<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/draycon">Draycon Building</a> is nearing completion of Boutique Chevron Island, a 42-apartment development on the northern end of Chevron Island at 17–19 Parneno Street, with a limited-time offer of fully furnished apartments available.

Now more than 90 per cent complete, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/boutique-chevron-island-17-19-parneno-chevron-island-qld-4217">Boutique</a> has been shaped by one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held island addresses, where riverfront outlooks and walkable access to Surfers Paradise converge.

For Draycon Building Managing Director Howard Dabit, the appeal of the site was immediate.

“I knew it was a good site as soon as I saw it,” Dabit said.

“The position and location on the north end of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chevron-island-qld-4217">Chevron Island</a>, the way the river swirls around the site basically from the north to the east, it feels like the site is surrounded by the water. The height that we’ve got and the aspect looking north is beautiful. Eighty per cent of the apartments are looking north so they get that drenching sunlight coming in.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89709 project_image_fid=360922]

That northern orientation places the development within a stretch of Chevron Island defined by open river aspects and skyline views, while remaining embedded in the suburb’s established village setting.

Chevron Island has increasingly drawn owner-occupiers seeking centrality without the intensity of high-rise beachfront living. Positioned at the geographical centre of the Gold Coast, the island offers direct access to both the beach and key cultural infrastructure while retaining a neighbourhood-scale character.

Connected by bridge to Surfers Paradise, Chevron Island offers walkable access to beaches, riverfront parklands and a revitalised foreshore boulevard animated by walkers and cyclists throughout the day. The Pacific Ocean is only minutes away, reinforcing the suburb’s dual river-and-surf identity.

At the same time, Thomas Drive forms the spine of the island’s village life, delivering cafés, wine bars, casual dining and everyday services within easy reach. Independent grocers, wellness operators and neighbourhood retailers contribute to a community atmosphere that remains distinct from the vertical scale of the beachfront.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89709 project_image_fid=360915]

In the opposite direction, the Green Bridge links directly to HOTA – Home of the Arts – placing galleries, performance venues and parklands within walking distance. Weekly markets and major exhibitions draw visitors from across the region, while residents return to a quieter residential pocket at day’s end.

Public transport, including nearby bus routes and the G:link light rail corridor along the coastal spine, strengthens connectivity north and south. Griffith University, the Gold Coast University Hospital precinct and established private schools such as The Southport School are all within a short drive.

Ongoing investment across Surfers Paradise, HOTA and the broader Southport corridor has elevated amenity while preserving Chevron Island’s comparatively low-rise residential character. It is this balance, walkable village atmosphere paired with metropolitan-scale infrastructure, that continues to differentiate the suburb from higher-density beachfront precincts.

Boutique comprises just 42 residences, designed to maximise river and skyline outlooks within this tightly held island setting.

Boutique Chevron Island is slated for completion in April 2026, with prices starting from $1,220,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=89709]

Joel Robinson

Draycon Building’s Boutique Chevron Island places 42 residences at the heart of the Gold Coast

Sydney developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/deicorp">Deicorp</a> has secured planning approval for a $300 million residential development in Lindfield, marking the company’s second project on Sydney’s North Shore and its first on the Upper North Shore.

Located on Beaconsfield Parade and designed by DKO Architecture, the state significant development comprises three buildings of up to 10 storeys and will include 399 residences, including 59 affordable homes and 40 adaptable homes.

Residences will range in size from one, two and three bedrooms, with two-bedroom apartments accounting for over 60 per cent of the product make-up. Residents will have access to a broad suite of amenities, including a wellness area, indoor and outdoor recreational spaces, a pool, a gym, a community room and a golf simulator.

In line with Deicorp’s long-standing focus on creating transit-oriented communities, the project is located just 260 metres from the Lindfield Train Station, reinforcing its role in delivering well-connected housing close to established infrastructure, retail and local services.

The inclusion of affordable and adaptable housing supports greater diversity within the local market, while the mix of apartment types responds to demand from downsizers, young professionals and families seeking access to the Upper North Shore.

Deicorp Founder Fouad Deiri OAM said the approval represents an important milestone for both the company and the suburb

“This approval allows us to deliver well-designed homes in a location that is already supported by strong transport and community infrastructure," Deiri said.

"Our focus is on creating places that integrate into their surroundings and provide long-term value for residents, and the broader Lindfield community. Being within walking distance of the station ensures this project supports sustainable growth in the right locations."

Across its portfolio, Deicorp currently has 4,703 apartments under construction, playing a leading role in shaping connected, liveable communities across Sydney.

Its expanding portfolio of Metro-linked developments includes Tallawong Village, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kings-bay-village-five-dock-53-75-queens-road-five-dock-nsw-2046">Kings Bay Village</a> in Five Dock, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/hyde-metropolitan-sydney-133-141-liverpool-street-sydney-nsw-2000">Hyde Metropolitan</a> in Sydney CBD, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/falcon-alexander-crows-nest-8-alexander-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Falcon &amp; Alexander</a> in Crows Nest and Showground Village, Castle Hill.

