Mass timber is becoming an increasingly popular construction material in apartment developments, but Adelaide developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> is taking the approach a step further.

At its new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flowe-bowden-18-gibson-street-bowden-sa-5007">Flowe Bowden</a> development, the exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure isn't just about reducing the building's environmental footprint. It also forms the foundation of a broader wellness strategy, influencing everything from indoor air quality and natural materials to the way residents move through and experience the building.

The 115-apartment mixed-use development, designed by Melbourne-based architecture practice Fieldwork, will occupy a prominent island site opposite Bowden Village Reserve, combining one, two and three-bedroom apartments with retail and a dedicated wellness destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375528]

Wellness isn't confined to a gym or shared resident facility at Flowe. Instead, Fieldwork embedded the concept into the building itself.

The development has been split into two residential wings connected by a naturally ventilated central breezeway, replacing traditional enclosed corridors with open-air walkways that improve natural light, encourage cross ventilation and create more opportunities for neighbourly interaction.

"Rather than treating wellness as something that only happens on the ground floor, our response integrates it throughout the building, which led us to ask what it really means to design a healthy building," Fieldwork Director Quino Holland said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375531]

The building's architecture also reflects Bowden's industrial heritage. The lower podium references the area's historic brick and sandstone buildings, while the upper levels transition to exposed CLT, allowing the timber structure to become a defining feature throughout the apartments and shared spaces.

The use of mass timber sits alongside a range of sustainability initiatives, including a fully electric, gas-free design, rooftop solar and a targeted 5 Star Green Star rating.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375524]

Inside the residences, the focus remains on natural, durable materials. Blackbutt engineered timber flooring, exposed CLT ceilings, porcelain surfaces and warm timber joinery create a calming interior palette, while low-VOC finishes and responsibly sourced materials have been selected to improve indoor air quality.

Kitchens have been designed as the centrepiece of each apartment, featuring porcelain island benchtops, timber-look cabinetry and brushed steel tapware, with layouts that maximise natural light and ventilation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375530]

The more traditional interpretation of wellness comes in the form of Level Eleven, a two-storey wellness club spanning the ground floor, mezzanine and first floor.

The facility will include a gym, yoga and reformer Pilates studios, Finnish and infrared saunas, magnesium hot and cold plunge pools, and dedicated recovery spaces. Unlike many residential wellness facilities, Level Eleven will also operate commercially, allowing the broader Bowden community to access the venue while giving residents exclusive membership benefits.

The ground floor has also been designed around everyday living. A café overlooking Bowden Village Reserve will activate the street frontage, while a bike workshop with tool storage, co-working space and dog wash has been incorporated to support daily routines and encourage interaction between residents.

"Flowe brings together my two biggest passions, creating places and creating healthier lives," Otello founder Daniel Harris said.

"We wanted to create something Adelaide hasn't seen before, a genuinely healthy building, where the way you live is lifted without even trying."

Flowe is positioned directly opposite Bowden Village Reserve and within walking distance of Bowden Railway Station and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, placing future residents just minutes from the Adelaide CBD while remaining connected to one of the city's most established urban renewal precincts.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152022]

Joel Robinson

Otello launches wellness-focused Flowe Bowden with Adelaide-first mass timber apartment design

Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<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/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

First look: Inca eyes Mona Vale with State Significant DA for Dawn apartments

Seasoned Victorian apartment developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-equity">Central Equity</a> has logged more than $400 million in sales in its luxury apartment project Palmera Residences at Northcliffe on the Gold Coast.&nbsp;

Central Equity Director Karl Kutner said the sales result reflected a combination of location, product quality and delivery certainty with the project already under construction by building powerhouse Multiplex.&nbsp;

"Surpassing $400 million in sales since launch is a significant milestone and an outstanding endorsement of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-gold-coast-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera Residences</a>,” he said.&nbsp;

"We believe one of the key reasons for this strong result is the confidence purchasers have in knowing the project is under construction with Multiplex. Buyers are increasingly looking for certainty. They want to know that the project they commit to today will be delivered by an experienced team with a proven track record."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365782]

Kutner said it was clear there was still high demand for luxury projects that offered certainty of delivery.&nbsp;

“We are in a market where many residential developments have faced delays due to rising construction costs, labour shortages and financing challenges,” said Kutner.&nbsp;

"But having construction underway has provided our buyers with resounding confidence backed by more than 40 years of development delivery by Central Equity combined with construction by one of Australia's most respected construction companies."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365785]

Central Equity is one of Australia's most experienced privately-owned property developers. Over more than four decades, the company has delivered in excess of 85 residential developments including 10,000 apartments and many thousands of stand alone homes.&nbsp;

Located on Garfield Terrace at Northcliffe, between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, Palmera Residences occupies one of the Gold Coast's most sought after beachside locations. The development has been designed to appeal to owner occupiers seeking premium residences that combine generous living spaces and resort style amenities.&nbsp;

