Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Joel Robinson

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

First look: Inca eyes Mona Vale with State Significant DA for Dawn apartments

Seasoned Victorian apartment developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-equity">Central Equity</a> has logged more than $400 million in sales in its luxury apartment project Palmera Residences at Northcliffe on the Gold Coast.&nbsp;

Central Equity Director Karl Kutner said the sales result reflected a combination of location, product quality and delivery certainty with the project already under construction by building powerhouse Multiplex.&nbsp;

"Surpassing $400 million in sales since launch is a significant milestone and an outstanding endorsement of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-gold-coast-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera Residences</a>,” he said.&nbsp;

"We believe one of the key reasons for this strong result is the confidence purchasers have in knowing the project is under construction with Multiplex. Buyers are increasingly looking for certainty. They want to know that the project they commit to today will be delivered by an experienced team with a proven track record."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365782]

Kutner said it was clear there was still high demand for luxury projects that offered certainty of delivery.&nbsp;

“We are in a market where many residential developments have faced delays due to rising construction costs, labour shortages and financing challenges,” said Kutner.&nbsp;

"But having construction underway has provided our buyers with resounding confidence backed by more than 40 years of development delivery by Central Equity combined with construction by one of Australia's most respected construction companies."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365785]

Central Equity is one of Australia's most experienced privately-owned property developers. Over more than four decades, the company has delivered in excess of 85 residential developments including 10,000 apartments and many thousands of stand alone homes.&nbsp;

Located on Garfield Terrace at Northcliffe, between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, Palmera Residences occupies one of the Gold Coast's most sought after beachside locations. The development has been designed to appeal to owner occupiers seeking premium residences that combine generous living spaces and resort style amenities.&nbsp;

Palmera Residences will feature an exceptional collection of resort style amenities, including two swimming pools: a generously sized family pool with safe shallow zones for relaxed recreation, and a 20 metre lap pool positioned to maximise all day sunlight.&nbsp;

Residents will also enjoy exclusive access to wellness and recreational facilities including a magnesium pool, sauna, yoga studio, expansive fitted gymnasium, resident lounge, outdoor BBQ’s&nbsp;and indoor and outdoor dining areas, together with a dedicated concierge and luxurious hotel inspired entrance foyer.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365767]

A unique feature at Palmera Residences has been designed to enhance the Gold Coast lifestyle which includes both indoor and outdoor gymnasium facilities, together with thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor dining and entertaining areas. A corner café has also been incorporated to provide residents with a destination for their everyday needs.&nbsp;

Kutner said buyer demand had been broad based with purchasers attracted from interstate as well as throughout South East Queensland.&nbsp;

"We're seeing strong interest from owner occupiers, lifestyle buyers and people relocating to the Gold Coast. Many purchasers have been searching for a premium beachside residence where quality, design and delivery are equally important."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365771]

Kutner said the sales milestone was an important achievement, but the focus remained firmly on delivering an exceptional development.&nbsp;

"While reaching $400 million in sales is an important milestone, our priority remains delivering a project that exceeds purchaser expectations,” he said.&nbsp;

"Palmera Residences has been designed to become one of the Gold Coast's landmark residential addresses, and we look forward to welcoming our purchasers to their new homes."&nbsp;

There are a limited number of residences remaining in selected configurations with pricing from $2,950,000 to $8,950,000. Palmera Residences is also crowned by expansive penthouses with wrap around views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108274]

Construction certainty and strong buyer demand drive major sales result for luxury Gold Coast development

Palmera Residences fly out the door as sales pass $400 million

National property developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/goldfields-group">Goldfields</a> has appointed BINAH as its construction partner for Quartet, its new Brisbane apartment development in the undersupplied suburb of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/milton-qld-4064">Milton</a>.

Located just two kilometres from the Brisbane CBD and moments from key 2032 Olympic precincts, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/quartet-milton-33-manning-street-milton-qld-4064">Quartet</a> will deliver 131 one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments priced from $1 million to $4.2 million, combining elevated design with a wellness-focused lifestyle offering.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=368000]

Goldfields’ Chief Executive Officer, Lachlan Thompson, said the appointment of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/binah-constructions">BINAH</a> marked an important milestone for the project.&nbsp;

“Bringing BINAH on board as our construction partner will allow us to bring our vision for Quartet forward with a team that has a proven track record of delivering high-quality residential projects,” Thompson said.&nbsp;

“We’ve taken a considered approach to progressing the site because we wanted to deliver the whole package. Buyers ultimately back great developers, great projects and great builders, and with Quartet, we’ve made sure all three line up.

“People want certainty, they want to know the project will be built, that the homes will be delivered as promised, and that the developer stands behind the quality of what they create. That’s something Goldfields has built its reputation on over many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367993]

BINAH’s Managing Director, Khalil Hafza, said the company was proud to be partnering with Goldfields to deliver Quartet.&nbsp;

“Quartet is an exciting project to bring to life, particularly given the level of detail in the residences and the extensive rooftop amenity planned for the building,” Mr Hafza said.&nbsp;

“Our focus is on delivering a high-quality build that brings that design vision to life and creates homes residents will enjoy for many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367999]

The facilities at Quartet have been feared towards the roof, with a&nbsp;25 metre lap pool, spa, sauna and cold plunge, and a communal barbecue area and alfresco.

