Preliminary data by research giant Charter Keck Cramer reveals a 54 per cent decline in Build to Sell apartments across Australia's capital cities, while the Build to Rent boom continues with a 378 per cent increase over the last five years.

Charter Keck Cramer's upcoming National State of the Market Report - Key Metropolitan Areas, scheduled for release in September, will reveal&nbsp;a dramatic transformation in apartment supply patterns across Australia's capital cities between FY2016-2020 and FY2021-2025.

The Build to Sell (BTS) apartment sector has experienced a substantial contraction, with total supply falling by 54 per cent compared to the previous five-year period. The decline represents a reduction of 149,200 apartments across all capital cities.

<img alt="BTS Charter Keck Cramer" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3db2ddf3-e7c0-481f-b8b9-63efb365cb80" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-08-20%20at%2011.26.34%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=bsQl8inhZA7FeiPamnGvw1tse0obBdSd" />

Sydney led the downturn with a decrease of 73,600 apartments, followed by Melbourne (-42,800) and Brisbane (-26,800). Perth and Adelaide also recorded significant declines of 6,400 and 2,400 apartments respectively. Only Gold Coast and Canberra bucked the trend, with modest increases of 500 and 2,300 apartments.

In stark contrast, the Build to Rent (BTR) sector has emerged as a major force in the apartment market, recording a remarkable 378% increase in supply. This growth added 8,590 apartments across the capital cities during FY2021-2025. Melbourne dominated BTR growth with 6,160 additional apartments, while Sydney contributed 2,100 units. Brisbane and Canberra also recorded growth of 800 and 330 apartments respectively. Gold Coast and Perth recorded minor declines, while Adelaide maintained steady levels.

<img alt="BTR CKC" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ca13ffd4-ab93-4828-afd2-4c3dccbd2b51" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-08-20%20at%2011.28.54%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=SXNnpcJuFD36ViWOwF6izBBqcQc3NWao" />

“These preliminary findings indicate a fundamental shift in Australia's apartment development landscape, with traditional Build to Sell models giving way to institutional Build to Rent developments,” said Richard Temlett, Charter Keck Cramer’s National Executive Director of Research.

"This transition reflects changing investor preferences, regulatory environments and housing affordability challenges across major metropolitan areas.”

The complete Charter Keck Cramer National State of the Market Report – Key Metropolitan Areas will provide comprehensive analysis of these trends, their underlying drivers and implications for developers, investors and policymakers when released in September.

Joel Robinson

Build to Sell apartment supply drops 54% in five years across Australian capital cities

Verso Development Group is seeking to bring over 1,100 apartments to the heart of Brisbane's Toowong, with plans filed for a $1 billion, triple tower development known as Toowong Central.

The landmark urban regeneration project "aims to reshape the core of Brisbane’s inner-west riverside suburb."

Covering over 1.4-hectares across&nbsp;Sherwood Road, High Street, and Jephson Street, Toowong Central has been designed by KHA and will comprise three towers rising 49, 55, and 58 levels.

<img alt="Toowong Central" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="48611e3d-7123-4b99-b2cb-bfa4bc98024f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenities.png?VersionId=yKBexB.BgCkq4OET8fHDkWs0d3DjxOKJ" />

According to the Urban Context Report prepared by Urbis, Toowong Central is positioned as a “city-defining precinct reclaiming Toowong as ‘the best destination in the west’,” with a vision to deliver density differently, strengthen Toowong’s identity, and lead subtropical urban design.

There will be a wide range of apartment configurations, from one-bedrooms to five-bedroom penthouses, as well as short-term accomodation offerings. The design prioritises pedestrian permeability, with an activated public realm featuring a central civic plaza, laneways, and street-level retail and dining.

“The central square’s structure, programming, scale and location creates a social anchor - shaped by its edges, flexible for use, and animated by a diversity of experiences throughout the day and into the evening,” the Urban Context Report noted, reinforcing the project's ambition to become a vibrant community destination.

Design excellence was pursued through an international design competition, attracting entries from renowned practices such as UNStudio and BIG. KHA’s winning design distinguished itself with a ceremonial approach to the public realm, integrating terraces, tiered seating, and green infrastructure to promote social interaction and resilience.

The development builds upon two existing approvals: the 25- and 20-storey towers of the Aviary Toowong proposal, and a separate 25- and 24-storey approval at 88 Jephson Street. Consolidation of these fragmented landholdings under a precinct-wide approach allows for increased community value and cohesive urban integration.

Urbis Director Nicholas Stevenson said Toowong Central will bridge the gap in Toowong's current experience, unlocking the potential of the wider precinct.

"Overcoming experiential constraints and leveraging contextual advantages – Toowong Central will redefine Brisbane's inner west.”

<img alt="Toowong Central" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73f7a702-625d-452d-9df2-30a0863ac1e8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/master.png?VersionId=TZdh6wxGC_8IIroXpdkZfuhlS8mFZnea" />

Toowong Central’s ambition extends beyond residential and commercial outcomes. Uses under consideration include a world-class hotel, university facilities, a museum, and health and wellness services, reflecting its role as a western gateway to Brisbane’s growing innovation corridor between the CBD and the University of Queensland.

Urbis Managing Partner James Tuma said Brisbane has no greater opportunity to showcase the future of urban living than Toowong – a sustainable, economically vibrant, and people-centric place that embodies the best of Brisbane.

[The plans] gives us a glimpse into our future as a globally relevant, youthful, entrepreneurial, and distinctly subtropical city.”

$1 billion Toowong Central to deliver 1,100 apartments to undersupplied Brisbane market

In <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/runaway-bay-qld-4216">Runaway Bay</a>, new townhouse-scale waterfront residences are rare - but ones built to the standards found on Sovereign Island are almost unheard of.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/ocean-suites-on-jennifer-10-12-jennifer-avenue-runaway-bay-qld-4216">Ocean Suites on Jennifer</a>&nbsp;changes that, delivering a calibre of construction and detailing that places its seven villas well above the typical market offering in this northern Gold Coast pocket.

Ocean Suites on Jennifer will be move-in ready before Christmas this year, giving buyers the chance to spend the summer on the water in one of Runaway Bay’s rare new waterfront residences.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138718 project_image_fid=214444]

The development is a collaboration between <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/stuart-osman">Stuart Osman Design</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sand-side-developments">Sand Side Developments</a>, with construction by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/alroe-constructions">Alroe Constructions</a>.

Architect Stuart Osman says the intent from the outset was to create a home people would be drawn to. “When you build anything, the design is to make you want to go hang out in this house,” he says.&nbsp;

Ocean Suites on Jennifer’s design features a front façade softened with planter boxes, rear pool areas, and rooftop decks looking over the water.&nbsp;

Inside, voids and high skylights bring daylight deep into the centre of each home, while ceiling heights of 2.85 metres maintain a strong sense of volume.

