Victoria One - 452-472 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne

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<p>First <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/victoria-one-452-elizabeth-street">covered</a> on Urban.com.au just a tick over 3 years ago, Golden Age Group's Victoria One has achieved a significant milestone with head contractor Probuild topping out the core at a height of 271m AHD and in the process claiming the title of the tallest structure in the Melbourne CBD. </p>

<p>According to Probuild the the core’s last concrete pour occurred at the tower on Saturday 17 June, well ahead of schedule</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_4009.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The view from the top. Image: Probuild"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="179" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_4009.jpg?itok=ToM9ZWc7" title="The view from the top. Image: Probuild" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The view from the top. Image: Probuild</figcaption></figure><p>One of the many challenges posed by the development has been the staged settlement for apartments within the tower. Probuild has strategically constructed Victoria One to allow the settlement of 232 apartments, up to Level 39 can occur unencumbered, whilst it completes the remainder of the building by June 2018.</p>

<p>This will allow Golden Age to be the first developer of the currently under construction Elizabeth Street talls to commence settlement, despite the likes of Light House and Empire reaching structural completion in advance.  As a comparison the first residents will begin moving into Empire from the end of next month.</p>

<p>The sleek rectilinear design of Victoria One is in stark contrast to Elenberg Fraser's other Elizabeth Street tower, the neighbouring Light House, which has adopted a much more complex form to capture and reflect light. Victoria One's architecture has been inspired by its namesake's vast array of park's gardens and rainforests which is reflected in it's green facade that also evokes images of timber grain and fluidity.</p>

<blockquote>
<p>The form and façade of this mixed-use tower recalls Victoria’s famous landscapes – the gardens, waterfalls, rainforests, waterways and beaches that make up this southern state. The fluid façade appears soft and yielding like the local parks, oceans and rivers. Green glazing with gold highlights gives a botanic feel. The fins – which appropriately also assist with wind and sun protection – are shimmering silver, shifting like the currents of a stream or leaves being shaken with rain.</p>

<p><em>- Elenberg Fraser</em></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/cam042_20170614_16_16_43.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Victoria One already dominating the Elizabeth Street skyline. Image: Probuild"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="872" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/cam042_20170614_16_16_43.jpg?itok=zw22Uj5_" title="Victoria One already dominating the Elizabeth Street skyline. Image: Probuild" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Victoria One already dominating the Elizabeth Street skyline. Image: Probuild</figcaption></figure><p>While a significant achievement it will be short lived with another Elenberg Fraser designed tower also being delivered by Probuild set to usurp Victoria One in the next 18 months. The 88-storey Aurora Melbourne Central will eventually rise to a height of 269m above street level or 287m AHD claiming the title of Melbourne CBD's tallest structure.</p>

<h2><strong>Project Facts</strong></h2>

<p>Victoria One will comprise:</p>

<ul>
<li>78 levels, 643 apartments, 163 car spaces, with provision for bicycle storage.</li>
	<li>4 retail spaces located spread over Ground floor and Level 1 Amenities will include a swimming pool, spa, sauna, steam room and gym with an indoor/outdoor area featuring native trees on level 9.</li>
	<li>Split handover. SP1 – 232 Apartments up to Level 39; SP2 June 2018.</li>
	<li>Communal spaces are located on Levels 40 and 66</li>
	<li>253,097m² total floor area</li>
</ul>
<h2>
<strong>Core Topping Out facts</strong>:</h2>

<ul>
<li>Last pour completed Saturday 17 June 2017</li>
	<li>Total number of pours: 85</li>
	<li>Permanent lifts now serving Ground to Level 42</li>
	<li>Cubic metres of concrete: 6,500 m<sup>3</sup> – equivalent to 1300 truck loads</li>
	<li>Tonnes of reinforcement: 1,100 tonne – equivalent to 733 family sedans</li>
	<li>Number of crane climbs: 17</li>
</ul>
<p> </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/office-hero-render-full.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aurora Melbourne Central on the horizon. Image: UEM Sunrise"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="1010" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/office-hero-render-full.jpg?itok=25xb9GSa" title="Aurora Melbourne Central on the horizon. Image: UEM Sunrise" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aurora Melbourne Central on the horizon. Image: UEM Sunrise</figcaption></figure>
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Laurence Dragomir

