<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/aura-by-aqualand-north-sydney-168-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">Aura by Aqualand</a> has entered its final chapter with a limited release of its last available residences, alongside a lifestyle incentives package for both owner-occupiers and investors.

The landmark $1 billion mixed-use development, now complete and move-in ready, has become a focal point in the suburb’s shift toward a more connected and design-conscious urban centre.&nbsp;

Located at 168 Walker Street, adjacent to the new Victoria Cross Metro Station, Aura has already drawn recognition at the 2025 Asia Pacific International Property Awards, where it was named Australia’s Best Residential High Rise.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292861]

In what <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aqualand-australia">Aqualand</a> is calling The Finale, the developer is offering a limited-time curated lifestyle incentives package, which may includes:

<ul>
	<li>2.5% deposit option</li>
	<li>Stamp duty rate cover</li>
	<li>2% mortgage cover</li>
	<li>Two years’ strata levy cover</li>
	<li>5% rental guarantee</li>
	<li>Up to $20,000 toward Etymon dining</li>
	<li>Space Furniture styling package</li>
	<li>Legal fees covered up to $3,300</li>
	<li>Complimentary white glove relocation service</li>
	<li>Black Key concierge membership</li>
</ul>

The final residences span a mix of oversized one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, with prices starting from $1.9 million. The release also introduces The Icons: two exclusive penthouses that crown the 29-level building.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292863]

AURA by Aqualand comprises a total of 386 apartments above a landscaped retail and dining podium, designed in collaboration with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> and interior designer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/richards-stanisich">Richard Stanisich</a>.&nbsp;

Its curved sandstone-inspired form and activated ground plane have redefined <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a>’s urban identity, introducing new hospitality destinations including a providore, café, wine bar, and Japanese restaurant.

The hourglass-shaped tower has been conceived as four interlinked volumes, and includes a resident amenity level at its sculpted ‘waist’ on level nine.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292897]

Positioned adjacent to the new Victoria Cross Metro Station, AURA stands at the centre of North Sydney’s transformation into a high-amenity, connected urban hub.

The final release follows AURA’s completion earlier this year, with residents now moved in and enjoying amenities including a 24-hour concierge, wellness room, Technogym-equipped fitness studio, and sky terrace dining spaces.

AURA’s final release marks the closing chapter in one of Sydney’s most transformative residential developments.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=30959]

Staff Writer

Aqualand unveils final release at AURA, North Sydney, with exclusive buyer incentives

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-regent-fitzroy-340-fitzroy-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">The Regent</a> in Fitzroy, future residents aren’t simply choosing a home; they’re shaping one that reflects who they are and how they live.

Melbourne-based interior design studio <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/studio-tate">Studio Tate</a>, led by Alex Hopkins, has partnered with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sma-projects">SMA Projects</a> to offer something rare in apartment living — the opportunity to collaborate directly on the design of their new home and create a place that truly feels like their own.

Set on the historic site of the former Regent Theatre at 340 Fitzroy Street, moments from Johnston and Brunswick Streets, the nine-storey development reimagines Fitzroy’s heritage through contemporary design by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a> and Studio Tate — creating a future <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/fitzroy-vic-3065">Fitzroy</a> classic, inspired by the past and designed for contemporary life.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24824 project_image_fid=304611]

Studio Tate’s personalised interiors begin with two distinct palettes: the light and timeless Classic Collection, and the moodier Arthouse Collection.&nbsp;

Within these foundations, buyers are invited to co-author their home, customising everything from finishes and joinery to reconfigured layouts in consultation with the Studio Tate team.

From there, residents can refine finishes, adjust layouts, and add details that reflect their lifestyle, aesthetic, and daily rituals — from subtle changes like repositioning a kitchen sink to more ambitious transformations.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24824 project_image_fid=304607]

One buyer, an architect, worked with Studio Tate to merge a two-bedroom layout into a spacious one-bedroom home, creating a larger kitchen and living area designed for entertaining.

