The ever-growing Sydney developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/deicorp">Deicorp</a> has commenced construction on its third project this year.

The new $640 million development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/falcon-alexander-8-alexander-street-crows-nest">Falcon &amp; Alexander</a>&nbsp;in Crows Nest, is Deicorp's&nbsp;first foray into Sydney’s Lower North Shore and will deliver 188 apartments in a new landmark building, with 48 dedicated to Affordable Housing.

Since December, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/deicorp-construction">Deicorp</a> has commenced construction on four projects in total that will deliver over 2,000 homes, maintaining their track record of quickly converting development approvals into commencements.&nbsp;

<img alt="Falcon &amp; Alexander" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f17b79a0-db7b-48bc-835f-e9b3e3117561" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-07-28%20at%203.55.13%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=.UKl.uSBs9zOeElc6jNUeuBB8EMAD5HP" />

&nbsp;

Located a five-minute walk from the new Crows Nest Metro station, prominently positioned at The Five Ways on Pacific Highway, Falcon &amp; Alexander will deliver an exclusive collection of architecturally designed one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with prices starting from $1.3 million.

Conceived by award-winning architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/turner-studio">TURNER</a>, Falcon &amp; Alexander will create a vibrant vertical village in the heart of one of Sydney’s most connected neighbourhoods. Thoughtfully arranged around a central atrium and lush communal gardens, residences will enjoy panoramic views over Sydney Harbour and the Lower North Shore, with interiors designed for modern, light-filled living.

Residents will benefit from premium amenities, including a resident-only skygarden, and boutique retail and dining spaces on the ground floor, all integrated with the local urban fabric.

&nbsp;

With the Crows Nest Metro station just steps from home, residents will enjoy unrivalled connectivity across Sydney’s transport network, placing everything from world-class dining to premier education and healthcare within easy reach.

<img alt="Deicorp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="292460e8-2bc9-47c5-8805-cf59570972a2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-07-28%20at%203.55.22%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=UUerYKJzOGzpXyDv1nMlrV_oi6lUyiMS" />

Deicorp Founder Fouad Deiri said Falcon &amp; Alexander marks an exciting new chapter for Deicorp as it expands into Sydney’s Lower North Shore.&nbsp;

“This is a community we deeply respect, and we’re proud to contribute with a project that reflects the character, energy, and potential of Crows Nest,"&nbsp;Deiri said.

“This is an iconic location, and a great location deserves a great design. With Falcon &amp; Alexander, we’re delivering more than just apartments; it will be a new landmark for Crows Next that not only delivers housing but will benefit the community with an activated retail offering."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135323]

Deicorp Founder Fouad Deiri said Falcon & Alexander marks an exciting new chapter for Deicorp as it expands into Sydney’s Lower North Shore

Joel Robinson

Deicorp breaks ground at Falcon & Alexander, Crows Nest apartments

One of the primary characteristics of a university campus is its location in high-amenity, well-connected suburbs, as it caters to the thousands of students who walk through its doors every day.

It’s this enviable central location that makes Hamton’s newest neighbourhood so appealing to discerning buyers. The 1.6-hectare site was formerly home to a University of Melbourne campus.

This relocation paved the way for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hamton">Hamton</a>, best known for their $3 billion joint venture development Moonee Valley Park, a vibrant new residential community emerging around the Moonee Valley Racecourse.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149097 project_image_fid=327680]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/scotch-hill-gardens-hawthorn-147-robinson-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Scotch Hill Gardens</a> benefits from excellent transport connections and local amenities, further enhanced by the revitalisation of Bills Street delivered as part of the development. Thanks to its history as a university campus, the site is within five minutes of Glenferrie and Auburn Villages and 10 minutes to Kooyong Station.

In addition, the site lies within the prestigious Scotch Hill catchment, which includes highly sought-after educational institutions such as Scotch College, Bialik, and Auburn Primary and Auburn High. This makes it an attractive location for both young families and working professionals.

