Bentleigh

Melbourne's dearest weekend result was when $1,629,500 was paid for a four bedroom, four bathroom townhouse at 21a Melva Street, Bentleigh East.

The Jellis Craig price guide had been $1.42 million to $1.52 million.

It was marketed as "effortless family excellence in the McKinnon Secondary College zone."

The contemporary 2020 built home has Oak floors, stone basins, black tapware, plush carpet, a water tank, and an auto garage.&nbsp;

The ANZ price predictor REALas forecast it would sell at $1,493,000.

Melbourne's auction clearance rate was hit by high withdrawals as prospective buyers are unable to physically inspect a property given pandemic lockdowns.

CoreLogic calculated a 40 percent Melbourne success rate after these high withdrawals.

Melbourne agents advised 188 results of the 267 offerings.

Sales included 25/94-96 Cavanagh St, Cheltenham for $650,000 to a local first home buyer through Angela Limanis of Ray White Cheltenham.

The vendor couple bought their first home together in 2011 for $336,500, and recently moved within Cheltenham have been renting their unit out at $420 a week.

The national apartment clearance rate was 56 percent while the house success rate sat at 65 percent.

Sydney agents advised 158 of 176 apartment results with a strong 82 percent selling.

Melbourne's auction clearance rate was hit by withdrawals as prospective buyers are unable to physically inspect a property.



jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Modern Bentleigh East townhouse tops Melbourne weekend results

In the enviable location of Bentleigh rises Onyx, a boutique development featuring a selection of 32 one, two and three bedroom apartments across five floors. &nbsp;

Developed by Vanguard Projects, Onyx delivers a strong design statement through its dramatic contemporary lines with expansive apartments that flow effortlessly to inviting outdoor areas.

However there are only a handful of&nbsp;two bedroom apartments remaining in Onyx, built by the Melbourne-based construction firm&nbsp;Drakk Pty Ltd.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3271 project_image_fid=20453]

Inside, kitchens are designed to connect with living spaces with large reconstituted stone island benches, perfect for preparing meals with ease and entertaining. There's plenty of storage with a mix of laminate and timber veneer cabinetry complimenting the Miele stainless steel built-in appliances. The splash back of bronzed glass adds a subtle layer of sophistication to the communal spaces.

Living spaces are awash with natural light from the full-height windows and flow effortlessly to your private balcony. Pair the free-flowing, timber floors with the perfect dining table and lounge room set to create a harmonious space for bringing people together.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic?source_news_article_id=101364&amp;ref=news_body_link"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="800" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/template_photoshop_melbournecbd_2.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

Bedrooms have been designed with your health and well-being in mind with plenty of natural light to wake up to and ventilation to ensure a fresh environment with generous built-in or walk-through wardrobes.&nbsp;

Bathrooms continue the natural colour scheme throughout the home and add a luxurious texture to calm the senses. Large neutral-toned tiling define the room between the vanity area and the large walk-in shower. Mirrored cabinets, a deep basin complete with modern black tapware and plenty of storage is just what you need in a bathroom.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3271 project_image_fid=77271]

Located in the highly coveted McKinnon Secondary College school zone, Onyx presents and opportunity to secure a stylish urban lifestyle within walking distance to trendy cafe's, world class restaurants and within a short distance to Melbourne's best beaches, parklands and shopping.

There are only a handful of two bedroom apartments remaining in Onyx, constructed by Drakk Pty Ltd a Melbourne based construction firm.

jordan_55689

Vanguard's completed Onyx apartment development in Bentleigh all-but sold out

A newly constructed Bentleigh townhouse topped Melbourne's weekend apartment auction results when selling at $2,253,000.

The four bedroom townhouse (pictured) had come with a $1,690,000 - $1,850,000 price guide.

Jellis Craig marketed the offering as also having two studies and 3.5 bathrooms, with double garaging.

It featured solid Tasmanian Oak floors, high ceilings and marble-look tiles.

