The new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/yarraville-green-42-stephen-street-yarraville-vic-3013">Yarraville Green</a> development in Melbourne's inner west is showing that landscaping can be just as influential as architecture, with buyers responding strongly to the garden-first approach adopted from the outset by developer Excelon Projects and the project's design team.

Excelon appointed Six Degrees Architects and landscape architects SBLA to work collaboratively on the development, with a brief to create "a sustainable, design-led building with a focus on community."

That approach has resonated with buyers. According to Next Chapter Director Tom Hirini, who is leading the sales campaign, the landscaped communal garden has become one of the project's defining features, alongside its boutique scale and European-inspired cluster housing concept.

Local downsizers, right-sizers and established families already living in Yarraville and surrounding suburbs have accounted for the majority of purchasers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297740]

Yarraville Green will comprise 53 homes, including apartments and townhomes, arranged around the shared central garden to maximise connections to the landscaped open space. Parking has been moved underground, allowing the ground plane to be dedicated to greenery, pedestrian movement and communal spaces.

The landscape extends well beyond passive planting. Productive garden beds, a pergola, communal gathering spaces, garden sheds and a pet wash have all been integrated into the masterplan, creating spaces designed to encourage everyday interaction between residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297741]

The interiors continue Excelon's focus on craftsmanship, incorporating bespoke elements by Melbourne artisans including leadlight detailing by Adadaz, hand-turned timber hardware by Auburn Woodturning and blown-glass lighting by Ruth Allen.

Sustainability has also been embedded throughout the project, with Yarraville Green targeting an average 7-star NatHERS energy rating through passive design principles, rooftop solar servicing common areas and rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297735]

Construction continues to progress at Yarraville Green, with structural works well underway and framing works approaching completion under builder Balmain &amp; Co. The project remains on track for completion in mid-2027.

Apartments at Yarraville Green are currently priced from $625,000, while townhomes start from $1.4 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144913]

Joel Robinson

Garden-led design drives buyer demand at Yarraville Green

National diversified developer Fortis has officially launched Crest &amp; Walker, its latest Brisbane apartment development, with construction now underway on the 20-storey Newstead project.

Award-winning builder BINAH has commenced construction on the Bureau^Proberts-designed building, which will deliver a limited collection of 65 two and three-bedroom apartments on Kyabra Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373556]

The project marks Fortis' fourth active residential development in Brisbane, following River House, which is nearing completion, alongside projects in New Farm and Hamilton as the national developer continues to expand its South East Queensland pipeline.

Fortis General Manager – Development Queensland Dan Boman said Crest &amp; Walker reflects the developer's long-term commitment to delivering design-led residential projects in Brisbane's established inner-city suburbs.

"We're proud to be strengthening our presence in Brisbane with Crest &amp; Walker, particularly in such a sought-after lifestyle destination as Newstead," Boman said.

"Every Fortis project is shaped by its context, and we approach each one with the respect and care it deserves.

"Our focus is always on creating places that feel connected to their neighbourhood and elevate the everyday experience for residents. Newstead continues to evolve as one of Brisbane's most sought-after urban communities, and Crest &amp; Walker reflects our ambition to contribute meaningfully to that story."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373559]

Positioned between Gasworks Plaza and James Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> has been designed as a boutique residential address offering privacy and generous living spaces within one of Brisbane's most established lifestyle precincts.

The building features a contemporary brick podium softened by integrated landscaping, while the upper levels are characterised by restrained architecture and enduring materiality. Interiors have been designed to maximise natural light, acoustic performance and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373583]

Residences comprise spacious two and three-bedroom floorplans, with two-bedroom apartments priced from $1.55 million and three-bedroom, half-floor residences from $3.95 million.

Residents will have access to a wellness-focused rooftop featuring a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, landscaped dining spaces and outdoor lounge areas overlooking Newstead and the Brisbane CBD.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373571]

Sales are being managed by Slaite Projects, with Fortis expecting strong demand from owner-occupiers seeking a high-quality, design-focused apartment in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.

