97 Franklin Street, Melbourne

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<p>It looks to be one of those instances where a single image says it all.</p>

<p>In this case the lead image above illustrates the rapid change engulfing the northern stretch of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/melbourne-vic">Melbourne's CBD</a>. During a recent visit to Hickory Group's topping out ceremony for <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/la-trobe-tower-323-la-trobe-street-melbourne">La Trobe Tower</a>, the scale of this change became patently evident.</p>

<p>Given abundant coverage to date on Urban.com.au, towering individual planning applications and rendered city models fail to adequately convey the emergence of a new crop of tall Melbourne towers. The above image for instance would be greatly augmented should the 210 metre <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/uno-melbourne-117-abeckett-street-melbourne">111 A'Beckett Street</a> rise in the foreground; essentially block out three of the new crop of towers which all weigh in above the 200 metre mark: Vision, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/victoria-one-452-472-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Victoria One</a> and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/light-house-450-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Light House</a>.</p>

<p>Assuming that we're currently at a nominal half-way point in the construction of this rash of new residential towers across the north of Melbourne's CBD, what observations can be made at this time?</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_8244_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Welcome to the new Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_8244_0.jpg?itok=2sMDbtcB" title="Welcome to the new Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Welcome to the new Melbourne</figcaption></figure><p>On a more intimate level, the street character of Elizabeth Street in particular has been drastically altered.</p>

<p>Minimal setbacks have given the eastern site of Elizabeth an imposing presence from street level; some will argue it as a welcomed change representing Melbourne's progression, while others will note that Elizabeth Street is becoming a cold and uninviting public place. Much will depend upon how readily these new towers interact with the streetscape upon their respective completions.</p>

<p>A previously rundown streetscape or an uninviting wall of towers, for those who value urban design it could be argued neither is a particularly palatable outcome.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_8245.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Lighthouse on show"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="388" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_8245.jpg?itok=neLmdL4H" title="Lighthouse on show" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lighthouse on show</figcaption></figure><p>On a larger scale though, these new towers have definitely brought a fresh design dynamic to Melbourne's skyline, with <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/fraser-partners-0">Elenberg Fraser</a> the primary firm responsible.</p>

<p>The architecture practice can lay claim to seven current towers in the northern stretch of Melbourne's CBD; five are at construction with the shortest being the 172 metre <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/avant-60-abeckett-street-melbourne">Avant</a>. Colour and form are coming to the fore, with Light House above a prime example of Elenberg Fraser's progressive design dynamic.</p>

<p>Perhaps though the most stylish tower on the rise anywhere in Melbourne is <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/eq-tower-127-abeckett-street-melbourne">EQ Tower</a>. It's pinkish-purple facade and inverse flowing lines are particularly attractive and it has rapidly emerged as a beacon of design prowess, owing to its many unique characteristics.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_8229.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="EQ Tower"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_8229.jpg?itok=My0-ANw-" title="EQ Tower" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>EQ Tower</figcaption></figure><p>With many towers under construction now taking on their own unique characteristics, here is an overview of the current status of all major towers within Melbourne's northern CBD zone:</p>

<h2>Planning and approved</h2>

<p><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">386 William</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">183 A'Beckett</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">Scape La Trobe</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/97-franklin-street-melbourne">97 Franklin</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/441-451-elizabeth-street-melbourne">441 Elizabeth</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/greater-dandenong-vic">102 Franklin</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">478 Elizabeth</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/eq-tower-127-abeckett-street-melbourne">111 A'Beckett</a></p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/97_franklin_talls.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="97 Franklin Street as rendered into the new Melbourne skyline."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="428" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/97_franklin_talls.jpg?itok=Mr2k9-IG" title="97 Franklin Street as rendered into the new Melbourne skyline." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>97 Franklin Street as rendered into the new Melbourne skyline.</figcaption></figure><h2>Sales</h2>

<p><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/wills-place-17-wills-street-melbourne">Wills Place</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/queens-place-157-a-beckett-street-and-370-queen-street-melbourne">Queens Place</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">303 La Trobe</a></p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image69_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="303 La Trobe has joined Queens Place at project sales"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="350" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image69_4.jpg?itok=tge5ePVc" title="303 La Trobe has joined Queens Place at project sales" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>303 La Trobe has joined Queens Place at project sales</figcaption></figure><h2>Early phase construction</h2>

<p><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/iglu-229-franklin-street-melbourne">229 Franklin</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/aurora-melbourne-central-224-la-trobe-street-melbourne">Aurora Melbourne Central</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/scape-melbourne-393-swanston-street-melbourne">Scape Swanston</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/avant-60-abeckett-street-melbourne">Avant</a></p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image66_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aurora Melbourne Central on the rise. Image: Adrian"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="391" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image66_3.jpg?itok=_fhDPQ01" title="Aurora Melbourne Central on the rise. Image: Adrian" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aurora Melbourne Central on the rise. Image: Adrian</figcaption></figure><h2>Mid construction</h2>

<p><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/empire-melbourne-398-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Empire</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/light-house-450-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Light House</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/victoria-one-452-472-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Victoria One</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/eq-tower-127-abeckett-street-melbourne">EQ Tower</a></p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image65_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Empire and Light House have progressed rapidly"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="360" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image65_0.jpg?itok=bK2WonaE" title="Empire and Light House have progressed rapidly" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Empire and Light House have progressed rapidly</figcaption></figure><h2>Topped out</h2>

<p><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/la-trobe-tower-323-la-trobe-street-melbourne">La Trobe Tower</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/eporo-tower-279-la-trobe-street-melbourne">Eporo Tower</a></p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_8228.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A recent shot of La Trobe Tower"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_8228.jpg?itok=8ck0dVB4" title="A recent shot of La Trobe Tower" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A recent shot of La Trobe Tower</figcaption></figure>
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silvermb

The changing face of Melbourne's northern CBD

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<p>The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released its updated regional population growth figures on Wednesday and at 14,114 people per square kilometre, the Melbourne CBD sits as the second most densely populated area of the country behind Pyrmont-Ultimo in Sydney (15,117 people per square kilometre) .</p>

<p>Based on development underway and in the pipeline - in the sheer number of projects and the size of them - the Melbourne CBD is likely to be in pole position within 12-24 months.</p>

<p>The density statistics are based on the ABS' <a href="http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/88F6A0EDEB8879C0CA257801000C64D9">"SA2</a>" regions and the Melbourne CBD SA2 area is bounded by the Yarra, Flinders Street, Spring Street, Victoria Street, Peel/William Street, La Trobe Street and Spencer Street (refer to the lead image above).</p>

<p>The merits of eventually being the most densely populated part of Australia - using the ABS methodology - are likely to be contested, however the oncoming ascension to the premier position is notable given the state of affairs in Melbourne's CBD 30 years ago.</p>

<p>I wonder if the City of Melbourne would have thought it possible in the 1980s that their heartland was to one day become the country's most densely populated?</p>

<p>We've come a long way since the early days of postcode 3000.</p>

<p>On June 30th 2015, the population of Melbourne's CBD stood at 33,433 according to the ABS data and the area bounded by the streets and river mentioned above measures 2.4 square kilometres.</p>

