Artisan Architects

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A sizeable slab of office space may be on its way to Fitzroy North as a new planning application seeks to replace a reception venue with a multi-level mixed-use building.

Moonlight Receptions at 622-636 Nicholson Street appears to have its days numbered with the development application registered with City of Yarra little more than a week ago. Rather than go down the proven path of apartments, a 10 level commercial building containing a Gross Floor Area of 16,950 square metres has been proposed.

<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_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hero perspective of the proposal. Image: Artisan Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="423" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image65_3.jpg?itok=BohkG5Hk" title="Hero perspective of the proposal. Image: Artisan Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Hero perspective of the proposal. Image: Artisan Architects</figcaption></figure>Net Lettable Area within the Artisan Architects-designed project covers 10,605 square metres. The commercial aspect of the proposal is earmarked as standard office space alongside a medical centre and associated suites.

Artisan Architects note LKG as the applicant behind the proposal, which also features a ground floor supermarket and rooftop terrace.

Three levels of underground parking will service the proposal, with its overall development value pinned at $25 million.

In its current form, the Moonlight Receptions development would create a new height precedent for the area which maintains a predominantly low-rise and historic character to Nicholson Street. Any height parallels can be drawn with two residential buildings located behind the development site in question, with both those buildings set well back from Nicholson Street.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!4v1522016700764!6m8!1m7!1s08Q1OCHRNog-CW6ueGUqOg!2m2!1d-37.78468943571484!2d144.9771944285262!3f94.73092242678996!4f5.450559616288572!5f1.52841521987171" style="border:0" width="100%"></iframe>

Roi Apartments and EV Apartments were built over recent years and stand approximately 50-60 metres back from Nicholson Street.

North of Alexandra Parade, Nicholson Street is bereft of any noteworthy commercial developments. Over recent years, whatever suitable development sites have become available have almost exclusively become high-density residential development.

This is particularly the case north of Brunswick Road; last year Urban.com.au <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/nicholson-streets-apartment-activity-slips-into-top-gear">highlighted nine apartment projects in development</a> along the Nicholson Street strip.
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silvermb

Office use injected into Fitzroy North's Nicholson Street

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It may still be in its infancy, but the emerging <a href="https://vpa.vic.gov.au/project/arden/">Arden Urban Renewal Precinct</a> has scored its most substantial construction project to date, with Hickory Group winning the Arden Gardens build contract.

The sizeable urban renewal area which is still at master planning has been earmarked for significant growth over the next 30 years. Arden Gardens will rise over Macaulay Road, with secondary frontages to Canning Street and Vaughan Terrace.

It is the latest project to head to construction for CBD Development Group, which also has <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/288-albert-street-brunswick">Brunswick's tallest apartment development</a> under construction.

On the border of Arden Precinct and City of Melbourne's pending Macaulay Precinct, Arden Gardens includes 299 apartments spread over two residential towers supplemented by extensive commercial/retail spaces throughout the podium, with Woolworths the anchor tenant. 

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/arden-gardens-111-canning-street-north-melbourne">Click here to see the project details of Arden Gardens on Off The Plan Melbourne.</a>

<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/image20_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Arden Gardens will soon become reality. Image: Buchan Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="529" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image20_8.jpg?itok=UPNensGE" title="Arden Gardens will soon become reality. Image: Buchan Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Arden Gardens will soon become reality. Image: Buchan Group</figcaption></figure>Although the biggest, Arden Gardens is not the sole project at construction in the area, with a handful of other residential projects on the go.

ABD Group is advancing construction of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/reflections-108-haines-street-north-melbourne">Reflections</a>, which will be a 13 level tower set above 2 basement levels, creating 143 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments. Adjoining Reflections, MAV Group have all but completed works on <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/1-shiel-street-north-melbourne">1 Shiel Street</a> which will add a further 39 apartments.

Elsewhere in Arden, Manresa Constructions is overseeing <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/charlotte-241-dryburgh-street-north-melbourne">241 Dryburgh Street</a> whilst Built is in charge of Cbus Property's <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/9-dryburgh-street-west-melbourne">Volaire</a> apartment project at at 9-19 Dryburgh St and 109-121 Ireland, West Melbourne. Ultimately that project will include 154 apartments, retail/commercial/cafe tenancies on the ground floor and basement parking.

<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/image21_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Reflections under construction and the adjoining 1 Shiel Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="236" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image21_11.jpg?itok=K0CCut4V" title="Reflections under construction and the adjoining 1 Shiel Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Reflections under construction and the adjoining 1 Shiel Street</figcaption></figure>The precinct's increased construction activity follows on from the recent approval of another substantial residential development nearby. 

