<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> has lodged plans for a $750 million, three-tower mixed-use precinct that would complete the long-running redevelopment of Carlton's former Carlton United Breweries site.

The proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/185-195-queensberry-street-carlton-vic-3053">46-78 Bouverie Street and 185-195 Queensberry Street</a> spans a 6,468 sqm site, the last remaining undeveloped parcels within the former brewery's 2007 masterplan.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the development will comprise two purpose-built student accommodation towers and a third build-to-sell apartment tower above a shared commercial podium and basement.

Across the three towers, SP Setia is proposing 606 build-to-sell apartments and 1,499 student accommodation units containing 2,009 beds.

The apartments will sit in the tallest tower, which will rise nearly 200m and 55 storeys. It will become&nbsp;one of the more substantial new build-to-sell apartment projects at the northern edge of Melbourne's CBD.

The apartment mix is weighted toward smaller inner-city product, with 188 studios, 206 one-bedroom apartments, 192 two-bedroom apartments and 20 three-bedroom apartments

<img alt="First look: SP Setia plans three-tower finale for Carlton’s former CUB precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8271bc87-1b0a-41b7-ac73-a425ee375261" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/3_2.png?VersionId=G4lw23o90B1boX4k4dj7rdz2ZEajS9wy" />

Part of the precinct will be a large-scale&nbsp;3,684 sqm supermarket and a further 2,198 sqm of speciality retail, creating close to 5,900 sqm of new commercial space within the precinct.

But one of the biggest components of the proposal is what sits between the buildings.

Around 4,650 sqm, or roughly 72 per cent of the site, will be publicly accessible open space, incorporating plazas, pedestrian connections, landscaped laneways and retail spill-out areas.

The ground plane is intended to finally complete pedestrian connections envisaged when the CUB masterplan was first approved nearly two decades ago, stitching together Victoria Street, Queensberry Street, Bouverie Street and Swanston Street through the former brewery precinct.

Urbis said the development would "complete the CUB precinct", with the public realm providing important north-south and east-west connections through what is currently the final undeveloped portion of the masterplanned site.

SP Setia is also exploring a new linear park within the Bouverie Street road reserve, with the concept to be developed further with the City of Melbourne through the planning process.

The proposal is being pursued through the Victorian Government's Development Facilitation Program under Clause 53.23 for significant residential development with affordable housing.

The planning report acknowledges the proposed heights exceed those contemplated under the original Comprehensive Development Plan and masterplan, but argues the built-form context has changed considerably over the past two decades.

Urbis said the three towers would instead create a stepped transition between Carlton and the Hoddle Grid, rising progressively from the 94.1-metre Tower One along the Queensberry Street edge to the 199.44-metre Tower Three closer to the established CBD-scale buildings to the south.

<img alt="SP Setia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e885a07a-592c-40fc-bf82-e6dbaf32da54" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.52.24%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=7s_ErUkSKAdY1mAWp3GRZgMNCGtwhk5m" />

SP Setia plans to deliver the development across three stages.

Stage One would deliver the basement, podium and retail areas for the entire precinct alongside the first student tower. Tower Two would follow in Stage Two, before the 606-apartment Tower Three is delivered as the final stage.

If approved and delivered, the project would close out a redevelopment process that has been underway since the former brewery masterplan was approved in 2007, adding more than 2,600 student beds and apartments to a precinct already home to Swanston Central, the Barak Building, RMIT Design Hub and several large student accommodation developments.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

SP Setia plans three-tower finale for Carlton’s former CUB precinct

Melbourne developer Lowe Living is seeking to add to its growing bayside apartment pipeline, filing plans for a boutique eight-residence development in tightly held Middle Park.

Lowe Living, which has built much of its development portfolio across Melbourne's affluent bayside and south-east suburbs, is behind the plans for the 730 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/123-125-erskine-street-middle-park-vic-3206">123-125 Erskine Street</a>, just off Armstrong Street and within the Armstrong Street Neighbourhood Activity Centre.

The developer is seeking approval for a five-storey residential building above two basement levels, with just eight large-format apartments and 18 car spaces.

“This is a deliberately very different proposition for us,"&nbsp;Tim Lowe, Co-Founder of Lowe Living, said.

"Eight residences is exceptionally boutique, but that's precisely what this site calls for.

“There is a strong community in Middle Park and the surrounding suburbs who have spent decades building a life here. They no longer want the maintenance of a large period home, but they aren't prepared to compromise on space, quality or location. We think there is a real opportunity to capture that hyper local market. A site like this rarely comes to market.”

<img alt="Lowe " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="875fe572-0f14-4d90-9e11-55b28dd07731" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.42.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GDNQRv9BfpR9r1zkZ5UDyUM4ZvpIksut" />

The low-density proposal has been designed by Cera Stribley and is being progressed through the Victorian Government's Great Design Fast Track pathway, having already secured eligibility from the Minister for Planning.

The Office of the Victorian Government Architect supported its eligibility after finding the proposal demonstrated consistency with the program's seven design principles, while the project's financial feasibility has also been independently confirmed by Invest Victoria.

The project is targeting the downsizer market, with the planning documents describing the homes as larger-format residences and noting the two penthouses could otherwise have been configured as four separate apartments.

<img alt="Lowe 2" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="60ab0987-2da6-4175-adac-315dcf6053c6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.43.15%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=bOCPH0B2MFwlmaRW.TTCF9TzyifgVoQI" />

The site has dual frontage to Erskine Street and Canterbury Place and currently comprises a collection of commercial buildings used as offices, including a former heritage bakehouse, a former stable, a later gabled addition and a central courtyard.

It sits within the Commercial 1 Zone and the Armstrong Street Commercial Precinct heritage overlay, with the existing property classified as a contributory heritage place.

Heritage has subsequently played a significant role in Cera Stribley's design.

The front section of the former bakehouse facing Erskine Street will be retained, including its return walls, street-facing hipped roof and chimneys, while the Erskine Street façade and part of the western return wall of the former stable will also be incorporated into the new development.

Levels four and five will be set back five metres from the retained stable façade, while bricks removed through demolition are proposed to be salvaged and reused within the new building where possible.

<img alt="Lowe 3" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e97927a9-a2de-4a0f-83b6-65451238abfa" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.43.06%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=VR44AChLrX9q1XPB9GvVQV.ALXXbe4gC" />

Rather than presenting as a single five-storey building to Erskine Street, Cera Stribley has broken the development into a series of distinct forms.

