The residential transformation of St Kilda Road is set to continue into with more new apartment plans for the sought-after boulevard.

Wing Tai Asia has lodged plans for a major residential tower at 464-466 St Kilda Road, replacing the former VACC House with an 18-storey mixed-use development designed around a retained heritage podium and a sculpted contemporary tower.

The proposal, prepared under Victoria’s Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway, would deliver 325 apartments and ground-floor retail across the prominent 4,653 sqm boulevard site in Melbourne’s St Kilda Road North Precinct.

The project centres on the adaptive reuse of the site’s heritage-listed VACC Building, an eight-storey office designed by Bernard Evans that has occupied the address for decades. Planning documents state the development would involve “carefully dismantling and conserving off-site the original metal fabric of the podium visible from St Kilda Road,” before reinstating it as the defining frontage of the new scheme.

Above the restored podium, Wing Tai is proposing a curvilinear residential tower. The scheme includes 172 one-bedroom apartments, 63 two-bedroom apartments, 66 three-bedroom apartments, and 24 four-bedroom apartments, alongside two ground-floor food and beverage tenancies fronting St Kilda Road.

The tower has been designed with substantial articulation and variable setbacks to minimise perceived bulk and maintain view corridors along the boulevard. Urbis, which prepared the planning report, said the design “has been significantly articulated through a curvilinear design” with “an interplay with materials, façade expression and depth” to create visual separation and visual interest.

The proposal also includes 254 basement car spaces, landscaped pedestrian links connecting St Kilda Road and Queens Lane, and a biophilic landscape strategy featuring canopy trees, raised planters, cascading greenery and a glass oculus pool overlooking the eastern frontage.

Planning documents confirm the $270.1 million development will contribute 3 per cent of project costs to the Social Housing Growth Fund as part of the application process.

Wing Tai acquired the St Kilda Road property in 2018 alongside Abacus Property Group for $95.38 million, before later consolidating ownership of the site. The property previously served as the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce headquarters for around 60 years.

The transformation of the St Kilda Rd boulevard is already beginning to materialise, with a number of high-profile projects recently completed, launched, or approaching launch as developers continue to back the long-term appeal of the precinct.

Among the most notable recent completions is Louise by Samuel Property Group, just off the strip on Queens Lane, the same pocket Hirsch &amp; Faigen recently launched The Queensbury. Mirvac is too on the same street with The Albertine, which is approaching completion.

Dexus recently secured approval for its slice of St Kilda Road, while Gurner also has approved plans for the precinct.

Joel Robinson

Wing Tai unveils 325-apartment St Kilda Road tower on former VACC House site

Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-6" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-2" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-2" dir="auto">
<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-2" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:5a5ab36c-8dd3-454c-b456-c501f22f0eb4-0" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:5a5ab36c-8dd3-454c-b456-c501f22f0eb4-0" dir="auto">
The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
</section>
</section>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Smith Street

Smith Street, the edgy Collingwood strip of food joints and bars,&nbsp;was recently named the coolest street in the world&nbsp;in a poll by the entertainment and exploration guide, Time Out.

It beat out the likes of London&#39;s South Bank on the River Thames and the famous Sunset Boulevard strip in LA.

But the street wasn&#39;t always the go-to hangout for Melbourne&#39;s inner residents.

Developer Tim Gurner, who leads the residential development firm GURNER, said people thought they were crazy when launching projects just off Smith Street around 14 years ago, long before it had taken off.

&quot;I remember our first display suite kept getting broken into and the TVs and electrical equipment would get stolen,&quot; Gurner recalled.

&quot;But I just fell in love with the incredible heritage buildings and warehouses and felt that gentrification would change the face of the area and attract the young professionals that would eventually lead to all the best restaurants, bars, shops and then eventually more demand.&quot;

He said one of the things he looks for when deciding on where the develop a project is the area&#39;s &#39;cool factor&#39;.

&quot;Have the artists and creators moved into an area? Are new restaurants opening up? Does the area tell a story? If the answers are yes, I know culturally the area is set for a massive resurgence and know that&rsquo;s where we should be looking for sites, so that we can play a role in that cultural regeneration.&quot;

Of course the rich-lister developer goes in to each development knowing that that data is crucial, with rental vacancy rates, walkability scores, and median price points analysed.

But Gurner says that he also needs to personally love the area.

&quot;I need to feel like it&#39;s somewhere I could imagine myself living,&quot; Gurner says.

