National property developer Goldfields has secured permit approval and appointed Victorian residential builder Ironside to begin work on The Brightly, an 11-storey, wellness and lifestyle-focused mixed-use development in Richmond.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/goldfields-group">Goldfields</a> has partnered with Dexus Real Estate Partnership Fund 1 (DREP 1) as co-investor and delivery partner in the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-brightly-9-15-brighton-street-richmond-vic-3121">Brighton Street project</a>.

With architecture and interiors by design practice Cera Stribley, The Brightly will feature 100 apartments, a resident-only wellness space, elevated dining experiences including a private dining room and a rooftop garden lounge, and ground-floor retail designed to integrate with Richmond’s local character.

The wellness space will feature a hot magnesium pool, cold plunge, steam room, sauna, and a vitamin-infused drinking station for refreshment and rehydration.

The Brightly’s focus on wellness extends to the rooftop landscaped by award-winning landscape architect Jack Merlo. It will feature canopied retreats and panoramic views of the Melbourne CBD and Richmond Hill treetops. Residents can also host guests with a private bookable dining space on the rooftop garden lounge and an indoor option on the first level.

Cera Stribley’s architectural vision drew inspiration from the surrounding area, using the flowing form of the train lines to shape the façade and create a dialogue between the building and Richmond’s rich history. The design features a four-level podium lined with lush greenery, honouring the suburb’s character and streetscape through its scale and materials.

There will be a choice&nbsp;of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, along with 19 exclusive sub-penthouses and penthouses, for prospective purchasers.

Lachlan Thompson, Goldfields’ CEO, said The Brightly will define a new kind of urban luxury for Inner East living.

“By drawing on Richmond’s vibrant mix of culture and hospitality, we’ve combined a lifestyle centred on wellness,” Thompson said.

“Its proximity to Melbourne's sports and entertainment precinct, the CBD, parks, and public transport makes it a prime location for both young professionals and those seeking a lifestyle change. What we’ve created is something remarkable - it’s real, it's Richmond, and it’s refined."

Dexus Real Estate Partnership Fund 1 Fund Manager, Jason Howes, said the Brightly is a high-quality investment in a high demand area with limited residential stock expected to be added in the coming years.

“Partnering with Goldfields, we are delivering a project that will redefine lifestyle focused urban living, offering residents exceptional design and amenities in one of Melbourne's most vibrant suburbs,” he said.

Onsite demolition is underway, with construction set to commence in April 2026 and completion targeted for late 2027. The Brightly will launch to market in mid-2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146631]

Joel Robinson

Goldfields greenlit for The Brightly, Richmond apartment development

The Allan Labor Government has revealed the remaining 23&nbsp;Train and Tram Zone Activity Centres as part of their plan to try and encourage development around some of Melbourne's most connected suburbs.

The new zones includes&nbsp;four smaller ‘neighbourhood centres’ to plan for more modest growth.

<ul>
	<li>Five are connected to the new Metro Tunnel and are now experiencing more services: Caulfield, Springvale, Noble Park, Yarraman (neighbourhood centre), and Dandenong stations.</li>
	<li>Eight are along the Frankston Line, which has recently returned to the City Loop: Hawksburn, Toorak (Beatty Avenue), Armadale (High Street), Malvern (Glenferrie Road), Glen Huntly, Ormond, Bentleigh, and Mentone stations</li>
	<li>Four are along the Sandringham Line, which will see an increase in services later this year: South Yarra, Prahran, Windsor and Elsternwick stations</li>
	<li>Three are on the Belgrave/Lilydale Line and benefit from five-minute peak services on average between Ringwood and the city: Blackburn, Nunawading, and Mitcham stations</li>
	<li>Two neighbourhood centres on the Alamein Line: Ashburton Station, plus a combined centre for the two closest stations on the metropolitan network Riversdale &amp; Willison stations</li>
	<li>One neighbourhood centre, Toorak Village, is a built-up area along the Route 58 tram.</li>
</ul>

The <a href="https://spatial.planning.vic.gov.au/activitycentre/">draft maps</a> will now be subject to detailed community consultation.

A similar process occurred for the first 10 pilot Activity Centres, with clear changes made as a direct result of this community consultation.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/vic/50-new-train-and-tram-zone-activity-centres-to-encourage-new-apartment-development-across-melbourne">50 new ‘train and tram zone’ activity centres to encourage new apartment development across Melbourne</a>

The final train and tram zones will set clear expectations on where new homes can go, cutting out delays, uncertainty and red tape and getting homes off the ground. The remaining two in inner-Melbourne that cover the entire Local Government Areas of Melbourne and Yarra, will go through a separate process.

In the immediate ‘core’ the plans allow for more homes in taller apartment buildings.&nbsp;Some cores have heights of six storeys, while others have up to 20 storeys, only when it is in line with those councils’ planning work.

Eligible buildings across the core will be ‘deemed to comply’ with planning rules and be exempt from VCAT review. Applications in the core that exceed the specified height of the site are not eligible for this fast-tracked pathway.

In the walkable catchments that surround the core, the plans propose gentler height limits and more low-rise apartments and townhouses. Heritage and landscape overlays will stay in place.

Inner catchments, representing up to a five-minute walk from the station or centre, propose limits of four storeys, or six storeys on larger blocks of more than 1,000 sqm, while outer catchments, representing up to a 10-minute walk from the station or centre, propose limits of three storeys, or four storeys on larger blocks of more than 1,000 sqm.

By 2051, train and tram zones will help deliver more than 300,000 new homes, with final plans for all 50 new centres expected to be completed by mid this year.

“We want more Victorians to have the opportunity to live close to public transport, their loved ones, and the things that matter to them,"&nbsp;Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny said.

“Whether it’s making it easier to build homes close to public transport, townhouses in our inner suburbs, or family homes with a backyard, our planning reforms are all about giving more Victorians real housing choice.