Palmera Residences will feature an exceptional collection of resort style amenities, including two swimming pools: a generously sized family pool with safe shallow zones for relaxed recreation, and a 20 metre lap pool positioned to maximise all day sunlight.&nbsp;

Residents will also enjoy exclusive access to wellness and recreational facilities including a magnesium pool, sauna, yoga studio, expansive fitted gymnasium, resident lounge, outdoor BBQ’s&nbsp;and indoor and outdoor dining areas, together with a dedicated concierge and luxurious hotel inspired entrance foyer.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365767]

A unique feature at Palmera Residences has been designed to enhance the Gold Coast lifestyle which includes both indoor and outdoor gymnasium facilities, together with thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor dining and entertaining areas. A corner café has also been incorporated to provide residents with a destination for their everyday needs.&nbsp;

Kutner said buyer demand had been broad based with purchasers attracted from interstate as well as throughout South East Queensland.&nbsp;

"We're seeing strong interest from owner occupiers, lifestyle buyers and people relocating to the Gold Coast. Many purchasers have been searching for a premium beachside residence where quality, design and delivery are equally important."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365771]

Kutner said the sales milestone was an important achievement, but the focus remained firmly on delivering an exceptional development.&nbsp;

"While reaching $400 million in sales is an important milestone, our priority remains delivering a project that exceeds purchaser expectations,” he said.&nbsp;

"Palmera Residences has been designed to become one of the Gold Coast's landmark residential addresses, and we look forward to welcoming our purchasers to their new homes."&nbsp;

There are a limited number of residences remaining in selected configurations with pricing from $2,950,000 to $8,950,000. Palmera Residences is also crowned by expansive penthouses with wrap around views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108274]

Construction certainty and strong buyer demand drive major sales result for luxury Gold Coast development

Palmera Residences fly out the door as sales pass $400 million

National property developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/goldfields-group">Goldfields</a> has appointed BINAH as its construction partner for Quartet, its new Brisbane apartment development in the undersupplied suburb of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/milton-qld-4064">Milton</a>.

Located just two kilometres from the Brisbane CBD and moments from key 2032 Olympic precincts, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/quartet-milton-33-manning-street-milton-qld-4064">Quartet</a> will deliver 131 one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments priced from $1 million to $4.2 million, combining elevated design with a wellness-focused lifestyle offering.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=368000]

Goldfields’ Chief Executive Officer, Lachlan Thompson, said the appointment of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/binah-constructions">BINAH</a> marked an important milestone for the project.&nbsp;

“Bringing BINAH on board as our construction partner will allow us to bring our vision for Quartet forward with a team that has a proven track record of delivering high-quality residential projects,” Thompson said.&nbsp;

“We’ve taken a considered approach to progressing the site because we wanted to deliver the whole package. Buyers ultimately back great developers, great projects and great builders, and with Quartet, we’ve made sure all three line up.

“People want certainty, they want to know the project will be built, that the homes will be delivered as promised, and that the developer stands behind the quality of what they create. That’s something Goldfields has built its reputation on over many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367993]

BINAH’s Managing Director, Khalil Hafza, said the company was proud to be partnering with Goldfields to deliver Quartet.&nbsp;

“Quartet is an exciting project to bring to life, particularly given the level of detail in the residences and the extensive rooftop amenity planned for the building,” Mr Hafza said.&nbsp;

“Our focus is on delivering a high-quality build that brings that design vision to life and creates homes residents will enjoy for many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367999]

The facilities at Quartet have been feared towards the roof, with a&nbsp;25 metre lap pool, spa, sauna and cold plunge, and a communal barbecue area and alfresco.

Town planning was designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and brought to life by Melbourne-based architecture firm Cera Stribley.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/cera-stribley">Cera Stribley</a> Co-Founder and Managing Principal, Dom Cerantonio, said the project responds to both its riverside setting and Brisbane’s evolving urban character.&nbsp;

“Quartet has been designed to sit comfortably within its riverside context, offering a refined take on urban living through well-planned, generously proportioned residences that will stand the test of time,” Mr Cerantonio said.&nbsp;

“An emphasis on natural light, natural textures and carefully selected finishes from timber and marble to premium appliances, creates calm, considered interiors designed for comfort and long-term liveability.”&nbsp;

Construction of Quartet will commence in July 2026, with completion anticipated in Q4 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108736]

Construction to commence on 131-residence tower designed around wellness-focused living

