Box Hill in Sydney's northwest is ready for one of its most design-conscious projects to date with <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/killarney-ponds-box-hill-4-alan-street-box-hill">Killarney Ponds</a>, the new apartment development by locals Kellarney Developments.

Killarney Ponds, located just outside the emerging <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/box-hill-nsw-2765">Box Hill</a> Town Centre, has been designed to meet the needs of both families and working professionals seeking larger apartments and lifestyle-focused amenities, two points of difference when compared to other developments around the Box Hill area.

Approaching completion in early 2025,&nbsp;Killarney Ponds comprises a mix of two and three-bedroom apartments that emphasise indoor-outdoor living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22636 project_image_fid=297513]

To maximise natural light, apartments have soaring ceilings just under three-metres, creating a sense of space and when meeting the sliding glass doors that open to a balcony or a courtyard, allow for maximum natural light to flood the interiors.

The three-bedroom apartments start from a generous 115 sqm of internal living space, and a further 10 sqm of terraces.

There are several two-level apartments, some with two bedrooms and some with three, including a three-bedroom penthouse that has its own private rooftop terrace and is priced under $1 million.

Resident amenity has been a big focus in Killarney Ponds, a level unrivalled in the local area. It starts from the entry to the development. There are three hotel-style lobbies which were designed to create an immediate impression on residents and their guests.

Facilities include a multi-purpose function room, expected to be used for community events as well as booked for private occasions like birthday parties, a fully-equipped gym, a work-from-home centre with integrated desks and meeting rooms, as well as several outdoor spaces with alfresco and picnic areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22636 project_image_fid=257931]

The first stage of the project has already sold out, demonstrating strong demand in the Box Hill market, a market that is growing at a significant rate, driven by the improvements being made in the region.

Killarney Ponds is strategically positioned to benefit from the growth in infrastructure. The area is part of the NSW Government’s North West Priority Growth Area, which is anticipated to bring significant infrastructure improvements and job opportunities.

It's a short walk from the future Box Hill Town Centre, an upcoming hub featuring retail, dining, and recreational spaces set around a central lake.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22636 project_image_fid=257928]

Carmel Village, less than two kilometres away, offers everyday essentials with over 30 specialty stores including Coles and Aldi.

Families benefit from being close to a variety of schools, while healthcare needs will be well-served by the new $700 million Rouse Hill Hospital, set to complete in 2027. Rouse Hill Station is within three kilometres, providing easy access to the Sydney Metro.

Reputable construction company Sitecorp is handling the build of Killarney Ponds. They are anticipating an early 2025 completion, with residents moving in shortly after.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=22636]

Joel Robinson

Box Hill's best new apartment development approaches completion

The Allan Labor Government has said it is "going all-in on townhouses and apartments that are affordable to build and will stand the test of time in quality, design, aesthetics and sustainability"

Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny has announced a turbocharged plan for Victoria’s future homes that will drive a new era of affordable architectural heritage in this state.

The plan will compel good design by:

<ul>
	<li>
	Rewarding affordable, well-designed buildings – and the developers who put in the effort to build them – by granting them a fast track through the planning system
	</li>
	<li>
	Expanding the ‘design book’ of great designs by including existing buildings that have made a mark and are loved by residents and the community
	</li>
	<li>
	Letting Victorians have their say for the first time on how Victoria’s streetscapes and buildings should look
	</li>
	<li>
	Building real life examples of ‘design book’ homes on government-owned land so Victorians can see and feel them – and then move in
	</li>
</ul>

Kilkenny said the&nbsp;community deserves affordable buildings that look great on the outside and feel solid as a rock on the inside.

"Our plan is for more grand designs but without the grand cost," Kilkenny&nbsp;said.

“We have an incredible opportunity before us to renew our suburbs and streets with well-designed apartments and townhouses that are great for singles, families and downsizers – and which add to the architectural fabric of our state.”

The Government says the plan will drive change: flipping the script to promote, reward and speed up the construction of townhouses and apartment buildings that look great on the outside – and feel solid as a rock on the inside.

