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

Residential Development

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A new $260 million residential project, S Pagewood by Silkari has announced the availability of the last stage of apartments.
Located at 32 Page Street, the 256 dwelling project is from property developer Visionary.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/11/19/160815_PAGE_ST_V16_LOOKING-OUT_FINAL-5000-2_resized.jpg" alt="">
The final release – SILKWOOD by Silkari – launched mid-October, consists of 60 dwellings.
It is located about 8 kilometres south of the Sydney CBD.
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Townhouses range in price from $1.61 million to $1.87 million.
One-bedroom apartments will range from $694,000 to $804,650; two-bedrooms from $886,000 to $1.18 million; and three-bedrooms between $1.28 million and $1.98 million.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/11/19/VIG_Pagewood_Roof_256_DOF_07_resized.jpg" alt="">
Visionary’s Director of Sales Benny Song said the project has family appeal.
“Pagewood today is of a bygone Sydney era –wide streets, low set houses and kids riding bikes up and down the quiet streets," he said. 
“It’s peaceful and it just feels family friendly.
“The suburb has quite even terrain, so it’s extremely pram and bike friendly, and there are a number of parks and playgrounds throughout the suburb that offer space for the kids to kick a ball.
“It’s an eastern suburb gem minus the stress of thousands of people living on top of each other and no parking – and all within minutes to the beach and the CBD.”
The median house in Pagewood currently priced at $1,725,000, according to realestate.com.au.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Last release in $260 million Pagewood development available 

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A new residential project, known as Third Avenue, is set to come to the inner south-western suburb of Adelaide, Everard Park.
The $15 million development from Arcadian Property comprises 27 new two and three-storey homes. 
Prices at the development, which is currently in planning assessment, will start from around $500,000 when released to the market next month, said Arcadian Property Chief Executive Officer Warwick Mittiga.
“Everard Park is one of the best kept secrets in Adelaide real estate,” said Mr Mittiga.
“Within walking distance to the popular shopping and café strips of Goodwood Road and King William Road, Everard Park is only 2km from the CBD and just 10 minutes from Glenelg beach. Yet despite its amazing location and quality established homes, it remains relatively unknown.
“So we’re really excited about Third Avenue, which is going to become one of the best addresses in the inner south-west. We have direct connection to Brownhill Creek, dedicated walking trails through Unley Council and are very close to some fantastic reserves and ovals too.
“The development itself is going to be exceptional. From exterior architecture to the interior design, every element has been carefully considered to maximise living standards for residents and promote the value of their home for many years to come.
“Indeed, while we could have pushed for a bit more density in the project, we specifically chose to reduce the number of new homes and create larger houses with an increased amount of private and public open space. This enables us to focus more on quality rather than quantity, and ultimately that’s what Third Avenue is all about.”
Construction of Third Avenue is expected to commence next year ahead of estimated completion in 2020.
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New $15m development Third Avenue coming to Adelaide's Everard Park

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Developer SMA Projects has partnered with Hayball for a new development on Gore Street, Fitzroy.
The project at 250 Gore Street will have a mix of comprise one, two and three-bedroom apartments, as well as a 300 square metre penthouse.
SMA Projects has previously completed two projects on the street, The Lyric and Veludo.
SMA Projects development manager, Robert Murphy, said that there will be the opportunity to customise an apartment with the assistance of interior designer Kate Roach.
Three bedroom apartments are priced from $1,150,000 to $2,600,000, while two bedroom units start from $725,000 
The penthouse is available from $4.8 million.
Demolition of the existing structure is expected to start in December, while construction will begin in early 2019 with an expected completion date of December 2019.
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SMA Projects announce third Gore Street, Fitzroy project 

