The residential transformation of St Kilda Road is set to continue into with more new apartment plans for the sought-after boulevard.

Wing Tai Asia has lodged plans for a major residential tower at 464-466 St Kilda Road, replacing the former VACC House with an 18-storey mixed-use development designed around a retained heritage podium and a sculpted contemporary tower.

The proposal, prepared under Victoria’s Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway, would deliver 325 apartments and ground-floor retail across the prominent 4,653 sqm boulevard site in Melbourne’s St Kilda Road North Precinct.

The project centres on the adaptive reuse of the site’s heritage-listed VACC Building, an eight-storey office designed by Bernard Evans that has occupied the address for decades. Planning documents state the development would involve “carefully dismantling and conserving off-site the original metal fabric of the podium visible from St Kilda Road,” before reinstating it as the defining frontage of the new scheme.

Above the restored podium, Wing Tai is proposing a curvilinear residential tower. The scheme includes 172 one-bedroom apartments, 63 two-bedroom apartments, 66 three-bedroom apartments, and 24 four-bedroom apartments, alongside two ground-floor food and beverage tenancies fronting St Kilda Road.

The tower has been designed with substantial articulation and variable setbacks to minimise perceived bulk and maintain view corridors along the boulevard. Urbis, which prepared the planning report, said the design “has been significantly articulated through a curvilinear design” with “an interplay with materials, façade expression and depth” to create visual separation and visual interest.

The proposal also includes 254 basement car spaces, landscaped pedestrian links connecting St Kilda Road and Queens Lane, and a biophilic landscape strategy featuring canopy trees, raised planters, cascading greenery and a glass oculus pool overlooking the eastern frontage.

Planning documents confirm the $270.1 million development will contribute 3 per cent of project costs to the Social Housing Growth Fund as part of the application process.

Wing Tai acquired the St Kilda Road property in 2018 alongside Abacus Property Group for $95.38 million, before later consolidating ownership of the site. The property previously served as the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce headquarters for around 60 years.

The transformation of the St Kilda Rd boulevard is already beginning to materialise, with a number of high-profile projects recently completed, launched, or approaching launch as developers continue to back the long-term appeal of the precinct.

Among the most notable recent completions is Louise by Samuel Property Group, just off the strip on Queens Lane, the same pocket Hirsch &amp; Faigen recently launched The Queensbury. Mirvac is too on the same street with The Albertine, which is approaching completion.

Dexus recently secured approval for its slice of St Kilda Road, while Gurner also has approved plans for the precinct.

Joel Robinson

Wing Tai unveils 325-apartment St Kilda Road tower on former VACC House site

Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Melbourne CBD

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A leading education provider has bought a Melbourne CBD office floor for $2.01 million, aiming to cash in on the strong inflow of international students which is driving up demand in the Victorian capital, according to Colliers International. 
Expert Education and Visa Services has bought level three at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-offices-vic-melbourne-502399446" target="_blank">313 Flinders Lane</a> following an international expressions-of-interest campaign.
The deal follows the sale of lot 601 at 224 La Trobe Street to Asia Pacific Education Consultants for $1,956,150, and level nine at 221 Queen Street to Australian Pacific College for $3 million, Colliers said in a media release.
<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/2017/07/10/MelbOffice.jpg" alt="">
The property agency’s strata office experts Chris Ling and Anthony Kirwan, who brokered the deals, said education and migration groups are eager to capitalise on the influx of international students from Asia and India.
The latest Department of Education and Training statistics show 480,092 international students were recorded in Australia as of March 2017, a 15 per cent rise from March last year.
“Thirty per cent of these students are from China (144,028) and 11 per cent are from India (52,810),” he said.
Melbourne has been a popular destination for students, fuelling demand for education and migration office space, as well as accommodation, added Ling.
“The appetite for these lucrative sectors is growing in line with students’ recognition of Australia as a welcoming country with an impressive choice of education institutions, including The University of Melbourne and RMIT University.”
“Political changes across the US and the UK, including Trump’s election and Brexit, have been a strong deterrent due to racism and immigration restrictions. With the bonus of a low Australian dollar, this demand from international students is likely to continue.”
Ling, Kirwan and Oliver Hay have also just sold levels four and five at 100 Collins Street via expressions of interest.
In fact, there is strong competition for leasing space as well. Leased space to the education sector in Melbourne's CBD in 2016 rose 200 percent on the previous year with increases in land taxes hitting stock levels, putting upward pressure on rents, according to real estate firm Savills.
 
