H.Co Shoptop Apartments at Armadale Wins Nod

H.Co Property has finally won approval to build a luxury shoptop apartment project in Melbourne’s south-east.

The developer had originally planned an office and gym above the two Edwardian-era commercial buildings at 935 and 941-951 High Street, Armadale.

However, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal upheld the council’s refusal for these plans, so it was back to the drawing board for H.Co. 

The Melbourne-based developer submitted new plans for 26 apartments above commercial buildings on the 1355sq m site within the City of Stonnington last year. 

The project designed by Cera Stribley with landscaping by Acre includes north-facing apartments with views of the city and penthouses that feature rooftop terraces and a pool.

Previous planning concerns were alleviated with access to a two-level basement via a cobblestoned port cochere enhanced by a landscaped courtyard and glazed building entry.

The High Street location has been a big drawcard for developers including richlister Tony Gandel and wife Helen, who filed plans for an office project in 2022, while Tim Gurner put forward five ultra-luxury mega-mansions around the corner late last year.

▲ Armadale’s High Street is second only to Brighton’s Church Street as the Victoria capital’s strongest-performing retail strip.

H.CO Property senior development manager Anika Coté said their project would fit in well with the premium end of High Street.

The site is 7km south-east of the Melbourne CBD. 

H.Co is also working on a commercial health and wellbeing development to form part of the Maybloom portfolio at 99 Brewer Road, Bentleigh.