The residential transformation of St Kilda Road is set to continue into with more new apartment plans for the sought-after boulevard.

Wing Tai Asia has lodged plans for a major residential tower at 464-466 St Kilda Road, replacing the former VACC House with an 18-storey mixed-use development designed around a retained heritage podium and a sculpted contemporary tower.

The proposal, prepared under Victoria’s Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway, would deliver 325 apartments and ground-floor retail across the prominent 4,653 sqm boulevard site in Melbourne’s St Kilda Road North Precinct.

The project centres on the adaptive reuse of the site’s heritage-listed VACC Building, an eight-storey office designed by Bernard Evans that has occupied the address for decades. Planning documents state the development would involve “carefully dismantling and conserving off-site the original metal fabric of the podium visible from St Kilda Road,” before reinstating it as the defining frontage of the new scheme.

Above the restored podium, Wing Tai is proposing a curvilinear residential tower. The scheme includes 172 one-bedroom apartments, 63 two-bedroom apartments, 66 three-bedroom apartments, and 24 four-bedroom apartments, alongside two ground-floor food and beverage tenancies fronting St Kilda Road.

The tower has been designed with substantial articulation and variable setbacks to minimise perceived bulk and maintain view corridors along the boulevard. Urbis, which prepared the planning report, said the design “has been significantly articulated through a curvilinear design” with “an interplay with materials, façade expression and depth” to create visual separation and visual interest.

The proposal also includes 254 basement car spaces, landscaped pedestrian links connecting St Kilda Road and Queens Lane, and a biophilic landscape strategy featuring canopy trees, raised planters, cascading greenery and a glass oculus pool overlooking the eastern frontage.

Planning documents confirm the $270.1 million development will contribute 3 per cent of project costs to the Social Housing Growth Fund as part of the application process.

Wing Tai acquired the St Kilda Road property in 2018 alongside Abacus Property Group for $95.38 million, before later consolidating ownership of the site. The property previously served as the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce headquarters for around 60 years.

The transformation of the St Kilda Rd boulevard is already beginning to materialise, with a number of high-profile projects recently completed, launched, or approaching launch as developers continue to back the long-term appeal of the precinct.

Among the most notable recent completions is Louise by Samuel Property Group, just off the strip on Queens Lane, the same pocket Hirsch &amp; Faigen recently launched The Queensbury. Mirvac is too on the same street with The Albertine, which is approaching completion.

Dexus recently secured approval for its slice of St Kilda Road, while Gurner also has approved plans for the precinct.

Joel Robinson

Wing Tai unveils 325-apartment St Kilda Road tower on former VACC House site

Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
</section>
</section>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Woods Bagot

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Box Hill Hospital's new 52,000 square metre facility was officially opened on on 12 August 2014. The $447.5 million redevelopment and expansion of the existing Box Hill Hospital is a vanguard project of sorts, marking the first completed facility in the current wave of new hospital projects throughout greater Melbourne which are either well into construction or due to commence.

Together these projects represent billions of dollars worth of investment into the State's health infrastructure, and rightfully so as Melbourne and Victoria's population continues to grow (and age) rapidly.

<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/bhh.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The new Box Hill Hospital Building A"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="230" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bhh.jpg?itok=Y-aHlCpH" title="The new Box Hill Hospital Building A" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The new Box Hill Hospital Building A</figcaption></figure>Below are five large-scale hospital projects currently under construction. Clockwise they are the <a href="http://www.vcccproject.vic.gov.au/">Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre</a>, <a href="http://www.peninsulahealth.org.au/frankston-hospital-stage-3/">Frankston Hospital Stage 3</a>, <a href="/news/monash-childrens-hospital-begins-construction">Monash Children's Hospital</a>, <a href="http://www.warringalprivate.com.au/Redevelopment/">Warringal Private</a> and <a href="http://www.epworth.org.au/About-Us/Major-Projects/Richmond-Redevelopment/Pages/homepage.aspx">Epworth Pod 4</a>. The combined project value of these five projects represents a $1.5 billion (approx) investment into new local public and private hospitals, hundreds of new beds and the advancement in treatment and technology standards.

Ancillary to the core purpose of the structures is the design flair which has been employed. Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre holds prime position on the Haymarket roundabout and Silver Thomas Hanley/DesignInc with McBride Charles Ryan have designed an astounding building.  Lyons have produced Frankston Stage 3 while field specialist Silver Thomas Hanley are responsible for the three remaining projects.

Add the recent Royal Children's Hospital build and the internal/external design quality of Melbourne's healthcare facilities has taken a quantum leap forward.

<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/image70h.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Five hospitals currently under construction"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image70h.jpg?itok=ZdU08B-Q" title="Five hospitals currently under construction" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Five Melbourne hospitals currently under construction</figcaption></figure><h2>Upcoming projects</h2>

Healthscope have recently lodged plans for an expansion of John Fawkner Hospital located in Coburg. Works would see an expanded existing hospital, including four level extensions to both Glencairn Avenue and Jessie Street.

