<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>A local Australian has spent a Lower North Shore record $15.1 million at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/elevate-hume-place-crows-nest-25-hume-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Elevate Hume Place</a>, the new TOD above the recently opened Crows Nest Metro Station.</p>

<p>The buyer amalgamated a penthouse and sub-penthouse to create the triplex apartment that will have five bedrooms, five bathrooms, a private rooftop pool, expansive terrace, and panoramic views of Sydney Harbour and skyline. The building is being created by burgeoning developer Third.i, alongside joint venture partner Phoenix Property Investors.</p>

<p>The buyer was drawn to Elevate’s unrivalled connectivity, situated directly above the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/crows-nest-nsw-2065">Crows Nest</a> Metro Station, and the vibrant lifestyle precinct that surrounds it. The Metro connects to the CBD in just seven minutes, and Chatswood in four.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=142550 project_image_fid=309367]</p>

<p>Designed by internationally acclaimed architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a>, Elevate draws inspiration from the ancient blue gum forests native to the area. The building is a Net Zero development, created in consultation with Indigenous communities and exceeding sustainability benchmarks. Interiors feature chevron-engineered timber flooring, natural stone benchtops, and premium Sub-Zero Wolf appliances, delivering timeless elegance and next-level comfort.</p>

<p>The exchange of the $15.1 million apartment, follows a recent $5 million sale, and over $30 million currently in expressions of interests. Interest in Elevate’s penthouse stock has surged, reflecting a strong appetite for ultra-luxury residences that combine design excellence with unmatched connectivity.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=142550 project_image_fid=309369]</p>

<p>“We’re seeing a significant uptick in interest from local and international buyers who are prioritising connectivity, sustainability, and lifestyle,” said Callum Billinghurst, Head of Sales at Third.i Group.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“These recent sales are a testament to the vision behind Elevate. It’s not just about luxury finishes or panoramic views, it’s about creating homes that are deeply connected to the city and the community. Buyers are responding to that. They want to live somewhere that offers more than just a postcode, they want culture, convenience, and long-term value. Elevate delivers all of that, and more.”</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=142550 project_image_fid=297878]</p>

<p>As part of the Hume Place precinct, Elevate is transforming Crows Nest into Sydney’s most dynamic urban village. Elevate’s unique position directly above the metro, combined with its curated amenity offering, has made it a magnet for buyers seeking a future-proof investment and a vibrant urban lifestyle.</p>

<p>The next release at Elevate is expected later this year.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=142550]</p>


“We’re seeing a significant uptick in interest from local and international buyers who are prioritising connectivity, sustainability, and lifestyle,” said Callum Billinghurst, Head of Sales at Third.i Group


Joel Robinson

Third.i & PPI set Lower North Shore apartment record with $15.1m sale at Elevate Hume Place penthouse amalgamation

<p>Sydney developer Deicorp is set to officially open its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/hills-showground-village-castle-hill-2-mandala-parade-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Showground Village</a> precinct in Castle Hill.</p>

<p>NSW Premier Chris Minns will attend the opening on Sunday August 31, alongside&nbsp;Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, The Hills Shire Council Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne, Landcom CEO Alex Wendler, and Deicorp Founder Fouad Deiri.</p>

<p>Located just moments from Hills Showground Metro Station, the centre spans 9,500 sqm across four levels and features 26 specialty retailers as well as a 1,400 sqm public plaza, creating a new community meeting point for shopping, dining, fitness, and everyday convenience.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Showground Village forms part of the Hills Showground Station Precinct, an urban renewal initiative led by Landcom and Sydney Metro that will provide for around 2,300 new jobs over the next 20 years and around 9,000 new homes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Deicorp was recently approved for another new development next door to Showground Village.</p>

<p>The new five residential buildings in the East Showgrounds Precinct, will see another 873 dwellings delivered, as well as&nbsp;3,500 sqm of open public space in the form of landscaped courtyards, a public park and communal outdoor recreational space including a playground, barbeque area, and outdoor seating.</p>

<p>“This approval will allow us to start construction on a range of beautifully designed, conveniently located apartments and create another vibrant, walkable and well-connected community,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/deicorp" target="">Deicorp</a>&nbsp;Founder Fouad Deiri.</p>

<p>“These new homes will provide their residents with a seamless connection to jobs and services along Metro North West, and the new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/hills-showground-village-castle-hill-2-mandala-parade-castle-hill" target="">Hills Showground Village</a>&nbsp;retail precinct currently under construction."</p>

<p>Deicorp has several thousand apartments in planning and under construction across Sydney, from Zetland and Five Dock to Crows Nest and Macquarie Park.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=133881]</p>


Deicorp, NSW Premier officially open Showground Village, new retail and hospitality hub in Castle Hill

<p>ASX-listed developer Cedar Woods is progressing its plans for its Southbank arts precinct site.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The developer has filed plans, which are now with the&nbsp;Department of Transport and Planning, for a new 20-level tower at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/141-151-sturt-street-southbank-vic-3006">141–151 Sturt Street</a>, a 2,718 sqm block opposite the Habitat Filter sculpture.</p>

<p>The proposal seeks to demolish the two-level&nbsp;commercial building, including a small supermarket and medical tenancies, and create a new building with 180 apartments and a focus on an&nbsp;active public realm and arts integration.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Southbank site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="76a72db6-91ef-43ae-827d-a9cfa72893d2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Site.png?VersionId=DZgtB4K6BswVh0QtCs3iLjXaLp0CbcEb" /></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>There will be a full mix of apartment configurations, including 28 studio apartments, 16 one-bedroom, 104 two-bedroom, and 32 three-bedroom units.</p>

<p>Retail, creative arts, and residential amenity functions are integrated across the lower levels. A food and drink tenancy is planned to front Dodds Street, while a retail tenancy fronting Sturt Street will be accessed via an elevated walkway. The first floor includes a substantial 734 sqm creative arts space, envisioned to support Melbourne’s growing cultural and digital industries.</p>

