Adding to Chatswood’s growing skyline, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-anderson-chatswood-54-56-anderson-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">The Anderson</a> is grounded in a simple principle: apartment living in a major centre does not have to come at the expense of space and outlook.

Set on Anderson Street in the heart of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chatswood-nsw-2067">Chatswood</a>, the new residential tower, a collaboration between developers <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/changfa-group">Changfa Group</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/huirong-group">Huirong Group</a> with architecture and interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ajc-architects">AJC Architects</a>, will introduce 122 apartments that prioritise generous proportions, considered orientation, and a strong connection to the surrounding heritage precinct.

The design originated from a Design Excellence Competition, where AJC proposed a building that combines suburban-style apartment scale with the density expected in a transport-rich centre. The development will include more than 1,800 square metres of retail and commercial space at street level, landscaped communal roof terraces, and a ground-floor pocket park framed by canopy trees. Together these elements aim to create a building that integrates with Chatswood’s evolving streetscape while maintaining a strong residential focus.

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A key driver behind the architecture was the desire to deliver family-sized apartments rarely seen in the Chatswood market. The Anderson includes a mix of one to four-bedroom apartments, with around 35 per cent of the residences configured as three or four-bedroom homes. At the top of the building, two double-storey penthouses span approximately 200 square metres each, reinforcing the project’s emphasis on scale and long-term liveability for both downsizers and intergenerational households.

Orientation and outlook were central to the planning of the building. The apartments are positioned to maximise views to the north and east across Chatswood’s heritage precinct, with upper levels capturing glimpses of the Pacific Ocean. South-facing apartments gain distant views toward the Sydney CBD and Harbour Bridge, while the building’s configuration intentionally reduces western exposure at lower levels to minimise overlooking toward the nearby railway corridor.

The external design references the character of the surrounding conservation area without replicating it directly. A brick podium anchors the building to the street and introduces a series of architectural portals that draw inspiration from the nearby Chatswood Presbyterian Church. Above this base, the tower shifts to a lighter, more open expression defined by horizontal lines and carefully detailed balconies that balance privacy with outward views.

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Toward the top of the tower, AJC introduces a distinctive lantern-like element formed by sliding screens. These screens provide both solar shading and privacy while also creating a visual marker for the building within the Chatswood skyline. The feature reinforces the architectural intent of the project, a structure that is visually refined while still responding to the practical requirements of apartment living.

Inside the residences, interior architecture by Hayball focuses on clear spatial flow and practical everyday use. Open-plan living areas connect directly to large balconies, extending the internal living spaces outward and allowing natural light to move deeper into the apartments. Kitchens are designed as central working spaces with premium appliances and carefully selected materials, positioned to serve both daily living and entertaining.

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Bathrooms follow a similarly restrained design language, using refined fixtures and materials to create calm, functional spaces, while wardrobe areas adopt a gallery-style layout with integrated lighting and generous storage. These elements reflect a broader design approach that prioritises clarity, functionality, and durability over decorative gestures.

Positioned just a short walk from Chatswood Interchange, residents will have direct access to rail, metro, retail, and dining. The Metro extension allows travel from Chatswood to Martin Place in approximately 11 minutes, placing the CBD within easy reach for residents while maintaining the convenience of a walkable North Shore neighbourhood.

One-bedroom apartments at The Anderson start from $1,022,000.

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Joel Robinson

How AJC designed The Anderson to bring oversized apartment living to Chatswood

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/bridgewell-development">Bridgewell Capital</a> has lodged plans for a major mixed-use apartment development in the heart of Maroubra, seeking a significant uplift in height and density controls to deliver 120 apartments and a 120-place childcare centre near Maroubra Junction.

The State Significant Development application, filed through the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority pathway, covers a 3,270 sqm amalgamated site at 251-257 Maroubra Road and 133-135 Garden Street. The proposal includes a concurrent rezoning that would increase the maximum building height from 12 metres to 35.6 metres and lift the floor space ratio to 4.02:1.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bka-architecture">BKA Architecture</a>, the project would replace a mechanic’s workshop and several detached homes with a 10-storey residential building above four basement levels.

The scheme comprises 120 apartments, including 27 affordable housing units to be managed by a community housing provider for 15 years, alongside 203 basement car spaces and 92 bicycle spaces. A childcare centre occupying nearly 900 sqm of floor area would sit at ground level and be capable of accommodating 120 children and 22 staff.

<img alt="First look: Bridgewell plots 120 apartments and childcare centre in Maroubra town centre" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="038a0639-f9e4-4303-8fcc-d43e73fa480f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bridgewell%20pers.png?VersionId=eGBElxmNqJW.YF3JFYgHTnPgAstdyXR3" />

According to the Design Report, the project has been conceived as a “gateway proposal” that responds to Maroubra’s evolving urban character and its proximity to the town centre.