Deicorp purchased the Beaconsfield Paradise site last year. Construction is scheduled to commence in Q2 of 2026 and will be completed in 2029.

Deicorp expands portfolio to nearly 5,000 apartments with Lindfield project

In a joint venture with The Trump Organization, Australia developer Altus Property Group has announced plans to bring a Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower to the Gold Coast, marking the first Trump-branded project in Australia.

"Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower, Gold Coast is our first official project in Australia and reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering world-class luxury experiences in iconic locations around the world," Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization, said.

"This development exemplifies the Trump brand’s dedication to quality, sophistication, and unmatched service, and we are thrilled to bring this vision to the vibrant Gold Coast community."

The 91-storey building, which will become the tallest in Australia at 335 metres, will feature a&nbsp;285-room luxury hotel bearing the trademark Trump logo. It will also include 272 luxury residential apartments, a three-level podium with an exclusive Beach Club, and over 3,400 sqm of premium commercial, retail, and dining space, revitalizing the central Surfers Paradise precinct.

“Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower, Gold Coast will be a truly unique offering in the Australian market, bringing the prestige and allure of a world-class luxury brand,"&nbsp;Altus founder and chief executive David Young said.

"Altus Property Group is proud of its track record in delivering landmark developments across Australia, and our expertise ensures this project will be an outstanding success."

Trump Hotel heads for the Gold Coast to become Australia's tallest building

More than a century after the Corrimal Coke Works first opened in 1912, the industrial landmark that helped shape the suburb is being reinterpreted as a walkable residential neighbourhood, with Stage One of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-works-stage-one-27-railway-street-corrimal-nsw-2518">The Works</a> now underway at 27 Railway Street.

For 102 years, the site was central to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/corrimal-nsw-2518">Corrimal</a>’s economic and social identity before operations ceased in 2014. Rather than erasing that legacy, developer Legacy Property has embedded it into the masterplan, retaining and reinterpreting elements such as the iconic 1912 brick chimney and sections of the original C1 Coke Oven Battery, alongside the adaptive reuse of the former powerhouse building.

Stage One will introduce 181 apartments across low-rise buildings, offering predominantly two and three-bedroom residences with completion targeted for mid-2027. The scale and configuration reflect a deliberate focus on owner-occupiers, targeting those seeking a lower-maintenance home in a prime location within the northern suburbs of Wollongong.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359833]

Apartments have been designed to maximise natural light and cross-ventilation, with floor-to-ceiling glazing extending living areas onto generous balconies. Engineered timber flooring, induction cooktops and 900mm ovens in larger residences support everyday functionality, while two interior palettes allow buyers to tailor finishes to their preferences. The material selection draws on a restrained coastal language, intended to connect homes to their surroundings rather than compete with them.

The Works forms part of a broader 18-hectare masterplan that will ultimately deliver around 550 dwellings, new parks, and a heritage precinct celebrating the site’s past. More than seven hectares are dedicated to open space, including Southern Park and a Village Green with community gardens and recreation areas. The creek corridor is being rehabilitated with 150,000 native plantings, restoring biodiversity to the site and softening landscape.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359841]

Positioned adjacent to Corrimal Station and within walking distance of Corrimal Town Centre, the precinct places daily essentials, rail connections and local retail within easy reach. Wollongong CBD, including the hospital, university and entertainment venues, sits approximately 6.5 kilometres to the south.

For buyers more familiar with North Wollongong, Corrimal offers a different proposition: a well-established coastal suburb framed by beaches to the east and the escarpment to the west, with a strong sense of local identity shaped in part by the former Coke Works. The Works seeks to reinforce that identity by creating a connected, walkable neighbourhood between coast and escarpment, rather than a standalone apartment complex.

Sustainability underpins the development approach. The Works is targeting Wollongong’s first 5-Star Green Star-rated community, with water-sensitive urban design, recycled materials and energy-efficient buildings integrated across the masterplan. For residents, these measures provide not only environmental benefits but also reduced operational costs and future resilience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359842]

With construction commenced and display materials available to view, prospective buyers can now engage more directly with the project’s vision, reviewing floorplans, material selections and the broader masterplan in detail. For many local homeowners weighing a move, the opportunity to experience how heritage, landscape and contemporary design intersect may help bridge the gap between familiarity and the next chapter.

As Stage One progresses toward its mid-2027 completion, The Works represents a significant chapter in Corrimal’s evolution, transforming a site that once powered local industry into a walkable residential precinct designed for its next generation of residents.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=143415]

Legacy Property’s The Works reimagines Corrimal’s century-old Coke Works

When it comes to developing in Melb​ourne's Bayside region, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lowe-living">Lowe Living</a> knows exactly what buyers want.

With a longstanding presence in the area and a string of sell-out projects, Lowe Living consistently delivers developments that are as sought-after as their predecessors.