<p>Architecture firm <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has put together the plans. In their&nbsp;Urban Design Report they highlighted the project’s ambition to embed itself within Southbank’s evolving cultural fabric.</p>

<p>A central feature of the design is a through-block link connecting Sturt and Dodds Streets, landscaped with native plantings and embedded with universal access ramps.</p>

<p>“The ramp has been thoughtfully integrated as the primary access point, ensuring universal accessibility for all users,” the report noted, with the link offering “a direct response to the urban planning scheme of creating more green spaces within our communities”.</p>

<p><img alt="Southbank podium" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4d24b1b2-d69c-4a11-a11d-ec6df432221c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/podium.png?VersionId=geWoJyZDmPSLODZ_.PNJ0LvpOmyyCdpo" /></p>

<p>The building’s podium form responds to the mandatory height limits along Dodds Street and maintains a fine-grain interface to adjoining developments. Above the podium, the tower is articulated with recessed balconies and a focus on views toward the CBD and surrounding arts institutions. A communal rooftop recreation deck and indoor lounge are positioned on level four, adjoining seven apartments and providing over 900 sqm of resident amenity space.</p>

<p>Vehicle access and loading will be provided via Dodds Street, with 155 resident car spaces located across two basement levels and the first three above-ground floors. Bicycle storage is more generous, with 226 spaces distributed across resident, staff and visitor needs.</p>

<p>Rothelowman describes the architecture as “humanist,” with ground-level interfaces designed to encourage social interaction and provide a dignified entry for both residents and passers-by. “All street interfaces are crafted to invite and nurture human connections,” the design report states. “The façade transitions to a human scale, providing an approachable and engaging streetscape”.</p>

<p>Cedar Woods, while well-known for its large communities it develops outside of Australia's capital cities, they have recently developed in Melbourne's inner-ring before. They are approaching completion at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/88-leveson-north-melbourne-88-leveson-street-north-melbourne-vic-3051">88 Leveson</a>, just 15 townhouses in the heart of North Melbourne.</p>


Cedar Woods progresses with new apartment plans in Southbank arts precinct

<p>Brisbane developers Core Property Partners and Vector Property Australia has teamed up for Brisbane's newest apartment development.</p>

<p>The duo identified <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/east-brisbane-qld-4169">East Brisbane</a> as their preferred suburb, on the fringe of the Gabba Precinct, where they've just revealed BANKSII, 72 apartments opposite Raymond Park.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=136432 project_image_fid=5481]</p>

<p>The one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments will sit in a glass-wrapped building that will also feature a rooftop with an&nbsp;infinity-edge pool, a BBQ area and alfresco dining spaces, sun lounges, and a sauna, as well as a resident-only gym and a ground-floor cafe.</p>

<p>Rhett Williams, Director of Vector Property Australia, said the project will lift the quality of the East Brisbane community and set a new benchmark.</p>

<p>"In Brisbane’s current property landscape, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/banksii-east-brisbane-169-wellington-road-east-brisbane-qld-4169">BANKSII</a> stands out through its emphasis on lifestyle-oriented living, connectivity and sophisticated design," Williams says.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=136432 project_image_fid=5479]</p>

<p>The 10-level building has been designed by MAS Architecture. Their designs were inspired by the native Banksia flower, with the architecture and interiors reflecting the organic symmetry of its namesake flora. MAS has interpreted this throughout the building’s curved form, façade detailing and interior palette.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The building’s flowing geometry and natural tones are complemented by large balconies and floor-to-ceiling glazing, maximising cross-breezes, daylight and views over the city, parklands and river.</p>

<p>“Having a strong narrative for a building helps us architecturally,” MAS noted. "We can choose colours that come off that species of flowers. The trunk and the trees and the flower elements all are now visible in our joinery on the inside and in our architectural finishes on the outside."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=136432 project_image_fid=5485]</p>

<p>Apartments will feature timber floors, soft porcelain tiles, brushed bronze fittings, and stone benchtops with warm veining.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kitchens feature premium SMEG appliances and generous storage, while bathrooms have been designed as calming retreats with curved cabinetry and twin sinks in the master ensuites.</p>

<p>The building will feature a suite of rooftop and wellness amenities. Residents will have access to an infinity-edge pool, BBQ and alfresco dining areas, sun lounges and a rooftop sauna.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A residents-only gym will be located on the podium level, while a ground-floor café and landscaped laneway will further activate the site and improve neighbourhood connectivity.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=136432 project_image_fid=5488]</p>

<p>BANKSII will rise from a prime Wellington Road site, with the building oriented to overlook the adjacent Raymond Park and take in extensive city views. It is also on the doorstep of key&nbsp;lifestyle infrastructure, including the future Kangaroo Point Green Bridge, The Gabba stadium, and the planned Brisbane Live arena.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Public transport options, including ferry, bus and rail - including the future Cross River Rail Woolloongabba station - are all nearby, supporting a car-optional lifestyle just minutes from the CBD.</p>

<p>Williams said the team spent over a year searching for the ideal site before securing this location.</p>

<p>"We were attracted to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/east-brisbane-qld-4169">East Brisbane</a> as it is a vibrant and growing community that offers a perfect balance of urban convenience and natural beauty with the parklands and river on our doorstep.”</p>

<p>The project is part of the broader Woolloongabba Games precinct, which is undergoing significant investment in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. This urban renewal, coupled with infrastructure upgrades, is expected to enhance long-term liveability and capital growth in the area.</p>

<p>Given the wide max of configurations, BANKSII is expected to suit everyone from first home buyers and investors to families and downsizers.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136432]</p>