<p>Looking ahead over the next five to ten years it's not going to be a gradual ascension to the top of the ABS' SA2 density league tables, it's more likely to be akin to a violent, out-of-control steamroller driven by an angry mob that is going to set the bar incredibly high.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/collins_st_5pm_ngv.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="John Brack's &quot;Collins Street, 5pm&quot; painted in 1955. Image via NGV"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="408" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/collins_st_5pm_ngv.jpg?itok=EFu9Znqn" title="John Brack's &quot;Collins Street, 5pm&quot; painted in 1955. Image via NGV" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>John Brack's "Collins Street, 5pm" painted in 1955. Image via <a href="http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/explore/collection/work/3161/">NGV</a></figcaption></figure><p>Consider the following.</p>

<p>We're tracking 68 residential, student accommodation or mixed-use projects on the Urban.com.au Project Database located within the Melbourne SA2 and they have a combined 27,000-30,000 dwellings.</p>

<p>18 of the projects are currently under construction which together will produce 6000-7000 dwellings. According to the <a href="http://melbournepopulation.geografia.com.au/areas/CLSA01">City of Melbourne</a>, the average household size in the CBD standas at 1.91 and is forecast to decrease to 1.44 over the longer term.</p>

<p>The number of dwellings under construction could equate to a further 8500 to 10,000 new residents when using the longer-term household size forecast, potentially boosting the total population to 42,000-43,500 and increasing the population density of 17,500-18,125.</p>

<p>11 projects have a sales campaign underway and that, in total, is another 5000 dwellings in the pipeline with the potential to provide space for 7,200 new residents.</p>

<p>The remaining 39 projects being assessed by council or the Minister and those that are already approved total 16,000-18,000 dwellings; creating enough living space for 23,000-26,000 new Melburnists.</p>

<p>Even if only half the projects in the pipeline - everything except what's currently under construction - were to eventually be built and tenanted, that's could equate to a further 15,000-17,000 new Melbourne CBD residents.</p>

<p>Doubling the population and therefore the population density of Melbourne's CBD over the next 5-10 years? It's very much realistic and the numbers above broadly correlate with the <a href="http://melbournepopulation.geografia.com.au/areas/CLSA01">City of Melbourne's own forecast</a>.</p>

<p>In ten years the population density of Melbourne's CBD is forecast to between 26,000 and 27,000 people per square kilometre, comparable with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10th_arrondissement_of_Paris">10th</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_arrondissement_of_Paris">14th</a> arrondissements of Paris, and similar to the projections for the 'half-sized' Fishermans Bend based on <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/fishermans-bend-to-become-australias-most-densely-populated-area">public domain information from 2013</a>.</p>

<p>That's what I meant by it's going to be violent ascension above all other national peers. No wonder the Lord Mayor was keen to see 447 Collins and its new green space approved.</p>
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Alastair Taylor

Melbourne CBD on course to be the most densely populated area in Australia

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<p>It has become increasing difficult to decipher the status of the many towers beyond 200 metres that are or are intending to stake their place in the Melbourne skyline. While <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/568-collins-street-melbourne">568 Collins Street</a> is at completion and a handful of others are in their construction infancy, a veil of uncertainty hangs above many intended developments.</p>

<p>The recent implementation of sweeping new planning regulations has cast doubt over many of the proposals which are both at planning and intended. Indeed the number of towers that Urban.com.au has identified for Melbourne beyond the 200 metre mark is ranging somewhere between 25 and 35; such is the uncertainty within the industry at the moment.</p>

<p>Only those close to each and every application know the status of their projects, and few are willing to comment at this time. Below is a current status of all 200 metre plus developments as best gleaned by Urban.com.au:</p>

<h2>Under construction</h2>

<p>No doubt surrounds these projects, with construction progress on the following: <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/eq-tower-127-abeckett-street-melbourne">EQ Tower</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/victoria-one-452-472-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Victoria One</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/light-house-450-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Light House</a>, Vision. Vision is the most advanced as it's rapidly approaching the 200 metre construction mark while the others have quite a way to go.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image3_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="EQ Tower, Australia 108 render and Vision Tower looming large"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="401" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image3_2.jpg?itok=4bYgpZ3V" title="EQ Tower, Australia 108 render and Vision Tower looming large" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>EQ Tower, Australia 108 render and Vision Tower looming large</figcaption></figure><p>Joining the list at construction is <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/australia-108-southbank-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">Australia 108</a> which Urban.com.au <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/brookfield-multiplex-appointed-builder-for-australia-108-piling-to-commence-in-october">reported last week</a> as officially gaining Brookfield Multiplex as head contractor; works are due to begin onsite next month. <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/aurora-melbourne-central-224-la-trobe-street-melbourne">Aurora Melbourne Central</a> also has Probuild installed as its builder, with preliminary site demolition works having commenced for the sizeable tower.</p>

<h2>Can't touch this</h2>

<p>A handful of projects beyond 200 metres hold planning approval and are at sales, seemingly free from the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/interim-central-melbourne-planning-controls-the-detail">new interim building controls</a> that look likely to derail a number of proposals that have not been lodged.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/swanston-central-168-victoria-street-carlton">Swanston Central</a> is at sales, set to make a notable difference to the city's northern skyline while <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/elysium-54-clarke-street-southbank">Elysium Southbank</a> is poised to launch its sales campaign for the highly distinctive BKK-designed edifice. <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/premier-tower-134-160-spencer-street-melbourne">Premier Tower</a> opposite Southern Cross Station is full steam ahead with project architect Elenberg Fraser suggesting works will begin onsite during March 2016.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/38-freshwater-place-southbank">25-35 Power Street</a> and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/380-melbourne-380-lonsdale-street-melbourne">380 Lonsdale Street</a> are sitting on approval, as is <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/west-side-place-melbourne-250-spencer-street-melbourne-vic-3000">West Side Place</a>, with its sales campaign for the first tower which includes a Ritz Carlton set to launch.</p>

<h2>The great unknown</h2>

<p>The situation becomes decidedly more murky from this point (at least from a public perspective), with more questions than answers for the remaining batch of 200 metre plus towers. <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/150-queen-street-melbourne">Tower Melbourne</a> and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/97-franklin-street-melbourne">97 Franklin Street</a> for example both hold planning approval but are no certainty to proceed.</p>

<p>It's been said that for differing reasons both may need to reapply for a planning permit and subject to the new planning controls may not receive approval in anywhere near their current form. Tower Melbourne in particular would be hoping to avoid this following the protracted legal dispute with its neighbouring land owner.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image5_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Renders depicting 640 Bourke, 350 Queen and 32 Flinders Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="359" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image5_1.jpg?itok=q5triNqG" title="Renders depicting 640 Bourke, 350 Queen and 32 Flinders Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Renders depicting 640 Bourke, 350 Queen and 32 Flinders Street</figcaption></figure><p>This leaves as many as seventeen 200 metre towers at planning, with the outcome of each as yet publicly unknown. The status of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">293-303 La Trobe Street</a> and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/63-exhibition-street-melbourne">63 Exhibition Street </a>is unknown; both of which are still active on the GreenLight online register while <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">555 Collins Street</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/one-queensbridge-street-1-23-queensbridge-street-southbank">1 Queensbridge Street</a> and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">180 Russell Street </a>remain active applications after having been at planning for considerable periods of time.</p>