Their latest instalment is in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-vic-3188">Hampton</a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-east-vic-3188">&nbsp;East,</a> the same postcode where they have previously delivered Hampton Hill and Oceano. The developer-builder recently commenced construction on its newest project,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marella-hampton-31-35-alicia-street-hampton-east-vic-3188">Marella</a>, a collection of 32 apartments just five minutes from the beach.

Site acquisition is paramount to success. Lowe Living rarely brings a building to market that isn’t within walking distance of essential amenities, whether it be the beach, a prominent retail strip, or a train station. Marella is no exception, located at its Alicia Street address, less than a kilometre from the retail heart of Hampton Street and Hampton Station.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358495]

Equally important to Lowe Living is the architecture.

For Marella, they appointed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>, who explains that the architectural vision was to create a contemporary reinterpretation of the Californian bungalow, a style that’s iconic to Hampton’s heritage.

"By borrowing, abstracting, and reinterpreting elements of this quintessential style, such as strong datum lines, articulated columns, exposed structures, and roof tiles, our design strikes a balance between modernity and familiarity," says Cera Stribley.

"This approach ensures that the development is not only visually appealing but also contextually sensitive, resonating with Hampton's existing architectural landscape."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358499]

The building features terracotta brick, soft cream masonry, and exposed metal detailing, giving it a tactile presence that is intended to weather gently over time.

Internally, the focus on lasting quality continues, with two and three-bedroom residences anchored by sculptural stone kitchen islands, natural light, and clearly defined transitions between living, dining, and outdoor spaces.

The layouts have been carefully designed. Open-plan zones extend to private balconies, with light-filled interiors and generous kitchen proportions, supported by Miele wall ovens, induction cooktops, and integrated fridge-freezers. These are not small apartments rebranded as luxury; they have been designed at scale, with ample storage, hotel-style entry access, and secure basement parking provided as standard.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358492]

At the uppermost level, Marella’s Signature Collection penthouses offer city or bay views, large entertaining terraces (some with outdoor spas), and elevated finishes, including fully wrapped stone kitchen benches and a Liebherr wine fridge.

Flexible room arrangements allow for a fourth bedroom or secondary living space, sought-after by both empty nesters who want the space when family visits and families with older children.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358498]

A residents’ lounge on the ground floor reinforces the project’s small-community feel. With a fireplace, private dining area, and adjoining terrace, it’s one of several shared spaces that balance amenity with privacy and scale.

Construction has commenced, with completion expected in early 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146197]

Lowe Living continues Bayside legacy as Marella rises in Hampton

Polo Collection, delivered by Meriton, is the third release within a brand new four-stage masterplanned community designed by an award-winning quartet of leading architectural firms.

The luxury resort-style development sits in Rosebery&rsquo;s vibrant heart, boasting a collection of unique low-rise towers tailored to display its considered architecture and interior design.

Each stage of &lsquo;The Gallery&rsquo; was individually designed by either SJB, Tribe Studio, DKO and Fox Johnston.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7588 project_image_fid=72298]

Designed by SJB, Polo Collection comprises 270 luxury apartments across four buildings, set amongst tree-lined boulevards, and neighbouring the newly-created 5,683sqm Rosebery Park.

&ldquo;Polo Collection will feature contemporary landscape and architectural design elements which celebrate Rosebery&rsquo;s industrial history while enhancing the recreational needs of residents&rdquo;, said SJB Architects&rsquo; Nick Hatzi.

The buildings incorporate various materials including bricks, tiles, timber and steel mesh which pay homage to the industrial past of the suburb and interacts with the surrounds.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7588 project_image_fid=72310]

One, two and three-bedroom apartments boast an innovative design, with large format tiles flowing throughout the open-plan living and dining areas, leading to a generous balcony, terrace or courtyard.

Bathrooms and ensuites feature clean, uncluttered lines, while neutral colour palettes deliver luxurious and inviting spa-like quality.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7588 project_image_fid=72302]

Many apartments feature a study room with bedroom-sized proportions, complete with a window and air conditioning.

Other design features include limestone-look tiles for low maintenance style, spacious gourmet kitchens and an internal laundry with dryer and cabinetry.

Floor-to-ceiling glass windows maximise sunlight, accentuate the generous designs and add character to the fa&ccedil;ade, which also feature ribbons of herringbone tile that hint to wrapped candy boxes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7588 project_image_fid=72299]

Meriton&rsquo;s vibrant residential, retail and leisure hub combines some of the most luxurious and largest residences in the area with convenient shopping amenities including a Woolworths.

Other amenities include an onsite retail precinct, comprehensive security network, onsite childcare centre for over 80 children and a dedicated building manager&rsquo;s office.

Families will enjoy the finest recreational and parkland facilities including picnic lawns, play equipment, a barbeque pavilion and alfresco dining area.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=7588]

The luxury resort-style development sits in Rosebery’s vibrant heart, boasting a collection of unique low-rise towers tailored to display its considered architecture and interior design

max.kwok_55688

Design brief: Meriton’s Polo Collection brings a modern and distinctive style to Rosebery 

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Allium, brings a unique offering of 487 grand residences in four designer towers soaring to 20 storeys and with views from every angle of the city, championship golf courses, surrounding parklands and the east coast. 
The contemporary design at Allium has been skillfully created by SJB, a leading firm with 39 years’ experience in architecture, urban design, planning and interior design.

