Construction surges at Collins Wharf as Docklands prepares for 2300 new homes

Construction activity along Docklands’ Collins Wharf is accelerating sharply, with Lendlease ramping up delivery of thousands of new homes across Victoria Harbour and Melbourne Quarter amid surging demand for well-located inner-city housing.

More than 2300 homes are currently under construction, on the market or taking registrations of interest across the two landmark precincts, marking one of the most significant waves of residential delivery seen in Docklands in recent years.

Along Collins St, where the CBD meets the water, work is powering ahead on more than 1100 apartments within the Ancora and Regatta buildings – both part of the growing Collins Wharf neighbourhood that borders Victoria Harbour, the Yarra River and Harbour Esplanade.

Sales have already reached 77 per cent across both buildings, prompting Lendlease to fast-track its next residential tower, Aluna, which will add more than 400 additional homes to the precinct. Aluna has now opened registrations and expressions of interest.

At the same time, a new build-to-rent tower at 899 Collins St is rising quickly, expanding Docklands’ rental housing options with a mix of secure long-term rental apartments supported by premium amenities.

Together with a second build-to-rent tower nearing completion in the nearby Melbourne Quarter precinct, the two projects account for nearly 1300 of the 2300 homes now in delivery.

Lendlease executive director of development Adam Williams said the scale of current activity reflected confidence returning to the inner-city market.

“The delivery of around 2300 diverse homes demonstrates the sustained demand for Victoria Harbour and Lendlease’s capability to deliver quality housing at scale and pace – making a significant contribution to Victoria’s housing supply,” he said.

The building boom will coincide with major new public-space additions. By late 2025, Lendlease expects the new residences to open alongside Bourke Dock, a civic waterfront space featuring a large-scale public artwork by First Nations artist Reko Rennie, as well as a new park delivered as part of the City of Melbourne’s ambitious Greenline Project.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece welcomed the momentum, saying the city urgently needed more high-quality homes in well-connected areas.

“Melbourne needs more homes – and quantity must be matched by quality,” he said. “We welcome Lendlease’s continued investment in our city’s liveability – delivering homes set among waterways and urban greenery, all within walking distance of the CBD.”