Developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/auyin-property-development">Auyin</a> is the latest to turn to the Victorian Government's Development Facilitation Program in an effort to secure approval for its long-planned, mixed-use project in Elsternwick.

In 2018, Auyin lodged plans with Glen Eira City Council for a 14-storey building, however Council approved a reduced eight-storey scheme. A subsequent VCAT appeal in 2019 upheld the eight-storey height limit.

The project was later amended to nine storeys, but Auyin is now seeking to revive something closer to its original vision. The developer argues that the planning context has evolved significantly over the past decade, particularly within the Elsternwick Activity Centre, where higher-density development has increasingly been encouraged along Glen Huntly Road.

The proposal would transform the 1,239 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/7-12-horne-street-elsternwick-vic-3185">7-15 Horne Street</a>, opposite Elsternwick Railway Station, into a 13-storey residential and retail development designed by CBG Architects, with 40 apartments

The site currently comprises three commercial properties.

<img alt="First look: 13-storey mixed-use tower planned for Elsternwick activity centre" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5f465dd4-509b-4082-a669-0253b313914b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/elsternwick%20podium.png?VersionId=72frWi0SmQ5AVJ3ARRhX5ILUYObhTm7x" />

The proposed apartment mix comprises 25 two-bedroom and 15 three-bedroom residences above 200 sqm of retail space at ground level. Residents would have access to a 90 sqm wellness facility, a 351 sqm communal indoor and outdoor terrace on the third level, and extensive landscaped areas throughout the development. A publicly accessible 135 sqm plaza would be created on the north-east corner of the site, providing seating, landscaping, and a new gathering space adjoining Horne Street.

The design adopts a four-storey podium that references the finer-grain character of the surrounding streetscape, with the upper tower recessed behind generous setbacks on all boundaries.

<img alt="First look: 13-storey mixed-use tower planned for Elsternwick activity centre" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e637e763-2abc-4c34-a0aa-5c7ad36fae18" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/elsternwick%20open.png?VersionId=J1AoOpZgTyaF.KeeFSX6lMjEScX8KKRi" />

A key element of the proposal is the reconfiguration and widening of the surrounding laneways. Vehicle access would be retained from Lois Lane, with upgraded pedestrian connections linking Ross Street and Horne Street. The development would provide 58 residential car spaces, two retail car spaces, and 52 bicycle spaces across two basement levels and ground-floor facilities.

Architecturally, the building draws inspiration from the established character of Elsternwick Village. The façade combines dark charcoal brickwork, textured concrete, bronze-toned metal detailing, and extensive planting integrated into podium and tower levels. The design also incorporates a chamfered corner treatment and publicly accessible plaza intended to strengthen pedestrian activity around the station precinct.

Elsternwick's last new development completion was&nbsp;EVA Elsternwick by Pitard late last year. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/milieu-property">Milieu</a> is working away on its nature-led neighbourhood, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/elsternwick-gardens-by-milieu-8-gordon-street-elsternwick-vic-3185">Elsternwick Gardens</a>, on Gordon Street, with its first stage expected to complete next year.

Joel Robinson

First look: Auyin seeks mixed-use apartment project in growing Elsternwick Activity Centre

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/otium-parkdale-123-125-como-parade-east-parkdale-vic-3195">Otium Parkdale</a>, the 13-residence boutique development by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/huxtable-property">Huxtable Property</a>, has entered its final stages of delivery, with completion expected within the coming month and more than half of the residences sold.

The Como Parade East project is nearing the finish line at a time when opportunities to purchase new apartments in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parkdale-vic-3195">Parkdale</a> remain exceptionally limited. Fewer than 10 per cent of dwellings in the bayside suburb are apartments, making developments like Otium a relatively rare addition to a market traditionally dominated by detached housing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134974 project_image_fid=5427]

The three-level development comprises 13 residences, including ten two-bedroom apartments and three larger three-bedroom homes, all positioned above a secure basement car park.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/almeida-architects">Almeida Architects</a> with a strong connection to its coastal surroundings, Otium combines red brick, exposed concrete and dark metal detailing with integrated landscaping and greenery. Expansive glazing, generous balconies and terraces have been incorporated throughout the design to maximise natural light and reinforce indoor-outdoor living.

Inside, the residences feature engineered European oak flooring, natural and reconstituted stone benchtops, Bosch kitchen appliances, ducted heating and cooling, lift access and secure entry systems. The larger three-bedroom residences on the upper level have been designed with house-like proportions, while the two-bedroom apartments prioritise functionality, flexibility and low-maintenance living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134974 project_image_fid=5421]

The project is now in its final stages, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/labco">Labco</a> completing the remaining landscaping and external finishing works following the completion of the residences' interiors.

Otium's location within the heart of Parkdale continues to underpin its appeal. Residents will be just steps from local cafés, restaurants, shops and the newly elevated Parkdale Station, while the beach is less than a kilometre away.

With the project tracking ahead of schedule, buyers can currently secure a residence with a five per cent deposit and benefit from settlement terms of up to eight months. The advanced stage of construction also provides buyers with the opportunity to walk through the near-complete residences and experience the quality and finishes firsthand ahead of completion.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134974]

Otium Parkdale enters final month before completion as rare apartment opportunity nears sellout

A new boutique apartment development is entering the market in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chermside-qld-4032">Chermside</a>, with Brisbane-based developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ausdev">Ausdev</a> bringing 33 residences to a well-connected pocket of Brisbane's north.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/parkdrive-apartments-chermside-25-sammells-drive-chermside-qld-4032">Parkdrive Apartments</a>, at 25 Sammells Drive, will comprise a mix of one- and two-bedroom residences positioned within walking distance of Westfield Chermside, The Prince Charles Hospital, and Bradbury Park.

Established in 1989, Ausdev has a long-standing presence across both development and construction, with Parkdrive Apartments representing its latest residential project in Brisbane's northern suburbs.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152125 project_image_fid=363778]

The development has been designed around open-plan living and natural light, with residences featuring stone benchtops, timber cabinetry, BOSCH appliances, and private balconies that extend the living areas outdoors.

Kitchens are positioned as the centrepiece of the homes, incorporating natural material palettes and integrated appliances, while bathrooms have been designed with a focus on functionality and understated finishes.

Residents will have access to a communal barbecue and entertaining area on Level 3, providing shared outdoor space within the development. Secure parking and lift access are also incorporated into the building.

The project will deliver a limited collection of 33 apartments, with one-bedroom residences priced from $749,000.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152125 project_image_fid=363782]

Beyond the building itself, the location places residents within easy reach of several of Chermside's key amenities. Bradbury Park is around 350 metres away, while Westfield Chermside is approximately 1.3 kilometres from the site. The Prince Charles Hospital is located within 750 metres, and the Chermside Bus Interchange is around 1.5 kilometres away, providing connections across Brisbane.

