<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/aura-by-aqualand-north-sydney-168-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">AURA</a>&nbsp;doesn’t just rise over North Sydney, it redefines it. Now in its final release, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aqualand-australia">Aqualand</a>’s $1 billion architectural statement is not just complete, but already reshaping the way people live, connect and dine in this rapidly evolving harbourside CBD.

Positioned beside the new Victoria Cross Metro Station and boasting panoramic views across Sydney Harbour, Aura’s 386 residences crown a mixed-use precinct designed with unapologetic ambition. The curvaceous sandstone-inspired form by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a>, paired with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/richards-stanisich">Richard Stanisich</a>’s understated interiors, sets a design tone that’s both monumental and intimate.

At its peak, literally, the two penthouses so spectacular they command their own names; La Davina and Il Magnate. The residents are spread across the&nbsp;entire top floor, offering what many consider the most refined residences ever built in North Sydney. Designed by Richard and Kirsten Stanisich, each four-bedroom home is meticulously crafted to evoke calm, space, and permanence.&nbsp;

<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/VB70993aG-I?si=adRBlXQliYmYvaSz" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

The kitchens are fully wrapped in natural stone, with integrated Gaggenau appliances, Sub-Zero fridges, concealed sculleries, and even a zip hydro tap delivering boiling, chilled and sparkling water on demand. A linear stone fireplace anchors the open-plan living space, dividing lounge and dining zones with quiet sophistication.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292861]

The master suite, meanwhile, feels more like a private retreat, complete with a custom stone makeup vanity, walk-through dressing area, and spa-inspired ensuite with heated stone floors, a freestanding Villeroy &amp; Boch tub, and timber veneer joinery throughout.

Kirsten Stanisich, Director of Richards Stanisich, said the penthouses offer incredible scale reflective of a single residence.&nbsp;

“We sought inspiration for these remarkable residences from the classic top-floor Parisian apartment," Stanisich said.

"We looked at what made these French apartments so elegant and found it really came down to their scale. It was ultimately this generosity of space that we used for the AURA penthouses, where we’ve designed considered rooms with deep large-scale proportions."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=310337]

Everyday living at Aura feels no less elevated. A dedicated 24-hour concierge, Technogym fitness centre, sky dining terraces, and a resort-style pool serve a lifestyle designed to rival luxury hotels.

At street level, Aqualand’s own hospitality arm, Etymon Projects, curates a precinct of LA-style bistros, Japanese fine dining, and local wine bars, all seamlessly integrated into the building’s sculptural podium.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=310337]

This final chapter, aptly dubbed The Finale, is more than a sales phase, it’s an invitation to two of the most exclusive apartments ever to be built in North Sydney.

With limited residences remaining, buyers can access curated incentives including stamp duty rebates, rental guarantees, legal fee coverage, and even $20,000 towards dining within the precinct.

From generous one-bedders to The Icons, two singular penthouses priced well into prestige territory, Aura’s offerings reflect a scale and calibre rarely seen in urban Sydney. And with move-in now immediate, this is no longer a promise of future luxury. It’s happening.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=30959]

Staff Writer

Aqualand unveils penthouse collection at AURA By Aqualand in North Sydney

There’s no sign of the development wave that began several years ago slowing along Old Burleigh Road.

Around 10 new apartment developments are either underway or preparing to launch along the 800-metre strip stretching from the southern edge of Surfers Paradise towards the heart of Broadbeach, collectively adding just shy of 1,000 new apartments to the beachfront corridor.

The latest plans propose a further 30 apartments to replace an original six-unit walk-up on a 658 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/20a-old-burleigh-road-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">20A Old Burleigh Road</a>. The 14-storey building has been designed by Ferro Chow Architecture, which recently joined the Elevation Architecture Group.

The developer behind the project is Geoffrey Booth, whose Future Liv In has focused on delivering rental accommodation across regional Australia.

<img alt="Old Burleigh Road" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="99d393e7-d404-43bc-80cb-6255c39b83d6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-01-05%20at%2012.28.44%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ZFT8F3mOny4M4ut.kFF3woC9WH9oR5gT" />

The Old Burleigh Road development will comprise 18 two-bedroom apartments, 10 three-bedroom apartments, and a single four-bedroom residence occupying the entirety of level 12. Above, the building will be crowned by a two-storey penthouse with its own private lift, several multi-purpose rooms, and two rooftop terraces — one featuring a puppy lawn and spa, the other offering a private swimming pool, sunset deck, and built-in barbecue.

