Preliminary data by research giant Charter Keck Cramer reveals a 54 per cent decline in Build to Sell apartments across Australia's capital cities, while the Build to Rent boom continues with a 378 per cent increase over the last five years.

Charter Keck Cramer's upcoming National State of the Market Report - Key Metropolitan Areas, scheduled for release in September, will reveal&nbsp;a dramatic transformation in apartment supply patterns across Australia's capital cities between FY2016-2020 and FY2021-2025.

The Build to Sell (BTS) apartment sector has experienced a substantial contraction, with total supply falling by 54 per cent compared to the previous five-year period. The decline represents a reduction of 149,200 apartments across all capital cities.

<img alt="BTS Charter Keck Cramer" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3db2ddf3-e7c0-481f-b8b9-63efb365cb80" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-08-20%20at%2011.26.34%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=bsQl8inhZA7FeiPamnGvw1tse0obBdSd" />

Sydney led the downturn with a decrease of 73,600 apartments, followed by Melbourne (-42,800) and Brisbane (-26,800). Perth and Adelaide also recorded significant declines of 6,400 and 2,400 apartments respectively. Only Gold Coast and Canberra bucked the trend, with modest increases of 500 and 2,300 apartments.

In stark contrast, the Build to Rent (BTR) sector has emerged as a major force in the apartment market, recording a remarkable 378% increase in supply. This growth added 8,590 apartments across the capital cities during FY2021-2025. Melbourne dominated BTR growth with 6,160 additional apartments, while Sydney contributed 2,100 units. Brisbane and Canberra also recorded growth of 800 and 330 apartments respectively. Gold Coast and Perth recorded minor declines, while Adelaide maintained steady levels.

<img alt="BTR CKC" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ca13ffd4-ab93-4828-afd2-4c3dccbd2b51" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-08-20%20at%2011.28.54%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=SXNnpcJuFD36ViWOwF6izBBqcQc3NWao" />

“These preliminary findings indicate a fundamental shift in Australia's apartment development landscape, with traditional Build to Sell models giving way to institutional Build to Rent developments,” said Richard Temlett, Charter Keck Cramer’s National Executive Director of Research.

"This transition reflects changing investor preferences, regulatory environments and housing affordability challenges across major metropolitan areas.”

The complete Charter Keck Cramer National State of the Market Report – Key Metropolitan Areas will provide comprehensive analysis of these trends, their underlying drivers and implications for developers, investors and policymakers when released in September.

Joel Robinson

Build to Sell apartment supply drops 54% in five years across Australian capital cities

Verso Development Group is seeking to bring over 1,100 apartments to the heart of Brisbane's Toowong, with plans filed for a $1 billion, triple tower development known as Toowong Central.

The landmark urban regeneration project "aims to reshape the core of Brisbane’s inner-west riverside suburb."

Covering over 1.4-hectares across&nbsp;Sherwood Road, High Street, and Jephson Street, Toowong Central has been designed by KHA and will comprise three towers rising 49, 55, and 58 levels.

<img alt="Toowong Central" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="48611e3d-7123-4b99-b2cb-bfa4bc98024f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenities.png?VersionId=yKBexB.BgCkq4OET8fHDkWs0d3DjxOKJ" />

According to the Urban Context Report prepared by Urbis, Toowong Central is positioned as a “city-defining precinct reclaiming Toowong as ‘the best destination in the west’,” with a vision to deliver density differently, strengthen Toowong’s identity, and lead subtropical urban design.

There will be a wide range of apartment configurations, from one-bedrooms to five-bedroom penthouses, as well as short-term accomodation offerings. The design prioritises pedestrian permeability, with an activated public realm featuring a central civic plaza, laneways, and street-level retail and dining.

“The central square’s structure, programming, scale and location creates a social anchor - shaped by its edges, flexible for use, and animated by a diversity of experiences throughout the day and into the evening,” the Urban Context Report noted, reinforcing the project's ambition to become a vibrant community destination.