The 780 sqm Buckingham Avenue site had been secured in 2018 at a $1.8 million cost with Cordell Connecting advising late 2019 Glen Eira council approvals for the duplex costing $760,000.

A Richmond townhouse was the next priciest sale, snapped up before its scheduled weekend auction at $2 million.

The 2/76 Regent Street offering had been listed with $1,450,000 to $1,550,000 price guidance.

RT Edgar marketed it as having three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a powder room, spread over two levels with lift .

There was with secure rear remote garaging for two vehicles via Little Hoddle Street in the complex designed by Mark Richards Architects.

In Melbourne, 1,035 auctions were held across the city returning a preliminary auction clearance rate of 77 percent, according to CoreLogic.

Apartment and townhouses secured just a 62 percent success rate.

Sydney recorded a preliminary auction clearance rate of 82 percent as post Easter volumes rose, with apartments and townhouses securing a 78 percent clearance rate.&nbsp;

There were 814 auctions held across Sydney, up on the Easter week’s 404 auctions.

The dearest advised apartment sale across Sydney was $2.45 million in Manly, with ocean views. The Bonner Avenue two bedroom apartment last sold at $360,000 in 1991.

There was also a Darling Point apartment on the market for the first time in more than 60 years that sold for $1.7 million which saw the proceeds directed to support nurses in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Adelaide, Brisbane and Canberra all recorded preliminary auction clearance rates above 80 percent, with Canberra at 90 percent.

Canberra saw 70 percent of its apartment find buyers.

<h2>Popular Melbourne &amp; Sydney projects:</h2>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=600]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7758]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89720]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24323]

The 26A Buckingham Avenue Bentleigh townhouse sold for $2.253 million

jchancellor

New townhouses top weekend apartment auction results

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A warehouse and showroom property on the Nepean Highway, at Bentleigh in Melbourne’s south-east, has hit the market. 
It comprises a single level, solid brick, 435 square metre facility, with roller door access. 
Zoned Commercial 2, the site has a frontage of just under 11 metres, and a 46 space car park including eight spaces designated for the tenancy.
The property will be sold subject to a short term lease to Carpet Call currently returning $124,140 per annum net. 
Teska Carson’s Luke Bisset and Michael Ludski listed the asset.
"The Nepean Highway is one of Melbourne’s major arterial routes and has in recent years seen a significant rise in residential and commercial development and that is, in no uncertain terms, due to the accessibility it provides as a key transport link to the affluent bayside suburbs,’’ Mr Bisset said. 
Mr Ludski said the open plan layout provided operational flexibility to cater to a number of different uses.
The property will be auctioned March 5.  
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Carpet Call Bentleigh showroom comes onto market

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Melbourne's south-east apartment market is set for a major boost with Melbourne developer Steller launching three projects in two weeks across Carnegie, Bentleigh and Cheltenham. Urban.com.au is currently tracking Steller's project pipeline valued at over $4.2 billion, which includes its first high-rise foray in South Melbourne, working alongside longtime collaborator architect Ewert Leaf. Already the partnership has yielded hundreds of apartments across Melbourne's South Eastern suburbs.

Steller also recently commenced construction on the first stage of its $80 million Continental Hotel redevelopment in Sorrento. The major redevelopment will re-imagine the 143-year-old icon as a luxury accommodation, wellness, recreation, entertainment and dining destination, with the heritage hotel restored as a leading hospitality and events establishment, along with the addition of three new proposed interconnecting buildings, which will include premium hotel rooms and a wellness centre including a day spa and gym.

<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/continental_hotel-sorrento.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Work has commenced on the $80 million Continental Hotel development in Sorrento. Images: Supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="186" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/continental_hotel-sorrento.jpg?itok=TeJIBVrR" title="Work has commenced on the $80 million Continental Hotel development in Sorrento. Images: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Work has commenced on the $80 million Continental Hotel development in Sorrento. Images: Steller</figcaption></figure>Steller's trio of new apartment developments are all located within maturing apartment markets which are well serviced by public transport and within close proximity of retail strips, schools and supermarkets. Carnegie and Bentleigh in particular have benefited from the Victorian Government's Level Crossing Removal program which included the reconstruction of the respective stations, removing the conflict between rail and vehicle, while easing congestion.