Each four-level residence spans 345 to 388 sqm, with layouts accommodating multi-generational living - a ground-floor bedroom suite for older family members and upper levels for the rest of the household. A lift connects all floors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138718 project_image_fid=214435]

For Andrew Erwin, Director at NPA, the project’s appeal lies in both its location and the detail in execution.&nbsp;

"At Ocean Suites, you’ve got a canal-front setting with direct Broadwater access and a level of finish you’d normally only see in the city’s most prestigious addresses. The four-level layouts, the glass-framed living areas, the private pools, even the extended kitchens, every part of it has been designed with the buyer in mind,” he says.

Those buyers have so far been a mix of Gold Coast locals and interstate purchasers, many seeking a lock-up-and-leave holiday home or a downsized residence without sacrificing space for visiting family.&nbsp;

Older households with teenage children are a recurring profile, drawn to layouts that support multi-generational living and the ability to host extended stays.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138718 project_image_fid=214432]

Material selection reinforces the project’s quality-first ethos, with every home appointed to a premium standard. Kitchens and ensuites feature engineered stone surfaces, complemented by prestige oak engineered timber floors, Victorian ash hardwood staircases, and soft loop-pile carpet.

Premium lighting, statement pendants, ceiling fans, and Fujitsu ducted air conditioning elevate both comfort and design. Each residence also includes a suite of high-end appliances as standard - Fisher &amp; Paykel integrated fridges, Bosch ovens, induction cooktops and dishwashers, Vintec wine fridges, and Franke sinks.

Beyond the interiors, residents enjoy an enviable lifestyle with rooftop terraces, private plunge pools, fire pit areas, outdoor showers, smart home automation, laundry chutes, and private pontoons.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138718 project_image_fid=214452]

With no additional upgrade costs, Sand Side Developments underscores its no-shortcuts approach, delivering homes where luxury and amenity come as standard.

Osman adds that the kitchen has been designed as “the main hub of the house” with six metres high skylights above a galley-style layout that “makes it feel bigger, brighter, whiter” and “brings light into the centre of the home.”

Both architect and builder emphasise a shared commitment to delivering the intended design without compromise. “Working with Alroe’s structural team and their construction team, it’s been great to make sure that the look and feel that was originally intended is the result achieved at the end of the project,” Osman says.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138718 project_image_fid=214453]

Outdoor living has been given equal consideration, with rooftop terraces designed for entertaining with a fire pit and bar, and spacious undercover patios featuring private plunge pools.

The marine access is as carefully executed as the homes themselves. An eight-metre gangway leads to a six-metre private pontoon capable of mooring vessels up to 30 feet, just 300 metres by water from the Broadwater.&nbsp;

Even the orientation of each villa has been optimised to capture long views down the canal, across the Broadwater, and south to Main Beach.

With construction in its final stages, just three of the seven villas remain, priced from $3.365 million to $3.695 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=138718]

Sovereign Island standards come to Runaway Bay with Ocean Suites on Jennifer

Without local developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a>, it could be argued that the small suburb of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a> would be left behind when it comes to both new housing and retail opportunities.

Gardner Vaughan, one of South East Queensland’s most reputable builder-developers, has been based in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a> for the last decade. They plan to maintain their presence in the northern <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/brisbane-qld">Brisbane</a> suburb, just seven kilometres from Brisbane Airport and nine kilometres from the city, with the development of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/danby-lane-nundah-village-5-danby-lane-nundah-qld-4012">Danby Lane</a>, the first major project in several years in the heart of the town centre.

GVG will retain one of the commercial spaces in the new mixed-use building for their office headquarters. It will be located in the commercial podium, alongside several other new office spaces. Below will be a street-level retail precinct designed to reinvigorate the local economy, and above, 84 brand-new apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112531 project_image_fid=320114]

Over 60 percent of the apartments have already been snapped up, with buyers eager to secure one of the rare new apartments in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a>, as well as to benefit from Gardner Vaughan’s solid reputation and long-standing presence in the local community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112531 project_image_fid=320117]

Gardner Vaughan identified the site at the corner of Buckland Road and Danby Lane for its proximity to key amenities. Within 400 metres of the development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a> Village offers a variety of cafes, restaurants, and pubs. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a> Train Station, just 400 metres away, provides a quick 20-minute train ride into Roma Street.

The development has also attracted young families, drawn to the proximity of not one, but twelve parks, with Boyd Park and Oxenham Park being the most notable. Established families have shown interest due to the close proximity of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a> State School and Mary MacKillop College.

The one- and two-bedroom apartments in the building have already been snapped up, while the larger three- and four-bedroom apartments—ranging from a generous 117 sqm to nearly 200 sqm—remain highly sought after. There are also just three exclusive luxury penthouses left to sell.

With its in-house construction capability, Gardner Vaughan has already commenced construction on-site and expects to complete the building by March 2027. It's hard to see another opportunity to buy brand new in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a>, where creating a site anywhere near the scale of the Danby Lane is becoming more and more difficult.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112531]

Why Danby Lane is the focal point for change in Brisbane's Nundah

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/metro-property-group">Metro Property Group</a>’s flagship townhouse development, Citrine Townhomes in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/rochedale-qld-4123">Rochedale</a>, has reached another key construction milestone, with the first stage of townhouses now in the defects phase.

All building works for Stage 1 are complete, with the internal roads asphalted, line marking finished, and the bin store slab poured.&nbsp;All essential services, including permanent power, sewer, gas, and water, are now connected and operational.

The defects process is expected to continue until late-August.

<img alt="Citrine Townhomes, Rochedale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f48ad1d8-7bb2-424a-a378-2caa4d34c27d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/017%20-%20%20ROLLEY%20PHOTO%20MEDIA%20%20%20-24072025.jpg?VersionId=o5BC3LgYTwxcufsjldO8mkPww3gix1NC" />

Stage 2 is also moving forward steadily, with all townhouses sheeted, the first coat of paint applied, and joinery installed throughout. Tiling has been completed on six of the seven blocks, and the pool is scheduled to be pebblecreted by the end of August.

Stage 3 continues to gather momentum, with external cladding completed on three of the eight blocks. All townhouses have been fully roughed-in for electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning, and the first two blocks have now progressed to internal sheeting.

Stage 1 and 2 are 100 per cent sold and there are now just 10 four-bedroom townhomes left in Stage 3, priced from $1,125,000.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136295 project_image_fid=211]

Residents at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/citrine-townhomes-rochedale-311-gardner-road-rochedale-qld-4123">Citrine Townhomes</a> can also look forward to high-quality shared amenities. The residents' facility will feature a pool, landscaped areas, and a BBQ space, contributing to a lifestyle-focused community environment.

Metro’s fully furnished display home has generated strong interest locally, reinforcing the market’s confidence in the project. Stage 1 and 2 are completely sold out and Stage 3 has officially launched and is selling fast. Just 10 townhouses remain for sale in the development.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136295 project_image_fid=273134]

The broader Citrine development comprises 90 three and four-bedroom townhomes designed across two to three levels, offering a contemporary contrast to Rochedale’s surrounding single-family homes.

