Prominent developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/blue-earth-group">Blue Earth Group</a> is seeking approval for a revised and expanded second stage of its Pentridge Village development in Coburg, increasing the scale and yield of a previously approved scheme with a new 16-storey mixed-use building.

The proposal for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/45-pentridge-boulevard-coburg-vic-3058">45 Pentridge Boulevard</a> would deliver 252 apartments, up from the 201 previously approved, alongside ground-floor retail and a suite of resident-focused amenities, positioning the project as a key contributor to housing supply within Melbourne’s inner north.

The development is planned for the south-west portion of the broader 9,485 sqm site, which has already seen the completion of 48 townhouses under Stage 1. The Stage 2 site sits prominently on the corner of Pentridge Boulevard and Urquhart Street within the Pentridge Village precinct.

The new scheme retains the approved 16-storey height but introduces a revised internal layout and enhanced façade treatment. It will comprise a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments, a wide ranging mix of one-bed plus studies and two-bedrooms with either one or two bathrooms.

At ground level, the building is designed to incorporate a café alongside resident amenities including a business centre, home offices, and a gym. Upper levels will include additional communal facilities such as cinema rooms, games areas, and a rooftop terrace spanning over 400 sqm with views toward the Melbourne CBD.

<img alt="First Look: Blue Earth Group plans 16-storey mixed-use tower with 252 apartments at Pentridge Village, Coburg" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="60456ba5-406b-447f-be53-d4685082eda5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/coburg.png?VersionId=B.3bp4eCO_c.Pc9O17UgF27Gow3lL39C" />

The architectural response by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/life-architecture-and-urban-design">LIFE Architecture and Urban Design</a> builds on an existing permit scheme, retaining the approved massing while refining the building’s articulation and material expression. “The proposed design response… will result in a highly resolved architectural, urban design, landscaped and mixed-use outcome befitting of the Site’s urban and evolving context,” the planning report states.

The façade strategy introduces a layered composition of podium and tower elements, with a clear distinction between lower street-wall levels and the upper residential form. The design prioritises “a timeless aesthetic, low maintenance, durable material palette, suburban constructability, [and] openness &amp; activation at street level,” according to the façade strategy report.

Material selections include dusty red and dark grey masonry, bronze and grey glazing, and textured concrete panels, referencing the industrial character of the former Pentridge Prison precinct while establishing a contemporary identity.

<img alt="First Look: Blue Earth Group plans 16-storey mixed-use tower with 252 apartments at Pentridge Village, Coburg" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b62f01f2-46f2-4ae1-ac51-8b0f87264355" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/coburg%20site.png?VersionId=zliGtROqtre4LgVCGA9tr2_FGfbIO8ep" />

The building envelope responds to its irregular site through a series of setbacks and cantilevered elements, creating plaza-like spaces at ground level and enhancing pedestrian activation along both street frontages. A setback from Level 4 to the north provides a transition to the adjoining townhouse development.

The site sits within the Coburg Major Activity Centre, approximately nine kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, and is surrounded by a rapidly intensifying urban environment. Nearby developments range from eight to 20 storeys, including multiple mixed-use projects within the Pentridge precinct and along Sydney Road.

Residents will benefit from strong connectivity, with Coburg Station around 700 metres away and multiple bus routes operating along Bell Street. The site is also adjacent to McDonald Reserve and close to schools including Coburg High School and Coburg Primary School.

Joel Robinson

First Look: Blue Earth Group plans 16-storey mixed-use tower at Coburg's Pentridge Village

A consolidated Whitehorse Road site previously approved for townhouses is being repositioned for apartment living, with new plans filed for a four-building residential scheme in Deepdene’s neighbourhood centre.

The proposal seeks to replace an earlier townhouse-led approval with a 76-apartment development across a 4,755 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/18-30-whitehorse-road-blackburn-vic-3130">18–30 Whitehorse Road</a>.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/kerstin-thompson-architects">Kerstin Thompson Architects</a>, the project introduces a medium-density housing model comprising four separate buildings ranging from three to six storeys. The two central buildings reach six levels, while the outer buildings step down to three and four storeys, creating a graduated built form that responds to surrounding residential interfaces.