&quot;Often when I&rsquo;ve walked around streets of areas we are looking at, it&rsquo;s reminded me of places I&rsquo;ve been to in New York, Brooklyn or LA. That&rsquo;s when I know we are onto something really exciting and we often end up developing multiple projects there over many years.

GURNER&#39;s latest development on Smith Street is E.S Smith, the contemporary, New York-style development of 41 apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5615 project_image_fid=166290]

&quot;I think E.S&nbsp;Smith&nbsp;is my 17th&nbsp;project within a two kilometre radius, so you can tell I really love the area and believe in it on a much deeper level than data alone.&quot;

The design by&nbsp;Warren and Mahoney Architects draws inspiration from private clubs in New York&#39;s hip borough Brooklyn.&nbsp;Completion is slated for early 2023.

&quot;Collingwood&nbsp;has a distinct NY Meatpacking feel to it so we wanted to celebrate that with our projects, rather than compete with it,&quot; Gurner says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5615 project_image_fid=166292]

The development will see the 100 year old facade retained at street level, where there will be retail space.

Gurner says Smith&nbsp;Street has so many incredible heritage buildings still intact from the Foy &amp; Gibson era so we were really keen to be able to play a part in another project with historic appeal.

&quot;E.S&nbsp;Smith&nbsp;is our latest development on&nbsp;Smith&nbsp;Street and it ticked all the boxes for us &ndash; a heritage fa&ccedil;ade surrounded by all the best restaurants and cultural elements. We knew this was going to be something special.&quot;

Gurner says it was well foreseen that Smith Street was going to take off.

&quot;Collingwood and Smith Street in particular are so close to&nbsp;East&nbsp;Melbourne, which is one of this city&rsquo;s most prestigious suburbs, so I knew some of that demand would soon start to be reflected in the surrounding areas. &nbsp;

&quot;Collingwood and Fitzroy have seen the progressive transformation of so many key streets from Gertrude Street and Cambridge Street through to Brunswick and Johnston Streets, so&nbsp;Smith&nbsp;Street was the natural next step of this gentrification process.&quot;

He said one of the things he looks for when deciding on where the develop a project is the area's 'cool factor'.

Why Tim Gurner chose Collingwood's Smith Street, the world's coolest street

<html><body>
The gradual transition of Smith Street's northern reaches to a higher density built form has seen another project join the queue.

Developer GURNER will know at the earliest by late next month whether its bid to transform Collingwood's 368-374 Smith Street has been successful. Designed by Warren and Mahoney, the residential development spans 9 storeys and sits behind a quartet of partially retained heritage buildings.

For Warren and Mahoney, the Smith Street design is their fourth high-density residential project of note in Melbourne, their third for GURNER, and their second in Collingwood.

<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_14.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Angelo Group's two Smith Street developments"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="394" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image22_14.jpg?itok=DP_Rj1jk" title="Angelo Group's two Smith Street developments" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Angelo Property Group's two Smith Street developments</figcaption></figure>The Apartments.com.au Project Database currently has 10 projects along Collingwood's Smith Street in active status, with the majority located north of Johnston Street. 

Angelo Property Group has a hand in two projects, with the Kennedy Nola-designed Haus Collingwood recently hitting completion. Huas' northern facade is finished in a Brutalist style, but the majority of people will view the modern podium complete with canvas awnings.

For their other Smith Street development, Angelo Property Group has utilised Cera Stribley Architects to transform 365 Smith Street. The adjoining historic brick facade of 377-379 Smith Street will incorporate into the development which is currently at sales, whilst the modern add-on structure will be replaced with what amounts to a triple height void.

Most intriguing, or disappointing depending upon the readers perspective, is SPEC Property's Trilby development which required the existing brick facade be demolished. Later in the project's construction phase, the facade will be rebuilt to better provide continuity along the historic streetscape.

<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_7807.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="SPEC Property's Trilby is a departure from the previous heritage facade"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="416" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_7807.jpg?itok=Xg5cEk-8" title="SPEC Property's Trilby is a departure from the previous heritage facade" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>SPEC Property's Trilby is a departure from the previous heritage facade</figcaption></figure>Among a number of other projects with the ability to redefine the area is 423-425 Smith Street, but perhaps more so in what was not delivered.

Kahlon Group were behind a recent planning application to add a John Davey Architects-designed multi-level extension to the rear of the site that would have added near on 10,000 square metres of creative office space.

As it is 423-425 Smith Street is nearing the end of its restoration, with no mid-rise commercial complex in sight; under the United Co name, the complex is now slated to open next month as a new coworking space.

