Building tomorrow: Melbourne's leading new apartment developers to watch out for in 2025

In this article, we've wrapped up the top new apartment developers to look out for across the city in 2025.
Building tomorrow: Melbourne's leading new apartment developers to watch out for in 2025
Joel Robinson December 18, 2024DEVELOPER INSIGHT

Melbourne's top developers are gearing up for a big 2025, with the majority of the bigger developers expected to launch several major projects throughout the year.

Looking to take advantage of the recent stamp duty abolition, which means buyers don't have to pay any stamp duty until October 2025, developers have been fast-tracking plans to meet growing demand in the off the plan apartment market.

Many are also focusing on adding value through innovative designs and sustainability features to attract buyers seeking long-term investment potential.

There is a diverse range of developments on the horizon, from small, boutique apartments aimed at the affluent downsizer, to sustainable developments with eco-friendly designs and energy-efficient technologies, and large-scale neighbourhood precincts that will address Melbourne’s ongoing housing shortage by delivering much-needed supply to the new property market.

In this article, we've wrapped up the top new apartment developers to look out for across the city in 2025.

Abadeen

Abadeen has rapidly emerged as a developer to watc in Melbourne, despite only entering the local market in 2024.

Abadeen has built a strong presence in Sydney's luxury market since its founding in 1999 by industry veteran Justin Brown. The developer made its mark in Melbourne with the launch of Maléa in Malvern East, under the local leadership of former CBRE executive Andrew Leoncelli.

Maléa, which recently topped out and has already sold four of its seven apartments, is on track for completion in mid-2025. Meanwhile, Abadeen has several exciting new launches planned for the year ahead

They have a permit for a new boutique development in Prahran, and later next year they will hope to launch another project on Caulfield Park.

"Abadeen is renowned for crafting beautiful, lasting, and aesthetically pleasing spaces that seamlessly blend with their surroundings and communities," Justin Brown says.

"As we establish new standards for quality and collaboration in the Sydney market, our goal is to replicate this success in Victoria."

Brown says Andrew Leoncelli's wealth of local relationships perfectly aligns with their consumer-centric approach to development and placemaking, while Leoncelli says he holds a true appreciation for Brown's approach to bespoke development.

"I’ve worked in the property sector for over 20 years and have an appreciation and understanding of all aspects of the process, from identifying a site to bringing a project to life."

Leoncelli says there is an ever-growing appetite from local wealthy downsizers, wanting bespoke high-end apartment living, and that's what Abadeen will bring to Melbourne.

"They have lived their entire adult life in the family home which they don’t need anymore. They want to upgrade their lifestyles whilst downsizing their maintenance and they want the very best of everything, all within walking distance of their favourite parks, restaurants, cafes and shops."

Hamton

Developer Hamton is gearing up for a big 2025, launching its newest neighbourhood-style project and the next stage of its $2 billion Moonee Valley Park redevelopment.

Early next year Hamton will take to market Scotch Hill Gardens in Hawthorn, six low-rise buildings with 365 residences on the former home of the University of Melbourne.

The project’s unique design features 5,500 sqm of publicly accessible green space and a new retail precinct.

Hamton is also advancing Moonee Valley Park, their $2 billion redevelopment of the Moonee Valley Racing Club. 

At some point in 2025 they will launch the next two stages that will bring around 440 more apartments to the growing community. The two current buildings within Moonee Valley Park, Stonepine House and Trackside House, are well under construction and nearly sold out.

There will be over 2,000 dwellings in the masterplan when it's completed.

Milieu

Design-driven developer Milieu is another big-name developer who will have a busy 2025.

They will complete Plant Street by Milieu, its first development in Melbourne's inner-south east after a string of successful projects in inner-north, while continuing to release apartments at its recently launched Elsternwick Gardens project.

In early 2025 they'll be launching their latest project, Saxon Street by Milieu, 80 apartments in Brunswick, on the site of The Brosnan Centre next door to Brunswick Baths.

Jackson Clements Burrows (JCB) has designed the gas-free building, with landscaping by Oculus and interiors by by Design Office.

The building will be predominantly two-bedrooms, with an almost equal split of one and three-bedroom apartments.

Later in 2025 Milieu will launch Derby Street in Collingwood, just 18 large-scale apartments off Smith and Gertrude Street.

The brief for Studio Bright was to create a building to echo the site's once-industrial surroundings, so extensive brick and tile detailing was used in the design to integrate it with the street.

