Figurehead has been appointed to deliver Carpe Group’s Derby No.32, an exclusive collection of 32 architecturally designed residences in the heart of Collingwood. With construction set to commence in September, we gathered to celebrate this milestone and raise a glass before works begin.
Made in Collingwood
Developed by Carpe Group in partnership with INT.RE Kajima Group, Derby No.32 brings together architecture by Warren and Mahoney, interiors by Edwina Glenn and construction by Figurehead.
"On behalf of Carpe and the development department at Intre Kajima, I'd like to thank Joe and Dylan for hosting everyone today and bringing all the teams together," reflected Stuart Kacir, Carpe Group Co-Director. "It really feels like there's a strong alignment of cultures in the room, and we got that sense right from the start. We've been very impressed with the Figurehead team and we're looking forward to getting started. "
The project nestles into its surroundings with a light-brickwork facade, offering a contemporary take on Collingwood's rich industrial history. The frontages on Cambridge, Derby and Langridge streets promise to maximise daylight and view corridors for all apartments in the 811sqm site, located mere minutes away from the construction partner's award-winning HQ 116 Rokeby, built by Figurehead. Internally, the residences feature generous planning, custom joinery, natural stone and a considered selection of finishes across 2- and 3-bedroom offerings.
Signed & Underway
Ahead of construction commencing, Carpe Group, Figurehead and key project partner teams came together for a Sign & Sip event to mark the builder's formal appointment and celebrate the next stage of Derby No.32. An afternoon of conversation and shared anticipation as the project prepares to move from design into delivery.
Figurehead New Business Manager, Dylan Mercer and Carpe Group Director Stuart Kacir each shared a few words before signing a commemorative contract to celebrate the partnership.
"At Figurehead we really value our relationships and we we like to build a strong relationship from the start of the project, working diligently together to ultimately deliver something we're all really proud of," shared Dylan. "Carpe Group, Stuart and Tim, have done a great job assembling this team, and we can't wait to have a project where we can see the crane from our office in Collingwood. Thank you for trusting us with this project - we hope it's the first of many together."
Stuart added,
"I’d like to acknowledge Sarah Stock and the Three Sixty° team for achieving the sales they have in the current market. It’s a real testament to the work Nick Deans and the architects, the interior design team, and the broader consultant team have done to bring the project to where it is today. I’d also like to acknowledge John Jorgensen, who has been our contract referee throughout the process.”
A Strong Multi-Residential Portfolio
Derby No.32 will draw on Figurehead's extensive capability in delivering high-end multi-residential projects, translating ambitious architectural visions into refined, enduring built outcomes. This expertise is demonstrated through a strong track record of premium residential projects across Victoria, including Central Park 2, Lyons Place, Osprey and Rondure House. This project's complex inner-city setting and exacting architectural design will require the Figurehead construction team to work collaboratively with the developer, consultants and trades to deliver Derby No.32 as a building of lasting quality.
Central Park II has achieved practical completion ahead of schedule, with 27 architecturally refined residences now ready to welcome their new owners.
The milestone represents a trusted partnership between Figurehead, Roulston, Buxton, Moda, and PaxPM — teams aligned by a shared commitment to quality and delivery excellence. Building on the success of the original Central Park development, Central Park II adds to a portfolio of over 200 homes delivered collaboratively with these partners.
Located on one of Melbourne’s most prestigious park-front sites in Malvern, the four-level development responds thoughtfully to its natural surroundings. Architecture by Ewert Leaf and landscaping by Jack Merlo combine considered materiality, timeless design and enduring build quality. Full-height windows frame uninterrupted views across Central Park, while west-facing residences capture sweeping perspectives of the Melbourne skyline. Throughout each home, the architecture and interiors draw the surrounding landscape inward and create a strong sense of connection to place.
Figurehead’s project team approached the delivery with a focus on precise sequencing, proactive risk management and close coordination between the construction, consultant and design teams. From the slab-on-ground through to the final finishes, each stage was carefully planned to maintain control of the program, uphold design integrity and deliver to an excellent standard.
Reflecting on the 16-month program, Project Manager Peter Brinsmead says, "The main logistical challenge was loading the project with materials as Wattletree Road had trams and overhead powerlines, therefore a conventional street loading bay was impractical. To overcome this, we constructed an onsite loading bay off the lower ground floor slab and basement retention system. Temporary concrete walls were built and the loading bay backfilled to street level. With an onsite loading bay we were able to reduce the need for electrical spotting and utilise the loading bay past 4pm, when Wattletree Road become a clearway."
From initial planning through to handover, Figurehead worked closely with the project’s development and design partners to preserve the vision for Central Park II. The completed residences are the result of a highly collaborative process and a collective commitment to creating enduring homes of exceptional quality.
Figurehead is pleased to announce the commencement of construction on Trentham II in Sandringham, marking the next exciting chapter in the continued evolution of this premium retirement living development.
Delivered in partnership with Buxton Group and designed by Cera Stribley, Trentham II builds on the success of Stage I and reinforces a shared commitment to creating high-quality, thoughtfully designed spaces for the retirement community. The development will comprise 24 apartments across four levels, a basement, and a ground-floor retail offering that will enhance convenience and connectivity for residents.