The development will deliver a mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, positioning the project as a significant contributor to housing diversity in an area traditionally dominated by detached housing.

The planning report states the proposal “will deliver sustainable, high-amenity and high-quality housing in a location with excellent access to public transport, open space, services and amenities.”

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for four-building, 76-apartment ‘missing middle’ development in Deepdene" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9e1596b8-58a0-4e89-9d5c-e1df90b1ab9f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/whitehourse%20da.png?VersionId=XIcpH2AFY3WjLXTiwouLLA7niYfdXPgK" />

The design adopts a pavilion-style arrangement set within a landscaped environment, described as “distinct built forms in a garden setting,” with an emphasis on separation between buildings and integration with the adjoining Anniversary Trail reserve. Communal open space, landscaped corridors, and pedestrian connections are central to the scheme, strengthening links between Whitehorse Road and the trail network to the west.

Sustainability performance is a key component, with the development targeting an average 8-star NatHERS rating. All apartments will achieve natural ventilation, with a significant proportion benefiting from cross-ventilation, reinforcing the project’s focus on liveability and environmental performance.

The proposal also incorporates ground-floor retail along Whitehorse Road, maintaining active street interface within the Commercial 1 Zone. Car parking is provided across basement levels, with a reduction sought in statutory visitor and retail parking requirements.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for four-building, 76-apartment ‘missing middle’ development in Deepdene" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eb9a3ad3-d2a0-49dc-b9d4-2e7f7dc9593e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site%20whitehorse.png?VersionId=eL_4rgAwLRN9T4kcClYe4isVyPD8FW7R" />

The project is being advanced under Victoria’s ‘Great Design Fast Track’ pathway, with eligibility confirmed and supporting advice received from both the Office of the Victorian Government Architect and Invest Victoria. This positions the development for streamlined assessment, reflecting its alignment with state housing and design objectives.

The site occupies a prominent position within the Deepdene Neighbourhood Centre, with a 56-metre frontage to Whitehorse Road and direct adjacency to the Anniversary Trail, a key pedestrian and cycling corridor. Tram services along Whitehorse Road connect the precinct to Box Hill and the CBD, while nearby parklands, including Deepdene Park and local sporting facilities, reinforce the area’s established amenity base.

The new plans mark a clear shift from the previously approved 25-townhouse scheme toward a higher-yield apartment outcome, aligning with broader policy directions encouraging ‘missing middle’ housing in established suburbs.

As noted in the planning report, the development “provides contextually appropriate infill housing… increasing the density and diversity of dwellings in Deepdene and Boroondara more broadly.”

Apartments planned for Deepdene's 'missing middle' on Whitehorse Road

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/collingwood-vic-3066">Collingwood</a>’s northern edge continues to sharpen its reputation as one of Melbourne’s most compelling cultural precincts, where established creative institutions, leading hospitality, and independent fashion converge within a tightly held inner-city neighbourhood.

Set within this evolving pocket, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/derby-street-by-milieu-collingwood-4-derby-street-collingwood-vic-3066">Derby Street by Milieu</a> draws on a location that balances proximity to some of the inner north’s most influential destinations with the quieter, tree-lined character that defines the streets edging East Melbourne. Positioned just moments from both Smith and Gertrude Streets, the address sits on the periphery of Collingwood’s cultural core, offering immediate access without the intensity of its busiest frontages.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145576 project_image_fid=355945]

Gertrude Street, in particular, anchors the area’s identity as a destination for Melbourne’s leading food, art and fashion. Within a short walk, venues such as Marion, Cutler &amp; Co, IDES and the Builders Arms Hotel define a tightly curated dining scene with enduring citywide appeal, complemented by a strong fashion and retail presence including Havn, Le Labo and a selection of independent boutiques.

Nearby, institutions such as the Australian Print Workshop and Collingwood Yards sustain a constant rhythm of exhibitions, performances and creative output, embedding art and culture into the everyday fabric of the neighbourhood.

Smith Street, running parallel, extends this offering with a broader mix of hospitality and nightlife, maintaining its status as one of Melbourne’s most active inner-urban strips.

