form and vernacular in a contemporary reinterpretation, with maritime-inspired roof forms and brick and timber textures - a reference to the site's industrial past. Additionally, sustainability remains a key driver for the precinct following Victoria Harbour’s recent achievement of a 6-star Green star Communities rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.

The already under construction No. 1 Collins Wharf, designed by Bates Smart, forms part of the existing Victoria Harbour master plan.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/victoriaharbour_s060_photomontage_03_final_2000.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Victoria Harbour + Collins Wharf approved Master Plan. Image: Lendlease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="350" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/victoriaharbour_s060_photomontage_03_final_2000.jpg?itok=d3HbhdfW" title="Victoria Harbour + Collins Wharf approved Master Plan. Image: Lendlease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Victoria Harbour + Collins Wharf approved Master Plan. Image: Lendlease</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
The Collins Wharf development will take advantage of Victoria Harbour’s existing retail and public space, including Library at The Dock, Community Hub at The Dock, Knowledge Market and more than 80 dining and entertainment options – while adding diverse new public spaces.

The design of this precinct offers future residents panoramic views and world-class public realm that maximises the unique waterfront location. Once complete, a pedestrian and cyclist promenade will enable people to walk, cycle or run all the way around the 2.5kms of the Victoria Harbour waterfront.

Following our consultation with the local community in 2015 and engagement with authorities over the past 18 months, I’m confident that our Collins Wharf vision will present one of Melbourne’s most desirable locations for residents, visitors and local workers to enjoy.
<cite>Mark Menhinnitt, Managing Director of Urban Regeneration, Lendlease</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/victoriaharbour_s010_designstudios_-_final_2000.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Collins Wharf is set to provide small scale spaces for creative enterprise. Image: Lendlease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="304" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/victoriaharbour_s010_designstudios_-_final_2000.jpg?itok=ybuTDhrd" title="Collins Wharf is set to provide small scale spaces for creative enterprise. Image: Lendlease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Collins Wharf is set to provide small scale spaces for creative enterprise. Image: Lendlease</figcaption></figure><h2>KEY FEATURES</h2>

<ul>
<li>Extension of Collins Street as a tree lined boulevard to the water’s edge.</li>
	<li>High quality public open space that will encourage pride of place, support community wellbeing and create opportunities for water engagement.</li>
	<li>Located at the western tip of the Wharf, Eco Park will be an environmental oasis with native grasses, large specimen trees, an innovative floating wetland and access to the water’s edge.</li>
	<li>A diverse range of residences including coveted Collins Street terraces.A state of the art health and wellbeing centre located at the water’s edge.</li>
	<li>Small scale waterfront SOHO commercial / living space, offering a unique opportunity for boutique creative enterprises.</li>
	<li>Reduced car travel through the provision of pedestrian and cycling links and access to existing public transport connections.</li>
	<li>‘Yarra Walk’, a unique promenade experience to Docklands, creating a ‘water on both sides’ pedestrian experience.</li>
	<li>Approximately 1,500 residences over five buildings, with every home featuring high quality apartment layouts to maximise natural light and water views for every home.</li>
	<li>Residences will include a range of one, two and three bedroom apartments as well as the prestigious four level town homes lining Collins Street.</li>
</ul>
 The first Stage, No. 2 Collins Wharf (incorporating approximately 320 apartments), is expected to commence construction in 2018.

<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/yarra_walk.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Yarra Walk promenade. Image: Lendlease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="377" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/yarra_walk.jpg?itok=BCYyWOwZ" title="Yarra Walk promenade. Image: Lendlease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Yarra Walk promenade. Image: Lendlease</figcaption></figure>
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Laurence Dragomir