<p>Word has it that <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/32-44-flinders-street-melbourne">32-44 Flinders Street</a> is headed for VCAT, leaving more recent submissions such as <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/293-297-city-road-southbank-vic-3006">295 City Road</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/aspire-melbourne-301-king-st-melbourne">295-309 King Street</a>, <a href="/new-apartments/640-bourke-street-melbourne-640-bourke-street-melbourne-vic-3000">640 Bourke Street</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/queens-place-157-a-beckett-street-and-370-queen-street-melbourne">350 Queen Street</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/272-282-queen-street-melbourne">280 Queen Street</a> and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/melbourne-square-93-119-kavanagh-street-southbank">93-119 Kavanagh Street</a> to traverse the planning process. Further applications at 111-125 A'Beckett Street, 183-189 A'Beckett Street, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">478 Elizabeth Street</a> and 71-87 City Road are also in play.</p>

<h2>Possibles but not probables</h2>

<p>260 La Trobe Street shaped as a likely tower with a preliminary assessment in front of CASA that seemingly has not entered state planning prior to the new interim controls, possibly rendering the intended 260 metre tower invalid; it remains to be seen what will come of the proposal.</p>

<p>All in all there will be a none too small change to Melbourne skyline in the next handful of years. The scope of this change remains to be seen, but it's not beyond the realms of possibility that a further 20-25 towers beyond the 200 metre mark will sprout skyward soon enough.</p>

<p><em>This article has been updated to remove images relating to 245 City Road. The original information was incorrect.</em></p>
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Status unknown: a current overview of the 200 metre club

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<p>Cast your eyes over the northern reaches of Melbourne's CBD and a not-too-subtle marker is taking its place. Brady Group's Vision has motored past the 150 metre mark on its way to 226 metres and in doing so is acting as a vanguard project of sorts for the rash of new residential towers set to redefine this section of Melbourne.</p>

<p>With a host of new proposals joining the ranks of late, now presents as an opportune time to provide an overview of these residential towers that promise to remodel the northern areas of the CBD beyond recognition.</p>

<h2>The current drop</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image43_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A host of projects are early into their construction cycle"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="273" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image43_0.jpg?itok=hXuuDiC-" title="A host of projects are early into their construction cycle" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A host of projects are early into their construction cycle</figcaption></figure><p>Clockwise above are <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/eporo-tower-279-la-trobe-street-melbourne">Eporo</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/light-house-450-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Light House</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/eq-tower-127-abeckett-street-melbourne">EQ Tower</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/victoria-one-452-472-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Victoria One</a> and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/empire-melbourne-398-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Empire</a>, the most advanced of which has risen two levels above ground. Joining these projects in the early stages of construction are <a href="/new-apartments/the-trillium-36-la-trobe-street-melbourne">Trillium</a> and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/la-trobe-tower-323-la-trobe-street-melbourne">La Trobe Tower</a>.</p>

<p>Near on 3,100 apartments are contained within the above seven projects, demonstrating the sheer pace at which this section of the CBD is evolving into a high-rise residential hub. With Vision, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/the-carlson-321-la-trobe-street-melbourne">The Carlson</a> and part of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/fulton-lane-151-franklin-street-melbourne">Fulton Lane</a> also under construction, the number of apartments under construction is inflated by a further 1,460.​</p>

<p>It's a staggering number, yet such is the volume of upcoming projects north of La Trobe Street and south of Victoria Street that it can easily be surpassed by those projects in waiting.</p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="400" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" msallowfullscreen="msallowfullscreen" oallowfullscreen="oallowfullscreen" src="https://charts.datawrapper.de/abxpa/index.html" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<h2>Incoming</h2>

<p>A master sales agent has been assigned to <a href="/buildings/swanston-central-168-victoria-street-carlton">8 Bouverie Street</a>, with its sales campaign imminent. Snapped up by Hengyi, the project is set to follow the current project Light House, albeit with a greater apartment yield exceeding 1,000 dwellings; the final numbers for the project will be revealed shortly.</p>

<p>Also pushing up the development chain are two separate projects for student accommodation provider Scape Student Living. <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">212-222 La Trobe Street</a> and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/scape-melbourne-393-swanston-street-melbourne">393 Swanston Street</a> between them are capable of providing in excess of 1,500 dwellings and have a completion date spread over 2018-2019. These are joined by the approved 377 La Trobe Street scheme which would essentially sit between the two nominated projects above, although its delivery timeframe is unknown.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image38_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Side by side and set for reshape the La Trobe Street landscape"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="223" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image38_2.jpg?itok=VkDr756g" title="Side by side and set for reshape the La Trobe Street landscape" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Side by side and set for reshape the La Trobe Street landscape</figcaption></figure><p>Also maintaining a 2019 completion timeline is <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/aurora-melbourne-central-224-la-trobe-street-melbourne">Aurora Melbourne Central</a> which is due to begin site demolition at present while <a href="/buildings/97-franklin-street-melbourne">97 Franklin Street</a> remains the only major approved development in the CBD's northern precinct without publicly known development plans. The 200 metre plus golden tower is value at approximately $200 million and would carry 551 apartments and 144 serviced apartments.</p>

<p>Looming is <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/conservatory-9-23-mackenzie-street-melbourne">Conservatory</a> with in excess of 450 apartments; it will be UEM Sunrise's next Melbourne venture post the sales success of Aurora Melbourne Central.</p>

<p>The projects at planning are equally as imposing with four towers in excess of 200 metres on the radar. Headlining the show is <a href="/buildings/queens-place-157-a-beckett-street-and-370-queen-street-melbourne">Queens Place</a> with 1,700 dwellings over two hulking towers, the tallest of which is 267 metres. Nearby 293 - 303 La Trobe Street Melbourne is shaping up for a slender residential tower with 370 dwellings over what is the Duke of Kent hotel.</p>

<p>Most recently submitted for assessment is <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">478 Elizabeth Street</a> with a 68 storey mixed-use development envisaged. 399 apartments and 196 hotel suites would constitute the development's yield.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/ldo_cbd.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image © Laurence Dragomir"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="497" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/ldo_cbd.jpg?itok=EAaBuHpN" title="Image © Laurence Dragomir" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image © Laurence Dragomir</figcaption></figure><p>Perhaps the most poignant indicator as the the rapid change and sheer volume of projects sweeping through the northern parts of the CBD is the render created by Laurence Dragomir above. Barely a year old the image depicts six of the tallest proposals with Aurora Melbourne Central being the only project not at construction.</p>

<p>If nothing else the dynamism of this pocket of the CBD provides impetus for an updated Urban.com.au render.</p>
</body></html>

Northern lights: the incredible rate of change in Melbourne's northern CBD

<html><body>
<p>With more ins and outs than your favourite football team, it's an opportune time to provide a synopsis of all the towers vying to, or in the process of joining the Melbourne's 200 metre club. Much has changed since the last time Urban.com.au visited the matter during <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/melbournes-200-metre-club-bursting-at-the-seams">August 2014</a>; new projects are seeking their place in the skyline while others have fallen by the wayside.</p>

<p>Rather than provide a simple list of those projects beyond 200 metres which are at varying stages of the development cycle, all projects are noted below according to their current status.</p>