Design excellence was pursued through an international design competition, attracting entries from renowned practices such as UNStudio and BIG. KHA’s winning design distinguished itself with a ceremonial approach to the public realm, integrating terraces, tiered seating, and green infrastructure to promote social interaction and resilience.

The development builds upon two existing approvals: the 25- and 20-storey towers of the Aviary Toowong proposal, and a separate 25- and 24-storey approval at 88 Jephson Street. Consolidation of these fragmented landholdings under a precinct-wide approach allows for increased community value and cohesive urban integration.

Urbis Director Nicholas Stevenson said Toowong Central will bridge the gap in Toowong's current experience, unlocking the potential of the wider precinct.

"Overcoming experiential constraints and leveraging contextual advantages – Toowong Central will redefine Brisbane's inner west.”

<img alt="Toowong Central" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73f7a702-625d-452d-9df2-30a0863ac1e8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/master.png?VersionId=TZdh6wxGC_8IIroXpdkZfuhlS8mFZnea" />

Toowong Central’s ambition extends beyond residential and commercial outcomes. Uses under consideration include a world-class hotel, university facilities, a museum, and health and wellness services, reflecting its role as a western gateway to Brisbane’s growing innovation corridor between the CBD and the University of Queensland.

Urbis Managing Partner James Tuma said Brisbane has no greater opportunity to showcase the future of urban living than Toowong – a sustainable, economically vibrant, and people-centric place that embodies the best of Brisbane.

[The plans] gives us a glimpse into our future as a globally relevant, youthful, entrepreneurial, and distinctly subtropical city.”

$1 billion Toowong Central to deliver 1,100 apartments to undersupplied Brisbane market

In <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/runaway-bay-qld-4216">Runaway Bay</a>, new townhouse-scale waterfront residences are rare - but ones built to the standards found on Sovereign Island are almost unheard of.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/ocean-suites-on-jennifer-10-12-jennifer-avenue-runaway-bay-qld-4216">Ocean Suites on Jennifer</a>&nbsp;changes that, delivering a calibre of construction and detailing that places its seven villas well above the typical market offering in this northern Gold Coast pocket.

Ocean Suites on Jennifer will be move-in ready before Christmas this year, giving buyers the chance to spend the summer on the water in one of Runaway Bay’s rare new waterfront residences.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138718 project_image_fid=214444]

The development is a collaboration between <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/stuart-osman">Stuart Osman Design</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sand-side-developments">Sand Side Developments</a>, with construction by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/alroe-constructions">Alroe Constructions</a>.

Architect Stuart Osman says the intent from the outset was to create a home people would be drawn to. “When you build anything, the design is to make you want to go hang out in this house,” he says.&nbsp;

Ocean Suites on Jennifer’s design features a front façade softened with planter boxes, rear pool areas, and rooftop decks looking over the water.&nbsp;

Inside, voids and high skylights bring daylight deep into the centre of each home, while ceiling heights of 2.85 metres maintain a strong sense of volume.

Each four-level residence spans 345 to 388 sqm, with layouts accommodating multi-generational living - a ground-floor bedroom suite for older family members and upper levels for the rest of the household. A lift connects all floors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138718 project_image_fid=214435]

For Andrew Erwin, Director at NPA, the project’s appeal lies in both its location and the detail in execution.&nbsp;

"At Ocean Suites, you’ve got a canal-front setting with direct Broadwater access and a level of finish you’d normally only see in the city’s most prestigious addresses. The four-level layouts, the glass-framed living areas, the private pools, even the extended kitchens, every part of it has been designed with the buyer in mind,” he says.

Those buyers have so far been a mix of Gold Coast locals and interstate purchasers, many seeking a lock-up-and-leave holiday home or a downsized residence without sacrificing space for visiting family.&nbsp;

Older households with teenage children are a recurring profile, drawn to layouts that support multi-generational living and the ability to host extended stays.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138718 project_image_fid=214432]

Material selection reinforces the project’s quality-first ethos, with every home appointed to a premium standard. Kitchens and ensuites feature engineered stone surfaces, complemented by prestige oak engineered timber floors, Victorian ash hardwood staircases, and soft loop-pile carpet.

