New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]

Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]

The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

Joel Robinson

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Rainbow Bay apartment doubles in price since off the plan sale during pandemic

The long-planned transformation of Brisbane's historic Shafston Estate has taken another major step, with Capella Hotel Group announced as the luxury hospitality partner behind what will become Brisbane's first branded residences.

The project, to be known as Capella Residences Brisbane, is being delivered by Verso Projects at the landmark Kangaroo Point riverfront estate, with completion targeted for 2029.

The announcement follows a series of planning changes to the project over recent years. The site was originally approved in 2023 for a 15-level, 37-apartment development designed by Rothelowman for Burgundy Group before Verso Projects took over the 10,070 sqm riverfront holding and lodged revised plans with Kerry Hill Architects to increase the development to a 25-level tower with 51 apartments.

The latest announcement confirms Capella Hotel Group will bring its branded residential offering to the project, marking just the second Capella Residences development globally after Seoul, and the group's first branded residential project in Australia.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/23-castlebar-street-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Castlebar Street development</a> will centre around the restoration of the heritage-listed Shafston House, one of Brisbane's oldest residences, originally constructed in 1851 by Reverend Robert Creyke as a single-storey cottage known as Ravenscott.

<img alt="Capella" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2b9f4ce5-638f-4d6b-8082-3ca7e4b75fca" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-09%20at%207.20.41%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=f7aeqsW_DzOJI4FymWb3lD8NptSfsP7q" />

Capella said the project aligns with its focus on heritage-led developments, with the Brisbane estate combining the restored historic residence with a new luxury apartment tower and hospitality-inspired resident amenities.

Residents will have access to the Capella Living Room, a concierge-led communal space inspired by the group's luxury hotels, alongside landscaped gardens, six swimming pools, wellness and recreation facilities.

The broader estate will also include two riverfront homes, a six-berth private marina, porte cochère arrival experience, secure basement parking and a new section of public riverwalk along the Brisbane River frontage.

The heritage Postal Depot Building will also be retained and repurposed as a guest house, in line with the revised development plans.

The project represents another evolution for the site, which Kerry Hill Architects previously described as a rare opportunity to restore one of Brisbane's most significant heritage estates while creating a new benchmark for apartment living.

"The Shafston Estate provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore one of Brisbane's finest heritage precincts and to reinstate residential use as a unique site perched on the edge of Kangaroo Point," Kerry Hill Architects said in its Urban Context Report accompanying the planning submission.

"The project will celebrate excellence in sub-tropical residential design, setting a new benchmark for vertical living in Brisbane."

Verso Projects, which now has an $8.5 billion development pipeline spanning more than 6,000 dwellings across apartments, townhouses, retail and commercial projects, said the partnership with Capella would elevate the development beyond a traditional residential project.

"We feel honoured to be restoring Shafston Estate to its former glory, elevating it to new heights of luxury and excellence underpinned by Capella's distinctive service ethos and design philosophy, and making it a standout landmark in Brisbane," Verso Projects CEO Steve Laffey said.

"By partnering with Capella, globally recognised for its refined approach to luxury hospitality and deep respect for cultural and historical context, we will elevate this project beyond a residential offering into a world-class destination."

Capella Hotel Group President Roland Fasel said Brisbane's emergence as a global city made it the right location for the company's Australian residential debut.

"Brisbane is a city on the cusp of something remarkable, and Capella Residences is our commitment to being part of that story," Fasel said.

"The Capella residential experience is more than luxury. It is about a sense of belonging to a place with deep meaning."

Private appointments have now opened for the project, with a display suite expected to open in late 2026 ahead of the planned 2029 completion.

Capella to launch Brisbane's first branded residences at Shafston House, Kangaroo Point

Lewis Land's latest apartment release within its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> masterplan is targeting one of the Gold Coast's fastest-growing buyer groups, with almost a third of apartments at Solis priced below $1 million.

The seven-storey building at Biggera Waters will comprise 91 apartments, including 24 one-bedroom residences starting from $778,000, a price point Lewis Land says is aimed squarely at first home buyers struggling to enter the Gold Coast market.

<img alt="Harbour Shires" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e7486e37-22f6-4c92-b212-9b0622070b8f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-08%20at%209.09.34%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=W8MJwJUCf6HkIyl_EVSksnd.QI6MZryY" />

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lewis-land-group">Lewis Land</a> Head of Development Michael Long said the developer deliberately allocated a significant proportion of the project to more affordable apartment types.

"First home buyers have been priced out of many parts of the Gold Coast, and we saw a clear opportunity to address this and play our part in a longer-term housing solution," Long said.

"That's why 24 of the 91 apartments being delivered at Solis have been designed and priced for the city's next generation of homeowners, quality one-bedroom apartments, half of which include an additional multipurpose room to maximise space and flexibility.

"This approach places 30 per cent of apartments in Solis under $1 million, and with close proximity to Harbour Town's future light rail extension connecting residents to the city's major employment and knowledge hubs, it's a win for buyers looking to secure their first property."

<img alt="Sores" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="550526d3-73ba-4710-9739-c5f4294a30ef" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-08%20at%209.09.29%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=cQQdXHt9wS0UXwZEm5Py5bH_3kAmzyhu" />

Designed by BDA Architecture, Solis will deliver a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with residences ranging up to 232 sqm. Apartments feature generous balconies and contemporary finishes, while residents will have access to Harbour Shores' lagoon pool, clubhouse, tennis court, gym, yoga studio and sauna.

The focus on first home buyers resonated with purchaser Holly Humphreys, who said she and her boyfriend spent more than a year searching for their first property before shifting their attention from houses to apartments.

"We fell in love with the first house we bid on and got our hopes up, but after repeated knockbacks we learned not to get too attached," Humphreys said.

"We offered at the high end of price guides, but sales kept going even higher. That's where we really struggled and we needed to re-evaluate our budget and our expectations. Standalone houses were off the table, and we pivoted to apartments and townhouses."

Humphreys said it was encouraging to see developers recognising the growing demand from first home buyers.

"There's a growing number of young buyers looking to enter the market earlier because they understand that getting in now can make a real difference as prices continue to rise," she said.

"It's fantastic to see a developer recognise this and then actively take measures to deliver an apartment with us in mind."

Solis is the first development planned within the second stage of the Harbour Shores masterplan, with early works expected to commence in September 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

Lewis Land targets first home buyers at latest Harbour Shores release, Solis

Luxury apartment developer Abadeen has recorded $19.25 million in apartment sales across two of its Lower North Shore developments in the lead-up to the end of the financial year, headlined by the sale of a $6.75 million penthouse at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/koyo-crows-nest-5-rodborough-avenue-crows-nest-nsw-2065">KOYO in Crows Nest.</a>

The transactions also included the sale of a newly completed three-bedroom apartment at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/park-residences-cremorne-2-sutherland-street-cremorne-nsw-2090">Park Residences in Cremorne</a> for $6.35 million, with the residence selling shortly after the project's first public inspections following completion.