Victoria One's core tops out - becomes CBD's tallest structure

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<p>Forever present when there's a large amount of construction happening around the city, recent photographic updates by UM users in the projects &amp; construction threads on the forum have seen a large number of pits highlighted throughout the city.</p>

<h2>Collins Arch - CBD</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/p5151469_redden.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by redden, originally posted 16/05/2017"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/p5151469_redden.jpg?itok=AB2U3iMR" title="Image by redden, originally posted 16/05/2017" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by redden, originally posted 16/05/2017</figcaption></figure><p>See more photos in the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Collins Arch forum thread</a>. </p>

<h2>Capitol Grand - South Yarra</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/p5151419_redden.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by redden, originally posted 16/05/2017"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/p5151419_redden.jpg?itok=bj7dJtge" title="Image by redden, originally posted 16/05/2017" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by redden, originally posted 16/05/2017</figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Capitol Grand forum thread</a>.</p>

<h2><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/premier-tower-134-160-spencer-street-melbourne">Premier Tower - CBD</a></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/p5151463_redden.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by redden, originally posted 16/05/2017"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/p5151463_redden.jpg?itok=Jz_5kZCN" title="Image by redden, originally posted 16/05/2017" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by redden, originally posted 16/05/2017</figcaption></figure><p> </p>

<p><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Premier Tower forum thread</a>.</p>

<p>The southern edge of the former markets site in Moonee Ponds is now in full swing with the northern edge the last remaining section to see excavation occur.</p>

<h2>Former markets site - Moonee Ponds</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/img_9469_0_mb.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 12/05/2017"><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_9469_0_mb.jpg?itok=8Hmp38Br" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 12/05/2017" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 12/05/2017</figcaption></figure><p> </p>

<p><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Moonee Ponds forum thread</a>.</p>

<p>The cluster of CBD top-end talls also continues to feature heavily on the forum, including Victoria One whose floorplates are still playing catch up with the core box. </p>

<h2>Victoria One - CBD</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/img_0083_mb.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 12/05/2017"><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_0083_mb.jpg?itok=mgCLnRUD" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 12/05/2017" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 12/05/2017</figcaption></figure><p> </p>

<p><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Victoria One forum thread</a>.</p>

<p>Victoria One's next-door neighbour, Light House Melbourne, gets a lot of attention now that it is externally complete.</p>

<h2>Light House Melbourne - CBD</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/img_0245.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 17/05/2017"><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_0245.jpg?itok=xTMYSR4R" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 17/05/2017" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 17/05/2017</figcaption></figure><p> </p>

<p><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Light House Melbourne forum thread</a>.</p>

<p>Australia 108 continues its march through the slower-to-build podium levels.</p>

<h2>Australia 108 - Southbank</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/6670d0d6effb0d46ce79a60408dc42ce.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 10/05/2017"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/6670d0d6effb0d46ce79a60408dc42ce.jpg?itok=bJQfNWpT" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 10/05/2017" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 10/05/2017</figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Australia 108 forum thread</a>.</p>

<h2>Empire Melbourne - CBD</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/img_9568.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 17/05/2017"><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_9568.jpg?itok=baMQfiTy" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 17/05/2017" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 09/05/2017</figcaption></figure><p>Click here to see the most recent article in this series: <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/the-state-of-construction-in-melbourne-mid-april-2017">The state of construction in Melbourne: </a><a href="https://urban.melbourne/development/2017/04/19/state-construction-melbourne-mid-april-2017">mid April</a>.</p>
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Alastair Taylor

The state of construction in Melbourne - mid May 

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<p>With over three hundred projects on our database currently under construction, there's a lot of cranes, pits, core boxes and new facades appearing all over the city.  </p>