Premium lighting, statement pendants, ceiling fans, and Fujitsu ducted air conditioning elevate both comfort and design. Each residence also includes a suite of high-end appliances as standard - Fisher &amp; Paykel integrated fridges, Bosch ovens, induction cooktops and dishwashers, Vintec wine fridges, and Franke sinks.

Beyond the interiors, residents enjoy an enviable lifestyle with rooftop terraces, private plunge pools, fire pit areas, outdoor showers, smart home automation, laundry chutes, and private pontoons.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138718 project_image_fid=214452]

With no additional upgrade costs, Sand Side Developments underscores its no-shortcuts approach, delivering homes where luxury and amenity come as standard.

Osman adds that the kitchen has been designed as “the main hub of the house” with six metres high skylights above a galley-style layout that “makes it feel bigger, brighter, whiter” and “brings light into the centre of the home.”

Both architect and builder emphasise a shared commitment to delivering the intended design without compromise. “Working with Alroe’s structural team and their construction team, it’s been great to make sure that the look and feel that was originally intended is the result achieved at the end of the project,” Osman says.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138718 project_image_fid=214453]

Outdoor living has been given equal consideration, with rooftop terraces designed for entertaining with a fire pit and bar, and spacious undercover patios featuring private plunge pools.

The marine access is as carefully executed as the homes themselves. An eight-metre gangway leads to a six-metre private pontoon capable of mooring vessels up to 30 feet, just 300 metres by water from the Broadwater.&nbsp;

Even the orientation of each villa has been optimised to capture long views down the canal, across the Broadwater, and south to Main Beach.

With construction in its final stages, just three of the seven villas remain, priced from $3.365 million to $3.695 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=138718]

Sovereign Island standards come to Runaway Bay with Ocean Suites on Jennifer

Without local developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a>, it could be argued that the small suburb of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a> would be left behind when it comes to both new housing and retail opportunities.

Gardner Vaughan, one of South East Queensland’s most reputable builder-developers, has been based in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a> for the last decade. They plan to maintain their presence in the northern <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/brisbane-qld">Brisbane</a> suburb, just seven kilometres from Brisbane Airport and nine kilometres from the city, with the development of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/danby-lane-nundah-village-5-danby-lane-nundah-qld-4012">Danby Lane</a>, the first major project in several years in the heart of the town centre.

GVG will retain one of the commercial spaces in the new mixed-use building for their office headquarters. It will be located in the commercial podium, alongside several other new office spaces. Below will be a street-level retail precinct designed to reinvigorate the local economy, and above, 84 brand-new apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112531 project_image_fid=320114]

Over 60 percent of the apartments have already been snapped up, with buyers eager to secure one of the rare new apartments in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a>, as well as to benefit from Gardner Vaughan’s solid reputation and long-standing presence in the local community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112531 project_image_fid=320117]

Gardner Vaughan identified the site at the corner of Buckland Road and Danby Lane for its proximity to key amenities. Within 400 metres of the development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a> Village offers a variety of cafes, restaurants, and pubs. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a> Train Station, just 400 metres away, provides a quick 20-minute train ride into Roma Street.

The development has also attracted young families, drawn to the proximity of not one, but twelve parks, with Boyd Park and Oxenham Park being the most notable. Established families have shown interest due to the close proximity of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a> State School and Mary MacKillop College.

The one- and two-bedroom apartments in the building have already been snapped up, while the larger three- and four-bedroom apartments—ranging from a generous 117 sqm to nearly 200 sqm—remain highly sought after. There are also just three exclusive luxury penthouses left to sell.

With its in-house construction capability, Gardner Vaughan has already commenced construction on-site and expects to complete the building by March 2027. It's hard to see another opportunity to buy brand new in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a>, where creating a site anywhere near the scale of the Danby Lane is becoming more and more difficult.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112531]

Why Danby Lane is the focal point for change in Brisbane's Nundah

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/metro-property-group">Metro Property Group</a>’s flagship townhouse development, Citrine Townhomes in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/rochedale-qld-4123">Rochedale</a>, has reached another key construction milestone, with the first stage of townhouses now in the defects phase.