36-58 Macaulay Road was given the nod at the turn of the year for a mixed-use development consisting of 177 apartments, communal spaces and 176 car parking spaces. The design by Artisan Architects sees apartments spread between dual 10 and 13 level buildings, with an activated plaza included.

Approval for 36-58 Macaulay Road leaves Fridcorp's <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/3-15-shiel-street-north-melbourne">3-15 Shiel Street</a> as the major development yet to gain approval in the area.

<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/image17_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A new Macaulay Road landmark. Image: Artisan Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="233" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image17_9.jpg?itok=lyuSbLi_" title="A new Macaulay Road landmark. Image: Artisan Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A new Macaulay Road landmark. Image: Artisan Architects</figcaption></figure>Arden Precinct is expected to include 34,000 jobs and 15,000 residents by 2051. With the precinct still under planning, the flow of planning applications into Arden has lessened over the previous year as developers likely wait for planning landscape to become clear.

What is definitive is the creation of Arden Station, which will provide a bookend to the Metro Tunnel and act as a catalyst for urban renewal in the area upon its completion.

<blockquote>
Arden will represent the next stage of Melbourne’s evolution as a world-class capital city. It will be a flourishing jobs hub that will boost Melbourne’s global competitiveness. Government owns much of the land in Arden, so it has a unique opportunity to ensure its planning is guided by world’s best practice in integrated and sustainable urban renewal.

The scale of this opportunity, coupled with the precinct’s excellent transport connections, make Arden a truly exciting project for Melbourne.
<cite>Victorian Planning Authority </cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/arden-precinct-civic-heart-1024x576.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A future Arden. Image: Victorian Planning Authority"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/arden-precinct-civic-heart-1024x576.jpg?itok=ruEaIFBf" title="A future Arden. Image: Victorian Planning Authority" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A future Arden. Image: Victorian Planning Authority</figcaption></figure>For more information on Arden Gardens, follow the project link below.
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Arden Precinct receives a construction boost

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One of Fishermans Bend's very first planning applications continues its excruciatingly slow journey through the approvals process, with over three years having passed since its submission.

Lodged during June 2013 on behalf of Belsize Nominees, 351-387 Ingles Street was at the time a hulking five-tower development encompassing near on 2,000 apartments, 1,509 car parking bays, 14,038sqm of office space, retail and public urban spaces. After a variety of alterations, project lead Artisan Architects have now released revised imagery for the project.

Initially valued at in excess of $1 billion, the updated 351-387 Ingles Street has been tempered in both its aspirations and size; according to Artisan Architects this is the result of "a series of design workshops/ discussions with the responsible authorities to arrive at this point."

<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/image51_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ingles Street has taken on a new complexion. Images: Artisan Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="224" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image51_4.jpg?itok=PnIvfWEk" title="Ingles Street has taken on a new complexion. Images: Artisan Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ingles Street has taken on a new complexion. Images: Artisan Architects</figcaption></figure>723 apartments have been shed from the original submission, although a still healthy 1,192 apartments are included within the current plans. These dwellings are supported by 725 intended car parking spaces.

The resultant drop in dwellings has seen heights across the site tumble, in line with the sterner stance taken by the current Government regarding Fishermans Bend's perceived laissez-faire planning early in its history. Ranging between 5-34 levels and set atop a six storey podium, the comparative image above speaks to the cutbacks incurred across 351-387 Ingles Street.

Oddly enough the <a href="https://vpa.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/FBURA-Recast-Fact-Sheet-April-2015.pdf">interim height controls</a> for this section of Fishermans Bend which falls within the Lorimer Precinct are set at 40 levels. The impartial observer may ask why this application has been cut back so severely?

Nonetheless, the project's GFA of 141,050sqm still places it among Melbourne's largest developments.

<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/download_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A green area at the foot of the project. Image: Artisan Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="371" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/download_1.jpg?itok=-RZH6OQk" title="A green area at the foot of the project. Image: Artisan Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A green area at the foot of the project. Image: Artisan Architects</figcaption></figure>All but a slither of commercial space has been dropped relative to the original design, with SOHO options across 1,782sqm the closest semblance.

From a public perspective, far more open space looks to have been added across the site with some of this in the form of a public piazza. This open space will be supplemented by a combined community hub/library which spans 2,832sqm, and 3,515sqm of retail space which is an increase above the original expectation.

