Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

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The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

Joel Robinson

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]

Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]

The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

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]

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

Spotlight on the database

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In recent days the Apartments.com.au Project Database has been subject to a number augmentations, with a healthy number of additions making their way into the database pages. Purely residential entries ticked over 400 during the weekend, with many more due to be entered.

Fresh entries and updated listings - here's a selection of what's new regarding the Apartments.com.au Project Database.

<h2>New apartment releases keep coming</h2>

<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/Image4mixa.jpg" rel="gallery-all" style="font-size: 12px;" title="Image © Preview Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="355" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Image4mixa.jpg?itok=QPc0Ygml" title="Image © Preview Property" width="580"></a>

<a href="/buildings/the-corner-store-103-dundas-street-preston" target="_blank">The Corner Store</a>, <a href="/new-apartments/mayven-st-georges-56-st-georges-road-northcote">Mayven</a>, <a href="/buildings/1-shamrock-st-abbotsford">Playhouse</a> and <a href="/buildings/this-is-collingwood-60-66-islington-street-collingwood">60 Islington Street</a> together represent roughly 460 new dwellings in the pipeline. Having a working relationship of some description with MAP Architecture and Blue Earth Group, the trio are forging ahead with these developments.

<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/Image6compa.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Images © PDG, Ho Bee Land &amp; Goldfilelds"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="253" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Image6compa.jpg?itok=vkiS-tKU" title="Images © PDG, Ho Bee Land &amp; Goldfilelds" width="580"></a>

Elsewhere PDG have launched <a href="/buildings/royal-elizabeth-151-berkeley-street-melbourne" target="_blank">Royal Elizabeth</a> at 151 Berkeley Street Carlton while a new Asian-based developer has entered the local market. Singaporean firm Ho Bee Land quietly purchased a controversial slice of land adjacent to Westfield Doncaster and under the name <a href="/buildings/pearl-1-grosvenor-street-doncaster" target="_blank">Pearl</a>, has launched 1 Grosvenor Street to market.

Finally Goldfields and Maple Living find their <a href="/buildings/the-village-cheltenham-1228-nepean-highway-cheltenham">Village Cheltenham</a> complex entered into the database with apartments due to be released for sale within weeks.

<h2>Freshly approved</h2>

<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/Image8compa.jpg" rel="gallery-all" style="font-size: 12px;" title="Images © Fraher Design 3D, Metaxas &amp; Interlandi Mantesso"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="383" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Image8compa.jpg?itok=kcbyjST1" title="Images © Fraher Design 3D, Metaxas &amp; Interlandi Mantesso" width="580"></a>

Showing as approved within the database are three medium-sized apartment developments located in Thornbury, Carlton and Hawthorn East, together yielding 179 apartments in total. 688-690 High Street and 18-22 Lilydale Grove have the tick of approval whilst Platanus at 152 Queensberry Street in Carlton is the stand-out design of the three, highlighted by its folded green metal facade.

<h2>Under Assessment</h2>

<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/Image9compa.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Images © Hayball, BG Architects &amp; CHT Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="532" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Image9compa.jpg?itok=rB2Kq3q8" title="Images © Hayball, BG Architects &amp; CHT Architects" width="580"></a>

Whilst they may only be three, the above projects still under consideration would yield an accumulated 1008 apartments. Conceived by Hayball, above left sees the first public viewing of MAB's tri-tower proposal for 15-87 Gladstone Street, Fishermans Bend which will be subject to a more detailed article next week.

Elsewhere City of Stonnington are dealing with two separate proposals located within two established apartment zones. BG Architects have designed a dual building complex at 14-18 Porter Street Prahran while CHT Architects have conceived a 15 level apartment complex opposite the Jam Factory at 8-12 Garden Street, South Yarra.

More projects will be added soon.
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silvermb

Urban.com.au's Project Database pushes past 400

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It's that time again where Apartments.com.au delves into the project database and shines a spotlight on 5 projects which we think are worth highlighting. Since our previous look into projects currently under planning assessment in July 2013, Apartments.com.au has seen many interesting projects that have come to our attention, particularly from within the <a href="/news/fishermans-bend-to-become-australias-most-densely-populated-area">Fishermans Bend urban renewal zone</a>. Our chosen Top 5 residential projects that are currently under the status of Planning Assessment are as follows. Enjoy!

 

5. 464 Collins Street, Melbourne 

 

Why do we like this? Apartments.com.au highlighted this project in an article in September 2013 under the moniker of the "<a href="/news/the-pencil-skyscraper-464-collins-street-in-depth">Pencil Skyscraper</a>" which is exactly what it is. The render for the tower shows how astonishingly slender it is and with a height of nearly 200 metres, this tower has the potential to be an engineering marvel if built. The sleek, glassy design and the tower's location planted firmly in the legal district of Melbourne's CBD is sign of developer Equiset's aspiration to achieve something special with this building whilst standing out amongst the crowd.

<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/%235%20464%20Collins_BatesSmart%20new.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="464 Collins © Bates Smart"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/%235%20464%20Collins_BatesSmart%20new.jpg?itok=yLzhlVCy" title="464 Collins © Bates Smart" typeof="Image"></a>

 

4. <a href="/new-apartments/60-82-johnson-street-south-melbourne">60-82 Johnston Street, South Melbourne (aka Montague)</a>

 

Why do we like this? <a href="/architects/rothelowman">Rothe Lowman architects</a> have been busy lately putting together some fantastic schemes for a number of proposals dotted around town. This particular project really stood out for Apartments.com.au with its close proximity to South Wharf, Docklands and Port Melbourne within the proposal <a href="/news/fishermans-bend-to-become-australias-most-densely-populated-area">Fishermans Bend urban renewal area</a> of Montague. In light of this, it will be interesting to see if this project does go ahead as it may set a precedent for the area in terms of mass and style. We shall wait and see.

