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

Joel Robinson

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Planning

Burwood Highway&#39;s strengthening apartment market will soon be underscored by a new multi-level Quest Apartment Hotel development.

Crema Constructions has been anointed as the <a href="http://www.crema.com.au/project/quest-apartment-hotels/">builder of choice</a> for the project that has an estimated completion date of&nbsp;February 2019. At&nbsp;315-319 Burwood Highway, the K2LD Architects-designed Burwood East accommodation replaces an earlier purely residential design of roughly 100 apartments that was created by Plus Architecture for the site.

Developer&nbsp;OAM (Aust) Pty Ltd is backing the project that will now see&nbsp;91 Quest Apartments built across the expansive corner 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/image40_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Site specific designs by Plus Architecture and K2LD Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="202" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image40_8.jpg?itok=wPH_ntoU" title="Site specific designs by Plus Architecture and K2LD Architects" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Site specific designs by Plus Architecture and K2LD Architects</figcaption>
</figure>

West of&nbsp;315-319 Burwood Highway lies&nbsp;Deakin University&#39;s Melbourne Burwood Campus and&nbsp;RSPCA Victoria, although Quest will likely be targeting the numerous suburban corporate offices within walking distance, headlined by&nbsp;Motorola Australia and Hewlett Packard.

Currently, <a href="/developments/burwood-east-vic-3151">16 separate projects are sited upon Burwood Highway</a> within the Apartments.com.au Project Database, with further additions pending. All bar Quest&#39;s new endeavour are private residential apartments, amounting to some 738 new dwellings.

Despite the sizeable length of Burwood Highway, the vast majority of these 738 new dwellings are located within Burwood or Burwood East.

Latest to the&nbsp;Apartments.com.au Project Database is what shapes as the area&#39;s biggest proposal, at 380 Burwood Highway.

<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/image41_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hayball's design for 380 Burwood Highway."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="346" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image41_5.jpg?itok=fjmy15Mv" title="Hayball's design for 380 Burwood Highway." width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Hayball&#39;s design for 380 Burwood Highway.</figcaption>
</figure>

Sought for the site is a&nbsp;ten level mixed-use building that would account for the well known China Bar Signature restaurant.

Designed by Hayball and submitted for planning during August of last year, the new 380 Burwood Highway would include 122 apartments, an education centre, various green/outdoor terraces, 1,405&nbsp;square metres of office space&nbsp;and 3,050 square metres of retail/restricted retail space.

China Bar Signature is slated to take up a first floor tenancy of 1,109 square metres in the new building.

Covering a triangular 5,047 square metre site,&nbsp;380 Burwood Highway would be the area&#39;s tallest building if approved.

silvermb

Quest boosts an expanding Burwood Highway development scene

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City of Port Phillip will this week indicate that it has sufficient reason to object to two pending projects in Port Melbourne.

17 Rocklea Drive and 365-391 Plummer Street are both within the Wirraway Precinct of Fishermans Bend, and both projects are under the authority of the Minister for Planning. Nonetheless it has been recommended by internal planners that City of Port Phillip denies support for either application in their respective current forms.

The two proposals are controlled by separate entities, although it's been <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/business/property/third-street-plans-135b-in-fishermans-bend-projects-20170314-guxsae">reported </a>that Malvern-based Third Street is the developer of both projects, with Elenberg Fraser the common architect. The duo collaborated for Third Street's first Fishermans Bend project, dubbed <a href="/buildings/pm-port-melbourne-320-plummer-street-port-melbourne">PM Port Melbourne</a> which is approaching a construction start.

<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/image52_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Elenberg Fraser's Plummer Street scheme."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="341" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image52_5.jpg?itok=bLqf0x0X" title="Elenberg Fraser's Plummer Street scheme." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Elenberg Fraser's Plummer Street scheme.</figcaption></figure>In its current guise, 365-391 Plummer Street consists of 1,188 apartments backed by 985 car parks over three separate towers. A restaurant, café, sensory retreat, numerous retail spaces and supermarket support the residences; although there has been no provision for an affordable housing component.

Almost half the apartments are designated as single bedroom abodes (582), with the balance consisting of 494 dual bedroom and 112 triple bedroom dwellings.

Plans for the 19,410 square metre site nominates a new through block of 2,673 square metres as the development's public open space.

With 18 storeys above three ‘mezzanine’ storeys, 17 Rocklea Drive has a considerably smaller number of apartments planned. SoHo office/dwellings and apartments amount to 224, split between 131 single bedroom, 66 dual bedroom and  27 triple bedroom dwellings.

A cinema, health club, yoga room, oversized dining room, garden lounge, communal landscaped terrace, sky lounge, library, business club, meeting room, skyline pool, jacuzzi, and rooftop landscaped outdoor area headline the project's considerable amenities.