<figure><a href="/buildings/allium-128-bunnerong-road-pagewood"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/allium-128-bunnerong-road-pagewood-d829048d1bd14ddf39e1b4fec8fa4524.jpg?itok=TOFC-HtO" style="width: 580px; height: 387px;"></a></figure>Residents will step straight into luxury as they walk through extravagant lobbies and ascend to their exceptionally large one, two, three and four bedroom grand residences – apartments of house like proportions with large balconies or terraces that serve as outdoor rooms with sensational vistas. Functional, uncomplicated floor plans provide uncluttered expanse for easy living and entertaining.  
A selection of apartments come with the addition of a full study room to maximise the use of space for your growing family. Choose one of the lower level loft apartments, providing you with the flexibility to orchestrate where and how the elements of your home can complement your living options.

<figure><a href="/buildings/allium-128-bunnerong-road-pagewood"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/allium-128-bunnerong-road-pagewood-90a0abbd337cc5173ee5096b2b65a6f9.jpg?itok=jvQHyyMh" style="width: 580px; height: 377px;"></a></figure>Pagewood Green is poised to offer an enticing and unique opportunity to step into luxury and lifestyle in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. The park-like community’s designer towers will be home to grand residences with superior finishes, in a premium location. 
Lush fifth floor podium gardens shape a haven of green at Allium’s heart while rooftop retreats on level 16 are an uplifting sanctuary above – a space to gather for barbecues while admiring elevated views to Botany Bay and the CBD skyline. 

<figure><a href="/buildings/allium-128-bunnerong-road-pagewood"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/allium-128-bunnerong-road-pagewood-aee4c91ba24a60933b2285db04f3f044.jpg?itok=R05mpy3k" style="width: 580px; height: 326px;"></a></figure>Designed by award-winning landscape architects, Arcadia, these private sanctuaries are designed exclusively for use by residents and their guests. Completed with a state-of-the-art barbecue, dining area, extensive turfed area, ample shade and a cinema screen, this perfect space is created for relaxation in a beautiful garden setting. 

<figure><a href="/buildings/allium-128-bunnerong-road-pagewood"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/allium-128-bunnerong-road-pagewood-ea5d7344519b5eb3fb948e23d9fb72be.jpg?itok=uIOe29dn" style="width: 580px; height: 326px;"></a></figure>
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urban.com.au

Australia’s largest apartment developer, Meriton, delivers excellence with their new development Allium, Pagewood

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Designed by award winning architects SJB, Polo Collection comprises 275 luxury apartments with grand proportions across four striking buildings, set amongst tree-lined boulevards, and neighbouring the newly created Rosebery Park.  
Dynamic and elegant, the buildings incorporate various forms of materials including bricks, tiles, timber and steel mesh which pays homage to Rosebery’s industrial past and interacts with the surrounding landscape. Overlooking Rosebery Park to the east, and west over Sweetacres Park, these residences have been designed to capture the green vistas through floor to ceiling glass windows.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7588] 
Polo Collection presents an assortment of only 15 luxurious, contemporary four bedrooms, north facing terrace homes designed by renowned architects, Tribe Studios. Characterised by meticulous attention to detail and expansive floorplans with the benefits of living within a vibrant master-planned neighbourhood. 
Get to know the blossoming Rosebery scene. Just around the corner you can experience a delicious day out with Saporium satisfying all of your culinary desires. Here, greengrocers, butchers, bakers, coffee roasters, restaurateurs and many other proud purveyors put their finest produce on show. Housed in a revived warehouse in The Cannery Rosebery, Saporium is a place where producers and shoppers come together. A place where everyone shares their passion for great-tasting food and drink. 
Pedestrian and bike-friendly paths and streets lead you to the visionary new Green Square retail, leisure and transport hub linking you to the CBD in under 10 minutes. From Green Square station, it’s 5 minutes to the CBD, the harbour and Sydney airport. One train stop to Central and two stops to Town Hall, this is now one of Sydney’s most connected inner-city villages.
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Polo Collection is your chance to treat yourself to something special

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A local developer has spent $8.585 million on one of the last remaining super prime vacant sites in the Eastern Suburbs.
The block, which is estimated to cost just shy of $11 million to build, will comprise 24 apartments, ground floor retail and 13 basement parking spaces.
The vacant site on the corner of Flinders and South Dowling Street went under the hammer with a reserve of $6.85 million.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/12/10/117%20FLINDERS%20STREET%20SURRY%20HILLS.jpg" alt="">
Bidding opened at a lowball $6 million.
After bidding went past $7 million there were 30 bids before the hammer fell.
Richardson &amp; Wrench Ryde City agent Conor Arnold described the 117 Flinders Street sale as a remarkable result that showed developers were back in business.
“We had seven registered bidders, four active and all of them confident to put some serious money on the table,” Arnold said.
“This was a trophy location close to Oxford St, the Sydney Cricket Ground, Light Rail and Moore Park, so it’s easy to see why it was in such hot demand."
 
