Eporo Tower - 279 La Trobe 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 CBD's northern end is in full bloom so to speak as a variety of high-rise projects rapidly progress from paper designs to reality.</p>

<p>So much so one only needs to crane one's head skyward to see multiple tower cranes dotting the skyline in all directions. Hand in hand with this fundamental change to the look and feel of the CBD's northern reaches is the injection of purple facades over certain skyscrapers as design practice Elenberg Fraser seek to break the ubiquitous blue of many a Melbourne skyscraper. </p>

<p>No less than 12 towers are under construction in the area, with the combined numbers as follows: 723 new student accommodation beds, 208 serviced apartments and 5,475 apartments.</p>

<p>See below a pictorial update of the CBD's emerging 'new face' </p>

<h2>Elizabeth Street's Big Four</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/image8_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Having all your ducks in a row along Elizabeth Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="1244" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image8_5.jpg?itok=KJKRql3C" title="Having all your ducks in a row along Elizabeth Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Having all your ducks in a row : Empire, Light House, Victoria One and Vision Tower</figcaption></figure><p>They are indeed the 'Big Four' with Empire the shortest at 198 metres. Seen in the top image above, Brady's Vision Tower is all but externally complete whilst Victoria One, Light House and Empire's visible jump forms round out the quartet.</p>

<p>Under the guidance of Probuild both Victoria One and Empire's jump forms have skipped ahead of their respective floor plates, whilst Brookfiled Multiplex's Light House has employed a common placing boom to pour both floor plate and core, thus the difference in appearance.</p>

<p>In terms of physical finishes Light House shapes as being the most striking, with the undulating Elenberg Fraser-designed tower already showing some unique purple design features over its early levels. Victoria One has received its first glazed facade panels whilst the golden fins of Empire continue to rise rapidly.</p>

<h2>La Trobe Street bulks up</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/image9_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="La Trobe Street also maintains strong construction activity"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="719" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image9_6.jpg?itok=vZDKtJ1o" title="La Trobe Street also maintains strong construction activity" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>La Trobe Street also maintains strong construction activity</figcaption></figure><p>La Trobe Street has a case of the blues with three towers nearing completion and sporting predominantly blue facades. Hickory Group's La Trobe Tower build is racing toward its structural completion thanks to the Hickory Building System whilst nearby Eporo Tower is also close to topping out.</p>

<p>Further along La Trobe Street and the ultra thin Trillium Tower is also approaching its final height under the guidance of head contractor Built.</p>

<p>Whilst not on La Trobe Street but in close proximity, EQ Tower is approximately half way to its ultimate height. Sporting a uniform purple facade, the highly overt build has brought another shade of Elenberg Fraser purple to the area.</p>

<h2>Down and dirty</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/image7_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Projects yet to break ground level"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="407" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image7_8.jpg?itok=0Cxw9SjQ" title="Projects yet to break ground level" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Projects yet to break ground level</figcaption></figure><p>Aurora Melbourne Central, Avant, Scape Swanston Street and Conservatory are all currently at a preliminary stage of construction centred around site ground works.</p>

<p>Avant seen above left will have its core soon enough with footings in place whilst Scape Swanston has made rapid progression over the last month, with its tower crane starter already in place.</p>

<h2>Future builds on the radar</h2>

<p>Future builds for the area are headed by the twin-towered Queens Place development and Scape La Trobe Street which are well into their respective development processes.  </p>

<p>Future paper developments such as 48-52 La Trobe Street, the expected 200 metre Munro site tower, 98-102 Franklin Street, 97 Franklin Street and 111-125 A'Beckett Street as well as the extension to Melbourne Central Station as part of the Melbourne Metro Rail project will ensure Melbourne's Northern CBD will continue to see healthy levels of construction for some years to come.</p>
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The CBD's northern construction boom in colour

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

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<p>It was revealed in Kuala Lumpur yesterday that prolific Malaysian-based developer UEM Sunrise has chosen Probuild to deliver the group's first Melbourne project: Aurora Melbourne Central. Near on 270 metres, the Elenberg Fraser-designed tower will be the biggest undertaken by Melbourne-based Probuild both in terms of height and apartments involved.</p>

