Three projects—each tackling a different challenge in residential development—will be showcased at The Urban Developer’s upcoming Residential Developer Summit series in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. From office-to-apartment conversion, to sustainable masterplanning, to heritage-led infill, these case studies offer practical insights for developers navigating complex urban environments.
In a market grappling with housing shortages and ageing commercial stock, Brisbane-based Chapter Two is testing a new blueprint for adaptive reuse. The developer is converting a 1970s office block on Wickham Terrace into six large-format luxury apartments—five full-floor residences and a sprawling two-level penthouse—designed by Cera Stribley.
With 300sq m of column-free space per level, the structure’s flexibility, natural light access, and elevated outlook over Roma Street Parklands provided the “right bones” for residential adaptation. Chapter Two director Jon Quayle notes that although not all commercial buildings are suited to conversion, this one offered a rare convergence of opportunity and site potential.
In Brisbane, Quayle will be joined by Dom Cerantonio, managing principal at Cera Stribley, to present the case study. Together, they’ll unpack what it takes to retool Brisbane’s office stock for housing—covering regulatory pathways, design adaptation and financial feasibility in a shifting urban market.
In Melbourne’s western growth corridor, YourLand Developments are delivering one of Victoria’s most ambitious masterplanned communities—Society 1056. The 105.6ha estate will comprise 1310 residential lots, a government primary school, community facilities, and 9ha of open space, including a network of bike paths, shaded walkways, and Miyawaki-style microforests.
What sets the project apart is its all-electric framework and more than 100 ESD initiatives: from 5kW solar rebates to light-coloured road surfaces designed to mitigate heat. With a focus on walkability, climate resilience, and cost-of-living benefits for future residents, Society 1056 offers a case study in how greenfield development can lead, rather than lag, on sustainability.
Presented by YourLand senior development manager James Saunders, the session will unpack how planning, engineering and community engagement align in high-performance suburban placemaking.
In Sydney, the fine-grain renewal of iconic neighbourhoods such as Paddington continues to raise important questions about heritage, density and design integrity. The Cambrian, a project led by Avenor and designed by MHNDU, is restoring a row of six 1880s terrace shopfronts—some long-vacant—along Oxford Street, reintroducing their original detailing including stained glass, pressed metal ceilings and glazed tiling.
The project introduces a clear distinction between old and new, with contemporary shopfronts using teal tiles and varied glass to complement the restored fabric. A landscaped public courtyard provides a new civic moment, while a rear residential building—scaled and styled in the manner of local Victorian terraces—will house studios and apartments.
Brian Meyerson, principal at MHNDU, will present the project in Sydney, offering insight into how the team balanced design authenticity with the need for functional, high-quality housing.
These projects will be unpacked in detail across the Residential Developer Summit series in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne—each offering lessons in feasibility, design, policy and purpose-led development for an industry at a critical juncture.
Click on your preferred city below to view the entire program and speakers.