Goldfields appoints BINAH for Quartet apartments in Milton

Urban Living

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GUEST OBSERVER
The National Cities Performance Framework issued by Federal Cities Minister Angus Taylor is an excellent initiative to ensure more data is available to measure city performance but more measures are needed on urban apartment living.
The National Cities Performance Framework sets out many important measures that are essential to monitor the performance of Australia’s cities.
We are concerned however that the data seems skewed towards a detached house view of our cities with little measurement of the swing towards more urban apartment living.
Contextual indicator number 6, (p 20) for instance, measures the median detached house price with a description that this is ‘a typical house in a city’ and that this will help understand if ‘housing is affordable for residents’. 
The results from the 2016 census demonstrate that 28.1% of homes in Sydney are now apartments and housing approval data indicates that over 60% of approvals are for new apartments. This shift to apartment living is the biggest structural change happening in Australian cities and the National Cities Performance Framework must measure this trend.
The Housing Indicators also seem to focus on house prices rather than all homes including apartments and medium density dwellings.
The planning system is being evaluated through the value of building approvals per capita which is a useful measure but equally important is to measure the actual commencements of buildings. In Sydney only 58% of housing approvals, when measured over 4 years, proceed to commencement and become real projects.
The scale of the data listed in the performance framework is massive and this will clearly require significant resources to collate, validate, analyse and interpret.
The Urban Taskforce is particularly interested in interpreting future trends through the cities data and we are keen to work with Minister Taylor in ensuring that useful data comes from his important initiative.
CHRIS JOHNSON is chief executive officer of property development industry group Urban Taskforce and can be contacted <a href="https://www.urbantaskforce.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=97&amp;Itemid=126#.Vdaart55dFI" target="_blank">here</a>.
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National Cities Performance Framework must measure the trend to urban living

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Footscray is to host a new master planned mixed use development adjacent to the heart of Footscray.

Any prospective investor or owner occupier can now secure their space within Cowper Residences, which will be released for sale this month. With Footscray the epicentre of Melbourne's inner west, the wider region is currently subject to $26 billion worth of investment committed to infrastructure and associated projects.

Footscray built form progression is in lockstep with its social transformation. Only 4km from Melbourne's CBD, Footscray now boasts its own evolving cosmopolitan café and shopping precincts.

According to advisory Urbis, the young and fast-growing population in Melbourne's west is expected to more than double over the next 20 years. Over the past 10 years, the median price of apartments in the historical suburb has increased by 7.9 per cent per annum and has experienced the highest annual price growth compared to a selection of suburbs of similar distance to CBD.

In response, Cowper Residences has been positioned in order to attract interest from both astute investors and owner occupiers.

<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/image136_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Cowper Village offers a choice of living options"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image136_1.jpg?itok=5wB1S2T7" title="Cowper Village offers a choice of living options" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Cowper Residences offers a choice of living options</figcaption></figure>It's Cowper Residences' unique location within the Footscray context that has led to the diverse range of living options within the project.

Nestled between established low rise housing and the Footscray CBD, Cowper Residences allows for a diversified built form and unfettered views toward Docklands, the CBD and beyond. The low to medium density site offers proximity to the city coupled with spacious, quality designs which offer contemporary living and balance with its surrounds.

The development’s first two precincts to market will allow purchasers to choose between sixteen terrace homes, ten SOHOs (Single Office/Home Offices) and 63 traditional apartments.

Cowper Village is the work of ClarkeHopkinsClarke, who have a rich history of creating vibrant, integrated living and community spaces. ClarkeHopkinsClarke partner Toby Lauchlan describes Cowper Residences from the architect's perspective:

<blockquote>
When we saw the site, we immediately recognised it as a standout in Footscray. Centrally located, it’s close to the station and all of the vibrant, lifestyle offerings of this colourful suburb, but rests on a quiet, tree-lined residential street giving it real sense of tranquility.

Cowper Residences has also been designed to capture city views which won’t be built out – a rarity this close to the CBD.

The mix of housing types throughout the precincts allowed us to really diversify the design, with each form appealing to the types of people who will want to reside there.
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image135_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Expansive views come with Cowper Village"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="330" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image135_0.jpg?itok=6xO_OqWX" title="Expansive views come with Cowper Village" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Expansive views are par for Cowper Residences</figcaption></figure>A strong sense of place and community is at the heart of Cowper Residences, with each precinct interlinked by landscaped gardens and internal laneways. Amenities across the development include a café, gym and rooftop terrace and a communal courtyard.

Terrace homes have been designed higher and larger than the norm, with some offering city views; all have a high level of finishes and mix of materials. Each terrace includes two balconies and a private courtyard and are catered toward family living.

SOHOs maintain a loft-style configuration, complete with exposed brickwork and high ceilings. Expected to appeal to young professionals, the SOHOs provide an environment which enables flexible work patterns. 
The small-scale, low density apartment block offers investors and first home buyers the opportunity to enter the Footscray market within the confines of a boutique setting. Spanning six levels and featuring one and two bedroom apartments, the spacious apartments all maintain access to a rooftop terrace.

<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/image137_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Second level views over established low rise living"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="315" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image137_2.jpg?itok=dKzu--Te" title="Second level views over established low rise living" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Second level views over established low rise living</figcaption></figure>Selling agent, F.R. Chee of CT Real Estate, says that while Footscray is still considered affordable, continued gentrification of the area indicates that this may quickly change.

<blockquote>
Currently Footscray is an affordable suburb undergoing the process of gentrification, similar to what we’ve seen in Brunswick and Collingwood where there is now a substantially higher median sale price.