A three-storey infill element will sit between the retained bakehouse and stable façades, with the upper levels recessed behind the heritage fabric. Canterbury Place will similarly feature two three-storey podium forms, separated by a central pedestrian accessway, before the upper two levels step back from the street.

A pedestrian through-link will run through the centre of the project between Erskine Street and Canterbury Place, creating entrances from both sides of the site and introducing landscaping and communal areas through the ground plane.

Landscape architect Acre has designed planting across the ground level, private terraces and upper levels, including a feature canopy tree at level three and integrated planting and arbours across the level four terraces. Five existing Erskine Street trees are proposed to be retained.

Sustainability is also a significant component of the Great Design Fast Track application. The apartments are targeting an average eight-star NatHERS rating, with no residence below 6.5 stars, while the project has achieved a 75 per cent BESS score. Seven of the eight apartments are designed for cross-ventilation, with the remaining residence using mechanically assisted natural ventilation.

The plans also incorporate an 8kWp rooftop solar system, a 5,000-litre rainwater tank and infrastructure allowing future electric vehicle charging for every residence.

Lowe has a strong portfolio across Melbourne's blue-chip suburbs. They recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House by Lowe Living</a> in Camberwell, their first development in the Stonnington LGA.

Lowe Living unveils Middle Park apartment development

Article summary

<ul data-end="888" data-start="289">
	<li data-end="442" data-section-id="8tsh6o" data-start="289">DVB Projects is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway at 137 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach.</li>
	<li data-end="573" data-section-id="1nyxl3e" data-start="443">The 34-level tower will comprise just 49 ultra-luxury residences, including half-floor, full-floor and penthouse apartments.</li>
	<li data-end="717" data-section-id="oiyimj" data-start="574">The launch follows strong demand at DVB's nearby Sea Glass project, which is more than 50 per cent sold and currently under construction.</li>
	<li data-end="888" data-section-id="epk9o9" data-start="718">The development adds to the transformation of Old Burleigh Road, with premium beachfront apartment projects continuing to reshape the tightly held Broadbeach strip.</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/dvb-projects">DVB Projects</a> is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway on the Broadbeach site as the Sydney developer moves closer to bringing the ultra-luxury project to market.

The 34-level tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/137-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">137 Old Burleigh Road</a> will comprise just 49 residences, ranging from half-floor apartments through to full-floor homes and a penthouse. The launch follows the strong sales performance of DVB's nearby Sea Glass development. More than half of the apartments at Sea Glass, on the other side of Broadbeach, have been snapped up, well ahead of its late 2027 completion

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2944b4be-c84e-4b54-8dc1-c712e76704c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E02_Exterior_Street%20Level%20Entrance.jpg?VersionId=YoNig7pRdrE3HCue7sUj78LzJteeQf3H" />

The start of demolition at 137 Old Burleigh Road signals DVB Projects’ underlying confidence in the Gold Coast’s luxury beachside apartment sector.

“We see the Gold Coast as one of the most compelling lifestyle markets in Australia, particularly at the premium end where demand continues to deepen,” said Dean Brown, Managing Director of DVB.&nbsp;

“This project has been carefully designed to respond to that demand - delivering large-format residences with a level of quality, privacy and amenity that is still relatively rare in the apartment market on the beachside."

Brown says the site itself is "exceptional."

"Old Burleigh Road is one of the most tightly held beachfront strips, and opportunities to deliver a project of this scale and calibre in this location are extremely limited.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="398f377a-c037-455e-9250-0c5e0d84c35b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/I12_FF%20Balcony.jpg?VersionId=NwOiRWGMubR1c8wthuEfggklcja7al9." />

The project will comprise 40 half-floor residences of approximately 260 sqm, alongside eight full-floor residences spanning around 524 sqm.

A single penthouse will crown the building, featuring a private pool, barbecue area, indoor gym and dedicated entertaining spaces.

Residents will have access to a resort-style suite of amenities, including a 20-metre pool with daybeds, a gymnasium, hot and cold plunge pools, a sauna, and private residents’ lounge and dining facilities.

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1642bb0-9a66-4427-a022-dfc0988c6287" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/A02_Pool%20to%20View.jpg?VersionId=c0IXPyn_Gp_Kn3XCwzMrqIVkAdCEwVXP" />

Sales agent Todd Matheson, of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/pezet-matheson">Pezet Matheson</a>, which is marketing both 137 Old Burleigh Road and Sea Glass, said 137 Old Burleigh Road would address a clear gap in the market for genuine luxury products.

“There are very few opportunities on the Gold Coast where buyers can secure a residence of this size and quality in a new building,” Matheson said.

“What we’re seeing is a growing cohort of downsizers and interstate buyers who still want space - they’re not willing to compromise on living area, entertaining or finishes.

“This project has been designed with that buyer in mind. It offers the scale of a home, combined with the convenience and security of apartment living, in one of the coast’s most desirable positions.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="59aae0ca-5639-4320-8aca-d0bf60f48e43" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E01_Exterior%20Hero.jpg?VersionId=DS8Zfy2WtgUEtdfe0TEUuf1W1GfcZq8S" />

Located on a 1,156 sqm site one block from the beachfront, the development will replace an ageing walk-up building and is expected to contribute to the ongoing transformation of the Old Burleigh Road strip into one of the Gold Coast’s most prestigious residential corridors.

With the development moving into the delivery phase, 137 Old Burleigh Road is slated to hit the market later this year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145141]

DVB Projects to launch second Broadbeach apartment tower as demolition commences

<a data-end="327" data-is-only-node="" data-start="250" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/norus-projects" rel="noopener" target="_new">Norus Developments</a> has lodged plans for a new apartment development in Clayton that would add further momentum to the suburb's emerging Green Street corridor.

Plans have been lodged for the consolidated site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1359-1365-centre-road-clayton-vic-3168">1359-1365 Centre Road</a>, where Norus is seeking approval for 218 apartments across a 12-storey apartment building designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/life-architecture-and-urban-design">Life Architecture</a>.

The proposal sits within the Clayton Major Activity Centre at the threshold of the planned Green Street corridor, a landscaped pedestrian connection intended to improve links through the precinct towards Clayton Railway Station.