365-391 Plummer Street's Floor Area Ratio stands at 6.94:1, whilst 17 Rocklea Drive's is lower at 5.66:1.

<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/image53_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Elenberg Fraser have conceived Rockley Drive."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="475" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image53_4.jpg?itok=vzrsKO01" title="Elenberg Fraser have conceived Rockley Drive." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Elenberg Fraser have conceived Rockley Drive.</figcaption></figure>Although nominally against both projects in their current forms, City of Port Phillip have included a set of draft conditions for both in the likelihood that they will eventually gain approval.

For the Plummer Street development, Council has cited concerns in relation to "the amenity of dwellings including daylight access and outlook, lack of affordable housing and 3 bedroom dwellings, parking provision and design, loading and waste collection, bike parking provision and design, and sustainability."

City of Port Phillip has attached standard draft conditions to their report in order to assist VCAT should they determine to approve the proposal; these conditions are primarily focused on the inclusion of an affordable housing aspect. Beyond that Council has chosen to refrain from other conditions, citing the complexity of the application.

A number of issues surrounding Rocklea Drive pertain to "building height exceeding the mandatory maximum number of storeys, car park design...lack of diversity in housing types and sizes, wind impacts adjacent to and within the site, lack of affordable housing." Council also believes these issues can be ameliorated by conditions which would see the proposal modified.
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CoPP provides limited joy for two Fishermans Bend proposals

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The swirl of development activity in Footscray has found another gear as new projects are submitted for approval, or are on the verge of beginning construction.

Two separate planning applications have been advertised by Maribyrnong City Council; their subsequent addition to the Apartments.com.au Project Database has seen the overall number of apartment developments within Footscray in development swell to 40. These 40 projects represent approximately 7,350 new dwellings for postcode 3011.

Latest to the database is a proposal spanning multiple residential lots across 108-120 Cowper Street and 10 Parker Street, Footscray. FJP PTY LTD and RLWL PTY LTD hope to secure approval for the  2,414 square metre corner site.

Proposed is a five storey building of 68 apartments designed by Turco and Associates. 7 x 1 bedroom apartments, 57 x 2 bedroom apartments and 4 x 3 bedroom apartments constitute the living mix, with a café and basement parking for 69 vehicles also present.

Outdoor seating is associated with the café whilst a large landscaped atrium at the centre of the development adds to the project's amenity.

<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/image9_19.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A new Cowper Street interpretation. Planning image: Turco and Associates"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="268" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image9_19.jpg?itok=IN1e73_b" title="A new Cowper Street interpretation. Planning image: Turco and Associates" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A new Cowper Street interpretation. Image: Turco and Associates</figcaption></figure>Keystone Property Group also has another Footscray apartment project at planning, this time adjoining their near complete development at 90 Buckley Street.

The vacant block at 94-104 Buckley Street has been earmarked for a 10 storey mixed-use building comprising 4 retail tenancies over 326 square metres and 121 residential apartments. Holding a build value of $24 million, the project encompasses a 2,770 square metre tract of land which backs onto the Footscray rail corridor.

The apartment mix sees 44 x 1 bedroom, 73 x 2 bedroom and 4 x 3 bedroom apartments. 130 car spaces and 70 bicycle spaces, a swimming pool, seating areas and BBQ facilities are provided within the scheme created by Kavellaris Urban 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/image8bark.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Buckley Street continues to garner residential attention. Planning image: KUD"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="327" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image8bark.jpg?itok=kURUXoSm" title="Buckley Street continues to garner residential attention. Planning image: KUD" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Buckley Street continues to garner residential attention. Planning image: KUD</figcaption></figure>Nearby and construction starts are on the agenda within Footscray's Joseph Road Precinct, as two more projects prepare to break ground within the formerly industrial precinct which spans 7 hectares.

Stage One of Growland's Victoria Square project is at tender and is expected to carry a build value in excess of $100 million. Towers 3 and 4 of the six tower project will be constructed along with the podium building for a grand sum of 455 apartments and 8 commercial tenancies.

11 apartments are through the podium, whilst Tower 3 accommodates 276 apartments and Tower 4 houses 168.

Directly east of Victoria Square, Blue Earth Group have moved to initiate works at <a href="/buildings/boat-house-2-joseph-road-footscray">2 Hopkins Street</a>, with a piling rig indicating construction should begin shortly. River One and Boat House are the initial two releases within the development, consisting of hundreds of new apartments on the banks of the Maribyrnong River.

If history repeats itself, Hamilton Marino Builders will construct Blue Earth Group's multi-tower project.