<p>Here is a selection images posted originally on the forum by Urban.com.au users and staff.  Under each image is a link back to the forum thread where the image was originally posted - and there's plenty more images to view in each thread.</p>

<h2>Hendrix - Brunswick </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/hendrix.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Zicojapan, originally posted 09/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/hendrix.jpg?itok=R1EYlT5f" title="Image by Zicojapan, originally posted 09/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Zicojapan, originally posted 09/04/2017.</figcaption></figure><p>See more images in the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Brunswick forum thread</a>.</p>

<h2>The Fifth at Upper West Side - CBD  </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/the_fifth_upper_west_side.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/the_fifth_upper_west_side.jpg?itok=5JHsyFb6" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017.</figcaption></figure><p> See more images in the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Upper West Side forum thread</a>.</p>

<h2>The Albert - Brunswick</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/the_albert.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 10/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="416" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/the_albert.jpg?itok=2NKPJa_6" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 10/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 10/04/2017.</figcaption></figure><p> </p>

<p>See more images in the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Brunswick forum thread</a>.</p>

<h2>Avant - CBD </h2>

<figure><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/avant.jpg?itok=z0UWPiQO" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017." width="580">

<figcaption>Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017.</figcaption></figure><p> </p>

<p>See more images in the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Avant forum thread</a>.</p>

<h2>The Spencer - West Melbourne</h2>

<figure><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/the_spencer.jpg?itok=fcm1ffhl" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 12/04/2017." width="580">

<figcaption>Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 12/04/2017.<span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </span></figcaption></figure><p>See more images in the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">North Melbourne &amp; West Melbourne forum thread</a>.</p>

<h2>Mason Square / former markets site - Moonee Ponds</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/mason_moonee_ponds.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 09/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mason_moonee_ponds.jpg?itok=VK3B4-PE" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 09/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 09/04/2017.</figcaption></figure><p>See more images in the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Moonee Ponds forum thread</a>.</p>

<h2>Swanston Central - CBD</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/swanston_central.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/swanston_central.jpg?itok=Yz1DSkCk" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017.</figcaption></figure><p>See more images in the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Swanston Central forum thread</a>.</p>

<h2>Scape Swanston - CBD</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/scape_swanston.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 19/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/scape_swanston.jpg?itok=6ufRXlVw" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 19/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 19/04/2017.</figcaption></figure><p> </p>

<p>See more images in the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Scape Swanston forum thread</a>. </p>

<h2>Conservatory - CBD</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/conservatory.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 19/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="457" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/conservatory.jpg?itok=sc4ixArE" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 19/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 19/04/2017.</figcaption></figure><p>See more images in the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Conservatory forum thread</a>.</p>

<h2>Kubix - Wantirna South</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/kubix.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 09/03/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/kubix.jpg?itok=fpsIG4pk" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 09/03/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 09/03/2017.</figcaption></figure><p>See more images in the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Greater Melbourne Projects forum thread.</a></p>

<h2>Victoria One - CBD</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/victoria_one.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/victoria_one.jpg?itok=3fF-hqo5" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017.</figcaption></figure><p>See more images in the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Victoria One forum thread</a>.</p>

<h2>Aurora Melbourne Central - CBD</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/aurora_melb_cent.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/aurora_melb_cent.jpg?itok=9dn9jKpi" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017.</figcaption></figure><p>See more images in the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Aurora Melbourne Central forum thread</a>.</p>

<h2>Banksia - Docklands</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/banksia_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 10/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/banksia_1.jpg?itok=OP4lSXbt" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 10/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 10/04/2017.</figcaption></figure><p> </p>

<p>See more images in the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Banksia forum thread</a>.</p>

<h2>Peel - Collingwood</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/peel.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by John Proctor, originally posted 10/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="773" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/peel.jpg?itok=8iaSEW9x" title="Image by John Proctor, originally posted 10/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by John Proctor, originally posted 10/04/2017.</figcaption></figure><p> </p>