The sales come as completed, owner-occupier-focused apartments continue to attract strong demand across Sydney's Lower North Shore, particularly from buyers looking for certainty and immediate occupancy.

The penthouse at KOYO spans 491 sqm across a single level and was designed by architect Koichi Takada. The development is one of Abadeen's flagship boutique projects in Crows Nest.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108800 project_image_fid=370093]

Abadeen Executive Chairman and Founder Justin Brown said buyer activity lifted noticeably in the lead-up to the end of the financial year.

"We saw a clear increase in enquiry levels, inspection numbers and buyer engagement across our completed projects leading into the end of the financial year," Brown said.

"Buyers have become far more decisive over the past six months. The combination of improving confidence, limited supply and the ability to physically inspect completed residences is creating strong competition for premium apartments in the best locations."

Brown says the&nbsp;response to Park Residences following completion has been particularly strong.

"Buyers want certainty and are responding positively to the opportunity to walk through a finished product, inspect the quality firsthand and move in immediately," Brown suggested.

"Projects such as Park Residences and KOYO demonstrate that when the product is exceptional and the location is irreplaceable, buyers are prepared to act quickly."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=370116]

Abadeen CEO Joe Tack said quality continued to differentiate projects in the current market.

"Today's buyers are incredibly discerning," Tack said.

"They are seeking larger floorplans, premium finishes, walkability, lifestyle amenity and confidence in the developer delivering the project. Well-designed boutique developments continue to outperform because they offer something genuinely difficult to replace.

"The enquiry we are seeing across our completed and recently completed Lower North Shore portfolio is very encouraging, and we expect this momentum to continue into spring."

The sales follow increased enquiry across Abadeen's Lower North Shore portfolio which also includes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/northcote-collective-naremburn-2-northcote-street-naremburn-nsw-2065">Northcote Collective in Naremburn</a> which also completed recently.

KOYO penthouse headlines Abadeen's $19.25 million EOFY sales flurry

Southbank

<html><body>
Following on from Apartments.com.au's piece looking at the <a href="/news/urbans-top-5-for-october-most-viewed-architects">Top 5 Most Viewed Architects</a>, today we look at the Top 5 Most Viewed Suburbs. Once again these will be favoured heavily towards Melbourne due to the site's history as Apartments.com.au.

As the database and Apartments.com.au's presence continues to expand into the other Australian cities no doubt these will change. But for now here are the Top 5 and their respective development pipelines;

<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/top_suburbs_oct.png" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="209" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/top_suburbs_oct.png?itok=uHeMnblK" width="580"></a>

<figcaption> </figcaption></figure><h2><a href="/developments/melbourne-vic">1. Melbourne</a></h2>

The Victorian capital is experiencing an unprecedented level of population growth as it races towards becoming Australia’s largest city by 2030. This is being reflected in Melbourne’s strong development pipeline and investment in key infrastructure projects at state and local level, to ensure it remains among the world’s most liveable cities.

While the residential development pipeline appears to be winding down, the likes of West Side Place, Queens Place, Premier Tower, and By The Gardens are just beginning. In other words: the flurry of cranes that have been a permanent fixture on the Melbourne skyline for the last decade are set to remain for quite some time.

<iframe frameborder="0" height="420px" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic?embeddable=map" width="100%"></iframe>

<h2><a href="/developments/southbank-vic-3006">2. Southbank</a></h2>

Southbank will continue its transformation over the next five years as it reaches for the sky, but also turns its focus to improving the quality of the public realm.

Significant developments include some of Australia's tallest buildings, with Australia 108 (317m), One Queensbridge Street (323m), and Southbank by Beulah (356m) joining Eureka Tower (297m) to produce a dramatic cluster of buildings.

<iframe frameborder="0" height="420px" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/southbank-vic?embeddable=map" width="100%"></iframe>

<h2><a href="/developments/south-melbourne-vic-3205">3. South Melbourne</a></h2>

Having experienced a steady rate of residential development over the last few years, South Melbourne doesn’t appear to be showing any signs of slowing down. A number of apartments are planned for Albert Road, Eastern Road, and Dorcas Street, exploiting views of Albert Park Lake, the Bay, and the Melbourne skyline.

South Melbourne is also experiencing an increase in commercial development around the South Melbourne Market precinct and along Moray Street, reinforcing the suburb’s status as an emerging office precinct of low to mid-rise developments.

<iframe frameborder="0" height="420px" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/south-melbourne-vic?embeddable=map" width="100%"></iframe>

<h2><a href="/developments/footscray-vic-3011">4. Footscray</a></h2>

Best remembered in the 90s for Franco Cozzo’s furniture store and iconic ads, Footscray will soon become synonymous with high-rise living as the suburb fulfils its potential as an activity centre and employment cluster, with support from the State Government and Maribyrnong City Council.

<iframe frameborder="0" height="420px" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/footscray-vic?embeddable=map" width="100%"></iframe>

<h2><a href="/developments/west-melbourne-vic-3003">5. West Melbourne</a></h2>

Acting as a gateway into the Melbourne CBD, West Melbourne is expected to see considerable development activity, with support from the Council to transform the industrial suburb into a village.

The City of Melbourne has developed a new structure plan for the area including the extension of trams down Spencer Street which would be re-imagined as a ‘high street.’

<iframe frameborder="0" height="420px" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/west-melbourne-vic?embeddable=map" width="100%"></iframe>

Keep an eye out for the Top 5 Most Viewed Local Government Areas tomorrow.
</body></html>

Laurence Dragomir

Urban's Top 5 for October -  Most Viewed Suburbs

<html><body>
Earlier this month, <a href="/news/victorian-government-paves-the-way-for-build-to-rent">Urban.com.au reported</a> on the Victorian State Government's endorsement of Grocon's 60-storey Build-to-Rent development on City Road in Southbank.  Planning Minister, Richard Wynne endorsed the Bates Smart-designed proposal of 400-apartments, noting that barriers have been removed to pave the way for this new asset class that offers Melburnians a quality yet affordable housing option.

<blockquote>
New ideas often take a while to navigate the planning system. These actions will ensure that build-to-rent can prosper and increase the stock of rental housing to meet the current record demand.

