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

Joel Robinson

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

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

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

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

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

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

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

The long-planned transformation of Brisbane's historic Shafston Estate has taken another major step, with Capella Hotel Group announced as the luxury hospitality partner behind what will become Brisbane's first branded residences.

The project, to be known as Capella Residences Brisbane, is being delivered by Verso Projects at the landmark Kangaroo Point riverfront estate, with completion targeted for 2029.

The announcement follows a series of planning changes to the project over recent years. The site was originally approved in 2023 for a 15-level, 37-apartment development designed by Rothelowman for Burgundy Group before Verso Projects took over the 10,070 sqm riverfront holding and lodged revised plans with Kerry Hill Architects to increase the development to a 25-level tower with 51 apartments.

The latest announcement confirms Capella Hotel Group will bring its branded residential offering to the project, marking just the second Capella Residences development globally after Seoul, and the group's first branded residential project in Australia.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/23-castlebar-street-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Castlebar Street development</a> will centre around the restoration of the heritage-listed Shafston House, one of Brisbane's oldest residences, originally constructed in 1851 by Reverend Robert Creyke as a single-storey cottage known as Ravenscott.

<img alt="Capella" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2b9f4ce5-638f-4d6b-8082-3ca7e4b75fca" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-09%20at%207.20.41%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=f7aeqsW_DzOJI4FymWb3lD8NptSfsP7q" />

Capella said the project aligns with its focus on heritage-led developments, with the Brisbane estate combining the restored historic residence with a new luxury apartment tower and hospitality-inspired resident amenities.

Residents will have access to the Capella Living Room, a concierge-led communal space inspired by the group's luxury hotels, alongside landscaped gardens, six swimming pools, wellness and recreation facilities.

The broader estate will also include two riverfront homes, a six-berth private marina, porte cochère arrival experience, secure basement parking and a new section of public riverwalk along the Brisbane River frontage.

The heritage Postal Depot Building will also be retained and repurposed as a guest house, in line with the revised development plans.

The project represents another evolution for the site, which Kerry Hill Architects previously described as a rare opportunity to restore one of Brisbane's most significant heritage estates while creating a new benchmark for apartment living.

"The Shafston Estate provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore one of Brisbane's finest heritage precincts and to reinstate residential use as a unique site perched on the edge of Kangaroo Point," Kerry Hill Architects said in its Urban Context Report accompanying the planning submission.

"The project will celebrate excellence in sub-tropical residential design, setting a new benchmark for vertical living in Brisbane."

Verso Projects, which now has an $8.5 billion development pipeline spanning more than 6,000 dwellings across apartments, townhouses, retail and commercial projects, said the partnership with Capella would elevate the development beyond a traditional residential project.

"We feel honoured to be restoring Shafston Estate to its former glory, elevating it to new heights of luxury and excellence underpinned by Capella's distinctive service ethos and design philosophy, and making it a standout landmark in Brisbane," Verso Projects CEO Steve Laffey said.

"By partnering with Capella, globally recognised for its refined approach to luxury hospitality and deep respect for cultural and historical context, we will elevate this project beyond a residential offering into a world-class destination."

Capella Hotel Group President Roland Fasel said Brisbane's emergence as a global city made it the right location for the company's Australian residential debut.

"Brisbane is a city on the cusp of something remarkable, and Capella Residences is our commitment to being part of that story," Fasel said.

"The Capella residential experience is more than luxury. It is about a sense of belonging to a place with deep meaning."

Private appointments have now opened for the project, with a display suite expected to open in late 2026 ahead of the planned 2029 completion.

Capella to launch Brisbane's first branded residences at Shafston House, Kangaroo Point

Melbourne

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Stockland have announced two new agreements to restock its Victorian pipeline.
They include a townhouse site adjacent to an existing Altona North project in Melbourne’s inner west and a 342 hectare land parcel in the Merrifield North Precinct Structure Plan area in Melbourne’s north.
Stockland CEO of communities Andrew Whitson said the agreement with Food Investments Ltd takes its townhouse exposure in Melbourne’s growing inner-west to around 900.
The Stockland national pipeline of townhouse now sits at roughly 3,200 (with 1,300 in Victoria), according to the company.
As the current landowner, Food Investments Ltd will maintain a stake in the project, which will be developed and delivered by Stockland over the next 5-10 years, subject to planning approvals and market demand. 
The proposed plan also includes a future community centre and an approximate $1.5 million contribution towards affordable housing.  
Stockland also announced that it has entered into a long-dated project delivery agreement to develop 342 hectares of land in the Merrifield North Precinct Structure Plan area, in close proximity to Stockland’s Cloverton community at Kalkallo. 
The agreement has been facilitated on capital efficient terms in a strategic growth area, which is currently unzoned and will undergo a rezoning process over the coming years.
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Stockland announces new agreements to restock its Victoria pipeline