<p>See more images in the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Collingwood forum thread.</a></p>

<h2>Australia 108 - Southbank</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/australia_108.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 09/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/australia_108.jpg?itok=ItXAbVAG" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 09/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 09/04/2017.</figcaption></figure><p>See more images in the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Australia 108 forum thread</a>.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Lead image credit: Mark Baljak, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news">Whitehorse Towers forum thread</a>.</p>
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The state of construction in Melbourne - mid April 2017

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<p>It was announced this morning that Golden Age Group will develop the residential component of The Glen.</p>

<p>Vicinity Centres with co-owner Perron Group have decided to sell the air rights above the centre which is at the starting point of its multi-million dollar redevelopment. Urban.com.au <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/vicinity-and-pellicano-provide-monash-with-a-development-boost">reported last month</a> on Vicinity's construction launch of the $490 million project, which will expand the existing centre to include 78,000 square metres of gross lettable area.</p>

<p>Vicinity Centres has indicated that the majority of retail spaces within The Glen's first development stage has been leased. Opening late 2017, this initial stage will include an Aldi, Woolworths, Coles and over 60 specialty stores.</p>

<p>Multiple dining precincts and a new Town Square will spearhead the redevelopment's push to open up/be more expressive with its surrounds.</p>

<p>The Glen will open in a number of stages and is expected to be complete by early 2020.</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/image217_0_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Future residents will benefit from The Glen's increased offerings"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="318" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image217_0_0.jpg?itok=v2Bf2Wm1" title="Future residents will benefit from The Glen's increased offerings" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Future residents will benefit from The Glen's increased offerings</figcaption></figure><p>As for Golden Age Group, they now inherit the right to deliver 539 apartments across three towers, in accordance with approved plans devised by NH Architecture. </p>

<p>Initially submitted at a lofty 86 metres to its highest point, The Glen's tallest residential tower was eventually approved at 64 metres or 20 levels. Smaller residential towers reach 12 and 13 levels respectively.</p>

<p>The tallest tower in the area prior to The Glen receiving approval is Australian Nan Xin Investment's Galleria at 52-54 O'Sullivan Road at 15 levels and 47 metres.</p>

<p>Under the approved plans, the 539 apartments are split between 155 single, 357 double and 22 triple bedroom and 5 quad bedroom apartments. Whether Golden Age Group pushes on with the approved design or seeks to alter the format/configuration of the three buildings remains to be seen.</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/image76_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="517-521 Station Street and Opera are part of the Golden Age Property stable"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="395" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image76_1.jpg?itok=9ZcjhSAD" title="517-521 Station Street and Opera are part of the Golden Age Property stable" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>517-521 Station Street and Opera are part of the Golden Age Group stable</figcaption></figure><p>The addition of The Glen's apartment component swells Golden Age Group's current Melbourne portfolio to seven projects, encompassing a very hefty 2,750 apartments.</p>

<p>Victoria One, Opera, <a href="/buildings/collins-house-melbourne-460-466-collins-street-melbourne">Collins House</a> and Sky One Box Hill represent the developer's projects currently at construction. Also in Box Hill, Golden Age Group are pursuing a planning amendment that will allow for the delivery of dual towers across 517-521 Station Street, whilst The Glen joins 85 Spring Street as projects that the developer has licked up post planning approval.</p>

<p><em>Lead image: Panoramio</em></p>
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silvermb

Golden Age Group adds The Glen to their portfolio

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<p>Two almost forgotten planning applications for substantial skyscrapers have re-emerged over the last month, prompting Urban.com.au to once again highlight the very healthy number of 200 metre plus skyscrapers in the pipeline for Melbourne. </p>