Resident amenities will be located on the second level and include a pool with adjoining spa, cabana, and pool deck, along with an indoor residents’ lounge featuring a bar and an alfresco barbecue kitchen.

In the architectural statement submitted by Elevation Architecture, the project is referred to as “UMI”, which the firm says has been “inspired by the majestic hinterlands and shaped by the coastal climate”.

“It is an exemplar of how community living can still feel at one with nature, breathable, and deeply connected in place,” the architects noted.

They added that the site benefits from established building separation to adjoining towers, helping to maintain privacy, sunlight, and residential amenity, while still offering direct beach access within an urban setting.

“Drawing inspiration from the Gold Coast hinterlands and the region’s natural landscape, the podium and tower detail highlights the contrasting elements of treetop green and cliff-face peach. The vibrant texture and materiality shaped by time has a richness in depth and character.”

<img alt="Old Burleigh Road" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b3d6c923-a0ab-4d74-86da-177313447e8e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-01-05%20at%2012.28.38%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=i2fygmoVQM6hWpbATTAW_yTitoMTrnI1" />

Old Burleigh Road has become a hotspot for developers, with the three-tower Jewel development kickstarting a wave of projects up and down the strip when it was completed in 2020.

Currently under construction and approaching completion is <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/faro-broadbeach-123-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">FARO Broadbeach</a> by 5Point and Bottega, 21 large-scale half- and full-floor apartments. 5Point is also behind the recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lumara-108-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">Lumara</a>, another 37 apartments to add to the pipeline.

Luxury builder GRAYA is progressing construction on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/enclave-by-graya-118-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">Enclave</a>, its first Gold Coast tower, while Polycell remains the most active developer on the street. They are preparing to launch <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/sandpiper-broadbeach-155-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">Sandpiper</a>, a 50-storey redevelopment of the former Sandpiper Holiday Resort that will deliver around 200 apartments alongside extensive resident amenity. The group also has another 130-apartment project approved nearby, as does <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/dvb-approved-for-second-broadbeach-apartment-development">Dean Gallagher’s DVB Projects</a>.

Joel Robinson

First look: Old Burleigh Road apartment development wave continues

Sunshine Coast developer Habitat Development Group continues to position itself as one of the region’s largest new apartment developers.

Its latest project is in Maroochydore, where it is currently delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-millwell-2-millwell-road-east-maroochydore-qld-4558">The Millwell</a>. Adjacent to the new 53-hectare Maroochydore City Centre project, Habitat is planning a further 180 apartments on a 3,468 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/132-136-aerodrome-road-maroochydore-qld-4558">132–136 Aerodrome Road</a>. The site was purchased with approval for a smaller 13-storey, 103-unit building.

Habitat will demolish the two existing retail centres, currently home to the Salvation Army Family Store and Neighbours Aid, and replace them with an 18-storey building featuring the significant rooftop amenities that have become a hallmark of Habitat developments in recent years. The rooftop will include both indoor and outdoor spaces, anchored by an infinity swimming pool.

<img alt="Maroochydore" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ad434d07-666b-4614-b33e-530ad6a2d261" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-01-05%20at%2010.12.33%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=7pyLsPWKQuwv0us3_v.9DmbzEc2VZe9Z" />

There will be a mix of one- to four-bedroom apartments.

The Development Assessment Report, submitted to the Sunshine Coast Council, says the proposal&nbsp;is not speculative, but a response to both zoning intent and demonstrated housing need.

“The proposed development represents an appropriate and logical intensification of the site, consistent with the planning framework and the intended urban outcomes for the locality.”

Across the Sunshine Coast, councils are increasingly scrutinising not just height or yield, but whether new projects genuinely align with the long-term structure plans underpinning growth corridors. The&nbsp;ASTP Planning Report&nbsp;reinforces the approach, noting that the project has been shaped around site responsiveness rather than generic typology.

“The development has been designed to respond to the physical constraints and opportunities of the site, while delivering a high-quality residential outcome that integrates with the existing and emerging urban context.”

<img alt="Habitat" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3a03fc54-4ca5-4868-88d0-eeced70604e2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-01-05%20at%2010.12.28%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=1pkK3lJrrZjkghTLBReM2zatcas4Nc4B" />

In mid-2025, Habitat, a developer that also builds its own projects, commenced construction on The Millwell, located just over one kilometre from the new proposal. The Millwell will comprise more than 200 apartments across two eight-storey buildings.