Completion of Crest &amp; Walker is slated for late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145922]

Fortis expands Brisbane pipeline with launch of Crest & Walker in Newstead

The enormity of delivering a true skyscraper in Australia's new development market is often overlooked.

It has taken the best part of a decade since plans for Chevron One were first unveiled, but the 41-storey tower is now complete, with residents collecting their keys and moving into what has become one of the Gold Coast's most recognisable new landmarks.

Rising 127 metres above Chevron Island, Chevron One stands almost twice as high as any other building on the island. Its scale places it alongside the trio of towers at Jewel, arguably the last truly significant addition to the central Gold Coast skyline when they were completed around six years ago.

While there are several developments underway around a similar height to Chevron One, they are more concentrated within clusters of the highest towers in the city. The fact Chevron One sits within a developing precinct, looking back at the other high-rise developments in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, makes it a different proposition altogether. It will certainly become a reference point on the Gold Coast skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68833]

Developer Bensons Property Group is behind the 41-storey tower, which has 229 apartments, along with an exhaustive list of resident amenity spread across what is the largest development site ever assembled on Chevron Island.

The tower has been the talk of the town for years, says Ray White Projects Gold Coast agent Caitlin Rosenboom, who is selling the remaining apartments.

"People have been watching Chevron One go up for years," Rosenboom says, adding that many prospective buyers have been surprised by the scale of the views once they step inside.

"It's only when they walk through a completed apartment that they truly understand the position of the building," Rosenboom says.

"The views are jaw-dropping. Whether you're looking east over the ocean, across Surfers Paradise, along the river systems or out to the hinterland, every level offers something different but equally impressive."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=360215]

One of Chevron One's defining advantages is its location on the eastern side of Chevron Island on Stanhill Drive, a position which protects the views forever.

"There's only one row of houses between Chevron One and the water, and the height restrictions along the river means views from Chevron One can never be built out,"&nbsp;Rosenboom says.

While new apartment developments continue to emerge across the Gold Coast, Rosenboom says opportunities to secure a completed apartment with this level of outlook are becoming increasingly rare.

"The size of the site is something that would be incredibly difficult to replicate today," she says.

"That's allowed Chevron One to deliver the sort of amenity, open space and resident facilities that very few projects can offer. There are not many completed apartment buildings on the Gold Coast right now that can compete with the combination of scale, quality and amenity."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68839]

There's around 2,000 sqm of amenity solely for the use of residents of Chevron One. Club One features a uniquely shaped swimming pool that mirrors the footprint of the building itself, set within a extensively landscaped gardens. There's also an indoor pool and spa, a fully equipped gym with a Pilates room, a yoga garden, a bookable private dining area and lounge that can host up to 30 people, and a 24-hour concierge service.

As for the buyers, Rosenboom is fielding enquiry from everywhere: Sydneysiders and Melburnians looking at the new and off-the-plan market following the changes in the Federal Budget, as well as those looking to relocate, through to South East Queenslanders seeking either a permanent home or a weekender bolthole.

"The Gold Coast lifestyle continues to resonate with people relocating from the southern states, and when they see the views and the quality of what's been delivered at Chevron One, it becomes very easy for them to understand the appeal," Rosenboom says.

A diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments remain available, with each offering "something a little different", be it the orientation and views, configuration, or level, to suit a wide variety of buyers.

The remaining apartments are ready to inspect in person, by appointment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6515]

A decade in the making: Residents to move into Chevron One as construction wraps up

A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.

It's a formula that's become commonplace across Australia's apartment market. Residents might have access to a pool, gym or barbecue facilities on a dedicated lower level, but the most desirable outdoor spaces are typically reserved for the highest-priced homes at the top of the building.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> has taken the opposite approach.

Rather than dedicating the rooftop to a handful of buyers, the Gold Coast developer has made it the centrepiece of its Flourish collection, creating expansive shared spaces from the best vantage point in the building.