This level of collaboration is almost unheard of in off-the-plan developments, where efficiency often takes precedence over individuality. For Studio Tate, it’s not a novelty but an extension of their philosophy — to design homes that are intelligent, responsive, and genuinely personal.

“Homes should evolve with the people who live in them,” says Alex Hopkins. “No two apartments at The Regent are the same, and that’s exactly how it should be.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24824 project_image_fid=304608]

The studio’s work centres on intelligent, responsive design that enhances how people live - an approach that has resulted in homes that feel personalised rather than prescribed.

SMA Projects Founder Martin Strode says the partnership reflects the developer’s belief that off-the-plan buyers deserve more meaningful choice.&nbsp;

SMA’s guiding philosophy, “If you haven’t found it, let’s create it for you,” has become central to The Regent’s appeal. Buyers who modify their layouts receive credits for unused fit-outs, allowing them to reinvest in other elements like upgraded appliances or bespoke finishes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24824 project_image_fid=304613]

Residents will also enjoy a collection of shared spaces that reflect the project’s attention to design, including a 315-square-metre rooftop terrace with dining and barbecue areas, a concierge, a guest suite, and a workshop and dog wash for everyday convenience.

The Regent will comprise 64 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, with two-bedroom, two-bathroom residences starting from $699,000 and the penthouse selling at $8.5 million. Currently, off-the-plan apartment buyers in Victoria can purchase with no stamp duty for a limited time only.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=24824]

Curated for the way you live: Studio Tate brings personalised interiors to The Regent

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/callista-on-park-west-end-49-mollison-street-west-end-qld-4101">Callista on Park</a> marks the final chapter of West End's celebrated West Village precinct, emerging alongside the expansive green canopy of Mollison Park.&nbsp;

This new addition seamlessly integrates into a vibrant urban fabric where lush parklands, riverfront walkways, and a thriving retail and dining village come together within metres of home.

Residents will be immersed in one of Brisbane’s most walkable neighbourhoods. With a 99/100 walk score, West Village places daily conveniences and lifestyle luxuries on foot.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=351537]

Woolworths, Harris Farm Markets, and a mix of retail and dining venues anchor the precinct, while boutiques like Mott and Mulberry and homewares from ZJOOSH offer an afternoon of leisurely discovery.

Everyday wellbeing is supported by a 24/7 Goodlife gym and a suite of health-focused operators including Soak Bathhouse, Next Medical Practice, Modern Dentistry, and Vitalign Chiropractor.

The broader <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/west-end-qld-4101">West End</a> district adds depth to this convenience. Boundary Street, just moments away, is a cultural corridor of indie retailers, acclaimed restaurants, and local institutions like the West End Markets, drawing residents into a weekly rhythm of fresh produce, global cuisine, and lively community exchange.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=330231]

Just a five-minute walk from home, tranquil riverside paths shaded by jacarandas offer a leafy escape for rowers and morning walkers alike.

Art and performance are ever-present, with Metro Arts hosting regular exhibitions within the precinct and South Bank’s cultural quarter - home to QAGOMA, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, and the State Library - just 500 metres away.

Education and healthcare infrastructure are close at hand, with proximity to universities, elite schools, and medical centres enhancing the area's liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=330222]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a>, Callista on Park also completes a decade-long transformation of the heritage-listed Peters Ice Cream Factory site.&nbsp;

The tower introduces 96 residences and an elevated rooftop conservatory complete with infinity pool, spa, private dining, and undulating gardens that echo the nearby parkland setting.

The Level 6 slab has just been poured at Callista on Park, with completion expected in late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $2.4 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134800]

Callista on Park completes West Village’s walkable, parkside vision

Challenging the trend of compact living, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-eighth-south-melbourne-22-kings-place-south-melbourne-vic-3205">The Eighth</a> delivers true house-like scale in a vertical format.

Positioned on the penultimate level of The Eighth, a newly completed development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/crema-group">Projects by Crema</a>, the sub-penthouse offers more than just generous dimensions, it redefines what sub-penthouse living can look like in Melbourne’s Domain Precinct.