- Richard Wynne, Minister for Planning
</blockquote>

According to Bates Smart, the design of the Southbank development has "been distilled from the best offerings noted from significant field research locally and abroad including a study tour of the US, conducted in March 2018, where representatives from Bates Smart visited 18 properties across New York, Boston and San Francisco." 

Apartments.com.au spoke to Bates Smart Director Julian Anderson about the research has undertaken on the Build-to-Rent model and the office's work in designing Melbourne's first BTR project on Southbank.

<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/42681628932_f8e15a5799_h.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The site which has now been cleared. Image: Ryan Seychell"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/42681628932_f8e15a5799_h.jpg?itok=lAQOrj0v" title="The site which has now been cleared. Image: Ryan Seychell" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The site which has now been cleared. Image: Ryan Seychell</figcaption></figure>Apartments.com.au: What are some of the barriers to successfully adopting the Build-to-rent model in Australia?

Julian Anderson: The main barrier in Australia at the moment is the challenging tax environment. Assuming the tax regime is modified, there shouldn’t be any other obstacles to its success. In Europe and the US, millennials are choosing to live in these developments because of the lifestyle it supports and like Australia, home ownership is becoming increasingly difficult because of rising costs and supply constraints.

The Treasurer, Tim Pallas has commented that: “Encouraging BTR will increase the supply of new, large-scale housing for longer-term renting.” There have been barriers for residents in terms of choice in the rental market and build-to-rent offers Australians a genuine alternative for occupants to create and maintain the lifestyle they want and continue live in the CBD with access to the best in transport, work, retail and lifestyle activity.

There are some negative connotations associated with the US build-to-rent model where it is perceived as creating an elitist environment. This did not appear to be the case during our team’s study tour of the US build-to-rent model in 2017 where we visited 18 projects. We experienced first-hand how the US model encourages and promotes a diverse community and caters to varying lifestyle needs, while offering a more secure housing solution.

U: How can the build-to-rent model address the challenges associated with housing affordability and population growth?

JA: Residential development in Melbourne and the CBD periphery is relatively stagnant due to lending controls tightening for both foreign and local developers and purchasers. With Melbourne’s population scheduled to double to 8 million within the next 20 years, making it the size of London today, we will need to cater to this huge population growth. One way to do that is via the introduction of this build-to-rent typology. The success of these projects is not constrained by purchasers’ willingness or ability to buy, rather, it is driven by a demand in Melbourne that is growing exponentially.

Affordability and build-to-rent don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand and we need to continue to look at international models to establish an appropriate affordable housing provision in this country. This is as much an issue for ‘build-to-sell’ apartment developments as it is for ‘build-to-rent.’

How did you approach the design of City Road compared to say one of the luxury projects Bates Smart have designed on Spring Street?

JA: As with all of our projects, we start by developing a brief with the client. This was undertaken on this project during a study tour of the US, during which we surveyed 18 build-to-rent properties across New York, Boston and San Francisco. The newer properties contained significant amounts of amenity space, and most interestingly, the provision of areas within the building enabling flexible working. For example, in several build-to-rent properties in the US we saw residents running their small businesses from their laptop using the work lounge spaces provided within the development, rather than running it from out of their apartment.

So while the brief is different, the design process is very similar. We’ll ask ourselves questions like how does the building need to respond to its local context, how do we maximise access to light and views, how are the amenity spaces arranged and distributed to maximise benefits for the residents and how do people want to live in the 21st century? It’s then up to the client working with us to determine what level of luxury they’re seeking to introduce into the project. It’s about creating the best environment in which people can live and enjoy the lifestyle offerings.

<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/home_southbank_bs.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The 60-storey BTR project on Southbank. Image: Bates Smart"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="725" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/home_southbank_bs.jpg?itok=AH7N36Ll" title="The 60-storey BTR project on Southbank. Image: Bates Smart" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The 60-storey BTR project on Southbank. Image: Bates Smart</figcaption></figure>U: How was the City Road project conceived? What were some of the key drivers behind the design?

JA: Our client recognised the scale and importance of the build-to-rent market in the US as well as its global appeal and saw the opportunity that existed in Melbourne, particularly with the likely demand in the next 20 years. There was also a recognition that the existing rental market in Australia lacked the sort of security of tenure, consistent quality and services that were on offer in the US.

Travelling with the client and constantly talking about design and the project allowed us to very quickly agree on many aspects of the design. We saw how other buildings had dealt with similar challenges we were facing in our local context including how to deal with proximity to our neighbours, a material palette that responds to former industrial neighbourhoods and height. Constantly debating and discussing design over this two-week period sped the design process up so that upon return, we mapped out a very clear design direction for us to pursue.

We were very interested in creating a building that responds to the building’s local context, so the use of the brick in the podium is about relating to the large number of brick warehouses that used to exist in this area. We also see brick as having that tactile quality that creates a physical connection between the residents and the building. This materiality makes the building more inviting.

The facade approach is ordered and calm relative to many of the nearby buildings. We wanted to create a building that in its tower form was different to many neighbouring developments in Southbank. There are so many projects in this area that are trying to stand apart and make a statement, so we focused on creating an elegant and sophisticated building. There is a sense of repose and calm in this project.

U: The City Rd project is 60-storeys tall - is there an ideal size for delivering the build-to-rent model? Or is it easily scaleable?

JA: It’s relatively straight forward to scale up or down in design terms. In the US there is a bit of an amenity arms race occurring. We saw developments of over 1,000 apartments that have up to 8,000 to 10,000sqm of amenity space including full size basketball courts and commercially scaled gyms. In the US and in particular San Francisco, we saw smaller scale developments of under 100 apartments which were as successful as their larger counterparts, so I can see no obstacles to this being introduced at a smaller scale in Australia.

One of the key components of these types of developments is the ability to build a community in a way that is quite different to what occurs in a build-to-sell development. Strong communities were created, with very engaged residents, particularly in the smaller scale developments when compared with those that we saw that contained over 1,000 apartments.

U: Do you expect to see a development that comprises a mix of BTR and apartments for private sale in the future? 695 LaTrobe for example would feature a mix of BTR and hotel suties.

JA: Yes I think if you look to other world cities of Melbourne’s size, and appreciating our future population growth in the next 20 years, you’re seeing more and more mixed use-type developments located within proximity to public transport. We need to continue to cater to increased population densities in and around these transport nodes. For the ongoing success of Melbourne and the continued creation of walkable cities, we need to provide this rich mix of spaces where people can work, live and play.