<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/image4vicsqu.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Victoria Square above Footscray. Image: Growland"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="222" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image4vicsqu.jpg?itok=EXrktRoy" title="Victoria Square above Footscray. Image: Growland" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/buildings/victoria-square-8-hopkins-street-footscray">Victoria Square</a> above Footscray. Image: Growland</figcaption></figure>
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Footscray's churning apartment pipeline reaches 40 separate projects

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7,000 square metres of prime yet underutilised Brunswick real estate is heading down the path of urban regeneration.

342-348 Victoria Street had for generations been the home of Australian Licorice Company. Whilst production onsite may have ceased during 1985 the operation's redundant chimney takes pride of place over the site, so much so it is considered of "historic, social, architectural and scientific importance to the State of Victoria" by the Victorian Heritage Database.

With this in mind Fieldwork Architects have gone about creating a commercial, residential and retail precinct for the site that will see the chimney and associated firebox retained.

Carlton-based Australian Licorice Company Pty Ltd has instigated the site's redevelopment.

<h2>342-348 Victoria Street 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/image32_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Commercial component. Image: Fieldwork Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="430" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image32_11.jpg?itok=_KyDd8WD" title="Commercial component. Image: Fieldwork Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Commercial component. Image: Fieldwork Architects</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Submitted October 2017</li>
	<li>Cost of development: $82 million</li>
	<li>4 differing buildings from 3 to 11 levels in height or 36.7 metres</li>
	<li>Commercial space: 6,494 square metres</li>
	<li>177 dwellings: 67 x 1BR, 78 x 2BR, 6 x 3BR, 26 x townhouses</li>
	<li>8 retail tenancies covering 1,693 square metres</li>
	<li>2 basement levels: 10 motorbikes, 335 vehicles, 286 bicycles</li>
	<li>1,400 square metre public open plaza</li>
	<li>Communal areas</li>
</ul>
Accessibility to the adjoining Brunswick Railway Station will also be enhanced by way of new pedestrian links and expanded open space. The proposed development's demolition plans also requests the removal of kerb and street car parks along Rosser Street and Wilkinson Street, resulting in both streets becoming shared zones.

An expanded Upfield Bike Path also connects to the proposed development's public open plaza, promoting pedestrian traffic through the site to Victoria Street and Rosser Street. 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image33_12.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Typical Fieldwork finishes on show. Image: Fieldwork Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="395" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image33_12.jpg?itok=mhizIoW9" title="Typical Fieldwork finishes on show. Image: Fieldwork Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Typical Fieldwork finishes on show. Image: Fieldwork Architects</figcaption></figure>Visually 342-348 Victoria Street looks to be the aggregation of a number of previous Fieldwork Architects projects.

Aspects of the development mirrors the practice's <a href="http://www.fieldworkprojects.com.au/projects/249-queens-parade">249 Queens Parade</a>, and to a lesser extent 808 Sydney Road and <a href="/buildings/patch-fitzroy-north-243-queens-parade-fitzroy-north">243 Queens Parade</a>. The uniform 'veil' finish of Fieldworks Architects' <a href="http://www.fieldworkprojects.com.au/projects/cremorne-offices">Cremorne office design</a> is also reprised over certain elevations within 342-348 Victoria Street.

342-348 Victoria Street is the most recent, and largest, of three current Brunswick projects for Fieldworks Architects. The aforementioned 808 Sydney Road for PACE Development Group is well into construction whilst <a href="/buildings/one-wilson-avenue">1-7 Wilson Avenue</a> is at planning and consists of 61 apartments across 8 levels for Neometro.

<h2>Comment</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/image34_12.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ground level expectations. Image: Fieldwork Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="234" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image34_12.jpg?itok=XaeRvBb4" title="Ground level expectations. Image: Fieldwork Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ground level expectations. Image: Fieldwork Architects</figcaption></figure>City of Moreland is not short on large former industrial sites that have over time been redeveloped for residential purposes. Apartments.com.au has in the past highlighted the Tip Top Brunswick East as a prime example of what a large site can achieve at street level.

Conversely Ettaro Apartments also in Brunswick East is at the other end of the scale, in terms of a less than ideal street level character and activation outcome.

As per the early renders, 342-348 Victoria Street may well insert itself at the very pointy in that it could provide an exponentially superior finer grain outcome relative to most projects across Moreland and greater Melbourne for that matter. Scale, greenery, earthy materials (particularly brick), green spaces, heritage retention for adaptive reuse, enhanced transport links and pedestrian permeability; it sounds like the quintessential contemporary Melbourne urban regeneration development.

If the renders are a true indication, Brunswick is in line for a benchmark project.
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Urban regeneration grips Brunswick's massive Licorice Factory site

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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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In the planning sense, <a href="/new-apartments/melbourne-vic">Melbourne</a> currently finds itself coming off an all-time high. Whilst numerous large-scale projects are either at construction or have just been delivered, developers have been somewhat more hesitant to plough on with larger planning applications over the course of 2017.