Habitat also has two projects on Lake Kawana in Birtinya: <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/st-clair-birtinya-930-931-waterside-retreat-birtinya-qld-4575">St Clair</a>, a 200-unit, two-building development launched last year and set to welcome buyers this year; and Esperance, a 175-apartment project currently progressing through the development approval process.

First look: Habitat continues to bolster Sunshine Coast apartment pipeline with Maroochydore development plans

John Camilleri, the breeder of legendary racehorse Winx, is set to deliver a landmark two-tower beachfront development that would redefine the Surfers Paradise skyline.

Camilleri, who spent around $100 million acquiring development sites across the Gold Coast in 2025, has lodged plans for two new towers on the dress-circle stretch of Garfield Terrace, just two days before Christmas.

In assembling the site, Camilleri's Celestino Developments has effectively acquired the 71 Garfield project by Iris Capital and AALTO by Weiya Holdings, creating an unrivalled <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/63-79-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">4,000 sqm beachfront holding along Garfield Terrace</a>.

The proposal comprises two residential towers of 55 and 48 storeys, linked by a dramatic skybridge which will home “exclusive VIP and wellness amenities.”

In total, the development would deliver 275 two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments across the two towers, rising above a shared landscaped podium that incorporates a central green space and a beachfront swimming pool stretching more than 90 metres.

<img alt="DBI" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="097900f3-6bef-4919-b168-b08f2f762876" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-30%20at%209.37.58%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=et0SpmcvaPPVrexI_zWi46BVFtZBxAzx" />

Architecture firm DBI, in documents submitted to Gold Coast City Council, said the project at 63–79 Garfield Terrace would “establish a new benchmark for beachfront residential living on the Gold Coast.”

"The project occupies a rare, uninterrupted oceanfront site and has been shaped by a design philosophy that merges architectural elegance with environmental responsiveness and a carefully curated lifestyle experience. Together, the 48-storey North Tower and 55-storey South Tower form a distinctive twin-tower composition whose dynamic silhouette will make a significant contribution to the Surfers Paradise skyline."

DBI said the architectural language draws inspiration from the fluidity and movement of the coastal landscape.

"Each tower is defined by organic, curving forms and continuous balcony ribbons that wrap the buildings, providing deep shading, enhancing environmental performance, and reinforcing the rhythmic, sculptural expression of the façade. These balcony forms also reduce the apparent mass of the towers while maintaining strong visual continuity from podium to summit. Sculpted reflective downturns run along the western spine of both towers, shifting and lifting as they extend upwards to frame service zones and open eastward to maximise ocean views."

<img alt="Garfield" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a2a00ce3-a0e9-45d6-b4b5-b7baed592ac5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-30%20at%209.53.40%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=DnruWV1dhLrtXOeElwekyd7vPq2gw55t" />

The project’s most striking feature is the skybridge at level 45, which will house executive lounges, formal dining spaces, wellness facilities and panoramic ocean-facing views.

“The skybridge enhances the identity of the development, promotes social interaction, and delivers a lifestyle experience not found elsewhere on the Gold Coast,” DBI added.

The podium will host an extensive suite of recreational amenities, including resident lounges, private dining rooms, a large open green lawn, and the signature 90-metre pool stretching along the beachfront. The pool is divided into lap, lounge and children’s zones.

The southern end of the podium will accommodate additional wellness facilities, including a gymnasium, plunge pools, treatment rooms and a dedicated yoga lawn.

<img alt="Garfield" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ee1b4f25-231f-4804-83b1-a573a1481962" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-30%20at%209.55.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=zObzIA3D5w7EwqPsHjr2pKrA4vbB28zL" />

There will be 127 apartments in the North Tower and 148 in the South Tower, including multiple penthouses, while the Enderley Avenue and Oceanway frontages will be activated by a series of food and beverage tenancies.

Camilleri emerged as the most active site acquirer on the Gold Coast in 2025. He spent just over $30 million acquiring Pacific Point, a 10-level Surfers Paradise apartment block and an adjoining three-level duplex, from fellow racing identity and Aquis billionaire Tony Fung. Plans are now underway for a 93-apartment, 40-storey tower on the 1,682 sqm site.

He also paid $53.65 million for the 1,500 sqm Garfield Terrace site previously marketed as AALTO by Weiya Holdings, before acquiring the adjoining parcel from hotel billionaire Sam Arnaout’s Iris Capital, the developer behind V&amp;A Broadbeach.