<p>Located on La Trobe Street opposite Melbourne Central, the project will include in excess of 120,000sqm of built area, a direct link to Melbourne Central Station, 941 residential apartments, approximately 250 serviced apartments plus retail and office space through the podium levels.</p>

<p>With the tower's apartments near on 100% sold, Probuild was been chosen as the preferred builder after edging out two fellow Australian tier-one builders based upon technical and commercial merits.</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/aurora_view_04_ef.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aurora Melbourne Central. Image courtesy Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="1122" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/aurora_view_04_ef.jpg?itok=owMDJM-o" title="Aurora Melbourne Central. Image courtesy Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aurora Melbourne Central. Image courtesy Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
<p>For the next three months, there will be detailed contract negotiations with Probuild on design refinements, contract costs and contract details.</p>

<p>We would like to thank the purchasers of Aurora Melbourne Central for their support of our vision, and we are now set to deliver our promise in the construction of high-quality homes via the partnership with one of Australia’s most capable builders, Probuild.</p>
<cite>UEM Sunrise Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr Anwar Syahrin Abdul Ajib</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
<p>We are delighted we have been chosen by UEM Sunrise to be its delivery partner for its flagship project, Aurora Melbourne Central. We are thrilled by the opportunity to hit the ground running on this truly iconic project.</p>
<cite>Probuild Managing Director Mr Simon Gray</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>One marquee project replaces another</h2>

<p>While Aurora Melbourne Central prepares for construction, Probuild's high profile Swanston Square project has recently seen its distinctive facade unveiled, with protective sleeves removed to reveal the full William Barak portrait adorning the exterior.</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/173_05-03-2015_7450.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The freshly completed Swanston Square. Image courtesy Probuild"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="415" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/173_05-03-2015_7450.jpg?itok=Ow__AVNo" title="The freshly completed Swanston Square. Image courtesy Probuild" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The freshly completed Swanston Square. Image courtesy Probuild</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
<p>The Swanston Square project, adorned with a one-of-a-kind 80 metre façade depicting the portrait of Barak, is four times the height of Mount Rushmore in the USA and was made possible through the use of a new and emerging building material. Probuild oversaw the manufacture and installation of 406 individual panels made from Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP), a resin-based composite used to create the face of Barak.</p>

<p>More commonly associated with the building of aircraft and super yachts, GRP was chosen because of its flexibility, allowing panels to be moulded into any shape; the ideal choice for what is more an artistic sculpture than functional facade.</p>
<cite>Probuild website</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>Far and wide</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/image38.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The newly erected Eporo tower crane along with Pacific Werribee. Image courtesy Ryan Seychell"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="288" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image38.jpg?itok=fQS81pd2" title="The newly erected Eporo tower crane along with Pacific Werribee. Image courtesy Ryan Seychell" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The newly erected Eporo tower crane along with Pacific Werribee. Image courtesy Ryan Seychell</figcaption></figure><p>While Aurora Melbourne Central will stand tall within Melbourne's CBD, Probuild's continual spread throughout greater Melbourne has coincided with its amalgamation with fellow builder Contexx during 2013. At present the likes of Victoria One, Eporo, Bouverie St. and Empire Melbourne headline their large-scale residential projects under construction.</p>

<p>On the flip side current retail projects include Chadstone Shopping Centre's expansion, Pacific Werribee and the roughly 40,000sqm expansion of Eastland Shopping Centre while South East Water's new Frankston headquarters ranks amongst their commercial pursuits.</p>

<p>As for Aurora Melbourne Central, site works are expected to begin during June with the tower to be delivered in stages; the last of which is due for completion in mid-2019.</p>
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Eporo Tower

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Buildings

Development information for Eporo Tower

Meet the team behind Eporo Tower

Location of Eporo Tower

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The changing face of Melbourne's northern CBD

The CBD's northern construction boom in colour

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

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

Probuild crown their workbook with Aurora Melbourne Central

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