In between project delivery and initiating the planning process for the next generation of noteworthy buildings, there still remains a mass of applications lodged during 2016 at arguably the tail end of the recent apartment development boom which only now are finding resolution. This tranche of large but not exceedingly large apartment and mixed-use projects will form the backbone of construction across Melbourne in the years to come.

After the turn of the new financial year, an abnormally large number of these pending projects have been given the green light across metropolitan Melbourne, making for a plumper development pipeline.

A cross-referencing of the Apartments.com.au Project Database with the planning platforms of various councils has yielded a substantial number of projects that have been approved in the past two months. Thousands of new apartments and hundreds of student accommodation beds across 20 major projects are now clear to proceed at the discretion of the respective developers.

Whilst August boomed for approvals, part one of this focus on the new wave of approvals will account for July 2017.

<h2><a href="/new-apartments/highett-vic-3190">Highett on top</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/image15_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Highett's new tallest. Image: Growland"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="601" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image15_10.jpg?itok=vwJ-mr8x" title="Highett's new tallest. Image: Growland" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Highett's new tallest. Image: Growland</figcaption></figure>VCAT paved the way for a planning permit to be granted during July for Highett's new tallest building.

Developer <a href="/developers/growland-group">Growland</a> has commenced soft marketing for what will eventually become <a href="/new-apartments/southpoint-highett-1233-nepean-highway-highett">HoriZon Highett</a>. At 13 levels the <a href="/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>-designed building opposite Southland comfortably out does any existing Highett buildings for height, and is expected to contain 200 plus dwellings.

<h2>PDG Corporation primed </h2>

Two of developer PDG Corporation's four forthcoming developments gained the green light during July.

<a href="/new-apartments/west-melbourne-vic-3003">West Melbourne's</a> <a href="/developments/west-melbourne-vic-3003">17-37 Abbotsford Street</a> and <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">611-681 Elizabeth Street</a> shape as two substantial projects for the developer who's current interests also include the Munro site at adjacent to QVM and a prospective Barkly Street, <a href="/new-apartments/brunswick-vic-3056">Brunswick</a> apartment block.

As initially submitted, 17-37 Abbotsford Street included 200 apartments and a healthy retail aspect, whilst the reworked Elizabeth Street development on the current Melbourne City Toyota site will also yield hundreds of new dwellings.

<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_14.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="West Melbourne and Elizabeth Street. Images: DKO Architecture and SJB Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="203" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image17_14.jpg?itok=ef9nvl8S" title="West Melbourne and Elizabeth Street. Images: DKO Architecture and SJB Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>West Melbourne and Elizabeth Street. Images: DKO Architecture and SJB Architects</figcaption></figure><h2>Suburban infill</h2>

The <a href="/architects/interlandi-mantesso">Interlandi Mantesso</a>-designed <a href="/new-apartments/31-43-puckle-street-moonee-ponds">31-43 Puckle Street</a> can now be delivered after receiving a planning permit.

Receiving a Notice of Decision during July, the project is spread over 10 levels and includes 84 apartments and an arcade that will host over 1,000sqm of retail space. The project's stand out feature is its multicoloured facade treatment to its southern and western facades.

Another infill development project adding to its respective suburb's apartment-driven credentials is <a href="/buildings/18-lilydale-grove-18-lilydale-grove-hawthorn-east">10-16 Lilydale Grove</a>, <a href="/new-apartments/hawthorn-east-vic-3123">Hawthorn East</a>. With both Lilydale Grove and the adjoining Montrose Street receiving higher density apartment projects in recent years, 10-16 Lilydale Grove is the latest to add to the area's rapidly evolving streetscape.

Residence Company Pty Ltd is behind the <a href="/architects/ellis-group-architects">Ellis Group Architects</a>-designed project that includes 86 apartments and a single retail tenancy.

<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_19.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Puckle Street and Lilydale Grove. Images: Interlandi Mantesso &amp; Ellis Group Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="271" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image18_19.jpg?itok=pfnaZjQO" title="Puckle Street and Lilydale Grove. Images: Interlandi Mantesso &amp; Ellis Group Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Puckle Street and Lilydale Grove. Images: Interlandi Mantesso &amp; Ellis Group Architects</figcaption></figure><h2><a href="/new-apartments/st-kilda-vic-3182">St Kilda duo</a></h2>

The now demolished Greyhound Hotel at <a href="/buildings/1-brighton-road-st-kilda">1 Brighton Road</a>, St Kilda has received approval for a residential development. Initial plans for the prominent corner site saw <a href="/architects/terry-harper-architects">Terry Harper Architects</a> design an 8 storey building incorporating 43 apartments above 5 retail tenancies.

Approved by VCAT during July, site demolition has been undertaken despite an attempt by Port Phillip Council to gain heritage protection for the landmark structure.