Market growth is also being driven by the high proportion of students and young professionals moving to the area due to its affordability and proximity to the city. Almost 40 per cent of the suburb’s population is aged between 20-34 years.

Cowper Residences’ position and housing mix makes for a unique investment opportunity in one of Footscray’s most premium locations. We are expecting strong sales across the campaign.

With central Footscray set to be transformed, it truly presents one of the last great investment opportunities in Melbourne’s inner ring suburbs.
</blockquote>

Cowper Residences is currently taking registrations of interest, with prospective buyers urged to register their details on <a href="http://www.cowperresidences.com.au?utm_source=urban_melbourne&amp;utm_medium=article_link">www.cowperresidences.com.au</a> and act fast in order to take advantage of off-the-plan stamp duty concessions before 1 July 2017.
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Footscray's Cowper Residences set to cater for all buyers

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Property developer FourSQ are opening the doors of their warehouse inspired display suite for luxury townhouse development, No. 108, located at 108 Leicester Street, Fitzroy, following an unprecedented sales campaign which has seen seven of the eight residences sold in five weeks.

The development, which has broken price barriers with townhouses priced from $1.6-2.3 million, has previously been accessible strictly by appointment only, but this Saturday the public are invited to take a glimpse into the luxury vertical penthouses.

Daniel Cashen, Director of Residential at Knight Frank says he is not surprised by the level of interest in the project to date.

<blockquote>
Fitzroy consistently achieves high prices for its housing stock, which gave us confidence that there was latent demand for our product. Buyers have been drawn to the superior design and finishes, as well as the high ceilings and obviously the location. They have also embraced the ‘vertical penthouse’ style of living, with baby boomers responding positively to the private lifts.
<cite>Daniel Cashen, Director of Residential, Knight Frank</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/fsq003_exterior_01_complete.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="No. 108 - Leicester Street, Fitzroy. Image: Knight Frank"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fsq003_exterior_01_complete.jpg?itok=ezXUmTNS" title="No. 108 - Leicester Street, Fitzroy. Image: Knight Frank" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>No. 108 - Leicester Street, Fitzroy. Image: Knight Frank</figcaption></figure>On display in this warehouse shell, will be a full-scale example of the spacious living area, furnished by exclusive furniture retailer, Hub, as well as the Italian-made and designed Dada kitchen with a stone island bench and stainless steel bench top.

Visitors will have the opportunity to get a sense of the full floor bedrooms with walk-in-wardrobes complete with dressing tables, customisable Italian made Molteni joinery, ensuites featuring solid surface double vanities, built-in bath and the large walk-in shower.

A key feature of the 4 and 5 level townhouses, No. 108’s private roof terraces with Tait Tilt Outdoor Kitchen and a premium Electrolux barbecue, have also been fully mocked up to give potential purchasers a taste of what life would look like in these striking vertical homes.

<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/fsq003_section_03_complete.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="No. 108 - Leicester Street, Fitzroy. Image: Knight Frank"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="701" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fsq003_section_03_complete.jpg?itok=c79pO2eL" title="No. 108 - Leicester Street, Fitzroy. Image: Knight Frank" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>No. 108 - Leicester Street, Fitzroy. Image: Knight Frank</figcaption></figure>The first collaboration between FourSQ and BKK Architects, No. 108 residences have a 6.6-star average energy rating and offer expansive, flexible floorplans of 152-232 square metres. They each feature private lifts and soaring 3 metre ceilings along with the private roof terraces, which boast spectacular city and mountain range views.

The design of the project acknowledges the classic housing genres of its Fitzroy neighbourhood. Along Young Street the design is a contemporary reworking of traditional Victorian terraces while on Leicester Street it’s a reimagining of archetypal warehouse conversions.

For buyers aspiring to secure their own FourSQ/BKK townhouse but with a smaller budget, FourSQ will be launching a new development in collaboration with the award-winning architect in Flemington early next year, with residences under $1 million.

<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/fsq003_interior_06_complete.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="No. 108 - Leicester Street, Fitzroy. Image: Knight Frank"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="193" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fsq003_interior_06_complete.jpg?itok=12xEnagS" title="No. 108 - Leicester Street, Fitzroy. Image: Knight Frank" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>No. 108 - Leicester Street, Fitzroy. Image: Knight Frank</figcaption></figure>
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Alastair Taylor

FourSQ throws open its display suite for No. 108 in Fitzroy

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Brunswick East's latest apartment project to reach sales has hit the ground running, with strong sales notched for the project in a short period of time.

Seamstress at 11-13 Lygon Street is a reference to the site's previous life as a fabric mill. It is also K7 Developments' fourth Melbourne residential project, following on from successful projects in Brunswick West, Surrey Hills and Hawthorn East. With a Footscray development in the offing, K7 Developments has established itself as a locally-based developer capable of tapping into Melbourne's on-trend suburban apartment markets.

Seamstress' selling agent Est8 Agency has seen strong initial interest in Seamstress translated to half of the project's 32 apartments having already been accounted for.

