Balmain Group has filed plans for 462 apartments on a 8176-square-meter site in Doncaster, Melbourne’s east, located at 584 Doncaster Road, 3 Briar Court, and 811-813 Elgar Road. This site, one of the largest undeveloped areas in Doncaster, is 17 kilometers east of the Melbourne CBD and near the proposed Suburban Rail Loop line north of Box Hill. The project is listed as a completed investment from 2020, when it was initially approved for 260 homes.
The development includes two towers of 19 and 17 storeys, ground-level retail, a 275-square-meter restaurant, and 350-square-meter co-working space. A four-storey building named Briar Court will serve as a transition to the neighboring low-rise residential area. The site’s previous uses included a car dealership and single-storey homes, which were demolished in 2025.
Amenities and Design
Amenities include an outdoor pool, sauna, steam rooms, an open-plan outdoor kitchen, cinema, and games room. The 462 homes will consist of 145 one, 273 two, and 44 three-bedroom apartments. Parking for 474 cars and 181 bicycles is planned across four basement levels. The project has been designed by Nonda Katsalidis, a Greek-Australian architect and co-founder of Fender Katsalidis Architects, now known as FK Australia.
According to Balmain’s planning documents, the development aims to create a landmark building at the gateway to Doncaster’s commercial core. The firm also highlights the potential for integration with a future Doncaster Suburban Rail Station, part of the SRL North project connecting Box Hill to Melbourne Airport. This section of the rail loop is currently in the early planning phases—construction is not expected to start until the 2030s, with a target completion date of 2053. If realized, Doncaster would have an underground station, possibly within a few hundred meters of the site.
Height and Community Benefits
Balmain seeks approval for height above the area’s limit, arguing that the design avoids excessive building bulk. The additional height, they claim, enables the creation of public space and provides funding for social housing projects. The site is 200 meters from Westfield Shopping Centre, a key anchor of the Doncaster Hill Major Activity Centre, which has attracted significant commercial development.
The area is evolving with high-rise developments, particularly around Doncaster, Tram, and Williamsons roads. Nearby, the Eastern Golf Course redevelopment by Mirvac delivered 1000 properties, with the final home completed in 2024. This project is the most significant residential development outside the Activity Centre.
Balmain’s Financial Context
Balmain Group, a Sydney-based private credit company, is owed $120 million by Bathla Group, which collapsed into voluntary administration earlier this year owing $3 billion in private-credit debt. Instead of funding Bathla’s administration, Balmain took over projects it had funded and appointed receivers to control construction sites. This strategic move reflects Balmain’s focus on safeguarding its investments amid financial challenges.