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Education provider snaps up Melbourne CBD office for $2 million

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Two corner retail assets at the Paris End of the Melbourne CBD have sold under the hammer to two separate foreign buyers last week, underpinning the demand for central-city trophy assets.
The ground and basement levels of 118 Russell Street are leased and fetched $4.95 million combined, according to Colliers International, which handled the auction campaign.
Award-winning bakery café Brioche By Philip occupies the ground-level tenancy of the iconic Fender Katsilidis-designed Hero building, while pilates and barre gym S3 Studio occupies the basement. 
The selling agents were Colliers International’s Oliver Hay, David Sia and Daniel Wolman.
“At the Paris End of the CBD on a highly visible corner, they are considered real trophy investments. It is becoming increasingly evident that the market is prepared to compromise on yield for the enjoyment and status of a premium CBD asset,” said Hay.
A Chinese investor won the basement level for $3.2 million, setting a record yield of 5.12 percent for basement strata retail assets in the city, according to a media release. 
The ground floor was secured by an offshore investor for $1.75 million resulting in a yield of 3.56 percent. 
Hay said both floors had high-quality fitouts, which would provide the buyers with long-term depreciation tax benefits.
“With the tenancies taking a combined rent total of $226,167 per annum, plus GST and outgoings, the return on investment is unquestionable,” he said.
Brioche By Philip, which has won awards for the best bakery and best sourdough bread in Melbourne, has committed to seven years while S3 Studio has signed a three-year lease, starting in 2015 with three further options to renew.
Sia said the location, within “a stone’s throw” of Melbourne landmarks like Chinatown, high-end Collins Street boutiques and popular bars and eateries, was the key selling point.
 
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Retail assets at Paris End of Melbourne’s CBD fetch $4.95 million at auction

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A classic five-level freestanding retail and accommodation building in the Melbourne CBD has been sold in an off-market transaction through Savills.
The corner building at 2-8 Spencer Street is one of the most recognisable corners in Melbourne. 
The art nouveau building was bought by education entrepreneur Shesh Ghale for a speculated $30 million, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
The Melbourne Institute of Technology founder is Australia’s 105th richest person.
The 1913-built building, previously known as the <a href="/expert-insights/buying/art-nouveau-spencer-street-melbourne-corner-offering-through-savills">Sir Charles Hotham Hotel</a> and the Hotham Private Hotel, sold for $10.75 million in 2012 and was again put on the market in 2015, as reported in the Property Observer.
The 2012 buyer was associated with private investor Peter Russell's Kurrawong.
The property has frontages to both Spencer and Flinders Streets in the Melbourne CBD.
The sale was negotiated by Clinton Baxter of Savills.
The building’s tenants include Nomads Backpacker Hostel, a backpacker accommodation group.
The corner block has a land area of 883 square metres with a 20.9 metre frontage to Spencer Street and 40.2 metres to Flinders Street. 
When the hotel was first erected the daily press described as one of the largest in the city, close to what was the shipping trade, Spencer Street Railway Station, Harbour trust offices and Railways Offices. 
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Art nouveau building in Melbourne CBD sells in off-market deal

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May 2017 has thus far brought with it a string of cold mornings and a rash of news relating to various developments across Melbourne's CBD.

On the planning front, VCAT have delivered good news to interests seeking to turn the historic Phillips Shirts building at 274-278 Little Lonsdale Street into a substantial tower. Originally planned as a 59-storey residential tower, the design has been substantially clipped to approximately 100 metres in height or 30 levels.

278 Little Lonsdale Pty Ltd is the entity behind the tower which has now been approved for hotel use. Brady Group are the controlling force behind the project, perhaps suggesting that 274-278 Little Lonsdale Street may be developed under the Brady Hotels banner, in a similar move to what the developer has in store for 109-111 Little Lonsdale Street.

<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/image135_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A new Exhibition Street perspective."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="259" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image135_3.jpg?itok=XkwCc9Op" title="A new Exhibition Street perspective." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A new Exhibition Street perspective.</figcaption></figure>Also widely reported last week is the news that Malaysia's SP Setia have crucially been given the green light from City of Melbourne to pursue redevelopment of 288-326 Exhibition Street. Under the plans dual towers approaching the height of Rialto will be constructed, with unconfirmed whispers that Shangri-La assume control over the development's 500 hotel suites.