“While we’re focused on giving more young Victorians the opportunity to have a home of their own, the Liberals are blocking them from being built. They oppose more homes near transport, jobs and services.”

Toorak and South Yarra earmarked for greater density as VIC Gov releases final Train and Tram Zone Activity Centres

Glen Waverley’s housing shortage is set to be closed by 50 per cent with the approval of 795 new apartments which will rise from a former carp park in the heart of the suburb.

The plans, lodged by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sunkin-property-group">Sunkin Property Group</a> and now approved by the Victorian State Government Development Facilitation Program, will transform the 6,114 sqm carpark at 281 Springvale Road, into an $800 million, mixed-use residential and commercial development in the metropolitan activity centre.&nbsp;

“281 Springvale Road has received planning approval for a mixed-use, high-density development that will provide much needed homes in Melbourne’s middle-ring suburbs, including affordable housing," Sunkin's GM of Property and Development Lloyd Collins says.

"We worked closely with key stakeholders, the Department of Transport and Planning, Suburban Rail Loop Authority and Monash City Council to achieve an integrated design with an activated retail ground level that will add to the success of Glen Waverley.

Glen Waverley’s population is projected to grow by 9 per cent by 2031, with an additional 1,600 dwellings required to &nbsp;service the area.

Around 1,000 sqm of the former carpark has been retained by Monash City Council for a new Civic Plaza, creating a central meeting point and public transport link for the local community. &nbsp;

Sunkin Property Group acquired the site from Monash City Council in 2024. The site will remain open as a public carpark until development commences.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149491]

$800 million, 800-unit development permit fast-tracked for Glen Waverley carpark

UAE developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/arada">Arada</a> is continuing to unveil its billions of dollars of residential development it is set to deliver in Australia.

Following on its plans for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/arada-pitches-castle-hill-apartment-plans-ahead-of-2026-launch">431 apartments in Castle Hill</a>&nbsp;and the 2025 bail-out of construction firm Roberts &amp; Co so it can build its own developments, Arada&nbsp;has sought the NSW Government's approval for three towers in the Campsie town centre.

The project, dubbed One Campsie, has been designed by Woods Bagot and will deliver 346 apartments to Beamish Street across three interconnected towers rising 24, 32, and 39 storeys.

According to the Woods Bagot Architectural Design Report, the design seeks to “redefine the urban experience of a rapidly transforming town centre,” delivering housing above an activated ground plane that integrates civic and commercial uses. The design adopts a three-part vertical composition, stepping and articulating the tower to reduce visual bulk and respond to its varied urban interfaces.

<img alt="First Look: Arada unveils 39-storey mixed-use tower for Campsie town centre in State Significant Development bid" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f515807f-7277-4ea5-8b2b-a5718514f30a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campsie%20podium.png?VersionId=J3oSJpOvye8gpg1kjagODjdhOb0Cl28I" />

At street level, the scheme places significant emphasis on public domain upgrades. A new civic plaza is proposed opposite the Orion Theatre, alongside a landscaped pocket park and a through-site pedestrian link connecting Beamish Street to Campsie Street and Ninth Avenue. The Urban Design Justification Report states that the proposal “builds on Council’s Master Plan by applying a place-led urban design framework that responds to the site’s unique conditions and enhances pedestrian experience and public benefit.”

The documents note that the development aligns with the Master Plan’s intensification strategy for sites within walking distance of the Metro station, while seeking to retain solar access to key public spaces. As outlined in the Urban Design Report, the proposal delivers “intensification within walking distance of the Metro Station while retaining solar access to key parks."

<img alt="First Look: Arada unveils 39-storey mixed-use tower for Campsie town centre in State Significant Development bid" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="586ad606-a84f-49cc-b715-fc3ecb731205" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campsie%20podium%20a.png?VersionId=gNHaD.Os8yW4LVOdsJIdmmhlgQArs0Gm" />

Woods Bagot’s design narrative also draws on local history and Aboriginal cultural context. The Architectural Design Report references engagement with Wangal Country and the Cooks River landscape, seeking to embed a connection to Country through material selection, planting, and public art integration. The broader vision, as described in the report, is to create a building that functions as a “community catalyst, not only as a place to live, but as a vibrant destination for work and play that brings people together, supports local culture, and contributes meaningfully to the civic identity of Campsie.”

<img alt="First Look: Arada unveils 39-storey mixed-use tower for Campsie town centre in State Significant Development bid" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f1bc9a44-0c1a-4e3f-8b27-38070b0d2744" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_2.png?VersionId=1JmMWg6jOU1rPpS9hCxy8s8H48xc0EiM" />

Located at 124–142 Beamish Street and 16–18 Ninth Avenue, the site occupies a key stretch of Beamish Street, Campsie’s traditional high street, characterised by fine-grain retail, multicultural dining, and proximity to civic infrastructure including the Orion Theatre and Canterbury Civic Centre. The proposed civic plaza and pocket park aim to strengthen this interface, formalising connections between retail frontages, public transport, and community facilities.

If approved, One Campsie would mark one of the tallest and most ambitious additions to the suburb’s skyline, reflecting the broader shift toward higher-density living around transport nodes in Sydney’s middle-ring centres.

First Look: Arada files for trio of apartment towers in Campsie town centre

Syd​ney builder-developer Scion has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for a 22-storey mixed-use tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/96-anzac-avenue-west-ryde-nsw-2114">96 Anzac Avenue, West Ryde</a>, marking a significant step in the transformation of the Victoria Road gateway precinct.

Designed by Turner, the proposal would replace an ageing two-storey commercial building with 145 apartments and 29 co-living rooms, above ground-floor retail and three basement levels of parking.

The 3,149 sqm site sits just 150 metres from West Ryde train station, at the edge of the suburb’s retail core and diagonally opposite Anzac Park. It occupies a prominent corner with frontages to both Anzac Avenue and Victoria Road, positioning it as a key transition point between established residential neighbourhoods and the commercial centre.