There is also an opportunity as the build-to-rent market matures in Australia to create more blended living and working environments. As people’s ability work to more flexibly and remotely increases, our buildings need to be designed to suit the changing working environment. This hasn’t happened yet so it’s a good opportunity for architects and developers to explore more creative and interesting design solutions. I’d like to think that build-to-rent could be the catalyst that allows further exploration of these more blended mixed-use environments.
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Bates Smart's Julian Anderson discusses Build-to-Rent

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Diversified Melbourne developer Meydan Group has launched its latest residential project which they expect will introduce a new standard of design and living to Southbank.

Already heavy with generic apartment developments in the immediate area, Meydan Group has launched 57 Haig which has been positioned as a new offering within the wider Southbank apartment market. Billed as a true vertical village, the Haig Street tower aims to provide a more neighbourly environment for its residents.

The 'stacked' village ethos has been created by long established Melbourne-based Bruce Henderson Architects in tandem with Meydan Group affiliate Wireframe Architecture.

<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_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="57 Haig Street's design is a collaborative effort"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="820" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image45_10.jpg?itok=lEH2LMcV" title="57 Haig Street's design is a collaborative effort" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>57 Haig Street's design is a collaborative effort</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
We wanted to create a ‘stacked’ village square atmosphere.

Multiple communal spaces provide huge scope for connected community living. Step outside your apartment and you’ve got instant access to a gymnasium, a residents’ lounge to relax and socialise in, a 12-seat cinema, an open terrace with barbeque facilities – even a children’s playground.

Residents who like to work from home will also have access to a fully equipped business centre right inside the building, perfect for networking or hosting business meetings.
<cite>Geoff Dill, Wireframe Architecture</cite>
</blockquote>

In the highly competitive Southbank market, 57 Haig's campaign will centre around the tower's communal benefits and the flexibility of the dwelling types offered at a competitive pricing point. The varied communal spaces are joined by hotel-style amenities across common areas.

Standing at 38 levels, 57 Haig was initially conceived by Bruce Henderson Architects, with Wireframe Architecture subsequently coming on to further align the project's intricate details to the expectations of Meydan Group.

57 Haig's people-centric design and progressive philosophy of communal living and social connection will see the project pitched at young professionals and families with children. This is a stark departure from the Southbank apartment market of recent years that has been pidgeonholed as an investor-driven sector.

<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/image48_15.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="An activated and transparent podium will bring activity to Haig Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image48_15.jpg?itok=ibUfbawy" title="An activated and transparent podium will bring activity to Haig Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>An activated and transparent podium will bring activity to Haig Street</figcaption></figure>Southbank's latest addition includes a range of differently scaled apartments, from one-bedroom apartments to family-sized dwellings. Meydan Group's intention is to create a diverse social mix of residents within the building and to foster a dynamic community.   

The tower includes full-height double glazed windows that allow for maximum natural light for the apartments which are designed to include open plan living areas. In line with the diversity of apartment formats, pricing for 57 Haig's dwellings start from $390,000 and stretch to beyond $1,100,000 for family-sized three bedroom apartments.  

Works onsite are scheduled to begin during April 2019.
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silvermb

Meydan Group launches Southbank's latest development billed as a vertical village

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Melbourne's Southbank represents nearly 30 years of development which has transformed industrial land on the banks of the Yarra River into a thriving suburb and this shows no signs of abating anytime soon.

The next five years will see an even more dramatic transformation as Southbank not only reaches for the sky but sets its focus to the street and improving the quality of the pedestrian environment.

Significant developments such as some of Australia's tallest buildings in Australia 108 (319m) One Queensbridge Street and (323m) Southbank by Beulah (360m) will join Eureka Tower (297m) in producing a dramatic cluster of 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/southbank_dev_overview_talls_aug18.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Southbank's tallest towers. L-R: Australia108, One Queensbridge, Southbank by Beulah"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="309" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/southbank_dev_overview_talls_aug18.jpg?itok=BzZL6A5h" title="Southbank's tallest towers. L-R: Australia108, One Queensbridge, Southbank by Beulah" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Southbank's tallest towers. L-R: Australia108, One Queensbridge, Southbank by Beulah</figcaption></figure>Tower's aside Southbank is also seeing increased investment in the public realm both from the private sector, and local and state governments.

As part of stage 1 of its Melbourne Square development, OSK Property will deliver a new 3,700 sqm sloping public park which will occupy more than 20 per cent of overall site. Upon completion Melbourne Square will comprise six towers including an office and hotel, Southbank's first full line supermarket, and childcare and health services.

<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/osk_property_melbourne_square_aerial_park_2_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Square's sloping park. Image: OSK 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/osk_property_melbourne_square_aerial_park_2_0.jpg?itok=icEgt-Oh" title="Melbourne Square's sloping park. Image: OSK Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Square's sloping park. Image: OSK Property</figcaption></figure>The State Government's continued investment in the Southbank Arts Precinct will see $208 million committed towards the planning of stage 1 of a project that would see the development of NGV Contemporary on the former Carlton &amp; United Breweries headquarters site which the government purchased earlier this year.

A currently vacant site which hosts the Testing Ground pop-up at 1 City Road, will also become the home of a new hub for the precinct. 

The hub will house the Australia Performing Arts Gallery, an expanded Australian Music Vault, administrative, education and research facilities, and a new centre for small-to-medium and independent arts organisations.

18,000 square metres of new and expanded open space will be added to Southbank via an elevated park at the Southbank Boulevard end linking Princes Bridge down through the precinct to a new linear park on Southbank Boulevard.

<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/arm_shot_01_v11sm_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Southbank Arts Precinct transformation. Image: Urban Circus via ARM"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/arm_shot_01_v11sm_0.jpg?itok=EXPS1zlM" title="Southbank Arts Precinct transformation. Image: Urban Circus via ARM" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Southbank Arts Precinct transformation. Image: Urban Circus via ARM</figcaption></figure>Other projects such as the City of Melbourne's Southbank Boulevard and Dodd Street transformation, coupled with the City Road Master Plan will add to the suburb's open space network which is currently lacking.

The Southbank Boulevard transformation project which will be undertaken in stages will create 2.5 hectares of new public open space on Southbank Boulevard and Dodds Street, with the first stage expected to take 18-months to complete.

Upon completion the project will provide Southbank, which is Melbourne’s most densely populated suburb with much needed public open 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/southbank_boulevard_and_dodds_street.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Southbank Boulevard and Dodds Street will add much needed open space. Image: City of Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/southbank_boulevard_and_dodds_street.jpg?itok=pp1gXPgv" title="Southbank Boulevard and Dodds Street will add much needed open space. Image: City of Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Southbank Boulevard and Dodds Street will add much needed open space. Image: City of Melbourne</figcaption></figure>A number of developments within the Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area are expanding the Southbank skyline westwards however, these projects will ultimately form the Montague Precinct in the future.

