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

Qualitas

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The redevelopment of the Jam Factory on Chapel Street will now include between 550 and 650 apartments after Gurner and Qualitas have bought into Newmark Capital’s $1.4 billion redevelopment.

The Gurner-Qualitas partnership will reportedly tip in about $75 million of equity.

The partnership will acquire part-ownership of the iconic site, with the project to be jointly developed with Newmark.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2025 if works start next year.

Chapel Street’s forlorn Jam Factory was acquired by Newmark, led by Chris Langford and Simon Morris, for about $165 million in 2015 from Challenger.

Newmark's sale will see less commercial office space, and a 170 room hotel, in the proposal that updates the 20,000 square metre mall at 500 Chapel Street.

Langford told Nine Entertainment the project would reinvigorate the Chapel Street precinct.

"We have a strong belief in the area and the economy,” he said.

Newmark will retain the retail centre and new office tower, while Gurner and Qualitas will acquire the hotel portion along with having a share in the profits and revenues stemming from the apartments sales.

Mark Fischer, the global head of real estate at Qualitas, told Nine the real estate fundamentals of the location were “indisputable”.

“The deal provides the opportunity to bring together great real estate, nimble large-scale capital, and market-leading development capabilities,” he said.

The latest residential projects on Chapel St include 661 Chapel with 116 one, two, three and four-bedroom residences across 30 floors at the Yarra River end of the strip.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=600]

Gamuda Land’s 661 Chapel Street enjoys views of the river and Melbourne CBD.

The architecture firm, Bird de la Coeur, designed the compex winning the 2019 Good Design Awards in the category of commercial and residential architectural design.
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The redevelopment of the forlorn Jam Factory on Chapel Street will now include between 550 and 650 apartments

jchancellor

Chapel Street gets fillip from Gurner with Jam Factor renaissance

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Real estate investment firm Qualitas has announced its acquisition of the Allied Pinnacle property portfolio for around $400 million. 
The portfolio comprises ten flour-milling and bakery operations across Australia. Allied Pinnacle will maintain full control of the operations at the sites through 30-year, triple-net leases.
Purchased from Allied Pinnacle, the portfolio is expected to provide a yield of 6%. The tenant has a 100-year trading history and is the largest supplier of flour for human consumption in Australia, with a market share of approximately 40% servicing major grocery retailers, industrial bakeries and over 2,000 independent bakeries nationally.
Mark Fischer, Managing Director, Principal Investments at Qualitas, said: “These properties represent core strategic assets of the tenant and provide a national network of irreplaceable production facilities that are critical to the nation’s food supply.TENAN
“The long-term leases provide operating certainty for the tenant and positive returns for investors, as the tenant has a long history and significant market share. The properties provide exposure to a resilient part of the food sector, with flour-based products making up over 20% of the Australian diet. The underlying real estate is predominantly urban infill land, with most sites in prime suburban locations of major cities.”
Mr Fischer said the properties have been placed into a wholesale vehicle, the Qualitas Food Infrastructure Fund. There has been strong investor support for the fund, predominantly from European and Asian pension and life insurance capital as well as domestic institutional investors, he said.
“This is a unique offering for investors, as it has elements consistent across real estate, infrastructure and agricultural investments, and brings benefits from each sector. Our thesisis that there is a developing universe of “cross-over” investors from each of those sectorswho are increasingly focused on what we call ‘soft infrastructure’.
“This delivers long-duration income without the regulatory risk that comes with hard infrastructure or the tenant demand vagaries of traditional real estate.
“Deals like this don’t come along often, so we’re really pleased that Qualitas was the successful bidder,” Mr Fischer said.
James Ajaka, Allied Pinnacle CEO, said: “We are very pleased to have sold these tenproperties to Qualitas. This partnership will allow us to maintain full operational control of ourbusiness, while Qualitas take ownership of a great suite of properties”.
An extensive sales process was run by CBRE and Charter Keck Cramer, with Arnold Bloch Leibler advising Qualitas on the acquisition and King &amp; Wood Mallesons advising the vendor. Minter Ellison advised Qualitas on the establishment of the Qualitas Food Infrastructure Fund.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Qualitas buys Allied Pinnacle property portfolio in $400 million deal

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Australian based real estate investment manager Qualitas recently announced the acquisition of the Fawkner Centre at 499 St Kilda Road, in a move that will see the site redeveloped into high-end apartments. In a joint venture with LAS Group, the $300 million project dubbed ‘The Fawkner’ will transform the former commercial building into 253 apartments providing direct access to Fawkner Park, while offering expansive views to Port Phillip Bay and Albert Park.