The development would replace the site's existing collection of low-scale residential and commercial buildings with a single consolidated building, introducing significantly greater housing density to this part of Centre Road.

A retail tenancy is proposed at ground level to activate the Centre Road frontage, accompanied by transparent street interfaces and landscaping intended to create a more pedestrian-focused edge to the development.

<img alt="First look: Norus Developments plans landscape-led apartment project for Clayton’s emerging Green Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a5a763a-d9e9-4253-af2f-88008de27ebf" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Clayton%20a.png?VersionId=S2WJJbat1XVkZwB9SnYtygirXgWHiklX" />

The building has been designed with stepped massing and upper-level setbacks to manage its transition towards surrounding residential properties. The planning report describes the approach as one that integrates the building into the landscape rather than treating landscaping as a secondary element.

"A strong landscape and public realm strategy underpins the proposal," Urbis states in the planning report.

"Public benefits include an affordable housing contribution, a new pocket park, generous landscaped setbacks, deep soil planting and integrated Water Sensitive Urban Design."

The report adds that these elements are intended to create "a permeable, pedestrian-focused ground plane that enhances walkability, supports urban cooling and reinforces the emerging Green Street character."

Biophilic and passive design principles extend through the residential levels, with planting, daylight, natural ventilation and views towards landscaped areas forming part of the amenity strategy.

Parking would be concentrated away from the public realm, with 145 car spaces proposed from the rear laneway rather than dominating the Centre Road frontage.

The proposal follows an extensive pre-application process with the City of Monash. Three formal meetings were held between the project team and Council from December 2025 to March 2026, with the scheme evolving through several concept iterations before the current design was lodged.

The project arrives as Clayton prepares for substantial change around its established activity centre and the wider Suburban Rail Loop precinct. Its position on Centre Road places the development within an existing concentration of shops, services and public transport, while the Green Street connection is intended to strengthen pedestrian access towards Clayton Railway Station.

First look: Norus plans landscape-led apartment project for Clayton’s emerging Green Street

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> has officially commenced construction on Bronze on Chevron, celebrating the sod turning of its first-ever Gold Coast development and marking a significant milestone in the company's continued expansion across South East Queensland.&nbsp;

Following the successful delivery of premium residential developments throughout Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bronze-on-chevron-8-mawarra-street-chevron-island-qld-4217">Bronze on Chevron</a> represents Gardner Vaughan Group's entry into the Gold Coast market. Bronze will deliver 119 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments above two ground-level retail tenancies.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367193]

The recent sod turning ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor Mark Hammel, President of the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club, Cassandra Sedgman, project consultants, purchasers, project partners and invited guests to celebrate the commencement of construction.&nbsp;

Gardner Vaughan Group Chief Executive Officer Simon Betteridge said Bronze on Chevron represented an exciting new chapter for the business.&nbsp;

"We've spent almost four decades building homes that respond to the way people want to live, and we're excited to bring that experience to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chevron-island-qld-4217">Chevron Island</a>," Betteridge said.

"Bronze on Chevron is particularly significant because it marks Gardner Vaughan Group's first development on the Gold Coast following many successful projects across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367183]

Betteridge said the ground breaking is a proud moment for the&nbsp;team and their purchasers, who can now see their future homes beginning to take shape.&nbsp;

"As both developer and builder, we're able to oversee every aspect of the project from design through to construction, ensuring the quality and attention to detail Gardner Vaughan Group has become renowned for."&nbsp;

Designed by acclaimed architectural practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a>, Bronze on Chevron has been thoughtfully designed to complement Chevron Island's evolving streetscape while embracing its relaxed coastal lifestyle.

The development will offer generous residences with refined interiors, premium finishes and resort-style amenities, with completion anticipated in early 2029.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=107520]

The development will offer generous residences with refined interiors, premium finishes and resort-style amenities, with completion anticipated in early 2029

Gardner Vaughan Group breaks ground on first Gold Coast development, Bronze on Chevron

Southbank

<html><body>
The construction contract for InterContinental Hotels Group's new Southbank Holiday Inn Express at 35-47 City Road has been awarded to Hickory; it becomes Hickory's fourth Melbourne high-rise project to utilise the construction method. An 18-month construction timeline is planned for the tower which is expected to be complete by September 2019.

Hickory have previously utilised the construction method on another hotel, that being Peppers Kings Square in Perth. This will be their first hotel project in Melbourne and their maiden project for developer Pro-invest Group.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/hie2.png" rel="gallery-all" title="35-47 City Road, Southbank. Image: Hickory Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="838" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/hie2.png?itok=KIJdAvUU" title="35-47 City Road, Southbank. Image: Hickory Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>35-47 City Road, Southbank. Image: Hickory Group</figcaption></figure>In addition to 345 hotel suites, 35-47 City Road will also include approximately 5,000sqm of high grade commercial office space across 3 podium levels. Rising to a height of 23 levels, the project's podium will be a traditional concrete structure, with prefabrication elements trucked in to form the tower component thereafter.

Upon completion, 35-47 City Road will include ground floor retail spaces and public laneway linking to Fawkner Street, plus separate hotel and commercial office lobbies. The Holiday Inn Express lobby on level 7 has been dubbed the “Great Room” and features a landscaped winter garden.

Spanning 17,400 square metres of built form and valued at $82 million, the development is aiming for a 5 star NABERS performance rating.

<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/tactical_group_pro_invest_group_ihg_holiday_inn_express_melbourne_little_collins_st_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Pro-Invest Group's intended Little Collins Street tower. Image: Tactical Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="338" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/tactical_group_pro_invest_group_ihg_holiday_inn_express_melbourne_little_collins_st_1.jpg?itok=Em1y5RgO" title="Pro-Invest Group's intended Little Collins Street tower. Image: Tactical Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Pro-Invest Group's intended Little Collins Street tower. Image: Tactical Group</figcaption></figure>Not too far behind 35-47 City Road in the development timeline is Pro-Invest Group's second Holiday Inn Express planned at 595-599 Little Collins Street.

According to lead consultant Tactical Group "The project includes ground floor retail, separate hotel and commercial office lobbies, a podium that aligns to adjacent heritage assets, a multi-level basement car park, approximately 4,500sqm of high grade commercial office space, and a 4.5 star hotel comprising front and back of house facilities, and an accommodation tower of 313 quality rooms." 