At 256 sqm, this residence exceeds the scale of most new apartments on the market. It provides the proportions of a freestanding home - three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a study, walk-in laundry, and a separate retreat - all within the security and convenience of a high-end vertical community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5345 project_image_fid=354144]

Its elevated corner position allows for uninterrupted, 270-degree views across the city skyline, Albert Park and the Botanic Garden, an outlook increasingly difficult to replicate in denser urban pockets. Full-height glazing frames these views throughout the home, anchoring each room to its setting.

Designed by Miriam Fanning of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a>, the interiors prioritise durability and spatial clarity. Stone benchtops, cove lighting, custom joinery and a fireplace enrich the central living areas.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5345 project_image_fid=354159]

A Gaggenau kitchen with integrated Liebherr refrigeration and a full butler’s pantry supports serious home cooking and entertaining, while a wine cellar and media room add versatility.

Each bedroom features a tiled ensuite and bespoke robes, with the main suite offering privacy and corner views. Private lift access, ducted air conditioning, three side-by-side car parks and ample storage round out the functional offering.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5345 project_image_fid=354160]

Residents of The Eighth benefit from a cohesive lifestyle ecosystem. A rooftop pool and BBQ terrace, wellness facilities at EQ, and an Italian café downstairs all contribute to a vertically integrated community - balancing amenity with calm, day-to-day usability.

Located just off St Kilda Road and moments from ANZAC Station and The Tan, The Eighth provides immediate access to transport, green space and cultural institutions, while remaining quietly removed from the city’s pace.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5345 project_image_fid=354141]

Importantly, the building is complete. With just 36 apartments across 18 levels, The Eighth offers long-term privacy, minimal turnover, and immediate move-in certainty.&nbsp;

The sub-penthouse stands as one of the final, and most compelling, opportunities within this now-established address.

Taylor Dow of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/dow-real-estate">DOW Real Estate</a> is the exclusive selling agent for the sub-penthouse, and the remaining few apartments in The Eighth.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5345]

A rare South Melbourne sub-penthouse with room to move

Just weeks after launching to their latest new Melbourne apartment development to the market, national apartment developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/abadeen-group">Abadeen</a>&nbsp;has secured the sale of its sub-penthouse.

A local downsizer has spent $6.25 million on a sub-penthouse in The Parker, just 24 apartments on the the doorstep of Caulfield Park. The sale equated to $23,000 per sqm.

The buyer was drawn to the&nbsp;park-fronted lifestyle and panoramic city and bay views.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145454 project_image_fid=352395]

“The first sale at $6.25 million completely vindicated our decision to acquire the site and reimagine it for owner-occupiers,” said Andrew Leoncelli, Managing Director of Abadeen.

“We took what was originally conceived as a smaller apartment product and transformed it into something exceptional — larger homes of enduring quality and understated luxury.”

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145454 project_image_fid=352397]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-parker-on-caulfield-park-219-balaclava-road-caulfield-north-vic-3161">The Parker</a>&nbsp;has been designed by&nbsp;award-winning architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/powell-glenn">Powell &amp; Glenn</a> and will be enveloped in landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/acre">Acre</a>. It was the position within the context to the park that drove the design of the building, with 70 per cent of the apartments overlook the 28-hectare space complete with&nbsp;walking trails, ovals, and playgrounds.

“Caulfield Park isn’t a typical recreational space, it has a generosity and nuance in its layering of trees and light,” said Ed Glenn, Principal at Powell &amp; Glenn.

“Our aim was to create a building that feels grounded and connected, with spaces that open to the park and unfold with light. The architecture provides a sense of refuge and prospect, balancing intimate privacy with expansive views."

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145454 project_image_fid=352400]

The architecture is defined by sculptural columns that flare like tree trunks, cascading greenery by Acre that softens the façade, and interior spaces by Powell &amp; Glenn’s Clementine Jacobs that use stone, timber, and brass finishes designed to age beautifully over time.