<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/%234%2060-82%20Johnston%20Street%20South%20Melbourne_Rothe%20Lowman.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="60-82 Johnston Street © Rothe Lowman"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/%234%2060-82%20Johnston%20Street%20South%20Melbourne_Rothe%20Lowman.jpg?itok=asWIkZVi" title="60-82 Johnston Street © Rothe Lowman" typeof="Image"></a>

 

3.<a href="http://urbanmelbourne.info/projects/melbourne/2-78-bouverie-street-carlton"> </a><a href="/new-apartments/carlton-vic-3053">2-78 Bouverie Street, Carlton </a>

 

Why do we like this? Since the <a href="/news/grocons-cub-site-takes-the-next-step">former CUB brewery site</a> at the northern apex of Swanston Street was first earmarked for redevelopment by Grocon during 2006, many folks on Apartments.com.au have waited eagerly for this site to be redeveloped to provide a QV-esque vibrancy to the area considering the sites prominence and proximity to nearby universities and the Queens Victoria Market. Seven years down the track and progression is gathering pace, particularly with this proposal being submitted in recent times. A fascinating façade along Bouverie Street which appears to mimic a waterfall, this proposal adds visual interest to the area, colour and texture. The more the merrier we say.

<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/%233%202-78%20Bouverie%20Street%20Carlton_Studio%20505.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="2-78 Bouverie Street © Studio 505"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/%233%202-78%20Bouverie%20Street%20Carlton_Studio%20505.jpg?itok=vf9wvxA9" title="2-78 Bouverie Street © Studio 505" typeof="Image"></a>

 

2. 193 Buckley Street, Essendon 

 

Why do we like this? Apartments.com.au aims to encourage good architecture and design to help facilitate urban densification across metropolitan Melbourne. This project is a great example of a small to medium sized project which is located in an up and coming urban redevelopment pocket along Buckley Street in Essendon. The hexagonal panels on the street facing façade provides nice visual interest whilst adding to population density close to essential services and amenity in a middle ring suburb. Something that Apartments.com.au will always champion.

<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/%232%20193%20Buckley%20Street%20Essendon_John%20Demos%20Architects.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="193 Buckley Street © John Demos Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/%232%20193%20Buckley%20Street%20Essendon_John%20Demos%20Architects.jpg?itok=0Y8OM7KY" title="193 Buckley Street © John Demos Architects" typeof="Image"></a>

 

1. <a href="/new-apartments/228-238-normanby-road-southbank">228-238 Normanby Street, South Melbourne (aka Montague) </a>

 

Why do we like this? Another proposal situated within the Fishermans Bend urban renewal area, Normanby Street screams all glass and all class. <a href="/news/so-very-melbourne-228-238-normanby-road-south-melbourne">A very Melbourne style</a> which, if built, will stand the test of time and set the bar high for other projects in Fishermans Bend. Height and aesthetics aside, the true success of this project and others like it, will not be a question of how good the glass is but how the podium interacts at street level and whether it works within the Fishermans Bend urban renewal scheme. Time will tell, but one thing is for sure, you will not see many people on Apartments.com.au decry a project which has the potential to add to Melbourne’s already classy skyline.

<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/%231%20228-238%20Normanby%20Street%20South%20Melbourne_Rothe%20Lowman.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="228-238 Normanby Street © Rothe Lowman"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/%231%20228-238%20Normanby%20Street%20South%20Melbourne_Rothe%20Lowman.jpg?itok=dACfw4dZ" title="228-238 Normanby Street © Rothe Lowman" typeof="Image"></a>

 

What do you think?  Did we get it right?  Have your say by Registering or by Logging In to Apartments.com.au.

 
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Urban.com.au's Top 5 Picks: Planning Assessment November 2013

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A stone's throw from the sacred cow that is Camberwell, a subtle yet concerted change has taken effect over both Hawthorn and Hawthorn East. While all three suburbs fall within the city of Boroondara, Camberwell remains staunch in its opposition to any development with the likes of Geoffrey Rush and Barry Humphries leading the charge, with the failed Camberwell Station development firmly in mind. Both Hawthorn and Hawthorn East have in recent years headed down a different path with apartment developments slowly, and now rapidly gaining a foothold.

Five large apartments developments are currently under construction in Hawthorn, they being <a href="/new-apartments/atria-291-burwood-road-hawthorn">Atria Apartments</a>, <a href="http://www.emblemapartments.com/welcome">Emblem Hawthorn</a>, Riva Hawthorn, The Collective and <a href="http://www.sconstruction.com.au/22-wattle-road-hawthorn/">22 Wattle Road</a>. Together these five projects will deliver an impressive 491 apartments into an area well served with Public Transport links, retail and commercial space, Swinburne University and a 119 room hotel run by Asian Pacific Group. Clearly the infrastructure exists for substantial apartment development and developers have come knocking, so in no particular order we will look at what's upcoming for the area.

<h2>Hawthorn Hill - 410-420 Burwood Road, Hawthorn</h2>

Set behind a historic mansion, Hawthorn Hill apartments is the latest project from developer Equiset. Designed by Bates Smart, the nine level building is currently at registrations via the project website. The building will carry 64 apartments and 62 car parking spaces in what will be a high-end apartment building with expansive views owing to its heightened location. A public launch is pending.

<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/EXT4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hawthorn Hill. Image courtesy 360 Property Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/EXT4.jpg?itok=_9pKZLQE" title="Hawthorn Hill. Image courtesy 360 Property Group" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

<figcaption>Hawthorn Hill. Image courtesy 360 Property Group</figcaption></figure><h2>The Independent - 124-130 Burwood Road, Hawthorn</h2>

The Independent will be the latest offering from ICD Property. Turning to Orbit Architecture once more, the design supersedes a previous scheme and instead will seek to deliver this fetching project. Details are sketchy but the six level project will avail itself soon enough.