<h2>Comment</h2>

Certain design elements of this tower are a throwback to decades gone by in terms of design sophistication, a throwback which is evident at other Southbank locations as the suburb has evolved over recent decades.

The treatment of the original 1930s City Road facade and its glazed terracotta faience tiles presents as little more than tacking a heritage facade onto a brand new edifice, which in this instance looks cheap and completely swamps any heritage value in retaining the exiting facade. That aside the podium has merit but the tower section is once more cheap and nasty based on every render generated to date.

There is a total lack design nous across the tower element.

35-47 City Road looks to be Sydney firm Reid Campbell's first Melbourne project; the architecture firm "has developed the Australian design for the Holiday Inn Express; which is the fastest growing brand of limited service corporate hotels in the world."

Put simply and succinctly on the Apartments.com.au forum, "The '90s called, they want their tower back."
</body></html>

silvermb

City Road scores an altogether questionable design

<html><body>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
A group of 20 Southbank townhouse unit owners in Melbourne have banded together with hopes of securing a combined $25 million as a development site offering.
The four-block property, Coventry Square at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-vic-southbank-119872805" target="_blank">77 Coventry Street </a> stands on a 1483 square metre site close to South Melbourne market amid high-rise towers.
The hope for a significantly better return than their separate market rate as recent sales have been around $630,000 for a two-bedroom apartment.
Coventry Square comprises 12 two-bedroom apartments and eight three-bedroom apartments with the proceeds to be divided based on council rate valuation percentages.
Collective sales require approval from 100 per cent of owners.
</div>
<div class="related-quotes section">The Coventry Square offering was put together by Christian Ranieri and Ed Wright of RPM Real Estate Group.</div>
<div class="related-quotes section"> </div>
<div class="related-quotes section">Wright says the site was attracting interest as a possible hotel development given its close proximity to the Southbank arts precinct, and as an office or commercial development which are extremely attractive in the current market.</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
Without any immediate approvals, the building will generate rental income with two-bedroom apartments renting for $500-530 per week and three-bedders at $630-660 per week.
</div>
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Collective Southbank strata exit with $25 million hopes for 20 vendors

<html><body><div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
Multiplex has completed Central Equity’s $300 million high rise residential apartment tower in Southbank, Southbank Central.
The 48-level tower 1-13 Balston Street in Southbank comprises 485 one, two and three bedroom apartments.
Southbank Central also features a six level podium with retail, car parking and resident facilities including an indoor swimming pool and gymnasium.
Double-glazed floor-to-ceiling windows capture views of Southbank.
Central Equity has <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-southbank-127084578" target="_blank">one bedroom plus study apartments</a> listed at $449,000.
There are <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-southbank-127084614" target="_blank">two bedroom offerings</a> at $545,000.
There are three bedroom apartments listed for <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-southbank-127169862" target="_blank">around $1 million</a>.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/12/15/mutliplex2.jpg" alt="">
Graham Cottam, Multiplex's regional managing director in Victoria, said Southbank Central delivered on time and to an exceptional standard for residents.
The completion of Southbank Central represents Multiplex’s 15th project for developer Central Equity, with the contractor having delivered towers including Southbank Grand, Southbank One and City Tempo apartment buildings - all of which are HIA award winning developments.
Multiplex has also completed a number of new residential projects in the Melbourne CBD over the last 12 months including Hengyi Pacific’s Light House, ICD Property’s Eq.Tower, and Salvo Property Group’s Platinum Tower.
It also has several residential projects set for completion including LK Property Group’s Capital Grand, Fragrance Group‘s Premier Tower and Hengyi Pacific’s Swanston Central in Carlton. 
Central Equity recently dismissed suggestions as to the existence of "ghost" apartments.
The developer –  which claims to have built half of the skyscrapers in Melbourne's Southbank – took a swipe at market doomsayers.
Financial reports for the company show it booked a record $145 million profit from $507 million revenue last financial year.
"Central Equity projects are enjoying very low vacancies resulting in effectively full occupancy," the group's directors, Eddie Kutner, Dennis Wilson and John Bourke, said in an annual report.
"The low vacancies (less than 2 per cent) are underpinning the rental market and providing solid and recurring rental returns," their report noted.Central Equity said its Melbourne development pipeline had swelled to $3.2 billion.
"Lack of affordability has created a pent-up demand which not only underpins pricing but will also act as a cushion against future shocks, if any," the group said.
Central Equity will concentrate now on sales its Melbourne Grand project at 560 Lonsdale Street, a 58-level apartment tower with 650 plus apartments.
Demand has shifted towards larger two and three-bedroom apartments, it acknowledged.
One bedders start at $499,000, two bedders from $599,000 and three bedders from $889,000.
 
</div>
</div>
</div></body></html>

jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Multiplex complete Southbank Central for Central Equity

<html><body>
Three new projects will appear across Melbourne under the guidance of builder ABD Group.

Among them is the firm's tallest build to date, whilst a further two projects will bolster ABD Group's already extensive credentials in the apartment sector. Combined the three secured acquired builds will add in excess of 500 apartments and serviced apartments to the builder's portfolio, just as ABD Group approached the finish line for a number of other builds under its guidance.

LINC Essendon has been awarded to the builder after a lengthy sales campaign. Revel Development Group is behind the project at 13-21 Russell Street, which is opposite Essendon Railway Station.

Expected is a 10 level, Plus Architecture-designed building above three levels of basement car parking. Retail will front Russell Street with 96 apartments to be added above, whilst a rooftop garden will crown the pending build.

ABD Group is nearing the end of another apartment project for Revel Development Group, namely Reflections which is one of the early projects to appear within North Melbourne's Arden-Macaulay 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/image5russell.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="LINC Apartments is set to make its mark"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="361" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image5russell.jpg?itok=zgCLGCNo" title="LINC Apartments is set to make its mark" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>LINC Apartments is set to make its mark</figcaption></figure>Moray Street has also appeared as a new build on ABD Group's website. The substantial project will see another Fender Katsalidis tower realised on Southbank, after initially being submitted for approval during 2015.

Across 18-24 Moray Street, the build will see a new tower rise 38 levels above ground on a modest corner plot of 446sqm. The site was <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/business/property/southbank-notches-up-another-development-sale-20160909-grcz3a">reportedly</a> purchased by a Hong Kong-based developer for $8.8 million in 2016, at a per square metre rate of $20,000.