Parkdrive Apartments adds to the growing residential pipeline in Chermside, a suburb that continues to evolve as a major retail, healthcare, and transport hub for Brisbane's north.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152125]

Ausdev introduces boutique Parkdrive Apartments to Chermside's growing centre

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/skymark-group">Skymark</a>'s boutique Cronulla development Solis has secured a 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy through Resilience Insurance, providing buyers of the 16-residence building on Ewos Parade with structural and waterproofing protection that extends a decade beyond the building's completion.

Currently under construction and due for completion in late 2027, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/solis-cronulla-8-ewos-parade-cronulla-nsw-2230">Solis</a> is one of a small number of new developments in the Sutherland Shire to carry Resilience LDI coverage, a distinction that carries increasing weight as buyer confidence in the off-the-plan sector continues to be shaped by how developers stand behind their product.

Latent Defects Insurance, which entered the Australian market in 2022 when Resilience Insurance was approved to offer the cover, protects buyers against major structural or waterproofing defects for ten years post-completion. Unlike traditional statutory warranties, it operates as a first-resort policy, if a covered defect arises, the insurer responds directly, without the buyer needing to pursue the builder or developer through a lengthy claims process.

Resilience Insurance CEO Corey Nugent has noted that the product addresses something fundamental to the new apartment market.

"The overarching feedback from prospective buyers in the new development space is that they want more confidence and assurances around the quality of the build," Nugent says.

"Resilience Insurance Latent Defects Insurance not only gives them complete peace of mind for 10 years, but it shows the developer they are buying from is standing by their product."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150499 project_image_fid=370898]

For Solis, the Resilience LDI policy adds a meaningful layer of accountability to an already considered project. The development comprises nine two-bedroom and seven three-bedroom residences, including one dual-level three-bedroom apartment, across a five-storey building on Ewos Parade, positioned between Shelly Beach and South Cronulla.

Garden apartments connect directly to private landscaped courtyards, while upper-level homes capture beach views to the east from level four and above.&nbsp;

All 16 residences include at least one balcony or courtyard, and select apartments on the upper floors feature bar areas and secondary flexible living spaces.

Hiba Sander, Managing Director of Skymark, says Solis offers a rare balance, nestled between the quiet beauty of secluded beaches and the lively charm of South Cronulla's esplanade.

"It's a place to choose your pace and live gracefully, seaside'," Sander says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150499 project_image_fid=370900]

The architecture, designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ida-design-group">IDA Design Group</a>'s Michael Trinh, draws from the natural erosion patterns of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/cronulla-nsw-2230">Cronulla</a>'s sandstone headlands, translating the organic forms of the coastline into soft curves, pavilion-style massing, and a material palette chosen for longevity in a salt-tinged environment.&nbsp;

Textured natural stone, soft renders, and timber-look battens reference the tones of the surrounding cliffs, while the building has been oriented to maximise natural light and passive ventilation, with primary living spaces facing north and east to capture morning sun and sea breezes.

"At Solis, our aim was to create architecture that feels quietly confident, grounded in natural materials like stone and timber, and elevated by light and landscape," Trinh says.&nbsp;

"The buildings are designed to sit gently within their coastal surrounds, with expansive glazing and abundant greenery creating a seamless dialogue between inside and out."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150499 project_image_fid=370897]

Interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hot-black">Hot Black</a> carry the same material language through to every room. Kitchens feature integrated Gaggenau appliances, sculpted stone benchtops, and Lo &amp; Co joinery, while bathrooms feature natural stone, timber, and brushed metal finishes.&nbsp;

Hot Black Founder and Design Director Sophie Safrin describes the intent as one of considered restraint: "At Solis, every detail has been thoughtfully considered to create a timeless coastal retreat, calm, refined, and effortlessly liveable. From natural finishes to seamless indoor-outdoor flow, Solis offers a quiet elegance that's deeply connected to its surroundings.

The landscape, designed by Julian Brady of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/sitedesignstudios">Site Design Studios</a>, treats green space as an integral part of the resident experience rather than an afterthought.&nbsp;

"Gentle curves and layered native plantings mirror the ebb and flow of the ocean," Julian Brady says, "creating a serene connection between architecture and place."&nbsp;

Coco Republic has provided bespoke furniture packages tailored to the project's coastal palette.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150499 project_image_fid=370899]

Skymark has an established track record in the Sutherland Shire, with a portfolio spanning Cronulla, Woolooware and Burraneer that includes Isla, Sylva, Bask, Shells, Sula and Mist. Securing LDI on Solis reflects a broader shift in how the developer is positioning its buildings to buyers, at a time when Resilience Insurance expects the policy to become mandatory in New South Wales by 2028.

Sales at Solis are launching soon through Ray White Projects, with an official event scheduled for 11 June. Enquire for more information.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150499]

Skymark takes out 10-year Resilience Insurance LDI at Solis Cronulla

Investors may soon find themselves with fewer reasons to buy established property and more incentives to look towards the new apartment market.

Proposed changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions would see new and off-the-plan apartments retain access to the tax benefits, while established properties would miss out, creating a clear advantage for buyers purchasing newly built housing.

The policy direction aligns with what many developers have been saying for several years. Australia needs more housing supply, and governments are increasingly looking for ways to encourage investment into new stock rather than existing homes.

The challenge for investors is that suitable product is becoming harder to find.

For much of the last decade, one-bedroom apartments were the cornerstone of investor demand. They offered a lower entry price, strong rental appeal, and were a common feature across most apartment developments.

Today, the development pipeline looks very different.

Across both New South Wales and South East Queensland, developers are increasingly targeting owner-occupiers and downsizers, delivering larger two, three and four-bedroom apartments in response to changing buyer preferences. While one-bedroom apartments still exist, they now form a much smaller portion of many new projects.

That shift has created a shortage of investor-friendly stock, particularly in well-located projects close to transport, employment hubs and lifestyle amenity.

At the same time, rising apartment prices have pushed many new developments beyond the reach of traditional investors. On the Gold Coast and across South East Queensland, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find new apartments priced around the $1 million mark, particularly those offering strong rental fundamentals and long-term growth prospects.

We've rounded up four new apartment developments where investors can still secure a foothold in the market for around $1 million or less.

<h2 data-end="1140" data-start="844">Flourish Soleira</h2>

<h2>Priced from: $1.07 million</h2>

Popular Palm Beach developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa</a> is soon to officially launch its newest local apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-1150-1154-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>.

The one-bedroom apartments in the building were only offered to first home buyers rather than investors, and all of those have been snapped up. The two-bedroom apartments will start from $1.07 million, and the three-bedrooms, still a good investment given the popularity of Palm Beach for owner-occupiers, starting at $2,045,000.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370964]

Flourish Soliera will comprise 153 apartments across two buildings, connected by a skybridge, the first ever delivered in the suburb.

True to Sherpa's booming Flourish brand of apartment projects, Flourish Soleira will have extensive rooftop amenity across both buildings including a&nbsp;wellness centre with gym, work from home, yoga, pilates, a&nbsp;heated pool, private dining rooms, pizza oven and barbecues, basketball court, and golf simulator.

<h2>Corallo, Palm Beach</h2>

Priced from: $841,500

Nearby Flourish Soleira is Changfa Group's beachfront-inspired <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/corallo-palm-beach-5-palm-beach-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Corallo</a> development. They still have some one-bedroom apartments remaining, priced from $841,500.