Understanding that the location would appeal to owner-occupiers, particularly rightsizers and downsizers, Hamton focused on creating a collection of residences tailored to this demographic. The design prioritised community over density, with a series of low-rise buildings nestled within nature.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149097 project_image_fid=327652]

The development retains 77 established trees on the site and will add a further 151, creating a unique topography visible from the upper levels of the building. A collaboration between placemaking specialists Woods Bagot and landscape architect Tract, the design dedicates over 40 percent of the 1.6-hectare site to landscaped green open space, seamlessly woven between the low-rise buildings.

Landscaping subtly defines boundaries between public and private zones, ensuring a harmonious blend of spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149097 project_image_fid=327686]

Inspired by nature, the masterplan reflects the organic formations of lily pads on a pond, discreet yet interconnected, sitting lightly within their context. Following the principles of “nature-based cities,” the site integrates nature, amenity, wellness, and community.

This commitment to nature complements the already well-established landscape nearby. Adjacent to Gardiners Creek, the site offers both recreational and ecological benefits, while the Yarra River trails, Patterson Reserve, and Hawthorn Velodrome, further enhance the area’s outdoor amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149097 project_image_fid=327694]

Residents will have access to a range of facilities, including a bathhouse with wellness amenities, a gym, co-working spaces, and communal dining and lounge areas.

Hamton will announce a builder in the coming months. Demolition of the old Campus is underway with construction on the first stage, anticipated to commence early 2026.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149097]

Scotch Hill Gardens, a new life for the former University of Melbourne Hawthorn Campus

Brisbane-based developer Red &amp; Co. is venturing into the Gold Coast apartment market, spending $8 million on a vacant site in Varsity Lake.

The plan is to developer 156 apartments on the 2,857sqm, 22 Lake Street site, near Varsity Central Park.

Colliers Queensland Residential Development Sites Director Troy Linnane said Colliers had been &nbsp;working closely with Red &amp; Co. to help them secure their first Gold Coast site, with this site offering a great opportunity due to its location and existing approval.&nbsp;

“This off-market transaction highlights the value of strong market knowledge and relationships, we were able to align the right buyer with the right site given the relationships we have with many active &nbsp;developers seeking sites across the SEQ market,” Linnane said.&nbsp;

“Those groups with in-house construction capability or strong builder alliances are leading market activity as they are best positioned to deliver projects in the current market."

Linnane said with&nbsp;confidence strengthening in 2025, they are seeing increased competition for prime development sites.

“Developers are actively seeking well-located sites, to take advantage of the under supply of &nbsp;apartment stock and the significant uplift in revenues due to strong buyer demand."

<img alt="22 Lake St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fcd9176e-4e38-4519-a868-0748419c1d2b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/22_Lake_Street_001.jpg?VersionId=Z7tUSkVLqv8qf.JTyMXmzasxvudP_u2p" />

Colliers Queensland Residential Site Sales Executive Jackson Robinson said the transaction reflected confidence in the market and increasing demand for well-located, DA-approved sites to develop into &nbsp;housing.&nbsp;

“Red &amp; Co. recognised the depth of unmet demand for well-priced apartment stock on the Gold &nbsp;Coast, particularly in sought-after suburbs like Varsity Lakes, which offers excellent connectivity, expansive views and close proximity to major employment and education hubs,” Robinson said.&nbsp;

There will be a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, with views over&nbsp;Lake Orr and out to Burleigh Headland and the Hinterland, with additional outlooks north towards the Broadbeach skyline.&nbsp;

Red &amp; Co., led by co-founders Keiran Foster and David Laverty, have previously completed several developments across Brisbane.

Red & Co.’s first acquisition on the Gold Coast demonstrates increasing  confidence in the Gold Coast market

Red & Co. plots new Varsity Lake apartments

There’s no slowing down Gold Coast builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/immerse-projects">Immerse Projects</a>.