Final approval rests with Planning Minister Richard Wynne.

Continuing the hotel theme is news of construction tenders being released for a new Vivo Hotel at 33-35 King Street. Originally approved for 120 apartments across 29 levels, developer BPM have reworked the scheme after purchasing the site, with Elenberg Fraser reportedly installed as the architect of choice.

In projects sales news, 555 Collins Street is due to launch shortly with the project's display suite freshly complete. Replacing a drab existing onsite office building, the Bates Smart-designed tower will stand 47 levels upon completion.

<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/image162.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="555 Collins Street's envisaged pool deck and Paragon Apartments "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="271" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image162.jpg?itok=hpI9chHK" title="555 Collins Street's envisaged pool deck and Paragon Apartments " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>555 Collins Street's envisaged pool deck and Paragon Apartments</figcaption></figure>555 Collins Street adds to Fragrance Group's other Melbourne pursuit, Premier Tower, which will over the coming months begin to rise above street level on its way to an eventual height of 249 metres above Spencer Street. 555 Collins Street's launch comes as the AFR reported last week on Paragon's early sales success within Malaysia. 

49 apartments within the tower located at 316-320 Queen Street have been sold to to Malaysian buyers; accumulated the sales have an end value of $70 million.

Finally the construction front also brings fresh news during May.

Probuild signage has appeared across 271 Spring Street, heralding construction commencement of Australian Unity's new headquarters. The $110 million office tower set over 16 levels includes 15,600 square metres of commercial office space and is due to be completed during 2019.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image158.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Probuild's dual new commercial CBD projects. "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="350" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image158.jpg?itok=pUqP26Vs" title="Probuild's dual new commercial CBD projects. " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Probuild's dual new commercial CBD projects.</figcaption></figure>Probuild are also <a href="http://www.probuild.com.au/news/news/probuild-appointed-as-preferred-contractor-to-construct-new-victoria-police-centre-482">set to begin works</a> on Victoria Police's new building at 311 Spencer Street this month. Across 39 levels, 311 Spencer Street encompasses 65,000 square metres of commercial space.

Finally the remaining tower crane servicing Light House at 450 Elizabeth Street is making its way back town to terra firma, indicating that completion is nearing for Melbourne's latest tower to reach the 200 metre club. Hengyi Australia's latest includes over 600 apartments within the 218 metre tower. 

<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_0059.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Light House stands centre of shot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="423" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_0059.jpg?itok=X6FTQwpW" title="Light House stands centre of shot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Light House stands centre of shot</figcaption></figure>
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silvermb