Beulah

Beulah will be looking to push on with its significant pipeline it's built up recently.

As well as looking to start construction on its Southbank megatower STH BNK by Beulah, the developer also has two other inner-city projects they'll be looking to take to market.

In Fitzroy Beulah has proposed a sustainabile development with 44 residences above two ground-floor retail spaces designed to integrate with the local Fitzroy character.

The fossil fuel-free development has been designed by Breathe Architecture, Australia’s most awarded sustainable architecture practice. There will be a 'bike hub' and repair station, EV charging facilities, rooftop solar panels and rainwater harvesting.

Beulah also has a new project in Prahran, near the famous Prahran Market.

Designed by Cera Stribley, the new development at 182-194 Commercial Road will have 39 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across an eight-level building, also above retail, hospitality venues, and offices.

“Prahran is founded on a rich cultural tapestry, heavily influenced by the industrial and Victorian eras," Beulah Executive Director Adelene Teh says.

“We are excited at the prospect of unlocking the true potential of this inner-city pocket, while complementing the renowned Prahran Market via retail, dining and public amenity, coupled with an unprecedented residential offering.”

Beulah also has a Brunswick townhouse development which was recently launched.

Mirvac

National developer Mirvac is always busy.

While also building Trielle at Docklands, The Albertine just off St Kilda Road, and Prince & ParadeBrunswick, Mirvac will want to launch MEKKO Apartments, the latest stage in Mirvac's award-winning Altona North masterplan, The Fabric.

The fully electric building will feature PV solar panels and aim for a 7-star NatHERS energy efficiency rating.

Upon completion, The Fabric will house around 1,500 residents in over 500 townhomes and apartments. 

The central focus of the 11.4-hectare community is the 4,000 sqm Patchwork Park, surrounded by well-designed private front and rear gardens by Eckersley Garden Architecture

Time & Place

Another national developer, Time & Place, has several projects expected to go live across both Sydney and Melbourne in 2025.

Locally, the developer recently secured approval for its joint venture project in Glen Iris with Woolworths, 60 apartments above a full-line Woolworths on Burke Road.

The apartments are targeted at downsizers and multi-generational families.

Time & Place is also revitalising the iconic Northcote Plaza in the inner northern suburbs. 

The ambitious project will introduce three residential towers, combining build-to-rent and build-to-sell apartments, a low-rise office building, and a podium with extensive amenities such as a pool, gym, private dining areas, and coworking spaces. 

Inspired by the site’s industrial heritage, the design integrates brick treatments and modern materials while enhancing public connectivity with landscaped pathways and links to All Nations Park.

Piccolo

Boutique developer Piccolo will complete its Fitzroy apartment development, A Piccolo House Gore Street, in June next year, and will launch the next installment of its Piccolo House brand in 2025.

Their new $50 million development, A Piccolo House Barry Street in Kew, will have 60 apartments across five three-level buildings, each with expansive private outdoor spaces.

Designed with input from Woods Bagot and Hecker Guthrie, the project incorporates materials inspired by the area's Victorian architecture, offering a refined yet gritty urban aesthetic. Features include high-end kitchens, spacious living areas, and a lifestyle concierge service.

Read more: First look exclusive: Piccolo plot new Kew apartment development

Fortis

Another national developer, Fortis, has several projects across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane for 2025.

In Melbourne, they'll be further  their foothold in the Richmond market, having acquired a site at 550 Swann Street. They're currently selling Carmine House, part of their mixed-use Richmond Square development.

They also have a prime site on Fitzroy Street in St Kilda they'll be looking to take to market later in 2025.

The 2,661 sqm amalgamated site is envisioned as a precinct-defining opportunity designed by Woods Bagot. 

The development will feature 39 apartments, complemented by 950 sqm of curated retail spaces aimed at reinvigorating the once-thriving Fitzroy Street precinct. 

Woods Bagot has drawn inspiration from St Kilda’s Victorian-era grandeur, incorporating elegant architectural details and landscaping by Florian Wild to restore charm and vitality to the area.

Joel Robinson

Joel Robinson is the Editor in Chief at Urban.com.au, managing Urban's editorial team and creating the largest news cycle for the off the plan property market in the country. Joel has been writing about residential real estate for nearly a decade, following a degree in Business Management with a major in Journalism at Leeds Beckett University in England. He specializes in off the plan apartments, and has a particular interest in the development application process for new projects.

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