Initially approved with 124 apartments, ABD Group describes the project as containing 165 serviced and private apartments above a multi-level car stacker system. 18-24 Moray Street also includes a gym, terrace and option for a pool.

<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/image6moray.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="18-24 Moray Street is Southbank's next tower"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="704" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image6moray.jpg?itok=rEfxRvFZ" title="18-24 Moray Street is Southbank's next tower" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>18-24 Moray Street is Southbank's next tower</figcaption></figure>Finally, ABD Group signage is now across a major build in its infancy in West Melbourne. The builder has been charged with the delivery of SPEC Property's latest development dubbed Flagstaff Green at 15-31 Batman Street, West Melbourne.

Flagstaff Green is in addition to ABD Group constructing Trilby which is the developer's other current pursuit consisting of 109 apartments at 466-482 Smith Street, Collingwood.

The West Melbourne project, on the other hand, will see 3 basement levels which will underpin 20 above ground levels, for a net result of 247 new apartments, two office tenancies and one new retail space. Flagstaff Green also includes communal amenities such as a pool, spa, gym and landscaped terrace plus courtyard in a project conceived by Inhabit Design.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_2229.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Works are underway on Flagstaff Green"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_2229.jpg?itok=5L0wLDOO" title="Works are underway on Flagstaff Green" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Works are underway on Flagstaff Green</figcaption></figure>
</body></html>

Builder ABD Group adds another 500 dwellings to its books

<html><body>
A Southbank development, up for sale for the second time in just over two years, now comes with a hotel permit.
Expected to fetch around $15 million, the City Road site sold in 2015, however the sale to a foreign Chinese investor fell through because of a perceived restrictive planning scheme amendment.
Due to a change in the Melbourne Planning Scheme, it was perceived that amendment C270 would restrict use of the property and as a result, it led the investor to renegotiate on the sale. The property was then taken off the market.
This time round the vendors, Photography Studies College owner Julie Moss and Webjet non-executive director Steven Scheuer, are selling the 910 sqm site with approved plans for a 30 storey tower.
The mixed use hotel development is set to be 100 metres tall and will sit in the pricey precinct on Southbank, with prestige towers Eureka, Prima Pearl and Australia 108 nearby.
 <img src="https://img.influencing.com/misc/008/995/141/o.jpg" style="font-size: 12.16px;">
<div>
The four star luxury hotel will have 270 pod-style, hi-tech rooms with artistic and modern interiors.
It will include a ground floor cafe and hotel rooftop bar, with eight of the 30 levels dedicated to education space.
Julie Moss’ Photography College is keen to occupy as a tenant. The development is being marketed through a global marketing campaign by Allard Shelton agents Michael Ryan, JAmes Gregson, Joseph Walton and Martin Huang.
Michael Ryan suggested developers are eager to make their mark on the hotel boom.
“The hotel sector appears to be outperforming many of the other property sectors in the Australian property market at the moment," he said.
"Not only are we rapidly growing as a population, Melbourne is also a major business hub and a safe, tourist destination.”
According to Deloittes 2017 Tourism and Hotel Market Report, International visitor numbers to Australia climbed 8.9% over the past year to 8.5 million, with an additional 700,000 visitors arriving on our shores.
</div>
</body></html>

Luxury New York-style hotel plans approved for listed Southbank site

<html><body>
The tower dubbed 'Sol Invictus' may not have been conquered, but it is for sale.

Long after the initial media blitz extolling the virtues of the tower, going hand in hand with an explanation of its name, the now approved 48 Moray Street has been handed to Colliers. The agent along with ICR Property Group have been tasked with securing a new owner for the 1,173.5sqm site, which was granted approval during July.

At stake is the right to develop 287 apartments and 5 levels of commercial space encompassing approximately 3,000sqm.

Initially submitted at 60 levels, the approved 51 level outcome spans 48 Moray Street and 11-13 Hancock Street; the latter 168sqm site was approved for a super thin residential tower of 33 levels, but those plans have been incorporated into the current scheme.

<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/42moray1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="An earlier version of 48 Moray Street with significantly more street level flair. Image: Peddlr Thorp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="253" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/42moray1.jpg?itok=Gcf4nPYy" title="An earlier version of 48 Moray Street with significantly more street level flair. Image: Peddlr Thorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>An earlier version of 48 Moray Street with significantly more street level flair. Image: Peddlr Thorp</figcaption></figure>David Lock Associates provided town planning for the project, and described it as follows:

<blockquote>
The building itself is designed to be a landmark, and to set new benchmarks regarding ESD by way of cutting-edge mechanisms including architecturally-integrated solar panels that will offset a substantial portion of the development’s energy requirements.

Myriad public realm upgrades – including offsite pocket parks, freeway underpass upgrades and an architecturally designed pocket plaza - are also proposed as a means of repositioning Southbank as a high quality, enjoyable public destination.

‘The building has been designed to act as a landmark, and respond to its prominent location at the gateway to the City of Melbourne through the introduction of a distinct, curvilinear tower form within the existing urban morphology of Southbank. The building also ‘raises the bar’ within the local existing urban context through exemplary ground floor activation and public realm amenity.
</blockquote>

Referencing the sun god of the Roman Empire, Sol Invictus was billed as Australia's "first substantially off-the-grid, green energy-generating residential tower." 

This was to be achieved by incorporating solar cells in the facade of the tower, thus allowing a greater area to capture the sun's rays. Rooftop wind turbines and a battery storage system were also envisaged in the initial design for the tower.

<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/42moray2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="42 Moray Street as rendered into Southbank. Image: Colliers"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="607" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/42moray2.jpg?itok=Zw9jU395" title="42 Moray Street as rendered into Southbank. Image: Colliers" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The approved version of 48 Moray Street rendered into Southbank. Image: Colliers</figcaption></figure>Design nuances aside, the sale of 42 Moray Street comes at an interesting time for the wider Southbank apartment development market.

A handful of major Southbank development sites have been listed and have subsequently languished, as prospective buyers have been difficult to secure. 127-129 Kavanagh Street and 38 Freshwater Place are the two most noteworthy examples, having approvals in place for a combined 1,000 plus apartments, and having been offered for sale for some months.

296-306 City Road and 292 City Road have suffered the same fate; they are though non permitted sites.