<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/Image55652.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Orbit Architecture have conceived The Independent. Image © Orbit Solutions"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Image55652.jpg?itok=E9QYeNlI" title="Orbit Architecture have conceived The Independent. Image © Orbit Solutions" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

<figcaption>Orbit Architecture have conceived The Independent. Image © Orbit Solutions</figcaption></figure><h2>My Place Hawthorn - 10-12 Albert Street, Hawthorn East</h2>

One of the growing throng of apartment projects within close proximity to Auburn Station, My Place Hawthorn won approval via VCAT last year. A fully functional display suite is onsite yet the project has not launched publicly. The seven level, L-shaped project which also fronts Lilydale Grove has been designed by Carabott Holt Turcinov and will hold 151 apartments according to its planning application. The building will include an expansive courtyard designed by Jack Merlo.

<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/Image7441.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Renders of My Place Hawthorn. Images © Scharp Design"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Image7441.jpg?itok=H6xrcviI" title="Renders of My Place Hawthorn. Images © Scharp Design" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

<figcaption>Renders of My Place Hawthorn. Images © Scharp Design</figcaption></figure><h2>Alta Apartments - 456 Barkers Road, Hawthorn East</h2>

With a sales campaign held early last year Alta Apartments seemingly faltered. Quite honestly we don't know too much about this project but a number of online sources say the project will be launching soon - time will tell. Designed by Crosier Scott the project fits in 41 apartments in a project fitting in both scale and design quality.

<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/ALTA1_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Alta Apartments. Image © Crosier Scott"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/ALTA1_0.jpg?itok=SG2RWsdZ" title="Alta Apartments. Image © Crosier Scott" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

<figcaption>Alta Apartments. Image © Crosier Scott</figcaption></figure><h2>Leo Apartments - 18 Camberwell Road, Hawthorn East</h2>

70% sold at launch last weekend. Not too shabby at all for the team from Kokoda Property Group who with Artisan Architects have conceived Leo. The project will take its place on the ever popular Camberwell Road where projects up to six levels are/will be the norm. 88 apartments in total meaning roughly 26 still at market as of earlier this week - snap to it!

<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/Image66563.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Going strong at Leo. Image © Artisan Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Image66563.jpg?itok=lh3QDWNE" title="Going strong at Leo. Image © Artisan Architects" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

<figcaption>Going strong at Leo. Image © Artisan Architects</figcaption></figure><h2>Hawthorn Black - 5-7 Montrose Street, Hawthorn East</h2>

A product of ITUM Property and BG Architects, Hawthorn Black will contain 55 apartments in an altogether decent looking building. Platinum Construction have been engaged to build the project so a start seems imminent. ITUM's website describes the project as "An economic and eco-friendly building, inflected with a touch of the area's history and an aesthetic affinity to its environment. The apartment complex features Hawthorn Black Brick which pays homage to the visual style of bygone Hawthorn."

<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_6728.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hawthorn Black by ITUM Development"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Img_6728.jpg?itok=87EJzwGl" title="Hawthorn Black by ITUM Development" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

<figcaption>Hawthorn Black by ITUM Development</figcaption></figure><h2>Syracuse - 8 Queens Avenue, Hawthorn</h2>

Syracuse Hawthorn has ringed up 60% sales according to the projects website. Slowly but surely the little apartment project that could has moved the majority of its 27 apartments on offer. Apartments still available but this project in a quiet pocket off Burwood Road will move to construction seemingly quite soon.

<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/Image54524.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Syracuse Hawthorn has made steady sales progress. Image courtesy Beller Marketing"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Image54524.jpg?itok=YwVMrLGl" title="Syracuse Hawthorn has made steady sales progress. Image courtesy Beller Marketing" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

<figcaption>Syracuse Hawthorn has made steady sales progress. Image courtesy Beller Marketing</figcaption></figure><h2>Brilliant Hawthorn - 30-32 Lilydale Grove, Hawthorn East</h2>

66 apartments are up for grabs within Brilliant Hawthorn. A product of Topgan Group and Interlandi Mantesso Architects, the project has gone through the standard channels for construction tender with Hacer, Becon,Construction Engineering, Buildcorp Commercial and Harris HMC jostling to deliver the apartment project. A mix of one and two bedroom apartments are available with an overall sales worth of $45 million plus.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/Image8_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Brilliant Hawthorn. Image © brillianthawthorn.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Image8_10.jpg?itok=lvQDIScH" title="Brilliant Hawthorn. Image © brillianthawthorn.com.au" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

<figcaption>Brilliant Hawthorn. Image © brillianthawthorn.com.au</figcaption></figure><h2>Solstice Apartments - 138 Camberwell Road, Hawthorn East</h2>

The website has yet to divulge much information but Solstice looms as one the area's premier apartment developments with Fender Katsalidis and Benson Property Group teaming up to conceive this 108 apartment project. Visually top notch with a large internal courtyard, Solstice will carry 31 one bedroom apartments and 77 two bed options. Last night (21st August) Marshall White and Australian Finance &amp; Property Solutions Group (AFPS Group) held an information night onsite at 138 Camberwell Road, so a public launch is imminent.

<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/Imagevc9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The curves of Solstice. Images © Fender Katsalidis"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Imagevc9.jpg?itok=2GkOGMU_" title="The curves of Solstice. Images © Fender Katsalidis" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

<figcaption>The curves of Solstice. Images © Fender Katsalidis</figcaption></figure><h2>Comment</h2>

While the nine above projects are set to add approximately 640 apartments to the area's stock, they also ensure that Hawthorn/Hawthorn East will be home to a number of tower cranes for the foreseeable future. Coupled with the cluster of projects mentioned at the head of the article already under construction and over 1000 new apartments will be added to the area in the short/medium term with a broad choice of designs, layouts and amenity available.

Impressive yes, but in an upcoming article, we will look at a number of planning applications/projects within Hawthorn/Hawthorn East that have yet to make their mark.
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Hawthorn apartment market: the quiet achiever

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A piece today highlighting the march of apartment living into areas you may not expect. Bay Road joins both Sandringham and Cheltenham with Sandringham Station and Southland Shopping Centre notable markers at either end. With an abundance of vacant blocks and dilapidated light industrial structures, Bay Road lends itself to intensive redevelopment given the abundance of nearby services/amenity.