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Star Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan’s Clyde North family home was sold for $935,000 in post-auction negotiations after its Sunday auction. 
The opening batsman’s 2012-built house at 6 Forest Drive had been listed with an $850,000 to $935,000 price guide.
OBrien Keysborough agent Darren Hutchins said more than 200 groups had toured the ex-display home during its campaign.
The 446 sqm home had passed in at $911,000, the Herald Sun reported.
Its listing went viral on realestate.com.au, with more than 64,000 views, well above the suburb’s average of 83 visits per property.
The home had previously sold at $730,000 in 2015 and $789,000 in 2013.
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Indian batsman Shikhar Dhawan sells Melbourne home

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A Melbourne two bedroom apartment has sold for $580,000 by mortgagees.
John Silburn marketed the property.
The apartment at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-vic-melbourne-130740178" target="_blank"> 603/325 Collins Street</a> comprises open plan living and dining, modern kitchen and two bedrooms.
Located in the popular The Mark complex, other features of the apartment include central heating and cooling, on site building manager and two secure lock up storage rooms.
The apartment is only moments from Melbourne’s premier shops and restaurants.
Last sold in 1999, the property traded for $288,912.
<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/2019/Subscriber%20strip%20ad.jpg" alt="">
The median sale price for a unit in <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic">Melbourne</a> is $590,000, according to CoreLogic data.
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Melbourne mortgagee apartment listed for $580,000

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Melbourne’s median apartment price has failed to demonstrate any growth since last year, with exactly a 0.0% year on year change, according to key market indicators from JLL Research, the ABS, REIA, and CoreLogic.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/7/30/JLL%20Melbourne%201.JPG" alt="">
The lack of growth coincides with a significant downturn in the number of new developments being approved.
The 62% year on year reduction in apartment approvals is one of the most significant in the country, and almost double Sydney’s 30.6% downturn.
While the median cost of renting one bedroom units has increased by 0.3%, the rent for two bedroom units has stagnated, and three bedroom units have seen an unexpected fall of 3.2%.
The cause of this discrepancy between apartment types is unclear, however changing demographics has been attributed in the reduced demand (and price) of three bedroom units.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/7/30/JLL%20Melbourne%202.JPG" alt="">
Throughout the rest of the country, the Gold Coast and Adelaide both experienced decelerating positive growth in the year’s second quarter, while Canberra, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane all saw decelerating negative growth in the same time period.
No city in the study kept up with long term average growth.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/7/30/JLL%20Melbourne%203.JPG" alt="">
There will be almost as many new Melbourne apartments built this year as there were in 2018, if we are to assume all developments currently under construction will be completed.
While 2018 saw a significant fall in the number of new developments from the previous year, the data for 2019 and 2020 suggests a deceleration of this trend, with the potential for positive growth in 2021.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/7/30/JLL%20Melbourne%204.JPG" alt="">
When geographically extrapolated, the JLL research demonstrates that Melbourne City makes up roughly two-thirds of all new developments either planned, approved, under construction, or completed between 2018 and 2023 (at 30,160 apartments).
The city's inner south exhibits the next most activity, with 7,757 new apartments over the same time frame.
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Melbourne's apartment market stagnates: JLL

