Monash development: More high rise towers proposed for growing eastern suburbs
It’s the part of Melbourne quietly turning into a booming hotspot for high-rise developments set to rival the more high-profile Box Hill. See the plans.
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Development is booming in one of Melbourne’s most multicultural areas, with a number of major housing developments in the works.
While not often up in lights as a major growth area such as nearby Box Hill, there is no shortage of massive projects on the way in Monash.
Glen Waverley’s skyline, already home to a number of high-rises, could grow even further, with a developer taking plans for a new $48m 21-storey tower with 138 apartments at 251-261 Springvale Rd to VCAT.
If approved it will join a number of other existing high rises in the suburb, including the three tower Sky Garden development, above The Glen shopping centre, and the 15-storey Galleria tower, home to 276 apartments.
There are also plans for an affordable housing apartment building up to seven-storeys high, with 96 apartments, for 554-558 High Street Rd, Mt Waverley, part of the state government’s Victorian Big Housing stimulus.
It comes as a proposed monster five-tower development in Box Hill — including one high-rise reaching a CBD-like 49-storeys — has been put in the hands of the state government, in a move criticised by Whitehorse Council.
But there are fears too much high-rise development could have a negative impact on existing residents and impact Monash’s leafy character.
Ratepayers Victoria spokesman Dean Hurlston said he didn’t believe more high-rise development was appropriate for Melbourne’s middle ring of suburbs, and would lead to more traffic congestion.
He said the developments were being encouraged under the guise of 20 Minute Neighbourhoods, and reducing the reliance on cars.
“But the simple fact of the matter is Victoria is still over 9000sq km – you can’t survive much in Victoria without a car,” he said.
“And every bit of research and statistical data shows every apartment needs at least one car.”
But it seems like buyers can’t get enough of the east, with developer Golden Age announcing it had achieved $35m in sales for its second Glen Waverley project, Floret, before officially launching the project to market.
It will build the 77 architecturally designed townhouses at 583 Ferntree Gully Rd, after VCAT approved the development last July, ruling against Monash Council.
The average price point of sales to date ranges from $1.1m to $1.6m.
Golden Age founder and managing director Jeff Xu said the townhomes respond to the changing needs of the population by providing diverse housing options.
“Glen Waverley is an area predominantly dominated by single-family homes and there is little choice when it comes to townhomes, particularly architecturally-designed homes that offer a premium feel,” he said.
“Glen Waverley is such a highly connected suburb and there is appetite for new developments that cater to not only downsizers but young professionals and young families who are priced out of this area.”
There are also plans for a new development at Brandon Park Shopping Centre in nearby Wheelers Hill.
Newmark Capital, the property syndicate backed by former Hawthorn champion Chris Langford, has been given the green light to partially demolish the centre and build a seven-storey mixed-use space with serviced apartments and office space.
And a huge new development is also on the way for Centre Rd in Oakleigh South, at the site of The Links shopping centre.
Developer Pellicano is set to complete its $250 million mixed-use hub after VCAT overruled Monash Council and granted a planning permit for the proposed six and seven-storey mixed use development with two levels of basement carparking.
The ground floor will include a supermarket, shops, and food and drinks outlets.
Sitting above of the retail shops, Fieldworks House will include 166 one, two and three bedroom apartments.
It will be Monash’s first build-to-rent development – meaning all apartments are owned by the developer and leased out to tenants.
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