“Designed to complement the character of Maroubra’s town centre, this gateway proposal features a building scale that matches its surroundings,” the report stated.

“It integrates residential units above a ground-level childcare centre, fulfilling the strategic objectives of the Randwick City Council Masterplan.”

The apartment mix is weighted toward larger residences aimed at families and downsizers, reflecting changing demographics in the Randwick LGA and increasing demand for medium-density housing close to transport and amenity.

BKA Architecture said the proposal seeks to reinforce Maroubra Road as a civic spine while improving the pedestrian experience around the site through landscaping and upgraded public interfaces.

“The design capitalises on the following site opportunities: reinforcement of Maroubra Road as a civic spine, enhancement of pedestrian pathways and the public interface via new landscaping, and strong market demand for two and three-bedroom apartments to support families and down-sizers,” the Design Report noted.

<img alt="First look: Bridgewell plots 120 apartments and childcare centre in Maroubra town centre" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ee509779-3c7e-4918-b03d-761c785459d0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bridgewell%20site.png?VersionId=eZC4Ruyn.C7O.Qwfr1SVeP5.ds1c5.66" />

The building has been designed with setbacks and articulation intended to transition between the commercial intensity of Maroubra Junction and the surrounding lower-scale residential neighbourhoods. Communal open space is proposed on level one, while upper-level apartments would secure views towards Port Botany, Maroubra Beach and Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

The development sits around 200 metres east of the Maroubra Junction intersection of Anzac Parade and Maroubra Road, within one of Randwick’s identified strategic centres. The site is close to Pacific Square Shopping Centre, major bus routes, schools, parks and future cycling infrastructure proposed under the Maroubra Junction Masterplan.

The Maroubra proposal aligns with broader NSW Government initiatives encouraging higher-density housing near established centres and transport corridors, particularly where affordable housing is incorporated.

Bridgewell is also working on a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/goldfields-sets-the-stage-as-quartet-milton-launches">new 55-unit project in Killara</a>.

First look: Bridgewell plots 120 apartments and childcare centre in Maroubra town centre

National diversified developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/goldfields-group">Goldfields</a> has launched its latest Brisbane apartment project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/quartet-milton-33-manning-street-milton-qld-4064">Quartet Milton</a>, marking its entry into the sought-after inner-city suburb just two kilometres from the CBD.

The circa $100 million development will rise 18 storeys and deliver 131 apartments, offering a mix of one, two-, and three-bedroom residences.

Ideally located on Manning Street, Quartet residents will be within 300 metres of Milton Station, 500 metres from the Milton Ferry Wharf, and a short walk to Milton Markets, the iconic Park Road, as well as a range of breweries and cafés.

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Designed by architecture firm <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and brought to life by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>, the building features a simple, gridded façade paired with generous glazing to enhance views, maximise aspect, and capture both sunrises and sunsets from within the apartments and their generously sized balconies.

Residents will have access to a 1,000 sqm rooftop, curated to balance wellness and entertaining, in response to increasing demand for wellness-focused shared spaces.

"We've approached Quartet Milton as a complete lifestyle offering, not just apartments, but a place where the design, amenities, and location all work together in a meaningful way," says Goldfields Managing Director Lachlan Thompson.

"Buyers are looking for that sense of confidence, knowing the vision has been carefully thought through not just by us as developers, but by all our consultants appointed to bring this together, and that it will be delivered to the standard they expect."

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Cera Stribley Co-Founder and Managing Principal Domenic Cerantonio said the rooftop is designed to feel like a place "you'd genuinely use every day."

"A 25-metre pool framed by city and mountain views, wellness areas, and private dining spaces for evenings with friends create a setting designed for year-round comfort and effortless Brisbane living."

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In addition to the 25-metre pool, the rooftop will include a sauna, cold plunge, fully equipped gym, and zen gardens, all complemented by panoramic views of the city and river.

While the building is expected to appeal predominantly to owner-occupiers, Goldfields anticipates interest from investors seeking strong rental returns, driven by the project's design, location, and the city's projected capital growth in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/milton-qld-4064">Milton</a>, widely regarded as one of Brisbane's most desirable inner-ring suburbs due to its lifestyle offering and proximity to the CBD, has experienced a shortage of new apartment supply in recent years.

Goldfields is already active in the Brisbane residential market through its Ripley Valley masterplanned community, Hayfield. The 109-hectare neighbourhood is already home to more than 300 families and features a large community park.