Led by construction industry veteran John Kearney, the developer has made its move into the Brisbane apartment market, securing a prime site on Sylvan Road in Toowong.

It’s a location filled with nostalgia for Kearney, who studied at the nearby University of Queensland.

"It feels like a full circle moment," Kearney told Apartments.com.au.&nbsp;

“I spent many nights at the Regatta Hotel just down the road — as have most people in Brisbane. It’s one of the city’s most well-known hotels, and with several cafes, restaurants, and a CityCat stop nearby, it’s become an even more attractive place to live.”

Kearney describes Toowong as a suburb with real depth.

"The suburb attracts everyone, from students to retirees, and that's what makes it interesting."

He also noted the opportunity to take advantage of significant view corridors from the new development site: across Toowong Memorial Park, north to the city, and east along the Brisbane River.

CBRE’s Will Carman and John Nucifora brokered the sale of the 1,760 sqm site, citing strong demand for strategically located development opportunities in Brisbane’s inner suburbs.

"Its proximity to transport, retail, and educational facilities made it an opportunity of strong interest to the broader development community," Carman said.

<img alt="22-24 Sylvan Road" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="49eb466f-69dc-4790-8d50-5173d0cf104a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/22-24%20Sylvan%20%20Rd%20Toowong_Markups.jpg?VersionId=u4_IGzpYLPFfAZSsgCZynov3bm7umwJ." />

Nucifora said the acquisition reflects confidence in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a>, and more broadly Brisbane, as a market of strength for integrated builder developer groups.

"Those with an integrated model, or with strong existing relationships with builders have continued to be at the forefront of development acquisitions over the past two-year period."

Kearney has long operated Greyburn Constructions, and recently expanded into multi-residential development, with great success. They've delivered a new project in Kirra, and they're currently working towards completion at&nbsp;Ombre Robina. Then they have a new project in Kirra, on Haig Street.

They will submit a development application for Toowong later this year.&nbsp;

It’s a location filled with nostalgia for Kearney, who studied at the nearby University of Queensland.



First look: Immerse Projects moves into Brisbane apartment market with Toowong site acquisition

A track record of delivering new projects not just across the Sunshine Coast, but in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/bokarina-qld-4575">Bokarina</a> specifically, gave builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> (GVG) all the IP needed to make Bask even more refined.&nbsp;

After completing Zinc Bokarina last year - positioned directly adjacent to Bask - GVG leveraged years of feedback from original purchasers and current residents, enabled by its community-focused approach and ongoing engagement.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333359]

The feedback pointed to two clear themes: larger apartments with more bedrooms, and amenity suited to the active downsizer.

GVG then designed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bask-bokarina-38-bokarina-boulevard-bokarina-qld-4575">Bask</a> - a collection of one to four-bedroom apartments - tailored to the end user: local downsizers or those seeking more spacious holiday homes than a compact getaway by the beach.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333361]

A pool was essential, but a lap pool wasn’t. Instead, GVG designed a heated plunge pool, ideal for a refreshing dip. Key to the amenity offering were shared spaces designed to foster community connection. These include shaded garden areas with barbecue facilities, a firepit zone, and a communal herb and vegetable garden.&nbsp;

There’s also a fully equipped gym, designed specifically for the lifestyle exerciser.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333365]

Another key insight was the desire not just for pet-friendly living - but for a development that embraces it. GVG listened and installed a dedicated dog wash bay, perfect for rinsing off after a trip to the dog-friendly Bokarina Beach, just 250 metres from Bask's front door.

Having already helped establish a vibrant lifestyle precinct with retail and amenity at Zinc, GVG is now expanding the offering with more street-level retail, set to complement the existing restaurants, wine bars, convenience, and specialty stores in the precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333362]

Bask represents the final new residential offering in the Bokarina Beach precinct. The two buildings, Mydas and Caretta, have been cleverly designed so that every apartment captures glimpses of either the Pacific Ocean, Lake Kawana, or the Glass House Mountains.&nbsp;

Construction is already underway, with GVG expecting residents to move in by summer 2026/27.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=141609]

How GVG is designing for the active downsizer at Bask Bokarina

The Chapter Group

The Melbourne property developer, Chapter Group, has carved out a reputation for producing high quality multi-residential and mixed-use buildings across Melbourne&#39;s inner ring for over a decade.