The philosophy has reached its most ambitious expression at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> in Palm Beach, where two rooftop precincts connected by a skybridge will deliver one of the most extensive lifestyle offerings seen in a residential apartment project on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374053]

"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.

"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.

"That's where amenity becomes critical. It's not just about what's included, but how those spaces are designed to be used every day."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374052]

The breadth of amenity has already attracted buyers across multiple demographics. Younger first home buyers have been drawn to Soleira's one-bedroom apartments, a product rarely delivered in Palm Beach, while families have responded to practical inclusions such as the shallow children's pool adjoining the main lap pool and the extensive communal recreation areas.

Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

The southern rooftop has been dedicated to wellness, featuring a gym, yoga and Pilates studio, work-from-home facilities, a wellness centre, spa, and hot and cold plunge pools.

The northern rooftop focuses on recreation and entertaining, incorporating a heated resort-style pool, private dining rooms, pizza ovens, barbecues, a golf simulator, children's recreation areas, and what is expected to be the Gold Coast's first rooftop basketball court, which will also double as a squash court.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374054]

Beyond the rooftops, Soleira will introduce 1,500 sqm of curated retail beneath the towers, creating one of Palm Beach's first genuinely mixed-use lifestyle precincts where cafés, restaurants and convenience retail become part of residents' everyday lives.

Sherpa has also retained management rights across the development, allowing it to oversee the long-term operation of the building through a 24-hour concierge model. The developer is also exploring additional revenue streams within the precinct aimed at helping offset ongoing body corporate costs for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370962]

While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.

It began with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>, the first project released under the Flourish brand. Rather than competing at the ultra-luxury end of the market with oversized half-floor and full-floor residences, Sherpa focused on creating lifestyle-driven apartments supported by resort-style shared spaces.

Amargo introduced more than 800 sqm of rooftop amenity, combining wellness facilities, heated pools, entertaining areas, cabanas, pizza ovens and private dining spaces into what was designed as an extension of residents' homes rather than a facility used only occasionally.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=366550]

That approach continued with Flourish Oasis, where the same amenity-led philosophy was refined into a more boutique development. Strong demand from Sherpa's growing VIP database saw much of the project sold before it reached the broader market, reinforcing buyer appetite for apartment communities centred around shared lifestyle experiences.

Flourish Amargo is slated for completion mid-way-through next year, with Oasis to be delivered by late 2027. Flourish Soleira is expected to complete in 2030.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa takes amenity to the sky as Flourish Soleira captures booming Palm Beach demand

As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]

The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.

Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.

In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]

The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.

Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.

This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]

What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.

The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.

Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

Elevated amenity anchors daily life at Aeris, Melrose Park

Master Plan

Leading NSW developer, ALAND, is officially launching their $800 million master-planned precinct in Merrylands, in Sydney&rsquo;s west.

There has already been strong demand for the first stage of the project, with the prime 2.5-hectare site, located adjacent to the Merrylands train station, set to deliver 365 apartments across three buildings, up to 20 storeys in height.

The Gladstone Village&nbsp;is a rare offering for Merrylands and one of the last remaining pockets along Sydney&rsquo;s rail network to be developed.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7642 project_image_fid=197118]

Complete with quality Fisher &amp; Paykel appliances, designer Grohe tapware and stone bench tops, each residence has been carefully designed to maximise on space, light and comfort.&nbsp;

&quot;It is the first development of its kind in the suburb within enviable proximity to Stockland Merrylands and the train station and bus terminal,&rdquo; ALAND CEO George Tadrosse said.

With a number of compounding factors influencing the current Sydney property market, including a lack of supply of new housing, ALAND is in a strong position to deliver the majority of apartment stock in Western Sydney.