<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/image97_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Seamstress' exterior is a standout relative to its surrounds. Image: Est8 Agency"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="239" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image97_1.jpg?itok=iorPha_1" title="Seamstress' exterior is a standout relative to its surrounds. Image: Est8 Agency" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Seamstress' exterior is a standout relative to its surrounds. Image: Est8 Agency</figcaption></figure>Est8 Agency Executive Director Nic Cuni explained to Apartments.com.au that Seamstress' strong design presence, both internally and externally, has seen the development favoured by owner occupiers in the always competitive Brunswick East apartment market.

Design conscious buyers have recognised that RotheLowman is the design practice behind Seamstress, with the building employing a woven facade of steel and glass as a nod to the site's past. Seamstress also represents the next step in the successful partnership between developer and architect, with <a href="/buildings/brasshouse-771-toorak-road-hawthorn-east">Brasshouse</a> the duo's most recent collaboration.

Internals too are a reflection of RotheLowman's strong, crafted design stance, with Nic Cuni describing the overall architecture and specifically the living spaces as a great blend of harmonious design.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image99_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A Seamstress interior perspective. Image: Est8 Agency"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="290" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image99_1.jpg?itok=iE3ds2cH" title="A Seamstress interior perspective. Image: Est8 Agency" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A Seamstress interior perspective. Image: Est8 Agency</figcaption></figure>Seamstress is a mix of one, two and three bedroom residences, with Nic Cuni describing the one bedroom options as particularly good value for money, given their efficient floorplan and impressive views. On the corner of Lygon Street and Brunswick Road, Seamstress is still garnering strong online interest as the sales campaign progresses.

Apartments finishes hark upon Seamstress' industrial heritage and are defined by exposed concrete ceilings, natural timber floorboards and slider cabinetry. In this way, RotheLowman have introduced a subtle degree of rawness to each dwelling, while also maintaining a heightened level of quality throughout.

Sliding doors within select apartments are capable of creating an additional bedroom or office space on demand, and Seamstress' terraces are sized with room for outdoor dining and herb gardens.

<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/image100.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Seamstress bedroom with a view to Melbourne's CBD. Image: Est8 Agency"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="290" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image100.jpg?itok=rFIZRLqJ" title="Seamstress bedroom with a view to Melbourne's CBD. Image: Est8 Agency" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Seamstress bedroom with a view to Melbourne's CBD. Image: Est8 Agency</figcaption></figure>To secure your new home in Seamstress, register your details using the form below.
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silvermb

Secure your new home in Seamstress, Brunswick East

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Rockley Gardens is an 8-storey residential development that has been designed as a carefully curated residence comprising of 49 apartments, 1 retail tenancy and associated parking.

Located within South Yarra at 339 Toorak Road, Rockley Gardens is the new flagship residential development by Metacorp, the Australian division of International Developer AlloyMDT.

It has been designed by architects, Elenberg Fraser with a unique ‘hanging garden’ façade designed by landscape architects, Oculus.

The development overlooks the historic Rockley Gardens, which stretches east and west along Rockley Rd, and features perimeter garden beds, a fully fenced playground, park tables and seats as well as a public toilet. Taking design cues from its park side location, Elenberg Fraser has entwined the façade of Rockley Gardens with a patterned form of individual planter boxes.

<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/lobby.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Lobby of Rockley Gardens"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="322" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/lobby.jpg?itok=nmKqvCm-" title="Lobby of Rockley Gardens" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lobby of Rockley Gardens</figcaption></figure>These have been designed to provide both privacy and softness to the façade of the building, acting as a buffer, with the planter boxes melding into the leafy surrounds while providing a green and verdant outlook from within the apartments.

Formally, the development is articulated as a series of stacked volumes which provide the development with a base, middle and crown not unlike typical tower typologies, with the tower element setback from Toorak Road, creating a two-storey podium which is consistent with the streetscape, with a high degree of permeability.

Designed with the downsizer market in mind, Rockley Gardens’ are configured to maximise living spaces and outlook. Some 2 bedroom/2 bathroom apartment configurations range from 100sqm with a 70sqm terrace and 3 bedroom apartments from 150sqm with a 51sqm terrace.

Picture hanging rails will discretely run through all living spaces for residents to display their choice of artwork. This curatorial theme will be continued into the Rockley Gardens foyer entrance, where a significant private work will be commissioned from a renowned Melbourne artist.

Further reinforcing the project's creativity, Elenberg Fraser has also commissioned a lighting installation by ‘articolo’. Nicci, the designer of articolo lighting is committed to creating beautiful Australian made, handcrafted architectural lighting.

Rockley Garden’s proximity to a number of highly regarded institutions such as the Royal South Yarra Tennis Club, the South Yarra Library, Cinema Como and only minutes away from South Yarra's dining and shopping strip, wine bars, cafes and gourmet grocers ensures a high level of amenity for residents within the development.

The development is also well serviced by tram route number 8 which trundles past, and is only 7 minutes walk to South Yarra Station and 10 minutes to the Yarra River for cycling, jogging and walking enthusiasts.

