979-981 Burke Road, Camberwell
Client: Time & Place
Project type: Mixed use (apartments, food & beverage)
Stakeholders: City of Boroondara, local community
Value: $48 million
Image courtesy of Studio Piper
The project
Situated in Camberwell Junction, on the south-western corner of Burke and Victoria Roads, Victoria Hill is strategically located at the gateway to the Camberwell Junction Major Activity Centre: one of the major activity centres identified in Plan Melbourne. A multi-storey mixed-use development, it is a project that has sought to bring exceptional design, landscape and ESD outcomes to the area.
UPco’s journey with Victoria Hill began when the site was first acquired. The goal was to create something that was not just very good, but truly excellent – and to this end, three premium architects were commissioned to submit their designs for consideration. UPco weighed in on all three concepts, and we were delighted with the winning design by Cera Stribley, which was both innovative and ambitious.
Unlike most apartment developments of this scale – which feature a robust podium and recessed tower form above – Victoria Hill blurs the lines between podium and tower elements in a unique way. Set over six storeys, the design was carefully considered with respect to the site’s very different interfaces: with multi-storey commercial buildings to the south and east along Burke Road, and low density residential properties to the west and north (with a large proportion of heritage buildings).
Situated in Camberwell Junction, on the south-western corner of Burke and Victoria Roads, Victoria Hill is strategically located at the gateway to the Camberwell Junction Major Activity Centre: one of the major activity centres identified in Plan Melbourne. A multi-storey mixed-use development, it is a project that has sought to bring exceptional design, landscape and ESD outcomes to the area.
UPco’s journey with Victoria Hill began when the site was first acquired. The goal was to create something that was not just very good, but truly excellent – and to this end, three premium architects were commissioned to submit their designs for consideration. UPco weighed in on all three concepts, and we were delighted with the winning design by Cera Stribley, which was both innovative and ambitious.
Unlike most apartment developments of this scale – which feature a robust podium and recessed tower form above – Victoria Hill blurs the lines between podium and tower elements in a unique way. Set over six storeys, the design was carefully considered with respect to the site’s very different interfaces: with multi-storey commercial buildings to the south and east along Burke Road, and low density residential properties to the west and north (with a large proportion of heritage buildings).
The challenge
The design was ingenious, but the planning process proved far from straightforward. While Camberwell Junction has been earmarked to accommodate more intensive development (under Plan Melbourne), the existing planning policy for the area was outdated – for instance, it stipulated a maximum of three storeys for gateway sites such as this. These competing agendas presented a challenge, as did the unconventional nature of the architectural response, which was unlike anything the local Council had seen before.
The development faced opposition from both vocal local objectors and the Boroondara City Council and ended up at the Tribunal. After amending the design to respond to some of the concerns raised, we took part in a multi-day hearing, which involved a raft of objectors and many expert witnesses. Thanks to the hard work of the project team members who appeared, UPco managed to obtain an interim order following the hearing. This gave us a short window in which to generate a slightly revised scheme that addressed specific issues – and eventually led to an approval from the Tribunal.
There have been some further refinements to the design since, of which the Council was very supportive. Along the way, our client Time & Place has also done an excellent job keeping lines of communication open with neighbours and bringing them on board for the journey.
The development faced opposition from both vocal local objectors and the Boroondara City Council and ended up at the Tribunal. After amending the design to respond to some of the concerns raised, we took part in a multi-day hearing, which involved a raft of objectors and many expert witnesses. Thanks to the hard work of the project team members who appeared, UPco managed to obtain an interim order following the hearing. This gave us a short window in which to generate a slightly revised scheme that addressed specific issues – and eventually led to an approval from the Tribunal.
There have been some further refinements to the design since, of which the Council was very supportive. Along the way, our client Time & Place has also done an excellent job keeping lines of communication open with neighbours and bringing them on board for the journey.
The outcome
Completed in August 2024, Victoria Hill is a true example of architectural excellence – and unlike anything in the area. According to Dom Cerantonio, managing principal of Cera Stribley, the residences are designed with longevity in mind, aiming to “give residents a living experience that feels more akin to a stand-alone dwelling than that of traditional apartments.”
Innovative landscaping is a stand-out feature, with mature trees integrated even on the upper levels of the building. By December 2023, the development had broken records for off-the-plan sales in the area, with three residences selling for a combined $30 million.
Innovative landscaping is a stand-out feature, with mature trees integrated even on the upper levels of the building. By December 2023, the development had broken records for off-the-plan sales in the area, with three residences selling for a combined $30 million.