The scheme is being advanced under the Housing Delivery Authority pathway as a State Significant Development, alongside a concurrent rezoning to lift the site’s height and floor space ratio controls.

Turner says in the Architectural Design Report that the proposal "responds to a unique opportunity to support the revitalisation of West Ryde through the delivery of a landmark development that combines high-quality residential offerings with enhanced public realm and active ground plane uses.”

Scion will be pushing height almost five times higher than what had been pitched for the site before.

Turner says the increased scale aligns with Council’s strategic direction for the precinct, including the West Ryde Town Centre Revitalisation Strategy (2019), the Draft Masterplan (2021), and the West Ryde–Meadowbank Renewal Strategy (2023).

“The increased height and density proposed aligns with Council’s evolving strategic direction for the precinct, as outlined in the Draft Revitalisation Strategy (2019), the 2021 Draft Masterplan, and the broader West Ryde–Meadowbank Renewal Strategy (2023), which collectively call for higher density, transit-oriented development and design excellence."

Turner describes the vision as establishing “a contemporary, mixed-use development that contributes positively to the West Ryde town centre.”

<img alt="West Ryde" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5c22c11-92b8-4ca6-b77b-b5848ae0176d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-02-12%20at%202.41.34%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=aom0z8azYDw7Hl6.A6vDbCom5ozZICn5" />

The architectural response has been shaped by the site’s gateway role along Victoria Road and its proximity to Anzac Park and surrounding heritage elements, including the Sydney Water pumping station opposite the site.

The design process also incorporated consultation around Connecting with Country principles. The design report outlines engagement with Cultural Heritage Consultants Artefact and Aunty Julie, a Burruberongal woman of the Darug Nation, informing planting selection, materiality and potential public art opportunities.

Turner says the scheme aims to optimise the site’s capacity while balancing yield and amenity.

“The proposed scheme seeks to optimise the site’s potential by balancing yield, amenity, and urban integration. It will deliver a high-quality, mixed-use precinct that supports West Ryde’s ongoing transformation into a connected, accessible, and liveable centre."

Scion recently completed the build of its own development, The Sterling in Lane Cove. They are currently building Chatham in West Ryde, just 500m from the new proposal. Those 62 apartments will complete later this year.

First look: Scion pitches tower plans for West Ryde

Peddle Thorp

The soon-to-be-completed mixed-use Box Hill development, Panorama, will feature two dedicated office levels from UCommune,&nbsp;Asia&rsquo;s largest co-working operator and NASDAQ listed company.

It will be UCommune&#39;s first move in to Australia.

Panorama, the 31-level building developed by&nbsp;Hexa Group, will have 396 apartments and&nbsp;the Hexa Space-UCommune, which will follow the pattern of UCommune&#39;s&nbsp;intelligent agile office ecosystem that provides members with flexible and cost-efficient office space solutions.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5131 project_image_fid=173645]

They signed a five-year deal, which will see&nbsp;UCommune provide a broad range of services including the design, operation, management, and marketing of the coworking space.

Panorama, designed by the&nbsp;award-winning design and architecture studio, Peddle Thorp, will also have offices,&nbsp;retail spaces, and eateries on the ground floor.

It is expected to complete construction in December.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5131 project_image_fid=173647]

Residents will have access to four&nbsp;rooftop terraces with gardens on levels six, eight, 28 and 29. The gym will also sit on level 28.

Entry to the building is through a modern lobby with&nbsp;light stone and ornate gold chandeliers. It leads to an expansive lounge.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5131 project_image_fid=173651]

All apartments feature floor-to-ceiling windows and&nbsp;generously-sized balconies.

Located in the heart of Box Hill&nbsp;as the gateway tower to the suburb, Panorama residents&nbsp;will be within arms reach of a number of&nbsp;restaurants and civic facilities, including&nbsp;Box Hill Central.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=5131]

Panorama, designed by the award-winning design and architecture studio, Peddle Thorp, will also have offices, retail spaces, and eateries on the ground floor

Hexa to offer two-level co-working space in mixed-use Box Hill apartment development, Panorama

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Relic in the sense that 96-102 Franklin Street was an application that dated back prior to the implementation of current planning laws which dictate the shape and feel of inner Melbourne's built form.

The Franklin Street application had originally reached planning during 2015, under the tenure of the previous Minister for Planning. Sought then was a <a href="/news/plus-architectures-shimmering-burbank-house-proposal-revealed">slimline residential tower designed by Plus Architecture</a> for residential developer Burbank.

Plus Architecture's interpretation consisted of a 177 metre, or 57 storey tower. Included were 270 dwellings set closely behind the existing building's historic 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/franklin2_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Plus Architecture's Franklin Street proposal is consigned to history"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="891" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/franklin2_0.jpg?itok=EosoIwX_" title="Plus Architecture's Franklin Street proposal is consigned to history" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Plus Architecture's Franklin Street proposal is consigned to history</figcaption></figure>Mirroring the sentiment at the time toward planning and development, particularly in the norther reaches of Melbourne's CBD, Burbank's application looked to maximise the built form onsite.

Akin to other projects that have transitioned through the period of planning law upheaval, 96-102 Franklin Street has been redesigned to a point where a planning permit was granted for a considerably altered tower form. Burbank have chosen to further amend the design of the site to a point where Melbourne City Council will preside of the fate of the current application.

The amended tower is less than 25,000 square metres and therefore Melbourne City Council will determine whether the latest Peddle Thorp-designed version will grace Melbourne's skyline. Peddle Thorp was also responsible for the design of Burbank's high density Mosaic Living project in Dandenong.

96-102 Franklin Street in its shortened form is now expected to include 26 offices tenancies across floors one to nine, with the balance of the 22 storey tower including 72 apartments.