Plans for the precinct include a 4 km running track, future schools, and retail and commercial amenities, all within a 35-minute drive of the Brisbane CBD.

Goldfields also plans to deliver a new mixed-use tower at 88 Robertson Street in Fortitude Valley, within the James Street precinct. The project will include 16,000 sqm of boutique commercial space, a level of wellness facilities, and a rooftop restaurant and event space, akin to Goldfields House in South Yarra, its flagship mixed-use development on Chapel Street, which is crowned by the Beverly Rooftop bar, one of Melbourne’s best-known venues.

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Goldfields sets the stage as Quartet Milton launches

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/stockland">Stockland</a> and Homes NSW have taken the next major step in the transformation of Waterloo Estate, lodging a Concept State Significant Development Application and concurrent rezoning proposal for the renewal of Waterloo South.

The proposal, now on public exhibition, outlines plans for around 3,300 new homes across the 12.3-hectare precinct. A minimum 30 per cent of residential gross floor area will be delivered as social housing, approximately 20 per cent as affordable housing, and a maximum 50 per cent as market housing. The redevelopment would more than quadruple the number of homes currently on the site and more than double the existing supply of social and affordable housing.

The renewal of Waterloo South forms the first stage of the broader Waterloo Estate transformation and is set to unfold over the next 10 to 15 years. The estate currently contains 750 social housing dwellings and 120 private homes.

<img alt="First look: Stockland and Homes NSW unveil plans for 3,300-home Waterloo South renewal" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ba2da34b-171b-4ff1-b0c7-4baf0bce97f2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Waterloo%20public.png?VersionId=S5apPKOqjPHJhk_SzCvdVPxsEBYs300o" />

The proposal, prepared by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a> and Beam Planning, spans 10 street blocks bounded by Cope, Raglan, George, Wellington, Gibson, Kellick, Pitt and McEvoy Streets, directly adjoining the Waterloo Metro Station precinct and within walking distance of Redfern and Green Square stations.

Under the masterplan, building heights would range from two to 33 storeys, delivering approximately 282,485 sqm of residential floor space alongside at least 10,000 sqm of non-residential uses and a minimum 5,000 sqm of community space. The planning framework has been specifically structured to support the mixed-tenure outcome, with the residential gross floor area capped at a maximum 50 per cent market housing allocation.&nbsp;

The Urban Design Report describes the vision as creating “a unique and vibrant mixed-tenure housing precinct that supports the needs of the community and delivers much needed housing in response to National and State Government priorities.”&nbsp;

<img alt="First look: Stockland and Homes NSW unveil plans for 3,300-home Waterloo South renewal" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6e1a6d8b-0626-4fa7-94fc-aa91c0af86dc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/waterloo%20per.png?VersionId=duyiJTFOeezTNdM22leI3SoHuqnW6ZaY" />

A major focus of the revised proposal has been increasing the social and affordable housing component. The Minns Government increased the affordable and public housing allocation from 35 per cent to 50 per cent after coming to office in 2023.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said the changes were critical to maintaining Waterloo’s social diversity.

“When we came to government, we immediately reviewed the plans for the Waterloo renewal and boosted the number of public and affordable homes from 35 to 50 per cent,” Jackson said.

“This was a crucial step to ensure Waterloo remains a welcoming place for people from all walks of life to call home now and into the future.”&nbsp;

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the project would reshape the precinct for generations.

“This concept DA brings thousands of new public, affordable and market homes on the doorstep of the Waterloo Metro station another step closer to reality,” Scully said.

“Importantly, alongside the new homes the plan also proposes new open space where residents and the broader community can gather, relax and play.”&nbsp;

<img alt="First look: Stockland and Homes NSW unveil plans for 3,300-home Waterloo South renewal" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="867520cb-6e07-4204-885e-53793ac88066" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Waterloo%20public%20a.png?VersionId=lgSI85Q23xBLYLC9NcWKuWZY2HfP4zQ3" />

Stockland Managing Director and CEO Tarun Gupta said the project had been shaped around long-term liveability and community infrastructure.