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Mirvac Group and co-owner Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust have announced the topping out and completion of the main structural works at its Melbourne project Olderfleet.
The 38-level building at 477 Collins Street, Melbourne consists of 58,000 square metres of premium-grade office and retail space and was designed by Grimshaw. 
Mirvac’s General Manager, Development, Simon Healy, said the project had topped out on time, with practical completion expected in mid-2020. 
“This milestone marks another achievement for Olderfleet, which has seen strong interest from our tenants with a range of high calibre brands pre-committed, bringing the tower to 94% leased,” Healy said.
“Mirvac’s vision to create one of Australia’s leading smart buildings, rising out of the heritage façade at Olderfleet, has struck a chord with the Melbourne market.
“Set to become an exemplar of modern working environments, the building integrates leading technology, sustainability and amenities that will include a wellness offering and childcare centre.”  
Brands already committed include Norton Rose Fulbright, Lander &amp; Rogers, Urbis and anchor tenant Deloitte.
“Olderfleet presents a rare opportunity for premium office space in the tightening Melbourne rental market,” Healy said.
“Since Mirvac’s construction commencement, there has been a surge of interest in the midtown area of the CBD, with the precinct surrounding Olderfleet coming to life with restaurants, bars, shopping, and health and wellbeing facilities for workers and the community. 
“Mirvac has a pipeline of projects in Melbourne including 383 La Trobe Street.
“This future, next generation office tower provides yet another opportunity for Mirvac to set new benchmarks in workplace design and contribute to the dynamic and evolving urban landscape within the Melbourne CBD.”
Mirvac has already pre-committed two of the five retail spaces at the Olderfleet building and has had strong enquiries for the remaining spaces, including a foyer café, two-level tenancy at the heritage entrance and a laneway offering on Flinders Lane, Healy said.
Deloitte’s Managing Partner, Victoria, Paul Rehder said: “We’re really excited to reach this key milestone for our new home at 477 Collins Street– a workplace signalling Deloitte’s position as the undisputed leader in professional services and a magnet for what we can offer clients and employees, both professionally and personally.  
“The future of work is moving towards human-centred, technologically driven workplaces – trends that reflect the convergence of work and life to enhance employee wellbeing.
“The building is purposefully designed to encourage co-creation and innovation, and it will set a new standard for employee experience as the way our people work becomes more automated, agile and collaborative.” 
Lander &amp; Rogers’ Chief Executive Partner, Genevieve Collins, said: “Innovation and technology are transforming the legal profession and this provides an exciting opportunity for firms that are prepared to seize it. 
“This involves more than simply investing in IT infrastructure: we need to evolve how we work – with our clients, each other, and within our broader community.
"Internally, our people tell us they want an environment that accommodates complete mobility.
“They want areas for digital and face-to-face collaboration as well as spaces conducive to individual focus.
“An agile, connected workplace is at the very core of Lander &amp; Rogers' long-term strategy and our move to 477 Collins will help us fully realise that." 
Olderfleet is committed to a 5 Star Green Star rating, a 5 Star NABERS energy rating and a Platinum WELL Certification.
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Mirvac and Suntec's Olderfleet Melbourne project tops out

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Australia has come a long way in terms of planning and development, but times are changing fast. 
With <a href="/architects">architects</a> recognising the impact on climate change and urban sprawl more so than our government, we are seeing projects that challenge the status quo and influence social change through thoughtful design. 
Design can be used to address social equity and diversity in urban environments by providing affordable housing, green space, sustainable living, appropriate density and a green lean towards public transport and cycling facilities. 

Collaborating with other architects and the community to leverage projects that deliver a deep and sustained social benefit is at the forefront of this movement.  
This allows architects to call out social and environmental inequality by simply providing alternative living and civic spaces with the idea of working with communities instead of working for them. 
With erosion threatening beachfront properties along the coast of Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales, and the threat of rising sea levels impacting where almost 40% of all Australians livelihood, smart design and planning is most important to influencing and adapting the way we live to retain our lifestyles. 

There are a few projects that unknowingly push the boundaries in opening up discussions between communities on sustainable living and the impact of urban sprawl such as <a href="/architects/breathe-architecture">Breathe Architecture’s </a>Nightingale proposal for Ballarat.

<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/11325664-3x2-940x627_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rendering of the Nightingale Ballarat project by Breathe Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/11325664-3x2-940x627_0.jpg?itok=_BUzUGSu" title="Rendering of the Nightingale Ballarat project by Breathe Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendering of the Nightingale Ballarat project by <a href="/architects/breathe-architecture">Breathe Architecture</a></figcaption></figure> 
The architectural form of the project is driven to respond to its surrounding heritage brick industrial buildings along Davey Street and the city centre of Ballarat.  
Breathe’s design strategy is to provide more with less, with untreated, tactile and durable materials recycled where possible.

The landscaped courtyard and gardens offer the ability for deep root planting, which encourages residents to grow and sustain vegetables and plants. The facade is also immersed in native plants giving a deep sense of community pride. Through careful material usage and recycled content where possible, Nightingale Ballarat is to be a carbon zero emissions building. Recycled water, renewable energy sources and high quality waste management attribute to the future residents low cost living.

“Nightingale Ballarat has been designed to make sustainable living simple. Common elements like the roof garden and deck, laundry and clotheslines, bicycle parking and shared building services offer a collectively better outcome. By providing meaningful social and utility-based spaces, we look to encourage interaction and activity with friends and neighbours.” - <a href="/developers/nightingale-housing">Nightingale Ballarat </a>Resident Package.

Open walkways with vertical greenery connect the apartment levels, creating spaces for residents to stop and converse. All apartments have an east or west facing living areas with a private balcony providing planter boxes to allow greenery to grow along the facade as well as natural ventilation and daylight adding additional amenity for the residents.