And so a number of apartment projects have begun in recent months, the most notable being Sandy Hill and The Bay located next to one another, spanning 218-228 Bay Road, Sandringham.

<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/Image5621.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Sandy Hill &amp; The Bay side by side. Images © respective websites"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Image5621.jpg?itok=vYRpAQe8" title="Sandy Hill &amp; The Bay side by side. Images © respective websites" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

Buxton Constructions website news feed for <a href="/buildings/sandy-hill-penthouse-222-bay-road-sandringham" target="_blank">Sandy Hill</a> reads as follows;

Sandringham's skyline set to change The $50 million stage one of the imposing Sandyhill Apartments in Sandringham comprises 187 of the 495 apartments scheduled to be constructed on the expansive Bay Road site. Rising to eight levels on the south section and six on the north, the complex consists of reinforced concrete post-tensioned slabs, columns and pre-cast panels over a three-level basement incorporating car parking and residents' storage areas. 

Excavated to a depth of almost seven metres, the basement – with a drained sub-slab – descends below the water table, requiring the installation of concrete diaphragm retaining walls below ground level. “When the more than 25,000 cubic-metres of soil has been removed and the retention walls are completed, the two tower cranes required for materials handling will be installed and dominate the local skyline for almost two years,” Buxton project manager Lucas Forsyth said.

<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_5376.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="One of two expected tower cranes in action on Sandy Hill Apartments"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Img_5376.jpg?itok=ItgVLWVe" title="One of two expected tower cranes in action on Sandy Hill Apartments" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

Next door, <a href="http://urbanmelbourne.info/projects/bayside/the-bay-sandringham-218-bay-road-sandringham" target="_blank">The Bay</a> with 112 apartments is also under construction, with Ione Property's description reading as follows

The bay is a unique apartment building built in the hub of Bay St Sandringham, located within a recently remodelled district surrounded by new office buildings. Only 500m to Bluff Rd Medical Centre, 3km to Linacre Private Hospital, 1.2km to Sandringham Memorial Hospital and 100m from Sandringham East Primary &amp; Sandringham College. Shops 1.5km to Bay Rd Shops and Cafes, 2.7km to Southland Shopping Centre and Transport 2km to Sandringham Station.

<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_5270_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Bay under construction"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Img_5270_0.jpg?itok=Rx8pxJiA" title="The Bay under construction" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

These two developments combined will yield an impressive 607 new apartments for the area, yet they may be a precursor to what Places Victoria has in store. Currently holding a site at 329 Bay Road Cheltenham, sized at 15,000sqm, the Government agency is also negotiating with the Commonwealth Government to <a href="http://www.theweeklyreviewbayside.com.au/story/1387475/bayside-council-battles-to-retain-control-over-highett-csrio-site-redevelopment/" target="_blank">purchase the CSIRO site</a> adjoining 329 Bay Road. At 90,000sqm the CSIRO site is mind-boggling, these two sites combined would deliver a development site of 105,000sqm !

329 Bay Road alone is now subject to an initial Places Victoria proposal, with apartment buildings up to eight levels included amongst the sites mixed uses. Should the CSIRO site fall under the auspices of Places Victoria, Bay Road will definitely be an apartment hotspot of the future.

 

 
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Hotspots - All the way along the Bay?

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A busy weekend has come and gone with 18 new projects appearing in the database, some of which are highlighted below. We still have a multitude of projects yet to be entered, with some of the new residential tower designs (most of which are at the planning stage) quite outstanding...but they are for another day.

We'll also be rolling out some new features through the database in coming weeks, including making it easier to find projects which are at a Registration and Sales stage. Further the database will be expanded to cover all building over all stages (proposed to completion) and all uses, thereby providing the most complete and up-to-date Melbourne building database there is. This will be yet another long-term project and the new data will be gradually added.

As for the most recent database additions, they cover wider Melbourne with suburbs such as Carnegie, Essendon, Maribyrnong, Nunawading, St Kilda and the CBD scoring additional projects. If nothing else it shows now how entrenched apartment living has become through metropolitan Melbourne.

<a href="/buildings/summus-2-wests-road-maribyrnong" target="_blank">2 Wests Road, Maribyrnong</a> is a new planning application before Maribyrnong City Council. Put forward by Pace Investment Group and designed by Doig Architecture, the scheme covers three buildings with 192 apartments expected. Within close proximity to the approved 19 level, 62 Wests Road complex, this new application enforces the already impressive number of new apartment proposals that have encircled Highpoint Shopping Centre, the areas main draw card.

<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/Image9_0_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="2 Wests Road, Maribyrnong. Image © Doig Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Image9_0_0.jpg?itok=MmvabbhH" title="2 Wests Road, Maribyrnong. Image © Doig Architecture" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

<a href="/buildings/200-204-wells-street-south-melbourne">200-204 Wells Street, South Melbourne</a> is an approved residential tower prepared for 15 Park Street Pty Ltd. Taking up a corner location on Wells Street &amp; Park Street, the 22 level complex will hold 261 apartments and 194 car parking bays. It's expected to abutt the proposed <a href="/new-apartments/50-park-street-south-melbourne" target="_blank">50 Park Street</a> apartment complex.

<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/artisanarc.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="200-204 Wells Street, South Melbourne. Image © Artisan Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/artisanarc.jpg?itok=khCYc-Kr" title="200-204 Wells Street, South Melbourne. Image © Artisan Architects" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

FRD - 2 Morton Avenue, Carnegie is currently at sales. Put forward by high-end developer Fridcorp, the development will contain 40 apartments over 5 levels and is opposite Carnegie Train station. <a href="http://frd.fridcorp.com.au/" target="_blank">See the website</a>.