“The Parker is about connection where the building meets the park, people meet nature, and elevated design meets everyday life,” said Brett Robinson, Creative Director of Acre.

“We’ve created lush, year-round gardens that drape the building, softening its form and bringing the outdoors in. Every balcony and outdoor space is treated as an intimate ‘room’ framed by planting, texture, and movement. Sustainability is about timelessness; using robust, natural materials and drought-tolerant plantings that endure.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145454 project_image_fid=353657]

The Parker is Abadeen's second Melbourne apartment development, following the successful Malea, on Central Park in Malvern, which recently completed its construction.

“The Parker offers something truly unique; design elegance, community connection, and green space at your door,” Leoncelli added.

“It’s the kind of place you dream about, then realise you can actually live in.”

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145454]

Joel Robinson

Abadeen launches The Parker in Caulfield North, secures $6.25 million sub-penthouse sale

McBride Charles Ryan

<html><body>
Developer Growland Group are running with a recently unveiled project that may well set a new height benchmark for Melbourne's south-eastern corridor. 

St Kilda Road-based Growland Group initially turned to McBride Charles Ryan for their third Melbourne development, with initial concept renders showing dual residential towers of up to 23 levels with a typical burst of purple; a colour synonymous with the Prahran-based design practice.

With the Highett project now at planning, ROTHELOWAN have been installed as the preferred architect with the submitted scheme yet to be made public.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image18_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="MCR and Golden Asset's take on Highett"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="349" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image18_6.jpg?itok=OyMdXoME" title="MCR and Golden Asset's take on Highett" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>MCR and Golden Asset's take on Highett</figcaption></figure>Growland Group's (formerly Golden Asset) website carries the following description:

<blockquote>
The Highett project is conveniently located on the north side of Southland Westfield Shopping Centre. Zoned for Mixed-Use and a land size of 4,000sqm, this residential development will become the tallest and most significant building within the area.

The interior design and its contemporary architecture will be designed by Melbourne’s most celebrated, multi-award winning architecture practices, McBride Charles Ryan Architects.
<cite><a href="http://www.goldenasset.com.au/projects/highett">Golden Asset project description: Highett</a></cite>
</blockquote>

Set on a plot of roughly 4,000sqm, the development may well absorb a vacant tract of land fronting Nepean Highway and Karen Street.

The Highett venture is third in line in terms of the developer's local pipeline. With 459 apartments under construction on Southbank, Footscray's 4 Hopkins Street is shaping as the next project to advance.

Within the Joseph Road Precinct, 4 Hopkins Street is a large 13,100sqm vacant site which Growland Group expect will yield in excess of 1,000 apartments, in addition to ground-level retail spaces and communal facilities/rooftop gardens. Project architect Kavellaris Urban Design has created a scheme with multiple buildings, which would likely be constructed over stages.

Dubbed Merchant Square, the project's signature would be a solid podium surface disrupted by louvers which would "create <a href="http://www.goldenasset.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Merchant-Square_Image001.jpg">low-rise silhouette shapes</a> that blur the between suburb and city in the Footscray area."

<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/image19_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Planning application image: Kavellaris Urban Design"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="672" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image19_7.jpg?itok=TWKrSttI" title="Planning application image: Kavellaris Urban Design" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>2015 planning application image: Kavellaris Urban Design</figcaption></figure>Growland Group's first Australian project, Marco Melbourne, continues to rise at pace on Southbank. Spread over 1,455sqm and located at 42-48 Balston Street, the site with permits in place was secured by the developer during 2013.

After a construction delay due to a tower crane failure during 2015, head contractor Crema Constructions has a 2016 completion date set for the project which will hold 459 apartments upon completion. With a value of $105 Million, Marco Melbourne is well on the way to topping out, with the taller of the two separate towers set to reach 40 storeys.