<h2>Planning Assessment</h2>

An overview of projects currently under planning assessment within Southbank:

<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/southbank_dev_overview_planning.png" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="328" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/southbank_dev_overview_planning.png?itok=OUfoQ0Yb" width="580"></a>

<figcaption> </figcaption></figure><h2>Approved </h2>

An overview of approved developments within Southbank:

<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/southbank_dev_overview_approved.png" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="301" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/southbank_dev_overview_approved.png?itok=q7uQpII4" width="580"></a>

<figcaption> </figcaption></figure><h2>Sales &amp; Registration</h2>

An overview of Southbank developments currently at Sales &amp; Registration:

<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/southbank_dev_overview_sales_and_registration.png" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="329" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/southbank_dev_overview_sales_and_registration.png?itok=AnFGi4-h" width="580"></a>

<figcaption> </figcaption></figure><h2>Under Construction</h2>

An overview of developments currently under construction within Southbank:

<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/southbank_dev_overview_construction.png" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="329" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/southbank_dev_overview_construction.png?itok=Qf0vHS5Q" width="580"></a>

<figcaption> </figcaption></figure>
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Southbank Development Overview August 2018

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Southbank's continued evolution as Melbourne's most dense suburb continues with 11 projects dispersed throughout the suburb, currently at construction.

Upon completion these projects will collectively deliver 5,208 apartments in addition to 727 hotel rooms. 

<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/southbank_construction_overview_0.png" rel="gallery-all" title="An overview of construction activity within Southbank. "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="296" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/southbank_construction_overview_0.png?itok=DhUx-lm2" title="An overview of construction activity within Southbank. " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>An overview of construction activity within Southbank.</figcaption></figure>The largest of these is Australia 108, which is making heady progress as it begins to surpass the heights of surrounding towers, on its way to an eventual height of 319m.

It is located within a pocket of Southbank which has three other buildings of significant height and density under construction. These are Stage One of Melbourne Square which comprises two buildings of 72 and 56-storeys respectively and Southbank Place on opposite corners of Kavanagh Street. 

Melbourne Square has just begun climbing out of the ground, while Southbank Place is much further advanced and is well beyond the halfway point.

Additionally, the Adina Hotel on the corner of Southbank Boulevard and City Road is seeing the first of its first 10 floors being added above the existing office structure.

The outliers as indicated in the map above are 202-214 Normanby Road within the Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area which has just commenced construction, and The Evermore and Botanic developments located within the Domain precinct.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/aus108_aug18.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Australia 108. Image: Mark Baljak"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/aus108_aug18.jpg?itok=75TdDFLV" title="Australia 108. Image: Mark Baljak" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Australia 108. Image: Mark Baljak</figcaption></figure>Australia 108's core has reached level 67, surpassing Freshwater Place, with the floor slabs tracking behind at approximately level 61.

<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/melbourne_square_aug18.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Square Stage One. Image: urban.com.au user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/melbourne_square_aug18.jpg?itok=MuAEYADo" title="Melbourne Square Stage One. Image: urban.com.au user redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Square Stage One. Image: Apartments.com.au user redden</figcaption></figure>The cores for both towers are out of the ground and the first floor slabs have started being formed. 

<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/southbank_place_aug2018.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Southbank Place. Image: urban.com.au user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/southbank_place_aug2018.jpg?itok=DEmEX6Rz" title="Southbank Place. Image: urban.com.au user redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Southbank Place. Image: Apartments.com.au user redden</figcaption></figure>Southbank Place is progressing rapidly on the corner of Power and Kavanagh Streets with the core likely to top out by the end of the year and the floors not far behind. Facade installation is also keeping up with the pace of construction.

<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/imperium_hotel.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Imperium Hotel. Image: urban.com.au user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/imperium_hotel.jpg?itok=1vVoyHGT" title="Imperium Hotel. Image: urban.com.au user redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Imperium Hotel. Image: Apartments.com.au user redden</figcaption></figure>Tucked away on Moray Street, Imperium Hotel's narrow footprint is rising quickly with the core clearing podium height.

<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/adina_aug18_worzil.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Adina Hotel. Image: SSC user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/adina_aug18_worzil.jpg?itok=J72-I5Py" title="Adina Hotel. Image: SSC user redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Adina Hotel. Image: SSC user redden</figcaption></figure>The first of the steel members of the transfer level have been installed, with the subsequent floors above this to be CLT construction.

<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/167_city_road_aug18.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="167 City Road. Image: urban.com.au user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/167_city_road_aug18.jpg?itok=RbvGwGVe" title="167 City Road. Image: urban.com.au user redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>167 City Road. Image: Apartments.com.au user redden</figcaption></figure>The wedge shaped hotel has topped out with facade installation and interior fit-out works continuing.

<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/melbourne_conservatorium_of_music.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. Image: urban.com.au user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/melbourne_conservatorium_of_music.jpg?itok=P8VjfkOc" title="Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. Image: urban.com.au user redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. Image: Apartments.com.au user redden</figcaption></figure>The John Wardle-designed building for University of Melbourne while not large by Southbank standard is making an impact on the Sturt Street 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/botanic_aug18.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Botanic. Image: urban.com.au user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/botanic_aug18.jpg?itok=XGlM44L4" title="Botanic. Image: urban.com.au user redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Botanic. Image: Apartments.com.au user redden</figcaption></figure>Excavation is progressing on site at Botanic, to allow for construction of the basement parking levels.

<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/evermore_aug18.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Evermore. Image: urban.com.au user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/evermore_aug18.jpg?itok=L1gHtEWD" title="The Evermore. Image: urban.com.au user redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Evermore. Image: Apartments.com.au user redden</figcaption></figure>The Evermore site has almost been completely cleared with piling due to commence thereafter.
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Southbank Construction Overview - August 2018

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As previously reported in June, the State Government has committed $208 million towards the first stage of the transformation of Melbourne’s Arts Precinct.

It includes the continued development of the Reimagining Arts Centre Melbourne’s Master Plan, plus maintenance works for the Theatres Building which aims to minimise redundant works in the future.

In order to deliver the Arts Centre Melbourne’s vision for the future of the Theatres Building, NH Architecture and Norway’s Snøhetta have been appointed to commence design work on the project.

<blockquote>
Melbourne is the design capital of Australia. A reimagined Arts Centre will be at the focus of this ongoing architectural conversation and continue the great legacy of the original designers Sir Roy Grounds and John Truscott.

- NH’s Director of Architecture &amp; Design, Hamish Lyon
</blockquote>

NH Architecture has previously worked on both stages of the Melbourne Convention Centre, Margaret Court Arena and the Stage 2 and 3 Masterplans for Melbourne &amp; Olympic Parks.