BANKSII sales launch in booming East Brisbane apartment market

<p>The Minns Labor Government will deliver Sydney’s first new heavy rail station in more than a decade – enabling up to 10,000 new homes by rezoning land around Woollahra and Edgecliff stations, right next to the CBD, to tackle the housing crisis and rebalance growth across the city.</p>

<p>Recent reports by the NSW Productivity Commission have warned that Sydney is losing twice as many young people as it is gaining, while also finding that Woollahra is the most feasible Local Government Area (LGA) in New South Wales to build new housing.</p>

<p>Despite this, housing approvals in Woollahra consistently lag well behind other LGAs, and the population has declined by 11 per cent over the past 50 years while Greater Sydney as a whole has grown by 74 per cent.</p>

<p>The new station that will be an eight-minute trip from Sydney CBD, will be located on the Eastern Suburbs train line in Woollahra, where a station build was started in the 1970s but never completed.</p>

<p>To enable the delivery of new homes the NSW Government will lead a rezoning of Woollahra and Edgecliff stations similar to other state led rezonings to allow additional homes to be built around the stations.</p>

<p>Affordable housing will also make up a proportion of development on the site with the final amount of affordable housing required, to be determined as part of the rezoning process.</p>

<p>The area surrounding the new station is within walking distance of major green and recreational space including Cooper, Trumper, Rushcutters Bay and Centennial Parks.</p>

<p>The Eastern Suburbs train line between Bondi Junction and Sydney CBD also has the lowest passenger usage rates during the AM peak of any line on the Sydney network, with only 43 per cent of operating capacity during the AM peak currently being utilised by passengers.</p>

<p>Sydney Water and Infrastructure NSW have confirmed there is capacity in the water and wastewater systems to accommodate the proposed 10,000 dwellings without major upgrades.</p>

<p>The rezoning is expected to take around two years and will further support the Government’s housing targets that rebalance the delivery of new homes around existing infrastructure.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Next stop Woollahra train station - delivering up to 10,000 new homes in the heart of Sydney

Tower Cranes

<html><body>
<p>Anyone thinking Melbourne's construction activity is slowing may want to consider the all-time high number of tower cranes currently in use across Melbourne.</p>

<p>This current instalment of the Apartments.com.au Crane Count sees 165 in use, propelled by strong commercial construction activity and the propensity of many smaller-scale builders to employ tower cranes across projects which in the past have not warranted such units.</p>

<p>The takeaway point of this count is the rise and rise of commercial construction activity, heralding the beginning of another peak in the commercial construction cycle. This is especially evident along Collins Street which has seen tower cranes pop up in strong numbers.</p>

<p>By pooling varied resources and conducting a physical count, we believe the census to be accurate to within 1-2 units.</p>

<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_9999.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The CBD's west end is awash with new tower cranes."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="738" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_9999.jpg?itok=awJHk2pq" title="The CBD's west end is awash with new tower cranes." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The CBD's west end is awash with new tower cranes.</figcaption></figure><h2>The rise and rise of Melbourne</h2>

<p>The current record high mark for tower cranes across Melbourne continues the upward trend observed by Apartments.com.au that stems <a href="/news/the-cranes-have-it-a-melbourne-construction-overview">back to 2013</a>. In that year 97 tower cranes were in use across metropolitan Melbourne, and of those 65 were committed to residential projects. <a href="/news/the-biannual-urbancomau-crane-census-july-2014">2014</a> added another 10 units to reach at total of 107.</p>

<p><a href="/news/the-biannual-urbancomau-crane-count-march-2015">March 2015</a> jumped to 131 in use (with 91 dedicated to residential), whilst <a href="/news/a-new-record-urbancomaus-october-2015-crane-count">later that year</a> the number rose further to 144.</p>

<p><a href="/news/pulse-of-the-construction-industry-melbourne-tower-crane-count-march-2016">Early last year</a> another benchmark was achieved at 161, and whilst the number tapered off to 140 during <a href="/news/finger-on-the-pulse-metropolitan-melbourne-crane-count-march-2017">summer 2016/2017</a>, the current surge in commercial projects has once again propelled the tower crane count across Melbourne to new highs.</p>

<p>Earlier this year 10 of tower cranes were employed on commercial projects. Currently that figure stands at 21, with the prospects of it increasing over the next few months exceedingly strong.</p>

<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_0823aa.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Trilby in Collingwood received its tower crane during mid October"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="378" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_0823aa.jpg?itok=isRsP1Zs" title="Trilby in Collingwood received its tower crane during mid October" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Trilby in Collingwood received its tower crane during mid October</figcaption></figure><h2>A sign of the times</h2>

<p>Recent weeks have also seen first time tower cranes erected for two builders in a continuing sign of the changing dynamic at the lower end of the residential construction sector.</p>

<p>Aspekt Construction Group have a unit in service for Hawthorn Club Apartments whilst Atelier Projects have just seen the installation of a tower crane for the Grocon-backed Greenwich Fairfield. Having another builder deliver the 77 apartments sees Grocon a long way from its halcyon days of being the undisputed builder of choice in Melbourne.</p>

<p>In the weeks ahead tower cranes are likely to appear for boutique construction companies ARC3 and Marcus Group, whch are aligned with established builders Buildcorp Commercial and ABD Group respectively.</p>

<h2>Ending on oddities</h2>

<p>It's not all residential and commercial across Melbourne.</p>

<p>Two oddball projects are sporting tower cranes at the moment. Over the weekend MCG Cranes commissioned a tower crane for Hacer on their Waratah Place Zone Substation build in the CBD. Spanning Heffernan Lane to Waratah Place, the build will eventually see a CO-OP Studio-designed structure built with interactive facades to both laneways.</p>

<p>Another irregular project sees a tower crane in Marr Contracting colours plying its trade at the Mobil Altona Refinery. The Sydney-based heavy lift tower crane firm is a rare sight in Melbourne.</p>