Lendlease's Collins Wharf Master Plan - the final piece of Victoria Harbour

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Listed property group Lendlease Corporation Limited said half-yearly profit after tax rose 12 percent to $394.8 million from a year earlier, helped by a boost in construction earnings.
Revenue in the six months to December 2016 was up 8 percent to $7,945 million over the comparable period the previous year.
The company said remaining end development pipeline grew 5 percent to $49 billion, of which $35 billion comprised urbanisation projects. It said the development segment “continues to maintain a strong residential pre-sales position, closing the period at $5.7 billion.”
Its EBITDA mix comprised a 38 percent growth in development earnings, while investments generated 40 percent.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/02/27/FEB27LendleaseEBITDA.png" alt="">
Lendlease Group chief executive and managing director Steve McCann said commercial development, in particular the Australian office sector, was a highlight of the first half result. 
“At Barangaroo South, Tower 1 reached practical completion with all three office towers now operational,” said McCann. 
“We had success in converting our pipeline into delivery with the forward sale of three office buildings, in addition to the creation of a capital solution for the Circular Quay Tower.”
Lendlease said it secured new tenants across the commercial development pipeline. New leasing agreements were secured across approximately 85,000 sqm of commercial space in the period, predominantly in Australia. 
The company declared an interim unfranked dividend of 33 cents per stapled security.
Residential settlements included apartments at Victoria Harbour in Melbourne. Its offshore pipeline includes projects in Singapore, London and the Americas.
<ul>
<li>In Singapore, construction at the Paya Lebar Quarter is progressing well and during the period management secured two anchor tenants for the retail component of the development. The project remains on track for completion in FY19. </li>
<li>In Europe, apartment settlements were achieved at the Glasshouse Gardens at International Quarter London and South Gardens at Elephant and Castle in London. </li>
<li>In the Americas, work has commenced at Riverline in Chicago, Clippership Wharf in Boston and 281 Fifth Avenue in New York. These projects are all in the residential sector, representing a mix of multi-family and condominium product. </li>
</ul>
It said communities settlements were down compared to the prior corresponding period due to project timing.
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Lendlease posts double-digit rise in profit on construction boost

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As part of their ongoing development at Victoria Harbour, Lendlease have engaged Techne Architecture and Interior Design to deliver their new Victoria Harbour Sales and Leasing Centre. The completed centre has been designed to help to market and sell Lendlease’s remaining developments in Victoria Harbour, whilst also aiding in the approximately 1,500 apartment settlements expected over the next 18 months.

The sales centre is locate in close proximity to Victoria Harbour’s most recent developments, offering dual frontage to Collins and Bourke streets and proximity to the 888 Collins Street visual light display. Unlike a traditional display suite that presents a 1:1 scale version of a finished apartment, the 300sqm centre envisions the future precinct through a number of interactive and immersive installation zones. 

<blockquote>
We were conscious of the need to articulate the potential experience to the customer, without a tangible product and, in a constantly evolving location. Responsiveness to the precinct’s established blend of technological innovation and public interaction was integral to our design, and ultimately saw us take a more modern approach to marketing property.
<cite>- Justin Northrop, Technē Director</cite>
</blockquote>

Immersive design features are critical elements of the customer experience and include a 20-screen media wall, interactive digital scale model, theatrical ceiling light display, and large-scale Lego model of the Collins Wharf masterplan.

Urban.com.au spoke to Technē Senior Associate, Gabriella Gulacsi about the firm's design thinking and some of the challenges associated with designing a display suite that is adaptable over the course of the next 5-10 years.

<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/techne_vicharbourlr-15.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Victoria Harbour Sales and Leasing Centre features a Lego model. Image courtesy Techne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/techne_vicharbourlr-15.jpg?itok=2E0k9aoy" title="Victoria Harbour Sales and Leasing Centre features a Lego model. Image courtesy Techne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Victoria Harbour Sales and Leasing Centre features a Lego model. Image courtesy Techne</figcaption></figure>Urban.com.au: What were some of the design drivers for the display suite design?

Gabriella Gulacsi: The design drivers for the display suite design centred primarily on the layering of space, both horizontally and vertically, and the overarching project objectives which called for the use of timeless materials and finishes, an adaptable floorplan and sustainability.

The layering of spaces allows for the defined zones and sales information, and also helps to prioritise the sales tools. A sculptural ceiling installation provides visual interest in the open plan space, and introduces an innovative lighting solution to create ambience within the suite. UM: Were Techne engaged following their previous work with Lend Lease on the Melbourne Quarter residential display suite?

GG: Yes. Due to the success of Melbourne Quarter we were recommended for the Victoria Harbour project.

UM: What were some of the challenges the design team faced?

GG: The site was impressive with high ceilings throughout however the wedge shaped geometry of the site didn’t afford easy spatial organisation - a challenge when articulating a clear sales journey to potential buyers.

We were also conscious of the potential for the space’s large size, strong connection to the street, and visually busy facades to distract from the sales journey. To ensure customers would feel comfortable and could focus on the sales message, the design incorporates ample natural lighting, defined zones throughout the tenancy and a large centralised digital display.