Additionally, the three projects align with Steller's strategy in the south-east of delivering low-rise developments of around 30 apartments which are well designed and offer residents a high level of amenity.

<h2><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/laila-residences-7-11-belsize-avenue-carnegie">Laila - 7-11 Belsize Avenue, Carnegie</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/am18-21_lailaresidences_domain_living_1920x1080.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Laila, Carnegie. Image: Steller"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/am18-21_lailaresidences_domain_living_1920x1080.jpg?itok=tkYZj0lK" title="Laila, Carnegie. Image: Steller" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Laila, Carnegie. Image: Steller</figcaption></figure>Located within the heart of Carnegie, Laila comprises 35 apartments across four levels, within walking distance of the Koornang Road retail and dining strip, green open space and the recently rebuilt Carnegie Station. The project also capitalises on its proximity to Chadstone Shopping Centre and Monash University’s Caulfield campus, both just just five minutes’ drive away in either direction.

Ewert Leaf's design for the exterior of the building allows it to sit comfortably within the low-rise streetscape. Employing a neutral palette of contrasting shades and highly textured materials, Laila is articulated as a series of buildings rather than one singular mass, with the upper level setback and designed to be visually recessive. The built form has also been designed to maximise privacy while minimising overshadowing to adjoining properties.

Laila's mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, each come with one or two bathrooms, and private outdoor spaces which seamlessly connect to the interiors, with large windows providing living areas with ample natural light and ventilation. The interiors feature timber flooring throughout, while kitchens are appointed with sleek black ILVE appliances and shaker style cabinets.

<h2><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/sora-13-15-hamilton-street-bentleigh">SORA - 13-15 Hamilton Street, Bentleigh</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/steller_sora_bentleigh_digital_assets_domain_premium_project-gallery_photos_1920x1080px_012.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Sora, Bentleigh. Image: Steller"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/steller_sora_bentleigh_digital_assets_domain_premium_project-gallery_photos_1920x1080px_012.jpg?itok=O5VI-U7x" title="Sora, Bentleigh. Image: Steller" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Sora, Bentleigh. Image: Steller</figcaption></figure>Ewert Leaf are once again the architects behind SORA, a four-storey low-rise of 27 apartments located 15km from the Melbourne CBD in Bentleigh.  Providing a mix of larger one, two &amp; three bedroom apartments, SORA has been designed to appeal to professionals, couples and families.

Situated within walking distance of Bentleigh Station, SORA also benefits from its proximity to Coles, Target, and the Centre Road retail strip which provides an array of essential services and amenity. A number of green spaces are also located within a short walk.

SORA's exterior is characterised by its tiered form, and combination of timber, brick and textured concrete with planters and vegetation providing green flourishes on the facade. The building is expressed as two forms to respond to the built form along the Hamilton Street and to minimise its impact on the streetscape and surrounding properties.

Internally, SORA comes complete with ILVE kitchen appliances and much like Laila, shaker-style cabinetry and natural timber flooring. In keeping with the desire to provide apartments with natural light and ventilation, large windows have been provided which also allow for a green outlook and seamless transition to the outdoors.

<h2><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/maude-7-11-maude-street-cheltenham">Maude - 7-11 Maude Street, Cheltenham</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/steller_mc_maude_street_cheltenham_digital_assets_domain_premium_project-gallery_photos_1920x1080px_01.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Steller's Maude is set to launch in the next week. Image: Steller"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/steller_mc_maude_street_cheltenham_digital_assets_domain_premium_project-gallery_photos_1920x1080px_01.jpg?itok=dXB56Mya" title="Steller's Maude is set to launch in the next week. Image: Steller" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Steller's Maude is set to launch in the next week. Image: Steller</figcaption></figure>Set to launch to market in the next week, this four-storey building comprising 34 apartments has been designed by regular Steller collaborators, Ewert Leaf. Look out for Urban.com.au's feature on Cheltenham's development pipeline including Maude next week.
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Laurence Dragomir