<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/heffernan.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hacer sees another crane in the skyline with its markings. Images: MCG Cranes"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="431" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/heffernan.jpg?itok=-b_oxwpk" title="Hacer sees another crane in the skyline with its markings. Images: MCG Cranes" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Hacer sees another crane in the skyline with its markings. Images: MCG Cranes</figcaption></figure>
</body></html>

silvermb

Its a record! Metropolitan Melbourne crane count November 2017

<html><body>
<p>Melbourne's construction sector and the local development industry at large is showing a high degree of resilience, as tower cranes continue to populate the skyline in healthy numbers.</p>

<p>Despite predictions and warnings of an easing in the apartment sector in particular, Apartments.com.au has this city's tower crane count currently at a strong 140, just short of the October 2015 figure of 144 and well above the July 2014 figure of 107. Although holding strong at 140, the figure is well short of this city's high benchmark of <a href="/news/pulse-of-the-construction-industry-melbourne-tower-crane-count-march-2016">161 achieved during March last year</a>. </p>

<p>This current instalment of the Apartments.com.au Crane Count also sees a number of firsts, with peripheral suburbs such as Mernda and Werribee South in the tower crane mix for the first time, as is Spanish tower crane manufacturer Saez who's units are beginning to appear across Melbourne.</p>

<p>By pooling varied resources and conducting a physical count, we believe the census to be accurate to within 1-2 units.</p>

<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_7192.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Saez have landed in Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="417" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_7192.jpg?itok=Un9Q_ZFi" title="Saez have landed in Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Saez have landed in Melbourne</figcaption></figure><h2>Residential...and then the rest</h2>

<p>Apartments projects are as always dominant in the census - all bar 21 of the 140 units around Melbourne are devoted to residential builds.</p>

<p>The vast majority of tower cranes are perched above low and medium density residential projects; although not in the limelight relative to their inner city, high-rise equivalents, these smaller projects continue to be the unheralded driver of Melbourne's development scene.</p>

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 578px;"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 289px;">Purpose</td>
			<td style="width: 279px;">Number in use</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 289px;">High-density Residential</td>
			<td style="width: 279px;">119</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 289px;">Commercial and Civic</td>
			<td style="width: 279px;">10</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 289px;">Health and Research</td>
			<td style="width: 279px;">5</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 289px;">Student Accommodation</td>
			<td style="width: 279px;">4</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 289px;">Hotel accommodation</td>
			<td style="width: 279px;">2</td>
		</tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>The bulge continues</h2>

<p>A trend that continues to intensify is the outward spread of tower cranes into some of Melbourne's newer suburbs. </p>

<p>As touched upon earlier, Wyndham Harbour at Werribee South is sporting its first tower crane, as is Mernda (although the latter is doing precious little currently). Add the likes of Werribee, Wantirna South, Narre Warren, Berwick and Patterson Lakes, and the spread of tower cranes points to the intensification of development in many of Melbourne's outlying suburbs.</p>

<p>In terms of the middle/outer suburb with the highest tower crane count, there's no surprise that Box Hill takes that honour with 6 in use, and with more to follow.</p>

<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/image13_14.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Werribee South, Berwick and Ringwood are part of the outer suburban spread"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="253" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image13_14.jpg?itok=IoG5h4Ht" title="Werribee South, Berwick and Ringwood are part of the outer suburban spread" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Werribee South, Berwick and Ringwood are part of the outer suburban spread</figcaption></figure><h2>Future intent</h2>

<p>Caydon's Mason Square project on the former Moonee Ponds Market site looms as the single largest project by tower cranes employed. With three currently onsite, a further two will be installed according to provider MCG Cranes in order to deliver the project that will yield Caydon in excess of 1,000 apartments.</p>

<p>Melbourne's commercial construction scene is also due for a boost following a quiet period of construction activity. Projects such as ANZ's 839 Collins Street, Collins Arch and 477 Collins Street are all at early construction whilst 80 Collins Street may well be sporting tower cranes by the next census, as onsite works are progressing on the long delayed project.</p>

<p>Brunswick flanked by Brunswick East and West shape as a forthcoming suburban hot spot for tower cranes, with a healthy number of projects poised to begin construction, or well into their sales campaign.</p>

<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_6510.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="2 of 5 tower cranes for Caydon's latest build"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_6510.jpg?itok=gGtJIq0B" title="2 of 5 tower cranes for Caydon's latest build" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>2 of 5 tower cranes for Caydon's latest build</figcaption></figure>
</body></html>

Finger on the pulse: Metropolitan Melbourne Crane Count March 2017

<html><body>
<p>Has much of anything changed in the past six months regarding Melbourne's commercial construction output? </p>

<p>There has been a spike in tower crane usage throughout Melbourne since the last census conducted during October 2015, contrary to the prediction made by Apartments.com.au. As of last week there were 161 tower cranes (give or take one or two units) plying their trade Melbourne-wide, a noteworthy jump of 17 relative to the October 2015 figure.</p>

<p>Whilst the top end of town remains steady and well served by incumbents such as General Cranes, MCG Cranes, Select Cranes and the like, the majority of growth has occurred in the suburbs where the proliferation of small and medium sized apartment development continues to flourish. Growth in the overall tower crane count is due to a new breed of smaller tower cranes employed to service this growing sector.</p>

<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_1274.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Smaller cranes for smaller builds have become more popular"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1274.jpg?itok=xaf9mRUa" title="Smaller cranes for smaller builds have become more popular" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Smaller cranes for smaller builds have become all the more popular</figcaption></figure><p>Set aside the natural skew toward the City of Melbourne and the numbers reveal a relatively even spread of tower cranes throughout metropolitan Melbourne. Doncaster and Box Hill continue to be apartment hot spots as evidenced by the number of cranes in use through Manningham and Whitehorse. A notable mention also goes to Brunswick East with a handful of projects beginning their skyward path in recent months.</p>