58 Southbank Boulevard shapes as the current exception to the sluggish Southbank market. With its sales campaign closed, no word has yet filtered through on the site's fate.
</body></html>

The 'Unconquered Sun' of Southbank goes up for sale

<html><body>
During its monthly meeting on Tuesday night, the City of Melbourne's Future Melbourne (Planning Committee) has resolved to provide its support for a 48-storey tower at 56-62 Clarendon Street. The current Europcar car hire and workshop on site will be replaced by a 161m tower accommodating 208 apartments and 128 serviced apartments atop a six storey podium.

The site has previously had approval for a silver Elenberg Fraser designed tower from 2013 with an extension of time to commence construction lapsing in May of this year.

Car parking will be via a stacker system on levels 1 to 6, with access provided from the laneway adjacent to the site’s northern boundary. The parking levels will be wrapped in a sleeve of studio apartments along Clarendon Street and the adjacent laneway with a ground floor cafe. 

The tower, which has a plot ratio of 22.6:1 is characterised by its slim glazed form with a recessed golden ribbon element dissecting the form into a series of irregularly shaped stacked forms, as it rises up its full height, culminating in a blade roof feature punctured by a series of large openings. 

<blockquote>
We acknowledge some effort has been made to exaggerate the applied linework to the façade to provide some depth and segmentation. Further, subtle elevation changes exaggerate this sense of a series of stacked forms. We appreciate the increased setbacks to the rear interface with 46 Haig Street to address previous advice; however we recommend a green roof / planter component to this component of the podium to address the outlook of residents.

- City of Melbourne's Urban Design team
</blockquote>

<ul></ul>
One of the major changes to the design has been the relocation of the lift and services core from the more prominent northern elevation to the southern wall which will be opposite another development site.

Additionally the podium has had further visual elements incorporated into its design such as V shaped support structure and a textured treatment of off form ribbed concrete upstands to balconies bookended by glazed balustrades. 

Greater permeability has been provided with additional portholes along the north eastern corner and activation to the ground floor.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image19_14_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Before and after. A number of changes have been adopted to the design. Images: Fender Katsalidis"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="503" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image19_14_0.jpg?itok=P2_hngCs" title="Before and after. A number of changes have been adopted to the design. Images: Fender Katsalidis" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Before and after. A number of changes have been adopted to the design. Images: Fender Katsalidis</figcaption></figure>Further suggested changes and resolution to the design of the podium to "achieve a coherent, strong streetscape interface" include:

<ul>
<li>Ensure that elements of the podium treatment wrap to the side elevation to provide a more coherent treatment. For example, the use of the applied metal ring could relate to the materiality of balustrades for providing some continuity. [There is a strong preference for] a high-quality materiality response over a coarse gesture.</li>
	<li>[There is] still concerned with the unresolved nature of the V elements. Whilst there have seen similar elements used to great success in a landscape setting (garden beds etc such as across the road in Metropol) they have a poor relationship to the human scale and terrace element. They currently obscure views from the terrace, but also fail to provide intimacy and enclosure to the raised space. This space should be resolved in more detail at 1:20.</li>
	<li>Ensure that the ramp is designed effectively as a transition zone that connects the internal programming with the public realm but also provides a high-quality space for outdoor seating. The renders and drawings are not sufficient to describe this building interface as anything other than an arrival space.</li>
	<li>Include a subtle human-scaled micro canopy element (max 200mm) over the laneway that is integrated with the architectural language of the building. This should reinforce the ground level datum through a shadow line from the first floor, and mark a shift in materiality to a higher quality, more pedestrian-oriented finish (such as tiles, brick, timber, etc).</li>
	<li>Exclude all paint finished precast concrete from the lower levels of the podium fronting onto the laneway and ensure that all materials and detailing is to a high standard in response to a pedestrian scale. Resolve service doors / cabinets within this element as ‘key moments’ consistent with the evolving language of the shop fronts to Clarendon Street.</li>
</ul>
These suggested changes might be included as part of the planning permit conditions.

The application was considered under the former interim planning controls of Amendment C262 which requires:

<ul>
<li>A podium height up to 40.0 metres;</li>
	<li>Street setbacks of 5.0 metres above the podium;</li>
	<li>Tower setbacks to all boundaries, excluding streets, equal to 5% of the overall building height for buildings in excess of 100 metres in height; and</li>
	<li>A site plot ratio of 24:1.</li>
</ul>
The proposed development, should it receive Ministerial approval would join a number of other towers either under construction or mooted for this stretch of Clarendon Street such as BPM's Shadow Play and Pepper's Southbank, designed by Elenberg Fraser and Bruce Henderson Architects respectively.

<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/shadowplay.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="BPM's under construction ShadowPlay and Peppers Southbank. Images: redden and BHA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="333" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/shadowplay.jpg?itok=aW7-Lazn" title="BPM's under construction ShadowPlay and Peppers Southbank. Images: redden and BHA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>BPM's under construction ShadowPlay and Peppers Southbank. Images: redden and BHA</figcaption></figure>
</body></html>

Laurence Dragomir

City of Melbourne provides conditional support for Southbank high-rise

<html><body>
When The Graphical Thread was asked to produce 3D marketing imagery for CBRE’s latest project, my first thought was how are we going to make this building shine in one of Melbourne’s densest city blocks. Flagship at 58 Southbank Boulevard, sometimes referred to as 118 City Road, is located close to Eureka Tower and the under construction Australia 108 building. Not to mention the approved One Queensbridge, a Crown Casino 6 star luxury hotel.

That was before I saw the concept design from Fender Katsalidis. True to their style, this design mimics 308 Exhibition Street – a collaboration between Cox Architects and Fender Katsalidis. With its glass dual towers set above a podium and a curving sky bridge, this structure is a dream for any architectural visualiser.

But we’re not here to talk about the architecture. I’d like to share with you our process for creating the Flagship - 58 Southbank Boulevard renders.

<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/city-road-merged.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="58 Southbank Boulevard. The Graphical Thread"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="347" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/city-road-merged.jpg?itok=pqmo1QAZ" title="58 Southbank Boulevard. The Graphical Thread" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>58 Southbank Boulevard. The Graphical Thread</figcaption></figure>The brief was for a street view and an aerial view showing the new building in context. Using our Melbourne 3D model and a preliminary model of the proposed new building, we began to explore the site and the building within its environment.