A Steller showcase in Melbourne's south-east

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A Bentleigh property owned by the Pellicano family for 30 years has been sold.
The property, with a permit for 52 apartments sold to a local Melbourne developer for $9.75 million.
CBRE agent Mark Wizel, who had marketed the property, said it had presented a "fantastic packaged opportunity to the market.’’ 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/5/15/277-279%20Centre%20Road.jpg" alt="">
The 277-279 Centre Road property comprises a 1564 square metre Commercial 1 zoned allotment with a double storey commercial building of 1276 square metres offering a prominent retail strip frontage of over 33 metres with rear lane access to 36 car spaces.
The property, which is located within the coveted McKinnon Secondary College zone and across the road from an Aldi supermarket, is currently 90 per cent leased to nine tenants at a passing income of $267,000 per annum.  
The approved permit allows for a Rothelowman designed, mix-used development with 52 apartments and two significant ground floor retail spaces over seven levels. 
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/4/Table%20for%20Bentleigh.JPG" alt="">
Wizel said demand for housing in Bentleigh had driven prices past the Melbourne suburban average with a 21 per cent uplift in value over the last 18 months to register a median house price of just over $1.6 million. 
The property according to CBRE National Director Investments Mark Wizel, who brokered the deal with Julian White and Nathan Mufale, attracted a strong field of local, interstate and Asian purchasers.
Wizel said the permit appeared to unlock the best-use potential of the property although the 10-year average occupancy per tenant illustrated the strong and ongoing demand for commercial leases on the strip.
 
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Pellicano family sells their Bentleigh property

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A development site in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburb of Bentleigh with potential for a higher density residential project has been bought by a developer for $3.7 million. 
The 17-19 Loranne Street site spans 1398 sqm with 32 metres frontage, translating to a strong selling rate of $2,647 a square metre.
The deal was brokered by Savills’ Julian Heatherich and Jesse Radisich.
The agents said the property appealed to developers because of its inner bayside location and popularity as a residential suburb.
“Bentleigh, with its excellent level of lifestyle and retail amenity, access to public transport and key arterials, and close proximity to the CBD, continues to provide opportunities for development,” said Heatherich.
“The demand from apartment buyers has been a key driver and, with Melbourne’s population growth continuing to exceed all other capitals, that demand appears likely to remain.’’ 
The vendors were two private residential owners. 
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Bentleigh development site sells for $3.7 million through Savills

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A residential property with development potential in the Melbourne bayside suburb Bentleigh has been listed for auction by Teska Carson.
The property will be auctioned on Saturday, March 4 on site.
It is expected to fetch more than $1.15 million.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-bentleigh-116918083" target="_blank">594 Centre Road</a>, on the corner of Leckie Street, the property comprises a single level, well presented Federation  home, with four bedrooms, a separate formal lounge, modern provincial kitchen and large family room, on a 540 square metre site, zoned Neighbourhood  Residential, with two street frontages.
According to marketing agents, Teska Carson’s, George Takis and Barry Novy, the well maintained property also offers the benefit of a current permit for medical use.
"This is an excellent property from a number of perspectives including that of a well maintained, four bedroom home with classic early 20th century period charm, the ability to take up the permitted change of use to medical, and its potential for redevelopment down the track," Takis said.
He said the area continued to gain popularity with an upsurge of residential development, underpinned by strong population growth, driving both residential and commercial property markets.
Part of the attraction, Takis said, was the local village lifestyle ambience complemented by a plethora of retail outlets, cafes and restaurants, as well as a number of lifestyle amenities including close proximity to the beach.
Novy said the sale offered a number of options to prospective purchasers including investment, occupation and development.
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Potential development site in Bentleigh to go under the hammer