Located just 17 km from Brisbane CBD, Citrine is within walking distance to schools, parks, and the popular Rochedale Village, home to Coles, medical services, and dining options.

Metro Property Group remains on track for project completion, with settlements forecast for Stage 1 in October/November 2025, Stage 2 in November/December 2025, and Stage 3 in January/February 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136295]

First stage of townhouses at Citrine Rochedale reaches completion milestone

Riverlee

The largest private construction project to begin in Melbourne since the beginning of the pandemic has officially commenced as construction begins on Riverlee&rsquo;s Seafarers mixed-use hotel and apartment development.

This exciting milestone was marked with a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, attended by Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sally Capp.

Icon Construction was appointed as the builder on the $500 million development in January.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=173914]

&ldquo;The groundbreaking ceremony is an exciting milestone for the development and we&rsquo;re looking forward to bringing this world-class destination to life&rdquo;, Icon Construction CEO Evan Byrne said.

Situated between the CBD and Docklands, Seafarers will comprise 120 luxury hotel-branded residences atop 277 guest rooms, as part of Australia&rsquo;s first 1 Hotel &amp; Homes.

Riverlee&#39;s Development Director David Lee said the&nbsp;family is proud to have reached this stage following a 10-year journey of developing our vision that truly brings together the surrounding urban fabric and steers Northbank into an exciting direction.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=173917]

Colliers also noted the project had the highest level of enquiry over the Christmas and New Year period, and have secured&nbsp;$30 million in sales and reservations&nbsp;since October.

Limited two and three-bedroom residences remain at the development, which has been designed by Fender Katsalidis Architects.

With the retention of the heritage-listed Goods Shed No.5, Seafarers will also encompass Melbourne&rsquo;s newest 3,500 sqm public park, Seafarers Rest to provide open space to users, residents and visitors of the Northbank precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=173929]

&ldquo;We welcome this significant development in our city,&quot; Lord Mayor Sally Capp added.

&quot;The Seafarers project complements City of Melbourne&rsquo;s game-changing transformation project Greenline, which will revitalise and renew Northbank.&quot;

Construction at Seafarers and Seafarers Rest is slated for completion in mid-2024.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=27728]

Situated between the CBD and Docklands, Seafarers will comprise 120 luxury hotel-branded residences atop 277 guest rooms, as part of Australia’s first 1 Hotel & Homes. 

max.kwok_55688

Construction commences at Riverlee’s $550 million Seafarers development at the emerging Northbank precinct

Privately owned property group, Riverlee, has appointed Icon Construction to deliver the $500 million Seafarers development featuring residential, hotel and hospitality, in what is set to be the largest private construction project in Melbourne since the pandemic.

The 18-storey development comprises 123 luxury hotel-branded residences and 277 guest rooms as part of Australia&rsquo;s first 1 Hotel &amp; Homes from SH Hotels &amp; Resorts.

Revitalising the historic Goods Shed No.5, Seafarers is a flagship project within the Northbank precinct, located between the CBD and Docklands.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=173912]

The project&rsquo;s multi-sector impact extends beyond construction and shows post-pandemic confidence in the residential, tourism and recreation markets.

The Seafarers build is valued at a nominal $275 million and is forecast to provide a total of 1,023 full-time equivalent construction-related jobs, with approximately 680 jobs generated upon completion.

The builder appointment of Icon comes as Seafarers records $20 million in sales and reservations since lockdown ended in Victoria last October.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=173921]

Riverlee&rsquo;s development director, David Lee, says that the partnership with Icon marks a significant milestone for the next wave of Northbank as a destination in Melbourne.

&ldquo;Icon shares our vision for the precinct &ndash; for it to be a high-quality, sustainable and an outstanding place to live and visit.

He also made note of the positive uptake in sales since restrictions lifted in Victoria, showing the confidence in the owner-occupier apartment market and the shift to new lifestyle opportunities in a post-pandemic landscape.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=173942]

&ldquo;Construction of many residential projects in the city have been put on hold because of low sales during the pandemic, but we are proud to be progressing and are confident in our offering of a unique and differentiated residential product.&rdquo;

Construction at Seafarers will commence in early 2022 with completion slated for 2024.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=27728]

The Seafarers build is valued at a nominal $275 million and is forecast to provide a total of 1,023 full-time equivalent construction-related jobs, with approximately 680 jobs generated upon completion.



alisonwarters@gmail.com

Riverlee appoints Icon Construction to deliver $500 million Seafarers development

Not often comes an opportunity where hotel&nbsp;and residential spaces find&nbsp;their way into one project, but one of the biggest trends sweeping the country is the mixed of both,&nbsp;catering to a new type of discerning buyer.

Development director at Riverlee, David Lee, noted growing interest for hotel residences in the Australian property market.

&ldquo;The hotel residence lifestyle has gained a lot of traction in places like New York and Asia, but there is a need for this type of home in Australia&rdquo;, Lee said.

&quot;There are various residential buildings out there with features such&nbsp;as a concierge service but hotel-branded residences, particularly those with an international focus, take it to another level,&rdquo; he added.

These mixed-use developments have become a new sector mainstay in Australia, according to Cromwell Property Group, with developers increasingly combining commercial, hotel, leisure and residential.

Urban takes a look at six of Australia&rsquo;s best mixed-use apartment and hotel developments available on the market.

1. Castle Residences, Sydney 
Developer: United Development Sydney

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7758 project_image_fid=150458]

Castle Residences is a new masterful collaboration between United Development Sydney and architects Candelapas Associates and Stud​ioAria.

Situated on Castlereagh Street, a luxurious collection of 131 residences in one, two and three-bedroom configurations are on offer in an elegant new residential tower that soars above the historic Porter House.

The heritage charms of Porter House add to the luxurious feel of the 122-room MGallery boutique hotel, which extends their five-star amenities to apartment residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7758 project_image_fid=150460]

The hotel will service the residences with room service, catering, housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance, which can be accessed via a personalised mobile application.

Residents will also have full access to the hotel&rsquo;s facilities including the restaurants, bars, gym, pool, and business centre, along with 24-hour security, concierge, and valet parking.

2. Seafarers, Docklands 
Developer: Riverlee

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=173914]

Incorporating a 280-room hotel, Docklands&rsquo; latest development, Seafarers, will feature Melbourne&rsquo;s first international hotel-branded residences, 1 Hotel &amp; Homes.

Sitting above Australia&rsquo;s first 1 Hotel, a world leading eco-luxury hotel brand, the Fender Katsalidis-designed apartments boast a limited collection of 123 riverfront residences.

The two and three-bedroom, light-filled residences offer sweeping views of Yarra River and the new Seafarers Rest Park, as well as unique five-star hotel services.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=173938]

These include a botanical care and maintenance services, pet care and walking, in-home room services and chef-catered dinners.

The project will transform the city&rsquo;s last remaining Yarra River frontage into a new visionary waterfront precinct, with a rooftop barbeque, library and lounge exclusively available to residents.