<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_3_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="FRD - 2 Morton Avenue, Carnegie. Image © Fridcorp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Image4_3_0.jpg?itok=SLkVlTaI" title="FRD - 2 Morton Avenue, Carnegie. Image © Fridcorp" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

1048 - 1060 Mt Alexander Road, Essendon has been proposed for some time, and is currently mired in legal proceeding relating to site ownership. At nine levels and containing 101 apartments, it would be Essendon's largest apartment development. Designed by Jackson Clement Burrowes, the design may take its place amongst other buildings on the already established apartment strip.

<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/Image11_0_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="1048-1060 Mt Alexander Road, Essendon. Image © Jackson Clement Burrowes"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Image11_0_0.jpg?itok=IxGM1VtD" title="1048-1060 Mt Alexander Road, Essendon. Image © Jackson Clement Burrowes" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

<a href="/buildings/leroy-40-packington-street-st-kilda" target="_blank">Packington Apartments - 44 Packington Street, St Kilda</a> is an intended residential development by fast expanding Melbourne developer Urban Inc. Highlighted on their <a href="http://www.urbaninc.com.au/places/packington-street" target="_blank">website</a>, the six level project expects to house 83 apartments, and is close by to a number of large residential projects about to commence their sales campaign.

<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/56_19-04-2013_1403.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Packington Apartments - 44 Packington Street, St Kilda. Image © Urban Inc"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/56_19-04-2013_1403.jpg?itok=pHC9297O" title="Packington Apartments - 44 Packington Street, St Kilda. Image © Urban Inc" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

These projects are but a few of what can be expected in the near future. Stay tuned as UrbanMelbourne.info brings into focus a number of visually exceptional apartment developments in coming weeks, starting with the redesigned Queensbridge Tower proposal later this week, a Bates Smart classic in the making!
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Alastair Taylor

New projects in the Urban.com.au database

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On a monthly basis a Apartments.com.au will publish our Top 5 picks of buildings Under Construction, Proposed.  To start us off, we are publishing our Top 5 projects which are currently under construction in our city for June, and counting down from number 5, here they are!

Tip: open the project database link and forum link in a new window to view the renders for each project.

 

5. Tip Top, East Brunswick

Why do we like it? Lygon Street in East Brunswick has been identified by Apartments.com.au as an urban development <a href="/news/hotspots-lygon-street-east-brunswick">hotspot</a>.  The Tip Top project, currently under construction on the former Tip Top bakery factory site will add a significant amount of new residents to Lygon Street.  With very high frequency tram routes into and out of the city and multiple cross-town bus routes, Tip Top will have some of the best public transport access outside the inner city.  A strong restaurant and cafe scene, bars such as <a href="http://www.eydies.com.au/" target="_blank">Eydies</a>, <a href="http://www.atticusfinch.com.au/" target="_blank">Atticus Finch</a> and <a href="http://www.thealehouseproject.com.au/" target="_blank">The Alehouse Project</a> (Northsiders don't have to travel to the Southside for good beer anymore!) - Tip Top is going to have access to all of it, most of which within a 100m walk.

<div>
<a href="/buildings/tip-top-brunswick-170-edward-street-brunswick-east">Project database</a> and <a href="/news">Forum thread</a>
</div>

<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/number%205_%20tip%20top.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Tip Top apartments on the way up."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/number%205_%20tip%20top.jpg?itok=TUCPIGPx" title="Tip Top apartments on the way up." typeof="Image"></a>

 

4. Swanston Square, Carlton

Why do we like it? Swanston Square is being built on arguably one of the most important redevelopment sites in Melbourne. Located at the former CUB brewery site on the corner of Swanston Street &amp; Victoria Parade peering directly down Swanston Street to the Shrine of Remembrance, the developers and architects were entrusted to create an iconic building. Once complete, Swanston Square will boast a distinctive facade depicting the face of the aboriginal elder from the Wurundjeri tribe, William Barak.  The stretch of Swanston Street between La Trobe and Victoria Streets is no stranger to bold architectural statements and Swanston Square will enrich the precinct even more.

<a href="/buildings/swanston-square-551-swanston-street-carlton">Project database</a> and <a href="/news">Forum thread</a>

<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/Number%204_swanston%20sq.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Early construction progress at Swanston Square "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Number%204_swanston%20sq.jpg?itok=QedtoI0G" title="Early construction progress at Swanston Square " typeof="Image"></a>

 

3. Prima Pearl, Southbank

Why do we like it? Besides the fact it will stand 254 metres once completed and that it is the tallest tower under construction in Australia at present, Prima Pearl apartments are being constructed in an area of Southbank which will soon boast even more 200m+ towers.  Even at an early stage of construction, the quality of the glass and the form of this building will ensure that it will really stand out amongst the crowd in years to come.   

<a href="/buildings/prima-tower-31-queensbridge-street-southbank">Project database</a> and <a href="/news">Forum thread</a>

<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/Number%203_prima.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Prima Pearl under construction."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Number%203_prima.jpg?itok=NH4g6bWg" title="Prima Pearl under construction." typeof="Image"></a>

 

2. The Commons, Brunswick

Why do we like it? In terms of sustainable living in Melbourne or anywhere in the world for that matter, this building certainly pushes the boundaries, and we <a href="http://urbanmelbourne.info/development/2013/04/01/is-this-melbournes-best-new-residential-development#content">love</a> it! The Commons sits in a current hot bed of <a href="http://urbanmelbourne.info/development/2013/05/14/anstey-in-development">development</a> and is being developed by Small Giants who have incorporated the expertise of Breathe Architects to produce a building with an incredible 8 star energy rating! Great effort! 

<a href="/new-apartments/brunswick-vic-3056">Project database</a> and <a href="/news">Forum thread</a>

<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/number%202_the%20commons.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Commons and a new horizon."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/number%202_the%20commons.jpg?itok=odrYJ6eW" title="The Commons and a new horizon." typeof="Image"></a>

 

1. The Quays, Docklands

Why do we like it?  Well.... what's not to like about The Quays. The developer, MAB Corporation and architects McBride Charles Ryan started with a tricky site to work with, but they have managed to deliver an astonishing pair of towers and podium that complement the site effortlessly for today and into the future. The flowing podium &amp; tower form builds on the Conder's curves and provides a nice contrast with the existing block-centric towers of the original NewQuay towers to the West.  We will never get sick of MCR's use of purple! Our Number 1.