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Surry Hills site sells to local developer with SJB-designed apartment block planned

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Located in close proximity to entertainment, food and retail precincts of Acland, Fitzroy and Chapel Streets, SAINT introduces a unique hybrid typology to St Kilda’s apartment market.

Designed by SJB the five-storey complex comprises 51 apartments and four townhouses, with SAINT's defining feature its striking brick exterior, which adds a tactile response to the streetscape.

In conceiving the building's architectural and urban response, the design team adopted cues from the area’s signature brick walk-up flats, using masonry and steel to provide a contemporary interpretation of the neighbourhood’s architectural vernacular.

<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/mr_a_21193_saint_ap_4001.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="SAINT's highly tactile urban response. Image: Aaron Puls"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="437" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mr_a_21193_saint_ap_4001.jpg?itok=IWrPhrvr" title="SAINT's highly tactile urban response. Image: Aaron Puls" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>SAINT's highly tactile urban response. Image: Aaron Puls</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
“SAINT is a medium-sized, modest residential project and the hand-laid brick throughout directly connects materiality, craftsmanship and a domestic scale of construction.

The project aims to create a strong residential community. We encouraged walkability and social interaction by allowing for extensive, light-filled corridors, walkways and gardens.

Cliff makes these rectilinear geometric forms that are strong and planar with organic-looking erosions in them. We worked closely with him on how they could be integrated to almost become part of the structural components of the building.

The beauty of this artwork is that it gives something back to the streetscape, while also engaging with the development’s residents.

We wanted to create a journey punctuated with landscaped moments. From the street front to the rear of the development where the red-brick townhouses are, you journey past and through light-filled and green garden environments that break the walk.

SAINT is about moments – providing visual cues that are strong, simple and highly crafted. You journey from outside to in and the materiality comes with you. It was about taking little moments and marrying the interiors and the architecture.” 

- Tristan Wong, SJB director of architecture 
</blockquote>

The buildings are arranged around private landscaped areas, including an internal courtyard, gardens to the rear of the townhouses and a rooftop garden on level three. According to the architects, the courtyard incision performs multiple functions – it provides light and ventilation to residences, common spaces and a ground level walkway, and a micro-ecosystem.

Defining the project’s Carlisle Street elevation, two cantilevered forms clad in grey brick levitate over a sculptural colonnade created by Melbourne artist Cliff Burtt. Called Section, Burtt’s work is a series of ‘eroded’ Corten steel columns that lead into the building itself, seemingly supporting it.

SJB were determined to fully integrate the work of a local artist into the development, in a way that didn’t feel like simply a token gesture, and which would contribute to St Kilda’s reputation as a vibrant artistic community.

<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/mr_a_21193_saint_ap_245.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The material paeltte draws on surrounding vernacular. Image: Aaron Puls"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="884" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mr_a_21193_saint_ap_245.jpg?itok=2ILwpYbG" title="The material paeltte draws on surrounding vernacular. Image: Aaron Puls" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The material paeltte draws on surrounding vernacular. Image: Aaron Puls</figcaption></figure>Internally, the apartments and townhouses showcases two unique monochromatic and natural themes defined by the materiality of the exterior and Burtt’s sculpture. A warm bronze palette is inspired by Cliff’s Corten steel while a darker coloured palette speaks to the exteriors’ masonry and black steel. The interiors include timber flooring, matching veneer treatments with porcelain benchtops, vanities and tiling.

The architects sought to create a good example of hybrid multi-residential living, proving that art and architecture, craftsmanship and sustainability, can be seamlessly integrated to create a healthy, happy community. It's fair to say they have succeeded.

Lead image: Aaron Puls
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Laurence Dragomir

No sinner - SJB's latest apartment project brings a craftman's touch to St Kilda

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Toga Group is pushing through with the mass redevelopment of Redfern's Surry Hills Shopping Village.

After a competitive design process which saw a consortium headed by architecture firm SJB lead all comers, a detailed development application is in motion for the sprawling Redferm site on the corner of Cleveland and Baptist streets.

The heritage listed former Bank of NSW building at 397-399 Cleveland Street is to be retained and surrounded by 8 new buildings. In line with the site's existing use, a mass of retail is included, as is commercial office space, basement parking for 345 vehicles and 157 apartments.

A key plank of the design's success is the inclusion of extensive public domain works.

<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/image77_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Terrace houses fronting Marriott Street. Image: SJB"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="310" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image77_3.jpg?itok=a-1cn95I" title="Terrace houses fronting Marriott Street. Image: SJB" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Terrace houses fronting Marriott Street. Image: SJB</figcaption></figure><h2>A slow road</h2>

Toga Group first surfaced as the development partner of choice for the prominent 12,244.1 square metre development site during 2015, when Coles elected to maintain its presence onsite. When the site was listed for sale during 2014, the Wesfarmers-owned Coles exercised first rights over the shopping centre with an eye toward redevelopment.