Speaking to Urban, Chapter Group director and founder Dean Lefkos&nbsp;said that the&nbsp;location&nbsp;is one of the&nbsp;top priorities when it comes to planning their next development.

&quot;If you&rsquo;ve bought well, in a good location which is going to be in demand through cycles, in some way shape or form, you can mitigate the risk that that development inherently has,&quot; Lefkos says.

&quot;Capital growth in the more blue-chip inner ring suburbs is also more predictable,&quot; Lefkos suggests, adding that, depending on the real estate cycle, the site which was intended for office could become residential, or vice-versa.

Chapter Group rarely secure sites which are listed for sale on the open market, which is another key part of their philosophy. They prefer to keep their ear to the ground and use their&nbsp;contacts within the industry to quietly buy sites off ma​rket, which Lefkos says unlocks more value.

&quot;If you get a track record in the industry, then they&#39;ll come to us.&nbsp;We receive strong inbound interest due to our track record in the industry&rdquo; Lefkos says.

&quot;Buying off m​a​​rket allows us to be more selective in the site and its location, as well as handle all of the due diligence in a more timely fashion that a listed site.

&quot;We can bring in the architects at the earliest possible stage to talk design, before committing to the site purchase.&quot;

Chapter Group&#39;s&nbsp;most recent strategic acquisition and launch is Fitzroy Fitzroy, a striking mixed-use project&nbsp;in the heart of Fitzroy which is a joint venture with CDL Australia and Crema.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=14394 project_image_fid=183064]

The DKO Architecture-designed building of 63 residences has seen a wave of buyer demand, ranging from a Sydneysider intending to relocate,&nbsp;to a buyer based up in Swanhill, who&nbsp;purchased over a Zoom call.

The majority of enquiry has been from those who know the inner north area and Fitzroy and have been keen on the location and unique design.

Chapter will build above the existing herita​ge facade on the site, incorporating the current structure within the design of the ground level retail, level one commercial&nbsp;space, and the multi-level townhouses on Leicester Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=14394 project_image_fid=183069]

Chapter Group&#39;s Senior Development Manager, Oliver Carroll, said keeping the existing building makes for an interesting built form.

&quot;Fitzroy Fitzroy is a really striking design that&nbsp;reflects where the markets heading - and responds closely to the local culture within Fitzroy,&quot; Carroll says.

&quot;It&#39;s in the heartland of old Melbourne - one of Melbourne&#39;s oldest suburbs.

While COVID affected a number of developers, who had to pivot away from the high density stock to a more owner-occupier friendly mix of apartments, Chapter Group didn&#39;t have to do too much to facilitate a point of difference.

&quot;It wasn&#39;t necessarily a case of making the apartments bigger, given we&#39;ve always consciously built apartments for owner-occupiers, but we wanted to be more clever with our designs&quot;, Carroll added.

&quot;One of the biggest changes was to create that working from home space, without changing&nbsp;the configuration of the apartments by losing a bedroom to a home office. It was important to build in a way where residents can step away from the TV space to work.&quot;

Chapter Group recently&nbsp;topped out another one of its developments, Ukiyo, a strikingly modern development of just 10 half and full-floor&nbsp;apartments&nbsp;in Prahran.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4821 project_image_fid=30081]

Ukiyo&nbsp;was designed by K2LD Architects, merging together the term Ukiyo, which translates to &#39;floating world&#39; in Japanese, with the origins of Prahran, which was named as a compound of two Aboriginal words, &#39;land surrounded by water&#39;.

The design was drawn from the Japanese Ukiyo-e art movement Ukiyo, which creates&nbsp;floating worlds deeply connected to the rhythms and lifestyles of the neighbourhood.