<h2>Hitting the heights</h2>

<p>Following the completion of Prima-Pearl on Southbank, Melbourne theoretically sees eight projects in excess of 200 metres currently at construction; <em>theoretically</em> being the term of choice.</p>

<p>The sorry saga of <a href="/new-apartments/150-queen-street-melbourne">Tower Melbourne</a> continues with its onsite tower crane now dormant for well over a year. Although the legal wranglings surrounding the project look to have been settled, the site is anything but buzzing with activity. Also theoretically at construction is <a href="/buildings/west-side-place-melbourne-250-spencer-street-melbourne-vic-3000">250 Spencer Street</a> which under the guidance of St Kilda Road-based Far East Consortium has approval for four towers in excess of 200 metres. Following demolition completion, Brookfield Multiplex now have signage across the site with early works poised to begin.</p>

<p>Hong Kong-based parent company Far East Consortium International Limited has new renderings of the quartet of towers on their website, with the Melbourne's new Ritz-Carlton taking the most prominent position.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image180.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="250 Spencer Street featuring Ritz-Carlton. Image courtesy FECIL"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="243" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image180.jpg?itok=DnBX2TFT" title="250 Spencer Street featuring Ritz-Carlton. Image courtesy FECIL" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>250 Spencer Street featuring Ritz-Carlton. Image courtesy FECIL</figcaption></figure><p>The remaining six projects are at varying stages of construction. <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/eq-tower-127-abeckett-street-melbourne">EQ Tower</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/light-house-450-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Light House</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/victoria-one-452-472-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Victoria One</a>, Vision, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/568-collins-street-melbourne">568 Collins Street</a> and Melbourne tallest building, <a href="/buildings/australia-108-southbank-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">Australia 108</a> are keeping Melbourne's biggest builders occupied. These projects are soon to be joined by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/aurora-melbourne-central-224-la-trobe-street-melbourne">Aurora Melbourne Central</a> which will see demolition begin next month in preparation for the hulking tower to begin its journey skyward.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/6c578f571fb50bf34f85b8f592d0199c.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Vision moving on up. Image courtesy Ryan Setchell"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/6c578f571fb50bf34f85b8f592d0199c.jpg?itok=kNAUqsc9" title="Vision moving on up. Image courtesy Ryan Setchell" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Vision moving on up. Image courtesy Ryan Setchell</figcaption></figure><h2>Approved but not yet at sales</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/a0f2d633-2112_power_st_web_640x245_freshwater_horizontal.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="M &amp; L Hospitality's Power Street development. Image courtesy mnlth.com"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="221" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/a0f2d633-2112_power_st_web_640x245_freshwater_horizontal.jpg?itok=EjF3jKIN" title="M &amp; L Hospitality's Power Street development. Image courtesy mnlth.com" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>M &amp; L Hospitality's Power Street development. Image courtesy mnlth.com</figcaption></figure><p>M&amp;L Hospitality have new signage across <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/38-freshwater-place-southbank">25-35 Power Street</a> signifying their intention to proceed with the 273 metre mixed-use tower designed by Metier 3. Carrying the above render on their website, M&amp;L Hospitality show the tower to have hotel rooms across levels 57-71 with a mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom residential apartments below.</p>

<p>Project amenities will include a roof top Sky Bar on Level 73 as well as a pool and spa on level 72. The developer which is also undertaking a large expansion of its Four Points by Sheraton at Darling Harbour in Sydney, will see its new Melbourne project create 800 full time construction jobs over the build and 175-200 direct hotel jobs when completed.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image13_380.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="380 Lonsdale Street. Image courtesy Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="893" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image13_380.jpg?itok=ROONdG_s" title="380 Lonsdale Street. Image courtesy Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>380 Lonsdale Street. Image courtesy Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure><p>Hengyi have recently snapped up <a href="/buildings/swanston-central-168-victoria-street-carlton">8 Bouverie Street</a> with scope for 1,035 dwellings, while <a href="/new-apartments/elysium-54-clarke-street-southbank">Elysium</a> on Southbank is taking registrations of interest for what will become one of Melbourne's more fascinating buildings upon completion. <a href="/buildings/97-franklin-street-melbourne">97 Franklin Street</a> and <a href="/buildings/380-melbourne-380-lonsdale-street-melbourne">380 Lonsdale Street</a> also hold approval with the latter to include an Aloft Hotel.</p>

<h2>A pain in the ass-essment</h2>

<p>The landscape has changed with a new State Government signalling a tougher stance on development in and around Melbourne. Here are the projects beyond 200 metres which have yet to gain a final planning approval… or may never gain it.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image174.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="32 Flinders and 158 City Road. Images courtesy SJB and Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="290" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image174.jpg?itok=DQx4LGg5" title="32 Flinders and 158 City Road. Images courtesy SJB and Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>32 Flinders and 158 City Road. Images courtesy SJB and Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure><p>First glimpses of two as yet unseen proposals, namely Dexus' <a href="/new-apartments/32-44-flinders-street-melbourne">32-44 Flinders Street</a> and EIPD's <a href="/developments/southbank-vic-3006">158 City Road</a>. The former seeks a 212 metre SJB-designed structure with 595 apartments in addition to 30 SoHo living options. 158 City Road on the other hand largely conforms to the previously approved envelope, albeit expanded to 218 metres and with 722 apartments included.</p>

<p>Fresh applications to the 200 metre club include Fig Tree Holdings' unseen 293-303 La Trobe Street which has gone to planning during April. At 67 levels it will likely to weigh in at approximately 210 metres while carrying 370 apartments. Only last week <a href="/buildings/queens-place-157-a-beckett-street-and-370-queen-street-melbourne">350 Queen Street</a> was unveiled at a maximum height of 268 metres with Queens Place its likely moniker. Developer 3L Alliance is also proposing a second tower onsite which looks to be beyond the 200 metre mark.</p>

<p>Nine other towers at the planning assessment stage find themselves beyond the 200 metre threshold. Covered at one point or another on Urban.com.au, they include <a href="/new-apartments/272-282-queen-street-melbourne">280 Queen Street</a>, <a href="/new-apartments/293-297-city-road-southbank-vic-3006">295 City Road</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/one-queensbridge-street-1-23-queensbridge-street-southbank">1 Queensbridge Street</a>, <a href="/buildings/aspire-melbourne-301-king-st-melbourne">295 King Street</a>, <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">555 Collins Street</a>, <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">180 Russell Street</a>, <a href="/buildings/premier-tower-134-160-spencer-street-melbourne">134 Spencer Street</a>, <a href="/developments/docklands-vic-3008">85-93 Lorimer Street</a> and <a href="/new-apartments/63-exhibition-street-melbourne">63 Exhibition Street</a>.</p>

<p>Change is a constant when projects are at planning, as is the policy that surrounds them; there remains the likelihood that a number of the projects listed above will be revised downward in scale.</p>

<h2>​Coming up short</h2>

<p>What of the projects that have regressed or are just short of the 200 metre benchmark? They too require mention based upon their sheer numbers.</p>