The existing facade has for the most remained unchanged.

<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/image21_15_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="423-425 Smith Street. Image: John Davey Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image21_15_0.jpg?itok=ySDO5hBg" title="423-425 Smith Street. Image: John Davey Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>423-425 Smith Street. Image: John Davey Architects</figcaption></figure>
</body></html>

silvermb

Warren and Mahoney add to Smith Street's changing face

<html><body>
Not another apartment development on <a href="/buildings/e-s-smith-368-374-smith-street-collingwood">Smith Street</a>? Well, no, Trilby is not like any other in certain regards with the team at SPEC Property going to great lengths in order to tailor the development toward the owner-occupier market.

Apartments.com.au visited the display at 410 Smith Street Collingwood in recent days following SPEC Property's latest residential release. The broad-ranging discussion encompassed topics such as the shifting dynamics of the residential sector, successfully designing a project relative to its surrounds and harnessing the target buyer for a development aiming to achieve an 80% owner-occupier buyer rate.

<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/shot01-hero.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Trilby as envisaged from smith Street. Image courtesy SPEC Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="406" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/shot01-hero.jpg?itok=XUrZsymn" title="Trilby as envisaged from smith Street. Image courtesy SPEC Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Trilby as envisaged from smith Street. Image courtesy SPEC Property</figcaption></figure>SPEC Property like many local developers has recognised a shift toward smaller scale, non-CBD developments which are more intimate in nature than the sizeable towers within Melbourne's CBD. Shying away from large, investor-grade apartment stock is nothing new to SPEC Property, with a sweep through the Apartments.com.au Project Database showing <a href="/developers/samma-property-group">eight small and medium-scale residential developments</a> currently under the guidance of the Cremorne-based property outfit.

<a href="/buildings/trilby-466-smith-street-collingwood">Trilby Apartments</a> is the latest to join this stable of projects. Upon purchasing the site the developer immediately went about redesigning the initial scheme which was still with Yarra City Council. Chief architect Ariel Lopez of Inhabit Design explained that the previous scheme was not in line with the developers expectations and ethos, thus the decision was made to rework every aspect of the project to better suit its setting.

Consequently Trilby apartments now presents as being more open to Smith Street, and with a softer exterior relative to the previous proposed design. Timber and greenery have been introduced, as has been a revised podium that better integrates with the retained facade.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/shot06-loft-apartment.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression of a loft within Trilby. Image courtesy SPEC Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="313" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/shot06-loft-apartment.jpg?itok=f0qzsgkM" title="Artist's impression of a loft within Trilby. Image courtesy SPEC Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist's impression of a loft within Trilby. Image courtesy SPEC Property</figcaption></figure>Maintaining every aspect of development from design to delivery in-house, SPEC Property have gone with a revamped interior layout in order to create living options that will best suit the target market. The in-house nature of the business allows for, and almost demands that the developer taps into their customer database in order to gain critical feedback on issues of design, livability and the like.

Consequently loft apartments have been introduced throughout the Trilby podium; a direct result of the success of their experience of placing lofts within <a href="/buildings/helio-91-flemington-road-north-melbourne">Helio</a> on Flemington Road.

The sales team have been delighted to date with the volume of foot traffic through the display suite. Quizzed on the catchment area of both prospective and actual purchasers, it's explained that the bulk of traffic to date is from Collingwood and surrounding suburbs, with a skew to areas such as Kew and Hawthorn. Tram 86 which stretches to Bundoora also accounts for a notable amount of display traffic, with a tram stop in close vicinity to the display front door.

Downsizers have also been prevalent in the buyer profile, with the most notable being a couple who have chosen to leave Shepparton behind in favour of a podium loft-style apartment.

In addition to the lofts, terrace apartments are located over level three with the balance of the building's 106 dwellings dedicated toward one and two bedroom apartments; all of which have been given the touch befitting of an apartment set to be owner-occupied. As Ariel Lopez explained, it serves no purpose going to such great design lengths to simply churn out further investor-driven apartment stock.

<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/image55_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A two bedroom interior. Image courtesy SPEC Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="367" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image55_2.jpg?itok=DmBd6IZ1" title="A two bedroom interior. Image courtesy SPEC Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A two bedroom interior. Image courtesy SPEC Property</figcaption></figure>As such the apartments are finished to an exceedingly high level and carry a number of features previously unseen by Apartments.com.au. The surprise within the display are the kitchen kickboards which are actually draws, providing additional storage space.