“As delivery partner, Stockland is proud to be working with the NSW Government on the renewal of Waterloo South – a significant project with community at its heart,” Gupta said.&nbsp;

The planning documents place strong emphasis on “Designing with Country,” recognising the site’s location on Gadigal land. The masterplan incorporates new east-west pedestrian links, activated streetscapes, rooftop communal spaces, retail frontages, and landscaped public areas intended to improve permeability and community connection throughout the estate.&nbsp;

The proposal also seeks to establish a more flexible planning framework for future detailed SSDAs, including updated provisions for educational uses, creative industries, rooftop communal areas, and active frontages. A minimum seven per cent of residential floor space will be delivered as affordable housing managed in perpetuity by community housing provider City West Housing.&nbsp;

The Social Impact Assessment prepared by Urbis describes the renewal as one of Australia’s most significant public housing transformations, identifying substantial long-term positive impacts associated with housing supply, accessibility, public domain improvements, and community infrastructure.&nbsp;

Stockland and Homes NSW have already commenced the first stage of resident relocations, with some tenants moved into newly completed homes at Waterloo Metro Quarter and the Boronia development nearby.

First look: Stockland, NSW Gov, unveils plans for 3,300-home Waterloo South renewal

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/smith-by-valli-collingwood-224-228-smith-street-collingwood-vic-3066">Smith Collingwood</a> is a new boutique apartment development bringing a refined, design-led approach to one of Melbourne’s most established inner-city neighbourhoods.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pandolfini-architects">Pandolfini Architects</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/lisa-buxton-interiors">Lisa Buxton</a>, Smith by Valli sits on iconic Smith Street and comprises just 22 residences tailored toward owner-occupiers seeking a more considered style of apartment living.

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The design of Smith focuses on a north-facing orientation across all residences, a relatively uncommon feature in dense inner-Melbourne settings. Each apartment has been planned to maximise natural light and outlook, alongside a material palette defined by warm tones, custom joinery, and a full suite of Gaggenau appliances.

The development comprises a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, with pricing currently ranging from just under $1 million to around $4.85 million for the premium penthouse-level residences, reflecting growing demand for luxury owner-occupier product in Melbourne’s inner urban market.

Residents will also have access to a private rooftop garden designed as an elevated retreat above the city, &nbsp;featuring curated landscaping, veggie boxes, intimate seating areas and spaces for relaxed gatherings. Sustainability has also been integrated into the project through a 7-star energy rating and two secure bicycle facilities for every residence.

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Smith by Valli sits in the heart of one of Melbourne’s most established retail and hospitality strips, within walking distance of venues such as Falco Bakery, Carnation Canteen and Alimentari, alongside parks and everyday services. With a Walk Score of 99, the location reinforces the project’s positioning toward buyers prioritising walkability and access over car dependency.

With only a limited number of residences, Smith reflects growing demand for smaller, highly curated apartment developments that prioritise design quality, liveability, and connection to neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=140747]

Smith by Valli delivers design-led apartments to Melbourne’s inner north

Assemble

&quot;How are we going to be able to afford property?&quot;

That&#39;s the disgruntled question often&nbsp;muttered when first home buyers start looking at getting on the property ladder.

Runaway property prices have seen young prospective buyers either compromise on a number of factors of a purchase, whether it be location or number of bedrooms, when buying their first apartment. Some will stay living with their parents, and some will turn to renting.

One of Melbourne&#39;s most innovative developers, the&nbsp;affordability-conscious&nbsp;Assemble, has a unique model which has already helped many young Australian&#39;s get in to the property market.

Rather than the traditional build to sell (we develop, you buy) model, which has out-priced many, their Build to Rent to Own offering (known as Assemble Futures) allows prospective buyers to rent apartments, with a free option to buy, after five years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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<h2>What are Build to Rent to Own communities and how do they work?&nbsp;</h2>

Assemble began with Assemble Futures, previously known as the Assemble Model, offering an alternate pathway to home ownership, enabling residents to rent securely for five years, with the option to buy their home at the end of the lease period.

In June 2020, Australia&rsquo;s largest superannuation fund, AustralianSuper invested into the company, with a focus on supporting the expansion of the Assemble Futures model to help address housing affordability and create better access to homeownership.

&quot;Assemble​ Futures supports first home buyers into homeownership by enabling them to move in and experience their home and community for five years, while saving for a deposit to buy it,&quot; Assemble&#39;s​ director of marketing and relationships, Rebecca Shackleton, told Urban.

&quot;It protects them from shifts in the property market as they lock in the future purchase price of their home, and leases are renewed every 12 months, so if life takes them elsewhere, they have the flexibility to leave after the first 12 months.&quot;

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The hybrid Build to Rent model offers stable rents, certainty of tenure, financial coaching, and community services, giving residents the option to purchase after a five-year lease period at a pre-agreed price.

This pricing stability&nbsp;creates a pathway&nbsp;to homeownership that supports Australians with a moderate income, as defined by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/policy-and-strategy/affordable-housing/resources">Victorian State Government</a>.