Beyond these high-energy streets, the immediate surrounds shift in tone. Derby Street and its neighbouring blocks are defined by low-rise heritage terraces, mature trees and a settled residential character. Fitzroy Gardens and Carlton Gardens are both within walking distance, alongside the Royal Exhibition Building and Melbourne Museum, bringing together green space and cultural landmarks within minutes of home.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145576 project_image_fid=355985]

Connectivity remains a key advantage. The CBD sits within easy reach, accessible by tram along Smith Street in around 20 minutes, while also remaining close enough to walk or cycle, supported by the inner north’s established bike network.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/milieu-property">Milieu</a>’s long-standing connection to Collingwood underpins the project’s approach. With a portfolio that includes multiple nearby developments across Bedford, Peel and Napier Streets, the developer brings a sustained understanding of the area’s character and evolution. Derby Street continues this trajectory as a collaboration with award-winning Melbourne-based <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/studio-bright">Studio Bright</a>, marking the practice’s first multi-residential project in the inner north and reflecting a shared focus on design integrity and contextual response.&nbsp;

Balancing connection to the neighbourhood with a sense of seclusion and refuge, Derby Street by Milieu embodies a level of care and craft typically reserved for single residential projects. Comprising 22 residences across six storeys, with two to four-bedroom configurations priced from $1.15 million, the project is currently under construction with completion expected in late 2027.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145576]

Derby Street by Milieu, at the top end of Collingwood

A rare new apartment development in the Blue Mountains is the latest in a string of State Significant Development Applications submitted through the New South Wales Government's Housing Delivery Authority.

A total of 270 apartments are being proposed for the 1.16-hectare site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/blue-mountains-alpine-retreat-142-150-narrow-neck-road-katoomba-nsw-2780">142–150 Narrow Neck Road in Katoomba</a>, a parcel of land adjoining the former Katoomba Golf Course. The site was acquired for $3.85 million in 2021 by private developer VDM Prime.

The apartments, comprising a mix of serviced apartments, affordable housing, and traditional build-to-sell product, will be spread across eight low-rise buildings, along with a separate building for a new restaurant, arranged around a green spine that leads to a central park.

<img alt="Katoomba" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ee9a2072-f465-44f1-9076-80c9c8ecca02" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-22%20at%209.20.21%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4bT0vQ7j_syl65wcrJmHGm3m5pTvwrY_" />

The Urban Design Report by Atlas Urban says the vision is to create a "contemporary mountain precinct that is responsive to its escarpment landscape, heritage character, and community context."

"The development responds to the current housing supply and affordability challenges identified under the NSW Housing Delivery Authority (HDA), providing a balanced mix of standard, affordable, and short-stay accommodation," the report noted.

"By introducing a variety of dwelling types and tenures, the proposal supports intergenerational living, local workforce retention, and greater housing choice within an area constrained by topography, heritage, and environmental protections."

Of the 270 units proposed, 52 will be serviced apartments. The remainder will comprise 54 studios, 121 one-bedroom units, 39 two-bedroom apartments, and four three- to four-bedroom residences.

<img alt="Katoomba" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f704508d-1bdf-4170-955d-0256652402a7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-22%20at%209.56.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=TzarHMO4gTOsblCqsbJQkvMqWj9nu2Au" />

The Design Report, by VDM Prime and appointed architect Antoniades Architects, noted that the design seeks to "provide a built form outcome that is highly considered, respectful and contextually fitting, whilst contributing positively to an evolving precinct."

"The site offers three frontages and the opportunity to provide a meaningful interface with the public domain environment. the design has a sympathetic response to streetscape and the green open space that surrounds the site."

The report states that the buildings are broken up to establish an appropriate bulk and scale, emphasised through height and setback strategies and defined through articulation that supports the transition of precinct granularity. It also notes that a central communal open space is established through the site to enhance the social dynamic and access to amenity, including natural ventilation and light to the apartments. The east and west frontages receive solar access during the morning and afternoon, whilst maximising views to the green open space.

The site adjoins the recently completed Yarrabee Katoomba development, comprising 24 duplexes that were completed last year and sold through McGrath Projects.

The relatively new Housing Delivery Authority pathway established by the NSW Government allows developers to submit State Significant Development Applications through a fast-tracked state process, effectively reducing reliance on local council approval pathways and aiming to accelerate housing delivery across New South Wales.