<p>Of the cranes in use, a sizeable 85% are for residential use, including student accommodation and retirement living projects.</p>

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%;"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 314px;">Residential Tower Crane Location</td>
			<td style="width: 174px;">Tower Cranes</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 314px;">Melbourne CBD</td>
			<td style="width: 174px;">19</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 314px;">Docklands - Nth/West/East Melbourne</td>
			<td style="width: 174px;">23</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 314px;">Fishermans Bend/Southbank/Carlton/Parkville</td>
			<td style="width: 174px;">13</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 314px;">Port Phillip - Glen Eira</td>
			<td style="width: 174px;">12</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 314px;">Yarra</td>
			<td style="width: 174px;">12</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 314px;">Moonee Valley - Maribyrnong - Moreland</td>
			<td style="width: 174px;">19</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 314px;">Manningham - Whitehorse - Boroondara</td>
			<td style="width: 174px;">20</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 314px;">Wider metro Melbourne</td>
			<td style="width: 174px;">19</td>
		</tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>A period of firsts</h2>

<p>The past six months have yielded a number of firsts, with the first tower cranes appearing within two urban renewal projects; Fisahermans Bend and Footscray's Joseph Road Precinct.</p>

<p>New logos mounted across Melbourne's skyline are evident with first time users of tower cranes continuing to flow through. The likes of Buildcept, Liberty Builders, AG Constructions and EyeQ Constructions all notching up the milestone of sorts since the last census.</p>

<p>The tallest hammerhead to be used in Melbourne also made its mark atop Brady Group's Vision Tower whilst a sorry MCG Cranes unit continues to sit forlornly atop 150 Queen Street. Achieving precious little over a two year period, the tower crane is a rather overt reminder of the legal struggles that CEL Australia have endured in realising Tower Melbourne.</p>

<h2>Lend Lease powers ahead</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/25092494402_08124fb780_b.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The newest builds within Lend Lease's Victoria Harbour. Image courtesy Oh Yes Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/25092494402_08124fb780_b.jpg?itok=JZasV5FT" title="The newest builds within Lend Lease's Victoria Harbour. Image courtesy Oh Yes Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The newest builds within Lend Lease's Victoria Harbour. Image courtesy Oh Yes Melbourne</figcaption></figure><p>Lend Lease is enjoying a purple patch with 12 tower cranes spread across two large residential developments and RMIT's New Academic Street project. The ever strong Victoria Harbour is currently sporting 6 tower cranes spread over a handful of residential towers which will accommodate near on 1,500 apartments upon completion</p>

<p>Toorak Park is also in full swing with five tower cranes delivering the residential enclave which holds an Orrong Road address. Lend Lease's 12 tower cranes in use sits behind the current 13 employed by Brookfield Multiplex, with residential builder Hamilton Marino in third place with 10 in use.</p>

<p>With Arup signed to Lend Lease's Melbourne Quarter, the developer also has another large-scale Melbourne project set to start.</p>

<h2>High times ahead</h2>

<p>The point at which the next Apartments.com.au Crane Count is conducted will invariably throw up two projects with newly installed tower cranes. Both Australia 108 and Aurora Melbourne Central are roughly tracking square with one another in terms of where they find themselves in construction progression.</p>

<p>The marquee projects will yield in excess of 2,000 private apartments between them and in Aurora's case an additional 200+ serviced apartments.</p>

<p>With build times out to 2019 and beyond, these two skyline defining projects will act as a visible 'backbone' for Melbourne's immense construction boom for some years to come.</p>

<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_1573_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The current state of Aurora Melbourne Central"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1573_0.jpg?itok=QUNDmq6n" title="The current state of Aurora Melbourne Central" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The current state of Aurora Melbourne Central</figcaption></figure>
</body></html>

Pulse of the construction industry: Melbourne tower crane count March 2016

<html><body>
<p>Since the inception of the Apartments.com.au crane count, the number of tower cranes has never failed to decrease on a period to period basis.</p>

<p>This remains the case once more, with the second and final count of 2015 revealing a record number of tower cranes dotted throughout metropolitan Melbourne. At our best assertion, the current number stands at 144. This compares to an October 2014 count of 110 and a <a href="/news/the-biannual-urbancomau-crane-count-march-2015">March 2015 figure of 131</a>.</p>

<p>The continual movement of the figure upwards points toward the exceptionally strong residential sector, which accounts for a massive 81% of all tower cranes currently in use.</p>

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 100%">
<thead><tr>
<th>Sector</th>
			<th>Tower cranes</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Residential</td>
			<td>117</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Commercial</td>
			<td>17</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Education / student housing</td>
			<td>1</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hotel use</td>
			<td>2</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Demolition use</td>
			<td>1</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Health and medical research</td>
			<td>2</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Retail</td>
			<td>4</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Total</strong></td>
			<td><strong>144</strong></td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>South east in form</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_7553.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Chadstone stands as a highly visible project under construction"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_7553.jpg?itok=-SN_aVgi" title="Chadstone stands as a highly visible project under construction" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Chadstone stands as a highly visible project under construction</figcaption></figure><p>Traditionally an area which has lagged behind more established construction hot spots, Melbourne's south eastern suburbs have come into their own in recent months, with 17 tower cranes in use over and area bound by Malvern East to Dandenong, and all the bayside suburbs found in between.</p>

<p>Underpinned by larger projects such as Chadstone and Caulfield Heath, the remaining tower cranes are employed on an increasing number of projects in suburbs where apartment living has began to flourish. Oakleigh for example has not been without a tower crane for two years, as one completed high density residential project is replaced by another under construction.</p>

<p>Projects which have recently received tower cranes in the south east include Holmes Hill, Caulfield Heath, Drummond Rise, Gascoigne and Monash University Clayton with all bar the latter residential projects.</p>

