High-rise buildings continue to soar across the east, especially in Box Hill and South Yarra

While Melbourne CBD and Southbank are going through a building boom, the eastern suburbs are also getting a major growth spurt. Check out the buildings that are shaping where we live.

Another view of the luxury Avani Melbourne Box Hill Residences hotel.

As more and more people continue to call Melbourne home, the physical nature of how the cityscape looks continues to evolve — and the trend seems to be going in one direction: up.

This has led to a spate of high-rise buildings springing up across Melbourne’s east and nowhere is that more prevalent than in Box Hill.

Referred to as potentially becoming Melbourne’s second CBD, Box Hill has had more than 30 massive buildings approved and construction begin in the past decade.

But the monoliths are not just found there, with others also popping up in Glen Waverley, Doncaster and South Yarra.

SKY ONE; 545 STATION ST, BOX HILL

Sky One in Box Hill. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The tallest Victorian building outside of Melbourne’s CBD, Sky One welcomed its first occupants — both retail and residents — in October after the 122m, 36-storey tower finally opened. Most of the 438 apartments were filled by Christmas, with the three levels of retail and dining opening soon after. Located next to Box Hill Central, work started on the building in early 2017.

WHITEHORSE TOWERS; 850 WHITEHORSE RD, BOX HILL

The former record-holder before being surpassed by Sky One, this 115m-tall building was finished in late 2017. The $330 million twin-tower project is also 36-storeys and boasts 511 apartments, retail and commercial space and a luxury 100-room hotel, The Chen.

Developers Jonathan and Will Deague on the pool deck of the Whitehorse Towers apartment complex in Box Hill. Picture: Aaron Francis

843 WHITEHORSE RD, BOX HILL

843 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill.

This building is set to match Sky One and the taller of the Whitehorse Towers in terms of levels, with 36 to feature, but is expected to tally 141m in height upon completion. Replacing a petrol station and car wash, it will include 276 apartments, almost 3000sq m of office space and 2443sq m of retail space, including a car showroom. Two levels would be dedicated to a pool, sauna, gym, hot yoga studio, library, cinema and dining rooms. While the building would be technically taller than Sky One, due to the area’s topography it may not have the same prominence.

CAPITOL GRAND; 241 TOORAK RD, SOUTH YARRA

Capitol Grand towers a massive 180m tall in South Yarra.

Towering above all of these in South Yarra is the Capitol Grand. The 25th tallest building in Melbourne, the $500 million skyscraper on the corner of Chapel St and Toorak Rd features 10 and 50-storey towers, with its peak at 180m. It will feature 457 dwellings, two floors of shops and a five-level basement carpark. The development famously gained notoriety when owner Larry Kestelman paid $3 million to Oscar-winning actor Charlize Theron in early 2015 to help promote it. It also has the world’s fastest lifts, taking just 25 seconds to get from the ground floor to the 50th-floor penthouse.

YARRA ONE; 18 CLAREMONT ST, SOUTH YARRA

Yarra One is rising high in South Yarra, as seen from Claremont St.

Another tall South Yarra building scheduled for completion in the next few months is Yarra One, which will house more than 250 apartments in a 26-floor tower. Described by the developer as sustainable and future proofed, residents will also have access to a wellness precinct, a range of dining and entertainment facilities and amenities specifically tailored to care for pets. A Tesla car-sharing service will also feature.

IGLU SOUTH YARRA; 8 CLAREMONT ST, SOUTH YARRA

A render of how Iglu South Yarra is projected to look among its neighbours.

A 74.4m building is rising in Claremont St, with the 24-storey student accommodation tower in Claremont St. It has 448 apartments.

SKY GARDEN; 235 SPRINGVALE RD, GLEN WAVERLEY

A render of the potential Sky Garden apartment complex at The Glen shopping centre.

There aren’t too many tall buildings in the Monash area, but the new tri-tower development atop The Glen shopping centre leads the way. The towers have reached their full height, with 11, 12 and 19-stories, with the tallest topping out at 64.7m above the top of The Glen shopping podium. The development will feature 536 apartments, as well as a massive 4000sq m open space area.

It was due to be completed by early next year. Another to feature in the Glen Waverley area is the Galleria apartments on 52-54 O’Sullivan Rd. Opening last year, the 47m tower near Kingsway in Glen Waverley boasts 267 residences across 15 floors, as well as shops and restaurants.

THE IMPERIAL AND NEST AT THE HILL; DONCASTER

The Imperial building in Doncaster.

In Doncaster, two buildings have recently risen to loom prominently on the Manningham skyline. The Imperial, on Williamsons Rd opposite the Westfield development, has 96 units. Nest at the Hill, at 642-654 Doncaster Rd, finished mid-2018 and boasts 253 apartments, townhouses and penthouses, as well as retail outlets, cafes, a fully equipped gym and lap swimming pool.

BOX HILL

Plans for 845-851 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill.

Meanwhile, plenty of other constructions in Box Hill continue to rise.

Leading the way is the former Spotlight site at 845-851 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill, which will have three towers of 117m (37-storeys), 97m (30) and 57m (18). Trio Box Hill will have 517 apartments, as well as 150 hotel rooms.

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Following on from them is 820 Whitehorse Rd, with the East Central Box Hill to become a 30-storey development. Aimed at investors and owner-occupiers alike, it is expected to hold 275 apartments, retail, commercial office and extensive communal areas including upon its scheduled completion this year.

The outlook from the top of Avani Melbourne Box Hill Residences.

Meanwhile, the luxury Avani Melbourne Box Hill Residences hotel has opened within the 20-storey building at 12-14 Nelson Rd; a development featuring two towers — one rising 19 storeys — is set to feature at 2-4 Bruce St and a 17-story tower is proposed for 26-28 Wellington Rd.