UM: Was adaptability considered for the suite with Victoria Harbour still evolving over the next 5-10 years? How do you design with that in mind?

<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/techne_vicharbourlr-17.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The colourful interior. Image courtesy Techne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="869" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/techne_vicharbourlr-17.jpg?itok=266DOCAL" title="The colourful interior. Image courtesy Techne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The colourful interior. Image courtesy Techne</figcaption></figure>GG: The brief called for a design that would respond to the constantly evolving nature of the precinct. Each area that is adaptable over the five to 10-year life span was designed as a focal point, featuring elements that can be tailored for new developments within the precinct. This flexibility in the design comprises physical and digital displays and, allows for future technological advancements such as virtual reality.

Techne’s experience in workplace design means that future-proofing is inherent in each of our design responses. The ability to draw from our work across sectors provides an informed basis for the design intent of a project.

UM: And lastly, What sort of lifespan has the design suite been designed for?  
  GG: The suite has been designed to appeal to a broad target market for apartments and facilitate the sale of multiple product types over the next five to ten years.
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Technē designs an immersive experience for the Victoria Harbour Sales and Leasing Centre

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Listed property group Lendlease’s first engineered timber office building in Queensland, called 5 King, has been acquired by Impact Investment Group (IIG), in its second commercial building acquisition in the $2.9 billion Brisbane Showgrounds redevelopment.
Standing almost 45 metres, 5 King the nine-storey tower plus ground will be the tallest engineered timber building in Australia and the tallest and largest engineered timber office building by gross floor area in the world.  
It will be the future home of engineering firm Aurecon, with the company committing to lease four of the nine office floors.
It has been designed by architect Bates Smart with engineering provided by Aurecon.
“5 King is the latest example of high-performance workplaces setting new benchmarks in environmentally sustainable building practices,” said Kylie Rampa, Lendlease’s chief executive officer, Property, Australia. 
“The office building will offer tenants the opportunity to generate significant business benefits through large, efficient floorplates that provide flexibility for a variety of modern workplace formats. Its location on King Street provides excellent access to lifestyle amenity and transport options for employees,” she said.
5 King will be built using a building timber called cross laminated timber (CLT) and glulam (glue laminated timber) which has a structural strength akin to the traditionally used concrete and steel. The typical commercial floor plate will comprise 1,588 square metres of net leasable area (NLA), with a total area of 14,921 square metres (NLA) over 10 levels.  
Buildings made from engineered timber have a lower carbon footprint than other building materials: the production process produces zero waste, and timbers are sourced from certified sustainably-managed forests.
According to Neil Barr, Aurecon’s Queensland regional director, the use of timber to lower carbon footprint is a medium that Aurecon has used to good effect.
"Our firm has long seen timber as a viable alternative to steel and concrete and 5 King will showcase the strength of CLT in a ten-storey building."
Lendlease is targeting a 6 Star Green Star Design for 5 King and As Built v1.1 and a NABERS Energy 5 Star rating.  
5 King is due for completion in November 2018, with Lendlease both developing and building the asset. 
It is Lendlease’s fifth engineered timber building in Australia and joins International House Sydney, Forte Apartments and Library at the Dock in Melbourne, and Jordan Springs Community Hub in Western Sydney.
 
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Lendlease sells its tallest engineered timber office building in Australia

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Developer Lendlease is pushing ahead with early site works for their pending Melbourne Quarter development; a massive mixed-use project that will round out the Batman's Hill precinct within Docklands.

Effectively a nexus between Melbourne's CBD and Docklands, Melbourne Quarter will continue the growth of inner city apartments aimed squarely at professionals, young families and empty nesters who are seeking a high-rise lifestyle. With the flood of investment grade apartment projects into the inner city over recent years, there is now a concerted push to create projects that go above and beyond, particularly in terms of amenity.