Completion of the 10-apartment development&nbsp;is slated for mid-2022.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4821 project_image_fid=30082]

Chapter Group&#39;s other project, the luxury Armadale development Monument, has sold steadily throughout COVID, despite the average sold price currently tracking at around $3 million.

&quot;It&#39;s a testament to the product, location, and design&quot;, Lefkos says.

As expected, the interest has been 80 to 90 per cent locals, predominantly downsizers who have walked around the area and know the location, and are wanting to stay within the area they&#39;ve known for years.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=93828 project_image_fid=153800]

Lefkos says the buyers that they often cater for are people who have gone through a number of properties over their lifetime, or may have even built their homes.

&quot;These purchasers won&#39;t always just accept what&#39;s given to them. They want that level of customisation, maybe combine two two-bedroom apartments, or add a den, home office, media room, or even a spa on the balcony.&quot;

One Monument buyer had Chapter Group&nbsp;put a roof terrace on their apartment.

&quot;There&#39;s no cookie-cutter approval to development.&quot; Lefkos says.

Chapter Group's most recent strategic acquisition and launch is Fitzroy Fitzroy, a striking mixed-use project in the heart of Fitzroy, a joint venture with CDL Australia and Crema

Why location is a key factor for Chapter Group's apartment developments, as Fitzroy Fitzroy launches

A $95 million apartment building, dubbed &ldquo;Fitzroy Fitzroy&rdquo;, has been proposed by Melbourne developer Chapter Group.

The nine storey Smith Street project is set to have 63 apartments, ranging in price from $570,000 to $3.7 million, plus six townhouses.

It will have 575 square metres of ground floor retail space across three tenancies fronting Smith and Leicester streets, replacing the flagship Kathmandu store in Melbourne.

The mixed-use project at 411-421 Smith Street has been designed by architect, DKO with trapezoid shaped upper levels to accommodate setbacks.

There will also be 679 sqm&nbsp;of office space in the joint venture between Chapter, CDL Australia and Crema Group.

<img alt="" height="768" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/chapter_group_fitzroy_smith_st_2.jpg" width="1200" /> 
The mixed-use project&nbsp;with trapezoid shaped upper levels to accommodate setbacks. Image credit: DKO 
&nbsp; 
CDL is a subsidiary of Singapore-listed City Developments, which has a pipeline of 800 units in Brisbane and Melbourne.

Chapter paid around $20 million for the 1820 sqm site in 2019 which contains a single and double-storey red brick interwar complex originally comprising a workshop and garage.

Its sale marketing advised the two tenants, Kathmandu &amp; Bellboy were on leases expiring March 2022 paying $580,000pa.

Haus Apartments, at 416 Smith Street, directly opposite the site, has been redeveloped with an eight-storey residential tower with set back above a two-storey podium on the street.

Its recent projects have included Ukiyo at 2 Porter St, Prahran and Monument at 608 Orrong Rd, Armadale.

Chapter Group proposes a nine level building at 411-421 Smith Street 

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Fitzroy Fitzroy - 63 apartments proposed for Chapter Group's Fitzroy development

<html><body>
Melbourne-based Chapter Group has underlined its aggressive expansion plans by announcing the acquisition of four separate development sites.

In light of the recent launch of the developer's super luxury <a href="/buildings/ukiyo-2-porter-street-prahran">Ukiyo Prahran</a> apartment project, Chapter Group's unveiling of the four new opportunities is a vote of confidence in Melbourne's apartment sector. Covering Fitzroy, Toorak, Windsor and Armadale, the new prospects carry a combined end value in excess of $400 million.

Fitzroy's 411-421 Smith Street shapes as the largest of the quartet, and will be developed in unison with Abacus Property Group and Crema Group.