<a href="/buildings/the-quays-231-harbour-esplanade-docklands">Project database</a> and <a href="/news">Forum thread</a>

<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/number%201_the%20quays.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Quays, almost completed."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/number%201_the%20quays.jpg?itok=bWHcA6Hd" title="The Quays, almost completed." typeof="Image"></a>

 

What do you think of our Top 5? Did we get it right, or are we horribly wrong? Tell us what your Top 5 residential projects under construction are at the moment by using our <a href="/developments">Project Database</a> as a reference.
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Urban.com.au's Top 5 Picks: Under Construction June 2013

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If I were to simply mention Lygon Street, most would automatically assume I was talking about Little Italia in Carlton. Approximately 2km North of the cafés, pizzerias and gelato shoppes of Carlton, Lygon Street, East Brunswick has turned into a nightlife and development hotspot. Truth be known Lygon Street is the border of Brunswick and East Brunswick however many of the locals simply refer to both sides of the street as East Brunswick, much like Smith Street is the border between Fitzroy and Collingwood and "Smith St Collingwood" is the generally accepted locale reference, 

The 1.2 km stretch of Lygon Street intersecting with Brunswick Road to the south and Albion Street to the north is a hotbed of bars &amp; pubs, wholesale outlets, restaurants, brothels, unique retailers, derelict buildings, some remnant light industry - you name it, it's got it. Of particular interest to the myself and other UM staff members are the breweries and craft beer venues that have recently flourished, yet the area is also seeing substantial interest from developers keen to leverage off this neighbourhood's appeal and as UrbanMelbourne does, we've tracked all major projects from proposal through to construction.

UrbanMelbourne earlier this year touched upon the <a href="/news/transforming-australian-cities-a-must-read" target="_blank">Transforming Australian Cities</a> strategy that aims to focus higher-density development along existing public transport corridors and the strategy maintains new development should be low to mid-rise.  Blessed with 2 tram routes running on the one track - the #1 and #8 - Lygon Street sees very high frequency of service between Moreland Road (further north) to  Swanston Street where the two lines merge with others tram services at Melbourne University.  Throw in a healthy mix of cross-town bus routes on key East-West arterials, <a href="/news/bus-routes-which-need-improvement-the-506" target="_blank">although many of the individual bus routes could be improved</a>, an existing &amp; thriving retail sector and you have a recipe which can sustain a higher residential and working population.

As the gallery (page bottom) shows, many recent builds and new apartments are forming a street wall approximately 3-4 levels high, with setbacks forming small-scale towers beyond - this is important as it demonstrates we can build more density into existing areas whilst maintaining streetscape sun penetration.

To date Lygon Street has mainly attracted residential development, but one wonders if this will always remain the case given the excellent connectivity and general appeal of the area.  Below is a list of the projects UrbanMelbourne is monitoring and no doubt there'll be many more to come over the years.

<a href="/new-apartments/brunswick-vic-3056">Upper Lygon - 457-459 Lygon Street.</a>

Under Construction

<img alt="" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/project-renders/Building%20Exterior%20-%20Low%20Res.jpg" style="width: 710px; height: 487px;">

 

<a href="http://urbanmelbourne.info/projects/moreland/kale-apartments-455-lygon-st-brunswick#content" target="_blank">Kale Apartments - 455 Lygon Street.</a>

Registration &amp; Sales

<img alt="" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/project-renders/2010294544_1_FS.JPG" style="width: 710px; height: 600px;">

 

<a href="/buildings/stratus-360-lygon-street-brunswick-east" target="_blank">Stratus - 360 Lygon Street.</a>

Under construction

<img alt="" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/project-renders/00-RENDER001-Exterior_Crn-Victoria-Lygon_001.jpg" style="width: 710px; height: 611px;">

 

The East - 280 Lygon Street.

Registration &amp; Sales

<img alt="" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/project-renders/front%20facade%20web.jpg" style="width: 710px; height: 449px;">

 

<a href="/buildings/joulia-200-lygon-street-brunswick-east" target="_blank">Joulia - 200 Lygon Street</a>

Under Construction

<img alt="" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/project-renders/22_F1002064C_119.jpg" style="width: 710px; height: 473px;">

 

<a href="/buildings/tip-top-brunswick-170-edward-street-brunswick-east" target="_blank">Tip Top - 170 Edward Street</a>

Under Construction

<img alt="" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/project-renders/image-tools.php__3.jpg" style="width: 710px; height: 473px;">

 

<a href="/buildings/seamstress-11-13-lygon-street-brunswick-east">11-13 Lygon Street</a>

Approved

<img alt="" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/project-renders/Lygon_03_4ea5eff92f20f.jpg" style="width: 710px; height: 395px;">

 

<a href="/buildings/8-lygon-street-brunswick-east" target="_blank">6-20 Lygon Street</a>

Approved

<img alt="" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/project-renders/residential-multi-2_src_3_0.jpg" style="width: 710px; height: 459px;">

 

Below is a gallery of some recent construction images taken by UrbanMelbourne.info staff on Lygon Street, East Brunswick
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Hotspots: Lygon Street, East Brunswick

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Consider Wilson Street, South Yarra a snapshot of Melbourne at large. For so long a light commercial area typified by a multitude of single level factories, Wilson Street like Melbourne all over has seen an ever increasing number of residential projects take root as developers ride the increasing popularity of apartment living. There are now five apartment buildings at different stages of the development cycle along Wilson Street.

As old factories disappear, medium rise apartment buildings take their place in what seems to be South Yarra's back blocks of strength. Nearby Garden Street and Simmons Street are also subject to mid-rise proposals. While this pocket may not have the size and glitz of a Forest Hill precinct address nearby, they're equally well if not better positioned in accessing Chapel Street's many offerings.