The development process has now progressed to the point where a detailed development application landed with City of Sydney late last month. Initially touted as capable of handling 300 apartments, the expected 157 apartments are well short of initial intentions.

Coles and Toga Group's joint application has a construction value of $149 million.

Coles is making a habit of pursuing development opportunities on the eastern seaboard. The Surry Hills complex joins additional current Coles developments in <a href="/developments/lindfield-nsw-2070">Lindfield</a> in Sydney and <a href="/new-apartments/the-mark-441-glen-huntly-road-elsternwick">Elsternwick</a> plus <a href="/buildings/261-271-bridge-road-richmond">Richmond</a> in Melbourne.0

<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/image81a.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Site overview. Image: SJB"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="332" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image81a.jpg?itok=2csuqkcG" title="Site overview. Image: SJB" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Site overview. Image: SJB</figcaption></figure><h2>Design prowess</h2>

Toga Group's Redfern site was subject to a competitive design process, with a trio of other design consortiums losing out to a team including SJB, Architect Prineas and Aspect Studios.

Design teams trumped for the Redfern site include Bates Smart/Chenchow Little/Luchetti Krelle, DKO Architecture/Archer Office/Hames Sharley/Tribe/Aspect Studio and the Woods Bagot/Alexander &amp; Co/Christopher Owen Landscape Design trio.

The Competitive Design Alternatives Report made not of the winning team's positive design outcomes.

<blockquote>
The Selection Panel also noted that the scheme included delightfully whimsical elements that provided a distinctive identity and character.

There was a genuine understanding of the character of the area and a lot of thought had gone into the design of the apartments, even down to the uniquely shaped windows. The planning strategy that enabled apartments to be no more than one stair flight from communal garden areas was also commendable.

There was considerable thought to materiality and detailing, with more intricacy and articulation to the lower levels and street frontages, supporting upper levels with less variety in material or colour. The design is also potentially suited to modularisation, although this would require further investigation.
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image7a9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Non successful participants in the design competition"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="237" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image7a9.jpg?itok=nRlINv55" title="Non successful participants in the design competition" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Non successful participants in the design competition</figcaption></figure>
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silvermb

Toga Group takes Redfern's Surry Hills Shopping Village down the development path

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The last two weeks have yielded planning news on four separate hotel developments across Sydney, and that trend continues with two additional hotel developments on the agenda.

Sydney's general upswing in hotel accommodation is seeing thousands of new rooms either proposed or at construction over a multitude of sites. Looking to join the fray are Cromwell Property Group and established hotel developer Pro-invest Group.

Cromwell's hotel play encapsulates their existing twin tower office complex at Chatswood's 475-501 Victoria Avenue. The 6,030 square metre site includes a net lettable area of 24, 970 square metres over the two buildings, along with substantial underutilised spaces to major frontages.

It's these areas which Cromwell are looking to exploit with a $75 million build expected to deliver a new high-rise hotel and additional office space on the diagonally opposite corner.

<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/image108.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Site aerial and intended ground plan. Images: Philip Chun / Nettletontribe"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="224" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image108.jpg?itok=ujjGDrha" title="Site aerial and intended ground plan. Images: Philip Chun / Nettletontribe" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Site aerial and intended ground plan. Images: Philip Chun / Nettletontribe</figcaption></figure>While the additional office area comes by way of a four level stand-alone building primarily fronting Victoria Avenue, project architect Nettletontribe has also added a 17-storey hotel development fronting Brown Street. 156 hotel rooms are included within the tower.

The 60.9 metre building also includes a variety of amenities such as a restaurant, gym, pool, bar and conference centre. The hotel's inclusion will also spark a major refurbishment and landscaping of the site's ground floor 

Cromwell's intentions to deliver a hotel on the Victoria Avenue site would see an eventual operator pitched into the busy Chatswood hotel sector; Quest, Sebel, Mantra, Meriton and Sikari currently have a presence in the suburb which is little more than 10 kilometres from Sydney's CBD.

Meanwhile, Mascot's 2-8 Sarah Street is drawing closer to development at the hand of Pro-invest Group.

<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/image106_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title=" View Robey Street and O'Riordian Street. Planning image: SJB"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="350" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image106_1.jpg?itok=WGEhin_Y" title=" View Robey Street and O'Riordian Street. Planning image: SJB" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>View Robey Street and O'Riordian Street. Planning image: SJB</figcaption></figure>Already with a healthy backlog of hotel developments across Australia and New Zealand, the investment firm has taken the Mascot site back to planning with a redesign in place to accommodate operator Holiday Inn Express. SJB is responsible for the project's design.

The latest submitted plans seek an increase in hotel room numbers, expanding to 178, plus external facade changes which provide the development with a lighter, brighter exterior. Initial delivery timelines for the development had a completion date targeting the last quarter of 2019.