Snøhetta is a design studio based in Oslo and New York City with an office in Australia and is responsible for the design of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, the 9/11 Memorial Pavilion and Times Square redevelopment projects in New York.

The Arts Precinct transformation includes the development of a building for the NGV Contemporary and major upgrades to theatres and public spaces at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Theatres Building. Additionally a new creative hub at 1 City Road will provide new rehearsal and workshop spaces. 

An expanded Australian Music Vault and a new Australian Performing Arts Gallery are also on the design agenda. The NGV Contemporary will involve the construction of a new gallery on the site of the current CUB administration building on Kavanagh Street, which the State Government purchased for $95m earlier this year.

The project will also include more than 18,000 sqm of new and upgraded public realm, knitting together the Melbourne Arts Precinct with City of Melbourne's Southbank Boulevard transformation.

Conceived by ARM, the outdoor space will connect St Kilda Road between Hamer Hall and the Theatres Building, running along the western side of the Theatres Building and National Gallery of Victoria through to Southbank Boulevard.

<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/arm_shot_01_v11sm.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Southbank Arts Precinct transformation. Image: Urban Circus via ARM "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/arm_shot_01_v11sm.jpg?itok=b7uQ0z-Y" title="Southbank Arts Precinct transformation. Image: Urban Circus via ARM " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Southbank Arts Precinct transformation. Image: Urban Circus via ARM</figcaption></figure><h2>Meanwhile...</h2>

It was recently announced that Cumulus Studio are the winners of an architectural design competition hosted by Arts Centre Melbourne (ACM) for a new design for Café Cento. Located adjacent to the National Gallery of Victoria, the ACM challenged a shortlist of architects to design a new “unique and memorable” home for what has become an ageing eyesore.

Cumulus Studio's design, dubbed ‘The Protagonist’, investigates what exists beyond the monolithic walls of the Arts Centre and extends the experience 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/cumulus_arts_centre.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Cumulus Studio's winning design for Cafe Cento. Image: Cumulus Studio"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="282" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/cumulus_arts_centre.jpg?itok=x74ryTRR" title="Cumulus Studio's winning design for Cafe Cento. Image: Cumulus Studio" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Cumulus Studio's winning design for Cafe Cento. Image: Cumulus Studio</figcaption></figure>Characterised by an adjustable external screen which draws inspiration from the Theatre's curtains, The Protagonist seeks to create a significant civic presence that directly reflects the ACM brand.

In the morning, the curtains will be raised as the cafe opens, then at night, the curtains will be lowered to signify the end of service. Once lowered, the curtain can be used for art projection, marketing of upcoming ACM events, and lighting to activate the precinct at night.

As the primary design feature, Cumulus Studio settled on Kaynemaile for the curtain material.

The material is a fire and UV resistant polycarbonate chainmail mesh, originally developed as chainmail for the Lord of the Rings movie costumes.

Lead Image: Mark Gambino via nharchitecture.net

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/273635508" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe>

<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://vimeo.com/273635508">Southbank Arts Precinct Transformation</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/armarchitecture">ARM Architecture</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.
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NH Architecture and Snøhetta appointed for Arts Centre project

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The long-awaited winning design for the <a href="/news/southbank-by-beulah-designs-revealed-at-future-cities-symposium">"Southbank by Beulah" </a>design competition has been revealed - The Green Spine - a collaborative effort between UN Studio and COX Architecture.

Set to become Australia’s tallest tower at 356.2m, the winner was announced following an exhaustive six-month global search, which involved six of the world’s best architectural firms; BIG, Coop Himmelb(l)au, MAD Architects, MVRDV, OMA and UN Studio.

All partnered with local firms to propose varying and dramatic designs. UN Studio and COX Architecture's scheme is now likely to head toward planning.

<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/uns_green-spine_view-aerial.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Green Spine in the Southbank skyline. Image: UN Studio and COX"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="580" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/uns_green-spine_view-aerial.jpg?itok=cd6BtLfL" title="The Green Spine in the Southbank skyline. Image: UN Studio and COX" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Green Spine in the Southbank skyline. Image: UN Studio and COX</figcaption></figure>Beulah International purchased the 6,061 sqm BMW Southbank site in 2017, with a vision to create an exemplar mixed-use development that would include retail, hotel, residential, commercial, cultural and public spaces of international standard. 

The six shortlisted designs were revealed at the Future Cities Symposium last month, and judged by seven highly regarded jury members including key figures from Australia’s architectural community and chaired by Victorian Government Architect Jill Garner.

To view each of the design entries in greater detail, please click through the links below to their respective articles on Apartments.com.au:

<ul>
<li><a href="/news/southbank-by-beulah-un-studio-cox-architecture-the-green-spine">UN Studio + COX - The Green Spine</a></li>
	<li><a href="/news/southbank-by-beulah-mvrdv-woods-bagot-the-stack">MVRDV + Woods Bagoot - The Stack</a></li>
	<li><a href="/news/southbank-by-beulah-mad-architects-elenberg-fraser-the-urban-tree">MAD Architects + Elenberg Fraser - The Urban Tree</a></li>
	<li><a href="/news/southbank-by-beulah-big-fk-the-lanescraper">BIG + Fender Katsalidis - The Lanescraper</a></li>
	<li><a href="/news/southbank-by-beulah-coop-himmelblau-architectus-the-beulah-propeller-city">Coop Himmelb(l)au + Architectus - The Beulah Propeller City</a></li>
	<li><a href="/news/southbank-by-beulah-oma-conrad-gargett-the-base">OMA + Conrad Gargett - The Base</a></li>
</ul>
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Southbank by Beulah: The winning design for Australia's tallest tower revealed

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Urban.com.au today takes a closer look at the penultimate entry in the <a href="/news/southbank-by-beulah-designs-revealed-at-future-cities-symposium">"Southbank by Beulah"</a> design competition - Beulah Propeller City - by Coop Himmelb(l)au and Architectus.

According to the architects, The Propeller City has been designed as a recognisable architectural landmark which attempts to redefine the residential, commercial, retail and public open-space environments of Melbourne via a new high-rise typology.

As part of this strategy, the design boasts a dramatic silhouette and formal composition unlike the typical extruded podium-tower typology prevalent throughout Melbourne's Southbank.

The public space is shared between an outdoor cinema and a huge public space which is called the "Red Carpet Area", which functions programatically as the reception area for the building.

The Red Carpet Area has been designed in the round with an access ramp which leading visitors along a double cone to reach the reception hall. Each of the two areas are capped with monumental roofs - the largest measuring 60 x 120m and cantilevering 85m.