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​Lendlease has officially reported a slowdown in its Australian residential sales.
Slowing sales in projects were highlighted by its Collins Wharf 1 project which sits at 89% sold.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/project/no-1-collins-wharf-docklands-600012046" target="_blank">The Melbourne project</a> was at 87% sold a year earlier.
It is marketed as one of the city’s most esteemed addresses, designed by architects Bates Smart.
Located within the Victoria Harbour Precinct on Melbourne’s Bourke and Collins Streets, No.1 Collins Wharf is being marketed as poised to set a new benchmark in waterfront living.
It offers apartments on just a 5% deposits. 
Group chief executive Steve McCann conceded "most markets are past their peak" when he presented the latest annual report which triggered a 2% drop in its share price yesterday.  
Mr McCann said there was a tightening of credit due to higher debt costs, and regulatory impacts, partly from the banking royal commission, which had seen inquiries drop off recently.
“We are not calling a massive correction, but we do see a bit of a slowdown,” he told The Australian.
Luxury unit markets offshore had also been soft a for a while, he added.
Lendlease's local apartment completions nearly halved. Completions in the year to June fell to 1314 from 2533 a year earlier.
Apartment projects were completed in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and London.
Presold lots in its big residential communities slowed to 3,231 lots in financial 2018 from 3,896 in the previous period.
Land lot completions across the Australian master planned communities portfolio sat at 3,912.
Key projects included Springfield Lakes in Queensland and Jordan Springs in New South Wales.
And its settlement failures increased. Earlier this year it advised Brisbane was the most challenging inner-city apartment market in the country.
"Inevitably there will be a rise in defaults in this market over the short term," the developer pointed out. 
"We are working through our relatively small exposure at our RNA projects in Brisbane, including identifying potential alternate buyers, or holding the residual units for a period and renting them out."
It has just 15 active projects, with its focus overseas. 
Major property developer Lend Lease is hedging against an Australian slowdown by expanding developments offshore.
In announcing a 4.5% rise in full-year profit to $793 million, Lendlease pointed to its full pipeline of projects in Europe, the US and Asia as driving medium term growth.
About 60% of Lendlease's $72 billion development pipeline is offshore.
The communities pipeline consists of an estimated 52,333 lots across four continents.
The backlog of apartments for sale has grown from 22,000 last year to 26,000.
The listed developer advised it was bracing for rising defaults in Brisbane's oversupplied apartment market.
Its chairman of the board, David Crawford departs following the 2018 Annual General Meeting, having served as chairman since 2003.
Michael Ullmer is his successor.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Lendlease confirms most Australian residential markets are past their peak

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A site in Sydney’s eastern suburb of Eastwood, already approved for residential development, is for sale.
CBRE is selling the <a href="https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/property/179-183-shaftsbury-road-eastwood-nsw-2122-2014530729" target="_blank">179-183 Shaftsbury Road, Eastwood</a>  site on behalf of a mortgagee via an expression of interest campaign.
The development application was granted approval on 21 April 2017 for the development of 23 apartments on the 2219 square metre site.
It is zoned R4 High Density Residential.
Eastwood Public School, a local retail precinct, Eastwood Town Centre and the Eastwood train and bus interchange hub are noted by marketing as being beneficial.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/Eastwood%20block%202.JPG" alt="">
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Eastwood residential development site in mortgagee possession for sale

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A former church located in Norman Park has been sold to a local developer for $1.4 million.
The property located at 68 Longfellow Street (pictured above) was purchased by Contracting Solutions QLD Pty Ltd, in a deal through Robert Dunne and Tim Packman of Savills.
The 1,215sq m inner Brisbane property attracted strong enquiry, with 91 parties expressing their interest during the marketing campaign.
Packman said the property attracted predominately property developers and childcare operators.
Restrictions prevented the property from being completely developed.
The property is zoned Low Medium Residential.
However Contracting Solutions are set to seek subdivision of the property into three lots to develop the property to its permitted potential.
“The solution for the buyer is to retain part of the church and conduct a high-end refurbishment as one lot, and sub-divide the remaining land into another two lots with the potential to build to three storeys,” Packman said.
The property is located 6.5km from the CBD.
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Vacant former Norman Park church has sold to a developer

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Woods Bagot and Hecker Guthrie, Piccolo have unveiled its sequel to the multi award-winning success of Upper House and The Garden House.
Set in bayside Melbourne, on the cusp of Elwood village, the recently completed Elwood House delivers 30 boutique apartments.
Woods Bagot and Hecker Guthrie were the design team behind Piccolo’s 2011 Carlton apartment project The Garden House, a winner of six major property and design awards.
Piccolo director Michael Piccolo said there had long been a desire to replicate the success and timeless design of The Garden House elsewhere, but logistics had proved difficult, particularly when the project’s architect and Woods Bagot Design Director Nik Karalis moved overseas.
With the purchase of the former Elwood RSL Club site at 2 Pine Avenue in 2013 – a site Piccolo had his eye on for years when living just around the corner – as well as the return of Karalis to Australia, the pieces of the puzzle fell into place.
Located on the corner of Pine Avenue and Ormond Road, Elwood House features one, two and three bedroom apartments across four levels.
The building’s calming façade melds exposed concrete, slender profile brickwork handmade in Denmark and irrigated balcony planter boxes overflowing with greenery.
One bedrooms average a generous 50 to 80 square metres, while two bedrooms provide space to grow at 100 to 115 square metres and three bedrooms at 130 to a large 170 square metres.
The individual apartment interiors by Hecker Guthrie are entirely bespoke, with considered additions that surprise and delight.
Director Paul Hecker said the finest finishes include grey Aether natural stone floors and American Oak timber cabinetry adorns kitchens and storage areas. 
Created for Garden House, Apaiser’s ‘Piccolo’ bathtub sit in larger bathrooms.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/5/31/Copy%20of%2017.09.12_Piccolo_Elwood%20House_Bedroom%20w_%20Ensuite.jpg" alt="">
The project also features two retail tenancies fronting Ormond Road, beauty salon The Skin Boutique and the latest offering by Sixty One Group, the team behind favourites including Prahran’s Tall Timber, Richmond’s Touchwood, Hawthorn’s Short Straw, Fitzroy’s Marquis of Lorne and Carnegie’s Left Field.
The Group’s as yet unnamed café, to open in the coming months, will offer breakfast and lunch seven days, also serving dinner a few nights a week.
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Architects Woods Bagot and Hecker Guthrie unite for Elwood House