The Great Design Fast Track

The Government will introduce a new, fast-tracked pathway for buildings with homes that meet the test of build quality, good design and sustainability – so developers can build better homes without the additional costs and delays associated with projects that might look a bit ‘different from the norm’.

The&nbsp;Great Design Fast Track&nbsp;will be developed by the Minister for Planning to focus on townhouse and apartment projects of three to six storeys in height. It is intended to apply statewide and work in a similar way to the current Development Facilitation Pathway (DFP) that exists for more significant housing projects.

As with the current DFP, locals would retain the right to know what’s going on and have their say. The DFP accelerates a project through that system, giving confidence to developers that their cost-sensitive projects won’t get stuck in an expensive state of limbo.

Through this fast track, Victoria can give a stronger arm to architects and developers who put in an effort and take on more personal risk by building projects that look great and add lasting value to streets and communities. They should not be punished by a culture that quashes creativity and sustainability.

The Government will expand its&nbsp;State Design Book&nbsp;of ‘future homes’ – projects that are planned on paper alongside artists’ impressions but don’t yet exist – by welcoming into its pages the best examples of good, affordable designs that are already in the ground, home to Victorians and loved by locals.

While the Government is producing such a design book, which is still on track for completion by the end of 2024, the book will be more useful through the inclusion of high-quality developments that are already complete – at a scale up to 6 storeys. It will be a showcase of great buildings that were realistic and viable to deliver.

Eligible designs will be required to encourage sustainable, family friendly and accessible homes, with communal spaces and gardens. Examples of homes that&nbsp;could&nbsp;feature include the beautiful Balfe Park Lane, which delivered 72 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments with a big communal backyard in East Brunswick.

The design book will also establish best practice principles and guidance for well-designed apartments and townhouses – to guide developers and give communities confidence about the long-term quality of new homes.

"We will reward the buildings that are designed the best" VIC Gov to speed up approvals for best designed apartment developments

Melbourne developer <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/beulah">Beulah</a> is continuing its expansion into Melbourne’s inner north.

The developer of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/sth-bnk-by-beulah-southbank-60-southbank-boulevard-southbank">STH BNK by Beulah</a>, which will set the record for the tallest tower in the southern hemisphere when completed, has submitted plans for its 1,200 sqm-plus <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/fitzroy-vic-3065">Fitzroy</a> site at 430-434 George Street.&nbsp;

Beulah has appointed Australia’s most awarded sustainable architecture practice, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/breathe-architecture">Breathe Architecture</a>, to design the mixed-use project, which comprises 44 residences and two curated ground-floor retail spaces designed to integrate with the local Fitzroy character.&nbsp;

<img alt="Beulah" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a079df73-07ce-4a85-b3e5-0f3c1df93e25" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-11-13%20at%203.05.37%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=omDLxSdVq_Faf4obwln8iXJIjgBF7YMk" />

Sustainability is at the core of the development. It will be fossil fuel-free and feature rooftop solar and rainwater harvesting. Residents will have access to natural ventilation, biophilic design, sundrenched outlooks and on-site amenities including a ‘bike hub’ and repair station, 49 bicycle spaces, as well as a shared resident zone currently earmarked for a fern garden.&nbsp;

Two levels of the basement will include car spaces for residents, as well as car share vehicles and EV charging facilities as a means of promoting green transport.&nbsp;

For the architecture, Breathe has drawn inspiration from the surrounding area, which is historically characterised by single and double-storey Victorian and Edwardian terrace dwellings, with remnants of industrial and warehouse buildings dotted throughout.&nbsp;

The design features a three-level brick podium lined with lush greenery, honouring the suburb’s heritage character and streetscape through its scale and materials. The active ground level encourages pedestrian activity and enhances natural surveillance, ultimately improving security and the overall quality of the area. The levels above the podium are recessed to minimise the form within the residential neighbourhood, complete with external terrace areas.&nbsp;

The design also seeks to incorporate the retained historically significant bluestone wall along an integrated laneway and will&nbsp; provide a dedicated vehicle and cycle entry along Rose Street to reduce the traffic to George Street.&nbsp;