All building works for Stage 1 are complete, with the internal roads asphalted, line marking finished, and the bin store slab poured.&nbsp;All essential services, including permanent power, sewer, gas, and water, are now connected and operational.

The defects process is expected to continue until late-August.

<img alt="Citrine Townhomes, Rochedale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f48ad1d8-7bb2-424a-a378-2caa4d34c27d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/017%20-%20%20ROLLEY%20PHOTO%20MEDIA%20%20%20-24072025.jpg?VersionId=o5BC3LgYTwxcufsjldO8mkPww3gix1NC" />

Stage 2 is also moving forward steadily, with all townhouses sheeted, the first coat of paint applied, and joinery installed throughout. Tiling has been completed on six of the seven blocks, and the pool is scheduled to be pebblecreted by the end of August.

Stage 3 continues to gather momentum, with external cladding completed on three of the eight blocks. All townhouses have been fully roughed-in for electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning, and the first two blocks have now progressed to internal sheeting.

Stage 1 and 2 are 100 per cent sold and there are now just 10 four-bedroom townhomes left in Stage 3, priced from $1,125,000.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136295 project_image_fid=211]

Residents at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/citrine-townhomes-rochedale-311-gardner-road-rochedale-qld-4123">Citrine Townhomes</a> can also look forward to high-quality shared amenities. The residents' facility will feature a pool, landscaped areas, and a BBQ space, contributing to a lifestyle-focused community environment.

Metro’s fully furnished display home has generated strong interest locally, reinforcing the market’s confidence in the project. Stage 1 and 2 are completely sold out and Stage 3 has officially launched and is selling fast. Just 10 townhouses remain for sale in the development.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136295 project_image_fid=273134]

The broader Citrine development comprises 90 three and four-bedroom townhomes designed across two to three levels, offering a contemporary contrast to Rochedale’s surrounding single-family homes.

Located just 17 km from Brisbane CBD, Citrine is within walking distance to schools, parks, and the popular Rochedale Village, home to Coles, medical services, and dining options.

Metro Property Group remains on track for project completion, with settlements forecast for Stage 1 in October/November 2025, Stage 2 in November/December 2025, and Stage 3 in January/February 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136295]

First stage of townhouses at Citrine Rochedale reaches completion milestone

VicTrack

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Another station precinct development authorised by VicTrack has slipped into construction mode.

Piling works have begun on the southern building adjacent to Jewell railway station, which is part of a development backed by Neometro that will deliver approximately 120 new apartments metres away from a refurbished station and concourse. The southern building will eventually front both Barkly Street and the station forecourt.

The MA Architects-designed Barkly Street building will rise eight levels and include over 70 apartments and a green rooftop area. 

<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/ext_south_snippet_final_lowres_copy.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Jewell Station's southern building is under construction. Image: NeoMetero"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="352" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/ext_south_snippet_final_lowres_copy.jpg?itok=yQOUBdnY" title="Jewell Station's southern building is under construction. Image: NeoMetero" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Jewell Station's southern building is under construction. Image: NeoMetero</figcaption></figure>Its move to construction has also seen the apartments within the second building dubbed 17 Union Street released for sale. BKK Architects are responsible for the design of the Union Street building, in addition to acting as master-planners for the entire precinct.

According to the architecture practice, VicTrack were swayed in the direction of their submission for the station precinct renewal due to their design led solution which incorporated the latest in community consultation, sustainable practices, integrated living and adaptability.

According to VicTrack Jewell station's upgrade will also be delivered as part of the initial build.

Meanwhile, Ormond Station's redevelopment is back on the agenda as developer DealCorp seeks to placate authorities in a bid to have the multi-level apartment project revived. Architects ClarkeHopkinsClarke originally devised a 13 storey tower for site.