<p>Three previously submitted proposals substantially beyond the 200 metre mark have been altered in favour of shortened outcomes. Of <a href="/new-apartments/334-city-road-southbank">334-344 City Road</a>, <a href="/buildings/avant-60-abeckett-street-melbourne">54-64 A'Beckett Street</a>, and the much hyped 447 Collins Street, the shortest tower was to have been 265 metres. 447 Collins Street at 297 metres will now make way for dual 194 metre towers according to Cbus Property.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/w800-h600-2011932882_3_pi_150427_060128.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Oceania Construction Group's A'Beckett Street proposal"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="501" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/w800-h600-2011932882_3_pi_150427_060128.jpg?itok=W-DXzrV9" title="Oceania Construction Group's A'Beckett Street proposal" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Oceania Construction Group's A'Beckett Street proposal</figcaption></figure><p>Other to miss out marginally on joining the 200 metre club include <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">Uni Tower</a> at 48 A'Beckett Street which leads the pack at 198 metres, followed by <a href="/buildings/collins-house-melbourne-460-466-collins-street-melbourne">Collins House</a> at 195 metres and the revised Cbus 447 Collins Street twins which have yet to be submitted at 194 metres.</p>

<p>Also worthy of mention is the approved <a href="/buildings/home-southbank-256-260-city-road-southbank">256-260 City Road</a> at 193 metres in height and the trio of <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">80 Collins Street</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/empire-melbourne-398-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Empire Melbourne</a> and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/shadow-play-105-clarendon-street-southbank">Shadow Play</a> which are all just shy of 190 metres.</p>

<p>All in all there's the potential for 31 towers in excess of 200 metres to grace Melbourne skyline in addition to those existing… and we may have missed one or two. Industry rumours persist on a number of other projects which are in the pipeline that will add to the 200 metre list. You can reference every project above 200 metres listed within the Urban.com.au Project Database via the individual listings below.</p>
</body></html>

A synopsis of Melbourne's 200 metre plus towers produces a startling number

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<p>The flow of development to Melbourne CBD's East End began as a trickle relative to surrounding inner city precincts, but the 'Paris End' of late has come into its own. 'Paris End' of course is an ill-fitting moniker (some would also say crass) with current development within the CBD's eastern flank well spread, as opposed to being centralised around Collins Street's historic grandeur.</p>

<p>Bound by Flinders, Elizabeth, Spring and Victoria, Urban.com.au's Project Database shows a mass of East End developments looking to make their mark. Historically the domain of commercial development, East End was bereft of residential projects as developers favoured proven areas such as Southbank and Docklands, although this trend his has now changed sharply!</p>

<p>Spurred on in part by the phenomenal influx of Asian-based property entities, East End proposals have steadily increased over the last two years as the insatiable push to secure prized sites in the current market shows no signs of slowing; an arms race of property development for lack of a better analogy.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image8ep.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="All shapes and sizes of proposals within East End"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="402" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image8ep.jpg?itok=n5TgfwMI" title="All shapes and sizes of proposals within East End" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>All shapes and sizes of proposals within East End</figcaption></figure><h2>Apartment development leading the charge</h2>

<p>Below is a summary of East End residential projects currently found within the Urban.com.au Project Database. Given the ever dynamic nature of development and planning at the moment, these may require refreshing in a few weeks time. Regardless, this is the current state of play concerning residential projects within East End.</p>

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th>Address</th>
			<th>Apartments</th>
			<th>Developer</th>
			<th>Levels</th>
			<th>Staus</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/empire-melbourne-398-elizabeth-street-melbourne">398 Elizabeth Street</a></td>
			<td>474</td>
			<td>Mammoth Empire</td>
			<td>55</td>
			<td>Registration &amp; Sales</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/abode-318-318-russell-street-melbourne">318 Russell Street</a></td>
			<td>433</td>
			<td>PDG &amp; Schiavello</td>
			<td>57</td>
			<td>Construction</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/crystal-gardens-276-russell-street-melbourne">276 Russell Street</a></td>
			<td>154</td>
			<td>Unknown</td>
			<td>36</td>
			<td>Approved</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>500 Elizabeth Street</td>
			<td>524</td>
			<td>Brady Group</td>
			<td>72</td>
			<td>Construction</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/309-325-bourke-street-melbourne">309 Bourke Street</a></td>
			<td>466</td>
			<td>Unknown</td>
			<td>&gt;10</td>
			<td>Approved</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/35-spring-street-melbourne">35 Spring Street</a></td>
			<td>270</td>
			<td>CBUS</td>
			<td>43</td>
			<td>Construction</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/buildings/97-franklin-street-melbourne">97 Franklin Street</a></td>
			<td>367</td>
			<td>Artemis Group</td>
			<td>62</td>
			<td>Planning</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/new-apartments/63-exhibition-street-melbourne">63 Exhibition Street</a></td>
			<td>328</td>
			<td>Asia One</td>
			<td>67</td>
			<td>Planning</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/new-apartments/the-trillium-36-la-trobe-street-melbourne">36 La Trobe Street</a></td>
			<td>224</td>
			<td>Unknown</td>
			<td>39</td>
			<td>Registration &amp; Sales</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/metrolitan-melbourne-137-bourke-street-melbourne">137 Bourke Street</a></td>
			<td>104</td>
			<td>VIMG</td>
			<td>19</td>
			<td>Registration &amp; Sales</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">85 Spring Street</a></td>
			<td>303</td>
			<td>Grocon</td>
			<td>46</td>
			<td>Planning</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/buildings/avant-60-abeckett-street-melbourne">54 A'Beckett Street</a></td>
			<td>750</td>
			<td>Aspial - WCL</td>
			<td>81</td>
			<td>Planning</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/aurora-melbourne-central-224-la-trobe-street-melbourne">224 La Trobe Street</a></td>
			<td>1,206</td>
			<td>UEM Sunrise</td>
			<td>88</td>
			<td>Planning</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/victoria-one-452-472-elizabeth-street-melbourne">452 Elizabeth Street</a></td>
			<td>622</td>
			<td>Golden Age</td>
			<td>75</td>
			<td>Registration &amp; Sales</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/new-apartments/9-11-exploration-lane-melbourne">9 Exploration Lane</a></td>
			<td>89</td>
			<td>Balfour</td>
			<td>33</td>
			<td>Approved</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">180 Russell Street</a></td>
			<td>506</td>
			<td>AXF Group</td>
			<td>70</td>
			<td>Planning</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/48-50-abeckett-street-melbourne">48 A'Beckett Street</a></td>
			<td>235</td>
			<td>Austwin</td>
			<td>45</td>
			<td>Approved</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">22 Bennetts Lane</a></td>
			<td>25</td>
			<td>Unknown</td>
			<td>12</td>
			<td>Approved</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/light-house-450-elizabeth-street-melbourne">450 Elizabeth Street</a></td>
			<td>607</td>
			<td>Hengyi</td>
			<td>69</td>
			<td>Registration &amp; Sales</td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>There are 19 projects are listed above, six of which are at planning assessment. These six have a total unit count similar to that of the remaining 13 in the list. 3,490 apartments are at planning, with the largest project being UEM Sunrise's 224 La Trobe Street carrying 1,206 dwellings, followed by 54 A'Beckett Street with 750.</p>