Town planning was designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and brought to life by Melbourne-based architecture firm Cera Stribley.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/cera-stribley">Cera Stribley</a> Co-Founder and Managing Principal, Dom Cerantonio, said the project responds to both its riverside setting and Brisbane’s evolving urban character.&nbsp;

“Quartet has been designed to sit comfortably within its riverside context, offering a refined take on urban living through well-planned, generously proportioned residences that will stand the test of time,” Mr Cerantonio said.&nbsp;

“An emphasis on natural light, natural textures and carefully selected finishes from timber and marble to premium appliances, creates calm, considered interiors designed for comfort and long-term liveability.”&nbsp;

Construction of Quartet will commence in July 2026, with completion anticipated in Q4 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108736]

Construction to commence on 131-residence tower designed around wellness-focused living

Goldfields appoints BINAH for Quartet apartments in Milton

The first partnership between national developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis">Fortis</a> and Adelaide-based developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> has made a strong start, with the pair securing $21 million in unconditional sales at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-four-four-hutt-adelaide-144-hutt-street-adelaide-sa-5000">One Four Four Hutt</a>&nbsp;on the edge of the Adelaide CBD.

Over a third of apartments have been snapped up in the boutique 44-apartment project on the corner of Hutt Stret and Wakefield Road. Local downsizers and owner-occupiers wanting to remain in Adelaide's tightly-held southeast quarter have been the most prominent purchasers.

The DKO-designed, mixed-use development is one of the few new apartment projects in the precinct, an area where new housing supply has remained limited despite continued demand from buyers wanting to stay close to the CBD, Victoria Park and Adelaide's established east-end amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375378]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

"The level of early commitment reflects the confidence local buyers have in the Hutt Street precinct," Dendrinos said.

"Many purchasers are long-term east-end residents who love the area and want to stay connected to the neighbourhood. They recognise the value of a well-designed, well-located development.

"Our partnership with Otello has been central to this success, and the number of unconditional sales at this stage only strengthens our confidence in the South Australian market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375379]

Otello Director Daniel Harris said the sales result also highlighted the lack of new apartment opportunities within the Hutt Street precinct.

"One Four Four Hutt has clearly resonated with buyers, with strong early sales reflecting both the appeal of the Hutt Street corridor and the lifestyle on offer," Harris said.

"The activated ground-floor retail has also been a key drawcard, with purchasers responding to the vision of a more vibrant and connected streetscape, not just the residences themselves."

One Four Four Hutt will deliver 44 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a collection of penthouses, above a ground-floor retail offering designed to further activate the Hutt Street precinct.

Construction is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year, with completion anticipated in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151233]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

Fortis makes Adelaide debut with Otello as One Four Four Hutt records strong early sales

Multiplex

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Construction company Multiplex has been appointed as the builder for Beulah International’s $200 million CBD development Paragon, located at the former Celtic Club site.
Multiplex joins an enviable line up with internationally acclaimed architects Fender Katsalidis and landscaper Paul Bangay, collaborating with Beulah International to build the mixed-use development, comprising of 227 luxury apartments across 48 levels.
Situated at 318 Queen Street, Paragon will include a three story elevated indoor urban forest in an Australian first, while in a nod to the site’s historical significance, the design is set to feature artisan metal worked with a geometric Celtic-inspired pattern across curtains of glass.
Clever in design, the architecture also maximises views, allowing the majority of residences prized corner vistas by limiting density to between four and six residences per floor.
Multiplex was awarded the construction contract following a competitive tendering process, selected for its ability to deliver a project of this scale with the required quality standard and timeframe.
“This is the first time Beulah International has worked with Multiplex and we chose to collaborate on Paragon due their strong industry reputation globally accurately reflecting the premium nature of this project,” said Jiaheng Chan, Managing Director of Beulah International.
“Having recently taken out the Australian construction industry’s most prestigious honour, the Australian Construction Achievement Award, combined with the fact that they are one of the largest contractors globally with over half a century of experience in large-scale development projects, we have the confidence that the creative vision of Paragon will be delivered on time and to the highest quality,” he said.
“Multiplex select our clients carefully and we are very excited to have Beulah International on board. They are a leading developer and constantly push the boundaries in design and innovation.” said Graham Cottam, Regional Managing Director of Multiplex.
A truly unique project to the Melbourne property market, Paragon was launched in mid 2017 with approximately 90 percent of the apartments purchased during the registration of interest campaign.
Awarded the Best Residential High-Rise Development for Australia at the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2018-2019, Paragon is slated for completion towards the end of 2020, with Multiplex having already officially commenced construction on the tower.
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Multiplex awarded contract on Beulah's $200 million CBD development

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The appointment of construction company Multiplex as head contractor for Beulah International's Paragon apartment tower has nudged the number of apartments in Multiplex's current Melbourne build schedule toward 7,000.

Located atop the shell of the former Celtic Club on Queen and La Trobe streets, Paragon is a $200 million apartment development containing 227 apartments over 48 levels. The appointment of Multiplex sees the builder join existing project team members including architects Fender Katsalidis and landscape designer Paul Bangay.

Multiplex will not only deliver the apartments but also a green space within the tower that Beulah International have dubbed 'the urban forest'.  The three storey elevated indoor urban forest is slated as an Australian first.

Paragon's distinctive facade takes on a golden hue and is overlapped by a geometric pattern across a curtain wall facade.