All apartment finishes carry an industrial edge in their design. Aged bronzed tapware, Smeg appliances and powder-coated steel island benches define the kitchen spaces, with a similar motif throughout the bathrooms. Resembling plywood in appearance, the novel finish to the joinery continues the industrial theme, but with an underlying quality.

Crowning Trilby will be an external rooftop deck incorporating a lounge and kitchen, library, bar, ping pong facilities, playground, outdoor cinema and Teppanyaki grill. Bricks salvaged from the site demolition will be reused throughout the rooftop deck, bringing a lived-in quality to the communal area while avoiding the perception of sterility which tends to define many communal areas of recent residential projects through Melbourne.

In-house builder TriUrban Construction is set to commence construction works on Trilby Apartments.

<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/image56_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Recycled bricks frame the rooftop area. Image courtesy SPEC Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image56_1.jpg?itok=NF_Ey5xE" title="Recycled bricks frame the rooftop area. Image courtesy SPEC Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Recycled bricks frame the rooftop area. Image courtesy SPEC Property</figcaption></figure>
</body></html>

Trilby Apartments a reflection of its target market

<html><body>
Having <a href="/news/you-i-enters-construction-phase">commenced construction during July 2013</a> with Apartments.com.au present at the <a href="/news/you-is-ground-breaking-ceremony">ground breaking ceremony</a>, this month saw the first residents of ICD Property's YOU &amp; I development begin moving in which also marks the developer's first completed apartment development in Melbourne.

Located along one of Melbourne’s most iconic streetscapes, YOU &amp; I at 450 Smith Street Collingwood consists of 63 apartments designed by Orbit Solutions. Apartments.com.au toured the recently completed building with ICD Property Director of Operations and Development Manager, Sal Quah, who said the team was thrilled to deliver its first project in its expanding development portfolio.

<blockquote>
We’ve had a busy few years and are pleased to see all of our efforts come to life through the completion of YOU &amp; I where buyers have been quick to recognize our vision in creating developments that contribute to Australia’s urban fabric.

YOU &amp; I is just one chapter completed of the ICD Property story with a series of developments underway including Eq. Tower and our latest collaborative project, Maple in Hawthorn, with Melbourne developer, ANGLE also completely sold out.
<cite>Sal Quah</cite>
</blockquote>

ICD recognised the potential of Collingwood as an emerging and desirable suburb due to the popularity of Smith Street and its restaurants, cafes, boutique shops and retail outlets which are considered some of the best in Melbourne. As a result YOU &amp; I is one of the first larger scale residential developments to be built on Smith Street, acting as a visual landmark, particularly when approaching from the north.

<blockquote>
The building represents one of the suburb’s largest residential gentrification projects along the famed Smith Street shopping strip, and we are pleased to breathe new life into this emerging Melbourne suburb.

Considered as one of Melbourne’s most exciting and highly coveted new lifestyle precincts, its little surprise the response we have received in the project from buyers and the local Collingwood community alike.
<cite>Sal Quah</cite>
</blockquote>

With Collingwood once famed for its local artisan residents during the 60s, 70s and 80s, the project team strived to assemble the best collaborators in order to design a development that would contribute to Collingwood’s unique character.

YOU &amp; I has integrated a selection of artworks from local Melbourne artist, Steve Rosendale, turning what would be an otherwise static and blank façade into a visually interesting storyboard which alludes to and draws upon Collingwood's eclectic and artistic history.

Rosendale has created five custom, larger-than-life stencil-style artworks which adorn the façades, referencing the retro and underground cinematic culture that was once synonymous with the area.

At 7-storeys tall and with significant upper level setbacks, the building features a robust base with timber highlights to soffits with a vertically expressed veil that acts to create "visual ambiguity" for the pedestrian. Residents will have access to the communal terrace located on level three of the development which opens out and holds views over Smith Street and back towards the Melbourne CBD skyline.

The setback was employed to alleviate planning concerns about the height and bulk of the building to the 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/you_i_023.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The upper veiled volume setback from Smith Street. Image courtesy ICD Property."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/you_i_023.jpg?itok=qLhxWnIw" title="The upper veiled volume setback from Smith Street. Image courtesy ICD Property." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The upper veiled volume setback from Smith Street. Image courtesy ICD Property.</figcaption></figure>The now fully sold apartments feature soft, neutral interiors with quality fittings and finishes used throughout, with buyers offered a selection of either a light or dark colour palette. Kitchens feature stone benchtops and Miele appliances with apartment afforded ample daylight coupled with generous ceiling heights, giving even the smaller apartments a spacious feel.