3. Viv&eacute;re on Dorcas, South Melbourne 
Developer: BEKL

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108979 project_image_fid=181117]

Located in an elusive pocket of South Melbourne, Viv&eacute;re boasts a new collection of 36 upscale residences delivered by BEKL, Amazon Property Group&rsquo;s Australian operation.

The project soars above the Voco Hotel, which is operated and managed by internationally renowned IHG.

Designed by Plus Architecture, the 20-storey development offers one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with a sculptural fa&ccedil;ade inspired by Melbourne&rsquo;s Botanic Gardens and Port Phillip Bay.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108979 project_image_fid=181109]

According to director-architect Jessica Liew, the recesses presented a creative opportunity to introduce an art installation, while the capsule between the stacked elements contains the hotel rooms of Voco.

Viv&eacute;re offers residents premium room services, and a range of recreational amenities, including a gym, sociable restaurant and bar.

4. Ocean, Surfers Paradise 
Developer: Meriton

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7974 project_image_fid=185035]

Rising 76 floors against the Gold Coast skyline, Ocean is the latest mixed-use development in Surfers Paradise that will feature both luxury residential and hotel suites under the Meriton Suites brand.

Set to become the third tallest tower on the Gold Coast, Ocean will be home to an impressive 404 apartments starting from level 33, offering views that tower over neighbouring buildings.

Designed by SJB Architects, the development offers residents world-class facilities including an exclusive sky pool and gym on level 33.

Located on a prime beachfront site, it will also include a vibrant retail precinct, caf&eacute;s and a purpose-built restaurant, and a beach club podium on the fifth floor.

5. Ryrie Home, Geelong 
Developer: Franz&eacute; Developments

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5559 project_image_fid=88244]

Situated on Ryrie S​treet, Franz&eacute; Developments&rsquo; new Geelong d​evelopment will deliver a landmark Holiday Inn tower, 16 luxury apartments at Ryrie Residences, and a separate 11-storey tower, Ryrie Home.

Designed by Arch​itectus, Ryrie Home boasts an authoritative and restrained grid fa&ccedil;ade, pedestrian laneways, commercial retail, and F&amp;B spaces, as well as hotel and residential lobbies.

The collaboration with IHG Hotels &amp; Resorts will see the Geelong Quarter become a gateway to the region and delivering the largest new hotel in the region in almost 20 years.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5559 project_image_fid=88244]

Ryr​ie Home will feature a collection of 109 one, two and three-bedroom apartments that benefit from room service, gym and pool facilities, dining, housekeeping and a business centre.

It will also feature a number of retail tenancies located on the ground level facing both Ryr​ie Street and Fenwick Street.

6. M-City, Clayton 
Developer: Schiavello

[smartcode_project:default project_id=528 project_image_fid=46022]

Designed by Buchan Group, M-City boasts spacious new residential offers in one, two and three-bedroom configurations, as well as resort-style facilities and an international hotel.

Emblazoned with a distinctive bronze fa&ccedil;ade, M-City&rsquo;s own International Hotel is set to become a new local landmark, providing understated yet luxurious accommodation for visitors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=528 project_image_fid=46027]

Developed by Schiavello, the development is situated in the lively Clayton and provides residents with a range of function venues that offer entertaining and corporate spaces, such as meeting rooms, a ballroom, and a hotel bar.

Each apartment contains floor-to-ceiling glazing, spacious, private balconies, and luxury resort-style facilities, including a heated pool, landscaped gardens, and barbeque zones.

Mixed-use developments have become a new sector mainstay in Australia, according to Cromwell Property Group.

Australia's best mixed-use apartment and hotel developments on the market

The Melbourne developer Riverlee has seen an interesting buyer demographic emerge at its&nbsp;luxury mixed-use Docklands development, Seafarers.

Entrepreneurs and executives have swarmed the Fender Katsalidis-designed development, which incorporates a 280 room 1 Hotel, as well as 123 apartments, which together have been dubbed 1 Hotel and Homes.

Around 70 per cent of buyers so far have been business owners or those in C-suite and executive positions.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=161090]

They&#39;ve been drawn to Seafarers, with the under construction development giving buyers the ability to customise their apartments, including adding home office spaces.

They&#39;ve also been keen on the unique inclusion of the hotel support staff, who they can lean on for tasks similar to personal assistants.

David Lee, development director at Riverlee, says they are catering to those that are accustomed to or seeking an international way of living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=161089]

&ldquo;The hotel residence lifestyle has gained a lot of traction in places like New York and Asia, but there is a need for this type of home in Australia.

&quot;There are various residential buildings out there with features such&nbsp;as a concierge service but hotel-branded residences, particularly those with an international focus, take it to another level,&rdquo; Lee added.

&ldquo;Business owners and executives are a key target market at Seafarers with its connectivity to the city and the airport as well as the lifestyle on offer.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=73042]

&quot;Looking at hotel-branded residences globally, they hold their value extremely well, showing that their enduring appeal is also a savvy investment.&rdquo;

Residents will be able to use&nbsp;the hotel amenity, including the swimming pool, gym, sauna and spa, housekeeping and personal shopping, in home room service and wellness treatments, and 24-hour concierge services.

Residents will also have access to exclusive resident only amenities, including a rooftop BBQ and garden overlooking the Yarra River, bookable private dining rooms, and library and lounge areas.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=27728]

Around 70 per cent of buyers so far have been business owners or those in C-suite and executive positions

Entrepreneurs and executives favour hotel lifestyle as Seafarers, Docklands sales surge

Riverlee&rsquo;s highly-anticipated Melbourne development, Seafarers, is a collection of 123 one, two and three-bedroom riverfront residences.

Designed by Fender Katsalidis, each apartment boasts luxury touches, abundant light and sweeping Yarra River and park views.

Seafarers will feature 1 Hotel &amp; Homes, above Australia&rsquo;s first 1 Hotel. These residences will become Melbourne&rsquo;s first international hotel-branded residences.

Through 1 Hotel &amp; Homes, Seafarers residents will enjoy unlimited access to five-star hotel amenities including pool, gym, housekeeping, room service, pet care and catered dinners.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=73046]

Celebrating the site&rsquo;s maritime past, Fender Katsalidis centre their design on the restoration and re-use of the heritage-listed Goods Shed No. 5 and its distinctive travelling crane.

Forming the ground floor of the 1 Hotel, the repurposed goods shed will open onto the wharf, enlivening the riverfront.

&ldquo;The Seafarers precinct will breathe new life into this forgotten stretch of the Yarra&rdquo;, the developers said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=73042]

Inspired by Melbourne&rsquo;s unique caf&eacute;, bar and dining cultures, the project will deliver world-class hospitality to residents and Melburnians.

To the shed&rsquo;s immediate east is Melbourne&rsquo;s newest, waterfront parkland, Seafarers Rest.

The landscaped haven will boast 3,500sqm of riverfront parkland, with mature trees, lush plantings and green space.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=97029]

Seafarers is set to become a tourist destination, with vibrant eateries and great sites on offer in the surrounding Docklands area.