<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/image94_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Part of Paragon's urban forest. Image: Beulah International"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="305" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image94_4.jpg?itok=7m3OF9AT" title="Part of Paragon's urban forest. Image: Beulah International" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Part of Paragon's urban forest. Image: Beulah International</figcaption></figure>On the appointment of Multiplex, Beulah International Managing Director Jiaheng Chan stated “This is the first time Beulah International has worked with Multiplex and we chose to collaborate on Paragon due their strong industry reputation globally accurately reflecting the premium nature of this project. 

Having recently taken out the Australian construction industry’s most prestigious honour, the Australian Construction Achievement Award, combined with the fact that they are one of the largest contractors globally with over half a century of experience in large-scale development projects, we have the confidence that the creative vision of Paragon will be delivered on time and to the highest quality."

Beulah International have heightened their Melbourne profile of late; the appointment of Multiplex to deliver Paragon is in addition to the firm's recent launches of super luxury projects <a href="/buildings/fawkner-house-146-150-toorak-road-west-south-yarra">Fawkner House</a> and <a href="/buildings/the-grounds-of-kew-367-cotham-road-kew">The Grounds of Kew</a>, plus the <a href="/news/southbank-by-beulah-designs-revealed-at-future-cities-symposium">symposium</a> held recently which outlined the design's vying to become Melbourne's tallest tower at Beulah International's 118 City Road site. 

<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/image92_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Paragon in the centre of Melbourne's evolving skyline. Image: Beulah International"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="327" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image92_6.jpg?itok=dSntFH54" title="Paragon in the centre of Melbourne's evolving skyline. Image: Beulah International" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Paragon in the centre of Melbourne's evolving skyline. Image: Beulah International</figcaption></figure>Whilst Paragon has a nominal completion date of 2020, it is by no means the definitive project for Multiplex.

The tier 1 builder has no less than 10 major Melbourne apartment towers under its wing. These 10 developments equate to approximately 6,730 apartments in delivery mode across inner Melbourne; the sheer size of these towers leads to an average of approximately 673 dwellings per project.

Headlining the builder's schedule are super projects <a href="/buildings/australia-108-southbank-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">Australia 108</a>, <a href="/buildings/melbourne-square-93-119-kavanagh-street-southbank">Melbourne Square</a> and <a href="/buildings/swanston-central-168-victoria-street-carlton">Swanston Central</a>, with each of these exceeding the 1,000 dwelling threshold. Multiplex also has the initial stage of <a href="/buildings/queens-place-157-a-beckett-street-and-370-queen-street-melbourne">Queens Place</a> which includes 815 apartments, a duo of sizeable Central Equity towers, South Yarra's <a href="/buildings/capitol-grand-241-toorak-road-south-yarra">Capitol Grand</a>, Cbus Property's <a href="/buildings/collins-arch-447-collins-street-melbourne">Collins Arch</a> and Fragrance Group's <a href="/buildings/premier-tower-134-160-spencer-street-melbourne">Premier Tower</a> on Spencer Street.

In addition to the above residential builds, Multiplex also has 80 Collins Street and 405 Bourke Street under its command. The commercial projects are supplemented by current tertiary builds for Monash University at both their Clayton and Frankston campuses.
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silvermb

Paragon pushes Multiplex's Melbourne apartment construction count toward 7,000 

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The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) and its project partners have achieved a significant milestone with practical completion of its new $128 million Club Stand at Flemington Racecourse.

The eye catching five-level Club Stand designed by Bates Smart represents the 10th grandstand to be built at Flemington since 1865 and was completed by Multiplex on schedule, in time for this year's Melbourne Cup Carnival.

The ‘petal’ projections which form the perimeter of the Club Stand at each floor are the defining feature of Bates Smart's design and were constructed using 90 precast panels each weighing up to 30 tonnes.

Bates Smart also completed the interiors of each of the 17 spaces within the Club Stand with a timeless palette applied to offer the venues a unique and diverse personality for all Members’ to enjoy while respecting the heritage and the spirit of the famed race track and its festivities during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

<blockquote>
The completion of The Club Stand marks one of the most exciting times in the VRC’s history and we look forward to officially opening it to VRC Members and their guests in full for the first time on AAMI Victoria Derby Day.

We congratulate Multiplex on its success in bringing Bates Smart’s vision for The Club Stand to life. The Club Stand is a statement venue that will change event experiences forever and become the setting for the next generation of racegoers to enjoy racing differently.

- Amanda Elliott, VRC Chairman
</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/the_club_stand_july_2018_credit_pat_scala_for_racing_photos_3_crop.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The VRC's new Club Stand is now completed save for a few finishing touches. Image: Pat Scala"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="355" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/the_club_stand_july_2018_credit_pat_scala_for_racing_photos_3_crop.jpg?itok=Xsj024oz" title="The VRC's new Club Stand is now completed save for a few finishing touches. Image: Pat Scala" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The VRC's new Club Stand has achieved practical completion. Image: Pat Scala</figcaption></figure>Urban.com.au spoke to Bates Smart's Kristen Whittle and Jeff Copolov on the various aspects of the design and some of the key driver which have influenced the final outcome.

Urban.com.au: What was the brief from the VRC for the design of the new Club Stand?

Kristen Whittle: Before it became a detailed brief, the fundamental brief was to create a new type of grand stand for the VRC which would greatly enhance the hospitality offer at Flemington but also to provide a flagship building that would celebrate both the heritage and beauty of Flemington and create an icon for the VRC. 