The May CBD development wrap

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/71272/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
Integrated transport has long been the holy grail of transport engineering. Now, a project set up north of Melbourne’s CBD aims to make it a reality. 
Led by the School of Engineering at the University of Melbourne, the project will create a living laboratory for developing a highly integrated, smart, multimodal transport system. The goals are to make travel more efficient, safer, cleaner and more sustainable. 
Integrated transport aims to combine various modes of travel to provide seamless door-to-door services. Reduced delays, increased safety and better health can all be achieved by sharing information between users, operators and network managers. This will optimise mobility and minimise costs for travellers.
The National Connected Multimodal Transport Test Bed includes arterial roads and local streets in an area of 4.5 square kilometres in Carlton, Fitzroy and Collingwood.
Bounded by Alexandra Parade and Victoria, Hoddle and Lygon streets, this busy inner-suburban area is a perfect location to test a new generation of connected transport systems. Our growing cities will need these systems to manage their increasing traffic. 
<h2>How will the test bed work?</h2>
The test bed covers all modes of transport. From April, it is due to collect data on vehicles, cyclists, public transport, pedestrians and traffic infrastructure, such as signals and parking. The area will be equipped with advanced sensors (for measuring emissions and noise levels) and communications infrastructure (such as wireless devices on vehicles and signals). 
<div class="enlarge_hint"><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/23/Screen%20Shot%202017-02-23%20at%209.26.59%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
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The test bed will collect data on all aspects of transport in the inner-suburban area covered by the project. Author provided
The aim is to use all this data to allow the transport system to be more responsive to disruption and more user-focused. 
This is a unique opportunity for key stakeholders to work together to build a range of core technologies for collecting, integrating and processing data. This data will be used to develop advanced information-based transport services.
The project has attracted strong support from government, industry and operators. 
Government will benefit by having access to information on how an integrated transport system works. This can be used to develop policies and create business models, systems and technologies for integrated mobility options. 
The test bed allows industry to create and test globally relevant solutions and products. Academics and research students at the University of Melbourne are working on cutting-edge experimental studies in collaboration with leading multinationals.
This will accelerate the deployment of this technology in the real world. It also creates enormous opportunities for participation in industry up-skilling, training and education. 
<h2>What are the likely benefits?</h2>
Urban transport systems need to become more adaptable and better integrated to enhance mobility. Current systems have long suffered from being disjointed and mode-centric. They are also highly vulnerable to disruption. Public transport terminals can fail to provide seamless transfers and co-ordination between modes. 
This project can help transport to break out of the traditional barriers between services. The knowledge gained can be used to provide users with an integrated and intelligent transport system.
It has been difficult, however, to trial new technologies in urban transport without strong involvement from key stakeholders. An environment and platform where travellers can experience the benefits in a real-world setting is needed. The test bed enables technologies to be adapted so vehicles and infrastructure can be more responsive to real-time demand and operational conditions. 
Rapid advancements in sensing and communication technologies allow for a new generation of solutions to be developed. However, artificial environments and computer simulation models lack the realism to ensure new transport technologies can be properly designed and evaluated. The living lab provides this. 
The test bed will allow governments and transport operators to share data using a common information platform. People and vehicles will be able to communicate with each other and the transport infrastructure to allow the whole system to operate more intelligently. The new active transport systems will lead to safety and health benefits.
The test bed allows impacts on safety in a connected environment to be investigated. Interactions between active transport modes such as walking and cycling with connected or autonomous vehicles can be examined to ensure safety is enhanced in complex urban environments. Researchers will study the effects of warning systems such as red light violation, pedestrian movements near crossings, and bus stops. 
Low-carbon mobility solutions will also be evaluated to improve sustainability and cut transport emissions. 
Environmental sensors combined with traffic-measurement devices will help researchers understand the effects of various types of vehicles and congestion levels. This includes the impacts of emerging disruptive technologies such as autonomous, on-demand, shared mobility systems. 
A range of indoor and outdoor sensor networks, such as Wi-Fi, will be used to trial integrated public transport services at stations and terminals. The goal is to ensure seamless transfers between modes and optimised transit operations.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/majid-sarvi-334262" target="_blank">Majid Sarvi</a> is chair in Transport Engineering and the Professor in Transport for Smart Cities, University of Melbourne.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gary-liddle-334267" target="_blank">Gary Liddle</a> is enterprise professor, Transport, University of Melbourne.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/russell-g-thompson-330541" target="_blank">Russell G. Thompson</a> is associate Professor in Transport Engineering, University of Melbourne.
All are authors for The Conversation.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

City streets become a living lab that could transform your daily travel

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Melbourne based fund manager Forza Capital have listed a four level office space on the fringe of the Melbourne CBD.
The 6,178 sqm building is located in South Carlton, just 600 metres from the north eastern fringe of the CBD.
The building on a vast 3,772 sqm - a rare size in the tightly held precinct - comes fully leased with a $2.15 million per annum income.
The tenants are primarily from the health sector. Vic Health and Breast Screen Victoria are two of the most recognisable names, along with the likes of Novotech and Warner Brother.
There are 160 basements car parking spots.
Forza Capital, led by Adam Murchie and Ashley Wain, have enlisted Fitzroy's Paul Burns and Bayley Stuart Real Estate's Alasdair MacGillivray to market <a href="https://www.commercialview.com.au/15-31-pelham-street-carlton-vic/commercial-for-sale-details-11195906" target="_blank">15-31 Pelham Street</a>.
“The property was identified in 2012 due to the scarcity of quality office stock on the northern fringe of the CBD," Wain said, Forza Capital's managing director.
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Since their purchase, Forza have seen a 100 percent occupancy ever since.
“Over half of the building’s NLA has been renewed in the last 12 months, with only one tenant vacating and their 1,400m2 tenancy being immediately relet to other tenants in the Health/Medical sectors.” Wain said.
Paul Burns at Fitzroy's said this is a unique and rarely available opportunity.
"At a time when vacancy rates have fallen dramatically and we are on the cusp of enjoying meaningful rental growth, we have an offering which has been securely leased and recently refurbished.” 
“Carlton and the immediate North Eastern CBD fringe is one of the tightest and most securely held pockets of Melbourne.
"When space does come available, major Educational Institutes like Melbourne University and RMIT compete with a number of Healthcare groups who need to be in this location."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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mick.cee-iDmgDDAmu8