First look exclusive: Billionaire Winx breeder’s bold two-tower Surfers Paradise play with 45th-storey skybridge

The Melbourne-based HLA Group is the latest developer to expand into South East Queensland, lodging plans for a unique mixed-use short-term accomodation and apartment building in Taringa, with the building design inspired by the Glasswing Butterfly.

The development application for 10 Morrow Street seeks approval for a total of 232 dwellings, comprising 116 residential apartments and 116 short-stay accommodation units. The build-to-sell residential component is made up of 31 one-bedroom apartments, 67 two-bedroom apartments, 17 three-bedroom apartments, and a single four-bedroom apartment, offering a diverse mix aimed at singles, couples, families, and downsizers.

<img alt="Taringa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="33913cd4-9839-4456-b325-d35b3f8b4694" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.40.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=sLvc7jUrYzDwqPDZBPrXTosKHDSp.qrt" />

Designed by Ellivo Architects, the tower takes strong inspiration from nature, with the architectural language driven by one of Queensland’s most delicate species. As described in the planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council, Ellivo Architects state the design is “inspired by the elegance of the Glasswing butterfly," and mirrors the graceful sweep of its wings, a form that feels light, fluid, and alive.

“Lush subtropical greenery is throughtfull woven throughout, transforming the building into a sanctuary in the heart of the city.”

The proposal positions the building as more than a conventional residential tower, with Ellivo Architects describing 10 Morrow Street as “an urban oasis that blends short term accomodation with residential living. A destination for rest, relaxation, and renewal.”

<img alt="Taringa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="84e9a0ff-464e-4973-bffe-5d5a8fe9f087" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.40.32%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dhX9eVgUaQE2TvCzJPhF8N8_hzYSKpyK" />

Formally, the building’s massing and floorplate are directly shaped by its butterfly inspiration. Ellivo explain that, “adopting the wings of the Glasswing Butterfly, the tower's plan is divided into four distinct quadrants, each shaped to mirror the wing's segmented geometry and taking the slender ‘veins’ up the facade of the tower.”

"This approach results in a sculpted tower form with articulated façades and a strong vertical expression."

<img alt="Taringa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5947011d-ff6c-4a57-bdc1-9072a472a79c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.40.29%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=nnGqd4WCZM8AOJZY.c3u49BO4LurKRhb" />

The Assessment Report by Human Habitats said the 19-storey tower capitalises on its strategic connectivity and prominence at the entrance of Taringa Village and adjoining the Taringa Station.

"The proposal offers a significant revitalisation of the subject site that integrates architectural excellence, innovation, and sustainable design to directly address long-standing connectivity and safety challenges, housing supply , and diversity together with enhanced streetscape activation and convenient access to major transport corridors."

HLA Group Australia is registered to South Yarra and is currently delivering Adamson No.5, just 15 luxury apartments that start from around $2 million.&nbsp;

The Butterfly Effect: Glasswing butterfly inspires Taringa apartment development

Apartment Buildings

Box Hill is a thriving suburb just 14 kilometres east of Melbourne.

A major transportation hub for Melbourne&#39;s eastern suburbs, Box Hill is home to one of the city&#39;s busiest train stations, located beneath Box Hill Central. It is also served by the route 109 tram and numerous bus routes.

Retail is plentiful with Box Hill Central. It was 2007 when two shopping centres merged to create Box Hill Central, which is&nbsp;integrated with a bus interchange and the Box Hill railway station.

As the suburb&rsquo;s cultural diversity and growing appeal have made it one of the more desirable places to live in Melbourne&#39;s east,&nbsp;Urban has taken a deeper dive into some of the best apartment developments available in Box Hill.

1. <a href="/buildings/the-parade-9-11-ellingworth-parade-box-hill">The Parade</a>

One-bedroom apartments starting from $465,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3194 project_image_fid=45228]

Coming to Box Hill is The Parade, designed by award-winning architects&nbsp;Hayball and comprising of 58 one and two bedroom residences across 12 floors.

The building&rsquo;s signature cascading facade gives the ability to deliver generous balconies with uninterrupted sky views and light-filled living spaces and varied floor plans to appeal to a diverse range of buyers.&nbsp;

Designed with the latest environmental standards, The Parade incorporates sustainable materials and the harvesting of rainwater and sunlight, making this a benchmark for modern living and an example for further Box Hill development.

2. <a href="/buildings/promenade-34-36-prospect-street-box-hill">Promenade</a>

One-bedroom apartments starting from $448,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5128 project_image_fid=159169]

Standing proudly on a beautiful, tree-lined street in the heart of Box Hill&rsquo;s coveted central business district, Promenade brings together an exceptional blend of luxury residences and first-class amenities.