<blockquote>
Following the removal of a level crossing on North Road, the development of this land and airspace will capture value within the site, making it possible for the delivery of key public infrastructure. Secondly it will serve as a link between the two existing retail precincts flanking the train line, generating an expanded offering and improved experience for local shoppers as well as better commercial opportunities for the current tenancies.

Thirdly, it will introduce a quality apartment style product into this established residential community with a more affordable entry point into the market.

ClarkeHopkinsClarke
</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/image317.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ormond Station's initial 13 storey design. Image: ClarkeHopkinsClarke"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image317.jpg?itok=WlnCeQF2" title="Ormond Station's initial 13 storey design. Image: ClarkeHopkinsClarke" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ormond Station's initial 13 storey design. Image: ClarkeHopkinsClarke</figcaption></figure>The Victorian Parliament didn't see the project in the same light, electing to vote down the development primarily due to its height.

Earlier this month, The Age <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/renewed-design-for-high-rise-ormond-tower-20180304-p4z2ry">reported </a>that DealCorp's intentions for the development were back on track, albeit minus three levels. Owned by VicTrack, the site is now likely to host a ten level mixed-use building consisting primarily of apartments, with a full line supermarket, specialty retailers, bike share facilities and civic plaza included.

After holding positive talks with the state opposition, DealCorp will likely submit revised plans to the Level-Crossing Removal Authority for Ormond Place later this month.

<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/image318.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ormond Station's low-rise component. Image: ClarkeHopkinsClarke"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="293" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image318.jpg?itok=Wnnmv-uk" title="Ormond Station's low-rise component. Image: ClarkeHopkinsClarke" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ormond Station's low-rise component. Image: ClarkeHopkinsClarke</figcaption></figure>
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silvermb

Jewell Station apartments begin construction, Ormond Station tower lowered in height

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VicTrack's gradual purge of ancillary land is set to encompass a handful of additional stations, as the Government-backed body looks to further facilitate development around its key assets.

The first station to receive development under the Station Precinct Enhancement Program was Glen Waverley, which with development partner Consolidated Properties saw the delivery of the $70m IKON mixed-use project. Completed in late 2013, IKON is still a leading example, winning the national award for ‘Government Leadership’ at the Property Council of Australia’s Innovation and Excellence Awards during 2016.

With <a href="/news/jewell-stations-all-encompassing-ethos-set-to-provide-a-unique-development-outcome">Jewell Station's urban renewal underway</a>, which are the next locations that are set to fall into line under VicTrack's development program?

<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/36_05-05-2016_1802.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hampton isw set for change. Image: epc.Pacific"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="385" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/36_05-05-2016_1802.jpg?itok=Vqx6ItdK" title="Hampton isw set for change. Image: epc.Pacific" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Hampton is set for change. Image: epc.Pacific</figcaption></figure>Hampton Train Station has been announced as the next precinct to receive change. VicTrack has entered into a development agreement with Southbank-based developer epc.Pacific and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in order to create a new residential precinct adjacent to Hampton Station.

Set over 7,056sqm, VicTrack have seeded the land in order to "make the area around Hampton Station safer, more vibrant and more accessible, by delivering station precinct improvements funded by an adjoining mixed-use development." New buildings will incorporate social housing units in order to replace units currently onsite which will be demolished for the much larger development.

For its part, epc.Pacific have described the project which fronts Koolkuna Lane as carrying four separate five level buildings that will result in one, two and three bedroom apartments. With a nominal value of $120 million, the Hampton project is in the hands of ARM Architecture and Jam Architects, according to the developer's website.

Having been awarded the development rights for Hampton Station Precinct during 2015, the project has a tentative completion date of 2019.

<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/image127_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Longhouse was initiated by VicTrack. Image: JAM Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image127_1.jpg?itok=WTXg_NKD" title="Longhouse was initiated by VicTrack. Image: JAM Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Longhouse was initiated by VicTrack. Image: JAM Architects</figcaption></figure>Initiated by VicTrack, the subsequent approval of a land slither fronting Lynch Street, Hawthorn was sold to APL Developments. It has consequently proceeded to sales with the project having been dubbed Longhouse.