<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/image2_16.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The comparatively modest Peddle Thorp-designed tower in situ"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="398" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image2_16.jpg?itok=iACxSPBu" title="The comparatively modest Peddle Thorp-designed tower in situ" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The comparatively modest Peddle Thorp-designed tower in situ</figcaption></figure>In addition to its vastly abbreviated height, the tower setback to the street has been expanded to 12 metres, allowing for the retention of both facade and interiors of the existing building to that depth. Serving as Burbank's CBD presence for many a year, the revised application also intends to remove the 'Burbank House' signage from the exterior.

Although Burbank may not be lost to the site. A 587 square metre commercial design studio and associated courtyard is designed into the ground floor; this will likely allow the current Burbank Edge Studio to remain onsite post development.

96-102 Franklin Street's pending final outcome effectively removes it from a dwindling list of planning applications predating the current planning law era that are still seeking resolution. Most notable are 139-141 Franklin Street and Southbank's 158 City Road which are both at appeal.
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silvermb

Cut down: A Franklin Street planning relic comes down to earth

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The mass migration of car dealerships from Essendon's Keilor Road is all but complete with the last super site at planning.

Holden's former dealership at 203-211 Keilor Road is now subject to a Peddle Thorp-designed scheme that would turn the sizeable 5,300 square metre site into a showcase of contemporary green design. The pending rebirth of the Holden dealership follows in the footsteps of similar sized lots along Keilor Road which have been developed or hold planning approval.

At Keilor road's expense, the bulk of car dealerships have chosen the expanses of the AutoCentro precinct within Essendon Fields.

Holden's departure is Panorama Investments Pty Ltd gain, the entity snared the site during a 2017 sales campaign. The proposal was lodged with City of Moonee Valley during March this year.

<h2>203-211 Keilor Road application summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image13_25.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Keilor Road perspective. Planning image: Peddle Thorp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="221" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image13_25.jpg?itok=CSywNhKa" title="Keilor Road perspective. Planning image: Peddle Thorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Keilor Road perspective. Planning image: Peddle Thorp</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Site area: 5303.52 sqm with a primary 110m frontage to Keilor Road</li>
	<li>Proposed 7 levels at 23.7m in height</li>
	<li>121 apartments: 17 x 1BR, 85 x 2BR, 19 x 3BR</li>
	<li>Ground floor retail/commercial space: 2,130sqm</li>
	<li>2 basement levels for 247 vehicles and 131 bicycles</li>
	<li>Internal green space/courtyard and rooftop terrace</li>
</ul>
Retail tenancies will front the primary Keilor Road frontage, along with the secondary Cooper Street and Roberts Street frontages. The design's southern aspect has chosen a particularly green method of addressing the neighbouring detached properties.

Vertical and horizontal green plantings boards serve to bolster privacy whilst also providing a softer, more aesthetically pleasing outlook form the perspective of existing adjoining properties. 

Between the green facade and Peddle Thorp's inclusion of design features such as elevated bridges and an angular build form expression to Keilor Road, 203-211 Keilor Road has been billed as capable of "setting a benchmark in urban design and architectural resolution for the area".

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image14_19.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Interface with adjoining detached properties. Planning image: Peddle Thorp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="275" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image14_19.jpg?itok=A63Luil6" title="Interface with adjoining detached properties. Planning image: Peddle Thorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Interface with adjoining detached properties. Planning image: Peddle Thorp</figcaption></figure>In the wider Keilor Road context, 203-211 Keilor Road is the latest project which adds to an already robust pipeline of projects. At construction is <a href="/buildings/parkside-apartments-64-keilor-road-essendon-north">Parkside Apartments</a> at 64 Keilor Road, whilst <a href="/buildings/curve-294-296-keilor-road-essendon-north">Curve Apartments</a> at 294-296 Keilor Road is awaiting the arrival of a builder onsite.

These projects combined will add approximately 125 apartments.

<a href="/new-apartments/113-keilor-road-essendon">113 Keilor Road</a> and 261 Keilor Road are more modest apartment projects in waiting, although two relative brutes stand to add 350 apartments between them. <a href="/new-apartments/144-160-keilor-road-essendon-north">144-160 Keilor Road</a> and <a href="/new-apartments/165-169-keilor-road-essendon">165-169 Keilor Road</a> are both substantial approved apartment projects, with the latter also accounting for a former car dealership.
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Keilor Road's last car dealership goes to apartments and goes super green

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Melbourne City Council earlier this week presided over a Melbourne Planning Scheme Amendment to apply an interim heritage overlay at 263-267 William Street. The move is in response to an application to develop a tower atop what is currently the Metropolitan Hotel.

During October last year an application covering the watering hole was lodged with the intentions of creating a commercial office tower atop the hotel. The application's status in now on hold, although plans for the tower may well proceed in time.

Mirroring a number of developments across the CBD in particular, the Metropolitan Hotel was identified as having individual heritage significance via City of Melbourne reviews, yet carries no heritage overlay.

Within the Report to the Future Melbourne (Heritage) Committee, heritage consultants Context cited the building as "having local historical and social significance to the City of Melbourne as ‘a representative example of a corner hotel building from the interwar period’ and in terms of use and typology is becoming rare in the central city."

Councillor Rohan Leppert noted that "Heritage Overlay" won't stop a tower, but could give the pub a lot more breathing space and some more dignity as a heritage building."

<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/image58_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Peddle Thorp's take on a reworked Metropolitan Hotel "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="676" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image58_6.jpg?itok=EyV5KQnC" title="Peddle Thorp's take on a reworked Metropolitan Hotel " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Peddle Thorp's take on a reworked Metropolitan Hotel</figcaption></figure>Architecture firm Peddle Thorp's initial design sought the partial demolition and construction of an office tower above the hotel. Spanning approximately 80 metres the tower holds 16 levels of dedicated commercial office space with a single basement level and a reinstated hotel at ground level.