Crown Melbourne, Ponyfish Island and the Capital City Trail are all within walking distance of the luxury dwelling.

Art lovers will also be able to close by the street art that characterises the Melbourne streetscape, as well as the National Gallery of Victoria.

<blockquote>
&ldquo;[Seafarers] will reveal itself as Melbourne&rsquo;s most diverse, most fascinating and most easily explored neighbourhood&rdquo;, the project marketing reads.
</blockquote>

Families will also enjoy being in close proximity to leading schools and universities, as well as within two kilometres of the Melbourne CBD.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=27728]

“The Seafarers precinct will breathe new life into this forgotten stretch of the Yarra”, the developers said

Find out the top reasons why buying in Melbourne's Docklands precinct could be a smart move

The Docklands development Seafarers will be immediately recognised with its unique and striking facade when it is completed in 2024.

The $500 million development by the Melbourne-based developer Riverlee on the banks of the Yarra River is part of the rejuvenation of the Northbank precinct at the end of Flinders Street.

The global architecture firm Fender Katsalidis were tasked with reimagining the&nbsp;heritage-protected Goods Shed 5, preserving&nbsp;the only intact remnants from the days before containerisation.

Recently Urban caught up with Nicky Drobis,&nbsp;director at Fender Katsalidis, to discuss the development and how the design came to fruition.

JR: What was the brief for Seafarers from Riverlee?

ND: The brief was to design Melbourne&rsquo;s most dynamic mixed-use precinct, which restored and celebrated the site&rsquo;s heritage as the heart of the development.

It was also to create a development that connected to the Yarra River and the natural environment, resulting in plans for the new park at Seafarers Rest.

The goal was to achieve true diversity within the building with entertainment, health and wellbeing, as well as luxury hotel accommodation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=73048]

JR: What interested you in the project? 
 
ND: Beyond the brief itself, and the opportunities it afforded to create a new community within Melbourne, the most interesting part of the project would be the actual building. This is an important part of the revitalisation of the broader Northbank section of the Yarra River, which is undergoing a metamorphosis. The resulting building and community will soon make Seafarers a destination in its own right.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=73049]

JR: What were the key priorities?

ND: The careful retention and restoration of the heritage-listed Goods Shed No. 5 and the Malcolm Moore Electric Crane were key to celebrating Melbourne and the Yarra River&rsquo;s industrial heritage.

We also prioritised the view opportunities across the site, not only to the river, but back towards the CBD and Docklands areas.

Looking at it holistically, we focused on an environmentally sustainable design that incorporated key initiatives for a development of this scale.

Finally, we wanted to create enchanting and intriguing journeys through unique building experiences for hotel visitors and residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=161091]

JR: Was the string of amenities high on the priority list?

ND: A focus on health and wellbeing was fundamental in the design process of the building. We have designed numerous wellness spaces which directly engage with the natural environment and incorporate living green, in addition to the landscaped terrace spaces.

A selection of private amenities includes a library and lounge, dining rooms, spa and sauna spaces and a rooftop garden.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=97028]

JR: What was the biggest challenge in conceiving the design? 
 
ND: As much as a mixed-use development can be a challenge, this adds increased complexity, requiring a higher level of design thinking and execution.

The numerous challenges of design and construction start with the heritage shed, then work through those associated with the different uses.

In a planning sense, you have a cantilevered element of the building laid on top of the heritage shed, as well as the addition of a basement, while multiple uses are split horizontally throughout the building.

JR: Was it difficult to combine the residential apartment element with the hotel space?

ND: There are great synergies afforded by residents being able to utilise all the food and beverage offerings provided by the hotel. However, we&rsquo;ve worked carefully to create independent spaces for residents to provide them with a sense of exclusivity and privacy within the building. This way we can offer residents their own exclusive spaces, while allowing them to use every bit of the hotel.

JR: Had you done this on a previous project? 

ND: Yes. A lot of our work has involved precinctual design and mixed-use buildings, with all the complexities and opportunities that come with each. Seafarers is not dissimilar, albeit in a singular building.

One example we have currently in construction is Merdeka118, which upon completion will become the second tallest skyscraper in the world.⁠⁠ Its incredibly complex infrastructure and mix of uses includes a shopping centre, commercial floorplates and luxury hotel accommodation, each atop one another.

JR: Where did you draw inspiration from for the building?

ND: The components of the building&rsquo;s form are derived from their uses and are defined as such externally. Most visibly, the heritage shed is retained, restored and celebrated at the base of the tower with the next seven levels being hotel accommodation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=97032]

Above that, reading quite distinctly, we have the apartment levels with a highly articulated floorplan edge, which enables the fa&ccedil;ade glazing to reflect light in a way that is reminiscent of the movement of water.

JR: How did you collaborate with Carr Design to make sure the interiors of the apartments were in keeping with the rest of the building?

ND: The Carr team worked very carefully to design interiors that are both elegant and luxurious.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=73043]

The overriding idea in the design the of the apartments was to maximise the view opportunities for residents. There is a rigour to the planning which is experienced as you move through the plan, creating a seamless experience. The apartments are also very generously sized with finely considered details and a warm, classic palette of materials.

JR: What part of the design are you most proud of/what are you most looking forward to seeing? 
 
ND: We are eagerly looking forward to how the building will function, fostering a vibrant series of uses for residents, guests and visitors. We are proud of how it celebrates an important part of Melbourne&rsquo;s heritage in its retention of the shed, and thus its distinctive reflection of uses as a former industrial site.

This also has us looking forward to seeing the building as a sculptural built form to the precinct along the river frontage and a marker for the wider precinct.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=27728]

Fender Katsalidis were tasked with reimagining the heritage-protected Goods Shed 5, preserving the only intact remnants from the days before containerisation



The Design Details: Fender Katsalidis Architects discuss Riverlee's mixed-use Docklands development Seafarers

Residents at Seafarers, a new luxury Northbank development, get access to substantial&nbsp;luxury amenities&nbsp;thanks to a collaboration with&nbsp;1 Hotel that form Melbourne&#39;s first-ever hotel-branded residences.

Located on the final piece of Melbourne&#39;s original waterfront,&nbsp;Seafarers will integrate luxury residences and&nbsp;luxury hotel amenities, management and services. Everything from valet parking and concierge, to personal shopping and pantry stocking.

There will be a dedicated team of over 140 staff, with the aim of developer Riverlee to create a home life of pure, effortless simplicity.

David Lee, development director at Riverlee, says Seafarers, being Melbourne&rsquo;s first international hotel-branded residences, is&nbsp;a&nbsp;completely&nbsp;new level of quality, lifestyle and convenience.

&quot;Imagine the comfort, control and permanence of your own home, complemented by the dedicated staff, elite amenities and immaculately maintained surrounds of a world-class, five-star hotel,&quot; Lee told Urban.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=173916]

&quot;There is truly nothing like Seafarers in the market at the moment with&nbsp;the service and amenity offering the first of its kind in Melbourne.&quot;

Lee says that, beyond quality, product and amenity, people are seeking a higher level of convenience that is linked with their home.