Also nearly, <a href="/developments/st-kilda-vic-3182">190-192 St Kilda Road</a> gained the green light. It is noteworthy simply for its design prowess; small in stature consisting of limited commercial space plus a sole dwelling, the project is big on character with <a href="/architects/peddle-thorp-architects">Peddle Thorp</a> the design force.

<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/image20stk.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The works of Terry Harper Architects and Peddle Thorp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="254" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image20stk.jpg?itok=TmaA3bGJ" title="The works of Terry Harper Architects and Peddle Thorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The works of Terry Harper Architects and Peddle Thorp</figcaption></figure>Tomorrow Apartments.com.au will highlight the altogether more robust list of approvals granted during August 2017.
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The next wave: 20 freshly approved projects that will further redefine our city

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Continuing from <a href="/news/the-next-wave-20-freshly-approved-projects-that-will-further-redefine-our-city">yesterday's piece</a> covering the boon in recent approvals across greater Melbourne during July, August's approvals and NOD's take precedence below. 

Only last week Apartments.com.au <a href="/news/marriott-confirmed-for-docklands-as-malvern-scores-its-own-substantial-hotel-project">covered the news</a> that<a href="/buildings/the-docklands-residences-3-43-waterfront-way-docklands"> 3-43 Waterfront Way</a> within <a href="/buildings/the-docklands-residences-3-43-waterfront-way-docklands">Dockland</a> gained approval during August, with a new Marriott-branded hotel confirmed for the development. The second part of Melbourne's mid year planning bonanza continues below beginning with other projects that fall within City of Melbourne's boundaries.

<h2>CoM approve</h2>

In the City of Melbourne, after a number of design iterations the residential tower slated for 502 Albert Street, East Melbourne has a planning permit.

Created by DCM Architects, the tower has found resolution after 31 months at planning. The most recently advertised version design saw a 20-storey building intended for the site which overlooks Parliament Gardens. 

Included are 105 apartments which are skewed toward single bedroom abodes, after initially being submitted as an ultra-luxury 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/image28melb.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="East Melbourne, North Melbourne and Southbank in clockwise formation"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="287" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image28melb.jpg?itok=HLCobtrA" title="East Melbourne, North Melbourne and Southbank in clockwise formation" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>East Melbourne, North Melbourne and Southbank in clockwise formation</figcaption></figure>The planning process for two other developments is all but completed; <a href="/developments/southbank-vic-3006">31 Coventry Street, Southbank</a> and <a href="/developments/north-melbourne-vic-3051">North Melbourne's 15-27 Wreckyn Street</a> both received a Notice of Decision to Grant Permit during August.

The former is an Elenberg Fraser-inspired tower of 120 apartments across 21 storeys for developer <a href="/developers/headland-properties">Headland Properties</a>. It is a redesign amalgamating two separate development sites to create a more substantial scheme with an increased apartment yield and improved resident amenity.

15-27 Wreckyn Street, on the other hand, is UniLodge's latest offering, with hundreds of new student beds sweating on a final permit prior to construction commencing.

<h2>CoPP approve</h2>

Three significant applications within City of Port Phillip can now become bona fide projects. August heralded the approval of <a href="/buildings/saint-moritz-st-kilda-14-16-the-esplanade-st-kilda">14-16 The Esplanade</a>, <a href="/new-apartments/the-charnwood-60-st-kilda-road-st-kilda">54-60 St Kilda Road</a> and <a href="/buildings/park-ave-39-park-street-south-melbourne">37-43 Park Street</a>.

<a href="/developers/barana-group">Barana Group's</a> bid to transform the current Novotel Melbourne <a href="/new-apartments/st-kilda-vic-3182">St Kilda</a> into 236 dwellings can proceed. Under plans conceived by <a href="/architects/metier3">Metier3 Architects</a>, The Esplanade will eventually be home to a collection of townhouses and apartments, with the mix weighted toward larger two and three bedroom 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/image32_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Park Street, St Kilda Road and The Esplanade"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="403" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image32_8.jpg?itok=8vkIgGhM" title="Park Street, St Kilda Road and The Esplanade" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Park Street, St Kilda Road and The Esplanade</figcaption></figure><a href="/developers/spacious-property-development-group-pty-ltd">Spacious Group</a> has also found joy with 54-60 St Kilda Road. The developer now has a <a href="/architects/hayball">Hayball-designed</a> apartment building in its keep, with the initial application calling for 103 apartments and 500sqm of retail space within a 10 level building, which will eventually replace a low-rise commercial building currently onsite.

Elsewhere and <a href="/developers/milbex">Milbex</a> has been successful in increasing the size of its intended tower at 37-43 Park Street, South Melbourne. Dubbed 39W, the tower can now accommodate circa 200 apartments across 20 levels and is a short distance to Milbex's initial project in the area at 52 Park street.