Assemble&#39;s ambition is to challenge Australia&#39;s unfair housing system, with a focus on developing pathways into high quality, sustainable, stable housing.&nbsp;

&ldquo;With a deep respect for people, place, and planet, we deliver housing and create communities that embrace diversity, reflect local culture, and nurture a stronger sense of ownership and belonging,&rdquo; Shackleton said.

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Assemble, starts construction on its newest Build to Rent to Own development, 15 Thompson St, Kensington, this month.&nbsp;

MAKE - Assemble&#39;s parent company,&nbsp;spent $30 million on the site, which is the third project by the group in the inner Melbourne suburb.

Construction firm, Hacer Group has been awarded the contract to deliver the Kensington project valued at $190m, designed by Hayball with landscaping by Oculus.

Assemble Managing Director, Kris Daff said support by the Government, planning authorities and AustralianSuper, demonstrates confidence in offering Australian&rsquo;s alternative pathways into home ownership.

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&ldquo;Kensington is a highly prized inner-city location, and this approval unlocks access to design-driven, sustainable and community-oriented apartment living for Melbournians,&rdquo; said Daff.

&nbsp;Earlier this year Assemble secured rezoning of two prime industrial sites in Clayton and in East Bentleigh for future residential development.

Daff said it was a strong move that ensures Victorians will have an appropriate supply of social and affordable housing to meet the critical shortfall.

&quot;We are now a step closer to delivering over 1,600 social and affordable housing units, along with much needed health, commercial and retail outcomes, for the broad Glen Eira and Monash communities,&quot; Daff says.

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Assemble’s Build to Rent to Own (BTRTO) housing model is delivered through Assemble Futures.



alisonwarters@gmail.com

How Melbourne developer Assemble is changing the game for first home buyers

The 4 Ballarat St., Brunswick apartment development,&nbsp;is one of the most in-demand projects on Urban for first home buyers, namely down to its location and&nbsp;affordability.

Located in the heart of Brunswick, the project team at&nbsp;Assemble operate on a&nbsp;rent-with-the-option-to-buy model, which has made this development particularly popular.

Designed by&nbsp;Fieldwork Architects&nbsp;and with landscaping by Rush Wright, 4 Ballarat St. places an emphasis on providing a seamless transition to the natural environment, with each apartment running on 100 per cent renewable energy.

We recently spoke with Asse​mble&rsquo;s director of marketing and relationships, Rebecca Shackleton, to discuss the rent-with-the-option-to-buy development.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94542 project_image_fid=160739]

MK: How many multi-residential projects has&nbsp;Ass​emble completed within Victoria under their Assemble Futures scheme?

RS: The first project set to be delivered under Assem​ble Futures&rsquo; rent-with-the-option-to-buy scheme is 393 Macaulay Rd in Kensington. Residents are due to move in early 2022.

Other Assemb​le Futures projects include 15 Thompson St in Kensington and 4 Ballarat St. in Brunswick, with completion in 2023.

MK: What are the advantages of the rent-with-the-option-to-buy model at 4 Ballarat St. for first home buyers?

RS: Assemble​ Futures supports first home buyers into homeownership by enabling them to move in and rent their apartment for five years while saving for a deposit to buy it.

It protects them from shifts in the property market as they lock in the future purchase price of their home, and leases are renewed every 12 months, so if life takes them elsewhere, they have the flexibility to leave at the end of the lease.

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To secure an apartment, buyers sign the contract of sale, which locks in the future purchase price of their home, giving them the option, but not the obligation to purchase at the end of the five-year lease.

From the moment they sign, we will support them on their savings journey with our free (opt-in) financial coaching program. When they move in, they&rsquo;ll also have access to additional savings support through our bulk buying partnerships, aimed at reducing the cost of living across household goods, services and utilities by at least 20 per cent.

They will also get the added opportunity of experiencing their apartment, community, and neighbourhood before purchasing their home.

MK:&nbsp;What was the design brief for the architectural team at Fieldwork?&nbsp;&nbsp;

RS: Assemble partnered with Fieldwork architects to bring 4 Ballarat St. to life. Previously a factory designed by Melbourne architects AK Lines, McFarlane and Marshall, there is a strong history of textile manufacturing for brands, such as Hard Yakka Overalls company, Fletcher Jones, and more recently Perucci Shirts.

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Critical to the design brief, was the care needed in preserving the original building fabric and ensuring the new building was complementary to its surroundings. 4 Ballarat St. picks up on the distinctive qualities of Victorian Edwardian, post-war and industrial buildings, which characterise&nbsp;the diverse nature of the suburb.

Community is at the forefront of our building designs, with the relationship between apartments and the open-air walkways designed to encourage connection.&nbsp;

MK: What spoke to you about the 4 Ballarat St. site in particular when planning the development?