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A retail freehold in the key Centre Road, Bentleigh shopping strip has sold for $2.025 million under the hammer.
Fitzroys agents Chris Kombi and Mark Talbot sold the property on behalf of vendor Ninetieth Ecstasy Pty Ltd, with six bidders on auction day pushing the price $350,000 above the reserve.
The 280sqm site has a triple frontage to Centre Road, Burgess Street and a rear public carpark, and comprises a 250sqm retail building.
Leased to St Vincent de Paul Society under the Vinnies retail banner for 3 x 3 x 3 years, the property currently returns $65,000 per annum plus outgoings and GST.
 
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Triple-fronted Bentleigh retail investment leased to Vinnies sold

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With Ormond likely to get <a href="http://www.danielbowen.com/2016/07/25/ormond-station-value-capture/">its tower</a> (whatever the height might be), what of other nearby suburbs?

The transition is already underway in Bentleigh and many other areas. Around the station, numerous developments are going up.

And in principle, I have no problem with this.

<ul>
<li>Melbourne’s population continues to grow. People have to live somewhere, and placing them close to jobs and services and infrastructure is better than having our city continue to sprawl.</li>
	<li>Close to the shopping centre and the station and bus routes is the best place for this, to increase the chances of people being able to walk to what they need.</li>
</ul>
Buildings along the main street (Centre Road) in particular make sense. Car parks behind the shops provide a buffer that can help prevent shadowing onto single storey homes.

The residential zones introduced a couple of years ago mean this is spreading to nearby streets. But heights are staggered as you move away from the station, so it seems workable to me. Here’s how it looks in Bentleigh.

<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/bentleigh_zones.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Screenshot of Bentleigh's planning zones"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="471" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_zones.png?itok=Koh9fjCE" title="Screenshot of Bentleigh's planning zones" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Screenshot of Bentleigh's planning zones (<a href="http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/schemes/gleneira/maps">source</a>)</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>C1Z – no specific height limit (but still subject to planning approval of course)</li>
	<li>PUZ2 – school *</li>
	<li>PUZ4 – railway lines – as I understand it, if developed there is no specific height limit</li>
	<li>PUZ6 – Public Use Zone – these all seem to be car parks</li>
	<li>RGZ1 – Residential Growth – 13.5m / 4 storey limit</li>
	<li>GRZ1/2 – General Residential – 10.5m / 3 storey limit</li>
	<li>NRZ1 – Neighbourhood Residential – 8m / 2 storey limit</li>
	<li>MUZ1 – Mixed Use – no specific height limit*</li>
</ul>
* not in Bentleigh, but in Carnegie – see below

<h2>"Inner" Bentleigh today</h2>

Bentleigh has had densification of various types over the years.

In the 70s and 80s, some blocks of flats went up, mostly 2 storeys, many of which are still around today — though nowhere near the numbers you see in inner suburbs like St Kilda.

<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/bentleigh_street_1.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Campbell St. Bentleigh. Photo supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="383" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_1.png?itok=1I31rf2U" title="Campbell St. Bentleigh. Photo supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Campbell St. Bentleigh. Photo supplied</figcaption></figure>Since the 90s there has been a lot of subdividing. Back yards have shrunk, with either new houses being built behind old ones (this is the case behind my old house) or houses being removed and replaced with 2-3 homes, typically semi-detached townhouses.

Meanwhile, a lot of homes have had extensions, increasing capacity but not necessarily occupancy.

<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/bentleigh_street_2.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Campbell St Bentleigh. Photo supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="324" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_2.png?itok=71RtUlu4" title="Campbell St Bentleigh. Photo supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Campbell St Bentleigh. Photo supplied</figcaption></figure>Buildings are bigger closer to the station. Below you can see the main street, Centre Road, a retail and residential building about five years old.

It’s big, but you barely notice it at street level if you’re walking around looking at the shops. If it built were today, I’d be surprised if they didn’t aim higher.

