A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.

It's a formula that's become commonplace across Australia's apartment market. Residents might have access to a pool, gym or barbecue facilities on a dedicated lower level, but the most desirable outdoor spaces are typically reserved for the highest-priced homes at the top of the building.

Sherpa Group has taken the opposite approach.

Rather than dedicating the rooftop to a handful of buyers, the Gold Coast developer has made it the centrepiece of its Flourish collection, creating expansive shared spaces from the best vantage point in the building.

The philosophy has reached its most ambitious expression at Flourish Soleira in Palm Beach, where two rooftop precincts connected by a skybridge will deliver one of the most extensive lifestyle offerings seen in a residential apartment project on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374053]

"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.

"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.

"That's where amenity becomes critical. It's not just about what's included, but how those spaces are designed to be used every day."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374052]

The breadth of amenity has already attracted buyers across multiple demographics. Younger first home buyers have been drawn to Soleira's one-bedroom apartments, a product rarely delivered in Palm Beach, while families have responded to practical inclusions such as the shallow children's pool adjoining the main lap pool and the extensive communal recreation areas.

Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

The southern rooftop has been dedicated to wellness, featuring a gym, yoga and Pilates studio, work-from-home facilities, a wellness centre, spa, and hot and cold plunge pools.

The northern rooftop focuses on recreation and entertaining, incorporating a heated resort-style pool, private dining rooms, pizza ovens, barbecues, a golf simulator, children's recreation areas, and what is expected to be the Gold Coast's first rooftop basketball court, which will also double as a squash court.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374054]

Beyond the rooftops, Soleira will introduce 1,500 sqm of curated retail beneath the towers, creating one of Palm Beach's first genuinely mixed-use lifestyle precincts where cafés, restaurants and convenience retail become part of residents' everyday lives.

Sherpa has also retained management rights across the development, allowing it to oversee the long-term operation of the building through a 24-hour concierge model. The developer is also exploring additional revenue streams within the precinct aimed at helping offset ongoing body corporate costs for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370962]

While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.

It began with Flourish Amargo, the first project released under the Flourish brand. Rather than competing at the ultra-luxury end of the market with oversized half-floor and full-floor residences, Sherpa focused on creating lifestyle-driven apartments supported by resort-style shared spaces.

Amargo introduced more than 800 sqm of rooftop amenity, combining wellness facilities, heated pools, entertaining areas, cabanas, pizza ovens and private dining spaces into what was designed as an extension of residents' homes rather than a facility used only occasionally.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=366550]

That approach continued with Flourish Oasis, where the same amenity-led philosophy was refined into a more boutique development. Strong demand from Sherpa's growing VIP database saw much of the project sold before it reached the broader market, reinforcing buyer appetite for apartment communities centred around shared lifestyle experiences.

Flourish Amargo is slated for completion mid-way-through next year, with Oasis to be delivered by late 2027. Flourish Soleira is expected to complete in 2030.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Joel Robinson

Sherpa takes amenity to the sky as Flourish Soleira captures booming Palm Beach demand

As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]

The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.

Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.

In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]

The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.

Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.

This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]

What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.

The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.

Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

Elevated amenity anchors daily life at Aeris, Melrose Park

Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tsioMLcnjas?si=zq-ys3JuWpfa5hFv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]

Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]

The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

Sapphire By The Gardens

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Major construction firm Multiplex has announced their <a href="/buildings/sapphire-by-the-gardens-63-la-trobe-street-melbourne-vic-3000">Sapphire By The Gardens</a> team has commenced the build of their highly anticipated dual skyscrapers in <a href="/new-apartments/melbourne-vic">Melbourne's CBD</a> – following the site's groundbreaking earlier this year.

<blockquote>
“We are delighted to commence the main works on this world-class development which is set to be one of the most significant projects in Victoria.”
</blockquote>

Graham Cottam, Regional Managing Director of Multiplex Victoria

The groundwork and preparation required a day-long concrete raft pour which covered an area of 1000 square meters. Sapphire by the Gardens’ monumental three-metre deep raft foundation is located atop an existing railway tunnel and is said to be one of the most significant concrete pours in the city’s history.