Lendlease Head of Apartments, Ben Christie, states that Melbourne Quarter has been designed to cater to the demands of astute buyers seeking a lifestyle which includes minimal outdoor and apartment maintenance, inclusive facilities, and communal socialising spaces.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/view04_mq_squre_elevated_v2_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Quarter Neighbourhood Park. Image courtesy Lendlease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/view04_mq_squre_elevated_v2_0.jpg?itok=oW3M2lzk" title="Melbourne Quarter Neighbourhood Park. Image courtesy Lendlease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Quarter Neighbourhood Park. Image courtesy Lendlease</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
Melbourne buyers from all demographics have one of the strongest appetites for high-quality apartments. This is a design conscious city in its fashion, food and coffee, and also Melburnians’ appetite for good architecture is no different. In Melbourne, people expect a comprehensive offering which includes open floor plan layouts for social spaces, ample storage in residences and basements, and health-conscious building amenities.

The biggest selling point for our Melbourne Quarter project is the precinct’s green space and gardens at the base of residences. This gives people the opportunity to live in and be amongst a community that contributes to Melbourne's rich cultural tapestry. Melbourne has traditionally been framed around its parks, and Melbourne Quarter will create a floating Skypark and a new neighbourhood park within the city; a very good thing for residents and the public at large.

<cite>Ben Christie, Head of Apartments, Lendlease</cite>
</blockquote>

Lendlease's Melbourne Quarter development is bordered by Collins and Flinders Streets in Docklands, and upon completion will offer city living, future workplaces, dining, shopping and green spaces. A series of new internal laneways will connect workers, residents and visitors to the traditional Hoddle Grid and to approximately 40 new specialty retailers, including cafes and bars, dining, fashion and lifestyle offerings.

The development's residential towers have been designed by Fender Katsalidis Architects (FKA), who have a long and successful history of residential buildings in Melbourne, including the Republic Tower, Eureka Tower and Australia 108.

Urban.com.au posed a number of questions to Ben Christie and FKA's Karl Fender about the development and the evolution of apartment living in Melbourne.

<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/view_20_mq_resi_1x1_bed_desk_02_crop_option.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Quarter typical one bedroom apartment. Image courtesy of Lendlease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="213" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/view_20_mq_resi_1x1_bed_desk_02_crop_option.jpg?itok=nX2S7XBr" title="Melbourne Quarter typical one bedroom apartment. Image courtesy of Lendlease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Quarter typical one bedroom apartment. Image courtesy of Lendlease</figcaption></figure>Urban.com.au: Both Lendlease and Fender Katsalidis have extensive experience in apartment developments in Melbourne. How has the market evolved in the last 20 years and by extension the demands of purchasers?

Karl Fender: The transition of Melbourne over the last 25 years from a commercial hub to a thriving multi-faceted metropolis can be attributed to the migration of people from suburban to city living. Large sections of the Melbourne community enjoy, and have come to depend on proximity to workplace, city based rich living options, security, and the convenience of apartment living.

With this increased understanding and focus on the broader benefits of city living, the expectations of apartment design standards with the owners have developed substantially. That community sector now has sophisticated views about their personal living environment. Flexible planning, sizes appropriate to need, provision of ample recreational amenities, quality materials and excellence of architectural design are expected.

People today regard their apartment as far more than simply a good investment. Pride in home, which was underpinned the Australian dream of ownership in the suburbs, is now of paramount importance in the higher density multi-residential realm.

Ben Christie: The great thing about Melbourne’s apartment market is that it offers a variety of city-centric living opportunities that weren’t available 10 years go. Melbourne in general boasts a very high quality of apartment design. Our customers expect a comprehensive apartment offering, which might include open floor plan layouts for social spaces, ample storage in residences and basements, and health-conscious building amenities like a gym or swimming pool.

There is also a growing demand for concierge and hotel-style offerings as time-poor residents use these services to cut down on chores and free up leisure time. Melbourne Quarter will offer such concierge services to enhance the quality of our resident’s living experiences, including services on ground and upper ground lobbies which will use smart technology systems to connect residents in their community.

Many of our customers consider the surroundings of their apartment building too, looking for things like recreational facilities, parks, playgrounds, cafes and community services like child-care facilities and libraries. Our diverse Victoria Harbour community has the highest concentration of Green Star rated buildings in Australia and is located next door to many popular community amenities including Library at The Dock, Buluk Park and the newly-opened Community Hub at the Dock.

UM: How do developments like Melbourne Quarter respond to these demands from a design point of view? What does the architecture say about its locale and the residents within?

KF: Melbourne Quarter is an exemplar of quality environment for its new resident and commercial community. In the broader context of the central business district of Melbourne, its location and provisions will redefine and enrich this strategic entry point of the city. It will certainly be a catalyst for urbane completeness which this currently underutilised corner of the city so desperately requires.