The Smith Street holding is a renovated two-storey brick complex leased to Kathmandu &amp; Bellroy, with leases through to 2022. Expected is a mixed-use residential, commercial and retail development spanning the roughly 1,800 square metre site and holding an end value in the $100 million range.

<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/image68a.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="411-421 Smith Street. Image: TCI Teneketzis"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="343" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image68a.jpg?itok=vI_ggWwo" title="411-421 Smith Street. Image: TCI Teneketzis" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>411-421 Smith Street. Image: TCI Teneketzis</figcaption></figure>Also on the agenda is a site on Toorak's Malvern Road. Having already partnered with developer Sin Heng Chan on <a href="/buildings/the-springfield-30-springfield-avenue-toorak">The Springfield</a> nearby, the duo have nabbed a 1,450 square metre site at 727-729 Malvern Road with intentions of creating 11 high-end apartments within a build valued at $12 million.

Further sites on Windsor's High Street and Armadale which both run in excess of 2,000 square metres in size are also in the developer's pocket.

According Chapter Group's media statement, the site purchases and intended developments are "congruent with Chapter Group’s vision of providing Melburnians with thoughtful homes that deliver design excellence, outstanding quality and unparalleled liveability. Chapter Group Director Dean Lefkos says " Our aim is to build high-quality projects in super prime locations that will provide residents with long-term gain, as opposed to projects and sites that will simply afford us short-term success.

These suburbs are recognised for their unparalleled lifestyle offering and demonstrated strength in capital growth year on year. Pricing expectations have also favoured within our parameters in recent months with vendors recognising the current environment and more prepared to agree to a reasonable deal."

The quartet of sites is also a boon for K2LD Architects; the practice is responsible for all of Chapter Group's projects to date, and have been nominated as architects for the above sites according to the developer's website.

<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/image70_12.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ukiyo Prahran hero perspective. Image: Chapter Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="338" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image70_12.jpg?itok=fxOFyLgD" title="Ukiyo Prahran hero perspective. Image: Chapter Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ukiyo Prahran hero perspective. Image: Chapter Group</figcaption></figure>In a further sign that Chapter Group is confident in the prospect's of Melbourne's high-end residential sector, Ukiyo Prahran is due to launch its sales campaign.

On the Porter Street, Percy Street and High Street corner, Ukiyo consists of 12 half and full floors apartments, with the top three levels of the ten level building earmarked as penthouses. Ukiyo holds an end value of $40 million and falls into a pocket of Prahran that is seeing a strong level of residential activity, with developers ITUM and SP Setia also pursuing current apartment developments.

Chapter Group's Prahran project also sees retail at ground level plus two full floors dedicated to commercial space.

Ukiyo's living options are split between  2, 3 and 4 bedroom configurations.

<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/image71_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ukiyo Prahran interior. Image: Chapter Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="323" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image71_8.jpg?itok=90O-nvFt" title="Ukiyo Prahran interior. Image: Chapter Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ukiyo Prahran interior. Image: Chapter Group</figcaption></figure>
</body></html>

silvermb

Chapter Group launches Ukiyo Prahran, adds four new development sites to its portfolio

<html><body>
Following on from The Bowery in Richmond and Elland Avenue in Box Hill, comes the latest release from The Chapter Group: Collection XI, a series of eleven luxury townhouses located on a 2,500sqm site in Mowbray Street, Hawthorn East.

The Chapter Group has developed a reputation for their cohesion of expertise across key property development disciplines, from architecture to finance, with their work founded on core principles of design excellence, outstanding quality and liveability.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/the_bowery_elland.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Bowery and Elland Avenue. Images courtesy The Chapter Group."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="184" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/the_bowery_elland.jpg?itok=gc5niUs6" title="The Bowery and Elland Avenue. Images courtesy The Chapter Group." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Bowery and Elland Avenue. Images courtesy The Chapter Group.</figcaption></figure>The Chapter Group was founded by directors Dean Lefkos who worked previously at Goldman Sachs and David Lee Principal of architecture firm K2LD, their relationship began initially in the manner of client and architect on Dean's own private home before a mutual appreciation for quality and design and a desire to implement their collective knowledge and expertise to property development: providing their purchasers with a quality product that reflects value for money.