With 351-387 Ingles Street's expanded retail intentions and the nearby <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/261-281-ingles-street-port-melbourne">261-281 Ingles Street </a>expected to offer in excess of 2,800sqm or retail as part of its scheme, the prospects of a new mini retail strip along Ingles Street encompassing a total of 6,377sqm is on the cards.
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Three years on, the new 351 Ingles Street is revealed

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As if dispelling any doubt that Box Hill is the apartment powerhouse in Melbourne's middle-ring suburbs, a number of planning applications are before City of Whitehorse seeking to further boost the emerging skyline.

Golden Age Group have requested a planning amendment to the approved 545-563 Station Street which would see an overall height of the tower increase to 122.8 metres, enabling the project to take the mantle as Box Hill's tallest building when delivered. Approval would move 545-563 Station Street beyond the nearby Whitehorse Towers which is under construction and set to reach 115 metes upon completion.

Long term project architect Buchan Group have refined the tower's exterior with Golden Age adjusting apartment numbers to 450, split between 106 single bedroom, 308 dual bedroom and 36 triple bedroom apartments.

<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_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Promotional image of Sky One Box Hill"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="512" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image36_0.jpg?itok=a6sCC4nm" title="Promotional image of Sky One Box Hill" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Promotional image of Sky One Box Hill</figcaption></figure>390 vehicle spaces and 182 bicycle bays service the revised scheme which has been labelled Sky One Box Hill. A new dining hub will cover lower levels with a combined 3,723sqm dedicated toward various restaurant and retail/food premises.

Registrations of Interest are open for the project.

A prospective rival to Golden Age's mantle of tallest in Box Hill may come in the form of 820-824 Whitehorse Road which entered planning during February. Considered one of Box Hill's premier development sites when sold during 2015, agent Savills noted at the time the sales tag of $18.8 million set a record land value for the area.

While details have yet to emerge, the proposed tower is in close proximity to Asian Pacific Group's aforementioned Whitehorse Towers which will for a time hold the mantle as Box Hill's tallest building when completed.

<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/savills.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Savills' promotional image of 82-824 Whitehorse Road"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/savills.jpg?itok=Uk7XwSyB" title="Savills' promotional image of 82-824 Whitehorse Road" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Savills' promotional image of 82-824 Whitehorse Road</figcaption></figure>Artisan Architects have also created a mixed-use tower for 9 Prospect Street, Box Hill. The curvaceous building was lodged with City of Whitehorse during late 2015 and features 214 apartments.

Spanning 25 levels, 9 Prospect Street also includes 2,915sqm of commercial office space and 204 vehicle bays within the building which holds a GFA of 27,334sqm.

9 Prospect Street may also provide a guide as to what can be expected for 13 Prospect Street &amp; 31-35 Prospect Street. Both were recently offered for sale by agents Colliers International and JLL Australia with multi-level residential developments in mind.

<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/download_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artisan Architects' second Box Hill venture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="371" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/download_0.jpg?itok=P_EHfl9I" title="Artisan Architects' second Box Hill venture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artisan Architects' second Box Hill venture</figcaption></figure>The rapid change engulfing Box Hill is also demonstrated by 5 Wellington Road which is subject to a 16 storey building comprising 177 apartments atop basement parking and retail uses. While not startlingly tall at 16 storeys the location of the building is as much as anything a sign of the rapidly changing expectations of developers in areas not accustomed to such heights.

Box Hill-based Shangyi Property are thought to be behind the development, after noting a Wellington Street development site as one of their upcoming projects.

<h2>Comment: Can Box Hill break the 150 metre barrier?</h2>

Box Hill's first proposal to break the 100 metre barrier surfaced during 2008. Quashed at the time for a number of reasons including excessive height, the site is now subject to Golden Age's Sky One Box Hill.

With that proposal potentially setting a new benchmark at 122 metres, is it inconceivable that Box Hill will host a tower in excess of 150 metres in the not too distant future? There is an abundance of sites both along Whitehorse Road and behind Box Hill Central that may well lend themselves to such a proposal...although ultimately time will tell.

What is becoming evident is that Box hill is on course to match South Yarra's Forrest Hill Precinct for size and sheer apartment numbers in the next year or so; not bad for an Activity Centre roughly 20 kilomentres from the centre of Melbourne that gave Forrest Hill the best part of a 5-7 year head start.
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Box Hill rises to new heights; is 150 metres out of the question?

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South Yarra has consistently been a hot spot for apartment development for some time, yet the suburb's Forrest Hill Precinct continues an unprecedented surge of large-scale planning applications which continue to land with City of Stonnington.