<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/preliminary-model.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="58 Southbank Boulevard – Preliminary Model. The Graphical Thread"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="658" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/preliminary-model.jpg?itok=q4CvOxnr" title="58 Southbank Boulevard – Preliminary Model. The Graphical Thread" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>58 Southbank Boulevard – Preliminary Model. The Graphical Thread</figcaption></figure>Next we looked at setting up some temporary camera views for the aerial view. This would allow us to chose the best view and also brief the drone photographer, detailing the exact location and height required.

<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/temporary-camera-views.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="58 Southbank Boulevard – Initial View Selection, The Graphical Thread"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="835" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/temporary-camera-views.jpg?itok=3liZVeje" title="58 Southbank Boulevard – Initial View Selection, The Graphical Thread" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>58 Southbank Boulevard – Initial View Selection, The Graphical Thread</figcaption></figure> 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/118-city-road-info-for-photo_cam-01-1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="58 Southbank Boulevard – photographer info. The Graphical Thread"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="357" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/118-city-road-info-for-photo_cam-01-1.jpg?itok=7QwymH2v" title="58 Southbank Boulevard – photographer info. The Graphical Thread" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>58 Southbank Boulevard – photographer info. The Graphical Thread</figcaption></figure>Due to the nature of the site's location and the strong architectural buildings surrounding the new proposal, it was decided that a helicopter photo would be better suited to fulfil the brief. Below is the original helicopter photo.

<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/helicopter-photograph.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Helicopter Photograph. The Graphical Thread"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/helicopter-photograph.jpg?itok=7E_kqWE2" title="Helicopter Photograph. The Graphical Thread" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Helicopter Photograph. The Graphical Thread</figcaption></figure>The street view photo would be taken from the corner of Southbank Boulevard and City Road. We wanted an evening shot, allowing us to add movement to the image by showing the car lights streaming though the photo.

Below is the original street view photo from ground 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/street-photo.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="58 Southbank Boulevard – Street Photograph. The Graphical Thread"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="499" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/street-photo.jpg?itok=KD4a0IfD" title="58 Southbank Boulevard – Street Photograph. The Graphical Thread" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>58 Southbank Boulevard – Street Photograph. The Graphical Thread</figcaption></figure>Next for the photo match and basic textures. For our first draft of images we loosely photomatched our camera and placed our basic lit and simple textured model into the photos.

<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/street-photo-match.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="58 Southbank Boulevard – Street Photo Match. The Graphical Thread"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="596" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/street-photo-match.jpg?itok=T7x-GLdd" title="58 Southbank Boulevard – Street Photo Match. The Graphical Thread" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>58 Southbank Boulevard – Street Photo Match. The Graphical Thread</figcaption></figure>I always describe this point in the process like creating a painting. Once we have the basic concept started we can begin to work up the image.

<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/city-road-street_view_strip.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="58 Southbank Boulevard – Street Photo Match and Post Production. The Graphical Thread"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="2030" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/city-road-street_view_strip.jpg?itok=kSznYCWz" title="58 Southbank Boulevard – Street Photo Match and Post Production. The Graphical Thread" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>58 Southbank Boulevard – Street Photo Match and post-production. The Graphical Thread</figcaption></figure>The challenge for the aerial view would be to make the new building shine in an image already bursting with light and glare. To counteract this, most of the saturation was taken out of the photo leaving behind the red light from the cars and street below. This would help detract the viewer from Eureka Tower and other surrounding buildings, without effecting the photo's drama.

<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/aerial_strip_01.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="58 Southbank Boulevard – Heli Cam Match. The Graphical Thread"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="783" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/aerial_strip_01.jpg?itok=rdfGX1R9" title="58 Southbank Boulevard – Heli Cam Match. The Graphical Thread" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>58 Southbank Boulevard – Heli Cam Match. The Graphical Thread</figcaption></figure>Lights were added into the model to emulate how the other buildings were behaving at that time in the evening.The heli image just needed some post-production to really bring the image to life and ensure that the focus was clearly on the new proposal.

<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/aerial_strip_02.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="58 Southbank Boulevard – Heli Cam Match and post-production. The Graphical Thread"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="783" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/aerial_strip_02.jpg?itok=tc8jxb5v" title="58 Southbank Boulevard – Heli Cam Match and post-production. The Graphical Thread" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>58 Southbank Boulevard – Heli Cam Match and post-production. The Graphical Thread</figcaption></figure>At this point, the images where exactly where I wanted them to be; the grunt work was done. The mood was set and confirmed by the branding agents and the architects.

The heli image required some minor tweaks, mostly levels, curves and colour balance adjustments, to finalise the photomontage. The street view image needed a little more attention: predominantly the vertical lines from the cameras perspective needed to be corrected and the same applied to the 3D camera.

Once these graphical changes were made to both images, the fun process of material definition and lighting matching could begin. In a nutshell this involves adjusting both the beauty pass overlayed onto the photo, and the photo itself until the desired result is achieved.

From this point on, it was simply a matter of liaising with the architect and branding agency until all parties were satisfied with the final result.

<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/flagship-information-memorandum_web_spreads-15.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="58 Southbank Boulevard – Flagship, The Graphical Thread"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="395" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/flagship-information-memorandum_web_spreads-15.jpg?itok=Usg3HO06" title="58 Southbank Boulevard – Flagship, The Graphical Thread" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>58 Southbank Boulevard – Flagship, The Graphical Thread</figcaption></figure>I hope you enjoy these images as much as we enjoyed creating them. They are a prominent feature on the official Flagship website, where you can also find out more about the project.

Daragh Doyle is a 3D Visualiser and the owner of <a href="http://graphicalthread.com.au/">The Graphical Thread</a>, a creative studio based in Richmond, who's aim is to bring ideas to life through the narrative of 3D visualisation, imagery and animation. "In collaboration with architects, interior designers and developers, we are graphical storytellers."

This article was originally published on Graphical Thread's website. To view the original click <a href="http://graphicalthread.com.au/journal/58-southbank-boulevard-making-of-3d-render">here</a>.
</body></html>

daraghdoyle

58 Southbank Boulevard: The making of the 3D render

<html><body>
CBRE in recent weeks has begun marketing a development site at 118 City Road in Southbank which has been branded as 'Flagship'.

The 6,191sqm site is currently home to a BMW dealership and showroom, and has significant potential to add to what is set to become on of the densest city blocks in Melbourne, boasting towers of 200m through to over 300m.