<h2>Middle-ring gains</h2>

387-403 Malvern Road received the go-ahead for Metrobuild Pty Ltd. Under plans devised by <a href="/architects/cbg-architects">CBG Architects</a> the 6 level building can accommodate upwards of 40 dwellings.

<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/image36app.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Airport West, Hawthorn and South Yarra in clockwise formation"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="499" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image36app.jpg?itok=gH4pDvux" title="Airport West, Hawthorn and South Yarra in clockwise formation" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Airport West, Hawthorn and South Yarra in clockwise formation</figcaption></figure>Key projects in <a href="/new-apartments/hawthorn-vic-3122">Hawthorn</a> and <a href="/developments/airport-west-vic-3042">Airport West</a> also received a Notice of Decision during August.

<a href="/new-apartments/hawthorn-vic-3122">538-542 Burwood Road</a> is primed to add 25 apartments for <a href="/developers/miura-group">Miura Group</a> whilst <a href="/developers/one-pacific-asia-group-pty-ltd">One Pacific Asia Group Pty Ltd</a> is closer to making a mixed-use building at <a href="/new-apartments/83-matthews-avenue-airport-west">83 Matthews Avenue</a> a reality. That project shapes as the first major development within the rezoned Airport West Activity Centre, and as submitted would include apartments, serviced apartments and commercial space.

<h2>Suburban splendour</h2>

<a href="/developments/glen-waverley-vic-3150">Glen Waverley</a> continues to attract a solid stream of higher density projects, with the latest approved being <a href="/new-apartments/glen-waverley-vic-3150">50 Montclair Avenue</a>. The development will see 38 apartments and commercial space over 13 levels, in a scheme devised by <a href="/architects/life-design-architecture">Life Design Architecture</a>.

<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/image40app.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Glen Waverley and Moorabbin's sprawling South Road development"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="253" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image40app.jpg?itok=tDDHZ1pq" title="Glen Waverley and Moorabbin's sprawling South Road development" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Glen Waverley and Moorabbin's sprawling South Road development</figcaption></figure>With its permit issued mere days ago, the largest project on the agenda is <a href="/developments/moorabbin-vic-3189">420 South Road, Moorabbin</a>.

<a href="/architects/peddle-thorp-architects">Peddle Thorp Architects</a> and <a href="/architects/rpc-architects">RPC Architects</a> have combined for the expansive project that sees hundreds of new apartments and a substantial serviced apartment building approved. As submitted the development consists of five buildings of up to 10 levels across a 20,000sqm site.

420 South Road, Moorabbin was at planning for 14 months prior to its permit being granted.
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The next wave: August's planning approval bonanza

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The City of Melbourne's Future (Planning) Committee this week resolved to issue conditional approval for a 10-storey building at 1071-1081 Hoddle Street in East Melbourne. The building would rise to a height of 31.54m and accommodate 26 apartments on a triangular shaped site with a total area of 311 sqm.

The railway cutting for the Hurstbridge and South Morang lines abuts the rear of the site and a council lane stretches along the southern boundary of the site. The existing property on site is known as ‘Ascot Private Lodge’ and was previously used as a boarding house.

The development will retain the façade of the 'Ascot' which is an ungraded building, with a café slated for the ground floor, but no car parking will be provided due to the location and site constraints.

Additionally the development will breach the 24m height limit outlined in DDO21 which applies to the site by 7m but this is supported by Council as ".... the proposal meets the design objectives by not having a direct impact upon Wellington Parade, Fitzroy Gardens and Yarra Park and respecting the scale and significance of heritage buildings in the vicinity of the 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/hoddle_gf.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Ground Floor Plan. Image: Carr Design Group Planning Report"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="352" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/hoddle_gf.png?itok=sizBiawG" title="Ground Floor Plan. Image: Carr Design Group Planning Report" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ground Floor Plan. Image: Carr Design Group Planning Report</figcaption></figure>One of the few sticking points for the City of Melbourne and one they are seeking to address via a condition on the permit is further resolution to the new development's facade.

<blockquote>
Despite the minor projection in height above the preferred 24m datum and bold massing profile of the proposal, the sophisticated architectural response warrants urban design support. The demonstrated level of design quality within the application package are befitting both of the retained heritage base and highly exposed site to the residential hinterland to the north and Hoddle Street to the east. Further, we are confident specifically in the demonstrated ability of the project architects from our knowledge of previous work.

The design of the addition is considered appropriate, subject to conditions to further refine the façade design to integrate the development into the retained portion of the building. Other detailed matters can be addressed via recommended permit conditions.