<img alt="Beulah unveils Fitzroy project - upper storey" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bc39f39d-0dc3-4bda-af3d-56fa06a82b2b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/FIT%20Upper%20Storey%20Crop.jpg?VersionId=eD2fcfBAbF2wWYdUsY6xRNEcIE051Rb9" />

Beulah Executive Director Adelene Teh said the team was excited to expand its portfolio of boutique projects into <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/fitzroy-vic-3065">Fitzroy</a>, a suburb&nbsp;that holds a special place for Melburnians and visitors alike.&nbsp;

“We are excited to contribute to the pulse of Melbourne's oldest and most desirable suburb—the vibrant Fitzroy," Teh said.

"With its eclectic&nbsp;character and rich history, Fitzroy is a culinary heart, a melting pot of cultures, and a hub of thriving lifestyles. We hope our contributions will enhance the precinct's desirability and leave a lasting legacy for future generations."&nbsp;

Breathe Architecture Founding Director Jeremy McLeod said the team was excited to work with Beulah on delivering a project that&nbsp;seamlessly integrates with the Fitzroy streetscape.&nbsp;

“Grounded in the heart of Fitzroy, this project is about strength and elegance. A refined masonry base sits effortlessly with the&nbsp; George Street Terraces, while the upper apartments open up to expansive views and the northern sun.”&nbsp;

Beulah’s other projects within Melbourne’s inner north include its sustainable heritage townhome project,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-townhouses/brunswick-established#:~:text=A%20limited%20collection%20of%2023,within%20a%20historically%20rich%20locale.">Brunswick Established</a> and The Wilds, Northcote’s largest creek-front, resort-style houses, which is under construction and due for completion next year.&nbsp;

Beulah Executive Director Adelene Teh said the team was excited to expand its portfolio of boutique projects into Fitzroy, a suburb that holds a special place for Melburnians and visitors alike

Beulah unveils new sustainable Fitzroy development

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/uem-sunrise" target="">UEM Sunrise</a>&nbsp;has been given the green light by DevelopmentWA to proceed with what will be the company's first residential developments outside of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic" target="">Melbourne</a>.

UEM filed for two mixed-use buildings in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/subiaco-east-wa">Subiaco East</a>&nbsp;in Perth, on a large&nbsp;4,930 sqm site at 201-203 Subiaco Road,&nbsp;earlier this year.

DevelopmentWA, the State Government's central development agency, recently approved the towers, suggesting the&nbsp;proposal "achieves the objectives of the Subi East Masterplan, which identifies the site for a high quality, high-density residential outcome."

The two towers,&nbsp;just beyond the boundary line of the iconic Subiaco Oval and alongside Haydn Bunton Drive, will be the first within the overall Subiaco East Masterplan by DevelopmentWA.

<img alt="Subacio" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3729e715-c842-440d-8300-55fab6c18dd2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-11-13%20at%202.42.47%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=LylG3BeFaI7IPMr5yneKVKXmfp8cL7og" />

The development will comprise around 340 apartments and is expected to accommodate more than 1,000 future residents, with up to 12 per cent of the apartments providing affordable housing in the Western suburbs.

The scheme will see two well-designed residential buildings on Lot 1 with a tiered height of 25 and 35 levels plus a ground floor, creating a strong visual aesthetic for the landmark development. This will be complemented by a 10-level building plus a ground floor on Lot 2.

The design for the mixed-use residential precinct will promote communal interaction through well-curated spaces, 400 sqm of retail space on the ground floor of Lot 1, which permeates into gardens and landscaping that augment the public facilities at The Oval site.

<img alt="UEM Sunrise submit Subiaco Oval apartment development plans" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screen%20Shot%202024-05-30%20at%205.05.07%20pm.png?VersionId=.IV.XYW5_SseIP82gP52XMN8k21WtnJx" />

At the time of the development application submission,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/uem-sunrise" target="">UEM Sunrise</a>&nbsp;Chief Executive Officer Sufian Abdullah said the submission represented an exciting step forward for the company and its first development for the Perth residential market.