The 105-apartment project on Palm Beach Avenue is otherwise dominated by larger two and three-bedroom residences, many of which are aimed at owner-occupiers and downsizers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112194 project_image_fid=808]

For investors, the appeal lies in Palm Beach's continued transformation from a laid-back beachside suburb into one of the Gold Coast's most sought-after residential markets. Residents at Corallo will be within walking distance of Palm Beach's surf beaches, the recreational amenity of Tallebudgera Creek, and the increasingly popular collection of cafes, restaurants and boutique retailers along the suburb's central dining precinct.

<h2>Corner House, Stones Corner</h2>

<h2>Priced from: $880,000</h2>

One of only two Brisbane apartment developments to make the list with prices under $1 million is DeMartini Fletcher's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/corner-house-stones-corner-18-stoneham-street-stones-corner-qld-4120">Corner House development</a> in Stones Corner.

One-bedroom apartments start from $880,000 within the 88-apartment development, providing investors with exposure to one of Brisbane's most established inner-south locations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149098 project_image_fid=330594]

Stones Corner has long been supported by strong tenant demand due to its proximity to major employment and education destinations. The suburb sits less than five kilometres from Brisbane's CBD and is within easy reach of the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Queensland Children's Hospital and several university campuses.

The project's location within a walkable urban village environment, surrounded by retail, dining and public transport infrastructure, continues to attract both professionals and healthcare workers seeking accommodation close to work.

Parkdrive Apartments, Chermside

Priced from: $749,000

The most affordable apartments across Brisbane's new and off the plan market are in Chermside where developer AusDev is selling one-bedroom apartments from $749,000, and two-beds from $929,000, at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/parkdrive-apartments-chermside-25-sammells-drive-chermside-qld-4032">recently launched Parkdrive development</a>.

The development is strategically positioned in one of Brisbane's largest employment and retail precincts, placing residents within easy walking distance of Westfield Chermside, The Prince Charles Hospital, St Vincent's Private Hospital Northside and the suburb's major bus interchange.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152125 project_image_fid=363782]

Already under construction and scheduled for completion in early 2028, Parkdrive benefits from Chermside's ongoing evolution into Brisbane's northern metropolitan centre. The suburb continues to attract significant public and private investment, supporting population growth and underpinning long-term rental demand.

For investors focused on yield and tenant depth, the combination of healthcare, retail and transport infrastructure within close proximity provides a strong foundation for occupancy and rental performance.

Investors to turn to new apartments after federal government changes spark hunt for Queensland's best $1 million apartments

Skyscrapers

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It's intriguing to take note of how differing interests play out in the Australian property development industry.

In stark contrast to Sydney's regimented planning controls which have long been in place and Melbourne's recently overhauled inner-city planning controls which are now in play, Urban Taskforce Australia (UTA) last Friday called for a greater number of taller towers across Australia's major cities. The call was made via UTA's <a href="http://www.urbantaskforce.com.au/urbanideas/july2016/?page=1">Urban Ideas</a> magazine and places the peak body at odds with current policy.

Representing Australia's most prominent property developers, UTA acts with a heavily slanted view toward the New South Wales property industry, so it comes as no surprise that they have shown concern over Sydney's inability to maintain pace with the rest of the nation (essentially Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast) in the race to create taller skyscrapers.

Whether this is materially relevant to Sydney's growth and prosperity is of course debatable, but UTA argues that increased tower height has a direct relationship to accommodating increased population growth.

The latest Urban Ideas issue shows that Sydney and Parramatta combined will sport only three of Australia's future top 20 tallest towers. Seen below is the up-to-date Urban Ideas table highlighting Australia's current and future tallest buildings.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image15_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Urban Taskforce Australia's cyrrent and proposed tall towers list. Source: CTBUH via UTA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="426" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image15_4.jpg?itok=PESCyiM1" title="Urban Taskforce Australia's cyrrent and proposed tall towers list. Source: CTBUH via UTA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Urban Taskforce Australia's current and proposed tall towers list. Source: CTBUH via UTA</figcaption></figure><h2>Australian cities will need to grow up rather than out</h2>

<blockquote>
Australian cities have grown over the last 200 years on the suburban, garden city model. As these cities grew to 2 or 3 million the low rise model could still work but with Sydney now at 5 million, travel to work has led to massive congestion.

Further horizontal spread will be limited so an increase in densities and heights will be essential to accommodate the growth predicted. 
<cite>UTA Chief Executive Officer: Chris Johnson</cite>
</blockquote>

Melbourne has been doing some growing of its own over recent years, with a well publicised squad of 200 metre plus towers ranging from planning through to construction.

It has been a little over a year since discretionary plot ratios, mandatory podium height, mandatory setback requirements and mandatory height controls were introduced, intending to provide better amenity outcomes for new inner city developments. Has this policy change adversely affected Melbourne's development industry in any tangible way?

There has been a noticeable slow down in large scale applications handled by the State, but is that the work of policy or organic market forces?

Developers are a shrewd lot and it could be argued that they have merely followed prevailing trends. The buyers current appetite now lies with larger dwellings within smaller projects, with the middle and outer suburbs now doing the heavy lifting of absorbing buyer demand whilst the CBD in particular absorbs higher levels of supply.

Merely asking for taller developments for the sake of continuing growth is an interesting stance as taken by the UTA. Does it really matter that Sydney has a disproportionately small representation of the nation's tallest buildings?

<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/img_6952.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne's move upwards is in full swing"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_6952.jpg?itok=KyNzPsUO" title="Melbourne's move upwards is in full swing" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne's move upwards is in full swing</figcaption></figure><h2>Melbourne standing tall</h2>

Policy aside the roll-out of new Melbourne skyscrapers continues at pace.

With Brady Group's Vision Apartments approaching practical completion, six additional projects over 200 metres are at construction. Such is the lag between entering planning and reaching construction, the policy changes implemented by the current State Government last year will have almost an immaterial effect upon the roll-out of projects such is their lengthy delivery timeline.

Massive projects yet to appear on the skyline include <a href="/new-apartments/150-queen-street-melbourne">Tower Melbourne</a>, <a href="/buildings/queens-place-157-a-beckett-street-and-370-queen-street-melbourne">Queens Place</a>, <a href="/buildings/west-side-place-melbourne-250-spencer-street-melbourne-vic-3000">West Side Place Towers 1 and 2</a>, <a href="/buildings/melbourne-square-93-119-kavanagh-street-southbank">96 Kavanagh Street</a> and <a href="/new-apartments/38-freshwater-place-southbank">38 Freshwater Place</a>. 