- City of Melbourne Future (Planning) Committee Report, 15 August 2015
</blockquote>

To that end, Carr proposes the use of a combination of materials and finishes for the new build including metal cladding (charcoal), precast concrete, steel framed windows, balustrades and fins (charcoal) and clear glazing. A number of variations of how this palette might be applied to the same building form with subtle distinction is indicated below.

<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/carr_hoddle.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Facade articulation options. Image: Carr Design Group Planning Report"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="304" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/carr_hoddle.png?itok=zSjOgeAm" title="Facade articulation options. Image: Carr Design Group Planning Report" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Facade articulation options. Image: Carr Design Group Planning Report</figcaption></figure>The design response seeks to distinguish the new built form from the existing Ascot lodge acting as a contrasting element to the cream brick facade rather than trying to mimic. The concrete horizontal spandrel bands of the balconies wrap the building and are a cue to the Art Deco elements of the existing building's facade.

The building's height and mass will provide a strong anchor to the corner site and a focal point on the skyline. While the final composition and facade articulation is still to be resolved, it's expected it will largely be in a similar vein to the endorsed scheme.

<h2>1071-1081 Hoddle Street in Brief</h2>

<ul>
<li>Applicant: Carson Ascot Pty Ltd</li>
	<li>Architect: Carr Design Group</li>
	<li>Planning: Contour</li>
	<li>Partial demolition of existing building with the retention of part of the façade to Hoddle Street</li>
	<li>Construction of a 10 storey mixed use development including a food and drink premises (café), 26 apartments (12 one-bedroom and 14 two- bedroom) and a communal rooftop terrace</li>
	<li>Building height of approximately 31.5 metres (RL59.9) as measured from the Hoddle Street frontage to the top of the plant room and pergola on the rooftop but excluding the lift overrun </li>
	<li>No setbacks to boundaries</li>
	<li>Ground floor comprises a food and drink premises (café) with trading hours between 7am to 11pm (96 square metres), residential entrance via Hoddle Street;</li>
	<li>26 bicycle spaces, 26 storage cages, building services and waste storage accessed via Council Lane CL1379</li>
	<li>No car parking spaces or loading bays</li>
	<li>Level 1 to 2 comprises 4 dwellings (three one-bedroom and one two-bedroom)</li>
	<li>Level 3 to 5 comprises 4 dwellings (two one-bedroom and two two-bedroom)</li>
	<li>Level 6 to 8 comprises 2 dwellings (two two-bedroom)</li>
	<li>Rooftop level comprises a terrace with pergola accessed via a lift and plant room</li>
</ul>
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Laurence Dragomir

Carr's Hoddle Street Development finds favour with Council

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Timber merchant Gunnersen looks to have stumbled in an initial bid to revamp its Port Melbourne headquarters into a multi-towered residential development.

As City of Port Phillip tabled a less than glowing report on the proposal last week, the project's status on the State Planning Register has been adjusted to 'on hold'. A planning application for the massive 17,500sqm site was lodged during April, lasting only a handful of months until it was recently placed in hiatus.

Under plans devised by ARM Architecture the entire site would be cleared, including an office building which is graded as a significant Heritage place, in favour of six buildings of between 12 and 18 storeys. 

Located within the Wirraway precinct of Fishermans Bend, 112 Salmon Street is one of three separate applications lodged within the Urban Renewal Area this year. Planning activity has this year slowed to a crawl within Fishermans Bend, as the State Government looks to solidify planning controls for the Urban Renewal Area.

<h2>112 Salmon Street 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/image27_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="North East perspective. Planning image: ARM Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="494" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image27_9.jpg?itok=1A4PaWQa" title="North East perspective. Planning image: ARM Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>North East perspective. Planning image: ARM Architecture</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Existing use: Timber yard</li>
	<li>Site area: 17,552 with 3 street frontages</li>
	<li>Proposed: 6 buildings between 12-18 storeys, maximum height 57.55m</li>
	<li>636 apartments:  289 x 1BR,162 x 2BR, 185 x 3BR</li>
	<li>Tower separation: 19.65m and above between all towers</li>
	<li>603 car parking spaces and 689 bicycle bays</li>
	<li>Public facilities: 4,600sqm including play equipment, park and sport courts beneath electricity lines</li>
	<li>Resident facilities: Dual rooftop podium open spaces, gym, pool, yoga room, resident lounge</li>
	<li>370sqm of retail space within 2 tenancies, 605sqm childcare centre</li>
</ul>
<h2>A finish like no other</h2>

ARM Architecture have brought their typical design flair to the initial application.

Brick snap cladding in ten different colours/finishes (black glazed, black, blue, cream, orange, grey terracotta, pink, and brick face, and terracotta screen) forms the bulk of the design's exterior, along with timber cladding, timber and painted steel detailing, steel piping, black steel window reveals, clear and fritted glazing.

Complying with the DDO30 maximum building height, podium height and tower separation requirements, the application delivers a site plot ration of 5:1.