While Lynch Street was a land disposal, VicTrack do have a number of projects in the pipeline.

Essendon, Windsor, West Footscray, Victoria Park, Watsonia, Ringwood and East Richmond are stations that have been bandied around, with some locations seemingly more advanced than others. SMA Projects for instance have <a href="http://This%20includes%20a%20fresh%20agreement%20with%20developer%20SMA%20Projects%20to%20build%20above%20the%20railway%20tracks%20at%20Windsor%20station,%20between%20Chapel%20Street%20and%20a%20park%20called%20the%20Windsor%20Siding.">secured a land parcel above rail lines leading to Windsor Station</a> that will most likely result in apartments and community facilities.

An announcement regarding West Footscray is also nearing with a VicTrack spokesperson describing the <a href="http://www.starweekly.com.au/news/more-apartments-planned-opposite-west-footscray-station/pub/maribyrnong_hobsons_bay/">5,000sqm site as moving closer to reality</a>. Interestingly Maribyrnong City Council recently rejected development of an adjacent West Footscray site, even though Council planners raised no objections to the scheme for some 86 apartments over 7 levels. The project is seen below.

VicTrack will invariably be hoping that its intentions for West Footscray Station and surrounds fare better.

<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/image17_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="West Footscray's first attempt at higher density living. Image: 11 Dimensions"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="223" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image17_7.jpg?itok=Cd2BgiyL" title="West Footscray's first attempt at higher density living. Image: 11 Dimensions" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>West Footscray's first attempt at higher density living. Image: 11 Dimensions</figcaption></figure>
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The stations set for change under VicTrack's development drive

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Following on from the launch of the first of two apartment buildings that constitutes the new Jewell Station, Apartments.com.au took the opportunity to pose a number of questions to Neometro Director James Tutton. Extensively covered by Apartments.com.au during its inception, Jewell Station Precinct is the latest tract of land seeded by VicTrack in order to create a mixed-use, people friendly development outcome. 

Enter Neometro who have taken the opportunity to show their wares; Jewell Station being the latest development for the B Corporation-certified developer which actively promotes <a href="/news/high-density-happiness-with-neometros-james-tutton-and-jeff-provan">High Density Happiness</a>.

The project's 1 and 2 bedroom apartments have been created within the context of community gardens, enhanced bike paths, outdoor performance areas, overhauled park space and public art - in line with the developers stance on integrated development.

BKK Architects created the overall precinct design, with placemaking a firm priority. Their northern apartment building along with MA Architects' southern apartment building (which is currently at sales) are tasked with producing a "more holistic approach to urban regeneration that builds upon the local character and delivers a benchmark solution for inner-city living."

Although coy about exact apartment sales to date, James Tutton states that the project has been exceptionally well received with sales outpacing expectations.

<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/jewell_arch_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Jewel Station's southern apartment building. Image: Neometro"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="350" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/jewell_arch_4.jpg?itok=mqWAplyb" title="Jewel Station's southern apartment building. Image: Neometro" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Jewell Station's southern apartment building. Image: Neometro</figcaption></figure>Apartments.com.au's chat with James Tutton on the ethos behind Jewell Station transpired as follows:

UM: What distinguishing features set the development aside from other nearby developments also at sales?

JT: At Jewell Station we’re bringing together distinctive design, sustainability and community infrastructure to create a New Urban Village. It’s about shaping a sense of place that supports the wellbeing of those who live in the apartments as well as in the broader community.

Jewell Station is truly a collective endeavour that integrates apartment living with social infrastructure. New bike paths, communal gardens, public arts and events programs, a rejuvenated local park, cafés, independent retail and meditation spaces, are the foundations on which a new creative community will be built.