David Lee says he modeled Collection XI on a tight "European street", inspired by his trips to Assisi in Italy: narrow, tactile street networks full of character and heritage typical of European cities. Off this 'street' sit the entrances to each townhouse with residents also able to catch their own dedicated lift directly from the basement garage to their living room thus creating a secluded enclave of eight private homes behind the three townhouses along the street frontage.

"People want a private lifestyle and we identified a gap in the market for this type of product" says David. The front three townhouses are 170-180sqm in size with the rear eight townhouses 250sqm with quality fixtures, fittings and appliances by the likes of Dada, Roger Sellers, Molteni&amp;C, Hub and Gaggenau, "combining the best elements of modern living".

<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/collection_xi_unit07.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Interior of Collection XI townhouse. Image courtesy The Chapter Group."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="306" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/collection_xi_unit07.jpg?itok=E2LK3nbZ" title="Interior of Collection XI townhouse. Image courtesy The Chapter Group." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Interior of Collection XI townhouse. Image courtesy The Chapter Group.</figcaption></figure>The project was lodged just before the changes in residential zones came into effect meaning that The Chapter Group were to have tried obtain a planning permit after their implementation they would now be limited to a maximum of four dwellings under the current requirements. As such Dean and David believe that it's highly unlikely that another opportunity to develop or buy such houses would present itself.

Working with Jack Merlo who was engaged for the landscape design aspect of the project in addition to the arbour, The Chapter Group have conceived a pedestrianised network the result of moving cars to the basement garage and folding the ground plain to provide a ground level that is sole domain of the pedestrian/resident, creating a journey and experience of walking through a network of streets.

<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/collection_x1_landscape.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="European-styled street network. Image courtesy The Chapter Group."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="725" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/collection_x1_landscape.jpg?itok=MMEiPY4N" title="European-styled street network. Image courtesy The Chapter Group." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>European-styled street network. Image courtesy The Chapter Group.</figcaption></figure>A point of contention according to David and Dean was the pitched gabled roofs of the three front townhouses and what council considered to be a "chalet aesthetic" out of character with the surrounding houses within the neighbourhood. It could be argued that employing gabled roofs results in a diverse streetscape of varied roof forms distinguishing the development as a high quality, well articulated architectural intervention within the street. Additionally the roof forms can also be understood as an inflection and juxtaposition to the butterfly roofs of the rear eight townhouses creating a dialogue between the two sets of dwellings.

Together the contrasting roofs act to break down the massing and forms of the dwellings a very deliberate strategy. The inclusion of butterfly roofs is somewhat of a rarity in Australian developments with a strong disposition away from them due to their tendency to leak. This has been addressed within Collection XI by employing a far more robust more closely aligned to the thick concrete butterfly roofs that David Lee worked on in Singapore.

In terms of materiality the townhouses employ a combination of off-form ribbed profile concrete walls and smooth concrete surfaces complimented by warm timbers employed both in vertical and horizontal applications creating a contrasting composition of elements and a departure away from the typical townhouse typology associated with the suburbs.

<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/collection_x1_hero_rear.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Collection XI rear dwellings, thirteen in total. Image courtesy The Chapter Group."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="892" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/collection_x1_hero_rear.jpg?itok=e66ee5WL" title="Collection XI rear dwellings, thirteen in total. Image courtesy The Chapter Group." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Collection XI rear dwellings, thirteen in total. Image courtesy The Chapter Group.</figcaption></figure>
</body></html>

The Chapter Group

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

The latest real estate & off the plan properties & news, delivered to your inbox.

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

The latest real estate & off the plan properties & news, delivered to your inbox.

The Chapter Group

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

The latest real estate & off the plan properties & news, delivered to your inbox.

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

The latest real estate & off the plan properties & news, delivered to your inbox.