<p>Most recently, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/63-exhibition-street-melbourne">57-63 Exhibition Street</a> which was first submitted during August 2014, is still active with <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/salta-properties">Salta Properties</a> backing the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/bates-smart">Bates Smart-designed</a> skyscraper which would nudge 204m if approved. City of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/melbourne-vic">Melbourne</a> have brought the project back into the spotlight via their Future Melbourne Committee, and have provided in principal support for the project subject to a number of conditions.</p>

<p>One condition being that the Planning Minister reduce the tower's height to 182m. In its current form at 204m, 57-63 Exhibition Street is valued at $255 million and includes 185 hotel suites and 119 apartments within the slim tower.</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/image30_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression of 57-63 Exhibition Street. Planing image: Bates Smart"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="272" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image30_11.jpg?itok=dt-oG7Ge" title="Artist's impression of 57-63 Exhibition Street. Planing image: Bates Smart" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist's impression of 57-63 Exhibition Street. Planing image: Bates Smart</figcaption></figure><p>Also recently before the Future Melbourne Committee was <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/southbank-vic-3006">158-164 City Road, Southbank</a> whose planning history spans back to 2010. Approval at 43 levels was granted along the way, although proponent <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/eastern-international-property-development">Eastern International Property Development</a> is still pursuing a taller 69 level, 216m scheme that would yield 556 dwellings, 96 serviced apartments, offices and a supermarket.</p>

<p>The Future Melbourne Committee indicated a lack of support for the higher scheme earlier this month.</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/image31_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression of 158 City Road. Planing image: Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="379" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image31_4.jpg?itok=mdGETMiu" title="Artist's impression of 158 City Road. Planing image: Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist's impression of 158 City Road. Planing image: Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure><p>With light shed upon the two applications above, and with a number of other potential entrants having their height reduced below the 200m mark, an updated list of towers at 200m plus or above across inner Melbourne is provided below.</p>

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:580px;"><tbody>
<tr>
<td>
			<p><strong>Name/Address</strong></p>
			</td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">
			<p><strong>Height</strong></p>
			</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">
			<p><strong>Status</strong></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/one-queensbridge-street-1-23-queensbridge-street-southbank">1 Queensbridge Street, Southbank</a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">323</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Approved</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/51-65-clarke-street-southbank">51-65 Clarke Street, Southbank</a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">228</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Planning</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/elysium-54-clarke-street-southbank">54 Clarke Street, Southbank</a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">244</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Approved</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/australia-108-southbank-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">70 Southbank Boulevard, Southbank</a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">319</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Construction</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/southbank-vic-3006">158 City Road, Southbank</a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">216</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Planning</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/38-freshwater-place-southbank">38 Freshwater Place, Southbank</a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">273</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Planning </td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/melbourne-square-93-119-kavanagh-street-southbank">93-119 Kavanagh Street, Southbank</a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">226 </td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Sales</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/the-queensbridge-building-southbank-90-queensbridge-street-southbank">88 Queensbridge Street, Southbank</a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">208</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Sales</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/swanston-central-168-victoria-street-carlton">168 Victoria Street, Carlton</a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">237</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Construction</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/uno-melbourne-117-abeckett-street-melbourne">111-125 A'beckett Street, Melbourne</a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">210</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Approved</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/sapphire-by-the-gardens-63-la-trobe-street-melbourne-vic-3000">308 Exhibition Street, Melbourne</a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">254</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">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, Melbourne</a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">267</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Construction</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/victoria-one-452-472-elizabeth-street-melbourne">452 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne</a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">241</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Construction</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/light-house-450-elizabeth-street-melbourne">450 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne </a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">218</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Construction</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/380-melbourne-380-lonsdale-street-melbourne">380 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne</a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">218</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Sales</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">383 La Trobe Street, Melbourne</a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">242</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Approved</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/queens-place-157-a-beckett-street-and-370-queen-street-melbourne">350 Queen Street, Melbourne</a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">246 </td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Sales</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/west-side-place-melbourne-250-spencer-street-melbourne-vic-3000">250 Spencer Street, Melbourne</a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">270</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Sales</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/aspire-melbourne-301-king-st-melbourne">295-309 King Street, Melbourne</a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">208</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Approved</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/premier-tower-134-160-spencer-street-melbourne">134 Spencer Street, Melbourne</a> </td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">249</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Construction</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/272-282-queen-street-melbourne">272-282 Queen Street, Melbourne </a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">207</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Approved</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">183-189 A'beckett Street, Melbourne</a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">205</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Planning</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/150-queen-street-melbourne">150 Queen Street, Melbourne </a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">226</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Delayed</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="/new-apartments/640-bourke-street-melbourne-640-bourke-street-melbourne-vic-3000">640 Bourke Street, Melbourne</a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">273</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Planning</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/63-exhibition-street-melbourne">57-63 Exhibition Street, Melbourne</a></td>
			<td style="width: 94px;">204</td>
			<td style="width: 93px;">Planning</td>
		</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p>Although there's some conjecture over a number of projects (owing to contradictory or ambiguous information) 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/97-franklin-street-melbourne">97 Franklin Street</a> and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/collins-house-melbourne-460-466-collins-street-melbourne">466 Collins Street</a> that have been left off the list, the number of projects confirmed and included above is still immense.</p>