The project initially began life under the stewardship of joint partners LAS Group and Malaysian developer IGB Corporation. After gaining approval during 2014 for an Elenberg Fraser rebirth accommodating 245 apartments, the project has since been reconfigured by Kerry Phelan and her design team at K.P.D.O.

The residential conversion will see all internals stripped before being reconfigured to one, two and three-bedroom apartments featuring five-star, hotel-like amenity. Capping the project will be a new reflective glazed 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/aerial_upd3_reduced.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="499 St Kilda Road aerial. Image courtesy Qualitas"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/aerial_upd3_reduced.jpg?itok=Qgj2_WQj" title="499 St Kilda Road aerial. Image courtesy Qualitas" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>499 St Kilda Road aerial. Image courtesy Qualitas</figcaption></figure>According to Qualitas Managing Director – Real Estate Principal Investments, Mark Fischer, The Fawkner is largely driven by a desire to cater to the owner-occupier and downsizer market who appreciate generously sized apartments with excellent amenity and a standard of finish that is expected of St Kilda Road apartment developments.

<blockquote>
The focus for both ourselves when we became involved and LAS Group was that this is somewhat an irreplaceable location and a rather unique opportunity to have residential connected directly to Fawkner Park. Ideally the purchaser profile for a project like this is going to be someone very discerning, someone who has lived in quite a nice family home and is seeking a very clever and intelligent floor plan and strong level of finishes in the project.

So we spent significant time reworking the floor plans again, and that’s really where K.P.D.O came into the project initially, as an interiors firm but I think the value Kerry and her team have added to the project is outstanding. The floor plans are to a level now where purchasers will see them as a high levels will see them as a high level, quality product as opposed to the more traditional cookie cutter apartment floor plans that are out there.

K.P.D.O is not solely an interiors practice, they are a strong, bespoke architectural firm, and they had some fantastic ideas on the development of the façade. Obviously we’re going through a conversion of an existing office building to high end residential so you really need something to be done with the façade to tie in with what we’re trying to achieve in terms of product quality.
<cite>Mark Fischer</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image154.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Elenberg Fraser's scheme to that of K.P.D.O.'s"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="243" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image154.jpg?itok=QEkS6Ef9" title="Elenberg Fraser's scheme to that of K.P.D.O.'s" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Elenberg Fraser's scheme to that of K.P.D.O.'s</figcaption></figure>The façade design developed by K.P.D.O. plays on the concept of reflectivity drawing on its park setting, while allowing for a different visual experience from various angles around the site. The location and views on offer essentially dictated that the project had to deliver a quality product to prospective purchases, as development sites bordering significant parks are becoming increasingly scarce.

<blockquote>
On a global scale, there are very limited opportunities to live directly within and amongst a mature parkland such as Fawkner Park. There are only a handful of examples in other global cities such as London, New York and Tokyo of premium residential buildings being on a parkside location, so this project has unparalleled attributes.

As the project is an existing office structure, we are able to retain the high ceilings and the building has been re-designed to deliver larger apartments, offering  purchasers an opportunity to consolidate apartments

This project is an example of how ageing office buildings along St Kilda Road can be converted into market-leading residential developments – the market has talked for a while about office-to-residential conversions, however this will be one of the first examples to launch in the market in recent times, and certainly the first of this scale, making it a unique offering
<cite>Mark Fischer</cite>
</blockquote>

Resident facilities will include an impressive porte-cochere from St Kilda Road, 24-hour concierge service for residents, wine room and cellar, theatre, swimming pool, gymnasium, steam and massage rooms, children’s play spaces and communal meeting areas.

The project is currently in what Fischer describes as a “coming soon” phase and there is currently a display gallery available by appointment for VIP’s allowing potential purchasers to take in the views. The project will be officially launched to the market in the coming months and represents the second venture between Qualitas and LAS Group in recent times, following the recent completion of the Summerhill Shopping Centre in Melbourne's north. The Fawkner will further solidify this relationship.
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Laurence Dragomir

Qualitas and K.P.D.O. provide The Fawkner with added impetus

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With a total site area of 13,390sqm in their keeping, Leighton Properties have chosen to divide the prized Readings Moonee Ponds site into separate development parcels, the first of which has recently been lodged with City of Moonee Valley. Highlighted by Apartments.com.au during May 2013, the then sales campaign included an <a href="/news/finally-readings-moonee-ponds-for-sale">indicative development scheme of 30 levels</a>.