U: Good quality architecture often draws on its context to produce a site specific response. The new VRC Club Stand achieves this by drawing inspiration from Flemington's rose garden beds. How do you take a simple idea and produce an architectural response that has an elegant quality without the novelty or kitsch-ness?

KW: The thoughtful and elegant design takes inspiration from Flemington’s iconic rose garden beds creating a very strong sense of place and one which is very particular to the gardens. When you see the Spring Racing Carnival it's the people that make the place, so the gardens provide the frame within which the people move.

We studied people movement, membership movement, back-of-house, front-of-house movement to understand how it all works. What became immediately obvious through that analysis was that people at the Spring Racing Carnival are so resplendent that they deserve to have a place to frame themselves and so they became the exhibit and are almost as important as the horses when it comes to defining the event both nationally and globally. 

We wanted the grandstand to celebrate the movement, the promenading of the people during the course of the day - the horse racing itself only accounts for a small percentage of time - so we analysed what people do before and after, and the (food and beverage offering) and outside activities are very important in creating pockets of space where people can congregate, intermingle and celebrate the races.

So the grandstand brief that eventuated out of the analysis was for a far greater amount of indoor space. The indoor space should open out to all the outdoor space and interact with it. There should be flexibility in the seating, so we chose bench seating as opposed to single seating, and from within the stand there should be an ability to stand up and see the race unfold in front of you.

As a result, the cross-section of the stadium became fundamentally important so that the indoor venues were higher than the outdoor seating. Each bar and restaurant has an outdoor deck which is very particular to those venues, and the building slopes inwards like a hill in cross-section so that each tier as you move up the building, becomes more prestigious. This is then finished off with a roof deck which is serviced by two outdoor bars and two kitchens which will provide outdoor food and beverage opportunities. In the middle of all that there is a large scale indoor-outdoor exhibition-esque flexible restaurant which means that it can be used throughout the year not just on racing day. 

What is also pertinent as to why we have shaped the building in the way that we have is it forms a front door entry statement and is in your line of sight as you're coming in from the train station, so it really forms the centrepiece for the whole track.

U: The new Club Stand is both impressive in its architectural expression, and provides a contrast to the existing stand yet is still in many ways very restrained and has a timeless quality about it. Does this type architectural approach ensure that the building doesn't date and will still be very much relevant 20-30 years from now? 

KW: That's a good question and an important question which is very central to our thinking, that we needed to have a building that functionally speaking was flexible and moving forward was adaptable and provided an armature or structure that allowed for any change in circumstance. 

The 10 metre column grid set in from the outdoor glazing was critical to providing sight lines and also produces a very horizontal expression to the building. The white horizontal bands which sit below the glazing are the areas which accommodate the services, and the large scale shades also project from there.

The idea of the white was to contrast against the gardens. White architecture works very well against a garden backdrop and we always wanted to bring the garden up into the grandstand and so what you have on the ground and first floors is the gardens literally wrap up and around the building. 

We saw the building as a future heritage building rather than just a mere piece of architecture, and we acknowledged that we were demolishing a nationally heritage listed building and so the big argument we put to the Heritage Council was that we were producing a future heritage and so the building needed to be strong, appropriate and of a high quality. Rather than stylistically overtly denoting today's style or fashion.

I think what distinguishes it is the function of the building, the heightened functionality of the building that generated the form as opposed to being an artificial gesture. It is very much the result of a functionally driven form making exercise.

U: The new club stand has a very light and transparent quality about it, but how do you balance the need for natural daylight and ensuring maximum outlook while also balancing the needs of sustainable design?

KW: It's a very environmentally conscious building and we used the horizontal sun shades to be able to employ very clear glazing - which is a triple laminated glazing which means that it's very transparent and open in its appearance and provides very clear colour rendition of the horses out on the track. 

The challenge technically speaking is that you have a very tall floor to floor in the grandstand and it's very difficult to get long pieces of glass which are triple laminated without having what's called 'rollaway' which occurs when the glass itself warps through the cooling process. So we had to ensure the manufacturing process removed all from the glass and more particularly the edges of the glass which are prone to wobbling. The last thing you want is to be looking out towards the finishing line and all of a sudden the horse disappears due to rollaway. 

U: Are there any particular aspects of the design or spaces which really excite you or have a special quality?

KW: There's two things which I think will really shout out to people. The first is the rooftop experience and the fact that there's not really many places in Australia where you can be right at the top of a building for a sporting event, which is really driven by hospitality and customer experience. I think the roof top garden will become very precious in the same way that the member's lawn has become arguably the most precious element of the current members' experience.

The other one is and I think everyone would understand that during the Spring Racing Carnival, the importance of the Melbourne Cup means there's often an aerial shot of the VRC and Flemington in relation to the Melbourne skyline. And I think what people are going to see in the future is a very strong and interesting shapely building with a big VRC logo ontop of the canvas roof which will form a new iconic statement.  

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/284085972" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe>

<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://vimeo.com/284085972">The new Club Stand, Victoria Racing Club</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/batessmart">Bates Smart</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.

Urban.com.au: The success of a building's interior relies heavily on a well designed shell, particularly when discussing the longevity of a building. A good shell generally remains largely unchanged while the interiors often tend to change in response to trends over time. What consideration was given to the idea of longevity in the interior design of the spaces and choice of materials? 

Jeff Copolov: That's a really good question because it was very much the defining starting point - the strategic approach to how you dealt with what is primarily a series of food and beverage offerings, and as we know food and beverage trends change, the Club's needs change and we're hoping the Club Stand is around for another 100 years and so we were very mindful of allowing elements to change over time.