<p>With a quarter of the 23 listed projects above including multiple towers over 200m or more, it's still conceivable that Melbourne will be sporting another 30 skyscrapers beyond 200m in height in the years to come. If nothing else it serves to demonstrate the immense change still to grip Melbourne's skyline.</p>

<p>Although rules that govern the design of tall towers across <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/southbank-vic-3006">Southbank</a> and the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/melbourne-vic">CBD</a> have changed, there's still a veritable mountain of skyscrapers yet to fully take their place on Melbourne's skyline; interesting times ahead for our fair city!</p>

<p>As always feel free to provide corrections or additions to the list above.</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/image36_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne's booming skyline on a sunny March day. Image: Ryan Seychell"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="451" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image36_4.jpg?itok=LpTktI0H" title="Melbourne's booming skyline on a sunny March day. Image: Ryan Seychell" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne's booming skyline on a sunny March day. Image: Ryan Seychell</figcaption></figure>
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The 200 metre club revisited

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<p>With the release of Infrastructure Victoria’s first ever 30-year infrastructure strategy, the state is set to discuss the draft’s proposed developments and projects before the review of the final strategy in parliament in late 2016.</p>

<p>The blueprint aims to address areas in need of improvement including congestion and housing. It also seeks to provide infrastructure to increase Victorian’s access to essential services such as jobs and education in order to build and sustain the state’s businesses, industries and communities.</p>

<p>The draft outlines a number of initiatives to be delivered over the next three decades to shape the best possible outcomes for the state in years to come. Initiatives range from construction projects to regulatory measures concerning transport pricing and affordable housing.</p>

<p>The 30-year strategy will allow the state to prepare for population change, reduce disadvantage, connect people to jobs and increase workplace participation to offset an ageing population. Moreover, it is expected to drive productivity, support the economy and look at strategies to produce and consume resources in an environmentally friendly manner.</p>

<p>As Australia faces rapid changes with an ever growing population and urban density on the rise, inevitable questions of living conditions, urban sprawl and property demand emerge.</p>

<p>Viable solutions to accommodate population growth and combat urban sprawl lie in the realm of the city’s building and construction future. Solutions include urban planning, green solutions, liveability, tall building design and high-rise engineering.</p>

<p>In March 2017 Melbourne will play host to the first ever Smart Skyscrapers Summit. Urban.com.au is an official media partner to the premiere event, attracting tower construction experts from around the world who will come together to shape the future of the Australian skyline in years to come through smart, sustainable innovations.</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/mediabanner-topics.png" rel="gallery-all" title="www.skyscrapersconference.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="535" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mediabanner-topics.png?itok=SdB5xy04" title="www.skyscrapersconference.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>www.skyscrapersconference.com.au</figcaption></figure><p>​A riveting agenda is on the cards for Summit delegates who will hear from a wide selection of international and local professionals illuminating cutting edge advances and developments in skyscraper building and design. Looking to local case studies and those from abroad, speakers will pave the way for improvements in current practice within Australian high-rise construction.</p>