First look: Nearly 300 apartments pitched on former Katoomba golf course site

In Melbourne’s established inner east, the qualities that define a traditional house, width, height, and access to open ground, are increasingly difficult to replicate in new residential developments. Larger landholdings are scarce, and with them, the ability to create apartments that extend beyond compact, internalised layouts.&nbsp;

In <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/kew-vic-3101">Kew</a>, where the residential fabric is shaped by generous setbacks and mature tree canopies, that tension is especially visible.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ricdanic-investments-pty-ltd">Ricdanic</a>&nbsp;is bringing forward a boutique collection of just 13 residences across two buildings at 9–11 Wimba Avenue, Kew. Comprising six homes at No.9 and seven at No.11, the project sits on a quiet, tree-lined street just off Cotham Road.&nbsp;

Each apartment has been planned with a level of independence more commonly associated with standalone dwellings, balancing privacy with the efficiencies of apartment living.

Architect Chris Idle, who has been practising for over two decades, says projects like this don’t come along often.

“There are very few opportunities to do these kinds of developments in leafy, established suburbs,” he explains. “To get this level of amenity, natural light, and architectural freedom in such a setting is extremely rare.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140755 project_image_fid=366267]

The internal planning begins with width. Living areas extend beyond five metres, allowing furniture, circulation, and glazing to sit comfortably within the same zone without compression. Ceiling heights shift from three metres through to five metres in select areas, changing the sense of scale as you move through the apartment. These proportions are paired with double-glazed windows and fully electric systems, balancing volume with performance, supported by a 7.2 NatHERS energy rating.&nbsp;

From the main living space, the apartments open directly outward. Large sliding doors connect to private gardens averaging 125 square metres, with some residences also incorporating balconies of around 60 square metres. Rather than acting as secondary outdoor zones, these areas sit flush with the internal floor level, extending the usable footprint of the home and allowing for multiple modes of use, whether for quiet daily routines or larger gatherings.&nbsp;

The landscape, led by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/john-patrick-landscape-architects">John Patrick</a>, reinforces this relationship. Across the site, 23 different plant species have been introduced, including a mix of native and established varieties, arranged to maintain privacy while preserving sightlines and light access. Gardens are not treated as decorative buffers but as functional extensions of the apartments, shaped to accommodate movement, seating, and informal use over time.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140755 project_image_fid=366265]

Architecturally, the project draws from Kew’s historic residential language. Handmade bricks by Krause define the exterior, grounding the buildings within the material palette of the suburb, while interior finishes, stone, timber flooring, and restrained detailing, continue this approach internally. Architect Chris Idle describes the intent as long-term rather than stylistic: “We wanted it to feel timeless.”&nbsp;

This emphasis on durability extends to how the buildings are accessed and secured. Entry is managed through keyless systems, with a double-gated basement incorporating number plate recognition for vehicle access. Each residence is paired with a private lock-up garage accommodating two to three cars, alongside storage, while all entry points are monitored continuously. These measures sit alongside EV readiness and fully electric infrastructure, aligning the project’s operational systems with its long-term design outlook.&nbsp;

The setting remains central to how the development is experienced. Located within walking distance of Kew Junction and close to established schools including Carey Grammar and Xavier College, the address benefits from existing infrastructure while maintaining a residential quietness that is increasingly difficult to find at this scale.&nbsp;

Construction is being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/sinjen">Sinjen</a>, with a 10-year structural guarantee, with completion targeted for mid-2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=140755]

Inside Wimba Ave, Kew’s garden-scale residences designed for space and permanence

Cancer Council

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The most famous real estate jacket in the world is once again turning pink for the month of October, in an Australian-led initiative aimed at raising awareness and funds for Cancer Council’s Pink Ribbon campaign.
The campaign will see gold jacketed Century 21 agents across Australia and New Zealand wear limited edition pink jackets, scarves and ties at auctions and open homes. 
“Sadly, every day in Australia around 50 women are told they have a breast or gynaecological cancer,” said Charles Tarbey, chairman and owner of Century 21 Australasia. 
Century 21 real estate agents raised $138,770 last year and hope to better that result in 2015.
Cancer Council’s Pink Ribbon campaign supports women affected by breast and gynaecological cancers and raises funds for vital cancer research, prevention programs and support services. 
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Cancer Council

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