Lucent Group developer sees sustained growth in Brunswick, Northcote

Melbourne’s inner north could soon be a second CBD as people continue to look for apartment living, according to a prominent developer.

Panos Miltiadou from developer Lucent. Picture: Hamish Blair

THE inner northern suburbs could soon resemble the CBD and one developer says designers need to take responsibility for that growth.

Managing director of Lucent Group, Panos Miltiadou believes apartment buildings in Brunswick and Northcote will shoot up in coming decades, with population increases and liveability combining to make the inner north desirable to those looking for property.

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Lucent is currently in the midst of a fight over a potential six-storey building on Stewart St, Brunswick East.

Residents of Stewart St raised concerns about the building’s height.

Mr Miltiadou said he understood resident’s concerns with new buildings, but progress was inevitable.

“The Australian psyche has changed, it was about big backyards and spaces and we find younger generations trade off space for other benefits,” he said.

Residents and the sustainable garden CERES will return to VCAT over a development in Brunswick East. Picture: Ellen Smith

Victorian president of the Australian Institute of Architects, Amy Muir said councils needed to look ahead and canvas neighbourhoods for the best way forward.

“We need to be focusing on the long game not the quick game in order to build sustainable and evolving communities,” she said.

Mr Miltiadou said developments need in-built communities to avoid hotel-like living areas.

“Community living in apartments can be done,” he said. “Our role it to make sure it’s designed consciously … we’ve got ultimate responsibility, that’s where I understand it.”

Mr Miltiadou said moving a forum between developers and residents to the front end could speed up the planning process. The current system doesn’t allow any formal discussion between locals and developers until after a council decision is referred to VCAT.