Pure, Kudos, WLSN and Mode shown below will together yield 111 new apartments and conceivably 200+ new residents to the area.

<a href="/buildings/pure-apartments-42-wilson-street-south-yarra" target="_blank">Pure Apartments - 42 Wilson Street</a>. Registration &amp; Sales

<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/Image1_16_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Pure Apartments - 42 Wilson Street, South Yarra. Image © pureapartments.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Image1_16_0.jpg?itok=1VwEgdrG" title="Pure Apartments - 42 Wilson Street, South Yarra. Image © pureapartments.com.au" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

<a href="/new-apartments/kudos-26-wilson-st-south-yarra">Kudos - 26 Wilson Street</a>. Registration &amp; Sales

<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/Image10_0_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Kudos - 26 Wilson St, South Yarra. Image courtesy moneychoice.com"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Image10_0_0.jpg?itok=9WZTSAtF" title="Kudos - 26 Wilson St, South Yarra. Image courtesy moneychoice.com" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

<a href="/buildings/the-wlsn-7-wilson-street-south-yarra" target="_blank">WLSN Apartments - 7 Wilson Street</a>. Under construction

<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/Image9_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The WLSN - 7 Wilson St, South Yarra. Image © thewlsn.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Image9_4.jpg?itok=PGp1Xxe9" title="The WLSN - 7 Wilson St, South Yarra. Image © thewlsn.com.au" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

<a href="/buildings/mode-25-wilson-street-south-yarra" target="_blank">Mode Apartments - 25 Wilson Street</a>. Under construction

<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/1_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Mode - 25 Wilson St, South Yarra. Image courtesy Proalliance"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/1_1.jpg?itok=mpHeKnlF" title="Mode - 25 Wilson St, South Yarra. Image courtesy Proalliance" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

Add to these the latest and largest development nearing the starters gun with images below depicting 31-43 Wilson Street. Abutting Mode Apartments the site is currently under control of Valeo Construction and under demolition. Details are limited but images via Fraher Design 3D show a large nine level apartment complex with active street frontage to Wilson Street. Underground carpark access is seemingly via Garden Lane to the rear of the building while a north-south passage and lobby is also visible. Looking remarkably similar to A Place To Live apartments on Burnley Street, Richmond one could make the assumption that SJB Architects may well be responsible for the design.

Projects such as those above certainly don't garner the media attention (or hysterical response for that matter) of the high rises through Melbourne's CBD and Southbank, yet are no less important to the overall apartment stock. What is happening in Wilson Street is happening Melbourne over, the rapid increase in mid-rise apartment buildings during the past few years has been impressive, and shows no sign of abating.
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The Wilson Street microcosm

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As a follow-up piece to my recent <a href="/news/anstey-in-colour" target="_blank">Anstey in Colour</a> piece, today we'll dissect the growing number of apartment buildings surrounding Anstey Station and the subsequent change in the area's urban character. Below the reader will find more questions than answers, designed to provoke thought more than anything else.

Firstly though a brief outline of the area's recent and ongoing renewal into an apartment enclave.

<iframe frameborder="0" height="375" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?msa=0&amp;msid=211205020527797360410.0004dc970867eec7df460&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;t=m&amp;ll=-37.762437,144.961295&amp;spn=0.005937,0.00912&amp;z=16&amp;output=embed" width="100%"></iframe> View <a href="https://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?msa=0&amp;msid=211205020527797360410.0004dc970867eec7df460&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;t=m&amp;ll=-37.762437,144.961295&amp;spn=0.005937,0.00912&amp;z=16&amp;source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Anstey in Development</a> in a larger map

Completed (Yellow)                                         Under construction (Red)                                            At sales (Green)

20 Breese Street - Anstey Square                 <a href="/new-apartments/brunswick-vic-3056">7 Florence Street - The Commons </a>                            <a href="/buildings/the-wilkinson-33-breese-street-brunswick" target="_blank">33 Breese Street - The Wilkinson</a>

10-12 Breese Street                                        <a href="/buildings/geox-37-breese-street-brunswick" target="_blank">37 Breese Street - Geox Apartments</a>                          <a href="/buildings/host-of-brunswick-8-hope-street-brunswick" target="_blank">10-14 Hope Street - Shimalli</a>

32 Breese Street                                              <a href="/buildings/westside-4-west-street-brunswick" target="_blank">4 west street - Westside Apartments</a>

28 Breese Street                                              8 Hope Street                                                                  Impending development (Purple)

3 Florence Street                                                                                                                                         26 Breese Street

208 Albion street                                                                                                                                         16 Hope Street

Revisiting Anstey in Colour, I noted that light industrial inner city areas such as Anstey are ripe for higher density apartment living. Sandwiched between Sydney Road and the Upfield rail line in an already highly desirable area to live, Anstey is dominated by single level factories and presents a golden opportunity to implement a sustainable higher density outcome while still being sympathetic to the area's urban character.

Currently the area has a very much unscripted feel about it. Florence and Breese Street below typifies the contrast of older dwellings heavy with charm and newer, albeit far more sterile apartment complexes. Given these new developments carry little of no retail offering and seemingly shun street activity, the average passer-by is left with little to no stimulus.

<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_7873.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The contrast of Florence Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Img_7873.jpg?itok=frgq0Wqm" title="The contrast of Florence Street" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

The under construction Westside Apartments (below Left) is very much symptomatic of the new wave of apartment developments in the area. A small block leads to full site utilisation with little room for other features or meaningful street activation. Aesthetically OK when viewed in isolation, the issue arises when multiple versions of developments such as Westside meet wall to wall and maintain the same lack of street level acknowledgement.

Enter the current eastern side of Breese Street (below right). The sum of the whole seems to be a far worse outcome than what each development brings in isolation. No setbacks, narrow footpaths, wide roads (in parts) and no street level activation - is smart urban design present here?