Bathrooms feature concealed in-wall cistern and chevron-patterned tiling that tie in with the contemporary look and feel of the apartments.

<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/you_i_002.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A typical one bedroom apartment. Image courtesy ICD Property,"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/you_i_002.jpg?itok=j-r6znfT" title="A typical one bedroom apartment. Image courtesy ICD Property," width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A typical one bedroom apartment. Image courtesy ICD Property,</figcaption></figure>Sustainability has been considered and included within the building's design via a grey water harvesting system and solar panels that contribute to the building’s energy needs whilst reduce hot water bills.

A ground floor retail tenancy fronting Smith Street has been reserved for a potential café or restaurant space to be occupied with the option to also accommodate multiple smaller tenancies. The tenancy appears to float above the street with planting beds sitting below the projecting plates. Operable windows allow the space to open up to the street and allow for passive surveillance and visual interaction with the action along Smith Street.

Residents access the building via an entry lobby off Mater Street that also accommodates the mailboxes and can also be accessed from the basement car parking level which features triple height car stackers per parking bay and a bicycle storage area. Storage cages are located within a mezzanine level that has been created as a result of the basement's double height space.

<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/you_i_024.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="YOU &amp; I Entry lobby. Image courtesy ICD Property."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/you_i_024.jpg?itok=GCwBxXOl" title="YOU &amp; I Entry lobby. Image courtesy ICD Property." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>YOU &amp; I Entry lobby. Image courtesy ICD Property.</figcaption></figure><h2>Key facts</h2>

<ul>
<li>Address: 450 Smith Street, Collingwood</li>
	<li>Developer: ICD Property</li>
	<li>Architect: Orbit Architecture</li>
	<li>Builder: Harris HMC</li>
	<li>Number of apartments: 63 (28 x 1 bedroom apartments and 35 x 2 bedroom apartments)</li>
	<li>Sizes of apartments in square metres internally:
	<ul>
<li>1 bed 1 bath apartment size 40.3-62.6 m2 (Internal)</li>
		<li>2 bed 1 bath apartment size 61.3 m2 (Internal)</li>
		<li>2 bed 2 bath apartment size 63.8-86.9 m2(Internal)</li>
	</ul>
</li>
	<li>Who is buying: 50% owner occupier, 50% investor</li>
	<li>Prices:
	<ul>
<li>1 bedroom apartments from $385,000-418,000</li>
		<li>2 bedroom / 1 bathroom apartments from $519,000-580,000</li>
		<li>2 bedroom / 2 bathroom apartments from $530,000-680,000</li>
	</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</body></html>

Laurence Dragomir

ICD Property delivers its first project: YOU & I

<html><body>
Earlier during 2014 Apartments.com.au highlighted the strengthening momentum <a href="/news/hot-or-what-the-collingwood-apartment-juggernaut-rolls-on">Smith Street</a> Collingwood was gathering as one of Melbourne's must-live destinations. With the apartment development landscape in the area changing rapidly, it pays to once more visit the current state of play in terms of Smith Street and Collingwood as a whole.

While many have now progressed to construction, a second wave of apartment projects are emerging as a multitude of developers look take advantage of continuing buyer interest in the suburb.

<h2>At construction</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/image22.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="All Collingwood projects currently under construction"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="763" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image22.jpg?itok=Kno1Nc95" title="All Collingwood projects currently under construction" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>All <a href="/developments/collingwood-vic-3066">Collingwood projects</a> currently under construction</figcaption></figure>Eight major apartment projects are currently at various stages of construction, yielding in the vicinity of 980 apartments. With completion for the majority expected mid to late 2015, Collingwood will see an appreciable swell in residents at these projects progressively achieve completion.

Seen above in clockwise fashion are <a href="/buildings/you-and-i-450-smith-street-collingwood">You and I</a>, Oxley Apartments, <a href="/buildings/41-peel-street-collingwood">41 Peel Street</a>, <a href="/buildings/yorkshire-1-robert-st-collingwood">Yorkshire Brewery</a>, <a href="/buildings/little-ox-2-johnston-street-collingwood">Little Ox</a>, <a href="/buildings/tapestry-apartments-80-stanley-street-collingwood">Tapestry Apartments</a> and <a href="/buildings/oxford-peel-22-peel-street-collingwood">Oxford &amp; Peel</a>. Last but not least is <a href="/buildings/smith-co-132-172-smith-street-collingwood">Smith&amp;Co.</a> which under developer Banco Group announced on Apartments.com.au yesterday the final release of extra spacious apartments over the top levels of the development.