<h2>All bar one</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_7042.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Marco Melbourne looking less precarious than in recent times"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_7042.jpg?itok=0ckpIrno" title="Marco Melbourne looking less precarious than in recent times" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Marco Melbourne now looks less precarious than in recent times</figcaption></figure><p>The count is of course minus one unit, owing to the removal of the General Cranes machine which <a href="/news/inside-marco-melbournes-tower-crane-collapse">suffered a malfunction</a> in August.</p>

<p>Over two months later, the remnants of both the tower crane and the crushed Lubeca jump form have been removed, with the exposed concrete lift well of the stalled western tower now set for a new jump form to be applied. Where the replacement tower crane will stand remains to be seen.</p>

<h2>Future prediction</h2>

<p>What can be said for the crane count heading into 2016? Aside from 80 Collins Street and the Rialto Towers Forecourt project, relatively few commercial projects are set for tower cranes over the next six months. The same can be said for health and retail uses as large-scale projects such as Monash Childrens Hospital, Chadstone and Eastland no longer requiring the use of tower cranes.</p>

<p>While residential projects will continue to absorb the majority of units, we predict the overall tower crane count employed throughout Melbourne over the next six months will remain steady or dip slightly.</p>
</body></html>

A new record: Urban.com.au's October 2015 crane count

<html><body>
<p>What better way to judge the health of the construction sector than by ushering in the first Apartments.com.au crane count for 2015. And the sector must be booming given the current number of tower cranes plying their trade, blitzing any previous count to set a new record at 131 units.</p>

<p>It's not necessarily the inner city shouldering the burden either with tower cranes spread far and wide. Ringwood for instance has seven in use while Werribee, Knox, Frankston and Melbourne Airport also add to the spread.</p>

<p>At our assertion there's currently 131 tower cranes in use, comfortably outnumbering previous periods where the count averages roughly 110. While a variance of a handful of units is always factored in, there's no doubt that at this point in time Melbourne has never seen so many projects under construction. The importance to the employment rate and Melbourne's overall economic health can be extrapolated from the very healthy current numbers.</p>

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th>Sector</th>
			<th>Cranes in use</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Residential / aged care</td>
			<td>91</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Commercial office</td>
			<td>13</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Education / affiliated student housing</td>
			<td>8</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Health and medical research</td>
			<td>7</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Retail shopping centres</td>
			<td>10</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Demolition of existing structures</td>
			<td>2</td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Considered the wheel house of our city's property development sector, the City of Melbourne accounts for a relatively light one third of all the tower cranes currently in use, with the remainder throughout greater Melbourne.</p>

<p>As always crane use for residential projects is at the heart of the census, accounting for 70% of all tower cranes erected at the moment. While those dedicated to commercial use have seen insignificant change over recent years, the number dedicated toward student housing and retail purposes have served to spike the crane count.</p>

<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_0453.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ringwood's Eastland development providing a boost"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="309" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_0453.jpg?itok=Jf7gj9NV" title="Ringwood's Eastland development providing a boost" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ringwood's Eastland development providing a boost</figcaption></figure><p>Probuild are handling large-scale expansions of Eastland Ringwood, Chadstone and Pacific Werribee, which now account for ten tower cranes dedicated toward the retail aspect of these three projects. The combined monetary value of these three developments is about the $1.5 billion mark, with The Glen and Westfiled Knox also shaping up for regeneration during the latter part of 2015, which is valued at a combined $1 billion.</p>

<p>The high demand for cranes in Melbourne has seen new operators flood into the market in recent years. Latest to appear on the Melbourne skyline is Sydney-based Titan Cranes who provided cranes for Leighton Contractors' Melbourne Airport expansion, and are now present at Knox Private Hospital in Wantirna.</p>

<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_0864.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Titan Cranes at Melbourne Airport during late 2014"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_0864.jpg?itok=NwHIEM3b" title="Titan Cranes at Melbourne Airport during late 2014" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Titan Cranes at Melbourne Airport during late 2014</figcaption></figure><p>Peering into the next Apartments.com.au crane count toward the last quarter of 2015, a host of high profile apartment towers will keep demand for tower cranes buoyant. The likes of Lighthouse, Australia 108, Victoria One, Tower Melbourne and EQ Tower are set to receive multiple tower cranes each over the course of 2015, with the shortest of these five being EQ Tower at 200 metres.</p>

<p>Elsewhere a rash of projects in Docklands will see the precinct attract its fair share of tower cranes while Doncaster looks like a construction hot spot to watch in the latter part of the year.</p>
</body></html>

The biannual Urban.com.au crane count - March 2015

<html><body>
<p>It's time once more to take the pulse of Melbourne's development scene, with another installment of the Apartments.com.au Crane Census. Akin to the <a href="http://rlb.com/publications/rlb-crane-index-4th-edition-2014/" target="_blank">RLB Crane Index</a>, the Apartments.com.au version assesses the location of tower cranes throughout metropolitan Melbourne as opposed to the RLB Crane Index which concentrates on Melbourne's inner suburbs, hence providing a more comprehensive report of what is being built and where.</p>

<p>By pooling varied resources and conducting a physical count, we believe the census to be accurate to within 1-2 units.</p>