Rising elegantly from a sophisticated ground-floor lobby featuring a range of retail spaces, Promenade captures sweeping city, mountain and bay views.

Promenade also lies in convenient proximity to Box Hill Central Shopping Centre, the Box Hill Institute, library and nearby hospital. Hop onto a train or tram and be whisked into the Melbourne CBD, where world-class shops, schools and universities await.

It is set for completion in 2023.

3. <a href="/buildings/irving-domain-box-hill-21-23-irving-avenue-box-hill-vic-3128">Irving Domain</a>

One-bedroom apartments starting from $430,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8569 project_image_fid=159861]

21-23 Irving Avenue is the latest bid to transform dual detached houses into an apartment building containing 123 dwellings. Kin Consolidated Pty Ltd is backing the $25 million development that would become the latest apartment project to regenerate Irving Avenue.

Kin Consolidated have entrusted DKO Architecture with the development&#39;s design; the result is a 14 storey apartment building holding 26 single, 90 double and 7 triple bedroom apartments over a corner 1,295 square metre site.

Experience a residents rooftop oasis with spectacular vistas in every direction with views overlooking the Box Hill Gardens out towards the Yarra Ranges. Offering a raised spa, BBQ area, alfresco dining and private pockets of seating separated by leafy landscapes and shade trees to create a sense of privacy.

4. <a href="/buildings/east-central-tower-820-whitehorse-road-box-hill">East Central Tower</a>

One-bedroom apartments starting from $410,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3867 project_image_fid=21985]

LongRiver Group&#39;s East Central Tower is a&nbsp;30 storey building in the works since the start 2017.&nbsp;

Included within the tower designed by&nbsp;Fender Katsalidis&nbsp;are approximately 280 apartments, 1,500sqm of residential facilities plus 3,000sqm of combined office and retail space

Enter an urban paradise within, where endless options to entertain or be entertained are a set a across a lavishly designed inner sanctum. Breathe, soak, plunge and relax in a resort style centre for wellbeing featuring pool, sauna and sun decks, yoga studio and fully equipped gymnasium.

5.&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/tempo-2-bruce-street-box-hill">Tempo</a>

One-bedroom apartments starting from $388,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27931 project_image_fid=75286]

Liveability is celebrated in Box Hill, and reveling in that cosmopolitan, active lifestyle is Tempo, brought to you by MAB Corporation and designed by the acclaimed Hayball architects.

Tempo brings a new vision to the community with innovative lofts, sky homes and multigenerational apartments designed with families in mind. They feature flexible interior layouts in refreshing configurations. The tower is perfectly situated in the Box hill Gardens precinct, rising majestically above the tranquil treetops and gardens to the north, and the bustling heart of Box Hill&#39;s shopping and dining district to the south.

On ground level, Tempo effortlessly blends with the tree-lined streetscape with a welcoming cafe and alfresco area, complementing the daily flow. The entry floor lobby and corridors imbue an atmosphere of calmness. Deep stone and timber finishes have been chosen for their natural, timeless quality.

6. <a href="/buildings/prospect-box-hill-9-11-prospect-street-box-hill">Prospect Apartments</a>

One-bedroom apartments starting from $469,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3516 project_image_fid=153753]

R&amp;F Property present Prospect a new residential landmark that delivers absolute convenience in all forms, including the communal facilities integrated into the project, as well as impressive access to Box Hill&rsquo;s broader amenities.

The building is recognised through its identifiable, elegant and refined form featuring balconies and terraces with ample vegetation form the elegant and poised glass tower.

An inviting, hotel-style porte-coch&egrave;re is found at Prospect&rsquo;s entry, giving way to the tower&rsquo;s apartments and communal amenities. These include a pool, a gymnasium, an outdoor entertainment and barbecue area, and an expansive dining room and kitchen. Paired with these convenient amenities is a building concierge &ndash; providing a scope of services, from house cleaning and couriering to transportation arrangements and the coordination of events.

7. <a href="/buildings/whitehorse-trio-845-851-whitehorse-road-box-hill">Whitehorse Trio</a>

One-bedroom apartments starting from $409,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4134 project_image_fid=27479]

Developed by CBD Development Group, Trio presents&nbsp;the next generation of mixed-used development in Box Hill.

Comprising three highly integrated buildings designed by Plus Architecture, the precinct delivers a seamless and diverse offering of retail, dining, lifestyle and amenities, and residences to suit a wide variety of people.