&quot;The demand for convenience is only increasing and will continue to&nbsp;be of great importance well&nbsp;after the pandemic,&quot; Lee added.

&quot;Seafarers offers this lifestyle,&nbsp;with 140 support staff from 1 Hotel available to truly offer ease of living. The services include valet parking, concierge, personal shopping, pantry stocking, pet care and botanical care in addition to business services for those working from home.&quot;

Lee says, prior to enquiry, not many buyers really understood the hotel-branded residence concept until they had the chance to see and hear it from the team.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=173927]

He says however once&nbsp;they understood it, it was seen as really&nbsp;one of the things that sets Seafarers apart.

&quot;A large portion of our buyers are executives and business owners who live notoriously busy lives. The services and amenities have been curated by Riverlee and 1 Hotel to cater to every need to give people time to spend on the things they love.

&quot;Other buyers include frequent travellers, young families and downsizers who also seek a seamless life with everything at their fingertips.

&quot;It&rsquo;s also perfect for those who like to entertain with private dining rooms available, as well as relaxation with our pool, spa and wellness facilities. We absolutely expect our purchasers to be making the most of the amenity and services available to them.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=173942]

Designed by Fender Katsalidis, the Melbourne fringe project in Northbank also features a library, dining and lounge space, as well as&nbsp;the lush surrounds of its&nbsp;elevated outdoor garden, Riverview Terrace.

Architecture and interior design firm Carr Design created the apartments to maximise external views, space and natural light, with interiors including reflective surfaces, natural and concealed doors.

Boasting uniquely large floorplans, Seafarers&rsquo; residences are situated on levels nine to 18 of the building, which is an inspired reimagining of the heritage-protected Goods Shed 5.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=173915]

Not only does it deliver five-star hotel amenities, but it also boasts&nbsp;convenient access&nbsp;to a number of nearby restaurants, caf&eacute;s, markets and some of the best educational facilities and universities in Melbourne.

The development is expected to reach completion in 2024.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=97028]

Below features a full list of the 1 Hotel &amp; Homes owners&#39; privileges available at Seafarers:&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>24-hour concierge, mail collection and access control</li>
	<li>Valet parking and bellman services</li>
	<li>On-demand maintenance</li>
	<li>Eco-conscious housekeeping and linen services</li>
	<li>Personal shopping and delivery services</li>
	<li>Babysitting</li>
	<li>In-home pet services</li>
	<li>Botanical care</li>
	<li>Local organic grocery shopping</li>
	<li>Private catering private chef</li>
	<li>In-room dining</li>
	<li>Residential signing privileges and direct billing services at signature restaurant and hotel bars</li>
	<li>Business services, including a fully-equipped business centre</li>
	<li>A curated selection of spa treatments</li>
	<li>Indoor heated pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steamroom</li>
	<li>Personal trainer and full-service fitness centre</li>
	<li>Priority status for hotel reservations across 1 Hotels, globally&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=27728]

"There is truly nothing like Seafarers in the market at the moment with the service and amenity offering the first of its kind in Melbourne."

What extra luxuries Seafarers residents get as part of 1 Hotel partnership

Queer visibility in the workplace remains just as necessary as it was ten years ago to normalise LGBTQI+ leaders as corporate role models that young people can look up to.&nbsp;

Only 21 per cent of LGBTQI+ leaders are &lsquo;out&rsquo; to the whole of their organisation, according to global data from <a href="https://www.accenture.com/us-en/blogs/accenture-research/the-surprising-reasons-most-lgbt-people-are-not-out-at-work" target="_blank">Accenture Research</a>.

But visible &lsquo;out and proud&rsquo; leaders provide a path for others to follow, with over 70 per cent of queer professionals claiming that these role models help&nbsp;them to thrive.&nbsp;

Broader conversations about equality and representation have been a catalyst for more inclusive practices in the workplace. However, the property industry is indeed lagging behind.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Unless LGBTQI+ people see people like them having successful careers in property and construction they&rsquo;ll look elsewhere,&rdquo; said Lendlease special projects executive Aaron Spicer.

Urban sits down with four change-makers transforming the face of the property industry to discuss the importance of queer visibility, the targets currently in place and what&rsquo;s next for the property industry. 
&nbsp;

<h2>Who are they?</h2>

<hr />
&nbsp;

<figure class="align-right "><img alt="" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/untitled_design.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip" srcset="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/untitled_design.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=970&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/untitled_design.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=970&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/untitled_design.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=970&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/untitled_design.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1218&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/untitled_design.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1218&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/untitled_design.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1218&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" />
<figcaption>Michael Vavakis</figcaption>
</figure>

Michael Vavakis, Chief Operating Officer &ndash; Europe, Lendlease: Michael has worked in Human Resources roles for over 25 years at Hewlett-Packard and Lendlease. Formerly the Lendlease Australia CPO, Michael played pivotal roles in implementing initiatives to build a true culture of inclusiveness, where diverse employees are not only represented but truly engaged and integrated into their workplace. These include the Property Male Champions of Change collaboration.

&nbsp;

<hr />
&nbsp;

<figure class="align-left "><img alt="" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/3_copy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip" srcset="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/3_copy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=970&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/3_copy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=970&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/3_copy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=970&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/3_copy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1218&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/3_copy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1218&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/3_copy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1218&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" />
<figcaption>Meg Patten</figcaption>
</figure>

Meg Patten, Marketing Manager, Riverlee | Co-Founder, Queers in Property: Current Chairperson and Co-Founder of Queers in Property, an independent network connecting LGBTIQ+ people in the property industry, Meg has sought to foster safe spaces and empower the community. They also sit on the Property Council of Australia&rsquo;s diversity and inclusion committee.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<hr />
&nbsp;

<figure class="align-right "><img alt="" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/2_copy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip" srcset="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/2_copy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=970&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/2_copy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=970&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/2_copy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=970&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/2_copy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1218&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/2_copy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1218&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/2_copy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1218&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" />
<figcaption>Aaron Spicer</figcaption>
</figure>

Aaron Spicer, Special Projects Executive, Lendlease: Aaron has been very involved in progressing LGBTQ+ inclusion at Lendlease and more broadly in the property sector over the last few years. Aaron is the present Chair of the Lendlease Pride Network, where he has driven numerous strategies that helped the company to be recognised in the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Awards. Lendlease was named a Platinum Employer at the 2020 Australian LGBTQ Inclusion Awards.

&nbsp;

<hr />
&nbsp;

<figure class="align-left "><img alt="" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/1_copy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip" srcset="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/1_copy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=970&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/1_copy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=970&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/1_copy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=970&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/1_copy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1218&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/1_copy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1218&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/1_copy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1218&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" />
<figcaption>Marcus Skeggs</figcaption>
</figure>

Marcus Skeggs, Account Manager, DisplaySweet | Board Member, Queers in Property: Marcus is a committee member on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee for the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) NSW, and is the Chair of their subcommittee for diversity, inclusion, and leadership. Marcus also sits on the Queers in Property board, alongside Meg.