&quot;ALAND has over 1,200 dwellings under construction at any time, with a strong market share across the western corridor. Despite ongoing supply chain issues, we have managed to secure enough stock, material and labour to maintain optimal efficiency to meet our pipeline demand.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7642 project_image_fid=197117]

&quot;Additionally, buyers priced out of the housing market are seeking more affordable properties, further fueling demand for quality and centrally-located apartments.&rdquo; Tadrosse added.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The apartment market in Merrylands is showing heightened demand according to ALAND, with older residents looking to downsize and working professionals seeking accommodation close to employment.

&quot;The Merrylands suburb is an undervalued pocket in comparison to its surrounds &ndash; which is a huge opportunity for buyers. It is also an attractive suburb to investors because it is only a short distance to Parramatta CBD, world-class education precincts and an array of employment hubs,&rdquo; said Bianca Anton, ALAND General Manager.

With a high proportion of tenants currently renting in Merrylands, investors can expect stable occupation rates and a choice of prospective tenants who hold professional occupations.

&quot;In 2020, approximately 31 per cent of people in households within Merrylands were aged between 25 to 39 which is 25 per cent higher than the Greater Sydney Metropolitan area. The area boasts strong demand drivers for younger singles and coupes, including proximity to jobs, public transport and amenities,&rdquo; Anton commented.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7642 project_image_fid=197120]

Western Sydney, as a region, is currently seeing declining vacancy rates and increasing rents which provide the ideal environment for investors.

The first stage already has approval for 365 apartments set across three buildings and will include approximately 2,600 sqm of retail and commercial space, plus basement car park. It will comprise 17 studios, 98 one-bedroom, 219 two-bedroom, and 31 three-bedroom apartments.

&quot;The remainder of the development is set to undergo additional planning with current controls currently allowing for a mix of retail, residential and commercial assets surrounding 5,000 sqm of internal parkland and open space totalling 6,000 sqm.&rdquo; said CEO Tadrosse. 
[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=7642]

The Gladstone Village is a rare offering for Merrylands and one of the last remaining pockets along Sydney’s rail network to be developed.



alisonwarters@gmail.com

ALAND launch The Gladstone Village, Merrylands precinct

The national development giant, Lendlease, has released the final stage of Gramercy Terraces, the in demand Richmond project located on&nbsp;the historic site of the former Studio Nine&nbsp;precinct.

Gramercy Terraces, designed by Bates Smart, comprises just 31 three and four-level, individually titled three-bedroom residences, each with dedicated car spaces.

Inspired by the precinct&rsquo;s rich heritage, Gramercy Terraces offer a sanctuary within the inner city with light filled atriums that cascade natural light and spacious individual rooftop terraces with city views.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95458 project_image_fid=169944]

With only 15 residences remaining, the second and final stage of Gramercy Terraces will complete the residential component of Lendlease&rsquo;s broader intergenerational living precinct in Melbourne&rsquo;s inner-city.

&ldquo;Gramercy Terraces are the residential component of our intergenerational living precinct in Richmond and allow residents to embrace the vibrancy and pace of an urban lifestyle while promoting diversity and connection across generations within the local community,&rdquo; a Lendlease&rsquo;s spokesperson said.

&ldquo;Purposefully designed with families, couples, down sizers and investors in mind, we have seen a strong demand for this product to date with only 15 terraces now remaining.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95458 project_image_fid=194808]

The architectural design of Gramercy Terraces draws inspiration from the iconic Federation-era red brick of Bendigo Street and pays homage to the former site of the Nine Network studio and the Wertheim Piano factory, Victoria&#39;s first piano factory.

Construction of the final residences will start in the first half of this year and future residents can expect to move in following completion in late 2023.

Gramercy Terraces will be joined in the precinct by Ardency Kennedy Place, Lendlease&rsquo;s five-star luxury retirement living community, a new onsite caf&eacute; and provedore and the existing Richmond Community Learning Centre.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95458 project_image_fid=169940]

Future residents will benefit from amenities on their doorstop and close proximity to restaurants, cafes and boutiques on Swan Street and easy connection to the rest of the city from Burnley Station. The precinct will target a 6 Star Green Star Communities rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, representing a world standard in sustainable design.