<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/view5_opt1_upd.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rockley Gardens provides a retail frontage to Toorak Road."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="580" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/view5_opt1_upd.jpg?itok=V5Uj_ZqQ" title="Rockley Gardens provides a retail frontage to Toorak Road." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rockley Gardens provides a retail frontage to Toorak Road.</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
Every aspect of Rockley Gardens has been mindfully curated. Buying early off the plan is advisable, and affords purchasers the opportunity to add their own individual input into apartment plan and layout. It is envisioned that Rockley Gardens will become an enviable address for a lucky few.
<cite>Bryce Patterson, Capital Property</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
We wanted to create a curated home experience. Two colour schemes are available, a warm/dark/European scheme with feature green marbling throughout, and a lighter/bright/Gallery scheme with gray marble.Rockley Gardens kitchens will make striking statements in luxe functionality with marble clad range hoods, splash backs and island benches. Miele appliances will feature in the kitchens with plenty of bespoke cabinetry throughout.
<cite>Greta Mak, Interior Designer, Elenberg Fraser</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
The 'hanging gardens' concept draws inspiration from the site's location, bordering the adjacent park and is an integral element of the building's architecture. Working closely with Elenberg Fraser, Oculus conceived the 'hanging gardens' as not just a screening element ensuring privacy to apartments, but also something which provides an immediate green outlook from within the apartments. Additionally the 'hanging gardens' have been designed as an extension of Rockley Gardens - there is no fence - providing visual interest from the park and passersby on Toorak Road. In some ways the park acts as a backyard to the development.
<cite>Claire Martin, Landscape Architect and Senior Associate, Oculus</cite>
</blockquote>

Rockley Gardens is accepting registrations of interest for private appointments.

To register, see <a href="/new-apartments">Off The Plan on Urban.com.au</a>.
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Laurence Dragomir

The Hanging Gardens of South Yarra

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Located on the corner of Millswyn Street and Toorak Road West, The Millswyn offers 10 grandly proportioned residences from $3.9 million to $13+ million in the Domain precinct, bounded by the Royal Botanic Gardens and Fawkner Park.

The development presents a rare opportunity to acquire large contemporary private residences in one of South Yarra’s most prestigious precincts just five minutes’ walk from the 'Tan' running track and Domain village; a minute to Fawkner Park; three kilometres from Collins Street and a kilometre from the centre of South Yarra.

The Millswyn has been designed by one of Australia's leading architects, Rob Mills who has employed historic architectural principles, most notably the ‘Golden Mean Ratio’ to give The Millswyn harmonious proportions with a sense of monumentality informed by the renaissance architecture and the architecture of Le Corbusier.

<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/rob_mills_21.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Architect Rob Mills"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="820" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/rob_mills_21.jpg?itok=bRj9SVfe" title="Architect Rob Mills" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Architect Rob Mills</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
Golden mean is the ratio that is the guiding geometric principle of the Parthenon, renaissance Architecture and the modernist architecture of Le Corbusier. The Millswyn embodies the Golden Mean geometry particularly the first floor facade where each window are proportioned by the Golden Mean and place side by side to create the defining rhythm of the facade. In contrast the ground floor is constructed of sheets of glass thus allowing the rhythm and simplicity of the first floor facade to stand-alone. Finally the third level is setback once again to create space for the first floor façade.
We aspired to create a monumental building that drew inspiration from Barry Patton (of Yuncken Freeman)'s Treasury Place as well as the grille of a Rolls Royce - both powerful images - which result in a confident design.
<cite>Rob Mills, Architect</cite>
</blockquote>

Speaking to Apartments.com.au, Mills described the practice's role was to "capture the imagination of the client."

The building despite being larger than the homes Mills' practice typically designs is still based on the same principles as it is in effect 10 residences within a single skin. The target demographic is also largely the same: a downsizer market made up largely of baby boomers looking for an "aspirational purchase" and a simpler life that allows them to retain their seaside or country side holiday properties.

Input was sought from agents who worked closely with the project team to finalise the design with Mills in particular remarking that it "was beneficial to seek other opinions and external input."

Formerly, The Albany Hotel site - a 3-storey 1960s motel - The Millswyn will be built in the grounds of Millswyn Court. The development will retain and incorporate the historic Victorian Italianate mansion built in 1886 for one of South Yarra’s original settlers, James Gatehouse.

The motel has since been demolished to allow for construction to commence on site. According to Mills the new and the old were initially separated but will now sit comfortably together. The mansion will go to the market in approximately two months.

The design shares a lot of elements and characteristics evident from Renaissance architecture including the articulation of the three storeys. Glass has been purposely used to float the building above the ground, so your eye is taken to the mid level of the building.

You get an uninterrupted view of the façade as the guiding geometry of the project is based on the Golden Mean. The exterior of the building is clad in Italian limestone providing colour and durability and reinforcing the connection to classical architecture.

Joining Mills on the project is garden design guru to the rich and prominent: landscape architect Paul Bangay. Mills and Bangay took a genuinely collaborative approach to the project.