Trio residences cater to a variety of needs, with countless amenities and homes designed to suit singles, couples and families, and a building dedicated to senior-suited living.

The precinct also features a generous hotel with corporate and extensive function space.

The suburb’s cultural diversity and growing appeal have made it one of the more desirable places to live in Melbourne's East

jordan_55689

Top apartment developments in Box Hill

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GUEST OBSERVATION 
“What we need to do is rebuild confidence in Australia’s building and construction sector,” said federal minister Karen Andrews after the July 2019 meeting of the Building Ministers’ Forum.
This has been a recurring theme since the federal, state and territory ministers commissioned Peter Shergold and Bronwyn Weir in mid-2017 to assess the effectiveness of building and construction industry regulation across Australia. They presented their <a href="https://www.industry.gov.au/sites/default/files/July%202018/document/pdf/building_ministers_forum_expert_assessment_-_building_confidence.pdf" target="_blank">Building Confidence report</a> to the ministers in February 2018.
In the 18 months since then, the combined might of nine governments has made scant progress towards implementing the report’s 24 simple recommendations. Confidence in building regulation and quality has clearly continued to deteriorate among the public and construction industry.
In last week’s Four Corners program, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/cracking-up/11431474" target="_blank">Cracking Up</a>, Weir was asked whether she would buy an apartment. She responded: “I wouldn’t buy a newly built apartment, no […] I’d buy an older one.” She went on to say:
"We have hundreds of thousands of apartments that have been built across the country over the last two, three decades. Probably the prevalence of noncompliance has been particularly bad, I would say in the last say 15 to 20 years […] And that means there’s a lot of existing building stock that has defects in it […] There’ll be legacy issues for some time and I suspect there’ll be legacy issues that we’re not even fully aware of yet."
These comments may not have delighted those developers trying to sell new apartments, or owners selling existing apartments, but they are fair and correct. Confidence will not be restored until all the governments act together to improve regulatory oversight and deal with existing defective buildings.
Residents of the <a href="https://theconversation.com/lacrosse-fire-ruling-sends-shudders-through-building-industry-consultants-and-governments-112777" target="_blank">Lacrosse</a>, <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/same-as-grenfell-tower-cladding-fears-as-fire-rips-through-melbourne-cbd-apartment-building-20190204-p50vgl" target="_blank">Neo200</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-big-lesson-from-opal-tower-is-that-badly-built-apartments-arent-only-an-issue-for-residents-109722" target="_blank">Opal</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/buck-passing-on-apartment-building-safety-leaves-residents-at-risk-119000" target="_blank">Mascot</a> towers and other buildings with serious defects are already living with the impact of “legacy” problems. Over the weekend, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-23/cladding-and-mould-forces-residents-out-of-apartment-block/11443976" target="_blank">another apartment building was evacuated</a> – this time in Mordialloc in southeast Melbourne. The building was deemed unsafe because it was clad with combustible material and had defects in its fire detection and warning system.
A costly but essential fix
Fixing such defects is a costly business. A Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal <a href="https://www.vcat.vic.gov.au/resources/owners-corporation-no1-of-ps613436t-owners-corporation-no-2-of-ps613436t-owners" target="_blank">decision</a> established that replacing the combustible cladding on the Lacrosse building in Melbourne would cost an average of A$36,000 per unit. At Mascot Towers, consultant engineers <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-23/mascot-towers-repair-bill-soars-to-20-million/11439856" target="_blank">estimated the cost</a> of structural repairs at up to A$150,000 per unit on average.
According to <a href="https://cityfutures.be.unsw.edu.au/research/projects/governing-the-compact-city-the-role-and-effectiveness-of-strata-management-in-higher-density-residential-developments/" target="_blank">UNSW</a> and <a href="https://www.afr.com/property/residential/cladding-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg-20190612-p51wrw#logout" target="_blank">Deakin</a> research, between 70% and 97% of units in strata apartments have significant defects. Let’s assume 85% have such defects and the average cost of fixing these is only $25,000 per unit. That would mean total repair costs for the 500,000 or so tall apartments (four-storey and above) across Australia could exceed A$10 billion.