The development has opened up a major discussion for Ballarat residents about the negative impact of urban sprawl, with the population set to grow by 40,000 people in the next two decades. Nightingale offers the first socially beneficial solution that the residents of Ballarat recognise more as a typical Melbourne development and thus are not yet accustomed to within their own city. 
Victoria’s satellite cities are growing at a fast rate as well as Melbourne’s outer suburbs and in Ballarat alone, there are undeveloped, empty lots within the existing city structure that could be developed respectfully to accommodate for this population growth. 
 

<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/86a357642d9acbbb786ca1cd7569f38c_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rendering of the Ivanhoe Housing Estate in Macquarie Park, Sydney"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/86a357642d9acbbb786ca1cd7569f38c_1.jpg?itok=M1YFNhcX" title="Rendering of the Ivanhoe Housing Estate in Macquarie Park, Sydney" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendering of the Ivanhoe Housing Estate in Macquarie Park, Sydney</figcaption></figure> 
A project unfolding in the Sydney suburb of <a href="/new-apartments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> is the Ivanhoe public-private housing estate. 
The development is an integrated social housing precinct that offers community facilities, a school, retail, green space and ‘tenure blindness’ for residential properties. 
This is a social leap into disbanding the stigma between private, social housing and rental properties as tenure blindness offers a connectivity of all diversities and demographics.

The existing <a href="https://ivanhoeestate.com.au/">Ivanhoe Housing Estate</a> is set to be demolished to provide an updated private-public mixed community precinct to which benefits social and environmental strains. 
The architecture practices involved with the project are <a href="/architects/bates-smart">Bates Smart</a>, which produced the masterplan, <a href="/architects/candalepas-associates">Candalepas Associates</a>, <a href="/architects/turner-studio">Turner</a>, <a href="/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> delivering residential and community facilities and <a href="/architects/hassell-studio">Hassell</a> whom are responsible for the project’s urban design and landscape architecture. 

The development will include 3000 apartment units replacing the 259 current social housing units on site with a private vertical high school for 1000 students, a 120-bed residential aged care, two childcare centres, a supermarket, cafe’s, specialty retail shops, a multi-functional centre with a hall, gymnasium, pool and outdoor play areas and exercise stations. 
Local infrastructure will be improved for easy accessibility and connectivity and sustainable measures such as solar panels, green roofs, water capture and reuse as well as incorporating car-share facilities and a bicycle space for each dwelling keeps the precinct at a six Star Energy Rating.

The Ivanhoe Housing Estate opens Australian’s eyes to how we perceive each other and help to break down social barriers of classism and elitism that we may hold against each other. 
As communities integrate and Australia becomes one of the most multicultural countries globally, we must progress in our thinking and feelings towards each other to which density can provide that close kinship. 
The proposal has been massively influenced by community engagement and have opened up to existing residents and locals to participate in the discussion. Having social or privately owned apartments not perceivable by the public domain encourages social equality and a deconstruction of stigmatic and biased views once shared between community.

 
The architecture and urban planning industry can progress forward and benefit from a sense of personal accountability and understanding on the issues that face us in Australia. 
The outcome of these projects can no longer be just a building, but a living entity that impacts social life, so instead of thinking about providing shelter, we need to think about providing a higher quality of life.

 

 

 

 
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Nick Dante

Architecture as a tool for social change

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Melbourne house prices are expected to significantly outperform units in the medium to long term, according to Moody's Analytics.
They forecast the Greater Melbourne area's house values to increase by a 1.3% in 2020 and make a large recovery of 6% in 2021, after a -10.8% decline in 2019. 
Moody's said the fall in values has been most pronounced in Melbourne’s inner suburbs, where house values have fallen as much as 21% from their peak
The decline of unit values across Greater Melbourne has been less pronounced than for detached houses.
Similar to the detached house market, however, unit values have also displayed tentative signs of improvement.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/6/27/Melbourne%20Moodys%201.JPG" alt="">
House values in Melbourne-Inner East have edged up since April, while the pace of declines has slowed noticeably in Melbourne-Inner South and Melbourne-South East.
"Notably, dwelling fixed investment declined for the second straight quarter, with the fall in residential building approvals suggesting further weakness ahead," the report said.
"Indeed, housing finance commitments in Victoria, including those for construction of new dwellings continue to fall from year-ago levels.
"In 2019 Melbourne Inner East, Inner South and Outer East are expected to experience the largest declines, with home values forecast to fall by 13.9%, 14.9% and 12.7%, respectively."
By early 2020, house values across most of Greater Melbourne are forecast to experience a return to month-on-month growth.
Overall, Greater Melbourne house values are expected to tick up 1.3% in 2020, with Melbourne-Inner East and Melbourne-North East leading the recovery.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/6/27/Melbourne%20Moodys%202.JPG" alt="">
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Melbourne house values to recover 7.3% in two years: Moody's Analytics

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Firstly, what is a Polycentric city and how can it benefit our growing population?