Even with rejigged planning laws there still remains scope for exceedingly high towers to take their place in Melbourne's skyline. Crown's hulking <a href="/new-apartments/one-queensbridge-street-1-23-queensbridge-street-southbank">Southbank mixed-use project</a>, <a href="/new-apartments/51-65-clarke-street-southbank">51-65 Clarke Street</a> and Sterling Global's Jean Nouvel-designed <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">383 La Trobe Street</a> are examples of skyscrapers that have been submitted post the new planning regime, with the shortest of the trio at 239 metres.
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silvermb

Tall tales and Sydney's slump in the skyscraper stakes

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The latest prospective Fishermans Bend entrant to be unveiled comes in the form of a peckvonhartel-designed 41 storey apartment tower, with a unique corten steel sculpture worked into the design.

Successfully delivering projects for over 35 years, peckvonhartel are an established Melbourne presence although their forays into high-rise design are few and far between. Subject to their design is the former Laycock Son and Co. woollen mills, otherwise known as Laconia Woollen Mills at 179-185 Normanby Road.

Located within Montague Precinct, the 3,439sqm Laconia Woollen Mills buildings is under the control of Normanby Group Holdings Pty Ltd, who are seeking a tower positioned to the rear of the large site.

<h2>179-185 Normanby Road, Southbank 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/image19_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Street level perspective of the intended tower.Planning image: peckvonhartel"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="848" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image19_9.jpg?itok=uw8UudK1" title="Street level perspective of the intended tower.Planning image: peckvonhartel" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Street level perspective of the intended tower. Planning image: peckvonhartel</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Application submitted: 27/05/2016</li>
	<li>Laconia Woollen Mills site area: 2,008sqm</li>
	<li>Proposed 41 storey tower at 149.8 metres</li>
	<li>291 apartments: 56 x 1BR, 176 x 2BR, 59 x 3BR</li>
	<li>4003.75sqm of commercial office space &amp; one retail space at 404.12sqm</li>
	<li>191 car parking spaces including 45 commercial spaces (existing)</li>
	<li>191 bicycle parking spaces including 32 commercial spaces and 11 commercial visitor spaces</li>
	<li>842.43sqm of communal space</li>
</ul>
<h2>Internal inclinations</h2>

Internal areas for the project see the following: one-bedroom apartments range between 50sqm-52sqm, two-bedroom apartments range between 70sqm-94sqm and three-bedroom apartments weigh in at between 84sqm-128sqm.

City of Port Phillip have noted in their preliminary report on the application that the 20% of dwellings are dedicated toward three-bedroom dwellings, which far exceeds Council's preference of at least 10% of apartments contain three bedrooms.

Conversely Council also note that no affordable or social housing is proposed as part of the application. The Fishermans Bend Strategic Framework Plan states that for developments containing 200 or more dwellings, an affordable housing component should be considered.

<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/image20_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Landscaped external terrace atop the Laconia building. Planning image: peckvonhartel"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="230" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image20_5.jpg?itok=oiSktnX8" title="Landscaped external terrace atop the Laconia building. Planning image: peckvonhartel" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Landscaped external terrace atop the Laconia building. Planning image: peckvonhartel</figcaption></figure>Internally, peckvonhartel's design features multiple communal facilities which include lounge rooms over level 11, a cinema room, gym, children's playroom and an expansive rooftop area above the Laconia Woollen Mills building.

<h2>Corten of contention</h2>

Externally 179-185 Normanby Road would also see works to the public realm on Doran Street, with road narrowing and the delivery of planters, timber decking areas and timber pergolas.

Most notable is the corten steel sculpture that sits between the existing and proposed buildings, and shapes as a relief from typical Fishermans Bend proposals which see scant few sculptural features design into prospective buildings.

City of Port Phillip have raised concerns that both the sculpture and tower would overwhelm the existing Laconia Woollen Mills building which is subject to a heritage overlay. Also falling foul of City of Port Phillip officers is the proposal's lack of connection between Woodgate Street and Doran Street, inactive podium facing Doran Street and the impractical nature of the public works proposed.

In 179-185 Normanby Road's current form Council officers have recommended that Council advise the Minister that it does not support the application as proposed.
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Corten of contention: peckvonhartel's new Fishermans Bend tower in focus

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It's the stuff of roosters and feather dusters over the course of the last week. While the western end of Melbourne's CBD will be graced by a building unlike any other in Melbourne, Spring Street is set to receive a tower at the opposite end of the design scale.

As has been widely reported a new $300 million tower designed by international architecture firm Zaha Hadid Architects has been given final approval by the Victorian Government. Expected within developer Landream's 54 level tower, which weighs in at 176 metres, are 420 dwellings and in excess of 10,000sqm of office and retail space.

Designed in conjunction with Plus Architecture, the base of the tower at 582-606 Collins Street will also include ground floor art space, a public plaza to Collins Street and a new pedestrian link and a publicly accessible terrace.

<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/image49_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="582-606 Collins Street. Image: Zaha Hadid Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="340" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image49_3.jpg?itok=yoJhIJix" title="582-606 Collins Street. Image: Zaha Hadid Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>582-606 Collins Street. Image: Zaha Hadid Architects</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
This stand-out design will enhance the city’s skyline, deliver jobs during construction and additional housing for people wanting to live in the CBD.

The late Zaha Hadid has been described as an a starchitect, Melbourne will now have a piece of her artistic flare and I look forward to seeing it come together and provide new public space in the city.
<cite>Jill Hennessy, Acting Minister for Planning</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
Working in close collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects, Plus Architecture is deeply privileged to be a part of the team bringing Dame Zaha Hadid’s inspiring design to the Melbourne skyline with the project set to be a monumental part of our city’s urban fabric and architectural narrative.
<cite>Jess Liew, Director, Plus Architecture (local architects on record)</cite>
</blockquote>

To 85 Spring Street now where revised images of Grocon's intended apartment development have appeared over online sales portals.

After much wrangling between the development team and the State planning department, a <a href="http://architectureau.com/articles/grocons-denton-corker-marshall-designed-tower-approved/">revised scheme of considerable design merit won approval during 2015</a> . Fast forward and gone is Denton Corker Marshall's design of note, replaced with a pared-down 39 level edifice.

The current version, seen below right, loses much of its architectural expression and appears externally to be little more than a generic design that smacks of value management.

Unfortunately, it also happens to be in a premier CBD location.

<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/image45_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="85 Spring Street, old and new. Images: ArchitectureAU &amp; realestate.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="373" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image45_3.jpg?itok=DbiJSh_0" title="85 Spring Street, old and new. Images: ArchitectureAU &amp; realestate.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>85 Spring Street, old and new. Images: ArchitectureAU &amp; realestate.com.au</figcaption></figure>And finally to a design spotted on Apartments.com.au's forum this week of a concept as seen below for Landream by Zaha Hadid Architects once more.

Apartments.com.au covered the story one year ago regarding Landream approaching CASA to initiate discussion on a <a href="/news/260-la-trobe-shapes-as-melbournes-next-big-tower">possible tower for 254-260 La Trobe Street</a>. The tower which was tall enough to challenge the PANS-OPS ceiling would have been of a similar height to the adjoining Aurora Melbourne Central that is now under construction.

The spectacular design that would now not adhere to the interim and soon permanent planning controls, may well be consigned to the history books.

