Builder appointed and construction underway at Derby Street by Milieu in Collingwood

Melbourne's inner north has long been a focus for design-driven developer Milieu, which is adding another boutique apartment development to its Collingwood portfolio.

Construction is now underway at Derby Street by Milieu, a collection of just 22 residences designed by Melbourne architecture practice Studio Bright.

Located at 4 Derby Street, the project sits in a quieter pocket of Collingwood between the bustling hospitality and retail precincts of Smith and Gertrude streets and the leafy surrounds of East Melbourne.

Milieu has appointed Iurada to deliver the project. The family-owned, Cremorne-based builder has a strong track record in Melbourne’s premium residential market, with a portfolio of boutique collections spanning Toorak, Camberwell, Hawthorn East, Elwood and Glen Iris, among others. Milieu says Iurada’s hands-on, detail-oriented approach and focus on clear communication align closely with its own way of working.

Studio Bright’s design for Derby Street draws on the suburb’s industrial character while responding to the more residential grain of the surrounding streetscape. The building’s brick and tile façade references Collingwood’s warehouse history, softened by integrated landscaping and generous private outdoor spaces.

The project will comprise a mix of two, three and four-bedroom apartments across multiple levels, with residences designed to prioritise liveability, natural light and spatial generosity.

Milieu and Studio Bright have positioned the homes toward owner-occupiers seeking longer-term housing in the inner north, rather than investor-driven apartment stock. Interiors feature what the team describes as “honest materials” alongside layouts intended to create the feel of a standalone home within a multi-residential setting.

Each apartment will be fully electric and fossil fuel free, incorporating double glazing, EV charging readiness, smart security systems, and V-ZUG appliances. The development is targeting an average 7.5-star NatHERS rating.

As Studio Bright’s first multi-residential project in Melbourne’s inner north, the architects have carried across many of the principles seen in their residential work, focusing on robust materials, layered interiors, and connections to landscape.

Future residents within walking distance of Smith Street and Gertrude Street’s retail and hospitality offerings, while also benefiting from proximity to Fitzroy Gardens, East Melbourne, and nearby tram connections into the CBD.

Derby St is expected to be the only new apartment development to be completed in Collingwood in 2027, with Iurada expecting completion towards the end of next year.