Within the development, public placemaking, rich pedestrian linkages, carparking and servicing strategies have been carefully considered to deliver the best possible outcome. Enticing connections between Collins and Flinders Streets has been achieved through a series of pedestrian experiences, enriched by gardens, recreational and retail opportunities.

The apartments within the residential sector of Melbourne Quarter provide a diverse range of sizes and outlooks, but quality and facility are the common threads. The new resident community can enjoy the privacy of home and counterpointed by the connection of city opportunities at their doorstep. Their living experience is further enriched by their communal facilities which include an elevated 120m pool looking over the northern park, gym, sauna, multi-purpose yoga studio, lounge, library and luxury dining spaces.

UM: How has the history of the site informed the architecture?

KF: The Melbourne Quarter precinct is a very historically significant location in Melbourne and has played a key role in the history of the city’s founding. It is remembered as the site that city father John Batman chose for his family house which he built on Batmans Hill - the site of Melbourne Quarter - in 1836 not long after the beginning of Melbourne’s settlement in 1835.

The precinct also engages with the indigenous heritage of the site and indigenous artists will also play a key role in the placemaking, design and art of the precinct.
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Karl Fender and Ben Christie talk Melbourne Quarter

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With preliminary construction works underway, Lendlease have completed the sale of their first offering within the multi-towered Melbourne Quarter development.

Announced yesterday was the sale of the precinct's first commercial tower to Lendlease-managed affiliate, Australian Prime Property Fund Commercial. The transaction comes at a point of near full tenancy for the commercial tower dubbed One Melbourne Quarter.

Upon completion, initial signatory Arup will also be joined by Lendlease within the 13 level commercial tower, with the latter absorbing four floors across the Denton Corker Marshall-designed, 26,400sqm complex.

Updated project renders accompanying yesterday's announcement also better highlight the tower's activated frontage to Collins Street, perhaps the project's single biggest positive.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_0471.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Quarter's onsite works gather momentum"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_0471.jpg?itok=Y3WtWWqx" title="Melbourne Quarter's onsite works gather momentum" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Quarter's onsite works gather momentum</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
The sale of this building brings the vision of Melbourne Quarter to life and will drive increased momentum for the project. We continue to witness the city shift its commercial centre west along Collins Street, with many leading national and global enterprises already having made the move. It’s a very exciting time for the project.

As we did with our global head office move to Barangaroo in Sydney this year, we will be consolidating our Melbourne offices to bring our Victorian people together at One Melbourne Quarter in 2018.
<cite>Kylie Rampa, Chief Executive Officer for Property, Lendlease</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
We are delighted to provide our institutional investors access to this exciting integrated precinct, which will offer unique public space, including Melbourne’s first Skypark, and direct access to a variety of transport options.

The investment is consistent with APPF Commercial’s strategy to up-weight into efficient, sustainable and people-centric buildings, and complements the Fund’s recent acquisition of Darling Square and its interests in International Towers One, Two and Three at Barangaroo in Sydney.
<cite>Josh McHutchison, Managing Director of Australian Investment Management, Lendlease</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/1mq_hero_shot_75_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A new Collins Street perspective. 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/1mq_hero_shot_75_0.jpg?itok=WECrAkWk" title="A new Collins Street perspective. Image: Lendlease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A new Collins Street perspective. Image: Lendlease</figcaption></figure>As the last vacant site fronting Collins Street within Batman's Hill, One Melbourne Quarter's frontage has been amped up.

Passers-by will be greeted by a cavernous entry to the precinct, defined by a Sky Park perched above Collins Street. 980sqm of retail space will also bolster Batman's Hill's retail offerings, complimenting the neighbouring Collins Square retail zone.

Melbourne Quarter will also include 106 car parking spaces and extensive cycle facilities while targeting a 6 Star Green Star Design and As Built rating plus a 5 star NABERS energy rating.

One Melbourne Quarter is the first of seven commercial and residential buildings destined for Lendlease's Melbourne Quarter. Future offering within Melbourne Quarter include 681 Collins Street which is at planning and encompasses 55,000sqm of commercial space, and multiple approved residential towers with 1,600 plus apartments in the pipeline.