The site is located close ro both the 297m Eureka Tower and the under construction 319m Australia 108, and is on the same block as One Queensbridge which holds approval at 323m .

<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/flagship_01_edit-01.png" rel="gallery-all" title="The Southbank and site in question at 118 City Road."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="514" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/flagship_01_edit-01.png?itok=auonJ9Br" title="The Southbank and site in question at 118 City Road." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Southbank and site in question at 118 City Road.</figcaption></figure>For the purposes of marketing the site's potential, CBRE have engaged Fender Katsalidis to produce an indicative concept for dual towers of varied heights. The concept looks to be loosely based on Fender Katsalidis' other twin tower design for 308 Exhibition Street.

This is illustrated in the night montage below which shows the towers linked by a skybridge.

Applying the planning scheme's plot ratio of 18:1 yields a GFA of 111,438sqm, with the conceptual scheme seeking a GFA of 148,127 sqm or a plot ratio of 24:1.

<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/image3_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="One possible scenario as marketed by CBRE. Image: CBRE"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image3_6.jpg?itok=0aq_OaDb" title="One possible scenario as marketed by CBRE. Image: CBRE" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>One possible scenario as marketed by CBRE. Image: CBRE</figcaption></figure>Any prospective purchaser is not obligated to proceed with the scheme as indicated above. As such I've decided to produce a couple of quick test scenarios in 3D for your viewing pleasure beginning with the Fender Katsalidis option (or one that is very similar).

<div class="sketchfab-embed-wrapper"><iframe allowfullscreen="" allowvr="" frameborder="0" height="480" mozallowfullscreen="true" onmousewheel="" src="https://sketchfab.com/models/0325ca7c349a4506a06cb796da599e3d/embed" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="640"></iframe></div>

The alternate scenario shown below sees 118 City Road and 158 City Road consolidated into a mega site similar to what Crown and Schiavello achieved with One Queensbridge. This roughly 7,062sqm site would be able to accommodate a 127,116sqm GFA development at an 18:1 ratio. 

This scenario is a bit more complicated because it deals with Floor Area Uplift, but essentially uses the provision of public open space and commercial space both classified as public benefits under the planning scheme to achieve another 300m tower.

With the block being as dense as it is and projected to become even denser, I believe a better outcome for both 118 City Road and 158 City Road is to consolidate 3 towers into one larger tower, with a second mid-rise office building in tow. This layout addresses the issues of privacy and adjacency between existing and proposed towers, whilst also providing better access to natural light and ventilation simply by having a taller tower located more centrally on the site.

<div class="sketchfab-embed-wrapper">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" allowvr="" frameborder="0" height="480" mozallowfullscreen="true" onmousewheel="" src="https://sketchfab.com/models/22ca95ba02a5471d8fe9b2ca0d1be0f9/embed" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="640"></iframe>

All up the scheme would deliver 136,000 sqm GFA at a plot ratio of 19.25:1, plus a new pocket park which would connect to the City of Melbourne's Southbank Boulevard and Dodds Street Renewal project. A new retail laneway bisecting the site with opportunity to eventually connect through to Freshwater Place would also be considered beneficial to Southbank.

Applying a plot ratio of 24:1 as per the Fender Katsalidis scheme would result in Melbourne's tallest building.

Interesting times ahead for the site that has been billed as 'Flagship'.
</div>
</body></html>

Southbank's densest block to become even denser?

<html><body>
The end game is approaching for another major planning application which predated the now permanent planning controls for Melbourne's CBD and parts of Southbank.

Having been submitted during mid 2015, 131-139 Sturt Street is now headed for VCAT on the basis of the Minister for Planning’s failure to determine upon the application within the allocated time. <a href="/news/the-best-of-intentions-135-sturt-street-southbank">Originally spanning 42 levels</a>, the latest design for the 2,884sqm site now sees approval sought for an 18 storey tower; less than half the height of the 2015 version.

A report set to go before the Future Melbourne (Planning) Committee noted 115 objections have been received for the earlier, taller version of the development.

Due to a raft of design changes, "the development achieves a Floor Area Ratio consistent with DDO60 (10:1) with setbacks that are generally in excess of the requirements of DDO60. A setback of 10m above the street wall fronting Sturt Street is proposed which is double the required 5m street setback."

This in turn has prompted City of Melbourne's planners to support the revised plans, subject to conditions.

<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/image4_16.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The revised 131-139 Sturt Street. Planning image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="388" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image4_16.jpg?itok=fYYVwdG7" title="The revised 131-139 Sturt Street. Planning image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The revised 131-139 Sturt Street. Planning image: Hayball</figcaption></figure>Located onsite, design practice Hayball is both architect and applicant for the redevelopment.

A variety of tenancies and an enhanced mid block link to Dodds Street will spearhead the development's push for increased ground level activity; 131-139 Sturt Street abuts the Malthouse Theatre and Arts House. According to the report, "the provision of these active uses and the through block link are supported in principle however further design revision is required in order to provide an improved outcome and to support activity within the Arts Precinct."

A summary of changes to the application highlights the severe loss of height relative to the initial submission:

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:580px;"><tbody>
<tr>
<td>June 2015 application</td>
			<td>2017 revision</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>42 levels / 134m</td>
			<td>18 levels / 57.7m</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>341 apartments</td>
			<td>206 apartments</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>226 car parking spots</td>
			<td>199 car parking spots</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>151 bicycle bays</td>
			<td>177 bicycle bays</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>2,094sqm of retail/commercial/adaptable space</td>
			<td>717sqm of retail/commercial space</td>
		</tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/image5_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A selection od Sturt Street projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="211" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image5_11.jpg?itok=0i-cJrUf" title="A selection od Sturt Street projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Projects planned for Sturt Street</figcaption></figure>131-139 Sturt Street's revision downwards has brought in into line with a handful of other projects slated for the Southbank thoroughfare.

The twisting 248-250 Sturt Street was also significantly higher when initially submitted, though it too fell foul at planning, eventually lopped from 40 levels to 16 levels in order to gain approval. G3 Projects and Crown Group are jointly developing 175-187 Sturt Street with early renders for that project suggesting a 13 level building with 170 apartments expected.

268 Sturt Street was also recently sold with indicative renders showing dual 18 level towers a possible outcome. 
</body></html>

Southbank

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Southbank

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News