<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/cooparchitectus_hero.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Beulah Propeller City proposal as viewed from City Road. Image: Coop Himmel(b)lau + Architectus"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="773" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/cooparchitectus_hero.jpg?itok=Ykwbeftw" title="The Beulah Propeller City proposal as viewed from City Road. Image: Coop Himmel(b)lau + Architectus" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Beulah Propeller City proposal as viewed from City Road. Image: Coop Himmelb(l)au + Architectus</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
Our vision for BEULAH PROPELLER CITY is the creation of a vertical city composed of multiple functions intertwined in a fluid gesture of vertically linked public spaces. The “Gestalt” of the structural, material and functional components of the design will create a memorable and unmistakable icon in the city-scape.

The concept of “public benefits”, which in the traditional sense generates the creation of a multifunctional building, is further developed and expanded: we create real public spaces within a multifunctional structure.

More than a tower. Its time to design a new typology for a highrise. 

- Coop Himmelb(l)au
</blockquote>

The design team approached the building form in the same manner an artist would a sculpture;  Beginning with the maximum possible building envelope, the client’s brief, planning regulations, the existing urban form, climate and views to and from site were all considered and informed the specific 'carvings' and manipulations which collectively resulted in the dynamic urban form.

The Propeller City is characterised by different districts which reflect their respective programmatic functions, with interfaces created  between these areas to promote and facilitate connections and shared spaces, which provides legibility and an identifiable trait.

Atria, terraces, community facilities and amenity spaces such as recreational and public areas for leisure, pleasure and circulation are all accommodated with the building envelope.

These spaces provide points of orientation or landmarks for visitors and residents within the building, encouraging interactions to assist in promoting the concept of community. 

The result of this approach is a unified composition of identifiable building elements comprising low, mid an high-rise volumes created by dividing the program of the building into its four main functional parts; public podium, office, hotel and apartment tower.

Through the design of the external primary structure, the internal construction elements are optimised and reduced to enable maximum flexibility for current uses as well as allowing for potential adaptability in the future.

This structure for future adaptability is a primary expression of the architectural design and one of the identifiable features of the building.

At its summit the tower is crowned with a propeller like structure accommodating the building's communal facilities, providing a unique visual element on Melbourne's skyline and representing a departure from the traditionally flat roof forms found throughout the city.

<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/coop_architectus_street_level.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Propeller City at street level. Image: Coop Himmel(b)lau + Architectus"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="773" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/coop_architectus_street_level.jpg?itok=Px20jcdH" title="The Propeller City at street level. Image: Coop Himmel(b)lau + Architectus" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Propeller City at street level. Image: Coop Himmelb(l)au + Architectus</figcaption></figure><h2>PROJECT DETAILS:</h2>

<ul>
<li>Value: AUD 2 billion</li>
	<li>GFA/ Area: 248,410 sqm</li>
	<li>Height: 92-storeys / 335m</li>
</ul>
<h2>CONSULTANT TEAM:</h2>

<ul>
<li>Structural Engineering: B+G Ingenieure, Bollinger und Grohmann GmbH​​</li>
	<li>Urban Planning: Ethos Urban</li>
	<li>Engineering/Structural Design/MEP: ARUP</li>
	<li>Energy Design: Brian Cody</li>
	<li>Placemaking: Village Well</li>
	<li>Landscape: TCL</li>
	<li>Retail: Benoy</li>
	<li>Cultural Consultant: Timmah Ball</li>
	<li>Urban Art: UAP</li>
	<li>Wayfinding: Büro North</li>
	<li>Cost Management: Rider Levett Bucknall</li>
	<li>Building Surveyor: du Chateau Chun</li>
</ul>
The winning design for the “Southbank by Beulah” competition will be announced on August 8th, 2018.

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ttLOdA04WK0" width="560"></iframe>
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Southbank by Beulah: Coop Himmelb(l)au & Architectus - The Beulah Propeller City

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As Apartments.com.au's series looking at each entry in the <a href="/news/southbank-by-beulah-designs-revealed-at-future-cities-symposium">"Southbank by Beulah"</a> design competition draws to a close, the announcement of the winning design is expected to be imminent.

With that in mind let's take a look at OMA and Conrad Gargett's entry - The Base. As the name suggests the design has avoided the temptation of other designs in providing the tower with a crowning feature, instead opting to focus attention at its base.

According to the architects, The Base has been designed to function as a 24/7 mixed-use vertical city accommodating cultural, commercial, educational and social programmes supported by retail, and food and beverage tenancies. 

The Base follows the the site footprint and then tapers inwards to a slab 100m above the city. Within this volume, different programs are distributed strategically to create dynamic vertical movement, and are rendered distinguishable from both inside and outside through façade elements.

Open arches at street level, provide a contemporary re-interpretation of Melbourne's arcades, inviting the public into a sheltered extension of both the street life surrounding the building, and of Melbourne itself.

<blockquote>
The Base of the building is a 24/7 mixed-use vertical city in which many cultural, commercial, educational and social program elements have their unique spot bound together by the more generic program of retail and food &amp; beverage. In this vertical city, there are highways of movement through the large express escalators, shortcuts by elevators, and laneways to wander on through the normal escalators, stairs, and voids. The planning of the Base builds on the principle of large scale public invitation and open arcades after which a vertical wonderland of discovery awaits. It is a vertical sheltered extension of both the streetscape surrounding the building, and Melbourne itself.

The Base is the foundation of the project, giving it its 24/7 livelihood. It represents the urban experiment Melbourne is looking for – an urban living lab. We have deployed a strategy to stretch the boundaries of current policies in the Base for the benefit of the public good. The Base starts as the site and tapers back to a slab 100m above the city. In this tapered volume, the different program elements, clearly readable behind the facade, are distributed strategically to create large vertical movement.

- OMA
</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/oma_conrad_gargett_01.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Base would rise to a height of 345m. Image: OMA + Conrad Gargett"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/oma_conrad_gargett_01.jpg?itok=GygnQi7h" title="The Base would rise to a height of 345m. Image: OMA + Conrad Gargett" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Base would rise to a height of 345m. Image: OMA + Conrad Gargett</figcaption></figure>The Base also includes the BMW Experience Centre which has been positioned on the corner of Southbank and City Road to mark the corner and due to its high visibility.

Although elevated above the ground to fit within the Base concept of providing a permeable and public street level, the BMW Experience Centre boasts an iconic feature – a cylindrical glass car lift – piercing through the ground and connecting the 1400 sqm basement storage and the mezzanine experience.

As one of the “special volumes” in the design team's concept, the experience centre is clad in a special façade – a dichroic glazing in the iconic BMW blue shade. The BMW logo appears in the moving lift platform that shuttles between basement and mezzanine levels. 