The Victorian government has taken the lead on combustible cladding, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-16/flammable-cladding-removal-fund-victorian-government/11311518" target="_blank">setting up and funding a A$600 million scheme</a> to replace it. It’s also replacing combustible cladding on low-rise school buildings even though these may comply with the letter of the National Construction Code.
No other state has yet followed this lead. This is concerning given the risk to life. No one viewing images of the <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/how-hundreds-of-lives-were-thrown-into-chaos-when-neo-200-caught-fire-20190429-p51i62" target="_blank">Neo200 fire</a> in the Melbourne CBD could doubt how dangerous combustible cladding can be.
The other states and territories should immediately copy the Victorian scheme. While not perfect, and probably underfunded, it is a positive step to improve public safety. The Andrews government should be congratulated for doing something practical while its counterparts in New South Wales and Queensland, which have many buildings with combustible cladding, fiddle about.
All governments share responsibility
The federal government’s response has been inadequate. When asked about contributing to the Victorian scheme, Karen Andrews said: "The Commonwealth is not an ATM for the states […] this problem is of the states’ making and they need to step up and fix the problem and dig into their own pockets."
This flies in the face of reality. All nine governments are responsible for building regulation and enforcement. All signed the <a href="https://www.abcb.gov.au/Resources/Publications/Corporate/2017-Inter-Governmental-Agreement" target="_blank">intergovernmental agreement</a> on building regulation.
The federal government, which chairs the Building Ministers’ Forum, leads building regulation in Australia. The <a href="https://www.abcb.gov.au/ABCB/The-Board" target="_blank">Australian Building Codes Board</a>, which produces the <a href="https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/ncc-online/About" target="_blank">National Construction Code</a>, is effectively a federal government agency. The precursor to the national code, the Building Code of Australia, was a federal initiative.
It is clear Australian governments have worked effectively together in the past to combat threats to life and safety, or to provide consumer protection nationwide. Examples include initiatives as diverse as the <a href="https://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/n5314/html/ch09.xhtml?referer=&amp;page=16" target="_blank">national gun buyback</a>, the <a href="https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/what-we-do/how-we-operate/history/" target="_blank">creation of the Australian Securities and Investment Commission</a> (<a href="https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/what-we-do/our-role/">ASIC</a>) and the <a href="https://www.choice.com.au/transport/cars/general/articles/takata-airbags-what-you-need-to-know-in-australia-230717" target="_blank">program to replace defective Takata airbags</a> in cars.
The crop of building defects we see today are a direct result of negligent regulation by all nine governments over the past two decades. Clearly, they all have a legal and moral duty to coordinate and contribute to a program to manage the risks and economic damage this has created.
All the evidence points to a <a href="https://www.afr.com/property/governments-failed-to-act-on-warnings-of-combustible-cladding-dangers-20190226-h1br6n" target="_blank">long-term failure to heed repeated warnings about the dangers</a>. Governments and regulators were captive to the interests of the development lobby, building industry and building materials supply industry.
The governments must stop playing a blame game. Effective programs are urgently needed to fix defects, including combustible cladding, incorrectly installed fire protection measures, structural noncompliance, structural failure and leaks.
The Australian Building Codes Board, which is directly responsible for the mess, should be reformed to ensure it becomes an effective regulator. The National Construction Code <a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-has-a-new-national-construction-code-but-its-still-not-good-enough-113729" target="_blank">should be changed</a> to make consumer protection an objective in the delivery of housing for sale.
All parties involved will have to take some pain: regulators, developers, builders, subcontractors, consultants, certifiers, insurers, aluminium panel manufacturers, suppliers and owners. Only governments can broker a solution as it will require legislation and an allocation of responsibility for fault.
The alternative will probably be a huge number of individual legal cases and a rash of owner bankruptcies, which may well leave the guilty parties untouched.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/122180/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
Geoff Hanmer, Adjunct Lecturer in Architecture, UNSW.
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/would-you-buy-a-new-apartment-building-confidence-depends-on-ending-the-blame-game-122180" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Would you buy a new apartment? Building confidence depends on ending the blame game