Should the tower proceed it is possible that a setback to William Street will be included as part of a redesign.

The Metropolitan Hotel last changed hands in 2016 when CBRE City Sales were appointed to move the site; it subsequently <a href="https://www.cbre.com.au/about/media-center/04122016c">sold for $8.61 million to a local investor</a>. According to CBRE City Sales the sale reflected a yield of 2.38% - the strongest ever received for a Melbourne CBD pub.

The bid to redevelop the Metropolitan Hotel brings it into line with a number of historically significant buildings around the CBD and Southbank that are subject to development.

Urban.com.au recently covered the <a href="/news/russell-streets-theosophical-society-building-sees-new-hotel-application">intended demolition of the Melbourne Theosophical Society</a> at 124-130 Russell Street; another historic building that has no present heritage protection. Also last week Melbourne City council voted in favour of the <a href="/news/a-reworked-super-southbank-development-edges-closer-to-approval">partial demolition and subsequent tower</a> behind the Robur Tea Company building at 87-127 Queensbridge Street.

Other notably historic buildings subject to development include the former Great Western Hotel at 204 King Street and 244-248 Flinders Street which is awaiting a VCAT hearing.

Lead image: metropolitan.melbourne
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Council moves to contour a tower bid atop the Metropolitan Hotel

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A Fitzroy North institution is in line for an overhaul, as Piedimonte Developments Pty Ltd pushes through with an apartment complex on their current and well-recognised supermarket site.

The existing supermarket will be levelled, as will a number of adjoining properties, in order to make way for an expanded supermarket with residential living above. 27-45 Best Street and 102-114 Scotchmer Street are subject to the development application which was received by City of Yarra during August.

The proposal spans the prominent 3,715sqm corner site and carries a combined street frontage in excess of 100 metres.

Piedimonte Developments along with architect Peddle Thorp and town planners Contour Consultants have teamed on the proposal, asserting that the development would satisfy the need for urban consolidation on this strategically placed redevelopment site.

<h2>Piedimonte application summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image33_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression of the proposed development. Planning image: Peddle Thorp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="311" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image33_11.jpg?itok=77vN7SjP" title="Artist's impression of the proposed development. Planning image: Peddle Thorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist's impression of the proposed development. Planning image: Peddle Thorp</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Redevelopment spanning 7 storeys, highest point adjacent to Best Street</li>
	<li>Expanded supermarket over ground/mezzanine levels: 2,894sqm retail &amp; 1,763sqm back-of-house</li>
	<li>877sqm bottle shop</li>
	<li>89 apartments above: 23 x 1BR, 62 x 2BR, 4 x 3BR</li>
	<li>3 basement levels: 164 car parking spaces</li>
	<li>86 bicycle bays</li>
	<li>Amenity: roof garden and terraces</li>
	<li>Estimated cost of development: $45 million</li>
</ul>
<h2>Heritage retention</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/image36_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Scotchmer street frontage. Planning image: Contour Consultants"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="279" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image36_5.jpg?itok=zlJAkWMX" title="Scotchmer street frontage. Planning image: Contour Consultants" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Scotchmer street frontage. Planning image: Contour Consultants</figcaption></figure>The site includes lengthy street frontages, with an attempt made by the design team to visually manage built form across these interfaces by way of scaling new structures to match the existing streetscape.

Two separate existing frontages will be retained and restored as part of the development, owing to their heritage significance.  25-31 Best Street on the development's south-east corner and 102-114 Scotchmer Street which includes frontage to Egremont Street across the site's north-west corner will be incorporated.

Their facades will be restored, with the buildings retained to a depth of 3 metres.

<h2>Limited opportunity </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/image37_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The St Georges Road outlook is set for change. Planning image: Peddle Thorp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="403" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image37_7.jpg?itok=d21w95zO" title="The St Georges Road outlook is set for change. Planning image: Peddle Thorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The St Georges Road outlook is set for change. Planning image: Peddle Thorp</figcaption></figure>Piedimonte Developments' bid if successful would see the corner site join only a handful of contemporary apartment developments created in Fitzroy North. 

In recent years Adio Properties delivered Aquila Apartments nearby at 496-500 Brunswick Street, whilst Blue Earth Group was behind the creation of <a href="http://www.blueearth.com.au/completed/northwood">Northwood</a> at 392 St Georges Road. The latter project contains 71 apartments over 6 levels, with a retained heritage facade to St Georges Road.

Cranecorp have a current proposal adjoining Northwood at <a href="/buildings/georges-378-st-georges-road-fitzroy-north">378-390 St Georges Road</a>, although the highest profile development in the area is GURNER's bid for <a href="/new-apartments/26-56-queens-parade-fitzroy-north">26-56 Queens Parade</a>.

Approximately one kilometre from the Piedimonte site, that project is by far and away Fitzroy North's largest as GURNER pushes for near on 300 apartments plus townhouses within a COX Architecture-designed scheme.
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Piedimonte joins the development movement

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The tower dubbed 'Sol Invictus' may not have been conquered, but it is for sale.

Long after the initial media blitz extolling the virtues of the tower, going hand in hand with an explanation of its name, the now approved 48 Moray Street has been handed to Colliers. The agent along with ICR Property Group have been tasked with securing a new owner for the 1,173.5sqm site, which was granted approval during July.

At stake is the right to develop 287 apartments and 5 levels of commercial space encompassing approximately 3,000sqm.

Initially submitted at 60 levels, the approved 51 level outcome spans 48 Moray Street and 11-13 Hancock Street; the latter 168sqm site was approved for a super thin residential tower of 33 levels, but those plans have been incorporated into the current scheme.