Our approach was to ensure the architectural language of the exterior was very clearly defined and so internally the approach was to treat the fit out or the elements within those fit outs almost like a stage set that could be inserted into the preceding shell - if you think about a theatre within the shell - and therefore they had some significant rules about that.

The principle ceilings which are the curved white ceiling planes that flow from the outside in, needed to be retained and needed to be totally legible. Any decorative elements that were unique to any specific interior needed to float or be disengaged from those ceilings .

All of the perimeter columns were always to be left white and never treated in a different finish and if they were incorporated into any of the food and beverage elements, their legibility needed to remain intact. Sometimes we wrapped seating around them but the columns still remained white. 

We very much created a shell that was legible and that the base building materials were consistent across all levels such as lift lobbies, toilets, core linings, escalator linings and all had a simple and unique palette.  

So common areas were clearly defined as one unique palette, base building shell was another and then our interior fit out could have a range of quirky and unique personalities which is what the client's response was.

U: Light is often spoken about in the design of interior spaces as a material in and of itself. How important was natural daylight in the design of the spaces and how did it inform the design?

JC: First and foremost the spaces are there on race day and unlike a lot of food and beverage outlets where you design predominantly for day and night, that was equally important but even moreso daylight was fundamental because  race days at Flemington are day time events, but we were conscious that one day there might be night racing but we ensured that day light  was the principle driver for selecting colour and that we used warm light for our artificial lighting.

Because of the very nature of maximising views and due to our floor to ceiling full height glazing and the panorama and outlook across the track that it provides, we knew we were going to have an enormous amount of daylight and that our interiors would be formed by that bright light quality and there are no window coverings. In most food and beverage outlets you would need to be very conscious of that, so although it provided us with some beautiful ambience it also created some technical requirements with sun shading, window shading, fade resistance and all of those issues.   

U: The views from within the Club Stand are one of its greatest assets. How did the idea of views manifest in terms of the internal planning of program and the design of the spaces themselves?

JC: If you take a typical cross-section and let's say the glass is on the left and the core is on the right, we transition from floor to ceiling glass with limited amount of built environment up against the glass so that if people are standing up against the glass at the most exciting part of the race, they'll be drawn towards that, so we needed to ensure that lines of sight are retained.

Often we would place low lounge seating in corners where the diagonal view, because if you're looking at the track the horses come from the left and move to the right - we race in an anti-clockwise direction here in Victoria - so the finishing post is always on the right of the venue as you face out. We made sure that our seating to the right hand side was kept generally low - so that if you were within the food and beverage portion of the restaurant, the lower dining tables would be to the right and the higher bar seating would be located to the left side. 

In the case of the members dining area, where we have a large number of people to seat, we used the extra ceiling height to in fact ramp up a portion of the dining room, so that if you were further to the back, you were sitting the equivalent of two steps higher than the immediately adjacent dining area.

We created deliberate tiering and in Kristen's design of the architecture of the building, the interior is always a good height above its corresponding external circulation and seating. So that even if you had people seated inside and then outside on the bleachers, you're actually looking out over people's heads. 

U: And finally, are there any particular aspects of the design or spaces which really excite you? 

JC: I think the biggest challenge for us was the demolition of what was a much loved stand, that served the club well for nearly 100 years and in doing so, we're mindful of the destruction of some of the history of that club.  

At the same time, the club and ourselves wanted a very contemporary building that was forward looking and would take the club forward for the next 100 years but without losing some of the qualities.  

The challenge then became how do you maintain and ensure the history of a club that is founded on a rich tradition isn't lost while creating new built form? The memories of members are associated largely with the old stand and I thought we had a responsibility to craft a new memory, but take along some of the aspects of the past without it being cheesy, but was also contemporary. And I think we achieved that.  

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/281718499" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe>

<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://vimeo.com/281718499">The new Club Stand, Victoria Racing Club</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/batessmart">Bates Smart</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.

Lead Image Credit: Pat Scala. (L-R) Graham Cottam (Multiplex), Kristen Whittle (Bates Smart), Amanda Elliott (VRC Chariman), Jeff Copolov (Bates Smart)
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Laurence Dragomir

Bates Smart celebrates the completion of the new Club Stand for the Victorian Racing Club 

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Multiplex, a global contractor, has completed the Victoria Racing Club’s (VRC) new $128 million Club Stand at the Flemington Racecourse.
Designed by Bates Smart Architects, the five-level Club Stand (pictured above) is the 10th grandstand to be built at Flemington since 1865.
VRC Chairman Amanda Elliott said the Club is delighted to reach this significant milestone ahead of its hallmark events in the spring racing season.
According to Multiplex, construction of The Club Stand generated an estimated 350 full-time equivalent jobs over the 18-month construction period with a peak workforce of 435 workers on site.
<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/2018/8/3/Flem%202.jpg" alt="">
 
Approximately 1,500 tonnes of steel were used during construction with one tower crane and up to six mobile cranes on-site each day during the main structural steel construction period.
It offers 360-degree views of the Mounting Yard, race track, Members Lawn, Parade Ring, Betting Ring and Winning Post.
Multiplex recently completed a similar project, the redevelopment of Randwick Racecourse (pictured below) for Australian Turf Club in 2013.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/3/Randy%20race.JPG" alt="">
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New Flemington racecourse club stand has been completed

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The western edge of Melbourne's CBD is a flurry with construction activity as a number of projects are currently underway along Spencer Street. Once derided as Melbourne's arse end, the burgeoning <a href="/developments/docklands-vic-3008">Docklands</a> precinct and redevelopment of the former Spencer Street Station (remember that?) into Southern Cross Station have provided the catalyst for the Street's metamorphosis into a high-rise neighbourhood.