The total value of the precinct weighs in at $2 billion.
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silvermb

Lendlease steps in on One Melbourne Quarter

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Lendlease's Melbourne Quarter development, located within the Batman's Hill precinct of Melbourne's Docklands is aspiring to be a sustainable new city neighbourhood that will cater for 3,000 future residents in approximately 1,690 dwellings across three towers.

The three residential towers have been designed by Melbourne architectural firm Fender Katsalidis Architects. The first residential building, known as East Tower, will feature a wide variety of one, two and three bedroom apartments and is currently at sales. Located at 628 Flinders Street, the 40-storey development will offer views of the city and bay and will feature hanging gardens climbing the full height of the building.

The precinct has been designed with a strong environmental focus, with more than half of the 2.5 hectare site dedicated to open public spaces including Melbourne’s first elevated Skypark, a neighbourhood park, a new public square and a series of retail laneways which upon completion will connect to the existing CBD.

<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/aerial_view_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Quarter aerial view. Image courtesy of 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/aerial_view_0.jpg?itok=IoIa2LQB" title="Melbourne Quarter aerial view. Image courtesy of Lendlease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Quarter aerial view. Image courtesy of Lendlease</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
Melbourne Quarter, with its residential neighbourhood next to a thriving commercial district, offers the opportunity to live next to work, which is increasingly appealing for young professional owner occupiers and investors with a keen eye on the leasing market.
Lendlease prides itself on the high quality of its apartment designs. Melbourne Quarter’s competitively priced apartments will provide a range of one, two and three bedroom city residences, with added value in their design features, location and amenity compared to what our CBD competitors are offering. We are already receiving strong market interest for Melbourne Quarter’s East Tower.
Melbourne Quarter aspires to set leading standards as an environmentally sensitive and sustainable development, that will see all residential towers target a 5-Star Green Star rating.
<cite>Mark Menhinnitt, Managing Director for Urban Regeneration, Lendlease</cite>
</blockquote>

Apartments.com.au recently spoke to Ben Christie, Lendlease's Head of Apartments, about the residential component of the project and how Lendlease are seeking to distinguish their product in an overcrowded market.

Apartments.com.au: Could you outline the smart technologies that are being implemented across the residential towers?

Ben Christie: The ability to connect our residents to the wider community is something we've been looking to introduce and they'll able to do that via an app. It'll be a project specific app that can be accessed via an iPad or iPhone and allow residents to book the extensive communal facilities which that are in the buildings which comprise 'Club MQ'. With 'Club MQ' we're looking at setting a new benchmark with the level of amenity that we're providing and this will be available in the first tower and then the two other towers will share from that.

UM: Is the provision of a concierge/hotel style facilities designed to attract more owner-occupiers rather than investors?

BC: They tend to attract both, in my experience. Certainly we've seen a growing market for time-poor professionals that want to live in the city or close to the city and the services that our concierge will provide, will help those time poor professionals, who live busy lives with the things they need to do. Additionally it will also assist families, which are a growing demographic in apartments who are also time poor, trying to spend extra time with each other so they'll probably use services for ordering food, collecting mail, having laundry picked up and so on.

We think these buildings will attract young professionals and families, with a greater number likely to be young professionals and time-poor executives but it will also be attractive to investors because the concierge service will assist in achieving premium rentals as tenants so our assumption is that it will be attractive to tenants as well, which makes it attractive to investors.

UM: It could be argued that many other more recent residential developments employ a concierge and smart technology. What makes Melbourne Quarter different?

BC: I think what you're touching on there is right and concierge services aren't a new phenomenon. The difference here at Melbourne Quarter is the level of service that we'll be providing and the level of amenity we'll be providing at 'Club MQ' as part of the project. Customers, tenants and purchasers alike are becoming far more discerning and are demanding more of their buildings and more from the services the buildings provide, so our point of difference is that rather than just a standard concierge service we're providing a luxury concierge service in very much a hotel-style offering.

The concierge you might see historically in buildings don't go to the full extent that we feel our customers now seek. The added benefit of the service is that it acts a security service as well: we'll have two full time concierges on-site, 7 days a week.

<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/view04_mq_squre_elevated_v2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Quarter neighbourhood square. Image courtesy Lend Lease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/view04_mq_squre_elevated_v2.jpg?itok=MNdNJAQk" title="Melbourne Quarter neighbourhood square. Image courtesy Lend Lease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Quarter Neighbourhood Park. Image courtesy Lendlease</figcaption></figure>UM: What is the anticipated construction commencement for East Tower? Will the delivery of Melbourne Quarter be staged or will a common podium for the project be delivered in one hit? Is there a nominal completion date for the whole project?