The latest to join the ranks is 37-41 Claremont Street with Artisan Architects last week submitting plans for a 31 level residential tower on behalf of LK Property Group. Sold by CBRE City Sales during June of this year, the 970sqm site will likely see 324 new apartments added toward the northern end of Forrest Hill Precinct.

Incidentally 37-41 Claremont Street is LK Property Group's third current foray into the South Yarra apartment market with Gisele at 300 Toorak Road under construction and the suburb's tallest proposal, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/capitol-grand-257-toorak-road-south-yarra">Capitol Grand</a>, at sales.

<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/12189526_1146896592007142_6297621148415691697_n.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Street level perspective of the proposed tower. Image courtesy Artisan Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="511" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/12189526_1146896592007142_6297621148415691697_n.jpg?itok=eRlu9feR" title="Street level perspective of the proposed tower. Image courtesy Artisan Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Street level perspective of the latest addition. Image courtesy Artisan Architects</figcaption></figure>The Forrest Hill tower will also accommodate 182 vehicles and 920sqm of commercial floor space within a building holding 36,546sqm of GFA, placing it among the precinct's largest. 37-41 Claremont Street is also another collaboration between architect and developer, following on from Opus Tower on City Road which has all but topped out.

<h2>Forrest Hill by the numbers</h2>

Currently the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments?field_lga_tid=120&amp;items_per_page=10">Forrest Hill subcategory</a> within the Urban.com.au project database is holding 13 high-rise residential towers which are at various stages of the development cycle, with a combined yield of 3,010 apartments. Yarra House and Lucia are at the tail end of construction while Claremont Manor's floorplate is above ground. The remainder are at planning, approved or registrations &amp; sales.

The four most recent planning applications lodged with City of Stonnington do tell a story of a more adventurous Forrest Hill Precinct of late. 42-48 Claremont, 671 Chapel, 37-41 Claremont and 16-22 Claremont are all considerably taller than the average Forrest Hill build over the history of the renewal precinct, and account for 1,216 dwellings or 40% of all apartments currently monitored by Urban.com.au.

<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/syarra.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The most recent quartet looking for their place within Forrest Hill"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="384" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/syarra.jpg?itok=G-_14HMy" title="The most recent quartet looking for their place within Forrest Hill" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The most recent quartet looking for their place within Forrest Hill</figcaption></figure>The largest of all apartment developments within the precinct is yet to appear publicly. According to <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/fridcorp-harry-goles-plan-apartment-towers-worth-800m-in-melbourne/story-fnko7zi0-1227439130820">The Australian</a>, Fridcorp's 627 Chapel Street will hold roughly 550 apartments in a $500 million mixed-use tower that will rival neighbour Capitol Grand at approximately 150 metres in height.

An overview of all current major apartment developments within South Yarra's Forrest Hill Precinct is seen below.

Lead image courtesy CBRE City Sales
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Forrest Hill's apartment numbers are big and getting bigger

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It was only a short few weeks ago that Urban.com.au highlighted the rolling application that was 57-61 City Road via <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/57-61-city-road-resubmitted-and-revisited" target="_blank">this article</a> and mused whether <a href="http://www.artisanarchitects.com.au/" target="_blank">Artisan Architects</a> would finally get one of their prolific high-rise portfolio off the drawing board and into Melbourne's skyline.

Evidently wheels were in motion with Melbourne City Council's approval of the amended planning application green lighted late February, whilst project developer <a href="http://www.lkproperty.com.au/index.php" target="_blank">LK Property Group</a> was quietly going about facilitating marketing and branding for what is now known as The Opus Tower.

<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-2-lrg.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Opus Tower. Image © LK Property Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="871" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img-2-lrg.jpg?itok=LapjE_e6" title="The Opus Tower. Image © LK Property Group" width="580"></a>

Revisiting Artisan Architects project description once more:

<blockquote>
The design of this new 37 level building of 246 Apartments and 144 carspaces was inspired by its context and its intended users.

Along with many ESD initiatives, the planning of this new tower also takes advantage of its long vista back to the Yarra River and Flinders Street Station.
</blockquote>

Gone is the initial awkward green, grey and white colour motif, replaced with a tower dominated by black and white horizontal bands and highlighted with a golden crown; a nod to neighbour Eureka Tower perhaps? It's impressive how a change of external colours can transform a project so markedly for the better.