<p>A range of Australia’s tallest and most futuristic towers will be profiled at the Summit with the opportunity to hear from principal designers, architects, engineers and consultants involved in skyscraper projects across the country.</p>

<p>Australia 108, soon to be the tallest skyscraper in Australia and 323 La Trobe Street, Australia’s tallest prefabricated building, will be profiled at this immersive two-day event held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.</p>

<p><em>Urban.com.au is a media partner of the <a href="http://www.skyscrapersconference.com.au/">Australian Smart Skyscrapers Summit 2017</a>.</em></p>
</body></html>

partner_content

Melbourne to host the Australian Smart Skyscraper Summit in March 2017

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<p>Melbourne is in the unprecedented position of now having a seventh tower spanning at least 200 metres at construction.</p>

<p>Far from its heydey of years gone by, the Carlton United Brewery site fronting Swanston and Bouverie has remained dormant since its closure during 1987. In that period a variety of proposals have filtered through for the prime site, but none were successful until developer Hengyi secured the development plot and revealed Swanston Central.</p>

<p>At 237 metres, Swanston Central is now in the hands of Multiplex, adding to the builder's already bulging current Melbourne construction portfolio.</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/image111_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression of Swanston Central. Image: Hengyi"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="274" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image111_1.jpg?itok=DWmtVkn1" title="Artist's impression of Swanston Central. Image: Hengyi" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Swanston Central. Image: Hengyi</figcaption></figure><p>As part of the development, the remaining bluestone brewery building which is now in a decrepit state will be restored to its past glory. Swanston Central will sidle up alongside.</p>

<p>Rich in history, the Carlton United Brewery site was subject to an archaeological dig during 2013 which <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/articles/13635">unearthed 2,187 artefacts</a>. With the ground underneath no longer baring any hidden relics, Delta Group over the last week have begun site remediation and excavation.</p>

<p>Eventually the Elenberg Fraser-designed Swanston Central will encapsulate approximately 1,000 dwellings, with a host of amenities to match. A level 69 Skyline Bar and Lounge leads the way, with a wellness centre, winter garden and ground level hawker market also planned for the project which accounts for another piece of the overall Carlton United Brewery site regeneration.</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_8609.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Works have begun in earnest"><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_8609.jpg?itok=vhQDcwO4" title="Works have begun in earnest" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Works have begun in earnest</figcaption></figure><p>Of the now seven towers above 200 metres at construction, the majority are found at the northern end of Melbourne's CBD. Light House, EQ. Tower, Aurora Melbourne Central and Victoria One are jointly beginning to, or are impacting the skyline, while Swanston Central will visually fall under the umbrella of Melbourne's northern CBD despite it being in Carlton.</p>

<p>The two remaining towers under a builder's guidance are Collins House at 204 metres and Australia 108 on Southbank Boulevard at 319 metres. A notable mention should also go to Tower Melbourne; due to legal wrangling, it too would be well into construction.</p>

<p>Multiplex's snaring of Swanston Central bolsters its current construction workbook, which includes Australia 108, Light House, EQ. Tower and a range of projects across Melbourne.</p>
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Seventh heaven: Melbourne sports seven 200 metre towers under construction

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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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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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Victoria One

Sales Status

Apartments

Year completed

Buildings

Development information for Victoria One

Meet the team behind Victoria One

Location of Victoria One

News about Victoria One

Victoria One's core tops out - becomes CBD's tallest structure

The state of construction in Melbourne - mid May

The state of construction in Melbourne - mid April 2017

Golden Age Group adds The Glen to their portfolio

The 200 metre club revisited

Melbourne to host the Australian Smart Skyscraper Summit in March 2017

Seventh heaven: Melbourne sports seven 200 metre towers under construction

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

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