BC: We're starting with Arup's tenancy as we have a commitment there but Lendlease being a mixed-use developer, we have the ability to deliver these buildings simultaneously. We have only recently received planning approval for the residential buildings but we've had a lot of strong activity in our sales process and it's been very encouraging from the market, from both investors and owner occupiers but we haven't finalised a date for the commencement of the residential towers as yet. At this stage we have a conservative completion of 2022 or around 6 years of construction, but we'd like to and are aiming to deliver it faster.

We at Lendlease have significant experience in large-scale urban regeneration projects and so we can deliver commercial, residential and retail infrastructure simultaneously and our staging plan will be such that it will be very customer focused to engage people at the ground plane both within the commercial and residential components. And that is one of the important factors when delivering these types of complex projects. Each neighbourhood could be built independently of one another but they won't be. The team have received a lot of interest from prospective tenants for the commercial buildings and the feedback thus far has been positive.

Laurence, it is interesting when you ask about the decoupling of residential to commercial. Certainly, the residential buildings are focused somewhat to Flinders Street and the commercial buildings are somewhat focused to Collins Street and then we have an extensive laneway with a lot of retail offering which links the two, so they are intertwined.

One of the reasons, I'd like to add is that Melbourne Quarter will be home to 3,000 residents when it's complete and a lot of those residents could easily be people that work at Melbourne Quarter as well. With a lot of our mixed-use projects around the world we find that people like to live near where they work so often we attract young professionals that work at Arup or any other tenant we might secure who also live in one of the residential buildings.

It provides a very efficient lifestyle, it works for the investors, it works for the tenants. Imagine you were working at Arup, you're going home to your apartment in Melbourne Quarter and you can order your dinner when you leave the office and it's there when you get home. There's some great things you could do with our concierge service.

<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/view14_flinders_entrance_lobby_final.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Flinders Street entrance lobby. Image courtesy Lend Lease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="331" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/view14_flinders_entrance_lobby_final.jpg?itok=vfkDGSRW" title="Flinders Street entrance lobby. Image courtesy Lend Lease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Flinders Street entrance lobby. Image courtesy Lendlease</figcaption></figure><h2>Club MQ</h2>

Lendlease has provided Apartments.com.au with a summary of the facilities available to all residents as part of Club MQ, including:

<ul>
<li>Hotel-style grand arrival entrance to Club MQ (off Flinders Street), with undercover drop-off and concierge service.</li>
	<li>Secondary pedestrian lobby to the Club MQ and apartments off the precinct Neighbourhood Park (access via the new laneway connecting Collins and Flinders Streets).</li>
	<li>Swimming Pool (25 metres in length).</li>
	<li>Spa and change room amenity.</li>
	<li>Steam room.</li>
	<li>Sauna facilities.</li>
	<li>All-purpose gym.</li>
	<li>Multipurpose function/yoga room.</li>
	<li>Residents library and lounge.</li>
	<li>Theatrette for 20 people.</li>
	<li>Three internal private dining areas featuring outdoor terraces and BBQ amenity.</li>
	<li>Access to other precinct amenities includes Melbourne Quarter’s Skypark, Melbourne Square, Neighbourhood Park and a diverse retail offering within the Melbourne Quarter precinct.</li>
</ul>
<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/club_mq_gym.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Club MQ facilities. Image courtesy Lend Lease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="484" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/club_mq_gym.jpg?itok=RquEx_kJ" title="Club MQ facilities. Image courtesy Lend Lease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Club MQ facilities. Image courtesy Lendlease</figcaption></figure>While the residential component is at sales and marketing, Lendlease aren't wasting anytime getting on with the rest of the development. Arup's 3-storey office tenancy within the One Melbourne Quarter building is currently under construction, delivering a new sky park above Collins Street with a second 27-storey commercial building at 681-701 Collins Street, recently submitted for planning consideration with an end value of $550 million.

The delivery of the $2 billion Melbourne Quarter project is anticipated to generate approximately 15,000 construction jobs over the life of the project. On completion, its commercial offices are expected to be home to around 10,000 workers.