With construction commencing in May 2026, this next stage reflects strong momentum for the Trentham precinct and growing demand for well-located, design-led retirement living in Melbourne’s bayside suburbs.
Trentham II has been carefully conceived to complement the established character of the existing development while introducing new residences that prioritise comfort, accessibility, and modern living. The inclusion of a retail component further strengthens the community feel, providing residents with additional amenity at their doorstep and contributing to the vibrancy of the local area.
As construction begins, Figurehead remains focused on delivering a seamless build process and maintaining the high standards established during Stage I. Trentham II represents another step forward in creating a cohesive, high-quality living environment that will serve residents for years to come.
With more than 25 years of industry experience, Andrew Durling has recently joined Figurehead as HSEQ Manager. We sat down with Andrew to discuss his journey into construction, what a strong HSEQ culture looks like, and where he sees the industry's biggest opportunities for improvement.
What drew you to HSEQ and the construction industry?
I grew up on a small farm in Kialla, about two hours north of Melbourne. On family trips to the city, I can still remember seeing Melbourne's skyline appear in the distance and wondering how those amazing buildings were designed and built.
That curiosity led me to study Civil Engineering at RMIT. Towards the end of my degree, I attended an industry presentation by Bob Hamilton, founder of Mirvac. He spoke passionately about the company's projects and vision for Melbourne's future. I remember thinking that it would be great to be part of developments like those.
After graduating, I found myself working in traffic engineering at a local council. While a valuable experience, it wasn't exactly where I saw my future. Then I came across a newspaper advertisement for a Project Coordinator role at Mirvac. The application deadline was that day, and I recall thinking that I had missed the boat and wouldn’t get my application in on time, destined to deal with resident footpath and signage complaints for the rest of my career. But I decided to take a chance, pulled together my resume and application, and hand-delivered it to their head office.
Fortunately, that decision paid off. I was offered a role on Mirvac's first high-rise apartment building in Docklands, which became the start of an almost 26-year career with the business.
Looking back, I consider myself incredibly fortunate. Not only did I begin my career on such a significant project, but I was surrounded by industry leaders and mentors who were generous with their knowledge and support. The people I've worked with throughout my career have had the biggest influence on me and continue to be what keeps me engaged in the industry today.
HSEQ was always a strong focus throughout my time at Mirvac. Over the years, I became increasingly involved in quality improvement initiatives focused on achieving better outcomes. Joining Figurehead presents an exciting opportunity to continue that journey.
What does a “great” HSEQ culture look like to you?
A great culture can be difficult to define, but you know it when you experience it and you certainly get that feeling walking into Figurehead.
Creating and maintaining culture is everyone's responsibility, but it starts with leadership setting a clear vision and bringing people together around shared goals.
For me, a strong HSEQ culture is built on care and pride. Care for ourselves, care for our colleagues, care for our stakeholders, and care for our projects. It's also about taking pride in what we do and having a genuine desire to improve.
When people are aligned around those principles, better outcomes naturally follow.
How do you approach embedding safety into fast-paced project environments?
The industry is grappling with operational realities which are probably the most challenging they have been in my time in the industry. As we face these conditions, it’s key to ensure HSEQ is embedded into day-to-day decision-making, so project teams can successfully balance cost, programme, quality and safety without compromising outcomes.
We have a saying that is used in my son’s football team which is – “Know your role, accept your role and deliver your role.” Like many sporting analogies, this can be applied to the working environment. When everyone in the project teams understands their roles and responsibilities and consistently delivers on them, projects perform better.
Providing a clear, consistent, and regular message is also very important in embedding HSEQ into our projects. We should continually look for opportunities to improve, but changes should be purposeful and focused on achieving better outcomes.
Where do you see the biggest opportunity for improvement in HSEQ today?
The industry's current challenges aren't going away anytime soon, which means we need to keep finding better ways to work together.
For me, the biggest opportunities lie in collaboration between project teams, subcontractors, and industry stakeholders. Improvement in the HSEQ space doesn't always come from major changes. More often, it's the result of small, incremental changes made consistently over time.
I’m also interested in how behavioural psychology impacts HSEQ outcomes; exploring and understanding what drives decision-making on site.
How do you keep teams engaged with HSEQ day-to-day?
Relationships are fundamental.
They provide a strong platform for us to have open and honest conversations around HSEQ with our teams and stakeholders. The message also needs to be clear, regular, and consistent and come from a place of genuine care.
What's just as important is listening. Engagement in HSEQ goes both ways, and leaders need to understand where concerns exist, take those concerns seriously, and take action or make changes where needed. When people feel heard, they're more likely to stay engaged and contribute to better outcomes.
What’s in focus for HSEQ at Figurehead over the next 12 months?
My immediate focus is getting to know the business, the people, and the projects.
I'm looking forward to continuing the great work that has already been done across HSEQ. I’m proud to be working with all the people in the Figurehead team; listening, learning, sharing and educating, navigating challenges together and celebrating future wins.