Nonetheless a truly impressive design.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image42zh.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Zaha Hadid Architects' take on 260 La Trobe Street."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="538" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image42zh.jpg?itok=Y_CaZ0Ar" title="Zaha Hadid Architects' take on 260 La Trobe Street." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Zaha Hadid Architects' take on 260 La Trobe Street.</figcaption></figure>
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Momentous designs, both gained and lost in the space of a week

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Local and international developers now have the opportunity to run the ruler over what is one of Melbourne's largest permitted CBD development sites. 299 King Street has been placed on the market in the knowledge that it is one of the last remaining super-sized developments within Melbourne's CBD that was not subject to evised planning rules which were introduced during 2015.

Dubbed <a href="http://www.kingstowermelbourne.com.au/">Kings Tower</a>, the 208 metre residential scheme design by Plus Architecture looms as a trophy purchase for the eventual buyer, with CBRE Melbourne City Sales handling the campaign.

Included within the approved 66 level envelope are 400 plus dwellings above a podium featuring a variety of communal uses and provision for both car and bicycle parking. CBRE Melbourne City Sales expect that the eventual buyer may proceed with the residential scheme as is, or introduce other uses such as a hotel, serviced apartments and/or student accommodation, subject to Council approval.

<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/king_street_chinese_v2_cl_02.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Kings Tower as rendered from street level. Image: CBRE City Sales"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="1305" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/king_street_chinese_v2_cl_02.jpg?itok=cBFdY6DW" title="Kings Tower as rendered from street level. Image: CBRE City Sales" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Kings Tower as rendered from street level. Image: CBRE City Sales</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
Only four major development sites have come to the market in 2016, and we are seeing a major uptick in demand from offshore developers who have been waiting for quality sites to become available.

After receiving planning approval, the vendor received several private approaches by local and offshore groups, and has subsequently decided to offer the property to the open market.
<cite>Josh Rutman, Director, CBRE Melbourne City Sales</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
It is interesting to observe the ongoing appetite from Asia for high profile development sites. We have seen almost $300 million of development site sales in Melbourne over the past two months, some with planning approval and others without.
<cite>Mark Wizel, Senior Director, CBRE Melbourne City Sales</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
A lot of the developments in the area are very rectangular," she said. "King Street is a main arterial road for people passing through the CBD and although this building is not at the edge of the CBD grid, it's close enough that it becomes a beacon travelling from the north and south.
<cite>Jessica Liew, Director, Plus Architecture</cite>
</blockquote>

<a href="/news/planning-application-295-309-king-street-melbourne">First appearing on Urban.com.au in early 2015</a>, 299 King Street's design impetus came chiefly from Constantin Brancusi's Bird in Space, Alvar Aalto's Savoy Vase and the iridescent nature of a bubble which captures the reflection and refraction of light waves via its surface. The resultant approved design features pearlescent façade would produce a pink, bluish, purple effect depending on how light is cast over the tower.

The tower also incorporates curvaceous lines with a bulge in form toward its peak, providing it with a point of difference in relation to many of the nearby buildings.

At a floor space ratio of almost 40:1, 299 King Street is an unrepeatable design, with the pending implementation of new planning controls seeing a ratio of 18:1 blanket the CBD and Southbank, although there is limited scope for an increased ratio subject to public benefit clauses.

<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/image3299.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Kings Street frontage. Image: CBRE City Sales"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="758" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image3299.jpg?itok=p83UOyFk" title="Kings Street frontage. Image: CBRE City Sales" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Kings Street frontage. Image: CBRE City Sales</figcaption></figure>Located in the CBD's western precinct, Kings Tower is set to add to the continued transformation of the area, which has seen elevated levels of development over the last decade. Upper West Side and the pending delivery of West side Place which includes Melbourne's first Ritz-Carlton underline the degree of change seen within the western precinct.

CBRE Melbourne City Sales have cited government data within their sales material, showing that an estimated 45,000 new dwellings are required in the inner city over the next 15 years to accommodate population growth.
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A king sized opportunity presents itself in the CBD

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It has been more than a lively week in terms of development as news continues to filter through on a swag of large inner city projects.

Earlier in the week The State Government announced in excess of $2 billion in planning applications had been approved. 460 Collins, 447 Collins, 280 Queen Street, 334-344 City Road and 4 Hopkins Street were all given the green light, amounting to in excess of 2000 apartments, 300 plus serviced apartments, hotel and office accommodation.

Further to the above, three separate projects have also had further information come to light this week:

<h2>303 La Trobe Street</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/image38_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="303 La Trobe Street. Image: iaumeca.com"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="1056" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image38_3.jpg?itok=eiVY0jO8" title="303 La Trobe Street. Image: iaumeca.com" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>303 La Trobe Street. Image: iaumeca.com</figcaption></figure>Earlier this week Apartments.com.au mused that the <a href="/news/figtrees-melbourne-foray-293-303-la-trobe-street-melbourne">initial proposal for the former Duke of Ken</a>t was dead and buried. Indeed the proposed 66 level, 213 metre tower is no more, but in its place has arrived another design at roughly 60 levels.

And further, the project has gone to early sales, featuring on Chinese-based property websites. Singaporean firm Figtree Asia was behind the initial development application and barring any off-market transactions still shapes as the driving force behind the project. The 503sqm site was secured by Figtree during 2014 for $14.08 million.

At 60 levels and near on 200 metres the project simply dubbed 303 La Trobe looks likely to become the tallest of all recent towers fronting La Trobe Street between Elizabeth Street and Queen Street.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image39_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Intended ground level and marketing material. Image: iaumeca.com"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="216" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image39_3.jpg?itok=ASBC6a67" title="Intended ground level and marketing material. Image: iaumeca.com" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Intended ground level and marketing material. Image: iaumeca.com</figcaption></figure><h2>640 Bourke Street</h2>

First outlined on Apartments.com.au during March 2015 as part of <a href="/news/besgate-group-readies-their-surge-into-the-melbourne-apartment-market">Besgate Group's push into Melbourne</a>, 640 Bourke Street has met with opposition from City of Melbourne planners.

Valued at $234 million and proposed at a height of 273.3 metres to Bourke Street, the RotheLowman creation would also maintain a 173.4 metre height to Little Bourke Street. Overall 640 Bourke Street would, if approved, consist of 980 dwellings, 1,101sqm of leasable commercial space, 330sqm of retail space, a 942sqm child care centre and art gallery.

According to City of Melbourne planners, "the Council objects to the proposed development as it is an overdevelopment of the site by way of inadequate setbacks and inappropriate height to Little Bourke Street, plot ratio and the extent of demolition of heritage fabric."

<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/image42_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="640 Bourke Street. Image: ROTHELOWMAN"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="389" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image42_0.jpg?itok=VXITBJQ_" title="640 Bourke Street. Image: ROTHELOWMAN" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>640 Bourke Street. Image: ROTHELOWMAN</figcaption></figure>Height, setbacks, massing, plot ratio, heritage and the amenity of apartments are cited as key points within the <a href="http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/about-council/committees-meetings/meeting-archive/MeetingAgendaItemAttachments/743/13387/JUL16%20FMC1%20AGENDA%20ITEM%206.6%20640%20Bourke%20Street,%20Melbourne.pdf">planning report</a>, with a Bourke Street plot ratio of 35:1.