Forza Capital to offer Melbourne CBD fringe office investment

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The 97 Elizabeth Street heritage building in Melbourne’s CBD has a new tenant in a burger outlet.
Noosa-based Betty’s Burgers have taken a lease on the ground floor, with the 180 sqm space to be made into its Victorian flagship site. 
Fitzroys agents Rick Berry and Jordan Ceppi brokered the lease.
Betty’s Burgers first expansion was into Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, with the Elizabeth Street set to be their third outlet, and first outside of Queensland. 
Berry said market rates for large shops such as this, in this section of Elizabeth Street, are at circa $2,000 per sqm. He didn’t reveal the exact lease amount.
The seven-year deal includes 3.5% increases at reviews and begins from August 15. 
“This former Laura Ashley store is well-positioned in a key CBD retail precinct, with wide frontage to Elizabeth Street,” Berry said. 
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Betty's Burgers the new tenant in Melbourne CBD’s Elizabeth St

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EG Funds Management (EG) has acquired a commercial office building in Melbourne CBD for $45.9 million for its Core Plus Fund No. 1.
The property at 277 William Street is within the core legal precinct, adjacent to Flagstaff station.
It was sold through CBRE by Melbourne property player Harry Stamoulis who paid $7.8 million in 1999. 
The 12 level building with 32 basement car parks has a total 12,071 sqm of net lettable area.
At acquisition, the asset is 90 per cent occupied with a 3.5 year WALE, said divisional director of EG Daniel Farley.
Anchored by strong tenants, Shine Lawyers, Medibank and Tenix Solutions, the William Street property is the first Melbourne CBD office asset within the fund.
Th property is the seventh acquisition for the Core Plus Fund No. 1.
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EG's Core Plus Fund 1 buys first Melbourne office block

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Boutique four star Melbourne hotel Alto Hotel on Bourke has been listed for sale through an International Expression of Interest closing September 24.
The site was formerly the head office of the Victorian Railways Union, constructed in 1914, and the original location of the Railways Hotel, built around 1860.
Hoteliers Ricardo and Suzanne Krauskopf purchased the hotel in 1999 and opened it in 2006 after significant extensions to the now 50 room hotel spanning six floors with a total area of 2,800sqm. 
They sold the premises around three years ago to an investor with an eight-year lease with six options of four years each - a net income in excess of $800,000 p.a.
It is Australia’s only 6 Star NABERS rated hotel and has won a host of other awards.
Joseph Du Rieu from CBRE Hotels said the hotel runs on 100% renewable energy and the market yet to be tested with a hotel that dominates in the environmental stakes.
“The building, which was constructed by members of the union offering free labour and utilising recycled material where possible, is rich in character and history,” Mr Du Rieu said.
The property includes several other sustainability additions such as outlets for recharging electric cars.
 
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Boutique four star Bourke St hotel listed

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First <a href="/news/talking-the-talk-386-412-william-street-melbourne">covered by Urban.com.au</a> nearly a year ago, the City of Melbourne's Future Melbourne Committee has resolved to provide conditional support for the revised scheme at 386-412 William Street, currently being considered by DTPLI.

The main driver behind the amended proposal was to address concerns raised by City of Melbourne and DTPLI relating to the initial design of the scheme and overshadowing of Flagstaff Gardens. Architect Elenberg Fraser's revised submission shows a complete overhaul of the scheme, including a substantial reduction in the height and scale of the proposed towers.

The revised scheme is comprised of two towers: 18-storeys and 38-storeys rising to a heights of 57m and 120m respectively. The existing C-grade building on site will be retained as per previous plans with sills proposed to be lowered to accommodate. The 18-storey tower will be positioned on the north-western corner of the site along the William Street and Franklin Street frontages whilst the 38-storey tower which features a sweeping curvature is proposed towards the rear of the site and occupies the full width.

Both towers sit above the existing two storey heritage façade before separating above level 3 atop their respective podiums.

<h2>Solar access</h2>

As previously mentioned one of the key drivers behind the revised application was maintaining solar access to Flagstaff Gardens during the Equinoxes. Given the towers will occupy a prominent corner site City of Melbourne considers an increase in height above that stipulated in DDO14 (60m) is an appropriate response if the architecture is of a "high/exemplary standard" and that there is no overshadowing to the Flagstaff Gardens between 11am to 2pm on 22nd March and 22nd September Equinox.