<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/image20_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Marco Melbourne. Images courtesy Ryan Seychell"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="431" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image20_2.jpg?itok=4rkvJfK9" title="Marco Melbourne. Images courtesy Ryan Seychell" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Marco Melbourne. Images courtesy Ryan Seychell</figcaption></figure>
</body></html>

silvermb

Growland Group assumes a greater presence across Melbourne

<html><body>
Peruse the Apartments.com.au project database and Footscray has no fewer that 20 residential listings covering roughly 30 separate buildings yet to be built. There's little doubt that Footscray will be an apartment hotspot in the near future, but what of the associated infrastructure and amenity that should always accompany mass development?

Over the past decade the heart of Footscray has seen tremendous change for the better with both the State Government and Maribyrnong City Council doing their bit to regenerate the area, whether it be infrastructure such as a revamped Footscray Station or extensive civic works with an aim toward creating a more pleasant built form environment.

<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/image193.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Footscray's possible Welcome Arch. Image courtesy MCR"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="280" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image193.jpg?itok=9lQz3LXl" title="Footscray's possible Welcome Arch. Image courtesy MCR" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Footscray's possible Welcome Arch. Image courtesy MCR</figcaption></figure>In line with the latter, initial images for a Welcome Arch has been revealed as part of the Little Saigon Precinct Activation Plan. With the aim of mustering public opinion prior to settling upon a final design, the McBride Charles Ryan design has been encouraged by Council, with input from the Footscray Asian Business Association, Vietnamese Community Australia Victorian Chapter, Footscray Traders Association and the Footscray Community Arts Centre.

Featuring two crane-like structures, the McBride Charles Ryan piece will carry both cultural and local references embossed on the internal walls of the sculpture. Environmentally Sustainable Design elements have also been incorporated which will see adaptable reuse (the building has been designed to ensure adaptable long term reuse); low energy lighting; passive ventilation; and high quality pedestrian and cycle environments included, according to the associated City Development Special Committee report.

<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/image194.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A new Little Saigon. Image courtesy Group GSA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="330" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image194.jpg?itok=h7lw7V8l" title="A new Little Saigon. Image courtesy Group GSA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A new Little Saigon. Image courtesy Group GSA</figcaption></figure>Forming part of the Little Saigon Precinct Activation Plan, the Welcome Arch is expected to join a raft of additional upgrades designed to enhance the immediate local environment. Further landscaping is earmarked within the precinct, as is an upgrade to Byron Street which will see new public facilities delivered.

According to consultancy Spiire, "The proposed development proposes a significant intensification of currently underutilised land through providing additional retail opportunities, car parking and informal community recreation space." Put before Council for consideration during December 2014, the existing at-grade public car park will be condensed into a multi-level structure in order to facilitate a public plaza complete with artworks.

Accordingly a planning permit has been issued for the building and plaza, with construction due to commence shortly.

<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/little-saigon-development_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Little Saigon Market. Image courtesy Atomic 3D"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="339" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/little-saigon-development_1.jpg?itok=cDsyJRNE" title="Little Saigon Market. Image courtesy Atomic 3D" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Little Saigon Market. Image courtesy Atomic 3D</figcaption></figure>What remains ambiguous are the plans for Little Saigon Market, directly opposite the new Byron Street plaza. Architecture firm Techné have conceived a residential complex of 260 apartments over two towers which would consume the entire 5,000sqm site. The approved redevelopment would feature a market style retail centre at ground level.

<blockquote>
The form allows for maximum natural light and visual outlook by splitting the volume into two towers, resulting in the creation of an internal podium of landscaped open space. The towers employ an additive method of articulation which reflects opposing functional aspects of the program and responds to the unique built form of the surrounding area.
<cite>Techné</cite>
</blockquote>

Like so many other residential projects in Footscray, the Little Saigon Market development has yet to proceed. At least the civic infrastructure will be in place should it ever be delivered.
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Footscray's little saigon finds its phoenix

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Earmarked from the outset as a stand-out design, MAB Corporation's 429-437 Docklands Drive is poised to receive planning approval from City of Melbourne. Surfacing during 2013 as a <a href="/news/the-quays-to-success">crescent-shaped hotel</a>, MAB Corporation has elected to proceed with a purely residential tower on a sizeable development plot which was formerly part of Waterfront City.