Two versions of the tower were proposed, one which adheres to the Obstacle Limitation Surface height of 215.147 metres and the taller version outlined above. City of Melbourne planners state within the report that the tower should be height limited to the 215 metre outcome.

<h2>38 Freshwater Place</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/image46_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="38 Freashwater Place as approved. Image: CBRE City Sales"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="354" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image46_5.jpg?itok=6Ki1H_Fm" title="38 Freashwater Place as approved. Image: CBRE City Sales" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>38 Freashwater Place as approved. Image: CBRE City Sales</figcaption></figure>The Metier 3-designed 38 Freshwater Place has gone back to planning, seeking amendments to what is one of Melbourne largest approved skyscrapers.

At 273 metres the project was put to market by M&amp;L Hospitality Group and consequently found a new buyer earlier in 2016. Set over a 3,096sqm site the mixed-use tower which has approval for both apartments and a hotel, netted M&amp;L Hospitality Group a <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/business/property/michael-kum-to-sell-38-freshwater-place-20160204-gmlbpa">reported $60 million upon its sale</a>.

While the new owners have yet to be revealed, the movement of the project back to planning indicates that 38 Freshwater Place will be rejigged in its layout, and also hints toward the project becoming a reality in the medium term.
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News on three further skyscrapers rounds out an eventful week

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One of the batch of large planning applications still active yet submitted prior to the current Government's implementation of interim planning controls looks to have gained approval.

According to the State Government's <a href="https://planning-permits.delwp.vic.gov.au/greenlightExt/public/main.aspx?frm=uc_applicationDisplay_CompleteApplication.ascx&amp;appTypeId=1&amp;mId=103&amp;AppId=75">Greenlight online permit manager</a> a large residential tower at 272-282 Queen Street received approval on the 15th of June. Brady Property Group is behind the project with the tower now joining 380 Lonsdale Street as pending CBD projects for the prolific developer.

Submitted during late 2014 and designed by Peddle Thorp Architects, the project contains near on 600 apartments and spans 80 levels or 255 metres. Barring any indication that the tower has changed considerably since its submission, the approval of 272-282 Queen Street is significant in that the project would have contravened interim planning controls if submitted post their implementation.

<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/image22_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="272-282 Queen Street as submitted. Planning image: Peddle Thorp" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="464" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image22_5.jpg?itok=MkrvRXx1" title="272-282 Queen Street as submitted. Planning image: Peddle Thorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>272-282 Queen Street as submitted. Planning image: Peddle Thorp Architects</figcaption></figure>272-282 Queen Street's apparent approval poses a wider question; which notable planning applications submitted prior to the interim controls which took hold during September last year and have yet to receive a planning outcome? 

Given the State Government's Greenlight online permit manager is best described as hit and miss, here is Apartments.com.au's best assertion as to which of the 'old guard' have yet to reach a planning outcome. Keep in mind that projects shown below are limited to Melbourne's CBD and Southbank, as only they are subject to interim controls, and soon permanent controls which will make the below projects nigh on impossible in many contemporary scenarios.

The vast majority of outstanding applications are centred in the CBD, more so along the CBD's western and northern flank. Eight major submissions dated prior to the interim planning controls are still in play according to Greenlight, with more than 4,400 apartments and an associated hotel still in the air.

Projects such as 111-125 A'Beckett Street, 183-189 A'Beckett Street, 478-488 Elizabeth and 441-451 Elizabeth are seeking to call the northern reaches of the CBD home whilst 640 Bourke Street, 140 king Street and 556-558 Lonsdale Street are looking for a western CBD presence.

This leaves DEXUS Property Group's 32-44 Flinders Street as the sole pre-interim planning control application in the CBD's eastern end.

Should some or all of these projects gain the nod, they will likely contribute to Melbourne's CBD becoming the densest in Australia, <a href="/news/melbourne-cbd-on-course-to-be-the-most-densely-populated-area-in-australia">in line with this article</a>.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image27_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="A'Beckett, Bourke and Flinders Street towers in the offing" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="380" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image27_2.jpg?itok=Y5r4y3Gs" title="A'Beckett, Bourke and Flinders Street towers in the offing" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A'Beckett, Bourke and Flinders Street towers in the offing</figcaption></figure>To Southbank and Central Equity have submissions over two sites at 71-87 City Road and 268-274 City Road, with both comfortably pushing beyond the 200 metre mark in their initial submission. Both were submitted during June 2015 and if the duo receive approval, Central Equity can expect to take another 1,300 plus apartments to market.

Another project under scrutiny south of the river is 135 Sturt Street with the Hayball-designed 41 level tower seeking approval for 300 plus apartments set above a highly active podium.

Less clear is the outcome of 295 City Road. According to Greenlight the project has yet to reach a planning outcome although project lead Crone Architects have the 70 level development as holding town planning approval on their website.

<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/image24_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="295 City Road. Image: Crone Architects" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image24_1.jpg?itok=bp-GPV5o" title="295 City Road. Image: Crone Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>295 City Road. Image: Crone Architects</figcaption></figure>Projects that have seemingly fallen by the wayside include 293-303 La Trobe Street and 63 Exhibition street, whilst redesigned projects such as 158 City Road and 334-344 City Road have yet to be seen publicly.

Whether on not all of the above receive planning approval remains to be seen, but the confirmation of 272-282 Queen Street suggests that there is scope for the batch of 'old guard' applications to receive approval.

 A full list of active major applications submitted prior to the implementation of interim planning controls is seen below. Feel free to comment should any of those seen below be incorrect.
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280 Queen Street gains approval, but who of the 'old guard' are left?

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First covered on Apartments.com.au <a href="/news/what-the-fook-84-88-queensbridge-street-southbank">over two years ago</a>, <a href="http://88melbourne.com.au/">88 Melbourne</a> was officially launched by New Sky Group on 30 April, marking its first major foray into the Melbourne market.

The project has already proven popular with locals currently living within Southbank and interstate purchasers with buyers from Sydney in particular.

The $100 million 60-storey tower, located in the Southbank Entertainment Precinct is designed by RotheLowman in conjunction with KPDO.

Inspired by hand crafted jewelry and the art of origami, the building features a three-dimensional diamond patterned façade, that will shimmer during the day. This will be further accentuated in the evening sky by an integrated LED installation, the first residential tower in Melbourne to feature a full height LED lighting design.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/88m_03.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="88 Melbourne hero perspective. Image courtesy of New Sky Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="1114" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/88m_03.jpg?itok=-YWmatxh" title="88 Melbourne hero perspective. Image courtesy of New Sky Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>88 Melbourne hero perspective. Image courtesy of New Sky Group</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
88 Melbourne will have a sophisticated presence in the city and change the way people think of apartment living. It will be an iconic Melbourne address and a lasting moment in the evolution of local architecture and how we design for changing life-stages.
<cite>Chris Hayton, Principal, RotheLowman</cite>
</blockquote>

88 Melbourne will be Melbourne’s first apartment building to feature hand-crafted kitchen appliances by Sub- Zero and Wolf, the brand associated with professional chefs internationally including Heston Blumenthal, Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver.