In Urban Planning, a Polycentric city is an urban area that is organised around multiple cities. In this example, Melbourne CBD is designated as the major hub with built up connecting activity centres which benefit by sharing job creation with inner and outer suburbs using a '20 minute neighbourhood' model. 
We can benefit from being a polycentric city in numerous ways as it will decrease travel time, localise businesses, encourage walkability, cycleability, social interaction, networking and community by creating opportunities in areas with existing increased infrastructure standards.

<h2>What does Melbourne look like now?</h2>

An estimated 5 million people reside in the city limits as of early 2019 with an expected projection upwards of 8 million people by 2050. 
This immense growth has seen:

<ul>
<li>An average of 50,000 new homes being built, most of those are a product of Urban Sprawl with new housing estates, communities and suburbs developing beyond existing suburbia.</li>
	<li>Due to urban sprawl, commute times have increased for many Melbournians, adding 30 minutes to the average drivers journey to work. </li>
	<li>With infrastructure not meeting the demands soon enough due to unprecedented growth, liveability in outer reach suburbs is lower as connection to jobs, opportunities, education and basic services require car dependency.</li>
	<li>Most job creation is isolated to or around the Melbourne CBD, with a daily workforce of over 500,000 people. 
	 </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/screen_shot_2019-07-30_at_2.03.16_pm.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Sprawl in Melbourne's South Western suburbs. Image by Google Maps"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="314" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-07-30_at_2.03.16_pm.png?itok=JQT7LvTB" title="Sprawl in Melbourne's South Western suburbs. Image by Google Maps" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Sprawl in Melbourne's South Western suburbs. Image by Google Maps</figcaption></figure> What will Melbourne look like as a polycentric city?

<ul>
<li>With activity centres already in place and on the move for urban renewal and rejuvenation in Frankston, Reservoir, Moonee Ponds, Box Hill, Footscray, Preston, Epping, Sunshine, Dandenong and Werribee we will see an abundance of localised opportunity and a shared balance of job creation that extends beyond the CBD, strengthening our city economy.</li>
	<li>When built up, these activity centres will provide a diverse range of jobs, activities and housing options for residents as well as playing major roles in delivering health, education, government, retail and commercial services.</li>
	<li>Existing local activity centres thrive as they remain dedicated to community, culture and social attributes as well as giving residents no reason to commute one or two hours to work. This increases the quality of life majorly.</li>
	<li>These mini-cities are hubs of medium to high density mixed use developments, which will help curtail urban sprawl thus lessening the impact on native ecological and natural environments.</li>
</ul>
 

<h2>Existing - <a href="/developments/moonee-ponds-vic-3039">Moonee Ponds</a> Activity Centre</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/moonee_ponds_new_heart_pedestrians_and_cyclists.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist impression of the new civic centre space with a dedication to pedestrians, cyclists and community buildings."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="338" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/moonee_ponds_new_heart_pedestrians_and_cyclists.png?itok=1uJkgm6L" title="Artist impression of the new civic centre space with a dedication to pedestrians, cyclists and community buildings." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist impression of the new civic centre space with a dedication to pedestrians, cyclists and community buildings.</figcaption></figure> 
Moonee Ponds is a principal activity centre in Melbourne’s north-west with a current population of 15,000 people. Known for destinations such as the Moonee Valley Racecourse, Queens Park and the quaint community feel of the cafe’s, bars, boutiques and fresh food shopping of Puckle and Hall street.

This eclectic inner city suburb is just 7km out of the Melbourne CBD and has recently seen monumental growth in terms of density and commercialisation. At its core, the Moonee Ponds Junction serves as the arterial and tram connection to surrounding suburbs.

The 2030 Moonee Ponds activity plan expects to develop the suburb into a high density, pedestrian friendly, sustainable centre that intimately connects to public transport in an effort to reduce urban sprawl and car dependency which includes developments such as <a href="/buildings/hall-st-40-hall-street-moonee-ponds">Mason Square</a> by <a href="/developers/caydon-property">Caydon</a>.

Moonee Ponds vision is to exceed in creating a new civic community space with a central square around the historic Clocktower, create major improvements to car parks and pedestrian access, fostering and nurturing retail and businesses, protecting heritage, enhancing neighbourhood character and expanding community services such as health and education centres.