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Country Garden Australia have unveiled the vision for their Windermere masterplanned community, representing their foray into house and land development.
The company has been in the Australian apartment market since 2013.
Located on Greens Road, Mambourin, the <a href="https://www.mywindermere.com.au/" target="_blank">planning permit approved masterplanned community</a> will become home to an estimated 12,500 residents in over 4,500 house lots across 363 hectares.
It will include a mix of standard, conventional, terrace and medium density home sites, approximately 5,000sqm of commercial office space, 6,000sqm of retail including convenience shopping and food and beverage offerings, two public primary schools, one public secondary school and an additional private school is also slated.
Proposed community facilities will include several community centres, indoor recreation centres, a childcare facility and swim school. Sporting ovals for AFL and cricket, netball and tennis courts are currently being negotiated with the City of Wyndham.
There will be three kilometres of walking paths over 50 hectares of open space, including parklands, sports areas and reserves, Dr Guotao Hu, Chief Executive Officer of Country Garden Australia said.
It is at Melbourne’s newest residential suburb, Mambourin.
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“Nearby Wyndham Vale train station will connect Windermere to the CBD in just 33 minutes during peak hour, making it an ideal location for city workers.
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“Our buyers will be able to choose their own builders to create their own individual dreamhome.
"Or they can choose from a range of house and land packages from some of Australia’s leading home builders,” added Mr Hu.
Expressions of interest are now being received on the first release comprising 47 land lots ranging in size from 350sqm to 723sqm.
The sales gallery, located at 275 Greens Road, Mambourin, will open in mid-2018.
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Country Garden Australia releases vision for Windermere masterplanned community