Developments such as Liberty Tower (Elenberg Fraser's first high-rise), Far East Consortium's multi-tower Upper West Side on the site of the former Lonsdale Street power station, and Media House amongst others have all contributed to lifting Spencer Street's profile over the last 20 years.

In more recent years the pace has really picked up with Spencer Street not only going up in terms of height but also branching out with development towards West Melbourne. With that in mind let's take a look at the current construction pipleline along Spencer Street.

<h2><a href="/buildings/melbourne-village-377-spencer-street-west-melbourne">Melbourne Village </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/melbourne_village.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Village. Images: Deague Group | Urban.com.au forumer redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="233" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/melbourne_village.jpg?itok=5XVgL6c1" title="Melbourne Village. Images: Deague Group | Urban.com.au forumer redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Village. Images: Deague Group | Apartments.com.au forumer redden</figcaption></figure>The Deague Group's Melbourne Village development will upon completion comprise 496 apartments, 33 townhouses as well as commercial office space within two towers. 

Covering a 3,800 sqm site at 83-113 Batman Street, Asian Pacific Group's purchased the site with approval for dual 27-storey towers designed by Bruce Henderson Architects.

The walls of the red brick podium have been erected with builder Maxcon making good progress with the cores beginning to make their mark on the West Melbourne skyline.

<h2><a href="/buildings/west-end-185-rosslyn-street-west-melbourne">West End </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/west_end_aug18.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="West End site works have finally commenced. Images: Trennery Property | Urban.com.au forumer redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="190" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/west_end_aug18.jpg?itok=CwnbKgBO" title="West End site works have finally commenced. Images: Trennery Property | Urban.com.au forumer redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>West End site works have finally commenced. Images: Trennery Property | Apartments.com.au forumer redden</figcaption></figure>Trennery Property's five building 'village' development has finally commenced onsite with excavation now underway to deliver the project that includes an impressive roll call of designers including ARM, CHT, Carr, Six Degrees, Mim Design and Hecker Guthrie.

Key elements of the $300 million include a 92-room, 4.5 star Adina hotel, a 600 sqm public park, a supermarket, specialty stores, restaurants and cafes in addition to a north-south public arcade Rosslyn and Dudley Streets.

<h2><a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">311 Spencer Street </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/311_spencer_mb.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The new Victoria Police Centre. Images: Cbus Property | Mark Baljak "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="238" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/311_spencer_mb.jpg?itok=SPRO_zUS" title="The new Victoria Police Centre. Images: Cbus Property | Mark Baljak " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The new Victoria Police Centre. Images: Cbus Property | Mark Baljak</figcaption></figure>Probuild is making heady progress on Cbus Property's 311 Spencer Street project, with facade installation now underway.

The new 39-storey Victoria Police Centre will join the existing City West Police Complex also designed by Woods Bagot.

Upon completion the project will inject approximately 65,500 sqm of A-grade office space, further adding to the street's emerging high-rise character and providing it with diversity of programme.

<h2><a href="/buildings/premier-tower-134-160-spencer-street-melbourne">Premier Tower </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/premier_tower_lozza.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Premier Tower's structure has now cleared the podium levels. Images: Elenberg Fraser | SSC forumer lozza"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="295" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/premier_tower_lozza.jpg?itok=mpoysXCR" title="Premier Tower's structure has now cleared the podium levels. Images: Elenberg Fraser | SSC forumer lozza" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Premier Tower's structure has now cleared the podium levels. Images: Elenberg Fraser | SSC forumer lozza</figcaption></figure>Construction on Elenberg Fraser's Beyonce-inspired building for Fragrance Group is beginning to move at pace, following a slow start in getting out of the ground due to difficult ground conditions.

Multiplex has progressed Premier Tower's core it be well above the podium levels, while the first of the tower's floors are being formed.

The first traces of the 249m tower's silver glazing are still some way off, in stark contrast to the brown brick perimeter walls of the former Savoy Tavern that used to occupy the site.

<h2><a href="/buildings/west-side-place-melbourne-250-spencer-street-melbourne-vic-3000">West Side Place </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/west_side_place_aug18.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Stage one of West Side Place. Images: Far East Consortium | Urban.com.au forumer redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="286" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/west_side_place_aug18.jpg?itok=XETvdtlZ" title="Stage one of West Side Place. Images: Far East Consortium | Urban.com.au forumer redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Stage one of West Side Place. Images: Far East Consortium | Apartments.com.au forumer redden</figcaption></figure>Another project with Probuild at the helm, Far East Consortium's West Side Place takes the tier one builder's crane count on Spencer Street to eight.

The first stage of the Cottee Parker-designed quad tower development includes the 263 room Ritz-Carlton in addition to 1,376 apartments across two towers of 81 and 62-storeys.

Occupying the site of the former Age building which drew constant comparisons with Soviet-era architecture, the development has begun emerging out of the ground, with the cores rising above street level.

Along with 311 Spencer Street it is an impressive sight as you come down Lonsdale Street and you are greeted with cranes galore.
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The rise and rise of  Melbourne's Spencer Street

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The rise of Melbourne's tallest building has reached a noteworthy milestone.