&nbsp;

<hr />
&nbsp;

<h2>Why visibility makes all the difference</h2>

Young queer people want to know they can be themselves at work and that being LGBTQI+ will not hold back their careers.

According to a <a href="https://offers.indeed.com/AU_en_081820_DIReport_CON-EBOOK_CM" target="_blank">2020 report by Indeed</a>, 61 per cent of LGBTQI+ Australian workers say they either some or all of the time feel the need to hide their sexual orientation at work.

For over half of all LGBTQI+ employees to hide this part of their identity points to an underlying fear of stigmatisation &ndash; that perhaps there is a price to pay for being openly queer. Many workers hold a&nbsp;<a href="https://everfi.com/blog/workplace-training/lgbt-workplace-issues-hide-their-identity/" target="_blank">persistent feeling of being unwelcome</a>, while others remain &#39;closeted&#39; due to&nbsp;<a href="https://theconversation.com/coming-out-at-work-is-not-a-one-off-event-101118" target="_blank">legitimate career risks</a>, including fewer job opportunities and fears of discrimination.

This is why visibility plays such an important role in breaking down these fears and stigmas, allowing employees to feel more comfortable to bring their whole self to their workplace.&nbsp;

<img alt="" height="3648" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/shutterstock_1177679803.jpg" width="5472" />

As for Riverlee&rsquo;s marketing manager Meg Patten, seeing others gave them the courage to be an &ldquo;out and proud, non-binary lesbian in the workplace.&rdquo;

&ldquo;Visibility has the power to inspire and cultivate change within the property industry which is known to be male-dominated and heteronormative&rdquo;, they said.&nbsp;

<blockquote>
&ldquo;There is nothing more empowering than seeing another LGBTQI+ person letting their individuality shine.&rdquo;
</blockquote>

DisplaySweet&rsquo;s Marcus Skeggs echoed this sentiment, &ldquo;Visibility equals empowerment,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;

Feeling hopeful that the industry has moved beyond &ldquo;having a conversation&rdquo;, Skeggs has started to see real change and action, including support for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras from development groups by gong rainbow for the festival,&nbsp;and diversity and inclusion training for workplaces.&nbsp;

&ldquo;I would like to see this happen more often and workplaces start to celebrate significant days for the LGBTQIA+ community, like Wear it Purple Day for example where we celebrate our rainbow youth.&rdquo;&nbsp;

&ldquo;It&rsquo;s important we keep the momentum going&rdquo;, he concluded.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728]

With industry initiatives like Pride in Diversity, <a href="http://www.interbuild.online" target="_blank">InterBuild</a> and <a href="https://queersinproperty.com.au/" target="_blank">Queers in Property</a>, it is likely we will continue seeing this push for action.

Executives who embrace these initiatives can become more successful leaders and boost the empathy, efficiency, and productivity of their organisations. 
&nbsp;

<h2>The blue-collar identity gap</h2>

While &ldquo;good progress&rdquo; is being made in corporate office roles, more work needs to be done on site-based roles, Spicer said.

Within the construction industry, homophobia was more present than on average, reported <a href="https://www.pwc.com.au/publications/pdf/pwc-workplace-inclusion-report-sep17.pdf" target="_blank">PwC&rsquo;s GLEE team</a>.

<blockquote>
75 per cent of respondents indicated&nbsp;they had observed homophobia, compared to 56 per cent in other sectors.&nbsp;
</blockquote>

&ldquo;The initial focus has been on corporate [and] white-collar environments and much more needs to be done here, but we also need to consider regional, site and blue-collar workforces.&rdquo;&nbsp;

&ldquo;Given the subcontract nature of those environments we can only create truly inclusive workplaces if the industry works together to achieve a base level of expectations and behaviours&rdquo;, he added.

However, Patten, despite co-founding Queers in Property, still feels like they are always learning about how to tackle this issue. It&rsquo;s all a learning curve.&nbsp;

&ldquo;People don&rsquo;t generally understand what they can&rsquo;t see which reinforces how important visibility is&rdquo;, they noted.&nbsp;

Executives and diversity and inclusion teams can follow Patten&rsquo;s lead in adapting initiatives to be &ldquo;as inclusive as possible.&rdquo;

The young change-maker immerses themselves in the community and listens to stories to help drive the change the industry needs.

Chief operating officer at Lendlease, Michael Vavakis adds: &ldquo;Conversation, role models, product design, calling out positive and negative behaviours [&hellip;] is really what creates an inclusive environment and each of these things needs to be relentlessly pursued.&rdquo;

Lendlease is similarly working to increase its focus on inclusion, partnering with UNSW to research the barriers to LGBTQI+ inclusion on construction sites.&nbsp;

&ldquo;We look forward to sharing the results of that research and recommendations for the industry to address later in the year&rdquo;, Spicer said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

<h2>Building inclusivity into communities&nbsp;</h2>

According to Vavakis, it is not only employees that developers and industry associations should be helping, but homeowners too.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Outside of all the activities we are doing to create inclusive workplaces, I believe that this point about designing and creating and building with inclusivity in mind is a unique proposition that has only begun to be explored in the property industry.&rdquo;

<blockquote>
&ldquo;[This] is something unique that the property industry can contribute. That is how do we design, create and build places that reflect the importance of inclusiveness and the sometimes uniqueness of the LGBTQI+ community&rdquo;, he said.&nbsp;
</blockquote>

Patten echoed: &ldquo;We have so much influence on the built environment, we need to understand how we can create LGBTQI+ friendly spaces for people as well.&rdquo;

Although it&rsquo;s unlikely we&rsquo;ll be seeing queer design hitting residential projects in the mainstream anytime soon, dialogue about inclusiveness and community-making should continue across the property industry.&nbsp;

&quot;Diversity is more than a box ticking exercise, it&#39;s about creating meaningful change to ensure the homes that we&#39;re building meet the needs of the communities we serve&quot;, said Apartments.com.au CEO Mike Bird.

For Spicer, this might include discussions on&nbsp;the &ldquo;bigger picture,&rdquo; such as &ldquo;are the placemaking needs of our community different and how are they likely to evolve.&rdquo;

&ldquo;Inclusiveness does need more of a conversation across the property industry and [I] think it is starting to happen.&rdquo;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29358]

Urban sits down with four change-makers transforming the face of the property industry to discuss the importance of queer visibility

LGBTQI+ Leader Series: Four change-makers transforming the face of property

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The Melbourne developer Riverlee have commenced construction at their $2 billion New Epping community in Melbourne's north.

Stage one, which was fast-tracked under the Victorian Government’s Building Victoria Recovery Taskforce, will include a mix of 151 social and affordable homes to be operated by the homelessness services provider Haven; Home, Safe, as well as the $133 million Northern Private Hospital, to be operated by Ramsay Health Care.

They will make up part of the 51 hectare New Epping, a redevelopment of the former Epping Quarry, which Riverlee bought in 2015, around 15 years after the quarry ceased its operations.