<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_4997_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Westside apartments (left) with Breese Street. Render © westsideapartments.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Img_4997_1.jpg?itok=2ulvHBUs" title="Westside apartments (left) with Breese Street. Render © westsideapartments.com.au" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

What could have been achieved though with minor changes at minimal expense? The image below shows the Anstey Square redevelopment with 10-12 Breese Street to its right. Simple changes or Council clauses could have been incorporated during the design and approval process to make this a far superior outcome to what was built in recent years.

Given the areas impressive catalogue of street art which will diminish over time as more sites are developed, the precast panels for instance facing Breese Street would have represented a perfect opportunity to allocate each panel to an artist for a tasteful mural, possibly recognising the site or the immediate area's history. This would have brought vibrancy and an element of interest to the street scape.

<a href="http://urbanmelbourne.info/development/2013/04/01/is-this-melbournes-best-new-residential-development" target="_blank">7 Florence Street</a> aside, the lack of incorporated greenery through these new apartment developments is highly noticeable. Coupled with an already desolate streetscape, these new apartment developments add very little greenery resulting in a somewhat hostile environment at ground level. Creepers over the fence line or vertical gardens heading up the buildings precast concrete elements would have provided immense urban returns for minimal outlay. And what of simple fixed planter boxes along the roof line of these buildings?

<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_4990.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="20 Breese Street / Anstey Square with 10-12 Breese Street to the rear"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Img_4990.jpg?itok=yUkbQXJ1" title="20 Breese Street / Anstey Square with 10-12 Breese Street to the rear" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

Where does City of Moreland stand in this? This area demonstrates rapid-fire development without a cohesive, overarching structure plan. It may well have one, but if it does it's average at best. Herein lies the worth of development structure plans, height limits aside they should seek to enrich the urban character of an area, to make an area better than what is was prior . Is it worth Council imposing a minimal levy per every apartment sold from this point on in order to fund improvement works? Simple and relatively cheap options such as removing every fifth parallel carpark and replacing those spaces with water sensitive raised garden beds doubling as seating allows the built form to be broken up,  increases amenity/shade and a provides place for individuals to congregate and interact.

Ultimately the purpose of this article is to portray the notion that minor changes, even retrospectively can lead to major urban gains. Anstey Station's surrounds still has tremendous scope for development, here's hoping that's matched with an shift in attitudes by developers, architects and council alike.

To that end Laurence will reveal a spectacular Blockhead concept for the redevelopment of Brunswick Market tomorrow. Central to the Anstey area and the primary driver in attracting people traffic through the immediate area, the concept will try to balance commercial realities with heightened environmental, urban and design principles.

 

Further images of Anstey below
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Anstey in Development

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When people say "Lygon Street", many will automatically think of Melbourne's Little Italy, just beyond the CBD and Trades Hall in Carlton.  Indeed many residents of our city don't really associate Lygon Street with Brunswick, let alone are aware of the change that it is rapidly coming to the fore on this inner north urban thoroughfare.

Lygon Street East Brunswick is also rapidly gaining a reputation for being one of Melbourne's craft beer hubs. Temple and Thunder Road breweries are now located and producing either side of the street; The Alehouse Project, Atticus Finch, Eydies, Mr Wilkinson and many other bars in the area place a strong emphasis on sourcing their beer from micro breweries, be they Victorian or interstate.

The same stretch of street is starting to feel like it is urbanising faster than you can order 2 pints of Holgate Temptress @ The Alehouse.   From Brunswick Road in the south to Albion Street in the North, Lygon St East Brunswick is fast becoming the poster-child of appropriate retrofitting of existing urban areas to increase urban density with a genuine focus on Public and non-motorised Transport. 

The Stratus project, located at 360 Lygon Street in Brunswick East, is a perfect example of how the principles in the <a href="/news/transforming-australian-cities-a-must-read" target="_blank">Transforming Australian Cities</a> strategy are more or less being implemented outside the City of Melbourne LGA.

The new development is currently under construction, designed by <a href="http://maparchitecture.com.au" target="_blank">MAP Architecture</a>, developed by <a href="http://www.blueearth.com.au/">Blue Earth Group</a> with interiors by <a href="http://eadesandbergman.com/project/stratus/" target="_blank">Eades &amp; Bergman</a>. 

<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/00-RENDER003-Exterior_Victoria-Look-Down_001_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image © Fraher Design 3D"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/00-RENDER003-Exterior_Victoria-Look-Down_001_0.jpg?itok=MoAk9bwd" title="Image © Fraher Design 3D" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

<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/00-RENDER001-Exterior_Crn-Victoria-Lygon_001_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image © Fraher Design 3D"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/00-RENDER001-Exterior_Crn-Victoria-Lygon_001_0.jpg?itok=PXQ5UeH8" title="Image © Fraher Design 3D" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>Ticking the Transforming Australian Cities strategy boxes:

<ul>
<li>The building is 7 floors high and therefore is roughly the same height as Lygon Street is wide.  </li>
	<li>The building is higher at the street boundary and is set back further from the street, minimising impact on the residential areas beyond the main thoroughfare</li>
	<li>Strong active frontages on Lygon Street.</li>
	<li>Vehicular access is from the rear of the building.</li>
</ul>
Kudos to MAP for also integrating a stand-out green to both the awning (where many existing buildings generally have ordinary awnings, Stratus does not!) above the Lygon Street footpath and the picture frame-like crown facing Lygon Street.  

Editorial deadline constraints prevented me from contacting Blue Earth for comment in time (I'll try for a follow up in the next week or two), however UrbanMelbourne will endeavour to frequently highlight how the urban small is just as important, if not just as exciting, as the urban tall.  

Based on the sheer volume of projects currently either gearing up or in full swing all around metropolitan Melbourne, which you can all witness for yourselves in our <a href="/developments" target="_blank">Project Map</a>, it is pleasing to see the principles of the <a href="/news/transforming-australian-cities-a-must-read" target="_blank">Transforming Australian Cities</a> strategy are being implemented by the organisations which are key to building Melbourne's urban future. 

 
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