 

Existing - <a href="/developments/preston-vic-3072">Preston Central</a> Activity Centre

<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/screen_shot_2019-07-30_at_12.45.07_pm.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist impression of residential and mixed use density surrounding Preston Market."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="316" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-07-30_at_12.45.07_pm.png?itok=e4wtsJ3E" title="Artist impression of residential and mixed use density surrounding Preston Market." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist impression of residential and mixed use density surrounding Preston Market.</figcaption></figure> 
Preston is a multicultural suburb 9km north of Melbourne CBD with a plan to centralise growth and progress opportunities for residents. Preston’s population of 32,000 people is made up of European, Asian and Middle Eastern residents, many of which are descendants of the post war migration. The suburbs flat terrain and abundance of land resulted in low density developments to which now is evolving into a hub for the North as population growth pressure and closeness to the CBD leads to more medium to high density residential developments.

The Preston Activity Centre is centralised around the beloved Preston Market, with a strong focus on retaining its community charm and cultural significance for the suburb. The utilisation of car parks and empty plots surrounding Preston Market and the suburbs main thoroughfare for local businesses, High Street is an important factor in bringing people closer to work and opportunities. 

Preston has numerous community facilities such as the Darebin Performing Arts Centre, Preston Library and the Northern Region Migrant Resource Centre which are all serviced by Preston Station, the main link to education and fresh food markets in the suburb.

The main objective for the central plan is to curtail urban sprawl, strengthen community links and advanced opportunities, increase business and civic space and provide residents with affordable housing options. Preston could see an increase of over 10,000 new residents in the next 5 years with high density developments such as <a href="/buildings/due-north-preston-70-82-high-street-preston">Due North</a> and <a href="/buildings/8-clinch-avenue-preston">8 Clinch Avenue</a>.

 

<h2>FUTURE - <a href="https://merrifieldmelbourne.com.au/about/">MERRIFIELD, MICKLEHAM</a></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/merrifield-render-1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rendering of civic space in Merrifield’s city centre."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/merrifield-render-1.jpg?itok=qWnNkxJO" title="Rendering of civic space in Merrifield’s city centre." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendering of civic space in Merrifield’s city centre.</figcaption></figure> 
Located in Melbourne’s far north is the newly planned community suburb of Merrifield, a joint masterplan by <a href="/developers/mab-corporation">MAB</a> and <a href="/developers/gibson-property-corporation">Gibson Property</a> which will sustain a population of 30,000 residents and 40,000 workers. 
The city of the north is expected to be completed by 2025, and aims to be a hub of connectivity for small and large businesses in their business district, a cultural and community space with shops, restaurants and medium density residential and civic buildings by the Central Park and waterfront with 12,000 homes planned and already under construction. 
Merrifield is serviced by rapid bus transport and major highway links though aims to truly be a walkable, 30 minute neighbourhood where residents will use the pedestrian and bicycle friendly links to reach all of their daily needs. 
As the North is one of the fastest growing areas in the country, we need sustainable and centralised developments with updated infrastructure and commercial opportunities for residents. Car dependency makes working in the CBD difficult for many people living in the Northern suburbs as transport is infrequent or too far from home. Having a hub closer to the outer reach suburbs makes a vast improvement for businesses and locals who live an hour from the CBD.

The community is already home to one of Victoria's biggest Industrial Parks with Dulux, D'orsogna and Australia's first Kaufland setting up shop with access to sustainable energy and recycled water. 
Merrifield boasts numerous lakes, wetlands and urban parks which are designed to encourage environmental consciousness and enrich natural biodiversities. 
 

 
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How close is Melbourne to becoming a Polycentric city?

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Owner occupiers and investors have the chance to secure a rare laneway retail asset in their heart of the Melbourne CBD.
Colliers International’s Chris Ling, Oliver Hay and Anthony Kirwan have been appointed to sell 22 Russell Place by international expressions of interest.
Nestled between Bourke Street and Little Collins Street in the CBD’s sought after retail precinct, the prime retail asset is situated on the ground floor of a nine-storey mixed-use complex.
Spanning 53 sqm of NLA, the property benefits from high ceilings and a floor-to-ceiling glazed shopfront.
“The location of the property is second to none, being in one of Melbourne’s signature laneways Russell Place,” Mr Ling said.
“This rare opportunity is perfectly timed, being offered with vacant possession, as there is flexibility for owner occupiers and investors to capitalise on the strong rental growth and the variety of uses the premises offers.”
“Strategically the property has immediate access to the Bourke Street tram supers-stop at the front doorstep as well as Melbourne Central and Parliament Train Stations. The area will also benefit from the upcoming State Library Metro Station,” he said.
“Opportunities of this kind are highly sought-after in Melbourne CBD and are rare as such, we are expecting a competitive contest when this property hits the market next week.”
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Rare Russell Place, Melbourne laneway asset offered to market

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As the City of Melbourne declares a climate emergency, we are seeing a rise in environmentally conscious and human-centric developments as residents yearn for a sustainable future. 
Here are five new developments across Australia implementing water, energy and waste efficiency into their buildings and providing residents with facilities to alleviate our car dependency.