<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/308ex_pour_005_small.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Sapphire By The Gardens concrete pouring. Image supplied."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/308ex_pour_005_small.jpg?itok=WnPlEOn0" title="Sapphire By The Gardens concrete pouring. Image supplied." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Sapphire By The Gardens concrete pouring. Image supplied.</figcaption></figure><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/308ex_pour_006_small.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Sapphire By The Gardens concrete pouring. Image supplied."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/308ex_pour_006_small.jpg?itok=njq5teVH" title="Sapphire By The Gardens concrete pouring. Image supplied." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Sapphire By The Gardens concrete pouring. Image supplied.</figcaption></figure><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/308ex_pour_009_small.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Sapphire By The Gardens concrete pouring. Image supplied."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="323" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/308ex_pour_009_small.jpg?itok=5uc3gbma" title="Sapphire By The Gardens concrete pouring. Image supplied." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Sapphire By The Gardens concrete pouring. Image supplied.</figcaption></figure>The 308 Exhibition Street site will be transformed into a mixed-use precinct, with Malaysian property developer <a href="/developers/s-p-setia">S P Setia</a> set to deliver two high-rise towers designed by <a href="/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> and <a href="/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis Architects</a>. The 222-metre tower will be dedicated to 300 luxury residential apartments, while the taller 232-metre building will be home to Melbourne’s new Shangri-La hotel. Both towers will be linked at Level 46 by a suspended bridge, which will contain an exclusive Sky Lounge which overlooks Melbourne’s UNESCO world heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building and surrounding Carlton Gardens.

Sapphire By The Gardens and the Shangri-La hotel will be constructed simultaneously, with 95% of apartments already sold and limited units remaining and slated completion of late 2020.

<h2>SAPPHIRE BY THE GARDENS RENDERS</h2>

<figure><a href="/buildings/sapphire-by-the-gardens-63-la-trobe-street-melbourne-vic-3000"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="323" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/sbtg_bedroom.jpg?itok=gm6pA0VH" title="Sapphire By The Gardens bedroom render. Image supplied." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Sapphire By The Gardens bedroom render. Image supplied.</figcaption></figure><figure><a href="/buildings/sapphire-by-the-gardens-63-la-trobe-street-melbourne-vic-3000"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="410" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/sapphirebythegardens.jpg?itok=WWyKSLem" title="Sapphire By The Gardens exterior render. Image supplied." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Sapphire By The Gardens exterior render. Image supplied.</figcaption></figure><figure><a href="/buildings/sapphire-by-the-gardens-63-la-trobe-street-melbourne-vic-3000"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="327" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/sbtg_lounge.jpeg?itok=P6MOp_HK" title="Sapphire By The Gardens lounge render. Image supplied." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Sapphire By The Gardens lounge render. Image supplied.</figcaption></figure><h2>AMENITIES INCLUDE:</h2>

<ul>
<li>Wellness facilties such as a gymnasium, yoga studio and 25-metre heated pool</li>
	<li>Sky Lounge and restaurant</li>
	<li>Terracing podiums</li>
	<li>Communal courtyards</li>
	<li>A cinema</li>
	<li>Karaoke and games room</li>
	<li>A fireplace and piano room</li>
</ul>
<h2>Melbourne properties selling now:</h2>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2929]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3490]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22699]
</body></html>

Olivia Round

Works commence on Melbourne’s Sapphire By The Gardens

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It's officially spring and so it would also appear, ground breaking season. Apartments.com.au was onsite along with Lord Mayor Sally Capp and representatives from S P Setia, Multiplex, Fender Katsalidis, Cox Architecture and Shangri-La to celebrate the ground breaking of Sapphire By The Gardens and the official appointment of Multiplex as head contractor.

S P Setia’s 62-storey, $565 million development mixed-use development will feature Melbourne’s first 5-star Shangri-La hotel of 500 suites, in addition to 300 apartments with 95% sales achieved at time of writing. With Multiplex on board as the builder, a 3 year construction programme  is expected with Shangri-La Melbourne due to open in 2022.

<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/breaking_ground_at_sapphire_by_the_gardens.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="Lord Mayor Sally Capp with representatives from the development team"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/breaking_ground_at_sapphire_by_the_gardens.jpeg?itok=Jan7PJI7" title="Lord Mayor Sally Capp with representatives from the development team" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lord Mayor Sally Capp with representatives from the development team. Image: Nate Moir</figcaption></figure>Located at 308 Exhibition Street opposite the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Carlton Gardens, the design of Sapphire By The Gardens draws on and celebrates its garden location with a podium and urban realm characterised by lush greenery. The dual tower development's signature feature however, is its two-storey sky bridge linking the towers 50-storeys up in the air, and providing unique panoramic views across Melbourne to Carlton Gardens and beyond.