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Gold Coast City Council has won a four-year legal battle with Boral Resources, with the courts upholding the council’s refusal to approve a proposed quarry because of its impacts on the amenity of local residents – including the area’s koalas. In some rare good news for local government in Queensland, which has been under a cloud lately, the Court of Appeal’s decision confirms that councils are entitled to rely on their own planning schemes when deciding on local development applications. Even though Boral had secured approvals from the Commonwealth and Queensland governments, the Queensland Court of Appeal has upheld the council’s decision to refuse Boral’s application to develop a quarry.
A quarry quarrel
The council took on Boral and won after a four-year battle. In May 2014, Boral Resources had applied to the council for a permit to develop a quarry over 65 hectares of land at Reedy Creek, west of Palm Beach. State planning instruments had identified this land as a key resource area of state significance. For Boral, the quarry would generate hard rock and overburden worth A$1.4-1.5 billion.
In January 2014, the federal environment minister, acting under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, approved the development. In July 2014, Queensland’s Department of Environment and Heritage Protection did likewise.
All that remained was council’s consent. But, even though its own planning officer recommended approving the development, on July 11 2014, the council refused Boral’s application. When the local protest is loud enough and big enough – 4,200 objections were received – then even the Gold Coast Council will hear!
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/218556/original/file-20180511-34027-9dlg88.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
Residents’ opposition to the quarry development was organised, loud and ultimately, after several years, successful. Stop the Gold Coast Quarry/Facebook
Not surprisingly, Boral immediately appealed that decision to the Planning and Environment Court. The court had to balance numerous competing interests to re-decide the merits of the case.
To some extent, the economic arguments were on Boral’s side. If the proposal did not proceed, competition could be reduced and the additional costs to the community could be around A$240 million over the life of the quarry, as even the Court of Appeal later accepted.
On the other side of the equation, the development would have adverse impacts on the amenity of nearby residents. These included creating ugly views and generating noise and dust by introducing an extra 450 haulage truck movements per day on local roads.
Judge Richard Jones decided the balance favoured refusing the application, confirming the council’s refusal.
Now the Court of Appeal has upheld that decision. The council, local residents and koalas have won the day.
The case also raises some points of more general planning interest. These relate to:
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the respective roles of state and local planning instruments
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whether profitable economic development may legitimately be delayed to another day
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whether protecting koalas requires protecting their habitat as well.
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State versus local planning instruments
In Queensland, the state planning policy identifies 16 state interests arranged under five broad themes. No one state interest is given priority over the others.
The Court of Appeal’s decision confirms it is the rightful business of local governments to balance and resolve competing state interests at the local level in their own planning schemes. Notwithstanding the site’s designation as a key resource area in state planning policy, the council had acted lawfully in relying on its own planning instruments to decide that adverse environmental and amenity impacts justified refusing the application.
Should good economic development be postponed?
Despite refusing the application, the judge conceded the resource should be protected for future exploitation when appropriate.
Boral argued this was an “irrational decision”. How would the amenity of residents and the survival of koalas be any less of concern in the future if they were so important even now? In Boral’s view, if this was a valuable economic resource (and everyone agreed it was), development now was the only sensible decision.
The Court of Appeal paid short shrift to this notion. It held that although the local planning instruments currently prevailed against an approval, amendments to these over time might alter the balance in favour of development. Local government, once again, is in the driving seat.
Do koalas need their trees?
Koalas are a recognised matter of environmental significance at Commonwealth and state levels. Developing the quarry would involve, over time, clearing 30,000 trees, including 23,000 koala habitat trees. The Planning and Environment Court judge recognised this would have an adverse impact in relation to a matter of environmental significance.
Boral had, like every other developer, argued conservation efforts at other sites (imposed as offsets) could produce a better outcome overall for koalas in southeast Queensland. The court dismissed this claim because the local planning scheme specified matters of environmental significance should be protected in situ.
Not to be defeated, Boral argued the judge confused koalas (a recognised matter of environmental significance) with koala habitat (of no particular status in this case). The Court of Appeal denounced this logic: "It cannot seriously be disputed that to destroy its habitat is to fail to conserve and protect it as a listed threatened species."
What are the broader planning implications?
The Boral litigation explores some really interesting principles for planning law and local governments.
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/96263/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">Let’s just imagine, for a moment, a land use planning world where state planning policy is always applied with reference to the affected community’s vision for its neighbourhood; where councils regularly protect habitat for endangered species; and where, just occasionally, the drive for ever more resource development gives way to a holistic view of sustainable development … oh, what a different world that would be!
Philippa England, Senior Lecturer, Griffith Law School, Griffith University
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/long-running-battle-ends-in-a-win-for-residents-koalas-and-local-council-planning-rules-96263" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Long-running battle ends in a win for residents, koalas and local council planning rules: Philippa England

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A new Chapel Street, South Yarra development has been completed, just over two years since construction started.
661 Chapel St is the first Australian project of Malaysian-based developed Gamuda Land and was completed ahead of schedule. Settlements are set to occur in May 2018.
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Consisting of 116 apartments over 30 floors, the Bird de le Coeur designed development is close Melbourne High School and the Yarra River.
The hotel style development also has a library, BBQ area, 25 metre lap pool, private cinema, dining rooms and board room, as well as a wine cellar.
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661 Chapel St’s project director Aw Sei Cheh said the development was inspired by town making principles and the location was a major selling point for local and interstate buyers.
“We have had strong sales for this project, and strong inter-state sales too – with 15% of purchasers coming from NSW,” he said.
“Sydney-siders are attracted to Chapel Street’s legendary status as Melbourne’s premier shopping street, the locality to greenery such as the Yarra river and Royal Botanical Gardens, and its proximity to Melbourne CBD and other landmarks such as the MCG.”
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The Urban Developer recently reported that sales for the project are at approximately 70%.
Prices for the apartments start at $546,000 for a one bedroom, and go up to $2.7 million for a three bedroom.
There is an unsold $22 million penthouse shell which will be customised to the purchaser’s brief by celebrity interior designer David Hicks who has undertaken some preliminary (pictured) designs.
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<div>It is a 729 sqm residence over three levels, likely to include three bedrooms, five bathrooms, sauna, steam and shower room, gym and yoga room, cinema, study and wine cellar.</div>
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<div>The 729 sqm space includes 93 sqm of balcony space and 82 sqm of rooftop.</div>
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