<h2><a href="/buildings/west-end-185-rosslyn-street-west-melbourne">WEST END, WEST MELBOURNE</a></h2>

<figure><a href="/buildings/west-end-185-rosslyn-street-west-melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="280" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image_39.jpg?itok=kumCn2h9" title="Rendering of West Melbourne's West End by cht architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendering of West Melbourne's West End by cht architects</figcaption></figure>Located in one of Melbourne’s emerging urban renewal precincts, West End in West Melbourne combines five apartment buildings and one hotel into a community structure separated by vibrant laneways and tree lined pathways. 
The urban sanctuary comprises of 377 apartment dwellings, laneways with restaurants, bars, cafes and a supermarket with fresh produce store, day spa, medical centre, 24/7 pharmacy, gym, pools, private cinema, wine storage, public art galleries and public parks.

West End is a leading example of new sustainable projects in Melbourne with each building within the precinct designed specifically with affordability, comfort, community or downsizing in mind. <a href="/architects/carr-design">Carr Design Group</a>, Hecker Guthrie, <a href="/news/urban-com-au-profiles-10-of-melbourne-s-top-luxury-apartments">Mim Design</a> and <a href="/architects/six-degrees-architects">Six Degrees</a> all collaborate with <a href="/architects/cht-architects">CHT Architects</a> to create West End with people and the environment in mind. 

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1983]

The open park and laneways lined and landscaped with native trees and shrubs encourage residents to walk and engage with active lifestyles. With 200 bicycle spaces and integrated community spaces, West End demands to reach a 5 star Energy Rating as well as providing residents with the tools to continue their connectivity beyond the complex.

More than 83 per cent of <a href="/news/melbourne-s-largest-inner-city-apartment-west-end-commences-construction">City of Melbourne</a>’s residents live in apartments. Each year apartment living contributes to:

<ul>
<li>22 per cent of the city’s water usage</li>
	<li>Nine per cent of Greenhouse Gas emissions</li>
	<li>More than 20,500 tonnes of waste</li>
</ul>
<h2><a href="/developments/sydney-nsw-2000">QUAY QUARTER TOWER, SYDNEY CBD</a></h2>

<figure><a href="/developments/sydney-nsw-2000"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="387" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/quay_1.jpg?itok=UHa17KJv" title="Quay Quarter's rooftop garden, rendering by 3XN" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Quay Quarter's rooftop garden, rendering by 3XN</figcaption></figure><a href="/architects/3xn">3XN</a> along with local partner <a href="/architects/bvn-architecture">BVN</a> and Arup bring Quay Quarter Tower to Sydney’s CBD, a mixed use vertical village that rises 200 metres above the iconic Harbour. 
The large open space atriums within the tower connecting all stacks to each other provide a sense of community with visual transparency offering social interaction amongst people.  
The design of the tower incorporates ⅔ of the existing structure on site. The existing AMP centre was in much need for a revamp so the team at 3XN, BVN and Arup found a solution to incorporate its shell and core into the new tower.

Retaining the old core and recycling the facade and remainder of the floor plates to create 45,000sqm of new floor space will save 10,000 Sydney to Melbourne flights worth of carbon. 
As the new building rises, it rotates in five stacks enhancing views and maximising light for all workers and residents within the building and on street level. Rotating the tower has also been beneficial to providing exterior terraces and communal park spaces for visitors, immediately enhancing the quality of interaction city dwellers have with their environment by providing much needed green space.

The tower is targeting 6 Star Energy rating as the facade’s sun shading hoods eliminate the need for blinds and the electricity to run lights during the day time. With residents and workers becoming more environmentally conscious, the tower becomes a highly desired place to work and live. 
“We’ve found this green correlation is very popular with the market, leading to higher demand for green buildings, low vacancy rates and better returns,” - Chris Nunn, head of sustainability, AMP Capital Investors.