“We have had a significant presence in Australia for many years and we’re delighted to be delivering this landmark project in our first venture into Western Australia,"&nbsp;Abdullah said.

"We will bring our considerable local and global expertise in mixed-use developments to the Perth residential market to create a vibrant and connected new community in Subiaco East.”

He said the development will create&nbsp;a high-quality residential precinct at an important time in the WA housing market – delivering new housing supply at scale.

"Our unique offering will appeal to home-owners – individuals and families – at different stages in their life, with greater flexibility and opportunity for intergenerational living, work-life integration and connection to a diverse community.”

Construction of the development is expected to commence in 2026.

At the time of the development application submission, UEM Sunrise Chief Executive Officer Sufian Abdullah said the submission represented an exciting step forward for the company and its first development for the Perth residential market.

UEM Sunrise approved to develop two towers on Subiaco Oval

National property and construction group <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/traders-in-purple">Traders in Purple</a> has lodged a State Significant Development Application to develop a prime residential site in Sydney's <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/padstow-nsw-2211">Padstow</a>.

The corner 2,992 sqm site, previously occupied by just two houses, would home 113 new apartments, 21 of which would be reserved as social affordable units, as well as six commercial and retail units.

The land is owned by&nbsp;Homes NSW under its Communities Plus program which aims to increase the pool of social and affordable housing throughout the State.&nbsp;

The plans come following the finalisation of the new Local Environment Plan and rezoning by Canterbury Bankstown Council.&nbsp;

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-traders-in-purple-plan-large-apartments-on-west-end-megasite">First look exclusive: Traders in Purple plan large apartments on West End megasite</a>

Traders in Purple Director Charles Daoud said the mixed tenure model that blends community and private housing would help to alleviate some of the pressure in the housing market and kickstart a new and exciting chapter for Padstow.&nbsp;

“We have real stress across the entire housing market, not only in social housing but brand new quality homes that enable first home buyers to enter the market and families to settle in a quality development,” Daoud said.&nbsp;

“Padstow is set for an exciting new era which will see the commercial and retail centre reinvigorated and the introduction of new well-located apartments that take advantage of the existing amenities within the immediate town centre.&nbsp;

“Where there were just two homes on this large well-located site, we will be adding 92 new one, two and three-bedroom homes to the private market and 21 homes for social and affordable housing. &nbsp;

“This is a much more efficient use of land in a middle ring Sydney suburb where there is a high demand for new &nbsp;housing within walking distance of established infrastructure and amenity.”&nbsp;

The eight-level development, adjacent to the retail precinct, is located just 250 metres from Padstow train station and bus interchange and 100 metres from Padstow Park Public School, making it ideal for families and city workers. &nbsp;

In a move that will future-proof residents from rising costs, solar rooftop panels will offset grid demand and reduce electricity costs for communal areas with the potential for any excess generated to be sold back to the grid. The 149 car spaces will be provisioned for EV charging.&nbsp;

Daoud said Padstow’s relative affordability and proximity to amenities and public transport had put it on the radar for a wider demographic of Sydney buyers.&nbsp;

“There is a very limited supply of new apartments for sale in Padstow despite it having all the essential ingredients for a range of households, from young singles and couples to families and downsizers,” said Mr Daoud.&nbsp;

“Like all of Sydney, house prices have risen dramatically over the past five years. Padstow’s median house price in &nbsp;2019 was $900,000 making it attainable for young families. Today it is more than $1.4 million.&nbsp;

“Over the years there has been very little apartment development. This project will add to the diversity of housing choices that is so desperately needed.&nbsp;

“Future residents will only have to walk 250 metres to the train station and can be in the city in approximately 30 &nbsp;minutes. There’s a lively dining and shopping precinct with a range of cafes and restaurants and with the local primary school only a block away this makes the family juggle easier to manage. Parents can walk children to school and be on the train and in the office without having to stress.&nbsp;

“This benefits both our private buyers and community housing tenants making it easier to manage the competing &nbsp;pressures of modern life.”&nbsp;

The post-election housing sentiment bounce: Pete Wargent

Pete Wargent

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