Stage 1 of Australia 108 has achieved practical completion with 277 apartments and level 11 amenities now complete. As has become common practice elsewhere across Melbourne skyscrapers, residents will begin moving in this month whilst the balance of the tower is being built above.

Head contractor Multiplex currently has level 60 of 101 in the jump form with the floorplate at level 53. According to Project Manager Sinclair Brook, the next staged completion handover will see levels 31 to 67 ready for occupancy.

Lower level communal areas and the lobby space have been completed, allowing residents to come and go as they please, whilst workers will access the upper floors via a separate site entrance. Multiplex have advanced the floorplate more than 20 levels above the completed apartments, allowing for a substantial noise buffer zone.

<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_1321.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Podium planters in place"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1321.jpg?itok=xnyUJ0zp" title="Podium planters in place" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Podium planters in place</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
This is a historic moment for this iconic project, which is not only on its way to becoming Melbourne’s tallest building but will also house the highest residences in the Southern Hemisphere. We extend a warm welcome to all of our inaugural residents who will now call this iconic address home.

With construction well advanced, we have a limited edition of three-bedroom apartments available in this iconic building for those interested in purchasing within a future landmark on Melbourne’s skyline
<cite>World Class Global CEO David Ng</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
We are delighted to be progressing as expected and have drawn on our technical expertise in delivering high-rise residential towers within the CBD environment. This country hasn’t seen a project like Australia 108 from a sheer numbers perspective.

If we look at the glass façade alone, all up some 2,500 tonnes of glass spanning 47,000 square metres will be used to create the tower’s innovative façade.
<cite>Multiplex Regional Managing Director Graham Cottam</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/img_1337.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Australia 108's dominating presence"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="1002" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1337.jpg?itok=yIv1p1Bx" title="Australia 108's dominating presence" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Australia 108's dominating presence</figcaption></figure>Melburnians will have their chance to see what will become the <a href="/buildings/australia-108-southbank-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">Southern Hemisphere's tallest building</a> up close and personal during this year's Open House Melbourne.

Project architect Fender Katsalidis will host tours of the site over Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th of July, with booking available via the Open House Melbourne <a href="http://Openhousemelbourne.org">webpage</a>. Those who take the tour will get a chance to visit the tower's early amenities and common areas, with a host of other design features yet to materialise.

The tower’s golden Starburst, which will include two full floors of private amenities 210 metres above street level, is on target to be lifted into place early next year. It along with the undulating facade give Australia 108 its unique look.

According to the development team each facade pane weighs between 200-300 kilograms and measures approximately 4.5 square metres in area. The 2,500 tonnes of facade glass alongside 71,000 cubic metres of concrete will combine to form the structural backbone of Australia 108.

Developer World Class Global has noted that of the tower's 1,105 apartments, 19 remain for sale with all located above level 71. Australia 108's 750 square metre penthouse distinguished itself as Australia’s most expensive apartment when it sold to a Chinese buyer for $25 million during April 2015.

Lead image: Sinclair Brook
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Australia 108 reaches a significant construction marker, included within Open House 2018

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Builder Multiplex will deliver the final stage of Brisbane Quarter, continuing their presence onsite which has seen earlier commercial and hotel stages realised under the mixed-use project.

The 84-storey residential tower is being backed by Shayher Group; Brisbane Quarter along with Melbourne's Pentridge Coburg represent the developer's current Australian projects. Dubbed The One, the 263 metre residential tower is also the latest high profile, high-rise development successfully secured by Multiplex.

This month's instalment of the tier one builder for the project's final stage build will see the $300 million 84 level residential tower aim for an anticipated completion date of late 2021.

The One's basic podium structure is in place, delivered as part of earlier site works.

<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/image70_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="May progress across Brisbane Quarter. Image: Aussie Bhoy (Skyscrapecity)"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="401" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image70_8.jpg?itok=xR3TZEgj" title="May progress across Brisbane Quarter. Image: Aussie Bhoy (Skyscrapecity)" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>May progress across Brisbane Quarter. Image: Aussie Bhoy-Skyscrapecity</figcaption></figure>Shayher Group has successfully landed W Hotel to its 34 level hotel component which is nearing completion, whilst Multiplex are progressing a 42 level commercial tower with an eye toward completion mid next year.

The One's comparatively small floorplates at approximately 900 square metres will see the tower form shoot up relatively quickly. Expected within the tower are 76 one bedroom, 286 two bedroom and 87 three bedroom apartments, whilst 18 four bedroom apartments and three penthouses constitute the tower's premium living component.

Multiplex will also oversee the creation of dual swimming pools as well as various other amenities such as a cinema and gym.

The rapid progression of Brisbane Quarter is in contrast to Shayher Group's roll out of their Melbourne development.

<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/image1_7_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="21 Pentridge Boulevard is a Shayher Group project in waiting"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image1_7_0.jpg?itok=jzhuOHD6" title="21 Pentridge Boulevard is a Shayher Group project in waiting" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>21 Pentridge Boulevard is a Shayher Group project in waiting</figcaption></figure>The developer has taken a more measured approach with their Pentridge Coburg project which will account for much of the former Melbourne prison. Pentridge Coburg will ultimately provide Shayher Group 18 separate development lots under the <a href="http://pentridgecoburg.com.au/masterplan/">project masterplan</a>.