<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/bentleigh_street_3.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Centre Road, Bentleigh. Photo supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="344" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_3.png?itok=jjh_GSlr" title="Centre Road, Bentleigh. Photo supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Centre Road, Bentleigh. Photo supplied</figcaption></figure>The zones above, introduced a couple of years have triggered a lot more apartment developments off Centre Road. Below is Mavho Street (3 storey limit on the west side), looking towards the Aldi building pictured above.

<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/bentleigh_street_4.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Lorrane Street, Bentleigh. Photo supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="324" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_4.png?itok=8VnaG1E_" title="Lorrane Street, Bentleigh. Photo supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lorrane Street, Bentleigh. Photo supplied</figcaption></figure>Lorrane Street: This one has just been completed. It’s not really a surprise that all the recent and current developments go right up to their zone’s height limit.

<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/bentleigh_street_5.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Bent Street, Bentleigh. Photo supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="338" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_5.png?itok=EmWDybT3" title="Bent Street, Bentleigh. Photo supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bent Street, Bentleigh. Photo supplied</figcaption></figure>Bent Street: It’s not hard to anticipate that many of the homes in the RGZ1 4 storey zone will be re-developed in this way in coming years.

<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/bentleigh_street_6.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Bent Street, Bentleigh. Photo supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="305" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_6.png?itok=ZDukKUPg" title="Bent Street, Bentleigh. Photo supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bent Street, Bentleigh. Photo supplied</figcaption></figure>Clearly some home owners have seen the writing (and the dollar signs?) on the wall.

<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/bentleigh_street_7.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Bentleigh properties for sale. Photo supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="357" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_7.png?itok=UtF49aD7" title="Bentleigh properties for sale. Photo supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bentleigh properties for sale. Photo supplied</figcaption></figure>At the southern end of Bentleigh (near Patterson Station), and also in Mckinnon, there’s been development around the shopping strip. Despite the garage doors facing onto the street (not ideal for pedestrians), I find the scale and look of these homes quite appealing.

<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/bentleigh_street_8.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Bentleigh. Photo supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="349" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_8.png?itok=ZYuh_knc" title="Bentleigh. Photo supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bentleigh. Photo supplied</figcaption></figure>With my local resident hat on, I would like the benefits <a href="http://www.danielbowen.com/2015/06/04/i-love-bentleigh/">of my suburb</a> to be available to more people, so I see nothing wrong with this, provided designs are good, nobody is forced out, and anybody who does sell up to developers is doing well out of the transaction.

If anything, I think the 3-4 storey limits should be allowed a little further from the station.

Of course there are many lovely older homes that should be preserved. Height limits across most of the area (away from the station) can help with this, but inevitably won’t save them all.

The commercial zone along the main street should be developed to ensure it includes destinations, not just residences, to increase local employment and activity — rather than the area being just a dormitory suburb. (It’s good to see the chain stores/anchor tenants are staying put in the shopping centre.)

As I said above, it makes sense to increase urban density in areas with good access to services and infrastructure. It’s good to see it happening.

<h2>Planning schemes elsewhere</h2>

Also worth looking at: the area around Carnegie and Murrumbeena.

<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/carnegie_zones.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Carnegie zones"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="308" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/carnegie_zones.png?itok=NAf7sGob" title="Carnegie zones" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Carnegie zones</figcaption></figure>This is particularly interesting in the context of the skyrail debate; most of the areas alongside the rail line have 3-4 storeys permitted (higher immediately around the stations), though when and if this occurs of course, nobody knows.

How is it in your neighbourhood? <a href="http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/">It’s worth finding out</a>, especially if you’re planning on buying, and/or living there for a while.

Daniel Bowen is a Bentleigh resident and spokesperson for the Public Transport Users Association. This article was republished with permission, <a href="http://www.danielbowen.com/2016/07/28/bentleigh-dense/">read the original here</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/danielbowen">Follow Daniel on Twitter</a> or his blog on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/danielbowen.blog">Facebook</a>.
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