<h2>By the numbers: The Apartments.com.au crane census</h2>

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 100%">
<thead><tr>
<th>Locality</th>
			<th>All</th>
			<th>Residential</th>
			<th>Commercial</th>
			<th>Health/Institutional</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Melbourne CBD</td>
			<td>14</td>
			<td>10</td>
			<td>4</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Melbourne LGA / Docklands</td>
			<td>12</td>
			<td>7</td>
			<td>4</td>
			<td>1</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Melbourne Southbank</td>
			<td>5</td>
			<td>5</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Melbourne Carlton/Parkville</td>
			<td>8</td>
			<td>3</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>5</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Port Phillip</td>
			<td>5</td>
			<td>4</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>1</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Stonnington</td>
			<td>16</td>
			<td>13</td>
			<td>1</td>
			<td>2</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Boroondara</td>
			<td>6</td>
			<td>3</td>
			<td>3</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Yarra</td>
			<td>15</td>
			<td>13</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>2</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Manningham / Whitehorse</td>
			<td>7</td>
			<td>6</td>
			<td>1</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>North &amp; West</td>
			<td>8</td>
			<td>6</td>
			<td>2</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>South &amp; East</td>
			<td>11</td>
			<td>5</td>
			<td>5</td>
			<td>1</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Total</td>
			<td>107 (100%)</td>
			<td>75 (70%)</td>
			<td>20 (19%)</td>
			<td>12 (11%)</td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Highlights</h2>

<ul>
<li>Ten tower cranes currently on health related projects with five alone for the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre.</li>
	<li>The equivalent count last year saw residential projects account for 67% or tower cranes in use.</li>
	<li>The current figure has increased to 70% as tower cranes become more common on smaller scale residential projects, and is expected to continue growing.</li>
	<li>Commercial tower crane use has risen marginally from 17% to 20% over the equivalent period.</li>
	<li>The breadth of tower crane placement has never been greater, from Tullamarine to Ringwood to Frankston.</li>
</ul>
<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_7325.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The most recent arrival, Caelli's Eastland lifter"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="416" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_7325.jpg?itok=CuhM9NnP" title="The most recent arrival, Caelli's Eastland lifter" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The most recent arrival, Caelli's lifter for Probuild's Eastland redevelopment</figcaption></figure><h2>All in the timing</h2>

<p>Melbourne's large crane count is a reflection of the success of relatively new tower crane operator, Clark Cranes. This half yearly census shows that in excess of 20 Raimondi tower cranes with Clark Cranes' blue and yellow trim are distributed throughout greater Melbourne, with only two of their tower cranes found within City of Melbourne.</p>

<p>Having been a mobile crane operator for some time, Clark Cranes evidently read the tea leaves perfectly and entered the tower crane hire market a few short years ago at a point when low and mid-rise residential projects were proliferating throughout greater Melbourne. The niche service they provide in smaller scale tower cranes for predominantly residential projects has clearly resonated with many of Melbourne's smaller builders.</p>

<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_7363.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A typical Clark Cranes project - Blu Apartments Edithvale"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="395" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_7363.jpg?itok=0ss0ReGw" title="A typical Clark Cranes project - Blu Apartments Edithvale" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A typical Clark Cranes project - Blu Apartments Edithvale</figcaption></figure><h2>Looking ahead</h2>

<p>As has been the norm for some years there's no shortage of upcoming projects warranting tower cranes of all sizes. Over the months to come hubs of construction such as Doncaster, Box Hill and Fitzroy can expect additional cranes while Clayton can expect a potential count of 5-7 tower cranes by year's end due to imminent residential, education and health projects.</p>

<p>Within the CBD a number of cranes will continue their upward journey while a batch of new cranes will grace the cities skies for large-scale projects such as Light House, Victoria One Melbourne and 35 Spring Street. This new wave will emerge into the new year, just in time for the next Apartments.com.au crane count.</p>
</body></html>

The biannual Urban.com.au crane census - July 2014

<html><body>
<p>Tower cranes are always an excellent indicator as to the health of the local construction scene, and by extension the economy at large. Long gone are the gloomy days of the early 1990's when a tower crane was a rarity, replaced today by a brigade of new operators successfully carving out their niche fuelled by Melbourne's seemingly insatiable population growth.</p>

<p>Whereas four months ago we provided a static list of <a href="/news/the-cranes-have-it-a-melbourne-construction-overview" target="_blank">tower cranes operational in Melbourne</a>, included today is an active map highlighting tower crane locations throughout greater Melbourne.</p>

<h2>Then and now</h2>

<p>To understand today's state of play it's worth considering what has transpired post 2000. When the author began taking more than just a passing interest in Melbourne's development and construction scene, it was a different beast to what exists today. Boom Logistics, Verticon and Caelli Cranes were the dominant players of the day, erecting cranes on large build projects generally within a tight radius of the CBD.</p>

<p>While Caelli marches on, Vertigon fell by the wayside and Boom morphed into General Cranes. Joining these survivors though were a raft of new operators such as Active Crane Hire, Clark Cranes, MCG Cranes, Hudson Peat and Select Cranes who all required work for their fleet.</p>

<p>Perhaps the best example is that of Clark Cranes; call it luck or exceptional forecasting, but by concentrating on providing tower cranes for smaller scale project generally outside the CBD, the operator has successfully ridden the boom in suburban apartment living, something that was not plausible a decade ago.</p>

<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/Upper-West-Side0094.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="View from the top. Image © Hudson Peat "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Upper-West-Side0094.jpg?itok=-qoiEUa8" title="View from the top. Image © Hudson Peat" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>View from the top. Image © Hudson Peat</figcaption></figure><h2>Far and wide</h2>

<p>With a little help, we have devised the map below, providing a visual recognition of Melbourne's current large scale construction activity. Accurate to within one or two units, the map sees 84 tower cranes currently in use, with areas east of the CBD well represented.</p>

<p>Pascoe Vale, Ringwood, Hawthorn East and Doncaster East all sport projects between 3-5 levels, yet command tower cranes. These are relatively small projects but very much symptomatic of construction practices changing to meet the sustained surge toward higher density living in suburban Melbourne.</p>

<p>Where 70 cranes in the mid 2000's indicated boom times, it's now considered the norm. Of the 84 tower cranes currently operational, 70% are dedicated toward residential projects demonstrating how the attached dwelling sector has surged ahead in recent years.</p>