<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/image66jf.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="An expanded John Fawkner. Image © Billard Leece"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="281" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image66jf.jpg?itok=Fb6BG_tA" title="An expanded John Fawkner. Image © Billard Leece" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>An expanded John Fawkner. Image © Billard Leece</figcaption></figure>In an altogether larger project Healthscope have initiated works on Knox Private Hospital's expansion with Watpac last week announcing it had been awarded an initial $45 million contract to undertake works onsite.

The overall Knox Private masterplan conceived by Woods Bagot calls for the facility to become the second largest hospital in Victoria, with online documents available via <a href="https://www.knox.vic.gov.au/Files/Planning/DPO_Amended_Drawings_-_submitted_to_Council_January_2014.pdf">Knox City Council's website</a>. The four-year $180 million project would see 750 construction jobs created with an additional 1000 permanent positions once the expansion is complete.

According to <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/knox-private-hospital-to-get-180m-upgrade-create-1750-local-jobs/story-fngnvlxu-1226707677700">Knox Leader</a> "An extra 240 beds, four new surgical wards, a new labour delivery unit, bigger emergency department and 350 extra parking spots" will be included.

<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/image67knox.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Knox Private. Image © Bates Smart"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="291" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image67knox.jpg?itok=fGrKPBs_" title="Knox Private. Image © Bates Smart" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Knox Private. Image © Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure>Elsewhere fringe facilities <a href="http://www.afr.com/p/business/property/generation_healthcare_to_build_hospital_f4M59DF9xDBdYUQndIcomO">Casey Private</a> and Epping Hospital are preparing for sizeable expansions, with Casey catering for three new buildings one of which is a second dedicated hospital. <a href="http://www.epworth.org.au/about-us/major-projects/freemasons-redevelopment/Pages/homepage.aspx">Freemasons East Melbourne</a> is due for a $59 million expansion while Royal Melbourne's masterplan also envisages for the addition of new buildings, potentially including a 20 level tower fronting Royal Parade, thus allowing growth for on of Melbourne's most important facilities.

Lead image credit: <a href="http://www.floodslicer.com.au/">Flood Slicer</a>.
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silvermb

Expanding Melbourne's healthcare infrastructure

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So it has come to be that a slab of marble facade dislodging itself during 2012 has led to one of Melbourne's more audacious and sought after planning amendments. From that initial 'loss of face,' a chain of events has since seen 447 Collins Street vacated, approved for demolition and subject to an international design competition at the behest of current owner, <a href="http://www.cbusproperty.com.au/news/latest/cbus-snares-collins-street-gem/" target="_blank">Cbus Property</a>.

<a href="http://www.woodsbagot.com/" target="_blank">Woods Bagot</a> in conjunction with New York-based <a href="http://www.shoparc.com/" target="_blank">SHoP Architects</a> have created dual concept designs that would contravene one of Melbourne's enduring planning covenants, thus potentially setting a new benchmark for others to emulate. The Yarra River and Southbank have long been considered off limits in terms of overshadowing as explained below.

<h2>A river runs through it</h2>

<blockquote>
The importance of the Yarra River as a key natural feature of Melbourne is acknowledged in State planning policy, the Melbourne Planning Scheme and the Planning Schemes of other relevant municipalities. The only basis upon which an exemption to the prohibition could possibly be contemplated is if there was a demonstrated public benefit which would outweigh such an impact on a natural asset of state significance.

However, it is considered that it is premature to consider an exemption from the mandatory shadow prohibition requirement without further resolution of a detailed design for future development of the site.
<cite>Report to the Future Melbourne (Planning) Committee</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>Bridge and Spire concepts under consideration</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/image18447.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Alternative Spire (left) and Bridge concept designs. Image courtesy SHoP / Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="269" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image18447.jpg?itok=9-Vzd6w0" title="Alternative Spire (left) and Bridge concept designs. Image courtesy SHoP / Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Alternative Spire (left) and Bridge concept designs (right). Image courtesy SHoP / Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure>Seen above are the two concepts put forward for consideration and comment. Spire refers to the single slender tower in the vicinity of 300 metres in height while Bridge consists of two interconnected towers at 190 metres and 160 metres respectively.

The Spire proposal incorporates a tower to the western portion of the 5,900sqm site. Its massing and three separate elements sees Spire hold a remarkably similar form to another Melbourne proposal, <a href="/news/a-point-of-difference-97-franklin-street-melbourne" target="_blank">97 Franklin Street.</a>

While both schemes are mixed-use (commercial, residential and hotel and retail) only Spire proposes a large public space to three street frontages. This provision of a new public space by way of a city park is the 'carrot' for anointing Spire as the preferred outcome and would see a new public space of 2,000sqm established, equivalent in size to City Square or the State Library forecourt. Interestingly the Spire design seeks to subsume part of Market Street thus increasing dedicated public space 2,739sqm.

A height versus public benefit relationship is at play with the two designs. While Bridge would lessen Yarra River and Southbank overshadowing concerns, it also drastically reducing the amount of square metres dedicated to public space whereas Spire aims to deliver the opposite outcome. Therein lies the crux of the matter.