622 guests can be housed within the proposed hotel at any given time, further boosting the already strong short stay accommodation precinct adjacent to Sydney Airport. 

Owing to the demand in Mascot for hotel accommodation, Sydney Airport's owners are considering <a href="https://www.afr.com/business/sydney-airport-eyes-more-hotel-developments-after-mid2017-mantra-opening-20170217-gufgtp">creating a portfolio of hotels</a> on airport land, whilst developer Savelle earlier this year <a href="/news/savelle-supersize-their-mascot-mixed-use-development">adjusted its Mascot mixed-use development</a> to include 187 dedicated hotel rooms and suites.

<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/image107_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Earlier site design for comparison's sake. Image: Pro-invest Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="321" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image107_1.jpg?itok=Lf9Qr_fu" title="Earlier site design for comparison's sake. Image: Pro-invest Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Earlier site design for comparison's sake. Image: Pro-invest Group</figcaption></figure>
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Cromwell and Pro-invest refine their Sydney hotel intentions

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East End Newcastle's developer Iris Capital has pushed through with significant changes to the sprawling development that will eventually account for multiple city blocks.

Chief among the planning manoeuvres was the lodgement of Stage Two with Newcastle City Council during May. Under its East End Stage 2 Pty Ltd subsidiary, Iris Capital intends to realise 129 apartments, retail and commercial spaces within the $50 million development application.

CKDS Architecture has conceived the most recent stage, working with fellow design practice SJB in the process.

<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/image30_15.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="CKDS Architecture's intended Newcastle addition"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="344" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image30_15.jpg?itok=p11pi8iZ" title="CKDS Architecture's intended Newcastle addition" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>CKDS Architecture's intended Newcastle addition</figcaption></figure>Stage Two's built form encompasses 13,695 square metres and includes as many as nine retail tenancies spanning 1,500 square metres. Apartments and retails spaces aside, Stage Two also features a green internal courtyard and north-south laneway that divides the built form into two separate volumes.

CKDS Architecture's take on Stage Two reads as follows:

<blockquote>
The proposed Newcastle East End Stage 2 development carefully navigates the varied conditions of the site through sensitive additions above and between existing heritage buildings.

Together with the reinstatement and upgrade of the finer grain buildings that define the King Street frontage, the proposal considers the historical layering as well as the future aspiration of the East End redevelopment. Multiple design massing options were considered to arrive at the most appropriate built form.

The final proposal combines the site topography, future character as well as the retention of existing buildings. Existing buildings deemed significant are to be restored, celebrated and maintained; ensuring the heritage layering across the site is preserved.
</blockquote>

Meanwhile in unison with Stage Two's lodgement, Iris Capital has also lodged a Modification Application for the overall development which is bound by Hunter, King, Perkins and Newcomen Streets.

A modest increase in overall gross floor area would see 63,116 square metres delivered in total, whilst a reduction in commercial and corresponding increase in retail spaces are also on the agenda. The bulk of the additional floor area has been directed toward Stage Two.

<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/image31_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="SJB's staged concept proposal for the development"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="261" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image31_11.jpg?itok=cufKM8H3" title="SJB's staged concept proposal for the development" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>SJB's staged concept proposal for the overall development</figcaption></figure>Iris Capital's move on Stage Two follows on from East End Newcastle's initial apartment release which occurred in the last quarter of 2017.

Stage One of four consisted of 155 apartments on a site bound by Hunter, Wolfe, King and Perkins Streets; it is the largest of the four development parcels. The initial stage consisted of apartments only, with its construction expected to be complete by mid-2020.

The overall project value is slated at $750 million and upon completion will include substantial retail offerings plus multiple publicly accessible spaces throughout the precinct.

<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/r0_1162_5000_3987_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Iris Capital's released first stage of East End Newcastle"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="328" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/r0_1162_5000_3987_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg?itok=W_i-ai8S" title="Iris Capital's released first stage of East End Newcastle" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Iris Capital's released first stage of East End Newcastle</figcaption></figure>
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Iris Land pushes on with Stage Two of East End Newcastle

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The ‘Agent of Change’ provision has been cited by respondents in relation to a planning application seeking an 8 storey apartment development adjacent to live music venue Howler.

Introduced by the Victorian state government during 2014, the ‘Agent of Change’ principle effectively protects live music venues from residential development. A key planning consideration for Brunswick's <a href="/buildings/archer-8-14-michael-street-brunswick">8-14 Michael Street</a> was whether future occupants would be protected from unreasonable noise impacts emanating from Howler.

Moreland City Council's failure to determine the application within prescribed timelines has seen the proposal book a date with VCAT, with negotiations scheduled prior to a June 25th hearing.

VCAT's involvement though may be streamlined given that Council has been urged by internal planners to recommend a permit be granted by VCAT subject to conditions.

8-14 Michael Street's application garnered 426 objections and presentations to Council from Howler owner Brendan Brogan and Music Victoria. Despite Council planners recommending approval, Moreland City Council elected to reject the application based upon the weight of public discourse.