<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-slide1-v4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Southbank with The Opus in place. Image © LK Property Group "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="412" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img-slide1-v4.jpg?itok=M1Aun-gJ" title="Southbank with The Opus in place. Image © LK Property Group " width="580"></a>

Currently taking <a href="http://theopustower.com.au/" target="_blank">registrations of interest</a> prior to public release, the Opus Tower seeks to join a throng of projects jostling for position on Southbank. With uninterrupted views directly north and east owing to its location, the project is one of few on Southbank that can boast such a luxury (for the time being at least).

The Urban.com.au database shows The Opus Tower to be one of 24 high-rise residential projects ranging from planning application to under construction located within <a href="/council/melbourne/southbank" target="_blank">Southbank</a>.
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The Opus Tower - an Artisan's work

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Drawing parallels to Monty Python's character The Black Knight, it seems some developments just don't know how to give up. 57-61 City Road fits the bill as the developer is seeking altered planning approval once more, after first surfacing during 2010.

Following a drawn out approvals process in which Melbourne City Council ultimately rejected the tower in its presented form, the proponents of the time took the application to VCAT for a more palatable outcome. Consequently at the behest of VCAT, an order was issued to Melbourne City Council mandating approval for the intended tower during April 2011.

As is generally the way with first time developers, the site was listed for sale thereafter with a reported asking price of near $12 million for site and endorsed plans.

<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/Image1_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="57-61 City Road. Image © Artisan Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="295" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Image1_1.jpg?itok=5vSyOq76" title="57-61 City Road. Image © Artisan Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>57-61 City Road. Image © Artisan Architects</figcaption></figure><h2>The proposal</h2>

Currently Artisan Architects website carries the following description of 57-61 City Road:

<blockquote>
The design of this new 37 level building of 246 Apartments and 110 car spaces was inspired by its context and its intended users. The building presents itself as a series of “boxes of technology”, giving this striking tower a unique presence in its urban context. Along with many ESD initiatives, the planning of this new tower also takes advantage of its long vista back to the Yarra River and Flinders Street Station.
<cite><a href="http://www.artisanarchitects.com.au/">Artisan Architects</a></cite>
</blockquote>

Artisan Architects along with client Tapil Pty Ltd submitted the revised planning documents late 2013, which essentially carries the same design externally, yet with a number of changes to the podium's internal configuration. Chief amongst these is the deletion of traditional ramped car parking access in favour of a dual car lift system. Consequently the improved access now sees 115 car parks included with access via Fawkner Street, nestled behind City Road.

The revised scheme still expects a yield of 246 apartments, split equally between one and two bedroom apartments. Office space of 120 square metres is also included within the podium while a total of 210 square metres of retail space is spread over the ground floor.

<h2>Key design initatives</h2>

As with most contemporary residential planning applications, sustainability initiatives play an ever increasing role in project viability/marketability/livability etc. Key design initiatives included within 57-61 City Road as outlined by engineering consultancy firm <a href="http://www.adpconsulting.com.au/">ADP Consulting</a> include:

<ul>
<li>An average apartment energy rating of at least 6.0 stars for the development</li>
	<li>Natural ventilation to all apartments</li>
	<li>2 kW solar photovoltaic system</li>
	<li>Car park ventilation controlled by CO sensors</li>
	<li>High levels of daylight to all living and bedroom areas</li>
	<li>Central solar gas-boosted hot water system delivering 25% annual hot water contribution</li>
	<li>A 20,000 litre rainwater tank for toilet flushing and irrigation</li>
</ul>
<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/Image1_46.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A compilation of Artisan projects. Images © Artisan Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="645" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Image1_46.jpg?itok=cALbem09" title="A compilation of Artisan projects. Images © Artisan Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A compilation of Artisan projects. Images © Artisan Architects</figcaption></figure><h2>Artisan Architects seek the elusive skyscraper</h2>

An active 57-61 City Road application means it joins a cluster of high-rise residential towers designed by Artisan Architects which have yet to come to fruition, including 10 in Fishermans Bend alone!

Granted those Fishermans Bend towers like all others in the designated Urban Renewal Area have yet to receive approval (owing to a pending release of a final masterplan) but nonetheless a number of other high-rise projects in areas such as South Melbourne and Footscray have yet to reach construction for a variety of reasons.

No doubt Artisan Architects would dearly like to see at least one if not more of the above projects realised in a style of architecture that is certainly their own. One could surmise it would be reward for toil given the expanding body of work credited to the architecture firm.

And if 57-61 City Road is not realised? 'Tis but a scratch' according to The Black Knight, for perseverance surely pays... or does it?
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