At time of writing, 72 of 252 apartments within 88 Melbourne have been sold in the first 3 weeks, with 50% of the 1 bedroom apartments sold. Apartments range in size from 50-58sqm for 1 bedroom apartments, up to 88sqm for 2 bedroom and 113-158sqm for the 3 bedroom apartments with an average of five apartments per floor.

Penthouses occupy full floors and feature floor to ceiling heights of four metres.

Sales agent Matt George of Urban Activation said 88 Melbourne was a unique project for the city and with the introduction of stricter planning controls meant the chances of views being built out were less likely particularly above level 44. 88 Melbourne identified a gap in the market for owner-occupier driven apartment stock within the CBD and Southbank according to Matt.

<blockquote>
The city has not seen a CBD tower of this scale designed specifically with owner occupiers in mind before. While investors will undoubtedly be interested in this building, its residents will overwhelmingly reside here.

It reflects an evolution to a more New York urban style of living in Melbourne, as more and more families and empty nesters trade their family home for an urban pad with everything they need either in their building or on their doorstep.
<cite>Matt George, Urban Activation</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/88m_amenities_level.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Level 8 recreational facilities. Image courtesy New Sky 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/88m_amenities_level.jpg?itok=7ynvjg42" title="Level 8 recreational facilities. Image courtesy New Sky Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Level 8 recreational facilities. Image courtesy New Sky Group</figcaption></figure>The AFR has reported that 88 Melbourne has received consent from Planning Minister Richard Wynne to increase its height by six floors to an overall height of 199 metres, or 208 metres to top of plant. Construction of 88 Queensbridge is expected to commence in late October / early November with an expected construction programme of two years.
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Laurence Dragomir

New Sky thinking: 88 Melbourne

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The CBD's northern end is in full bloom so to speak as a variety of high-rise projects rapidly progress from paper designs to reality.

So much so one only needs to crane one's head skyward to see multiple tower cranes dotting the skyline in all directions. Hand in hand with this fundamental change to the look and feel of the CBD's northern reaches is the injection of purple facades over certain skyscrapers as design practice Elenberg Fraser seek to break the ubiquitous blue of many a Melbourne skyscraper. 

No less than 12 towers are under construction in the area, with the combined numbers as follows: 723 new student accommodation beds, 208 serviced apartments and 5,475 apartments.

See below a pictorial update of the CBD's emerging 'new face' 

<h2>Elizabeth Street's Big Four</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image8_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Having all your ducks in a row along Elizabeth Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="1244" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image8_5.jpg?itok=KJKRql3C" title="Having all your ducks in a row along Elizabeth Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Having all your ducks in a row : Empire, Light House, Victoria One and Vision Tower</figcaption></figure>They are indeed the 'Big Four' with Empire the shortest at 198 metres. Seen in the top image above, Brady's Vision Tower is all but externally complete whilst Victoria One, Light House and Empire's visible jump forms round out the quartet.

Under the guidance of Probuild both Victoria One and Empire's jump forms have skipped ahead of their respective floor plates, whilst Brookfiled Multiplex's Light House has employed a common placing boom to pour both floor plate and core, thus the difference in appearance.

In terms of physical finishes Light House shapes as being the most striking, with the undulating Elenberg Fraser-designed tower already showing some unique purple design features over its early levels. Victoria One has received its first glazed facade panels whilst the golden fins of Empire continue to rise rapidly.

<h2>La Trobe Street bulks up</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/image9_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="La Trobe Street also maintains strong construction activity"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="719" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image9_6.jpg?itok=vZDKtJ1o" title="La Trobe Street also maintains strong construction activity" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>La Trobe Street also maintains strong construction activity</figcaption></figure>La Trobe Street has a case of the blues with three towers nearing completion and sporting predominantly blue facades. Hickory Group's La Trobe Tower build is racing toward its structural completion thanks to the Hickory Building System whilst nearby Eporo Tower is also close to topping out.

Further along La Trobe Street and the ultra thin Trillium Tower is also approaching its final height under the guidance of head contractor Built.

Whilst not on La Trobe Street but in close proximity, EQ Tower is approximately half way to its ultimate height. Sporting a uniform purple facade, the highly overt build has brought another shade of Elenberg Fraser purple to the area.

<h2>Down and dirty</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/image7_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Projects yet to break ground level"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="407" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image7_8.jpg?itok=0Cxw9SjQ" title="Projects yet to break ground level" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Projects yet to break ground level</figcaption></figure>Aurora Melbourne Central, Avant, Scape Swanston Street and Conservatory are all currently at a preliminary stage of construction centred around site ground works.

Avant seen above left will have its core soon enough with footings in place whilst Scape Swanston has made rapid progression over the last month, with its tower crane starter already in place.

<h2>Future builds on the radar</h2>

Future builds for the area are headed by the twin-towered Queens Place development and Scape La Trobe Street which are well into their respective development processes.  

Future paper developments such as 48-52 La Trobe Street, the expected 200 metre Munro site tower, 98-102 Franklin Street, 97 Franklin Street and 111-125 A'Beckett Street as well as the extension to Melbourne Central Station as part of the Melbourne Metro Rail project will ensure Melbourne's Northern CBD will continue to see healthy levels of construction for some years to come.
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The CBD's northern construction boom in colour