<h2><a href="/buildings/east-brunswick-village-3-bluestone-way-brunswick-east">EAST BRUNSWICK VILLAGE, MELBOURNE</a></h2>

<figure><a href="/buildings/east-brunswick-village-3-bluestone-way-brunswick-east"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="294" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/1419_gabrielsaunders-bancogroup-villageavenue-ext-similar_1.jpg?itok=vpbq5fMD" title="Rendering of EBV East Brunswick Village" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendering of EBV East Brunswick Village</figcaption></figure>EBV, East Brunswick is a development that has been designed with sustainability, quality of life and environmental consciousness at the forefront. During the first construction phase alone, 15,000 trucks worth of material have been recycled from the site that has helped create rock products, road bases with recycled concrete and recycled bluestone for pavements. 
An average of 7.5 Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme NatHERS will be achieved with smart metering, LED lighting and appliances installed with automatic controls, occupancy detectors, daylight sensors and programmable timers. Double glazing and rooftop Solar panels lessens the need for energy usage throughout winter.

Drought tolerant and native plants have been used for landscaping of the project to minimise water usage as there will also be rainwater tanks for flushing, a highly efficient gas centralised hot water system and smart metering so that residents can accurately monitor energy and water consumption. Recycling facilities within the precinct provide healthy waste management and with good access to public transport, residents are encouraged to use the large amount of bike racks, flexi car pods, charging stations for electric vehicles to promote walkable, green neighbourhoods.

As well as rooftop gardens and children's playground, residents will enjoy the apiary, maintained by a qualified bee keeper, providing free local honey. 

<h2><a href="/buildings/443-queen-street-brisbane-443-queen-street-brisbane">443 QUEEN STREET, BRISBANE</a></h2>

<figure><a href="/buildings/443-queen-street-brisbane-443-queen-street-brisbane"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="364" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/queen_st_0.jpg?itok=Sx-lWZtU" title="Rendering of 443 Queen Street by Architectus" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendering of 443 Queen Street by Architectus</figcaption></figure>The 185 metre Architectus and <a href="/architects/woha">WOHA</a> designed tower gracing the Brisbane river waterfront offers more than just spectacular, uninterrupted views of the iconic city. 
443 Queen Street will be Australia’s first building to achieve a Generosity Index of 80 and Green Plot ratio of 197% with naturally light filled foyers, lobbies, and ventilated gardens throughout the tower. 
The tower embraces sub-tropical living with overhanging native plants over the podium balconies and a garden environment for each and every apartment. With a structure that resembles a living, breathing organism in a sub-tropical climate, it responds to its natural environment by catching the breeze and shade from the sun with a smart, calculative designed facade. 
The 264 high quality residential apartments enjoy natural green ventilation through a carefully thoughtful sealed square floor plan and will achieve a 5 star energy rating when completed in late 2020.

“443 Queen Street is about shading, sheltering, greenery and sustainability - a building that ‘breathes’ with natural ventilation and light” - Adrian Pozzo, CEO <a href="/developers/cbus-property">Cbus</a> Property.

<h2><a href="/new-apartments/lt-miller-nightingale-55-nicholson-street-brunswick-east">LT.MILLER, BRUNSWICK EAST</a></h2>

<figure><a href="/new-apartments/lt-miller-nightingale-55-nicholson-street-brunswick-east"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="266" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/lt_miller_1.jpg?itok=epJDeLd_" title="Lt. Miller's rooftop garden, rendering by Gabriel Saunders for ClarkeHopkinsClarke" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lt. Miller's rooftop garden, rendering by Gabriel Saunders for ClarkeHopkinsClarke</figcaption></figure>The set of boutique apartments located in Brunswick East, Melbourne, offer a 100% fossil fuel free environment with a 7.5 NatHERS Rating average. 
Electricity will be supplied by an embedded network which will use a variety of renewable sources to power all apartments as well as common areas. Lobbies and corridors will be naturally ventilated with plants on every level and a 20,000 litre water tank to collect rainwater to assist in irrigating the natural surrounding landscape.  
Designed by <a href="/architects/clarke-hopkins-clarke-0">Clarke Hopkins Clarke</a>, in collaboration with <a href="/architects/breathe-architecture">Breathe Architecture</a> and developed by <a href="/developers/lucent-capital">Lucent Capital</a> and <a href="/developers/nightingale-housing">Nightingale Housing</a>, the boutique apartment building has a specific environmental approach within the design, becoming yet another important socially and environmentally conscious complex within Melbourne. With amenities such as a garden rooftop, integration and social interaction between residents is encouraged which greatly impacts positively on the quality of life.  
Natural materials will be used between private and common spaces within the complex, with carefully selected recycled timber and floor materials. The 100% natural renewable carpets for residents are made from cactus fibre and is also 100% biodegradable at the end of its life cycle with natural colouring.  
These are just a few of the ways that Lt. Miller impacts the neighbourhood and sets a standard in conscious design. 

<a href="http://greenstrata.com.au/">Green Strata</a> is a not-for-profit organisation that helps apartment owners and corporations improve sustainability in their buildings.
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