<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/view_27_skyrooms_from_collins_st.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The 27-storey office tower at 681-701 Collins Street. Image courtesy Lendlease"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="1137" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/view_27_skyrooms_from_collins_st.jpg?itok=PjgOfqLb" title="The 27-storey office tower at 681-701 Collins Street. Image courtesy Lendlease" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Quarter Tower from Collins Street. Image courtesy Lendlease</figcaption></figure>
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Lendlease forges ahead with Melbourne Quarter

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Lendlease secured strong figures for the FY16, showing a profit after tax of $698.2 million.
Group CEO and managing director Steve McCann suggesting that solid cash generation was a highlight.
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“Solid cash generation was a highlight of the result with operating cash flow representing over 120 per cent of Profit after Tax,” he said.
“Lendlease produced a strong result for the 2016 financial year (FY16) and maintained a disciplined and focused approach to delivering on our strategy.
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The development segment delivered a very strong result across both residential and commercial.
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Residential settlements were up 7 per cent to 4,790 units.
“The high level of residential pre-sales provides good future visibility for earnings," McCann said.
“We settled over 1,200 apartments with non-settlements at less than 1 per cent versus our historical average of closer to 3 per cent.
McCann also sited the contribution of the commercial buildings to the strong figures.
“The forward sale of three major commercial buildings, two at International Quarter London and one at Darling Square in Sydney, has further de-risked our development exposure."
The Australian Construction result was robust with EBITDA margins up by more than 1 percentage point to 3.7 per cent.
The Investments segment, representing 37 per cent of operating EBITDA, continues to deliver solid recurring style earnings.
Below is the Lendlease group financial figures
<a href="/images/2016/08/19/Lendlease%20group%20financials.jpg" target="_blank">Click here to enlarge</a>
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Group CFO Tarun Gupta said the FY16 result ensures that Lendlease enters FY17 in a strong financial position. 
“Generating in excess of $850.0 million in operating cash flow while deploying a further $3.0 billion6 into development of projects is a significant achievement.” 
At 30 June 2016, Lendlease held a cash balance of $1.0 billion and undrawn facilities of $2.2 billion, providing substantial financial flexibility.
Below is Lendlease's financial performance
<a href="/images/2016/08/19/Lendlease%20financial%20overview.jpg" target="_blank">Click here to enlarge</a>
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FY16 major highlights
<ul>
<li>
Profit after Tax of $698.2 million, up 13 per cent and earnings per stapled security of 120.1 cents, up 12 per cent 
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<li>
  Return on equity of 13.0 per cent2, up 60 bps 
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  Final distribution of 30.0 cents per stapled security, taking the full year distribution to 60.0 cents per stapled security 
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  Operating cash flow of $853.0 million, 122 per cent of Profit after Tax 
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  Further $3.0 billion deployed into development of projects3 
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  Strong balance sheet with gearing of 6.5 per cent4 and available liquidity of $3.2 billion 
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<li>
  Further de-risking Development with the forward sale of three major commercial buildings 
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  Record pre sold residential revenue of $5.9 billion5, up 13 per cent 
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  Establishment of a $400 million managed investment vehicle 
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<li>
  Construction backlog revenue of $20.7 billion, up 20 per cent 
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  Funds Under Management (FUM) of $23.6 billion, up 11 per cent 
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Lendlease profits up 13 percent in FY16 - and no sign of rise in apartment settlement defaults

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Lendlease has moved into its new global headquarters in Barangaroo South’s International Towers Sydney.
Around 2,000 employees occupy levels 8 to 19 of Tower Three’s 39 floors, with Lendlease chief executive officer and managing director, Steve McCann said the company’s iconic new headquarters was a significant milestone.
<img src="/images/2016/07/26/thumbnail_160721_Barangaroo%20LL%20Fitout_020_Low.jpg" alt="" width="443" height="296">
“Our new home brings innovative thinking to the challenge of the 21st century workplace. It combines the best of both traditional workplace strategies and new ways of working - connecting people, knowledge and teams to deliver more seamless communication and better results,” he said.
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“Our people now have access to a wide range of spaces - whether inside the workplace or enjoying the new Barangaroo precinct at one of the many cafés or special spaces.
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CEO and managing director, Steve McCann above
Levels 13 and 14 feature a six-metre high wall with over 5,000 plants with employees provided with nutrition options, standing desks and green spaces.
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Tower Three received a 6 Star Green Star Office Design v3 rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.
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