RS: 4 Ballarat St. is a vibrant location off Sydney Road. When it comes to Melbourne&rsquo;s renowned culinary areas, Sydney Road is high on the list with foodie icons like Tiba&rsquo;s, Mediterranean Wholesalers and the famous, low-cost A1 Bakery.

The site is within walking distance of great outdoor and recreational areas, including Clifton Park, Gilpin Reserve, A G Gillion Oval and Brunswick Baths. It is also well connected, with a range of public transport options servicing Sydney Road, residents are connected to surrounding suburbs, and can easily access the Melbourne CBD.

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MK: Where did you take your inspiration from?

RS: The design of the building has been inspired by the character, history, and predominant terracotta hues of the Brunswick neighbourhood.

Apartments are accented with warm colours and no-fuss design details such as terracotta tiles, hard-wearing benchtops, rich terracotta-coloured kitchen joinery, and chrome finishes.

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MK: What role did environmental design consultants Atelier Ten play in the project design and delivery?&nbsp;

RS: We collaborated with Atelier Ten to ensure best practice waste and sustainability methodologies are in place, and planet-friendly solutions are embedded throughout the building, reducing our environmental impact, and enhancing the quality of life for our residents.&nbsp;

We follow a clear set of design principles to ensure all apartments offer natural light, cross-flow ventilation and connection to landscaping and open space.&nbsp;

MK: 4 Ballarat St. boasts a number of communal amenities. What is the benefit of this?

RS: 4 Ballarat St.&nbsp;has been designed to bring people together offering residents an enriched and connected life beyond their four walls. Shared spaces provide meaningful, convenient and functional areas to work, eat and hang out.

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On level eight, you&rsquo;ll find a shared rooftop garden that has impressive views of the Melbourne skyline. A space to use as and when you like, it features several social zones to come together, entertain guests or host a barbeque.

The rooftop is also a space for pets to roam free in the designated dog park, while keen gardeners will also have a beautiful green zone and planting space. There is a shared clothesline for drying and a communal laundry, each apartment will have a laundry space, however,&nbsp;residents can choose not to have their own machine.&nbsp;

Our multi-purpose room is perfect for any type of event, yoga class, kids&rsquo; birthday party or if you have invited one too many dinner guests, it can be easily booked through the Assemble App.&nbsp;

On the ground floor, we have a multi-purpose workshop for the odd jobs where you&rsquo;d prefer not to mess up your apartment. It is complete with workbenches, shared tools, and wash sink, it&rsquo;s the place to get things done, and lean on your neighbour for a helping hand.

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The lending library is made to house all the little things you can&rsquo;t live without, but rarely use. Like a step ladder, a slow-cooker, or tools your need to fix your bike. It&rsquo;s about saving residents&rsquo; money through the power of sharing.

The parcel room and cool storage is a convenient and secure place for delivery services to leave your online purchases. If&nbsp;you&rsquo;re thinking about ordering groceries and drinks, our cool storage space keeps them fresh until you get home.&nbsp;

MK: Why did you choose Brunswick? Does this area offer strong investment opportunities for first home buyers?

RS: The median house price in Brunswick rose by 5.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2021 alone to $1.368 million, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. We are witnessing the strongest growth in property values in our history, rising at their fastest rate in almost two decades.

The residents of 4 Ballarat St.&nbsp;will lock in their future purchase price today which means they will be protected from shifts in the market if they decide to purchase at the end of the five-year lease. If the housing prices in Brunswick continue to rise as they have been, their home will appreciate with the market and any equity gained over the five years will be theirs to benefit from.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/dsc_2652.jpg?itok=QhlLN4TF" title="Brunswick. Image: Lauren Bamford" width="580" />

<figcaption>Brunswick. Image: Lauren Bamford</figcaption>
</figure>

MK: Where have buyers come from, and who is the development appealing to?

RS: 67 per cent of our residents have either come from Brunswick or other northern suburbs highlighting to us what a desirable area Brunswick is, with a great community.

Most of our residents are single, with around 20 per cent families and 20 per cent couples. It has been lovely to see so many residents referring their friends or housemates to the project, we have no doubt that 4 Ballarat St. will be a fantastic community.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=94542]

Urban recently spoke with Assemble’s director of marketing and relationships, Rebecca Shackleton, to discuss the rent-with-the-option-to-buy development. 

max.kwok_55688

What buyers need to know about 4 Ballarat St, Brunswick apartments: Urban chats with developer Assemble 

4 Ballarat St is the latest collaboration between developer Assemble and environmental design consultants Atelier Ten.

The team worked together to ensure best practice waste and sustainability targets were in place at the 171-residence development.