The project is also intended to leave a lasting design legacy and the commitment to creativity, subtlety and integrity at every stage of the design process also sets this development apart. We worked with Clare Cousins Architects to bring that side of the project to life but we’re also collaborating with our long-time community partners, including urban farming group 3000acres who has established community gardens, Melbourne art consultancy Utopian Slumps who has commissioned a public art piece for the precinct, and speciality coffee trader Phase One Coffee (formerly Place Holder) who has opened a new café onsite.

UM: What values are Neometro trying to promote via the development?

JT: To us, a home is much more than four walls and a roof. Building spaces that promote creative and connected communities is at the core of our values.

At Jewell Station we’ve taken into account the physical attributes of apartments that support ‘High Density Happiness’, such as sound insulation and natural light, as well as the external environment, where we’ve prioritised pedestrians and cyclists over cars and created beautiful green spaces for people to enjoy.

Having community infrastructure has a positive impact on the physical and emotional wellbeing of people. The community infrastructure however needs to be something whereby people can either opt in or out. What we have done at Jewell Station is not create a situation where people have to share laundries or are forced into that co-habitation, but rather they can choose to use community gardens or meditate in the outdoor leisure space and that ability to decide for themselves has a major impact on their well being.

And of course you also look at lighting, security, walkability and proximity to retail, education and transport. They're all factors that contribute to physical and mental wellbeing in terms of people's living environment.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/jewell_arch_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Upfield Bike Path will also be upgraded. Image: Neometro"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="350" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/jewell_arch_5.jpg?itok=gZMtSfzp" title="Upfield Bike Path will also be upgraded. Image: Neometro" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Upfield Bike Path will also be upgraded. Image: Neometro</figcaption></figure>UM: How will the surrounding community benefit from the development of Jewell Station?

JT: Jewell Station will revitalise Brunswick and serve not only as a transport hub but also as a cultural heart within the suburb. The surrounding community will benefit from social infrastructure such as new bike paths, communal gardens, public arts and events programs, a rejuvenated local park, cafes, and independent retail and meditation spaces.

The revitalisation has already begun, even though we are yet to begin building the Barkly apartments. Rather than leaving the land vacant in the lead up to construction, we’ve created an onsite display that doubles as a meeting space, bringing the community together for talks, workshops, performances and installations.

UM: Has the process (dealing with VicTrack) been markedly different to the normal planning process?

JT: Prior to engaging Neometro, VicTrack had extensive engagement with council and this meant there was clarity around what could and could not be done with the site. This enabled a positive outcome with the subsequent planning application.

Another distinctive feature was the high degree of community and stakeholder engagement that VicTrack had initiated prior to appointing Neometro. This helped to smooth the process of taking the scheme back to the community for feedback, prior to the planning application being lodged. This smooth process led to a successful application with zero objections and no need to go to VCAT.

UM: Would Neometro repeat the Jewell Station model if given the opportunity to do so elsewhere?

JT: Absolutely. The process has resulted in a very positive, strong working relationship between Neometro and VicTrack. The New Urban Village concept incorporates the elements of design, environmental sustainability and community infrastructure that defines Neometro’s ethos of High Density Happiness.

The Jewell Station model is one that we are keen to apply to future key development sites.

<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/services_property_property_development.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A render of Jewell Station's much improved public forecourt"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="249" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/services_property_property_development.jpg?itok=sUCs1fRc" title="A render of Jewell Station's much improved public forecourt" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A render of Jewell Station's much improved public forecourt. Image: VicTrack</figcaption></figure>For the record, Hampton Station Precinct is next in line to receive an apartment and retail upgrade at the hands of VicTrack. Multiple residential building, improved public access, a reconfigured bus interchange and new commuter car parking are intended, as is a likely potential upgrade to the Hampton Station itself.
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Jewell Station's all-encompassing ethos set to provide a unique development outcome

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The public is now able to view plans for Jewell Station's much hyped redevelopment, with documents currently on display for perusal via Moreland City Council's online planning register. After a lengthy community engagement period, VicTrack and development partner Neometro pressed ahead with a town planning submission during July.