<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/42moray1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="An earlier version of 48 Moray Street with significantly more street level flair. Image: Peddlr Thorp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="253" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/42moray1.jpg?itok=Gcf4nPYy" title="An earlier version of 48 Moray Street with significantly more street level flair. Image: Peddlr Thorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>An earlier version of 48 Moray Street with significantly more street level flair. Image: Peddlr Thorp</figcaption></figure>David Lock Associates provided town planning for the project, and described it as follows:

<blockquote>
The building itself is designed to be a landmark, and to set new benchmarks regarding ESD by way of cutting-edge mechanisms including architecturally-integrated solar panels that will offset a substantial portion of the development’s energy requirements.

Myriad public realm upgrades – including offsite pocket parks, freeway underpass upgrades and an architecturally designed pocket plaza - are also proposed as a means of repositioning Southbank as a high quality, enjoyable public destination.

‘The building has been designed to act as a landmark, and respond to its prominent location at the gateway to the City of Melbourne through the introduction of a distinct, curvilinear tower form within the existing urban morphology of Southbank. The building also ‘raises the bar’ within the local existing urban context through exemplary ground floor activation and public realm amenity.
</blockquote>

Referencing the sun god of the Roman Empire, Sol Invictus was billed as Australia's "first substantially off-the-grid, green energy-generating residential tower." 

This was to be achieved by incorporating solar cells in the facade of the tower, thus allowing a greater area to capture the sun's rays. Rooftop wind turbines and a battery storage system were also envisaged in the initial design for the tower.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/42moray2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="42 Moray Street as rendered into Southbank. Image: Colliers"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="607" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/42moray2.jpg?itok=Zw9jU395" title="42 Moray Street as rendered into Southbank. Image: Colliers" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The approved version of 48 Moray Street rendered into Southbank. Image: Colliers</figcaption></figure>Design nuances aside, the sale of 42 Moray Street comes at an interesting time for the wider Southbank apartment development market.

A handful of major Southbank development sites have been listed and have subsequently languished, as prospective buyers have been difficult to secure. 127-129 Kavanagh Street and 38 Freshwater Place are the two most noteworthy examples, having approvals in place for a combined 1,000 plus apartments, and having been offered for sale for some months.

296-306 City Road and 292 City Road have suffered the same fate; they are though non permitted sites.

58 Southbank Boulevard shapes as the current exception to the sluggish Southbank market. With its sales campaign closed, no word has yet filtered through on the site's fate.
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The 'Unconquered Sun' of Southbank goes up for sale

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Panorama Box Hill is shaping as the latest skyscraper project destined for the irrepressible eastern suburb.

Registrations of interest are now being taken for the predominantly residential development which looks set for a major Whitehorse Road land holding. No address for Panorama Box Hill has been given via the project website, perhaps because it's likely 826-828 Whitehorse Road which has yet to receive formal approval from City of Whitehorse.

Lodged during December 2016, 826-828 Whitehorse Road is still going through the planning rigmarole; it is the only Whitehorse Road site capable of accommodating such a large project at planning. Nonetheless the emergence of the Panorama Box Hill website is no doubt designed to test the waters prior to the project's eventual launch.

Peddle Thorp are the architects of choice, creating a "curvaceous design which transcends all design norms. Heralded as the future of modern living in Box Hill, a glass atria allow sunlight and air flow to all residences, for natural healthy living."

<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/image82_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Box Hill's latest living option. Image: panoramaboxhill.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="867" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image82_2.jpg?itok=x3jCrkea" title="Box Hill's latest living option. Image: panoramaboxhill.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Box Hill's latest living option. Image: panoramaboxhill.com.au</figcaption></figure>During July 2016 Savills agents Clinton Baxter and Nick Peden commented on 826-828 Whitehorse Road's sale.

<blockquote>
The sale is a tremendous endorsement of the Melbourne and Box Hill development market placing Box Hill property on a par with land rates being achieved close to Melbourne’s CBD, and demonstrating the development powerhouse that Box Hill has become in recent years.

The intense competition from prospective purchasers reflected an ongoing confidence in what has been a tremendous market in Melbourne generally, and in areas like Box Hill specifically, over the last few years.

The vendors were also fully cognisant of the tremendous strength of the Box Hill market, one of the strongest localised areas anywhere in Australia, and the opportunity to sell in the wake of Savills successful sale of the adjacent property at 820 Whitehorse Road for $18.18 million late last year at what was a record price.
<cite>Clinton Baxter and Nick Peden, Savills</cite>
</blockquote>

The wider media have reported that a Chinese developer had secured 826-828 Whitehorse Road for $30.8 million; a new Whitehorse record of $11,623 per sqm for the 2,650sqm 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/image84_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Panorama Box Hill. Image: panoramaboxhill.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="773" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image84_7.jpg?itok=TAPde1nc" title="Panorama Box Hill. Image: panoramaboxhill.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Panorama Box Hill. Image: panoramaboxhill.com.au</figcaption></figure>Conjecture regarding its location aside, Panorama Box Hill is pushing to become one of <a href="/developments/box-hill-vic-3128">Box Hill's tallest developments</a>.

Whitehorse Towers, Sky One Box Hill, East Central Tower and 845-851 Whitehorse Road all count themselves as having 30 levels or more, with Whitehorse Towers all but complete and Sky One Box Hill to emerge above ground in the coming months. Panorma Box Hill's floor count beyond 30 should see it join the suburb's club of talls.

Another prospective Box Hill tall is 837 Whitehorse Road. Lodged wit Council during May, the application seeks the right to construct a multi-level mixed use development comprising accommodation and a residential hotel. The 1,485sqm landholding is adjacent to 845-851 Whitehorse Road Box Hill which holds approval at 37 levels.

<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/image85_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Whitehorse Towers and early works for Sky One"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="359" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image85_0.jpg?itok=0erbAMsJ" title="Whitehorse Towers and early works for Sky One" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Whitehorse Towers and early works for Sky One</figcaption></figure>
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Another Box Hill brute emerges from the pack

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For differing reasons, City of Port Phillip's planning department is currently handling two highly interesting planning applications.