There is slated to be over 2,500 townhouses and apartments as part of the development, as well as a new health and commercial office precinct.

The stage one residences are estimated to be completed by May 2022.

<img alt="Test" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/epping_riverlee_2.jpg" style="width: 1600px; height: 695px;">

It will take between 10 to 15 years to complete the whole urban renewal project which will drive $4.7 billion in economic benefit to Victoria.

Minister for Housing and Minister for Planning Richard Wynne was in attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony around 20 kilometres north of Melbourne.

Riverlee development director David Lee says the groundbreaking milestone is significant for the community in Melbourne’s north, positioning Epping as the centre of activity in the region, following collaboration with the City of Whittlesea, state government and project partners to achieve the works. 

“Together with our project partners, local council and the state government, we are excited to be commencing Stage 1 at New Epping –a project that will play a huge role in meeting the healthcare and housing demands of this growing area," Lee says.

"The diverse mix of housing, health and commercial uses will create a vibrant culture and community with a focus on wellness and sustainability. 

“Our vision for New Epping will take urban regeneration to a new level and bring an inner-city offering to the suburbs. The site no doubt has its challenges and we thank the state government for recognising the needs of this region by fast-tracking the work under the Building Victoria Recovery Taskforce,” he says. 

"Riverlee carefully selected its project partners to ensure that New Epping would be a leader in healthcare and support services for residents, with Ramsay Health Care the largest private hospital operator in Australia and Haven; Home Safe known for its integrated approach to housing and services.

<img alt="Epping" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/epping_riverlee_3.jpg">

Haven; Home Safe chair, Damien Tangey says that the Stage 1 residences area truly collaborative partnership project which will increase the supply of safe, secure, social and affordable housing in Melbourne's north.

“The Stage 1 residences area sound investment in the community and demonstrates how the private and community housing sector can work with government to deliver quality forms of housing in terms of architectural design, environmental outcomes, and internal space planning,” he says

In addition to the Stage 1 residences and the new Northern Private Hospital, the works include key supporting infrastructure including the development of the 11ha central green spine that will connect all components within New Epping.

Riverlee are developing the luxury mixed-use hotel and apartment project Seafarers in Melbourne's Docklands.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728] 
</body></html>

It will take between 10 to 15 years to complete the whole urban renewal project which will drive $4.7 billion in economic benefit to Victoria.

Construction begins at Riverlee's $2 billion New Epping community 

Seafarers offers a boutique collection of 123 sublimely crafted one, two and three-bedroom residences.

Delivered by Riverlee, the development heralds a new era in luxury inner-city living in Melbourne&rsquo;s Yarra River.

Urban takes a look at seven things you need to know about buying a home at the Seafarers development.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728]

1. Rich, unique history

Paying homage to the site&rsquo;s unique industrial past, Seafarer&rsquo;s celebrates the enthralling history of the Yarra River and the Port of Melbourne.

Centred on the inspired reimagining of the heritage-protected Goods Shed 5, the project promises to preserve the only intact remnants from the days before containerisation.

This involves extensive public works including the refurbishment of the wharf and restoration of the Malcolm Moore electric crane, under the stewardship of Riverlee. 
&nbsp;

2. Integrated residence and hotel

Partnering with Australia&rsquo;s first 1 Hotel, Seafarers offers an integration of residences and hotel that provides residents with exclusive access to the hotel&rsquo;s luxury amenities, management and services.

Resident privileges include eco-conscious housekeeping and linen services, personal shopping services, babysitting, private catering and a 24-hour concierge. 
&nbsp;

3. Architectural design

<a href="/new-apartments/seafarers-docklands-731-flinders-street-docklands"><img alt="" height="1200" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/seafarers-731-flinders-street-docklands-3846244afd3c9eecdbaf384e9856ede4.jpg" width="1600" /></a>

Designed by Fender Katsalidis, the striking building&rsquo;s geometric fa&ccedil;ade is inspired by the movement and reflections present in the Yarra River, as well as the project&rsquo;s industrial history.

&ldquo;The site&rsquo;s heritage components are what make it so special,&rdquo; said Fender Katsalidis&rsquo; Karl Fender. &ldquo;We wanted to represent them respectfully but in a new light.&rdquo;

The project&rsquo;s tripartite layering and rectilinear forms create a striking urban presence. 
&nbsp;

4. Expansive residences

<a href="/new-apartments/seafarers-docklands-731-flinders-street-docklands"><img alt="" height="2100" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/seafarers-731-flinders-street-docklands-bd91db8f1683a90f935eab10cb48fd13.jpg" width="5000" /></a>

Boasting uniquely large floorplans, Seafarers&rsquo; residences are situated on levels nine to 18 of the building.

The interiors, designed by award-winning CARR, maximise natural light, external views and space, with natural stones, reflective surfaces and concealed doors.

Other features include integrated joinery, open-plan layouts and quality finishes. 
&nbsp;

5. World-class amenities

<a href="/new-apartments/seafarers-docklands-731-flinders-street-docklands"><img alt="" height="1080" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/seafarers-731-flinders-street-docklands-6c3d56e26cf81934aaa9b0a21a959050.jpg" width="1920" /></a>

Seafarers provides countless amenities to its residents within an indoor heated pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, full-service fitness centre and spa.

To complement the convenience of hotel luxuries, a further suite of amenities is reserved for the private enjoyment of residents, including dining rooms, lounge, library and the lush surrounds of Seafarers&rsquo; elevated outdoor garden, Riverview Terrace.

Providing the ultimate walking neighbourhood, the precinct will also benefit from 3,500sqm of new riverfront parkland at Seafarers Rest. 
&nbsp;

6. Snaidero kitchen

<a href="/new-apartments/seafarers-docklands-731-flinders-street-docklands"><img alt="" height="3000" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/seafarers-731-flinders-street-docklands-906dabad6771ae17e75be7a39b3a18d2.jpg" width="5000" /></a>

Heralding a new era of luxury living, each kitchen within the complex will feature porcelain fronted joinery designed and crafted by the luxury Italian kitchen designer, Snaidero.

Purpose-built as the &lsquo;heart of the home&rsquo;, each kitchen will utilise low emission panels, water-based lacquers and energy-efficient technologies, with the option to integrate a PITT Cooking burner system into the countertop. 
&nbsp;

7. Riverfront setting

Situated on 220-metres of uninterrupted riverfront, residents benefit from sweeping views from the Yarra to Port Phillip Bay at Docklands&rsquo; Seafarers.

Set amongst Melbourne&rsquo;s most diverse neighbourhood, Seafarers boasts close access to the waterside caf&eacute;s, restaurants and bars at South Wharf Promenade, as well as the laneways, arcades and grand boulevards of the nearby Melbourne CBD.

Prices at Seafarers begin from $825,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and from $2.46 million for a three-bedroom apartment.

The development is expected to reach completion in late 2023.

Delivered by Riverlee, the development heralds a new era in luxury inner-city living at Melbourne’s Yarra River

Riverlee

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