&ldquo;We have introduced some sustainable solutions throughout the building to reduce our environmental impact and enhance the quality of life of our future residents&rdquo;,&nbsp;Rebecca Shackleton, Director of Relationships and Marketing at Assemble, said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94542 project_image_fid=160734]

Inspired by the history of Brunswick and its unique spirit of inclusivity, progress and opportunity, 4 Ballarat St follows a clear set of design principles to ensure natural light, cross-flow ventilation, and connection to landscaping and open space.

The homes, while also offering a more accessible pathway to homeownership through the&nbsp;&lsquo;rent with the option to buy&rsquo; Assemble Futures&nbsp;scheme, are fully electric and run on 100 per cent renewable energy.

4 Ballarat St also includes its own green spaces, with landscaping by Rush Wright Associates to include lush entrance gardens, native tropical plants and communal landscaped space.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94542 project_image_fid=160730]

The development also aims to close the loop on waste through an onsite bio-composter.

Around half of all waste generated in homes is food waste, so as part of Assemble&rsquo;s wider organic waste management strategy, residents of 4 Ballarat St can contribute to the health and wellbeing of the land beneath them.

The onsite bio-composter will use microbial technology and heat to reduce organic waste volumes by up to 90 per cent in 24 hours, essentially turning harmful food waste into valuable fertiliser.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94542 project_image_fid=160735]

Residents can then use the fertiliser to enhance the soil in their rooftop veggie gardens or give it away to local community gardens and environmentally-conscious family and friends.

Other green features in this new development include:

<ul>
	<li>Rooftop Solar PV energy generation and distribution system to achieve up to 45kW on-site renewable energy</li>
	<li>Provision for car sharing and electric vehicle charging facilities</li>
	<li>Generous bike storage</li>
	<li>Minimum 7.5 NatHERS rating on average</li>
	<li>Exposed concrete soffit to provide thermal mass to help regulate internal temperature</li>
	<li>Highly efficient heating and cooling reverse cycle system as well as ceiling fans</li>
	<li>Full height double-glazing to balconies for views out and daylight penetration</li>
	<li>Communal laundry and clotheslines to encourage lower energy use</li>
	<li>Low VOC materials used throughout design</li>
	<li>Sustainable water management through re-use and recycling of stormwater to toilets and secret landscapes</li>
</ul>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94542 project_image_fid=160738]

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=94542]

The team worked together to ensure best practice waste and sustainability targets were in place at the 171-residence development

Assemble Futures deliver sustainable living at 4 Ballarat Street, Brunswick

The socially-conscious property developer&nbsp;Assemble are offering rental concessions for key workers in their Kensington project 393 Macaulay Road.

Seven apartments have been reserved exclusively for key workers as part of the Key Worker Program, which will offer a 20 per cent rental concession for those on a moderate income&nbsp;and work within the City of Melbourne or in surrounding suburbs.

The likes of school teachers, medical professionals, carers, social workers, emergency services, arts and culture, and hospitality and service industry workers fall in to the key worker category.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8415 project_image_fid=81527]

Eligible key worker applicants will lease their apartments under the developer&rsquo;s innovative&nbsp;Assemble&nbsp;Futures housing concept and will receive a 20% rent concession&nbsp;for the total lease period of five years. At the end of the lease, applicants will have the option to purchase the property at an agreed price.

Assemble&nbsp;Managing Director, Kris Daff said&nbsp;that last year highlighted the vital role that key workers play in our society.

&quot;This is our opportunity to give back in a meaningful way,&quot; Daff said.

&quot;This includes frontline workers, such as our health and emergency services personnel, but also our local barista and the team working at the news agency.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8415 project_image_fid=81536]

&ldquo;We have been collaborating with the City of Melbourne over the past three years to design our Key Worker Program that ensures our most essential workers have access to quality housing near their place of employment at a reasonable rental price,&rdquo; said Mr Daff.

Designed by Fieldwork, the apartment development comprises 73 apartments over eight levels and is located three kilometres north-west of Melbourne&rsquo;s CBD in Kensington.

The project topped out in March and will welcome residents toward the end of the year.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8415 project_image_fid=27091]

393 Macauley Road was identified as one of Resilient Melbourne&rsquo;s&nbsp;Resilient Communities&nbsp;(an initiative of 100 Resilient Cities &ndash; pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation).

Assemble are also developing a rent-to-buy apartment block in Brunswick.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94542 project_image_fid=160734]

The current factory site at 4 Ballarat Street, Brunswick will be converted by architecture firm Fieldwork to home 171 studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments.