<h2>Registration and sales</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/image27.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ever closer to construction; projects at registration and sales"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="405" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image27.jpg?itok=gGOtAWce" title="Ever closer to construction; projects at registration and sales" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ever closer to construction; projects at registration and sales</figcaption></figure>In between the construction boom and surge of new projects in their infancy a handful of developments are seeking to make the transition from sales to reality. Shown as accepting registrations of interest on developer Preview Property's website, <a href="/buildings/this-is-collingwood-60-66-islington-street-collingwood">Islington Apartments</a> joins Angelo Property Group's <a href="/buildings/haus-apartments-416-smith-street-collingwood">Haus Apartments</a> as the two projects most likely to progress to construction next, with the latter having already completed site demolition.

Factoring in <a href="/buildings/this-is-collingwood-60-66-islington-street-collingwood">9 Smith Street</a> and The Patersons which also at sales and front Smith Street yet are considered to be in Fitzroy, the four projects may well add in excess of 250 apartments to the area.

<h2>The new wave</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/image35.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The next wave lining up Collingwood"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="889" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image35.jpg?itok=cUp3S1lG" title="The next wave lining up Collingwood" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The next wave lining up Collingwood</figcaption></figure>Here are the seven latest Collingwood projects in waiting, with only <a href="/buildings/the-lantern-195-wellington-street-collingwood">195 Wellington Street</a> holding approval. Clockwise once more <a href="/new-apartments/386-smith-street-collingwood">386 Smith Street</a>, <a href="/buildings/peel-by-milieu-47-peel-street-collingwood">109 Wellington Street</a>, <a href="/buildings/little-oxford-7-little-oxford-street-collingwood">7 and 9-15 Little Oxford Street</a>, <a href="/buildings/trilby-466-smith-street-collingwood">466-482 Smith Street</a> and <a href="/buildings/28-stanley-street-collingwood">24-28 Stanley Street</a> find themselves at planning while Koúl Property enters the suburb with their proposed predominantly brick building at 203-205 Johnston Street which has yet to hit the official planning channels.

These projects combined are slated to hold in excess of 250 apartments; while the number of apartment developments continues to flow, the smaller site size dictates that fewer apartments will be contained within each development on average.

Not yet submitted for approval are two additional projects which will add approximately 200 additional apartments. Angelo Property Group is set to go again with 365 Smith Street which in time will host in excess of 100 one and two bedroom apartments and retail tenancies fronting Smith Street. Gurner also plans a return with 107 Cambridge Street (following 24-28 Stanley Street) which is expected to carry 92 apartments in an Elenberg Fraser-designed complex highlighted by an almost lace-like facade.

All in all the mass of residential developments within Collingwood ensures Apartments.com.au will be writing about the area for some time to come.
</body></html>

Hot or what? The Collingwood apartment juggernaut rolls on

<html><body>
Last Thursday Apartments.com.au glossed over <a href="/news/hotspot-video-smith-street-apartment-boom-in-focus" target="_blank">16 separate residential projects</a> within close proximity to, or located on Smith Street which bisects Collingwood and Fitzroy. Later that day we received a press release from the Smith Street Action Group entitled "Rear Window becomes Next Window as Inappropriate Density Invades."

A full copy of the media release is available for reading.

SSAG's release is worth reading and carries some valid points. "Appropriate gentrification is good, considering that living spaces do allow people to live well" is their overall stance, however the approved 237 Smith Street development has raised the group's level of discontent.

I'll play the devil's advocate today in order to further explore the issues at hand by posing a series of questions.

<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/231%20smith%201.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="237 Smith Street. Image © Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/231%20smith%201.jpg?itok=oABMMLrc" style="height:405px; width:580px" title="237 Smith Street. Image © Hayball"></a>

<h2>Free market</h2>

<blockquote>
A 6 level building, proposed to sit atop the hugely popular Messina Gelato, 237 Smith Street is an example of the new micro and highly dense apartment building that will soon populate Melbourne’s inner suburbs.
</blockquote>

Are apartment buyers/investors required to purchase micro and highly dense apartments? Last I checked, no. 33 square metre apartments are insanely small, yet if the developer sees fit to cater for (perceived) demand by adding micro apartments to their development profile, good luck to them. The market will dictate whether this is an act of frivolity or otherwise.