Billed as an opportunity to bring residential and retail development to the station precinct in conjunction with an overhaul of Jewell Station's public domain, the project has taken in excess of three years to reach this point. Following periods of public consultation, "The feedback from these sessions was incorporated into Neometro's final designs, which they submitted to council" <a href="https://www.victrack.com.au/jewellstationprecinct#.VewsF_mqpBc">according to VicTrack</a>.

<h2>Public realm improvements</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/image164_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The envisaged remodelling of Jewell Station"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="246" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image164_0.jpg?itok=2Je_TPG4" title="The envisaged remodelling of Jewell Station" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The envisaged remodelling of Jewell Station</figcaption></figure>Documents within the planning application state on numerous occasions that public realm improvements are exempt from this planning application and are for information purposes only. Having said that, a suite of renders accompanying the provided information suggest the design seen above is what is likely to be delivered.

Precinct landscaping will likely see a new Grand Staircase implemented leading onto the station platform, increased seating surrounding the station, areas set aside for passive and programmed activation such as pop up stalls, new lighting and provision for art installations. Two residential buildings will frame the precinct.

Jewell Station itself will be refurbished and will include facilities for Protective Services Officers.

Furthermore after public input, the revitalisation will also include Watson Park to the west of Jewell Station which will be overhauled to include a new playground, enhanced access to the station, community gardens and a flexible project space.

<h2>North residential building</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/image140.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="BKK's contribution as envisaged from Union Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="356" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image140.jpg?itok=Wn25_s_Z" title="BKK's contribution as envisaged from Union Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>BKK's contribution as envisaged from Union Street</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>579sqm footprint with existing single story industrial use onsite</li>
	<li>Designed by BKK Architects</li>
	<li>Eight level building at 29.9 metres</li>
	<li>44 apartments: 23 x 1BR, 19 x 2BR, 2 x 3BR</li>
	<li>Three level basement for 26 vehicles</li>
	<li>46 bikes spaces at ground level</li>
	<li>Two retail tenancies fronting both Jewell Station and Union Street</li>
	<li>Rooftop yoga/meditation space, BBQ and terrace included</li>
</ul>
<h2>South residential building</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/image141.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Interaction between old and new"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="325" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image141.jpg?itok=e18E8p5d" title="Interaction between old and new" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Interaction between old and new</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>1273sqm footprint with empty industrial building and at grade car park onsite</li>
	<li>Designed by MA Architects</li>
	<li>Eight level building at 30.5 metres</li>
	<li>78 apartments: 13 x 1BR, 65 x 2BR</li>
	<li>Three level basement for 74 vehicles and 176 bikes</li>
	<li>Two commercial tenancies and one retail tenancy at ground level</li>
	<li>External terrace at Level 1</li>
</ul>
<h2>Comment</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/image139_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aerial perspective of the Jewell Station redevelopment."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="321" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image139_0.jpg?itok=0WJJFDxF" title="Aerial perspective of the Jewell Station redevelopment." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aerial perspective of the Jewell Station redevelopment.</figcaption></figure>VicTrack states on its website that it along with Neometro hold a shared vision of creating "A place that improves Jewell Station and its surrounds, while reflecting the unique character of Brunswick." One could not imagine that extensive public feedback for the project would have resulted in the southern building presenting as a very simplistic endeavour with slight architectural merit.

The northern building for instance maintains a completely active frontage to Jewell Station-Upfiled Bike Path while the southern building's frontage includes a grilled ground level car park and building services mixed with commercial window fronts. More could have been done with the building itself but more importantly how it presents to the public realm.

It's likely the southern building employs precast panels as an effective means to mitigate noise from the adjoining rail line but one should look no further than <a href="http://www.smallgiants.com.au/a-new-eco-village-is-born-the-commons-is-complete/">The Commons</a> nearby to understand what can be achieved on a development plot opposite a rail line.

Gripes regarding one particular aspect of the precinct renewal aside, the overall result to date looks to be highly satisfactory where it matters most: improving the public realm and improving what is currently an unsafe and decrepit area surrounding a key piece of transport infrastructure.
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