37-43 Park Street continues to gain height as it cycles through the planning process, with developer Milbex hoping an additional six floors can find favour with Council. 190-192 St Kilda Road on the other hand has stamped itself as one of 2016's more astute small-scale designs owing to its busy yet engaging design.

Both intended developments were lodged for assessment during the third quarter.

<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/image128_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Prospective views from 37-43 Park Street. Image: Milbex"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image128_1.jpg?itok=-U32lTtk" title="Prospective views from 37-43 Park Street. Image: Milbex" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Prospective views from 37-43 Park Street. Image: Milbex</figcaption></figure>South Melbourne's 37-43 Park Street began its planning process during 2014, with a new design submitted during mid-2015. Elenberg Fraser have remained the project's lead throughout, with the latest design iteration lodged during September.

Relative to the previously approved scheme, the current taller submission seeks the approval of an 18 level tower yielding 201 apartments, or an increase of 49 over the previous design. Additionally the tower's car spaces would expand from 81 to 120, bicycles from 132 to 164 and the overall height from 35 metres to 60 metres.

Although a reduction in ground floor retail space from 453sqm to 410sqm is envisaged, the project's renders depict an activated frontage to Park Street; something which is currently sorely missed. Ground floor will also see the elimination of car parking, with resident's amenities such as a gym, lounge and dining space installed.

Milbex has dubbed the project 39W, and it shapes as their largest residential development to date, nominally superseding the nearby Essence South Melbourne which holds 182 apartments and was completed during 2013.

<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/image129.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Park Street activation. Image: Milbex"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image129.jpg?itok=ZFdhf-7U" title="Park Street activation. Image: Milbex" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Park Street activation. Image: Milbex</figcaption></figure>190-192 St Kilda Road on the other hand is certainly one of the smaller planning applications to be covered by Apartments.com.au over the course of 2016.

A six storey mixed use development is called for, with three levels of office space amounting to 675sqm. Set above the commercial floors is a penthouse which carries 218sqm of internal space, including four bedrooms.

Designed by Peddle Thorp, 190-192 St Kilda Road also includes provisions for 22 vehicles across basement and ground levels.

<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/image132_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="190-192 St Kilda Road's design flair. Planning image: Peddle Thorp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="406" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image132_1.jpg?itok=At9aRpQJ" title="190-192 St Kilda Road's design flair. Planning image: Peddle Thorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>190-192 St Kilda Road's design flair. Planning image: Peddle Thorp</figcaption></figure>It is the application's ground level and exterior skin which make it a tantalising design prospect.

The ground floor cafe is the design highlight, with Peddle Thorp extending the curving interior outward. According to submitted documents, the project's brief was to emulate the project's name through form, and the result is a highly impressive street level activation.

Directly above the arcing and transparent ground level, Peddle Thorp have employed an angular mesh veil across the main commercial levels, with an eye toward distinguishing the project from others in the immediate vicinity. A green wall element will also be introduced across the building's rear.

A curving floor plate rounds out the highly meritorious application. All in all an eye-catching design.

<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/image130.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Arc's distinctive street level interface. Planning image: Peddle Thorp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="294" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image130.jpg?itok=ay5cM98j" title="The Arc's distinctive street level interface. Planning image: Peddle Thorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Arc's distinctive street level interface. Planning image: Peddle Thorp</figcaption></figure>
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City of Port Phillip deal with the tall and the short of it

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Burgeoning developer AZX Group's Melbourne presence continues to evolve with their latest project before State planning officers subject to recent revisions. The last parcel of land to be offered for sale surrounding Etihad Stadium, 685 La Trobe Street's reworked April 2016 plans show heavily activated frontages with two residential towers set above.

After securing the vacant site for a <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/business/property/azx-buys-docklands-site-20150728-gimakw">reported $31.1 million</a>, AZX Group are pursuing 629 apartments for the 4,411sqm site with Peddle Thorp Architects entrusted with the design.

AZX Group are expecting that the revised residential towers will replace an approved office scheme for the site. Designed by Bates Smart for then owner Charter Hall, the facility was to have offered <a href="http://www.flagshipgroup.com.au/projects/another-development/">35,000sqm of office accommodation in a project valued at $220 million.</a>

<h2>685 La Trobe Street development summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image17_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="685 La Trobe Street's northern elevation. Planning image: Peddle Thorp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image17_4.jpg?itok=O1SHsSMk" title="685 La Trobe Street's northern elevation. Planning image: Peddle Thorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>685 La Trobe Street's northern elevation. Planning image: Peddle Thorp</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Vacant site of 4,411sqm</li>
	<li>Dual towers with the taller at 74.5 metres</li>
	<li>629 apartments in total</li>
	<li>Tower 1: 140 x 1BR, 176 x 2BR, 3 x BR</li>
	<li>Tower 2: 59 x 1BR, 247 x 2BR, 4 x 3B </li>
	<li>Total retail NSA: 1,035sqm</li>
	<li>Provision for 373 bicycle bays and 103 car parking bays</li>
	<li>Project GFA: 62,614sqm</li>
</ul>
<h2>Public interface</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/image18_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Concourse level. Planning image: Peddle Thorp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="448" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image18_8.jpg?itok=mlvMciP8" title="Concourse level. Planning image: Peddle Thorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Concourse level. Planning image: Peddle Thorp</figcaption></figure>685 La Trobe Street is heavily activated with retail to three frontages over multiple levels, owing to the sloping nature of the site and Etihad Stadium's elevated concourse. 

Services to the development will for the most be confined to the westerly aspect which fronts a service lane, whilst an obligatory art installation will wrap the south-west corner of the development. In total 9 retail spaces wrap the development; a far stronger level of activation than a handful of neighbouring project that front Etihad Stadium.

