Preston Crossing | Hayball

Preston Crossing | Hayball | Photographer: Henry Lam, Hayball

2026 National Architecture Awards Program

Preston Crossing | Hayball

Traditional Land Owners

Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation

Year
2026
Chapter

Victoria

Category
Urban Design
Builder
Balmain & Co
Photographer
Alex Reinders
Henry Lam, Hayball
Media summary

Preston Crossing is a major urban renewal project in Melbourne’s inner north that capitalises on nearby landscape and transit assets, including the upgraded cycle network and elevated rail at Bell Station. The project delivers best-in-class investment in public realm to support the densification of a 1.3-hectare infill site, increasing site occupation from 26 detached homes to 293 apartment and townhouse dwellings.

Derived from a masterplan by Hayball, the precinct brings together buildings by Hayball, Archier and Breathe within an abundant landscape by TCL. A mixed-tenure model integrates social and private housing, supporting a genuinely inclusive neighbourhood and a strong sense of place.

High density is achieved without high-rise built form through careful modulation of height and mass that transitions to surrounding fine-grain streets. A network of laneways, play streets and through-block links prioritises pedestrians and active mobility, while integrated landscape supports wellbeing, connection and everyday life.

Project Practice Team

Sarah Buckeridge, Project Principal
Erin Collins, Project Leader
Rennie Liffen, Urban Designer
David Jessup, Design Principal

Project Consultant and Construction Team

Taylor Cullity Lethlean, Landscape Architects
Hayball, Architects (Masterplan, Social Affordable Housing, Market Apartments and southern Townhouses)
Archier, Architects (northern Townwhouses)
Breathe, Architects (Nightingale Housing)
Contour Consultants, Planning
DCE, Civil / Floor Engineers
Adams Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd, Civil / Structural Engineers
Stantec, ESD Consultant
Stantec, Traffic engineers
Leigh Design, Waste

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