Speaking at the event to mark the occasion, Architect and Founding Director of Fender Katsalidis (FK), Karl Fender joked that if not for FK and Cox competing against each other, either firm would have won the competition outright. Instead because S P Setia couldn't split them they formed a partnership combining ideas from their respective concepts to produce Sapphire By The Gardens - "two architects for the price of one" said Fender with a wry smile.

<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/sapphire_by_the_gardens_overlooking_carlton_gardens.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Sapphire By The Gardens, draws on its location opposite the Carlton Gardens. Image: S P Setia"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/sapphire_by_the_gardens_overlooking_carlton_gardens.jpg?itok=brZYCgza" title="Sapphire By The Gardens, draws on its location opposite the Carlton Gardens. Image: S P Setia" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Sapphire By The Gardens, draws on its location opposite the Carlton Gardens. Image: S P Setia</figcaption></figure><h2>What the say...</h2>

<blockquote>
Today's ground breaking ceremony marks an extremely significant milestone not just for Setia, but for Melbourne and so we are deeply honoured to have the Lord Mayor present to celebrate this auspicious occasion. We are here of course to mark the commencement of the construction works of this visionary twin tower project comprising Victoria's first Shangri-La hotel and Sapphire By The Gardens residences.

S P Setia with our A-team consultants and our giant builder Multiplex, has been working tirelessly to bring this project to reality. And now here we stand, proud that this has been achieved, and accordingly we would like to thank the City of Melbourne, in particular for the support it provided during the formative stages of the project.

Effort in each of our projects, both large and small to sensitively contribute to their context but perhaps none moreso than Sapphire By The Gardens. With its Shangri-La hotel, these striking twin towers mark the north-eastern gateway into the city through the stunning World Heritage Carlton Gardens and this has inspired a richly landscaped podium and forecourt presence to the public realm. On the other hand floating high above, the Skybridge - also open of course to the public and a first in Australia - will provide never-before-seen views of Melbourne and the Gardens.

The Shangri-La is one of the finest hotels in the world, it is fitting that it enjoys the primacy of this location  which is one of the finest in Melbourne. We are extremely proud to deliver this project to Melbourne and extremely privileged to share this moment with our Mayor, Sally Capp.

- Mr Choong Kai Wai, CEO of S P Setia’s Australian operations
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
On this very spot a significant architectural project is soon to rise above the streets of Melbourne. We will have our oldest iconic building, the Royal Exhibition Building looking on as our newest iconic building with its Skybridge is built right here. Congratulations to everyone involved.

I want to acknowledge that ambition is indeed at home right here in Melbourne. Melbourne's booming economic performance shows no sign of slowing down and projects such as this with its enormous scale is all important in terms of the investments and development happening right here in our city.

We expect our residential population to rise by over 50% over the next decade and so the investment in the much needed housing and accommodation that will happen through Sapphire By The Gardens is very welcome. I also note the thoughtfulness of what will happen at a street level as part of this project and the fact that this environment will add to Melbourne's reputation for engaging in distinctive experiences, you are also delivering that.

- Lord Mayor, Sally Capp 
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
Today is made very auspicious by this ground breaking ceremony, yet to come. It's ground breaking on a very, very special site in Melbourne, possibly, I would argue, the best site in Melbourne. It's on the gateway into Melbourne from the east, through the stunning World heritage gardens of the Carlton Gardens so it's appropriate that this gateway, this entry into Melbourne, is celebrated in the right way and makes all the right announcements.

Announcements such as 'great design comes first'. Our city is based on great design, past and present and going forward. On that note I really would like to make a special mention to Phillip Rowe and his team at Cox, who are our co-architects, co-designers on this project.

It will also sign Melbourne, the garden city, with this incredible garden entry way, in the design process we thought about bringing the Carlton Gardens across LaTrobe Street and into the building, through a beautiful plaza  meant for the public, and also up the face of the building, particularly the podium.

The futuristic Skybridge - another first for Melbourne - will be fantastic, it will provide new views over Melbourne for everybody whilst you sip your gin martini.

- Karl Fender, Founding Director Fender Katsalidis
</blockquote>

 
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