<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/image15447.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="One outcome includes implementing a large public space. Image courtesy SHoP / Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="243" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image15447.jpg?itok=XA4Vj_Ya" title="One outcome includes implementing a large public space. Image courtesy SHoP / Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A large open space is the defining difference. Image courtesy SHoP / Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure>Despite discussions between City of Melbourne's Urban Design Branch and the proponent, City of Melbourne's Future Melbourne Committee report recommends the opposition of the proposed Planning Scheme amendment.

<blockquote>
Overall it is considered that the proposal is not supportable due to the potential to further erode a long-held policy and due to the loss of amenity to Queensbridge Square and the Yarra River corridor. The numerous policies which seek to protect the Yarra River and which highlight Queensbridge Square as an important open space are not given enough weight in the applicant’s submission. Although it is acknowledged that the proposal presents potential gain to an area of open space this should not be at the expense of existing amenity and character to one of our most important assets.
<cite>Report to the Future Melbourne (Planning) Committee</cite>
</blockquote>

In effect this places the final decision squarely in the hands of State Planning Minister Matthew Guy.

<h2>447 Collins and 555 Collins to overshadow?</h2>

Further west along Melbourne's premier thoroughfare, 555 Collins Street has garnered media attention in recent times. Touted as the future home of a 404-metre skyscraper, the initial proposal was promptly <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/business/property/skyscraper-plans-cut-down-to-size-20130710-2pqfv" target="_blank">consigned to history</a> owing to Essendon Airport's flight path restrictions.

Consequently controlling interests sold the site to Singaporean developer Fragrance Group and Apartments.com.au understands that preliminary talks have taken place regarding an optimal design envelope for the site. While a nominal height for 555 Collins Street has been put forward we're unable to divulge further information, suffice it to say that both 555 Collins Street and 447 Collins Street would comfortably overshadow the Yarra at certain times of the year based on initial concepts.
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Cbus Property seeks a sky-high planning scheme amendment for 447 Collins

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A valuable piece of Victorian infrastructure officially began work on Tuesday this week, with the first sod of soil turned to signify construction of the new Monash Children's Hospital. Located at Monash Medical Centre Clayton (MMCC), the new 230-bed, purpose-built Monash Children’s Hospital marked construction with Victorian Premier, Dr Denis Napthine joining festivities.

Conceived as a response to the growing need to service Melbourne and Victoria's increasing population, the facility will be one of two statewide tertiary paediatric facilities, and the only venue in the state which provides foetal surgery, thalassemia and paediatric cardiac electro-physiology.

Head contractor Lend Lease Building (Baulderstone) expect the concrete structure to rise skyward by October with dual tower cranes erected either side of the Christmas break. The concrete structure is expected to be finished by August 2015 with full completion roughly a year later, owing to the lengthy fitouts when constructing hospitals.

<h2>Project details</h2>

<ul>
<li>Clients: Monash Health &amp; Victorian Department of Health</li>
	<li>Architect: Silver Thomas Hanley</li>
	<li>Builder: Lend Lease Building (Baulderstone)</li>
	<li>30,000sqm paediatric hospital: Australia’s third largest children’s hospital</li>
	<li>230-bed facility</li>
	<li>completion late 2016</li>
	<li>Cost estimate: $250 million</li>
</ul>
<h2>Construction facts</h2>

<ul>
<li>14,000 cubic metres of concrete will be used in construction</li>
	<li>1500 tonnes of reinforcement</li>
	<li>35000m2 of plasterboard will be used</li>
	<li>1000 doors will be installed</li>
	<li>35000m2 of floor finishes including vinyl and carpet</li>
	<li>35000 cubic metres of dirt will be removed</li>
	<li>2-year construction program</li>
	<li>Two tower cranes on site</li>
</ul>
<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/10557445_698604163544184_6428558200327830895_n_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hospital internal render. Image © monashhealth.org"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="442" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/10557445_698604163544184_6428558200327830895_n_1.jpg?itok=ktQXv_sW" title="Hospital internal render. Image © monashhealth.org" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Hospital internal render. Image © monashhealth.org</figcaption></figure><h2>Children's joins the TRF</h2>

Monash Children's isn't the only project worthy of note currently under construction at MMCC. With a tower crane visible from far and wide, Lend Lease Building (Baulderstone) have advanced the Translational Research Facility (seen below) to the first floor structure.

Designed as an incubator for knowledge and research, the facility "Will bring together basic and clinical researchers grouped by theme; integrated transitional research laboratories; a dedicated clinical trial centre; a general research centre and common use research platforms." The end result is a research centre designed to enable world-class clinical research, "Translated into best-practise, patient-centred healthcare" according to Monash Health.

<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/mhtp-trf_north.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Monash Health Translation Precinct – Translational Research Facility. Image © monashhealth.org"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="341" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mhtp-trf_north.jpg?itok=Csp4ix5Y" title="Monash Health Translation Precinct – Translational Research Facility. Image © monashhealth.org" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Monash Health Translation Precinct – Translational Research Facility. Image © monashhealth.org</figcaption></figure>Valued at $84 million, the Woods Bagot-designed facility secured $71 million via Federal Government funding with the remaining $13m being provided by the project partners. The Translational Research Facility is due for completion late 2015.
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