For now though Construction Engineering is undertaking a current build that will see a new central retail building created consisting of a cinema complex, supermarket and specialty shops over two levels. To date Shayher Group has only pursued one apartment development of note onsite; Horizon Apartments consists of 53 apartments over two 6 level buildings.

Towers though are envisaged for forthcoming stages of Pentridge Village. 

21 Pentridge Boulevard is an approved Particular-designed apartment buildings containing 190 apartments. The adjoining 19 Pentridge Boulevard was slated for a Cox Architecture-designed hotel and apartment tower, although VCAT earlier this year requested that be project be redesigned.
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Shayher Group's The One begins construction; Pentridge Coburg awaits

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Multiplex has been appointed by Winten Property Group to deliver its $1 billion 1 Denison Street commercial office tower in North Sydney.
The 37-level commercial office tower will be the largest and tallest building within the North Sydney CBD.
Providing more than 60,000 square metres of premium office space and basement parking for 225 cars, it was designed by architects Bates Smart.
A signature feature of 1 Denison Street is the public forecourt area with a fusion of urban structures and natural features as well as retail, restaurants and bars over two levels.
“We are excited to move forward with Multiplex and continue to deliver our latest office tower to North Sydney, which will become the new home of the Nine Network,” said Stuart Vaughan, development director at Winten Property Group.
Nine Network has committed to a 17,700 square metre lease in the building which will house its newsroom and studios.
Innovative features of the tower design include a side core, providing super-sized contiguous floor plates of 2,000 square metres – the largest available in the North Sydney CBD office market.
The generous floorplate designs with raised floors also deliver maximum flexibility to create dynamic interconnected spaces across and between floors.
<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/2018/5/9/Dennison_2.jpg" alt="">
It also offers natural light and views from all sides with panoramic Sydney Harbour views from upper levels.
With sustainability underwriting its design, 1 Denison Street has been designed to meet 5 Star Green Star, 5 Star NABERS and Wellness Rated standards.
1 Denison Street is scheduled for completion in 2020.
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Multiplex to build Channel 9's new North Sydney HQ

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Multiplex has been appointed by the Trades Hall &amp; Literary Institute to work on the Trades Hall Living Heritage Project, funded by the State Government of Victoria.
Multiplex will undertake restoration and refurbishment works to the historic three-level Trades Hall building in Victoria Street, Carlton.
Victoria’s Trades Hall is Australia’s oldest and largest trades hall. The prominent Carlton landmark continues to serve as a hub for union organisation
It was constructed in 10 stages, the most significant occurring between 1876 to 1925.
The Trades Hall Living Heritage Project is led by architect and heritage consultant Lovell Chen.
The project focuses on conservation works and refurbishment for the main public spaces in the 3,800 square metre heritage-listed building.
Works include refurbishment to the New Council Chamber and building services upgrades.
A key driver of the project is to open up the historic building and enable public access.
“We are delighted to be appointed to restore Trades Hall and breathe new life into this historic Carlton building,” said Graham Cottam, Regional Managing Director Multiplex Victoria.
This is one of the first major building projects to benefit from the Government’s recently establishedLiving Heritage Grants Program.
The grant funding is enabling the refurbishment project, plus essential conservation and activation works such as roofing works and repairs to the Lygon Street portico.
Detailed conservation works will include the specialist restoration of several of the main interiors, including those in the Old Council Chamber (pictured below), and the New and Old Ballrooms. The Old Council Chamber officially opened in 1884.
The original 1880s decorative scheme, including significant portraits and elaborate wall treatments, is the work of prominent decorators of the period, C.S. Paterson Brothers.
<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/2018/5/2/Old%20Council%20Chambers.jpg" alt="">
The Trades Hall Living Heritage Project is scheduled for completion in mid-2019.
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Multiplex appointed to Trades Hall, Carlton restoration 

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Multiplex, a leading global contractor, has reached a major construction milestone Topping Out the fifth and final commercial office tower that will complete Walker Corporation’s $2.5 billion landmark Collins Square development located at 727 Collins Street in Melbourne CBD.
The $126 million tower spans 33-levels and is 117 metres high. It will provide a total net lettable area of approximately 40,000 square metres of commercial office space.
Designed by high-profile architects Woods Bagot, the fifth tower will feature high quality office space with an architectural curtain wall façade to provide a light-filled spacious entry and public circulation space.
“We are delighted to reach Topping Out stage at Tower 5, bringing us one step closer to the completion of Collins Square,” said Graham Cottam, Regional Managing Director of Multiplex Victoria.
“The smooth delivery of this substantial project is a reflection of our on-going collaboration with Walker Corporation, which will see Multiplex delivering four of the five towers upon completion of the entire precinct.”
According to Multiplex, some 450 people have worked on-site to date, with a total of 22,000 cubic metres of concrete used to get the final tower to its 33-level height. Completion is on track for October, 2018.
Collins Square is one of the largest commercial office developments in Australia. Spanning an entire city block, it consists of five commercial office buildings providing a combined total of more than 200,000 square metres of net lettable area.
The Collins Square development has a Green Star Design and As Built v3 Rating as well as NABERS Energy 5 Star Rating due to its use of a Tri-Generation system for producing power; along with the rainwater harvesting system and water efficient fixtures and fittings.
Multiplex has completed a number of commercial projects across Melbourne over the past few years including Cbus Properties Medibank office at 720 Bourke Street, National Australia Bank building at 700 Bourke Street and Queensland Investment Corporations development in Collins Street.
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