Often spending three hours a week together in isolation in Mills' studio it was critical to the design that the approach to nature and the architecture was one of harmony, with the landscape elements complimenting and adding to the experience of the architecture both externally and internally.

<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/gabrielsaunders_millswyn-ssw-living.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Interior render showing green outlook. Image courtesy of Marshall White"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/gabrielsaunders_millswyn-ssw-living.jpg?itok=4aIgyynQ" title="Interior render showing green outlook. Image courtesy of Marshall White" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Interior render showing green outlook. Image courtesy of Marshall White</figcaption></figure>It was important to both Mills and Bangay that residents were "in touch with nature and were provided with a green outlook whether it was views to the trees along the street or planters to the upper levels, it completely changes the environment of the residences".

By minimising the amount of paving and maximising the landscape the amount of glare within the residences is significantly reduced.

The residences offer purchasers the full amenity of a high-end Rob Mills designed home: three bedrooms, luxurious main bedroom suite with a spacious walk-in wardrobe and en suite, large entertainment kitchens with island benches, en suite bathrooms, guest powder rooms, separate laundries, gracious arrival foyers, landscaped terraces or courtyards and secure parking for two to four cars in private garages. The design of the residences allows rooms to be used for many purposes. "The key is understanding that furniture has equal value in what you're creating," says Mills. 

Some layouts include a scullery area or full butler’s pantry and/or a separate study /second living area. The extra high ceilings are 3 to 3.24m, accentuated by full-height windows and doors and inbuilt pelmets. Extensive internal floorplans range from 207 to 404sqm and the eight large ground and first level residences have private outdoor living areas of 24 to 96sqm and are afforded filtered tree line views to the east.

On the upper level the two penthouses have rooftop terraces of 145 and 207sqm accessed via sculptural spiral staircases, another signature of Rob Mills work, with outdoor kitchen and entertainment space.

The arrival experience is consistent through from ground floor arrival through to the private lift. The fit-out of these spaces matches that of the apartments. Residents and guests alike entering the penthouses are greeted on arrival with sunlight soaked spaces and views of gardens beyond.

Finishes are in keeping with the high-end nature of the penthouse with luxury Italian marble wrapping around island benches, kitchen benchtops and splashbacks with bathroom walls, floors and vanities.

French grey American oak floorboards flow through living areas with pure wool carpets to bedrooms. Two pack joinery features bronzed accents and the Miele kitchen appliances include two ovens, induction cooktop and integrated refrigerator, freezer and dishwasher with a Qasair rangehood. Penthouses also have direct access to their 4 car garage via private lifts which service only those residences. One of the penthouses has already been sold.

Prospective purchasers can view the project by appointment at Marshall White; Level 1, 1111 High Street, Armadale. The project is under development by the Pask Group with completion anticipated in January 2018.

For Mills The Millswyn presents the next stage of evolution in the practice's work with further projects on the drawing board in Melbourne with Sydney's waterfront next on the horizon.
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Not your run of the Mill apartment: The Millswyn