Gramercy Terraces are priced from $1.85 million, and residences range from 193 sqm to 215 sqm with individual balconies and spacious rooftop terraces.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=95458]

Developed by Lendlease, Gramercy Terraces comprises 31 three and four level individually titled three-bedroom residences with dedicated car spaces.

Lendlease release Gramercy Terraces, Richmond, final stage

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MAB has unveiled its vision for the completion of its NewQuay precinct, following State Government approval the NewQuay West Masterplan, which represents the final stages of the 14-hectare site. The endorsed plan features a 4,000 sqm linear park linking NewQuay's Central Park and the Ron Barassi Snr sports reserve at the western end of NewQuay, in addition to five new residential buildings. The AFL is expected to relocate to an adjacent waterfront site to facilitate the Marvel Stadium redevelopment in the coming 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/newquay_aerial.png" rel="gallery-all" title="NewQuay aerial showing the approved Master Plan for NewQuay West in context. Image: MAB"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/newquay_aerial.png?itok=p5y7-5GP" title="NewQuay aerial showing the approved Master Plan for NewQuay West in context. Image: MAB" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>NewQuay aerial showing the approved Master Plan for NewQuay West in context. Image: MAB</figcaption></figure>Urban.com.au spoke to MAB General Manager - Residential, David Allt-Graham about the company's vision for the last piece of the NewQuay puzzle.

Urban.com.au: The NewQuay West Master Plan has undergone a number of iterations over the years - what were some of the key drivers behind the current Master Plan?

David Allt-Graham: The major driver has been the collaboration with Government to plan and deliver the Ron Barassi Snr Park and forge connections with the Linear Park to create a pedestrian ‘green-spine’ through the middle of NewQuay. 

U: The Master Plan allows for greater height than NewQuay East - was this in response to MAB providing land for the creation of Ron Barassi Snr oval?

DA-G: Early plans of the West had vague concepts for open space next to the Bolte Bridge but it was not big enough for playing fields. MAB has surrendered 1.7 Hectares of land to facilitate the creation of the Ron Barassi Snr Park and MAB’s remaining land will be more densely developed. 

U: With the latter buildings in NewQuay East and more recently with NewQuay Central, MAB has engaged a variety of architects to add diversity to the precinct - will this be the case for NewQuay West and what will the process be for selecting the architects? Design competition or yet to be determined?

DA-G: We are happy with the variety of design that is emerging in NewQuay and we feel that this has been well received by Melburnians.  The quality of architects in Victoria is exceptional and we like to work with locals.  We are currently working on concept designs for two new buildings, both with architects who are new to MAB and were selected because they were a strong fit with the brief.

<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/mabc9697_newquay_west_e01_precinct_view_from_water.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The approved Master Plan will add a further five buildings to NewQuay. Image: MAB "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mabc9697_newquay_west_e01_precinct_view_from_water.jpg?itok=_DUbvaa-" title="The approved Master Plan will add a further five buildings to NewQuay. Image: MAB " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The approved Master Plan will add a further five buildings to NewQuay. Image: MAB</figcaption></figure>U: When do you expect the first building at NewQuay West to be released to the market and how long do you anticipate the full completion of the NewQuay to take?

DA-G: Our current apartment project Escala is 70% sold and this is the final stage in the East of NewQuay.  The first NewQuay West project is likely to be released in early 2020, once we receive planning approval.  The final five residential stages are in the West and we expect that a new project will be released each year thereafter.

U: Any update on the status of 396 Docklands Drive and The Quarter?

DA-G: MAB continues to actively market this project and there are currently strong opportunities in the market for this project.  The site is 1 hectare which is increasingly rare and gives us great flexibility with tenants looking for large format floor plates.  Our Escala Workspaces are also being marketed and we expect that project will strengthen NewQuay’s credentials with prospective local businesses and tenants.
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Laurence Dragomir

MAB's David Allt-Graham on the vision for NewQuay West

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The City of Melbourne, via its Participate Melbourne channel, is calling for community input to inform a new Master Plan to guide the future development, management and use of Birrarung Marr over the next 20 years.