<div class="sketchfab-embed-wrapper">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" allowvr="" frameborder="0" height="480" mozallowfullscreen="true" onmousewheel="" src="https://sketchfab.com/models/ed63b4cc1184431ab770231b7a42ba1f/embed" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="640"></iframe>

<h2>Port Phillip's take on the application</h2>

City of Port Phillip's report on 112 Salmon Street is informal in that it is not binding and is considered advisory. Nonetheless various aspects that City of Port Phillip chose to highlight may explain why the planning application has been placed on hold at the State lavel.

Under the Fishermans Bend Strategic Framework Plan (September 2016), 112 Salmon Street is identified as the land appropriate for Neighbourhood Open Space. Key to this assertion are the "high voltage electricity transmission lines which reduce the sites appropriateness / desirability for residential 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/image28_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="In the line of power. Planning image: ARM Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="511" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image28_9.jpg?itok=J-ye7Hsi" title="In the line of power. Planning image: ARM Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>In the line of power. Planning image: ARM Architecture</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
The proposal was internally referred and officers raised concerns including inconsistency with the FBSFP identification of the site as Open Space, inconsistency with local policy for employment and affordable housing, the extent of demolition, the design and/or width of the internal road network, building setbacks...and architectural and urban design matters.

Open space areas along the southern perimeter of the land and podium roof top level would be overshadowed through most of the day, and would have reduced amenity as a result of being beneath or in close proximity to major electricity transmission lines.

Officers disagree with the applicant’s arguments for demolition of all of the buildings on the land, and believe the existing offices and one of the existing industrial buildings are suitable for retention and adaptive reuse, as part of any mixed use or open space development of the site.

It is considered these concerns cannot be ameliorated by conditions to modify the proposal and the development of the land needs to be fundamentally reconsidered having regard to the Strategic Framework Plan and Fishermans Bend Vision.
</blockquote>
</div>
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Gunnersen's radical Fishermans Bend intentions in limbo?

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The hotel juggernaut across inner Melbourne is showing no signs of slowing down.

After last week's announcement that <a href="/news/mandarin-oriental-to-open-its-first-hotel-residence-property-in-australia">Mandarin Oriental will anchor the Zaha Hadid-designed 600 Collins Street</a>, three further projects have come to the fore in recent days. A long expected Southbank project is headed for a construction start, whilst Melbourne City Council is attending to two further hotel-based planning applications.

At 167 City Road, signage for builder Maxcon has appeared across the site's frontage, heralding a start to the project which has been on the drawing for roughly five years.

<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/image23_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="167 City Road may be branded Ibis Styles. Image: CBRE Hotels"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="337" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image23_6.jpg?itok=Tqql8Equ" title="167 City Road may be branded Ibis Styles. Image: CBRE Hotels" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>167 City Road may be branded Ibis Styles. Image: CBRE Hotels</figcaption></figure>In line with a construction start, CBRE Hotels has launched a campaign to sell the site and hotel, which is provisionally proposed as an Ibis Styles outlet. First covered by Apartments.com.au during 2013, the Peddle Thorp design has taken time to come to fruition, but now has an anticipated completion date of late 2018.

The buyer of 167 City Road will eventually inherit a building which includes 162 hotel suites.

Southbank aside, hotel projects also continue to flow into the CBD, as evidenced by applications for both 563-567 Little Lonsdale Street and 589-599 Little Collins Street.

The former is an exceptionally quick progression, with the Little Lonsdale Street site having only sold during March. Lodged with Council last month, the application for the 336sqm site seeks demolition of the onsite low-rise office building for the delivery of a residential hotel project.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/little-lonsdale-street_563-567_2pp_08-3-pdf-image.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="563-567 Little Lonsdale Street as marketed. Image: CBRE City Sales"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/little-lonsdale-street_563-567_2pp_08-3-pdf-image.jpg?itok=qKqLOE-i" title="563-567 Little Lonsdale Street as marketed. Image: CBRE City Sales" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>563-567 Little Lonsdale Street as marketed. Image: CBRE City Sales</figcaption></figure>Plans for Pro-invest Developments' expected hotel at 589-599 Little Collins Street have also been lodged during June.

The firm is working on the roll-out of a portfolio of 10 to 15 Holiday Inn Express hotels across Australia, on behalf of the Pro-invest Australian Hospitality Opportunity Fund. <a href="http://www.afr.com/real-estate/commercial/hotels-and-leisure/proinvest-brings-holiday-inn-express-to-melbourne-cbd-20161220-gtequs">Outlined late last year</a>, Pro-invest has targeted roughly 300 suites for the site, along with retail and office uses.

Substantially larger than the Little Lonsdale site, the planned Holiday Inn Express is set to account for two low-rise office buildings.

 
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