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GUEST OBSERVER
If a heatwave hit Melbourne and the power blacked out, most apartment buildings would bake, with indoor temperatures exceeding international health standards, according to a new <a href="https://www.thrive-research.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Living-Well-Report-Final-for-issue-080317.pdf">a</a>nalysis that calls for Australia to adopt standards to protect occupants against heat stress.
Researchers at the University of Melbourne modelled six common apartment designs in the city and all six failed standards for new buildings set in France, the UK, Germany and the US. There are no health standards to ensure against heat stress in the Building Code of Australia.
Lead researcher and construction scientist Mr Chris Jensen, from the Melbourne School of Design, said the results are a wake-up call given the risk of heatwaves. He says it’s time Australia catches up with other countries to adopt similar standards for new buildings, and he says action is needed to encourage the retrofitting of existing buildings.
He suggests that just as all buildings have energy ratings, the government could introduce “summer comfort” ratings on apartments to reduce heat stress for occupants and incentivise owners to upgrade their buildings.
“The research highlights to the public that heat stress inside apartments is a real issue and that we need to do more to control for this, not only in new buildings, but also for existing buildings,” said Mr Jensen. 
“It isn’t a new problem, but climate change science expects more frequent and possibly longer heatwaves, so the health risk is only going to increase.
“What we need to be concerned about are existing apartment buildings that lack air conditioning and are susceptible to overheating, but we also need to be concerned about most buildings should a heat wave coincide with a power black out which would eliminate all air-conditioning.”
Such an “event” is far from fanciful given the blackouts that hit South Australia in February 2017 and warnings of possible load shedding in Sydney during the recent NSW heatwave.
France introduced “summer comfort” standards after the 2003 heatwave there estimated to have caused over 14,800 deaths, with the elderly particularly vulnerable. The French standards require that without the use of air conditioning, building design should ensure that temperatures inside rooms don’t exceed 28 degrees for more than 3 per cent of the year - equivalent to 260 hours.
The researchers modelled how six common Melbourne apartment designs could cope with excessively high temperatures by testing them against the heatwave conditions that hit Melbourne in January and February 2009, which included the Black Saturday bushfire disaster of 7 February. That heatwave included three straight days when the temperature topped 43 degrees, while nighttime lows exceeded 25 degrees. 
They also chose a worst-case scenario by modelling west-facing apartments that are most exposed to the sun. All six sample apartments failed the four international standards they were tested against.
“We modelled both old and new apartment designs, including an example of a recent and best practice design, so it is fair to say that most other west-facing apartments in Melbourne would fail these international standards under these conditions, and quite possibly those in other orientations,” Mr Jensen says.
Some common reasons why the apartment designs failed included:
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li9">Single glazed windows with poorly insulated frames</li>
<li class="li9">Lack of insulation generally</li>
<li class="li9">Poor natural ventilation</li>
<li class="li9">Aged weather stripping that provided only moderate draft protection</li>
</ul>
Mr Jensen says it is possible that under a standard tailored to the Australian climate more buildings would pass, since it could reflect the fact that locals are more accustomed to hotter conditions. But he warns it is still likely many existing apartments wouldn’t meet a new standard. He says current building standards governing energy use only indirectly address “summer comfort” since they aim to reduce cooling energy requirements. He says more explicit heat stress standards, which measure a building differently, are needed to ensure designs directly took account of the health risks.
“As a priority we need to introduce into the building code our own ‘summer comfort’ standards that are tailored to our own climate, and simultaneously efforts to retrofit buildings to reduce over heating need to be prioritised on high risk cases.” He said such high risk cases include west facing apartments with lots of glass and buildings where vulnerable people such as the elderly may be housed.
He says introducing standards for new buildings would be relatively easy and wouldn’t impose significantly higher costs on building design and construction. The big problem, he says, will be in funding the retrofitting of existing buildings. He says owners and governments would likely be reluctant to meet the cost of widespread retrofitting.
A more effective short-term solution might include an apartment heat stress rating system, to alert potential buyers and occupants about the comfort of the apartment.
“This would strategically drive the market to improve performance,” says Mr Jensen.
“It is unlikely many building owners will be prepared to invest perhaps millions of dollars in retrofitting unless they feel they have to. But a comfort rating would change the equation because occupants will be able to compare the rating on buildings, giving owners an incentive to ensure their buildings are attractive.”
Beyond standards and designs, Mr Jensen says there needs to be greater awareness among occupants of what they can do in heatwave conditions to keep themselves comfortable. He says educating occupants to open windows and balcony doors is an effective way of allowing buildings to cool naturally, at no cost. He also suggests that people close off a room during a heatwave to keep it relatively cooler as a place to retreat to. People can also make decisions to leave their apartments and spend time at air-conditioned locations such as shopping centres and cinemas.
“Just as the government has a bushfire advisory program, it would also be a simple strategy to provide advice for what to do during heat waves,” he says.
To improve existing buildings, the study found the easiest and most effective strategies for apartments include:
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li9">improving ventilation, both in the fabric of the apartment and operated by occupants (like opening a window)</li>
<li class="li9">using external heat-reflective coating and paint</li>
<li class="li9">installing appropriate shading.</li>
</ul>
Andrew Trounson, is senior journalist, Pursuit, University of Melbourne and can be contacted <a href="https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/contact-the-pursuit-team" target="_blank">here</a>.
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