Since its completion in 2002, Birrarung Marr has provided critically needed open space within the central city, linking Federation Square and the city with Melbourne Park's Sports Precinct.

Located along the northern banks of the Yarra River, Birrarung Marr was the first major open space to be built in Melbourne in a century, delivering an urban contemporary landscape that was conceived as a place for people to gather and celebrate public activities and events, attracting more than 2.8m visitors per year.

As such the City of Melbourne is asking for submissions detailing what aspects of Birrarung Marr Melburnians most value in addition to any ideas they may have to help inform its future, providing Council with the basis to then develop a considered 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/birrarung_marr-11_urban_initiatives.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Birrarung Marr has become a key public space for Melbourne. Image : Urban Initiatives"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/birrarung_marr-11_urban_initiatives.jpg?itok=5gUJKJJx" title="Birrarung Marr has become a key public space for Melbourne. Image : Urban Initiatives" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Birrarung Marr has become a key public space for Melbourne. Image: Urban Initiatives</figcaption></figure>The purpose of the Master Plan will be to outline a vision for the future of Birrarung Marr for the next 20 years, establishing a set of guiding principles and actions to be implemented. 

Developing the Master Plan requires detailed research, planning and a collaborative approach involving key stakeholder and community engagement. The findings from the analysis will then inform the City of Melbourne about community use of the park, landscape character, pedestrian accessibility, horticulture, and other social and environmental values of the park.

In line with its Urban Forest Strategy, The City of Melbourne is investigating opportunities to improve the current layout and infrastructure at Birrarung Marr and to explore how it can be better utilised to provide both a local park experience for residents and workers and continue to support its role as a major city drawcard.

<blockquote>
It’s estimated that 4.6 million visitors use Birrarung Marr annually. It’s well utilised by the worker and residential population, and is a key event space for Melbourne’s cultural calendar. It’s also an important meeting place for the Aboriginal community and celebrates their connection to the land and the Yarra River. ‘Birrrarung’ (river of mists) is the Wurrundjeri name for the river and ‘Marr’ relates to ‘side of the river’.

In recent years, population growth and construction projects in and around Birrarung Marr have changed the way that people access and use the park. Some areas of the park are in need of upgrade or repair while others are not being utilised to their full potential. There’s an opportunity to explore how this capital city park can be better managed to provide a local park experience for visitors, residents and workers while continuing its role as a major events space into the future. There’s also an opportunity to celebrate and improve the social, environmental, recreational and cultural functions of the park, and the importance of its connection to Traditional Owners.

- City of Melbourne
</blockquote>

For ease of identification and to narrow the focus of submissions, the City of Melbourne has divided the park into seven zones, as illustrated in the map below:

<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/birrarung_marr_map.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Birrarung Marr has been divided into seven zones for community feedback. Image : City of Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="369" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/birrarung_marr_map.jpg?itok=8ZyGnCpg" title="Birrarung Marr has been divided into seven zones for community feedback. Image : City of Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Birrarung Marr has been divided into seven zones for community feedback. Image : City of Melbourne</figcaption></figure>To get involved:

<ul>
<li>Share your story online <a href="https://participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/birrarungmarr">here</a>
</li>
	<li>Complete the online survey</li>
	<li>Upload your photo to Instagram using the hashtag #lovebirrarungmarr</li>
</ul>
You can also drop in and provide feedback at one of the various pop-ups from 14 March to 3 April 2018.

Lead Image: Taylor Cullity Lethlean
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City of Melbourne calls for submissions for Birrarung Marr Master Plan

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The first stage of Marcellin College's 10-year master plan - the $20 million Hermitage Project is now complete.

