What strikes you now when you reflect on this development?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think that a genuine attempt at urban regeneration at this scale, involving some very large, mixed-used buildings, is challenging. It would have hypothetically been far easier to develop this site as a bunch of medium-density townhouses, but I admire that our client wanted to push for a more considered development that would connect and add value to the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All up, the approvals comprise around 1,000 residential units, along with things like a medical centre, gym, a small supermarket, food and drink premises, a childcare centre and the adaptive re-use of a locally important heritage building. That\u2019s really making good use of the space available, and giving more people the opportunity to live in a location that\u2019s close to the city but has amenity of its own. It\u2019s definitely in keeping with Plan Melbourne and, in my mind, it\u2019s exactly what our city needs more of, particularly in the face of housing supply issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking back on the process, I\u2019m proud of what we\u2019ve achieved, and I also realise what a learning experience it has been. I learnt a lot about very specific issues, such as how to protect dwellings from railway noise and emissions! Working with a veritable army of consultants did make the process more complicated, but I certainly believe it was necessary \u2013 and through a massive collaborative effort, we got a really interesting project over the line and look forward to seeing it emerge out of the ground over the next few years.<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nCover image courtesy of CHT Architects<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For some projects, the planning process is a journey in itself \u2013 especially when it\u2019s a development that\u2019s paving the way for a new use of space. UPco\u2019s Henry Wood reflects on one project that\u2019s been some time \u2018in the making\u2019: Spotswood Yards. Let\u2019s start at the very beginning. How did UPco become involved with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1916,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"upco_global_settings":"","upco_interactions":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Spotswood Yards \u2013 UPco<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n