Subsequently parent company Leighton Holdings was revealed as the buyer and approximately a year later have presented in conjunction with project partner Qualitas a planning submission with the intent of delivering a substantial apartment project.

<h2>Application summary</h2>

<ul>
<li>Stage 1 development: 40 Hall Street, Moonee Ponds</li>
	<li>Current site use: at grade car park (formerly Moonee Ponds Market)</li>
	<li>Application for development lodged September 2014</li>
	<li>15 levels @ 49.2 metres</li>
	<li>Site area: 2,388sqm</li>
	<li>162 apartments (1/2 bedroom) &amp; 2 retail tenancies over 437sqm</li>
	<li>137 car spaces &amp; 70 bicycle spaces</li>
</ul>
<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image3hall.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression of 40 Hall Street . Image © Plus"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="773" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image3hall.jpg?itok=1hqoX-oL" title="Artist's impression of 40 Hall Street. Image © Plus" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist's impression of 40 Hall Street . Image © Plus</figcaption></figure><h2>Design impetus</h2>

Plus Architecture have employed a gentle undulating facade over the tower with a variety of materials on display. Differing glaze colours are joined by metal cladding, masonry and applied finishes (assumed precast) to create the external look.

<blockquote>
The articulation of the building envelope is both unifying and highly adaptive. The design presents a singular bold expression to Hall Street, providing the relatively short building the required gravitas to anchor the future precinct in a clear and calm manner .

The design considerations have resulted in a unique and contemporary design response that will contribute significantly to this streetscape and the overall centre. The development displays a high amount of glazing, including a mixture of tinted glazing and glass balustrades. The proposal will incorporate quality materials and finishes, including a mix of applied light and dark colours to respond to the highly innovative architectural design of the overall building.
<cite>Plus Architecture: planning application design statement</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>Communal focus</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/image8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Expected ground level layout. Image © Oculus"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="481" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image8.jpg?itok=eECzrxOl" title="Expected ground level layout. Image © Oculus" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Expected ground level thoroughfare. Image © Oculus</figcaption></figure>Consisting of recycled brick and concrete pavers, 40 Hall Street seeks a new north-south pedestrian link with a likely future extension through to Homer Street. Beyond ground, a 482sqm resident's communal garden is included over the mezzanine level whilst level 5 also carries a communal terrace complete with mature trees.

A 147sqm roof garden is proposed to supplement the indoor/outdoor rooftop communal terrace area. Included is a kitchen, dining area and lounge space whilst the external area holds a BBQ and dining/entertaining space. It's envisaged an easily reconfigured terrace could also hold an outdoor cinema with the CBD as a backdrop.

<h2>One of many</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/image2_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Readings overview with 40 Hall Street in red. Image courtesy Urbis planning report"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="371" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image2_0.jpg?itok=wM5hu9tv" title="Readings overview with 40 Hall Street in red. Image courtesy Urbis planning report" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Readings overview with 40 Hall Street in red. Image © Urbis</figcaption></figure>Prior to 40 Hall Street's submission, City of Moonee Valley had indicated that 17 levels was an appropriate outcome of the Readings site. With scope for an additional four or five apartment towers onsite and the nearby Moonee Valley Racecourse seeking 25 level towers as part of its redevelopment, it remains to be seen whether Leighton will push for future towers in the 25-30 level vicinity.

In the wider context Urbis' 40 Hall Street planning report states "Moonee Ponds is expected to undergo a shift in character to a taller, higher density precinct. There are also a number of new developments under construction or approved in the wider area." Indeed Moonee Ponds continues on an upward trajectory in terms of apartment development.

Currently three separate apartment buildings fronting Moore Street are under construction whilst The Montgomery and MOPO are both at sales, yielding a combined 178 apartments. Other projects currently of note within the Moonee Ponds Activity Centre include the 10 level 6-14 Young Street and Moloney Group's 33 Hall Street at 14 levels.

<h2>40 Hall Street development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Leighton Properties / Qualitas</li>
	<li>Architect: Plus Architecture</li>
	<li>Planning: Urbis</li>
	<li>Transport: GTA Consultants</li>
	<li>Landscape: Oculus</li>
	<li>Sustainability: Lucid Consulting Australia</li>
	<li>Waste Management: Leigh Design</li>
</ul>
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