Moving upwards, the tower has been divided into three sections - office, hotel and residential. The office block comprises a variety of flexible floorplates that range between 1800-2200sqm  and sits right above the Base so that a significant number of lift banks are no longer required for the vertical transport in the hotel and apartments. The floor plates provide views of Southbank and City Road and include green areas on each floor on the corners facing the east and west ends which also act as visual buffers to future development at Hanover House.

The hotel block sits just above the office block and is the first upper tower programmatic segment twisting around the core. It consists of 17 floors including two amenity levels at the top and bottom of the block.

Two amenity levels at the top and bottom of the hotel block offer a variety of wellness, food and beverage, and recreational facilities, and the lower one also houses the check-in. Hotel guests can arrive at the drop off at ground level, be quickly escorted to the hotel lift bank in the central core in order to get to the calm and spacious atmosphere of the lower amenities/sky lobby for checking in. 

The residential portion of the tower has been strategically located at the top to maximise outlook and natural daylight. The gentle twist at the top of the residential component not only provides the tower with an iconic and elegant silhouette but also enhances the quality of the residences with views towards Port Philip Bay and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

The residential segment of the tower boasts particularly efficient floorplates due to the compact core layout – the efficiency of this part of the tower is 81%. Smaller units are fitted with winter gardens as extra amenity and daylight.

In response to the ambitious brief, the residential component is complemented by amenities ranging from fine dining, private party rooms, VIP movie theater, fitness, recreation, a wellness center, creche, gardens, and a pool at the base of the residential block.

An iconic feature for the entire tower, the side cuts in the residential block reveal double curved facades through the two glazed triangular skylights above the swimming pool and the gardens in the bottom amenity level. 

<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/oma_conrad_gargett_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Base at street level. Image: OMA + Conrad Gargett"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="385" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/oma_conrad_gargett_0.jpg?itok=8Inyuffz" title="The Base at street level. Image: OMA + Conrad Gargett" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Base at street level with its sweeping arches. Image: OMA + Conrad Gargett</figcaption></figure><h2>PROJECT DETAILS:</h2>

<ul>
<li>Value: AUD 2 billion</li>
	<li>GFA/ Area: 255,000 sqm</li>
	<li>Height: 345m</li>
</ul>
<h2>CONSULTANT TEAM:</h2>

<ul>
<li>Engineering Consultant:  ARUP</li>
	<li>Traffic Engineer: AECOM</li>
	<li>Quantity Surveyor:  Rider levett Bucknail</li>
	<li>Visualisations:  MR.P</li>
</ul>
The winning design for the “Southbank by Beulah” competition will be announced on August 8th, 2018.
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Southbank by Beulah: OMA & Conrad Gargett - The Base

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The next entry in the <a href="/news/southbank-by-beulah-designs-revealed-at-future-cities-symposium">"Southbank by Beulah"</a> design competition that Apartments.com.au will be putting under the spotlight is MAD Architects and Elenberg Fraser's "Urban Tree" proposal.

Rejecting the typical notion of the Melbourne skyscraper found within the central city, MAD and EF's design instead favours an organic design which introduces a silhouette of natural forms – mountain, tree and cloud – into a dense urban environment.

According to the architects, the Urban Tree provides a distinct and iconic scheme for the Melbourne skyline, and one which celebrates Melbourne's parks and gardens by allowing citizens to connect with nature.

The design was informed by carefully studying the tower’s site and composition, and rather than maxing out the planning envelope, instead proposes a single tower strategy to avoid over-crowding and to maintain and allow sightlines from the surrounding high-rises while also maximizing the views from the residential and hotel programs on the upper floors.

<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/06_mad_southbank-by-beulah.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The podium is envisaged as a 'mountain village'. Image: MAD Architects and Elenberg Fraser "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="583" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/06_mad_southbank-by-beulah.jpg?itok=JKAZU960" title="The podium is envisaged as a 'mountain village'. Image: MAD Architects and Elenberg Fraser " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The podium is envisaged as a 'mountain village'. Image: MAD Architects and Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
The future of our cities needs to have an emotional connection between humanity and nature.

Urban Tree will feature small, green foothills that lead pedestrians up to the ‘mountain village’, with amenities along Southbank Boulevard including a children’s playground, public artwork and a water feature.

- Ma Yansong, Founder &amp; Principal Partner, MAD Architects
</blockquote>

The podium is envisaged as a ‘mountain village’, with the typical massing of a retail/mall space reduced and a more intimate human-scale introduced. 

The urban spaces are stacked vertically and landscaped with lush green walls and trees to give visitors and residents alike, the feeling that they are in nature, rather than in the middle of a dense urban environment.

The tower rises up out of the mountain village like a tree, to a maximum height of 360m - hence the Urban Tree moniker.

Clad in transparent glass, it employs an innovative Glulam timber façade structure that mimics tree roots twisting upwards, reinforcing the tower’s organic shape. Sky gardens are interspersed throughout that vertically extend the urban green up the height of the tower.

The pinnacle of the tower is ‘the cloud’ - a cantilevered structure that accommodates the public amenities for the hotel including lobby, restaurant, bar, and observation deck, and offering expansive and all-encompassing views of Melbourne.

Composed of an ETFE membrane façade, it is lightweight and features varying degrees of transparency. Towards the edges, ‘the cloud’ becomes translucent, emulating a real cloud so that it gives the sensation of air and lightness, becoming a blur as it blends into the sky.

<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/09_mad_southbank-by-beulah.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Urban Tree will be topped at its pinnacle with 'the cloud' housing public amenities. Image: MAD Architects and Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="367" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/09_mad_southbank-by-beulah.jpg?itok=sEl4y_nn" title="The Urban Tree will be topped at its pinnacle with 'the cloud' housing public amenities. Image: MAD Architects and Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Urban Tree will be topped at its pinnacle with 'the cloud' housing public amenities. Image: MAD Architects and Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure>At street level, the tower maintains a cohesive design language drawing on and responding to the Southbank Boulevard transformation project.

The design team have proposed an inviting plaza landscape that integrates urban activation spaces, and revitalizes the street level in a way that encourages people to gather and linger. Conceived as a series of small, green foothills that lead pedestrians up to the ‘mountain village’, the scheme seeks to link the ground plane to the building.

MAD and EF introduce nature into the urban context, by remodelling the typical high-rises typically found in cities.

Materializing as a ‘mountain in the city’, the design establishes open connections between the interior and exterior spaces in the form of large terraces, gardens, and public art zones.

The winning design for the “Southbank by Beulah” competition will be announced on August 8th, 2018.
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