The McBride Charles Ryan-designed residential tower is set to be joined by an expansive public park as was first mooted during MAB Corporation's purchase of the land some years ago. While discussions between Places Victoria, City of Melbourne and the development team predated the November 2014 planning application submission, a recommendation of approval included within a report will be assessed by the Future Melbourne (Planning) Committee who sit this evening.

<h2>429-437 Docklands Drive, Docklands application summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image29.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The porposed eastern elevation. Image courtesy MCR"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="390" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image29.jpg?itok=R_8QrW5y" title="The porposed eastern elevation. Image courtesy MCR" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The porposed eastern elevation. Image courtesy MCR</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Lot C Newquay Promenade: 8,549sqm site</li>
	<li>17 level residential building at 68.8 metres in height</li>
	<li>118 apartments: 1/2/3/4 bedroom options</li>
	<li>Provision for 63 car parking and 42 bicycle spaces</li>
	<li>Additional car spaces and bicycle bays also located within adjoining 'Promenade' development</li>
	<li>Urban park atop basement car parking</li>
	<li>GFA: 15,187sqm</li>
	<li>​Rooftop amenities</li>
	<li>Cafe spaces at ground level</li>
</ul>
The development will hold a mixture of living options, seemingly with a slant toward the higher-end purchaser. 26 one bedroom apartments are included, as are 68 two bedroom and 19 three bedroom apartments. Somewhat unusually three four bedroom apartments are designed into the higher levels of the building while two four bedroom apartments will occupy the highest habitable floor; each approximately holding 335sqm of internal area.

<blockquote>
Building C is envisaged as an iconic building within a prominent location of New Quay Central. The built form of the proposed building has been the subject of much discussion and the current form is considered to be one of high design integrity that will make a positive contribution to the precinct.

The building is proposed to be in an egg shaped form which is different to the rectangular form shown in the development plan. This form has resulted in a reduction in width and an increase in the overall height to maintain a gross floor area consistent with that anticipated in the DP. Although the height has increased the slender, narrower footprint allows for wider view cones in and around the proposed tower, including to Victoria Harbour.
<cite>Report to the Future Melbourne (Planning) Committee</cite>
</blockquote>

Above the ground level colonnade, 429-437 Docklands Drive's exterior will be draped in a 'lattice work' finish consisting of white aluminium panels arranged to provide an elliptical pattern over the tower. The remainder of the exterior will consist primarily of black aluminium finishes coupled with grey tinted glass.

<h2>Central Park</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image28_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Expected view from Central Park. Image courtesy MCR"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="397" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image28_0.jpg?itok=xYcN9pH6" title="Expected view from Central Park. Image courtesy MCR" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Expected view from Central Park. Image courtesy MCR</figcaption></figure>Encompassing a greater area than just the tower's footprint, 429-437 Docklands Drive will see an elongated basement/services level under what will become yet another park for Docklands. Dubbed 'Central Park' and covering approximately 2,000sqm, the majority of the park will be accounted for by open lawn.

In addition to expected art installations, the park will include rain gardens, native plant species plus feature garden beds. Subject to further design, 'Central Park' would be delivered in conjunction with the tower component.

<blockquote>
The Urban Park has been designed in a manner that will provide an inviting, highly adaptable area of public open space that will be able to be utilised for community events while also providing smaller spaces that can accommodate community events such as markets and art exhibitions. The park will achieve the objective of providing a focal point for New Quay Central that is pedestrian in scale.
<cite>Report to the Future Melbourne (Planning) Committee</cite>
</blockquote>

With construction commenced on the adjoining Promenade and Aqui residential towers, 429-437 Docklands Drive and <a href="/buildings/elm-stone-387-docklands-drive-docklands">387-395 Docklands </a><a href="/buildings/elm-stone-387-docklands-drive-docklands">Drive</a> shape as MAB Corporation's next residential releases within their NewQuay precinct. To date eight residential towers have been completed by MAB Corporation since construction of NewQuay's initial buildings began in the early 2000s.
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MAB Corporation's Lot C edging closer to reality