<h2>Lines of sight and sighting the sun</h2>

<blockquote>
“The building has sight lines directly into my apartment, not only does it completely cancel my northside view, but what I will be serving for dinner will be clearly visible to my neighbours, they will be able to count the peas on my plate.” Owen Harris
</blockquote>

What can I say? To lessen confusion, 231 Moor Street and 231 Smith Street occupy the same buildings - Panama House on the intersection of Smith &amp; Moor. Directly north of the recently completed Panama House apartment conversion at 231 Smith Street will sit 237 Smith Street.

One obscured light well (material 9 in image below) and one 700mm high glazed southeast corner window are the only non precast/metal areas to the southern boundary. Unless Inspector Gadget is counting your peas, overlooking is a moot point. Having said that the prospect of being greeted by a blank wall every day is somewhat depressing.

<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/237smith.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="237 Smith Street southern elevation. Image © Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/237smith.jpg?itok=D_Wox5PK" style="height:413px; width:580px" title="237 Smith Street southern elevation. Image © Hayball"></a>

<h2>Developer on the cross</h2>

<blockquote>
231 Moor Street developers Neometro were given written notice for 237 Smith Street proposal as early as September 2012 and the 229 Smith Street development as early as March 2013 and did not inform their purchasers.
</blockquote>

What place for Caveat emptor? I was always under the impression that developers had no requirement to inform buyers of proposed neighbouring developments, rather the onus was on the individual - after all the burden rests with the individual buying the property to consider and essentially accept that at some point in the future, a development may encroach upon their amenity and views. "Views are a privilege, not a right."

Why attempt to hold Neometro to account when the rest of the industry does not operate to that standard.

<h2>Paterson's conversion</h2>

<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/PageImage-519722-4255759-VIEW1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image © Homeworks Design"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/PageImage-519722-4255759-VIEW1.jpg?itok=Ogh0UXXI" style="height:435px; width:580px" title="Image © Homeworks Design"></a>

Is this an acceptable development? One that escaped attention in last week's article is the conversion of the most magnificent Patersons Building from a general arts/office space into private apartments. The redeveloped apartments will be <a href="http://www.thepatersonsfitzroy.com.au/images/patersons_fitzroy_floorplans.pdf" target="_blank">positively spacious</a> compared to what is proposed for 237 Smith Street yet will prospective buyers for <a href="http://www.thepatersonsfitzroy.com.au/index" target="_blank">The Patersons</a> consider that airspace surrounding their complex may be lost in years to come...unlikely.

Ultimately as much as action groups serve their purpose and highlight poor outcomes in both planning and development, from a buyer's perspective future disputes and disappointments can be for the most avoided by genuinely considering the dynamics of the location of your intended purchase both now and into the future. Sometimes that's easier said than done.

Feel the need to disagree, correct or corroborate any of the above content by posting a comment below.
</body></html>

Smith Street Action Group's take on development

<html><body>
Apartments.com.au couldn't possibly write a finer preamble to today's video/article than what is found on the exceptional <a href="http://smithstreetlife.com.au" target="_blank">Smith Street Life</a> website which dedicates itself to all things Smith Street. Regarding the increasing number of apartment developments on and immediately surrounding the famed strip, the website states of the Street itself:

<blockquote>
Smith Street's public face is under reconstruction, with at least three major development works in progress presenting a shift to Smith Street's cultural and community evolution. 
Melbourne’s oldest shopping strip, Smith Street’s revival is likely to be enhanced with construction taking place at various stages, and faces, along Smith Street's historical façades. 
With history and heritage dating back to the early 1800’s there is no doubt that Smith Street’s changing facades are providing a new pillar in Melbourne’s history. The changing identity of Smith Street, from a place of diversity, history and heritage, towards a more likely gentrified future is reflected in three different property developments each with their own different approach.
<cite><a href="http://www.smithstreetlife.com.au/the-changing-faces-of-smith-street" target="_blank">Smith Street Life: The changing faces of Smith Street</a></cite>
</blockquote>

The newest addition to <a href="/architects/grimshaw-architects" target="_blank">Grimshaw Architects</a> Melbourne office and regular Apartments.com.au contributor Laurence Dragomir along with <a href="/developers/neometro" target="_blank">Neometro</a>'s founder Jeff Provan feature in Apartments.com.au's most recent video - produced by our partners <a href="http://www.thevideoagency.com.au/" target="_blank">The Video Agency</a> - Hotspots: Smith Street

<iframe frameborder="0" height="300" scrolling="no" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/87231917" width="100%"></iframe>

<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://vimeo.com/87231917">Hot Spot: Smith Street</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user19840635">The Video Agency</a> on Vimeo.

