The tree-lined boulevard of St Kilda Road is one of the city’s most iconic streets. It’s home to more and more residential buildings – offering a combination of park-side living and city convenience. UPco was engaged by Cbus Property to bring one of the street’s newest additions to life: the art deco-inspired ‘Four Three Seven’.

The project in a nutshell

Located on St Kilda Road, this project involved the demolition of an eight-storey office building to make way for a new residential tower. With its leafy charm and close proximity to Melbourne’s CBD, St Kilda Road is characterised by a blend of office and established residential buildings. However, a demand for more well-located homes has seen a strong push for larger scale residential offerings. Developed by Cbus Property and designed by Bates Smart, the proposed development certainly responded to this demand, featuring 77 residences over 17 floors. Adjacent to Fawkner Park, the site had scope to offer a fantastic urban lifestyle to residents, with green spaces and amenities all within arm’s reach.

UPco was engaged early on in the development process and worked closely with Cbus Property and Bates Smart to realise the project’s potential.

The process (and its challenges)

Planning controls for the St Kilda Road precinct are quite prescriptive, with clear height and setback requirements that need to be met. Another key planning consideration for this project was the Shrine Vista control, which helps protect views of the commemorative Shrine of Remembrance. This planning control is mandatory for all buildings within the area, ensuring no built structures are visible within the ‘vista zone’ (the clear sky backdrop behind the Shrine itself).

In some ways, this made the planning process for 437 St Kilda Road more straightforward, as there were fairly set parameters in which the design had to work. However, UPco still needed to interrogate the particulars of the vista and possible encroachments, working with Bates Smart to ensure the design complied. The final design responds to this vista control with a clear ‘step’, as the eighteen-storey building drops down to seven storeys on the Fawkner Park side.

Given its size and location, the responsible authority was the Minister for Planning. However, it was also referred to the City of Melbourne, with UPco liaising with both throughout. One challenge was the proposed porte cochere at the St Kilda Road entry, which was initially not supported by the Department of Transport and Planning or the City of Melbourne. Questions were raised around whether this design feature would be adequately activated to contribute to the streetscape. However, UPco and Bates Smart carried out a study of other approved designs in the immediate neighbourhood. And together, we were able to secure approval for the porte cochere based on its strong landscaping and prioritised pedestrian access – which balance activation of St Kilda Road with vehicular access. Planning permission was granted for the development in July 2024, and site preparation commenced in October 2025.

Why we love this project

From its corner site, 437 St Kilda Road offers an impressive vantage point, overlooking both the tree-lined boulevard and the green expanse of Fawkner Park. The design outcome is exemplary – while solid and large, the building’s art deco-inspired architecture references the history of buildings along St Kilda Road, with curves, banding and extensive glazing bringing the built form a sense of softness. A connection to nature is created with generous landscaping at each floor level, as well as the ground floor (and we also love that Cbus Property has committed to a 5 Star Green Star Buildings certification for the building, focusing on nature and wellbeing and developing healthy residences to support sustainable, low-impact living. Within this very specific urban context, 437 St Kilda Road feels tasteful and just the right fit – and we look forward to seeing it completed.

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