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/57114/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
The competition to be the city with Australia’s “tallest skyline” is in full swing. But too many towers are rejecting local climate and context in an attempt to dominate skylines.
As a high-rise apartment boom sweeps Australia, concern is growing that the proliferation of skyscrapers will be to the detriment of cities.
To overcome this, we need to move away from thinking about the skyscraper as an “icon”. Instead, we should be asking how the tall building – which will always “stand out” – can also “fit in” to cities.
Towering trends
Australia is home to around 325 towers of 100 metres or taller in height (approximately 30 storeys and above). Most are located in Sydney or Melbourne.
Around 272 additional towers are either under construction or proposed in Australia. Melbourne, in particular, seems to be embracing the skyscraper. It has 111 new towers in the pipeline, more than double that of Sydney.
<a href="/images/2016/04/21/image-20160413-15868-1toptiq.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/04/21/image-20160413-15868-1toptiq.jpg" alt="">
Tall building construction in Australia - Left: number of buildings 100m+ completed each year; right: total number of buildings 100m+ completed, under construction or proposed per city. www.skyscrapercenter.com
Such numbers may seem dramatic. But they reflect a greater international trend in high-rise construction.
In the 20th century, 1,062 towers of 150 metres or taller were completed globally. Yet it took just eight years of the 21st century for this figure to double. Between 2000 and 2015 2,445 skyscrapers taller than 150 metres were built. A further 1,793 are under construction or proposed.
China is without doubt the centre of this construction boom. Research suggests it will build between 20,000 and 50,000 skyscrapers over the next 20 years to accommodate 350 million new urban dwellers. Shanghai already has 1,510 towers taller than 30 storeys – almost five times as many as Australia.
Few places are escaping this trend. London has 175 skyscrapers of 30 storeys or taller in the pipeline. This has led some to worry the city will turn into “a bad version of Dubai or Shanghai”.
Switzerland – known better for its timber chalets than crystalline towers – intends to build between 140 and 160 new high-rises.
Economics certainly plays a role in driving this trend. The skyscraper has long been known as the “machine that makes the land pay”. With the increasing cost of inner-city land, building up is a sure-fire way to increase developers’ potential profits.
Then there is the huge level of urbanisation in the developing world. Rural-to-urban migration is driving a huge demand for new housing. Add to this the growing popularity of city-centre living. The suburbs are failing to compete with the vibrancy and culture the city has to offer.
Finally, towers are being used as part of global or regional competitions to demonstrate a city’s or company’s identity and success. As far back as the 12th century, rich families in Bologna built increasingly tall towers as status symbols for their wealth and power, displaying their dominance over their rivals.
Little has changed. Rival casinos plan competing towers either side of Sydney’s Darling Harbour, acting as urban “trophies” at a city scale. But surely our towers should be more than just trophies?
The generous skyscraper?
One of the main challenges that separates low-rise from high-rise buildings is the scale of their impact on the city.
Shorter buildings will often only have an impact on their immediate surroundings, perhaps a few hundred metres beyond their boundaries at a maximum. A skyscraper, however, will likely be experienced both visually and environmentally across a city for several kilometres. A tower’s shadow can stretch for hectares.
Historic city views and panoramas can be altered forever. Reports of hundreds of new skyscrapers bring to mind canyonesque streets, hemmed in by concrete blocks that plunge parks and public realm into darkness. However, this doesn’t have to be the case.
Rather than using dramatic shape and form in skyscraper design to create icons, Chicago architect Jeanne Gang’s Solar Carve Tower in New York, for example, is carved and chamfered to allow light to penetrate onto the public High Line below. A similar generosity of design would not go amiss in most new towers.
Beyond transparency
Too many of Australia’s tallest towers say very little about the context within which they sit or the climate in which they perform. This is not unique to Australia.
The rise of generic glass towers on skylines globally has led to concern that cities are becoming homogenised by cookie-cutter tower blocks. In doing so, they are losing some of the qualities that make these cityscapes unique.
Worse still, the use of seemingly never-ending glazing on tower blocks is environmentally criminal in most Australian climates.
There’s little point in building up if we don’t celebrate the million-dollar view height provides. But does this really mean wrapping every inch of towers in floor-to-ceiling glass?
A more contextual response would be to learn to balance view with appropriate shade and solidity in tall building facades, developing designs that respond to local climate and sunpath. Such an approach could breed a new generation of sustainable Australian towers, uniquely linked to one of a city’s strongest determinants – its climate.
Ground floor interface
While skylines get all the headlines, it is at the ground level where skyscraper design perhaps needs greatest improvement.
Residential towers can offer little more than gleaming glass real estate in the sky, most of which is inaccessible (literally and often financially) to many city residents. Given that upper floors are out of bounds, the ground floor becomes the key place where the public can interact with the building.
The problem is the ground-floor realm often only accommodates access for parking and private lobby space. Since most residential towers are single-function, they lack the vibrancy and activities that mixed-use buildings with cafes, restaurants and work spaces offer. This means any public spaces that are created can be empty during the day when residents are at work.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Building up and creating higher densities can (in theory at least) free up greater space for the public at ground. What’s more, it can free up higher spaces, more dramatic and exciting spaces that would be unviable in low-rise schemes.
It can be difficult to argue that the skyscraper is not a selfish typology – absorbing resources, light and airspace from the city. But it can be a generous one too – perhaps most generous of all by providing higher densities and thus more compact cities, reducing suburban spread.
But our next generation of residential towers need to do more than simply generate higher densities. Key to this is moving away from treating towers as mere icons and instead creating high-rise architecture that responds to each city’s unique climate, culture and context.
Philip Oldfield senior lecturer, School of Architecture &amp; Design, UNSW Australia and author for The Conversation. He can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/philip-oldfield-140685" target="_blank">here</a>.
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Beyond the icon: despite a construction boom, Australian skyscraper design needs to evolve

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Plus Architecture have unveiled another of their burgeoning portfolio of current projects by way of a new 57 level residential tower in the northern reaches of Melbourne's CBD. Developer Burbank Australia is seeking approval for the residential conversion of 96-102 Franklin Street which has acted as its inner city office for some years.

Burbank House as it's known is no stranger to proposed development with Burbank Australia gaining approval during 2002 for a residential conversion of the existing building into an 11 level complex holding 95 apartments. Prior to this a permit was also issued for a 25 level residential tower onsite.

It is in part a reflection of Melbourne's shift toward high-rise living that the current Plus Architecture-led planning application lodged during December 2015 is by far and away the largest proposal that the site has accommodated.

<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/img_1183.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Burbank House as it currently stands "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="371" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1183.jpg?itok=AEt0rSiH" title="Burbank House as it currently stands " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Burbank House as it currently stands</figcaption></figure>Reaching 177 metres, the 57 level building will hold a total of 270 apartments split between a number of living options. 10 heritage apartments are designed into the tower's lower levels with 129 one bedroom, 109 two bedroom and 22 three bedroom/penthouses skyhomes rounding out the tower.

186 bicycle spaces and 86 vehicle bays have also been included, with a regeneration of the existing Franklin Street facade also expected. The following description of the tower was provided:

<blockquote>
The focus is on community and communal spaces with an artisan workshop and artisan heritage apartments within the podium. The building also consist of a dining/master kitchen area with a mezzanine lounge, 2 storey residents library and games room, yoga room, herb garden and pool.

The façade is inspired by crystalline structures. Each crystal module on the building is sized to reflect the internal programme behind. The overall language is both unifying and personalised.

The context is multiplied and refracted in the angular glass façade creating a kaleidoscope reflecting the multiplicity of the city surrounds.
<cite>Plus Architecture</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/franklin2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hero perspective of the development. Image courtesy Plus Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="891" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/franklin2.jpg?itok=HLiiNW9Z" title="Hero perspective of the development. Image courtesy Plus Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Hero perspective of the development. Image courtesy Plus Architecture</figcaption></figure>When placed in context, 96-102 Franklin Street would almost be lost in the upcoming crop of tall residential towers in the surrounding area. Earlier this month Apartments.com.au <a href="/news/the-northern-heights-cbd-north-model-updated">published an updated model of the CBD's north end</a> illustrating no less than 9 residential towers in the surrounding blocks ranging from planning to construction that are in excess of 200 metres.

With the addition of 97 Franklin Street and Swanston Central atop the former CUB site this number swells to 11 towers.

While 96-102 Franklin Street sits on the periphery of this cluster, the forthcoming 200 metre tower expected for Victoria Market's Munro site will share the same block as Plus Architecture Franklin Street design, further adding to the tremendous bulk this pocket of Melbourne's CBD is experiencing.
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