See below a summary of the aforementioned 16 current apartment projects on and around Smith Street.

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width:243px">Under Assessment</td>
			<td style="width:245px">Registration and Sales</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:243px"><a href="/new-apartments/atrium-fitzroy-230-moor-street-fitzroy">229 Smith Street</a></td>
			<td style="width:245px">
<a href="/buildings/9-smith-street-9-smith-street-fitzroy" target="_blank">9 Smith Street </a>(moved to sales post video)</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:243px">Approved</td>
			<td style="width:245px"><a href="/buildings/oxford-peel-22-peel-street-collingwood">Oxford &amp; Peel - 22 Peel Street</a></td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:243px">7 Hodgson Street</td>
			<td style="width:245px"><a href="/buildings/tapestry-apartments-80-stanley-street-collingwood" target="_blank">Tapestry - 80 Stanley Street</a></td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:243px"><a href="/buildings/the-lantern-195-wellington-street-collingwood" target="_blank">195 Wellington Street</a></td>
			<td style="width:245px"><a href="/buildings/haus-apartments-416-smith-street-collingwood" target="_blank">Haus - 416 Smith Street</a></td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:243px"><a href="/buildings/221-kerr-street-fitzroy">221 Kerr Street</a></td>
			<td style="width:245px"><a href="/buildings/41-peel-street-collingwood" target="_blank">41 Peel Street</a></td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:243px"><a href="/new-apartments/237-smith-street-fitzroy" target="_blank">237 Smith Street</a></td>
			<td style="width:245px"><a href="/buildings/little-ox-2-johnston-street-collingwood" target="_blank">Little Ox - 2 Johnston Street</a></td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:243px"><a href="/new-apartments/305-311-smith-street-fitzroy" target="_blank">305-311 Smith Street</a></td>
			<td style="width:245px">Under Construction</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:243px"><a href="/buildings/yorkshire-1-robert-st-collingwood" target="_blank">Yorkshire - 1 Robert Street</a></td>
			<td style="width:245px"><a href="/buildings/smith-co-132-172-smith-street-collingwood">132 Smith Street</a></td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:243px"> </td>
			<td style="width:245px"><a href="/buildings/you-and-i-450-smith-street-collingwood" target="_blank">You &amp; I - 450 Smith Street</a></td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:243px"> </td>
			<td style="width:245px">Oxley - 46 Stanley Street</td>
		</tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/9SMITH_IMAGES_FINAL_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" style="font-size: 12px;" title="The latest project to reach sales - 9 Smith Street. Image © Neometro"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/9SMITH_IMAGES_FINAL_1.jpg?itok=tB9M6nSt" style="height:336px; width:580px" title="The latest project to reach sales - 9 Smith Street. Image © Neometro"></a>

With 9 Smith Street the most recent project to proceed to sales, it breaks the sequence of all projects currently at sales or under construction being located on the eastern side of Smith Street.

It would be an interesting social study to track over the coming months and years how the influx of new dwellings and residents will affect Smith Street's current dynamic. With an abundance of suitable development sites on and within close proximity to Smith Street, the trend of higher density living and increased population looks set to continue.
</body></html>

Alastair Taylor

Hotspot Video: Smith Street apartment boom in focus

<html><body>
Last month Apartments.com.au spent the better part of a day on Smith Street to film today's hotspot <a href="/news/hotspot-video-smith-street-apartment-boom-in-focus" target="_blank">video</a> - a rich, layered tapestry of people and places. Best characterised as a heritage streetscape and boasting an abundance of food offerings, street art, buzzing nightlife and a host of equally eccentric characters to boot.

Enjoy below a comprehensive photo essay of Smith Street - focusing particularly on the established buildings and places that have over time given Smith Street its well deserved title as one of Melbourne's quintessential experiences.
</body></html>

Smith Street Super Thursday - A pictorial essay

<html><body>
Time today for another installment of some of Melbourne's best street art. As the title suggests, a pocket of Collingwood bound by Johnston Street, Alexandra Parade, Wellington Street and Smith Street forms the boundary in which today's photo tour is located.
The area is also subject to a number of quality small and medium sized property developments, but for the purposes of today the subject matter is that which is visible for all to see.
From random skeletal figurines to totem poles to a 15 metre long mural in the most unusual of places, this area of Collingwood is supremely interesting. Enjoy.
</body></html>

Smith Street

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Smith Street

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News