<p>A total of 4,247 apartments are counted within the remaining 13 projects which have either been approved or are at registration and sales. 1,227 units are under construction. Those apartments under construction represent 16% of the total 7,737 apartments slated for East End according to the Urban.com.au Project Database, hinting that East End is heading toward a development surge the likes of which have not been seen before within the precinct.</p>

<h2>Other uses in high demand</h2>

<p>82 Collins Street and the forthcoming Telstra building adjacent to their current Exhibition Street headquarters headline the large commercial projects slated for East End, adding in the vicinity of a combined 150,000sqm of premium office space. Commercial space aside, the surge of hotel suites is something to behold.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image7e.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="80 Collins Street, QT hotel and Hotel Forum"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="390" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image7e.jpg?itok=d42RLtJb" title="80 Collins Street, QT hotel and Hotel Forum" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>80 Collins Street, QT hotel and Hotel Forum</figcaption></figure><p>In part dragged along by a raft of mixed-use, high-rise proposals, the number of expected hotel suites for East End is robust, even with the scrapping of the <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/new-operators-hope-to-resurrect-1980s-yuppie-haven-in-flinders-lane-20140721-zv8od">Rosati hotel proposal</a> mid 2014.</p>

<p>The current batch of intended hotel locations includes 150 Flinders Street, <a href="/buildings/97-franklin-street-melbourne">97 Franklin Street</a>, <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">180 Russell Street</a>, <a href="/new-apartments/63-exhibition-street-melbourne">63 Exhibition Street</a>, Windsor Hotel and 80 Collins Street's 19 level, 252-room hotel tower. Yielding roughly 1,200 hotel suites, these six projects may be joined by the nearly complete 146-room Brady Hotels tower at 22-32 Little La Trobe and the proposed yet troubled W Hotel development at 20-30 Bourke Street.</p>

<h2>Future impositions?</h2>

<p>It can be argued that as long as strong overseas sales underpin the local apartment market, then the current upward development trend will continue as developers seek new site acquisitions. A prime case in point sees the recent listing of <a href="http://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-vic-melbourne-501229863">168 Exhibition Street</a> by CBRE as offered for sale with a Peddle Thorp development scheme, including a 54 level mixed-use development. 168 Exhibition is symptomatic of the current East End dynamic where bigger is better, but what price for heritage considerations?</p>

<p>The question must be asked: will the influx of many thousands of new residents place too great a burden upon existing infrastructure? Certainly East End has inherent street level qualities and character devoid in areas such as Southbank, and finds itself closer to essential services, amenity and the general 'buzz' of Melbourne. Could existing transport infrastructure be the area most imposed upon by a surging East End population?</p>

<p>A clear positive of Melbourne's East End development surge would be the influx of people, particularly in the commercial dominated areas of Collins &amp; Bourke Street. The resultant surge of residents would serve to activate many after-hour 'dead' spots and encourage new retail/entertainment opportunities to flourish where there were previously none; in effect bolstering and expanding City of Melbourne's <a href="http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/COMMUNITYSERVICES/COMMUNITYSAFETY/Pages/24HourCitypolicy.aspx">24 Hour City</a> policy into the eastern reaches of the CBD.</p>

<p>If only a crystal ball were handy to assess whether eastern promises would translate into East End realities!</p>

<p><em>Lead image courtesy Ryan Seychell</em>.</p>
</body></html>

Eastern promises - an overview of Melbourne CBD's East End developments

<html><body>
<p>If one statistic brings into focus Melbourne's current development boom, it's this one; since Rialto's completion heralding Melbourne's first 200 metre plus tower in 1986, a total of six towers beyond 200 metres (not including antennas) have been built in the proceeding 28 years.</p>

<p>Melbourne right now has 23 towers beyond 200 metres ranging from proposed to under construction.</p>

<p>It's a gobsmacking figure representative of a perfect storm of circumstances both locally and abroad which based upon the evidence at hand will see the vast majority of these proposals delivered, rather than land banked or onsold. Counted within the ranks of the 23 listed below are four towers of 300 metres or greater, propelling Melbourne in the the ranks of other global cities with 'Supertall' towers.</p>

<h2>The 200 metre plus tower list as of August 2014</h2>

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
<thead><tr>
<th>Address</th>
			<th>Height</th>
			<th>Developer</th>
			<th>Architect</th>
			<th>Status</th>
			<th>Apartments</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/568-collins-street-melbourne">568 Collins Street</a></td>
			<td>218m</td>
			<td>Stamoulis Property Group</td>
			<td>Bruce Henderson</td>
			<td>Under Construction</td>
			<td>588</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/buildings/prima-tower-31-queensbridge-street-southbank">Prima Pearl - 31 Queensbridge Street</a></td>
			<td>254m</td>
			<td>PDG Corporation</td>
			<td>Disegno Australia</td>
			<td>Under Construction</td>
			<td>667</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vision - 500 Elizabeth Street</td>
			<td>226m</td>
			<td>Brady Group</td>
			<td>Peddle Thorp</td>
			<td>Under Construction</td>
			<td>524</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/new-apartments/150-queen-street-melbourne">Tower Melbourne - 150 Queen Street</a></td>
			<td>226m</td>
			<td>CEL Australia</td>
			<td>Elenberg Fraser</td>
			<td>Delayed</td>
			<td>581</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/victoria-one-452-472-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Victoria One - 452 Elizabeth Street</a></td>
			<td>241m</td>
			<td>Golden Age</td>
			<td>Elenberg Fraser</td>
			<td>Sales</td>
			<td>622</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/light-house-450-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Light House - 450 Elizabeth Street</a></td>
			<td>218m</td>
			<td>Hengyi - Sixth Grange</td>
			<td>Elenberg Fraser</td>
			<td>Sales</td>
			<td>607</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/eq-tower-127-abeckett-street-melbourne">EQ Tower - 127 A'Beckett Street</a></td>
			<td>202m</td>
			<td>ICD Property</td>
			<td>Elenberg Fraser</td>
			<td>Sales</td>
			<td>632</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/new-apartments/elysium-54-clarke-street-southbank">Elysium - 54 Clarke Street</a></td>
			<td>244m</td>
			<td>Baracon</td>
			<td>BKK Architects</td>
			<td>Registrations</td>
			<td>270</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/new-townhouses/272-queen-street-melbourne">272 Queen Street</a></td>
			<td>210m</td>
			<td>Site for sale</td>
			<td>Peddle Thorp</td>
			<td>Approved</td>
			<td>624</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/buildings/australia-108-southbank-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">70 Southbank Boulevard</a></td>
			<td>319m</td>
			<td>Aspial WCL</td>
			<td>Fender Katsalidis</td>
			<td>Approved</td>
			<td>1105</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/buildings/west-side-place-melbourne-250-spencer-street-melbourne-vic-3000">250 Spencer Street T1</a></td>
			<td>295-300m</td>
			<td>Far East Consortium</td>
			<td>Cottee Parker</td>
			<td>Approved envelope</td>
			<td>750</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/buildings/west-side-place-melbourne-250-spencer-street-melbourne-vic-3000">250 Spencer Street T2</a></td>
			<td>235-240m</td>
			<td>Far East Consortium</td>
			<td>Cottee Parker</td>
			<td>Approved envelope</td>
			<td>805</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/buildings/west-side-place-melbourne-250-spencer-street-melbourne-vic-3000">250 Spencer Street T3</a></td>
			<td>205-210m</td>
			<td>Far East Consortium</td>
			<td>Cottee Parker</td>
			<td>Approved envelope</td>
			<td>520</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/buildings/west-side-place-melbourne-250-spencer-street-melbourne-vic-3000">250 Spencer Street T4</a></td>
			<td>225-230m</td>
			<td>Far East Consortium</td>
			<td>Cottee Parker</td>
			<td>Approved envelope</td>
			<td>788</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/buildings/380-melbourne-380-lonsdale-street-melbourne">380 Lonsdale Street</a></td>
			<td>217m</td>
			<td>Hiap Hoe</td>
			<td>Elenberg Fraser</td>
			<td>Planning</td>
			<td>728</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/one-queensbridge-street-1-23-queensbridge-street-southbank">1 Queensbridge Street</a></td>
			<td>308m</td>
			<td>Schiavello - Crown</td>
			<td>Bates Smart</td>
			<td>Planning</td>
			<td>626</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/new-apartments/334-city-road-southbank">334-344 City Road</a></td>
			<td>270m</td>
			<td>Private</td>
			<td>Hayball</td>
			<td>Planning</td>
			<td>578</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/38-freshwater-place-southbank">25-35 Power Street</a></td>
			<td>274m</td>
			<td>ML Hospitality</td>
			<td>Metier 3</td>
			<td>Planning</td>
			<td>496</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/buildings/swanston-central-168-victoria-street-carlton">156-172 Victoria Street</a></td>
			<td>237m</td>
			<td>CEL Australia</td>
			<td>Elenberg Fraser</td>
			<td>Planning</td>
			<td>1037</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/buildings/97-franklin-street-melbourne">97 Franklin Street</a></td>
			<td>216m</td>
			<td>Artemis Group</td>
			<td>Hassell Studio</td>
			<td>Planning</td>
			<td>367</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/planning-application-180-russell-street-melbourne">180 Russell Street</a></td>
			<td>271m</td>
			<td>AXF Australia</td>
			<td>Bunchan Group</td>
			<td>Planning</td>
			<td>506</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/aurora-melbourne-central-224-la-trobe-street-melbourne">224-252 La Trobe Street</a></td>
			<td>267m</td>
			<td>UEM Sunrise</td>
			<td>Eleneberg Fraser</td>
			<td>Planning</td>
			<td>1139</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/buildings/avant-60-abeckett-street-melbourne">54-64 A'Beckett Street</a></td>
			<td>253m</td>
			<td>Aspial WCL</td>
			<td>Elenberg Fraser</td>
			<td>Planning</td>
			<td>750</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/cbus-property-seeks-a-sky-high-planning-scheme-amendment-for-447-collins">447 Collins Street</a></td>
			<td>300m</td>
			<td>CBUS Property</td>
			<td>Woods Bagot + SHoP</td>
			<td>Proposed</td>
			<td>400</td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>All projects above include a residential component, with no purely commercial towers included. On that front QIC's 80 Collins Street comes closest with an overall height of 187 metres.</p>