Brendan Brogan <a href="http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2018/04/27/howler-bar-safe-after-council-rejects-proposed-developments/">was quoted in The Music as follows</a>:

<blockquote>
The councillors rightly believed that 74 apartments next to a live music venue would be problematic. They saw that the design didn’t take into account the Agent Of Change principle and that more design would be needed to enable residents and Howler to co-exist.

It is a massive win for the music industry. It means music venues are genuinely starting to feel the protection of the Agent Of Change law.

They saw that Moreland needed development, but they also saw that live music formed a key part of why people would live in Brunswick.
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image116_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="8-14 Michael Street is still up for approval. Image: SJB"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="378" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image116_2.jpg?itok=B62xf8MO" title="8-14 Michael Street is still up for approval. Image: SJB" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>8-14 Michael Street is still up for approval. Image: SJB</figcaption></figure>Moreland City Council's Deputy Mayor, Natalie Abboud was also quoted in The Music regarding the application's perceived shortcomings. "We felt that the interface between it and Howler was too sensitive and the requirements regarding Agent Of Change and sound assessments (specifically related to vibration) had not been fully met."

To counter this, acoustic attenuation recommendations form part of the planning officers report on the intended development which will carry on to VCAT. Acoustic modelling prior to occupancy and testing post occupancy are recommended in order to satisfy concerns, with further works mandated if needed in order to make the apartments compliant with noise level guidelines.

Moreland City Council fielded the initial application for the intended development during December 2016.

Designed by SJB the application includes a mix of 33 single, 38 double and 3 triple bedroom apartments for developer Brunswick Holdings, with apartment sized ranging between 50 and 127 square metres.
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VCAT now the 'Agent of Change' for Brunswick's Michael Street apartments

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Penrith continues to garner its fair share of development as developers Toga Group and St Hilliers prepare to add major apartment developments to the suburb's ranks.

Documents were lodged last month on behalf of Toga Group, with SJB undertaking the design of two residential towers that may yield as many as 187 new apartments. The development has been billed by the developer as "a new benchmark in urban regeneration and placemaking."

Accounting for a disused car sales lot and vacant land, the development has a primary address of 634-638 High Street, but also maintains a secondary frontage to Union Road. Toga Group expects that the development which has an estimated delivery value of $63.5 million will further expand Penrith's urban renewal push to the western flank of its CBD.

<h2>634-638 High Street application summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/untitled_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A new groundscape. Image: Toga Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="291" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/untitled_1.jpg?itok=m7x7y_zj" title="A new groundscape. Image: Toga Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A new groundscape. Image: Toga Group</figcaption></figure>634-638 High Street sees 63 x 1BR, 103 x 2BR, 21 x 3BR apartments, with retail tenancies amounting to 1,540 square metres at ground level. A dual level basement includes 285 vehicles and 45 bicycle bays whilst amenities include podium top green space.

Owing to its size and significance, 634-638 High Street will go before the Sydney West Planning Panel. Toga Group are carrying imagery of the intended development via their website, which adds to the nine additional apartment projects the developer notes as active.

St Hilliers meanwhile has enlisted DKO Architecture to continue its transformation of a tract of land abutting Engineers Place.

With completion now due on St Hilliers' Quest Penrith development which sits alongside, 15 Engineers Place has gone to planning seeking a nine storey building containing 48 apartments. A mix of one and two bedroom dwellings, the apartments sit above two sizeable commercial tenancies and a veiled above ground car park.

<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/untitled_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="St Hilliers and DKO Architecture have teamed for the engineers Place project"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="371" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/untitled_3.jpg?itok=wb7IP2fk" title="St Hilliers and DKO Architecture have teamed for the engineers Place project" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Engineers Place. Planning image: DKO Architecture</figcaption></figure>Whilst not excessively large projects in their own right, the two fresh planning applications reinforce Penrith's push to higher density living.

A host of other developments are either at construction or intended, particularly along Lord Sheffield Circuit or Barber Avenue. These are in addition to developer Cabe's teaming with the Penrith Rugby League Club to create a $500 million residential development that can create as many as 850 apartments.

Although not at planning, property firm Trifalga has flagged a major development at 39-49 Henry Street within Penrith's CBD. 

According to Trifalga, "An application has been prepared for the 6,300sqm gateway site at 39-49 Henry Street, Penrith for a major mixed-use development within the CBD. As part of Trifalga’s mission to develop vibrant mixed-use communities in high-growth CBDs, this redevelopment aims to revitalise a major site within Penrith CBD by bringing new commercial, residential and retail spaces, a new hotel, and embellishment of public open space."

The prospective Henry Street development would rank among Penrith's largest.

<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/untitled_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Trifalga's vision for Penrith"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="340" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/untitled_2.jpg?itok=f1ww8Thq" title="Trifalga's vision for Penrith" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Trifalga's vision for Penrith</figcaption></figure>
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