The space separating both towers is expected to be finished with paving and areas of lawn which is a far cry from the barren concourse that currently surrounds Etihad Stadium.

685 La Trobe Street 's emphasis on interacting with its surrounds follows on from the <a href="http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-04-29/ambitious-plan-underway-to-upgrade-etihad-stadium">AFL's mooted plans to redevelop Etihad Stadium</a>'s environs should it gain control of the stadium earlier than the slated 2025 date. 

Incidentally the neighbouring site controlled by local developer Salta Properties has also headed back to planning post receiving approval for 383 apartments within a single tower. A new design for the prime corner site is expected.

<h2>AZX growing at pace</h2>

The developer has five apartment projects in play with a sixth looming in the shape of the balance of the former CUB site in Carlton, for which initial sketches show a very substantial tower in the works.

685 La Trobe Street's 600 plus apartments aside,our additional residential projects would swell the developer's pipeline by roughly 1,500 dwellings. The initial stage of <a href="/buildings/riverina-22-hopkins-street-footscray">Riverina</a> within Footscray's Joseph Road Precinct is under construction, leaving Bello on North Melbourne's Courtney Street as the project most likely to launch next.

AZX Group are very much indicative of the wave of Asian-backed property developers that have descended upon Melbourne in recent years.
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AZX Group's Docklands development rounds out the Stadium Precinct

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A development site with a long and varied history is back in focus as an application for a substantial residential tower continues to go through the necessary planning channels. 9-27 Downie Street with the south west corner of Melbourne's CBD is the site in question, intermittently finding itself in and out of the news over the past decade.

Once a site held by Key Securities Investments Group Pty Ltd, 9-27 Downie Street was to be rebirthed during 2002 as The Archer with 200 apartments within an Edgard Pirrotta-designed 35 level tower. Key Securities Investments Group Pty Ltd's subsequent demise laid low any plans for redevelopment of the site in the medium term.

With the site changing hands once more during 2014, developer Einwood Pty Ltd wasted little time in advancing plans for a 52 storey building onsite, lodging documents with the then DTPLI during November 2014. After receiving feedback identifying various design issues with the initial proposal, a revised scheme of some 38 levels was put forward during April 2015.

With the revised application in hand, Melbourne City Council has recently had its say on the proposal, deeming certain aspects of it, and particularly the lack of setbacks to Downie Street, unacceptable.

<h2>9-27 Downie Street, Melbourne application summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image146.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Differing views of the proposal's lower levels. Image courtesy Peddle Thorp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="412" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image146.jpg?itok=0J-rwQI2" title="Differing views of the proposal's lower levels. Image courtesy Peddle Thorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Differing views of the proposal's lower levels. Image courtesy Peddle Thorp</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Demolition of the existing structure over the 1,188sqm site</li>
	<li>Construction of a 38 level apartment tower at 118.8 metres in height</li>
	<li>335 apartments split between 150 x 1BR and 185 x 2BR dwellings</li>
	<li>Four retail tenancies to Downie Street, each with an area of 40-42sqm</li>
	<li>Level 34 communal area of 137.9sqm</li>
	<li>Proposal GFA: 27,893sqm</li>
	<li>Podium capacity for 101 vehicles and 139 bicycle spaces</li>
	<li>Nominal project value: $50 million</li>
</ul>
<h2>Form and materials</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/image149.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="East elevation. Image courtesy Peddle Thorp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="336" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image149.jpg?itok=AAfFb-sH" title="East elevation. Image courtesy Peddle Thorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>East elevation. Image courtesy Peddle Thorp</figcaption></figure>Given the tight nature of the site the proposal seeks to maximise its utilisation of available space. Over levels 2-7 the building extends as much as 950mm over Downie Street, constituting a podium of sorts with an overall height of 27 metres.

According to the Report to the Future Melbourne (Planning) Committee, setbacks to other boundaries include a minimum five metres over levels 9-33 from the south boundary, minimum five metres from the west boundary and zero to the northern site boundary.

Externally Peddle Thorp have employed a materials schedule that could be considered their signature of sorts. Tones of blue and black with white and precast horizontal elements are prevalent, with timber applied to the lower levels.

<h2>Melbourne City council have their say</h2>

As taken from the Report to the Future Melbourne (Planning) Committee, recommending that the proposal be rejected:

<blockquote>
The combination of podium level balconies overhanging Downie Street and minimal/zero setbacks from Downie Street at the tower levels will result in a building which will overwhelm the pedestrian, be visually intrusive and dominant from the public realm and create a canyon-like effect in Downie Street.

Tower setbacks from the south boundary represent an inadequate response to the potential for further development of the land to the south. The proposal also raises issues relating to the amenity of a number of bedrooms including west-facing saddle-back bedrooms which will experience relatively poor daylight and ventilation compared to that which would be provided by conventional windows.

The proposed building will overshadow Batman Park at 1 pm and 2 pm on 22 June, contrary to Clause 22.02 of the Melbourne Planning Scheme. 7. The changes to the development required to render it consistent with requirements of the Melbourne Planning Scheme are considered so significant that they cannot be addressed by conditions.
<cite>Report to the Future Melbourne (Planning) Committee, 7 July 2015</cite>
</blockquote>

The final decision will rest with DELWP and Planning Minister Richard Wynne. Interestingly enough Downie Street maintains two examples of towers sans podiums; the under construction <a href="/buildings/560-flinders-street-melbourne">560 Flinders Street</a> and the completed Eifel mixed-use tower at 8 Downie Street. Whether the precedence is maintained or broken with 9-27 Downie Street remains to be seen.

<h2>9-27 Downie Street, Melbourne development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Einwood Pty Ltd</li>
	<li>Architect: Peddle Thorp</li>
	<li>Planning: proUrban</li>
</ul>
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Peddle Thorp

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