Comprising the refurbishment of the iconic Hermitage building and the construction of a three-level extension, the project delivers on the Catholic Marist boys’ school's vision of creating new educational possibilities for the 1400 students.

<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/7665-031n3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Old meets new at Marcellin College. Image : Supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/7665-031n3.jpg?itok=6swMVRwW" title="Old meets new at Marcellin College. Image : Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Old meets new at Marcellin College. Image : Supplied</figcaption></figure>The Hermitage project, designed by COX Architecture and built by Kane Constructions, is the first part of a major 10-year Master Plan for the College. The Master Plan has been designed to unlock the school’s potential by developing clearly defined precincts and creating next-generation learning and social spaces.

Additionally, the Master Plan identified a preferred development strategy to enable Marcellin College to deliver its facilities in the most strategic, cost-effective and efficient manner. The work completed to date, as well as that outlined in the ongoing Master Plan, reflects wider developments in education.

During the Hermitage refurbishment and into the future, the master plan also reduces disruption by ensuring the maximum number of classrooms remain operational and the overall construction period is minimised for each project phase.

The redevelopment provides for an additional 3,000 sqm of new education space, encouraging collaboration, socialisation and self-direction among the students. It allows for a range of pedagogical approaches that just weren’t possible with the outdated and constrained classrooms of the original building, which was built when Marcellin opened in 1950.

<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/7665-073n3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A new central atrium links the new teaching wing with the Hermitage building. Image : Supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/7665-073n3.jpg?itok=53KM08Ka" title="A new central atrium links the new teaching wing with the Hermitage building. Image : Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A new central atrium links the new teaching wing with the Hermitage building. Image : Supplied</figcaption></figure>The project included a new central atrium linking the Hermitage building to an adjoining teaching wing with a diverse range of learning environments, staff zones, and social spaces, and a dedicated Wurundjeri indigenous garden.

A new front of house and office spaces for the Marcellin leadership team was constructed in the adjacent Marist House including a linkage between the two spaces, a new car park adjacent on the existing tennis courts - replacing the existing car parking spaces that were lost as a result of the Hermitage extension. 
The project was completed on schedule for the beginning of the 2018 school year.

<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/7665-054n3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The project includes a dedicated Wurundjeri indigenous garden. Image : Supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/7665-054n3.jpg?itok=S5YCQbr4" title="The project includes a dedicated Wurundjeri indigenous garden. Image : Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The project includes a dedicated Wurundjeri indigenous garden. Image : Supplied</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
At Marcellin we are about developing flexible, independent, resilient and collaborative learners. Young men who not afraid to take risks in their learning, who are not afraid to fail, and who are creative and innovative in their approach. Our new facilities stimulate and encourage these traits through creative architecture and the innovative use of materials, colour, shape, angle and space. Our students appreciate the maturity of the new spaces they are engaging with and present themselves in kind.

The learning that is encouraged at Marcellin is as varied as the students themselves. Project based, team-oriented and self-directed learning is encouraged, and often the teacher is the facilitator rather than just someone who provides information. The development of the Hermitage project has transformed a restrictive, traditional classroom block into a vibrant, interactive, flexible and mature learning and community space that is sympathetic to the needs of contemporary learners.

- Mark Murphy, Marcellin College Principal
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
The new three-level annex and the refurbishment of the school’s existing foundation building provide spaces and places that prioritise student activity, movement and interaction. These will afford all students a much deeper learning experience and reflect developments in other educational institutions, including TAFE colleges and universities. In this way, they assist students to make the transition to further and higher education programs.

- John Hayball, Project Associate,COX Architecture
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
The process aligned the school’s vision, goals and objectives with the built form, providing the school community with a comprehensive document that will guide development through to 2025 and beyond. We undertook extensive staging planning to maximise available classrooms and reduce disruption for students and staff, minimising the effects of working in a live environment.

- Emelie Watkinson, Senior Project Manager, Montlaur
</blockquote>
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