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A long and winding road persists regarding <a href="http://www.mcbridecharlesryan.com.au/" target="_blank">McBride Charles Ryan</a>'s intriguing design for Monash University's new state-of-the-art teaching and learning centre located within the Caulfield campus' Western Precinct. Although The Law Business and Economics Complex (LBEC Building) is still on track, construction remains at least one year away.
Post the 2012 announcement of McBride Charles Ryan successfully snaring the commission, the intended project program has progressed to the point where approved design development is due this month. With the development's progression tied to a major fundraising campaign, construction tenders are tentatively due early next year with early works potentially beginning April 2015 according to project consultant <a href="http://www.citylab.com.au/" target="_blank">Citylab</a>.
<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/MCR-A-Views-Hero.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hero perspective from Dandenong Road.. Image © MCR"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="724" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/MCR-A-Views-Hero.jpg?itok=voJPqyG2" title="Hero perspective from Dandenong Road.. Image © MCR" width="580"></a>
<h2>Project Summary</h2>
<ul>
<li>
		Monash University Law Business and Economics Complex (including MBA)</li>
	<li>
		10 levels, 28,000 sqm space</li>
	<li>
		Target = 6-star Greenstar As-Built rating</li>
	<li>
		Western Plaza including 3000 sqm of retail outlets</li>
	<li>
		Total project cost approximately $150 million</li>
</ul>
<h2>External Excess</h2>
The design was submitted to the 2013 World Architecture Festival under the Future Project Category. The <a href="http://www.worldbuildingsdirectory.com/" target="_blank">World Buildings Directory</a> carries the following excerpt describing the exteriors:
<blockquote>
	Monash LBEC complements this assemblage with an entire building as a beautiful wall. The complex mediates the interface with Dandenong Road with a highly formed and articulated concrete panel cladding, protecting the northern aspect from acoustic and thermal considerations in a play of lightness and solidity. Facing the pedestrianised public realm of the Western Plaza, the wall exhibits a 3-dimensional complexity: it is permeable and fragmentary.
	At the western interface, the meshing of these two conditions integrates the heritage facades along Derby Road, providing Monash Caulfield with a street front address, as well as signifying a memorable ‘gateway’ to the precinct – a sentinel in the suburbs – acknowledging passing traffic and facing the Melbourne CBD.
</blockquote>
<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/mumcrImage30.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="External renders. Image © MCR"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="480" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mumcrImage30.jpg?itok=01CpBJFJ" title="External renders. Image © MCR" width="580"></a>
<h2>Warning: Contains Architecture Lingo</h2>
Of the internal layout, one can only assume the architect provided this description:
<blockquote>
	Activities within the complex are distributed according to their preferred aspect and temporal considerations. The planning is distributed around four atria aiding passive ventilation of the internal environment. Two of these are located at the periphery of the complex and act as an environmental buffer to the adjacent office environments.
	Facing and north and west (respectively), these atria incorporate shading and glazing strategies to harness the heat generated immediately within the building fabric to induce air movement drawn from passively preconditioned sources, assisting greatly with the thermal comfort of users.
	The shared learning and teaching spaces are stacked vertically between the faculties, combining formal and informal learning environments and establishing a direct interface with the Western Plaza.
</blockquote>
<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/mumcrImage33.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Internal renders. Image © MCR"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="388" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mumcrImage33.jpg?itok=7Gm-N1Z2" title="Internal renders. Image © MCR" width="580"></a>
McBride Charles Ryan have the Midas touch permeate all their designs and the LBEC Building is no exception. I'm sure I speak for all when I say just build it already!
Further reading &gt; <a href="http://www.worldbuildingsdirectory.com/project.cfm?id=5115" target="_blank">World Building Directory project page</a>
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McBride Charles Ryan

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