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/57114/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
The suburbs were the urban living format that defined Australian cities in the 20th century. Inevitably they’ve had their champions and detractors. Suburbia now has a new format in the medium-to-high-density residential spaces that are being rapidly built in previously industrialised areas.
This new urban ecology will bring with it new rhetorical possibilities for reverence, disgust, indifference and interest. The Green Square urban renewal area, which encompasses Zetland and Waterloo along with parts of Alexandria and Rosebery, is a paradigm in this sense. It is tipped to become the most densely populated area in Sydney by 2030.
The once-dominant industrial infrastructure of Green Square now has a less odorous, brighter and more glossy feel, which caters to a new demographic. The cultural history typical of the dominant mix of Anglo and European migrants in the Sydney suburbs of the 20th century is no longer the norm.
While English is still the most common language spoken at home, 45.7 percent of residents in Green Square and City South Village speak a language other than English at home. Chinese and “other Asian” languages make up 25.9 percent of this 45.7 percent.
The Federation cottage and its human equivalents are more likely to appear exotic in these contexts than the generically flashy apartment blocks with their red-brick simulacrum, coloured feature walls and laser-cut cladding.
Residents are unlikely to have a long history in the area. As a result, they lack the nearby family and neighbourly connections to care for children and animals.
This in part explains the pet barns and soon-to-be-opened daycare centres that are standard in the area. Rather than getting maintenance kicks by attacking the lawn with a mower, the area’s inhabitants are more likely to be found going to work on their physique in one of the many late-night gyms.
<h2>Subtle variations relieve the sameness</h2>
Although Green Square might seem homogeneous from the window of a passing car, repeated walks through the area allow key differences to emerge from the background of sameness.
The area surrounding Alexandria Park, north of McEvoy Street and west of Wyndham Street, is thoughtfully scaled and features the natural amenity of a long-established park with its large fig trees and exemplary combination of formal and informal recreational spaces.
The area to the east, approaching South Dowling Street in Zetland, Waterloo and North Rosebery, is a different story. Zoning restrictions on building height creep up from 12 metres to 18 metres. Some sections bordering South Dowling are zoned at 24 metres. It’s a subtle but significant shift. The taller buildings lack a sympathy of measure with the trees and open space set aside for public usage.
Despite the difference in vertical profile, some of the garden city principles central to the development of 20th-century suburbia are preserved in these new developments. The City of Sydney ought to be commended on setting aside areas such as Tote Park, Mary O'Brien Reserve and Joynton Park. These feature a variety of public amenity and sensitively landscaped gardens with native plantings.
Considering the fragile balance between large buildings and open space, it’s imperative that any design decisions about the future of these parks are made with the residents' interests in mind. Likewise, the avenues of mature lemon-scented gums along Wolseley and Morris Groves have a positive impact on the visual amenity of the area that, in such a context, is disproportionate to their physical size.
<h2>In with the new, so what becomes of the old?</h2>
The rapid increase in new housing has made heritage a matter of concern for the City of Sydney. It has released a comprehensive study of the area’s industrial heritage and proposed 62 new listings. The listings will have a lasting consequence not only for the history of the area but for its character as it continues to develop.
The majority are buildings that date back prior to 1970, with Harry Seidler’s Q Store on Bourke Road the most recent. Red brick buildings in Art Deco and Functionalist styles fare particularly well. These will now, in all likelihood, outlast many of the post-1970s warehouses and showrooms currently in use.
Perversely enough, ruins can be among the most resilient types of architecture. In the future, this unusual combination of older red brick facades with the new residential developments emerging from their shells might be subject to yet another set of heritage orders to ensure their postmodern aesthetic contradictions are maintained for future generations.
While at first glance it might look like the ideal city, on closer inspection the Green Square urban renewal area reveals many different shades. Its legacy awaits the telling of a multitude of stories.
Tom Lee is lecturer, Faculty of Design and Architecture Building, University of Technology Sydney and author for The Conversation. He can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tom-lee-7002" target="_blank">here</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Move over suburbia, Green Square offers new norm for urban living

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The AFL finals are upon us and Spring has sprung… well, not quite yet. This time of year generally does coincide with a string of apartment developments readying themselves for public launch.

Whether they are looking to capitalise upon the improving Spring weather where buyers are more inclined to be out and about in the search for a new property, or seeking to secure as many sales as possible prior to the Christmas break, Apartments.com.au have identified upwards of 20 new apartment projects which have just launched or are in the process of doing so, with more to follow.

Middle and outer suburbs covered by these new and pending launches are numerous. Oakleigh, Hawthorn, Heidelberg, Bundoora, Cheltenham, Brighton, Preston, Essendon and Doncaster East are represented, as is the effervescent Box Hill with two new releases.

<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/image193_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Apartments in the suburbs continue to grow in popularity"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="709" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image193_0.jpg?itok=hiR9HvaL" title="Apartments in the suburbs continue to grow in popularity" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Apartments in the suburbs continue to grow in popularity</figcaption></figure>Closer to the big smoke and Fitzroy, South Yarra, Prahran, Brunswick East and Footscray will host new projects, with a handful already open to public sales. Footscray's pending release will further enhance Joseph Road Precinct's stance as an emerging apartment sector.

North Melbourne has two freshly released apartment projects but taking the honours is Richmond which continues to lead the way. No less than five apartments projects are in the immediate pipeline, with two currently available for public purchase.

These new releases, coupled with existing projects at sales and 20 plus projects which Apartments.com.au have in our database (at either planning assessment or approved), have Richmond locked in as one of the continuing apartment hot spots for some time to come.

<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/image208.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="There's no shortage of choice for prospective buyers"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="985" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image208.jpg?itok=F4uho3IG" title="There's no shortage of choice for prospective buyers" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>There's no shortage of choice for prospective buyers</figcaption></figure>Apartments.com.au garnered the thoughts of leading industry figure and Apartment Register founder Cameron Clarke, regarding the current spate of new apartment releases.

<blockquote>
Spring has historically been and continues to be the peak time of the year to release apartment projects in Melbourne for the simple reason that Melbourne is at its peak, culminating with the AFL Final Series, the Spring Racing Carnival and Spring Fashion Week. Spring motivates the return of local residents and attracts national and international visitors, it is simply a positive time and atmosphere for the most liveable city to be on display.

For this reason consumers have the largest number of development projects to choose from and therefore the largest selection of apartments to pick from. For the discerning owner occupier, investor and downsizer, the privilege of having priority pick in projects before public launch gives the buyer heightened control with the knowledge they accessing premium apartment stock. The sales speed at which particular off the plan developments can be sold is now measured in days as opposed to weeks or months, so any additional time to view a project is an advantage.

Spring is simply the easiest time of year to purchase with the maximum number of opportunities to do so.
<cite>Cameron Clarke</cite>
</blockquote>

For those looking for that extra edge when seeking to buy an apartment this Spring, you can register your interest and suburb preferences with Apartment Register.
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