<p>Given there are always minor fluctuations in apartment numbers per project, the above list would pump in the vicinity of 15,700 apartments or near on 30,000 permanent residents into the City of Melbourne. Factor in the thousands of hotel suites which are included within 10 of the 23 proposals and the transient population figure also rises sharply.</p>

<h2>One image says it all</h2>

<p>Below is a marketing image for ICD Property's EQ Tower located at 127 A'Beckett Street. If the opening Rialto statistic brings the matter into focus, the below image provides a visual aid as to the rapidly evolving nature of Melbourne's skyline.</p>

<p>In addition to EQ Tower, no less that 14 other towers of 200 metres or more would be visible in some way, excluding those already completed. A healthy number of these towers are located within the CBD's northern reaches surrounding EQ Tower; testament to the sudden explosion of apartments loosely surrounding Victoria Market.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/v02_ext_skyline_aerial_view_lr.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="One of many. Image courtesy eqtower.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="364" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/v02_ext_skyline_aerial_view_lr.jpg?itok=LtOraKr3" title="One of many. Image courtesy eqtower.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>One of many. Image courtesy eqtower.com.au</figcaption></figure><h2>Future towers on the radar</h2>

<p>Listed on Melbourne-based Altus Development's website is a forthcoming scheme fo A'Beckett Street. With an expected value of $395 million, the proposal will hold a nominal 1125 apartments and hotel suites.</p>

<blockquote>
<p>On the high ground of Melbourne’s CBD and close to its famed premier universities, hospitals, parks and cosmopolitan nightlife of the city’s northern precinct will rise a magnificent tower. Comprising 900 residential apartments, a 4-star hotel and dining this development represents unparalleled growth opportunities. Central to key Melbourne destinations and exceptionally well-served by public transport and arterials, it is a foremost opportunity.</p>
<cite><a href="http://www.altusdevelopment.com.au/melbourne-developments">Altus Development: Melbourne Developments</a></cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/abeckett_crop.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A'Beckett Street Melbourne CBD. Image © Altus Development"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="237" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/abeckett_crop.jpg?itok=9I_S9eHf" title="A'Beckett Street Melbourne CBD. Image © Altus Development" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Concept snippet for A'Beckett Street Melbourne CBD. Image © Altus Development</figcaption></figure><p>Elsewhere Fragrance Group's 555 Collins Street has been reported as seeking a height of 305 metres AHD in an all-commercial development, although this will be confirmed when the relevant planning application is submitted. The good oil also suggests that Fragrance Group's Savoy Tavern site on Spencer Street and PJ Development Holdings' Kavanagh car park site on Southbank will also (very) comfortably exceed the 200 metre barrier.</p>

<p>Of course there are also those projects which arise unbeknown to the greater public, but for the immediate future it seems likely the number of 200 metre plus proposals will slow as developers seek to materialise the many projects listed above.</p>
</body></html>

Melbourne's 200 metre club bursting at the seams

<html><body>
<blockquote>
<p>Through thoughtful analysis of the existing, under construction, approved and proposed developments, a unique and sensitive development is proposed. In this way the proposal is respectful of its current and future neighbours.</p>
<cite><a href="http://www.hassellstudio.com/">Hassell</a>'s planning application for 97 Franklin Street</cite>
</blockquote>

<p>The quote above demonstrates Hassell's determination to design a mixed-use tower with a "point of difference". The proposed development which <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/97-franklin-street-simply-mind-boggling">first appeared two months ago</a>, would see a two-storey rendered brick building - currently home to Hertz car hire outlet and Eckersley's Art &amp; Craft - demolished and replaced with a 62-storey tower rising to a height of 212.5m.</p>

<p>97 Franklin joins an increasing number of 200m+ giants on the northern tip of the CBD, including <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/light-house-450-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Lighthouse</a> next door and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/victoria-one-452-472-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Victoria One</a> diagonally opposite.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/97%20franklin%20talls.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Land of the giants! © Laurence Dragomir"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="428" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/97%20franklin%20talls.jpg?itok=OawrIHol" title="Land of the giants! © Laurence Dragomir" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Land of the giants! © Laurence Dragomir</figcaption></figure><p>The proposal marks Artemis Hotel Group's first foray into the Australian market and architects Hassell have certainly delivered a remarkable first impression. Upon initial viewing, the building appears as a series of precariously balanced office blocks but in reality they house 144 serviced apartments, 356 residential apartments and 11 penthouses across the top four floors.</p>