Clause 22.02 (Sunlight to Public Spaces) requires the following for new developments:

<blockquote>
Development should not reduce the amenity of public spaces by casting any additional shadows on public parks and gardens, public squares, major pedestrian routes including streets and lanes (including all streets within the retail core of the Capital City Zone), and privately owned plazas accessible to the public between 11.00 am and 2.00 pm on 22 September.
</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/solar_access_to_flagstaff.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Solar diagram and Central Park precedent. © Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="267" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/solar_access_to_flagstaff.jpg?itok=OseAUXHW" title="Solar diagram and Central Park precedent. © Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Solar diagram and Central Park precedent. © Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure>While our northern cousins bemoan the solar plane's application to their skyscrapers and the limitations that are inflicted height-wise, Elenberg Fraser's application to the scheme has resulted in a far more architecturally interesting outcome that isn't a typical extrusion or repeated pancake. The above image, provided to Apartments.com.au by Elenberg Fraser with Central Park as the precedent illustrates how tall towers can sit adjacent to parks while still maintaining a high level of amenity so long as they are designed with solar access in mind.

<h2>Development summary</h2>

<ul>
<li>Two towers at 18-storeys, 57m and 38-storeys, 120m.</li>
	<li>410 apartments and 210 hotel rooms.</li>
	<li>1,053 sqm of retail including a café and a 24/7 restaurant on level 3.</li>
	<li>2 x 10-storey podiums above heritage building setback 500mm from facade.</li>
	<li>145 basement level parking spaces: 125 resident and 20 hotel.</li>
	<li>32 motorcycle spaces.</li>
	<li>576 bicycle spaces: 502 resident, 50 visitor, 24 hotel staff.</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/programme_break_down_-_axo.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Development Summary axonometric. © Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/programme_break_down_-_axo.jpg?itok=ZIT72puY" title="Development Summary axonometric. © Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Development Summary axonometric. © Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure><h2>Heritage and Streetscape</h2>

The subject site is affected by the planning scheme Amendment C198 City North Heritage Review which recommends that the site be included in the Heritage Overlay and be given a ‘C’ grading in City of Melbourne’s Heritage Places Inventory 2008.​One of the conditions of approval recommended by the City of Melbourne's Urban Design and Heritage advisors is that the taller tower is required to be setback 3m from the original façade along William and Franklin Streets.

At street level reduced sill levels are intended provide a more permeable street level interface with a considerable amount of retail proposed to activate William and Franklin Streets. Above both buildings feature a 2.7m rebate or 'shadow line' to separate the new interventions from the heritage fabric.

<blockquote>
Achieving a 3m setback for building 2 (18 storeys) from both street frontages could be more problematic given the smaller size and scale of this building. It appears that if a 3m setback is proposed from both street frontages this may render the development unviable as the setback is required all the way up to level 12. Setting back the entire tower 3m from both street frontages may result in a ‘shifting’ of the form rather than a reduction in the building footprint which would result in a lesser tower separation between Towers 1 and 2. This is not considered to be a good urban design outcome.

Building 2 has a 2.7m setback on level 2 which is reduced from levels 3 to 12 where only a 0.5m setback is proposed. Discussions undertaken with the manager of City of Melbourne’s Urban Design Department suggests that an option to address both heritage and urban design issues could be to achieve the 2.7m setback on level 3 and then a 1m setback from levels 4 to 12. This will not require a significant reconfiguration of the proposed layout and will ensure the development is viable.
<cite>City of Melbourne</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/386_william_st_additional2_exterior_view_02_updated_reduced.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="386 William Street street interface. © Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="349" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/386_william_st_additional2_exterior_view_02_updated_reduced.jpg?itok=P5cAF9q3" title="386 William Street street interface. © Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>386 William Street street interface. © Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure><h2>Comment</h2>

386 William Street is an interesting case study for an application of planning controls that allows for flexibility to developers and their architects while still achieving the goals set out under planning provisions. Here the development has benefited from an architectural perspective resulting in a dynamic form on the Melbourne skyline while maintaining solar access to Flagstaff Gardens and contributing to the activation and regeneration of the northern end of the CBD around the Queen Victoria Market Precinct.
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