<p><iframe height="480" src="https://mapsengine.google.com/map/embed?mid=zqdl6A2iXb4Y.kULlyqp67wXU" width="580"></iframe></p>

<h2>What lies ahead</h2>

<p>We thought it worthwhile to include an additional map forecasting expected tower cranes within the next quarter. That is, projects where site works have or are about to begin, facilitating the installation of a tower crane in the near term.</p>

<p>The map highlights the further spread of tower cranes throughout greater Melbourne, with Dandenong benefiting in particular. Often maligned, the envisaged 'Second CBD' should kick ahead with four tower cranes likley on Mosaic Apartments, 27 Scott Street and the new ATO complex at 11-13 Robinson Street in the near term.</p>

<p><iframe height="480" src="https://mapsengine.google.com/map/embed?mid=zqdl6A2iXb4Y.kCvQb5GjyV1E" width="580"></iframe></p>

<p>While manufacturing in Victoria may be under the pump, it's worth noting that population growth is strong, apartment build starts are solid and commercial office requirements/construction remains fair. This in turn maintains momentum in one of the state's largest employment sectors; and not just held to the confines of the inner city.</p>

<p>As for when north and western areas of greater Melbourne will match the output of the south and east? That's near impossible to pinpoint although there's no lack of proposals ready to propel Footscray, Moonee Ponds and Sunshine onto the above maps.</p>

<p>By and large, Melbourne's construction sector remains resilient.</p>
</body></html>

February major construction activity mapped

<html><body>
<p>Articles have surfaced in recent weeks highlighting the number of cranes appearing throughout Melbourne and the implied construction/economic activity that follows. Yesterday yielded the most recent piece with the Australian Financial Review running an article titled 'Crane count a good construction indicator' where international property and construction practice <a href="http://rlb.com/" target="_blank">Rider Levett Bucknall</a> counted the number of cranes populating the skylines of state capitals - an index of construction prosperity if you will.</p>

<p>Quoting the article, "Melbourne has 43 visible cranes in the CBD, and 15 more within a ­five kilo­metre radius. Of that, 33 cranes are supporting residential developments. There are 13 on commercial sites, six are on health sites and the remainder are working on sport, retail and education projects."</p>

<p><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/ntc%2020130221.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A snapshot of Melbourne early 2013"><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/ntc%2020130221.jpg?itok=MtQTfoKo" title="A snapshot of Melbourne early 2013" typeof="foaf:Image"></a></p>

<p>Using the resources at Apartments.com.au's disposal we've decided to take this index a step further, today providing a breakdown of greater Melbourne's crane count accurate to within one or two units. Melbourne first broke through the 100 tower crane barrier during November 2012, with the peak achieved during June 2013 where an impressive 108 tower cranes were plying their trade.</p>

<p>While a General Cranes unit was disassembled last weekend at Melbourne Star and Melbourne Sky within Melbourne's CBD, Clark Cranes erected a unit for a 77 apartment complex at 701 Barkly Street Footscray bolstering the current count to 97 cranes visible over greater Melbourne's skyline. Although many projects are in the construction phase, it's interesting to note that pre-sales for certain large residential projects commenced well over two years ago. Regardless the table below is gives a clear indication of Melbourne's current construction progression.</p>

<div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th>Locality</th>
			<th>Total</th>
			<th>Residential</th>
			<th>Commercial</th>
			<th>Institutional</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Melbourne CBD</td>
			<td>26</td>
			<td>18</td>
			<td>8</td>
			<td>0</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Melbourne LGA / Docklands</td>
			<td>11</td>
			<td>5</td>
			<td>5</td>
			<td>1</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Southbank / Carlton</td>
			<td>17</td>
			<td>8</td>
			<td>0</td>
			<td>9</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Port Phillip</td>
			<td>2</td>
			<td>2</td>
			<td>0</td>
			<td>0</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Stonnington</td>
			<td>7</td>
			<td>7</td>
			<td>0</td>
			<td>0</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Boroondarra</td>
			<td>6</td>
			<td>5</td>
			<td>0</td>
			<td>1</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Yarra</td>
			<td>8</td>
			<td>7</td>
			<td>1</td>
			<td>0</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Whitehorse</td>
			<td>4</td>
			<td>1</td>
			<td>2</td>
			<td>1</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>South East suburbs</td>
			<td>5</td>
			<td>3</td>
			<td>0</td>
			<td>2</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>North West suburbs</td>
			<td>11</td>
			<td>9</td>
			<td>1</td>
			<td>1</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>All</td>
			<td>97</td>
			<td>65</td>
			<td>17</td>
			<td>15</td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

<p>What can be deuced from this? Residential projects account for 67% of tower cranes in use. While a number of big ticket projects such as Richmond Icon, Central South Yarra and Vision Apartments will gain cranes in coming months, it's expected the overall number of cranes working on residential projects will decrease, mirroring current market sales. The suburban spread of tower cranes is healthy with localities such as Sandringham, Pascoe Vale and Glen Iris hosting sizeable residential projects, further bolstering the march of apartment living into outer suburbs.</p>

<p>Commercial projects are holding up well given the market is cycling out of its peak. Aside from KPMG anchoring a substantial office development within Collins Square relatively few office projects are in the pipeline. Institutional projects cover medical facilities, government buildings and education builds. The Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Mercy Fernhill, Royal Children's Stage 2, Warringal Private Heidelberg and Carlton Wellbeing headline big ticket medical projects requiring tower cranes; always a good sign when money is invested into fundamentals such as health.</p>

<p>In the wider sense consigned to history are the boom and bust days that typified Melbourne during the 1990's where no cranes were visible in Melbourne's skyline for years on end. While any free market is susceptible to corrections, the cycle has flattened out considerably to the point where any project can commence subject to its own stipulations. Add the proliferation of apartment living and tower cranes will always be a part of Melbourne's vista, as they should be as part of any progressive city.</p>
</body></html>

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