<p>A retail tenancy occupies the north-west corner of the ground floor helping to activate the public realm, whilst a food and beverage dining area occupies level 01 looking out onto Franklin Street. 490sq.m of office space is included as are shared recreational facilities through level 07, bordered by an outdoor landscaped terrace. Resident only facilities splitting a north and south outdoor terrace are found on level 32.</p>

<p>The project caters for 440 bicycle spaces within the basement with only 160 car spaces located in the southern portion of the podium.</p>

<h2>Architecture</h2>

<p>The tower presents as three large volumes stacked atop one another and rotated 90 degrees: podium, low-rise and high-rise. Each responds to a particular set of parameters and conditions:</p>

<blockquote>
<p>The space between the low-rise component and the surrounding developments enables equitable solar access. The north facing high-rise component maximises its solar access and the orientation for the city grid enables morning and evening sunlight onto the southerly face. The rotation gives the low-rise component a greater setbacks and amenity, as well as corridor views. Whilst the high-rise is afforded a large northern city vistas as well as southern CBD views.</p>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/97F%20design%20process%20diagram.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Design process diagram. © Hassell"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="131" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/97F%20design%20process%20diagram.jpg?itok=k9hQjgx5" title="Design process diagram. © Hassell" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Design process diagram. © Hassell</figcaption></figure><p>As a result the development works on a macro and micro scale by virtue of developing a set of principles for the three volumes which are designed to respond to adjacencies in context, in turn providing a high degree of amenity to apartments and the public domain.</p>

<p>The golden facade consists of a fine, slender grid which responds to the human scale of the rooms, visually reducing the monumental appearance of the three volumes.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/97F%20montage_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Grid. © Hassell"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="494" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/97F%20montage_0.jpg?itok=NYFxGUr1" title="The Grid. © Hassell" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Grid. © Hassell</figcaption></figure><h2>Setbacks</h2>

<p>The low-rise volume employs the following setbacks from relevant boundaries:</p>

<ul>
<li>5m from Southern Boundary</li>
	<li>8.2m from Eastern Boundary​</li>
	<li>0m from Franklin Street</li>
	<li>13.2m from Western Boundary</li>
</ul>
<p>High-rise setbacks to relevant boundaries:</p>

<ul>
<li>22.2m from Southern Boundary</li>
	<li>0m from Eastern Boundary</li>
	<li>10m from Franklin Street</li>
	<li>5m from Western Boundary</li>
</ul>
<h2>Public Realm</h2>

<p>The proposal looks to provide a positive and meaningful contribution to the public realm by way a new north facing "urban forest" at ground level, running along the 40m frontage to Franklin Street. This is achieved by employing a 10m setback to the street with a 5m setback from the western boundary allowing for a new north-south laneway between the site and 450 Elizabeth Street.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/97F_GF.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ground floor + public realm. © Hassell"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="474" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/97F_GF.jpg?itok=7fUmaZ8c" title="Ground floor + public realm. © Hassell" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ground floor + public realm. © Hassell</figcaption></figure><p>I thought I might conclude with this list of objectives which Hassell set out to achieve. I think it's fair to say the design team have done an excellent job in producing an architectural response which certainly provides a "point of difference amongst the typical developer driven projects prevalent in the precinct."</p>

<h2>Objectives</h2>

<p>The main development objectives are:</p>

<ul>
<li>To create a quality, considered architectural response that addresses the varying site conditions.</li>
	<li>To increase the public amenity along Franklin Street, offering a greater urban integration with shared and functional spaces.</li>
	<li>To infuse mixed use principles that will help create an active and engaging street interface.</li>
	<li>To create a landmark development that truly responds to its context, resulting in a equitable development for both the client and the city.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Project Team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: <a href="http://www.mingdegrandhotel.com/en/groupinfo">Artemis Hotel Group</a>
</li>
	<li>Project Manager: <a href="http://www.equisent.com.au/">Equisent</a>
</li>
	<li>Architecture: <a href="http://www.hassellstudio.com/">Hassell</a>
</li>
	<li>Town Planner: <a href="http://www.urbis.com.au/">Urbis</a>
</li>
	<li>Landscape Architecture: Urbis</li>
	<li>Traffic Consultant: <a href="http://www.mltraffic.com.au/">ML Traffic</a>
</li>
	<li>ESD Consultant: <a href="http://www.ark-resources.com.au/">Ark Resources</a>
</li>
	<li>Structural Consultant: <a href="http://www.arup.com/">Arup</a>
</li>
	<li>Wind Assessment Consultant: <a href="http://www.vipac.com.au/">Vipac</a>
</li>
	<li>Waste Management Consultant: <a href="http://www.wastech.com.au/">Wastech</a>
</li>
</ul>
</body></html>

Laurence Dragomir

A Point of Difference > 97 Franklin Street, Melbourne

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<p>Days after being submitted for approval to state planning body DTPLI, the first image of what is believed to be the current design for 97 Franklin Street within Melbourne's northern CBD has surfaced. <a href="http://www.trafficonsulting.com/index" target="_blank">ML Traffic Engineers</a> have recently added the below render of the mind boggling, almost whimsical mixed-use tower of near 200 metres to their website.</p>

<p>ML Traffic Engineers also anticipate a construction cost of approximately $200 million for the 60 level complex which is slated to hold a mixture of apartments, serviced apartments, retail and office space according to the state planning register.</p>

<figure><img alt="" class="image-article_half_width_290px" height="620" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_half_width_290px/public/pictures/article-images/97franklin_2.jpg?itok=CTHHzqTH" title="Image courtesy Traffic Consulting" width="290"><figcaption>Image courtesy Traffic Consulting</figcaption></figure><p>The site itself was sold by then land holder <a href="http://www.bancogroup.com.au/" target="_blank">Banco Group</a> to an unknown purchaser during mid 2013 according an article published online via the Sydney Morning Herald. Subsequently consulting firm <a href="http://www.urbis.com.au/" target="_blank">Urbis</a> has handled the pre-approval process, submitting an application last Friday on behalf of Artemis Hotel Group (Australia) Pty Ltd.</p>

<p>An online search shows Artemis Hotel Group (Australia) Pty Ltd to be based in Doncaster, with Artemis International Hotel the likely operating name for the serviced apartment component.</p>

<p>Working on the strong likelihood that the above image is in fact the submitted version of 97 Franklin Street, the design is unique to Melbourne and stupendously impressive. Atop the seven level podium sits a perpendicular mid-rise section, only for the high-rise section to once more shift 90 degrees in a fashion that seems to defy engineering common sense and gravity for that matter.</p>

<p>While the architect is unknown at this stage, Urban.com.au will soon enough <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/a-point-of-difference-97-franklin-street-melbourne" target="_blank">cover this planning application in detail</a> and I for one hope the incredible design (assuming it is the design submitted for approval) sees the light of day.</p>

<p><strong>See our piece from May 2014</strong>: <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/a-point-of-difference-97-franklin-street-melbourne">A Point of Difference &gt; 97 Franklin Street</a>.</p>
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