The built form takes inspiration from the Brunswick streetscape, with Fieldwork&rsquo;s design integrating raw materials such as corrugated iron, blue stone paving and concrete to create a timeless ribbed-textured &lsquo;patina&rsquo; exterior.&nbsp;

"This is our opportunity to give back in a meaningful way," Assemble Managing Director Kris Daff said.



Assemble reserve apartments for key workers and offer rental deductions at Kensington project

The affordability and sustainability conscious&nbsp;developer Assemble are set to launch its latest rent-with-the-option-to-buy apartment development in Melbourne&#39;s Brunswick next month.

The current factory site at 4 Ballarat Street, Brunswick will be converted by architecture firm Fieldwork to home 171 studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments.

It will be the third&nbsp;rent-with-the-option-to-buy project following&nbsp;393 Macaulay Rd in&nbsp;Kensington, currently under construction with residents moving in later this year, and 15 Thompson St, also in Kensington, which is now being demolished in preparation for construction.&nbsp;

How does rent to buy&nbsp;work?

The new&nbsp;rent-with-the-option-to-buy model offers a more accessible pathway to owning a home, that bridges the gap between renting and buying. Once the applicant signs the lease agreement and contract of sale, they secure five years agreed rent with the option to buy their home at the end of the lease period.

Assemble managing director&nbsp;Kris Daff said the Assemble Futures housing concept is popular for Melbourne&rsquo;s first home buyers, with moderate incomes starting from $60,000, and renters alike seeking secure, long-term housing.

&ldquo;We are witnessing the strongest growth in property values in our history, rising at their fastest rate in almost two decades, and as a result, we have reached a crisis point in housing affordability,&quot; Daff says.

&quot;Our housing concept, Assemble Futures, takes the volatility out of the market and provides absolute price certainty for our clients over the term of the lease and the end purchase price.&rdquo;&nbsp;

&ldquo;This latest project provides those with a moderate annual income an opportunity to save for a home deposit, know they have the security of tenure and live in the heart of the Brunswick community in a quality designed apartment,&rdquo; said Mr Daff.

About the development

The built form takes inspiration from the Brunswick streetscape, with Fieldwork&rsquo;s design integrating raw materials such as corrugated iron, blue stone paving and concrete to create a timeless ribbed-textured &lsquo;patina&rsquo; exterior.&nbsp;

The ground level features a multi-purpose workshop and lending library to share household items with others. There will also be a communal rooftop room with bookable studio space, as well as a barbecue area, veggie patch, a designated dog park and wash area.

<img alt="" height="840" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/assemble_brunswick_2.jpg" width="1600" />

The landscaping by landscape architecture team Rush Wright will include&nbsp;tropical plants that run from the ground floor to look up unto the building&#39;s open atrium space.

The project will&nbsp;run on 100% renewable energy (natural gas free), with a minimum 7.5-star average NatHERS rating target. An onsite bio-composter that employs a closed loop system will manage organic waste and convert this to fertilizer for the gardens, with stormwater recycled and used for toilets and landscape watering.

Provisioning will be made for future electric vehicle charging facilities. There will also be&nbsp;parking for more than 200 bikes.

Apartments will be released by Assemble&rsquo;s Relationships team from May 15 across three stages. Construction is commencing from late 2021 and expected to be complete by early 2023.

About Assemble Communities

Formed in 2010, Assemble Communities is a developer and community management company on a mission to make thoughtfully designed sustainable homes more accessible to more people.&nbsp;

With a deep respect for people and place, Assemble aim to create communities that embrace diversity, reflect local culture and nurture a stronger sense of ownership and belonging.

They focus on delivering affordable housing options under their Assemble Futures model and build to rent projects. Assemble have a privately funded rental housing portfolio valued at $3 billion, with 5,000 dwellings across 10 sites.

The current factory site will be converted by architecture firm Fieldwork to home 171 studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments



First home buyers to flock to Assemble's newest rent to buy apartment development in Brunswick

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The build-to-rent developer Assemble will deliver 3,300 dwellings for low and moderate income households alongside the national not-for-profit provider Housing Choices Australia.

The initial tranche of the pipeline will be focused in Melbourne's inner and middle ring, with Carnish Road in Clayton earmarked as one of the key sites to be delivered under the partnership.

At least 20 per cent of the dwellings will be within the low-income housing component of each community.

Groups offered tenancy may include women experiencing domestic violence, young people living with disabilities, or key workers on low, fixed incomes that provide essential community services.

Housing Choices Australia will manage community housing across Assemble's $1.5 billion future project pipeline of build-to-rent developments. Under the partnership, Housing Choices Australia and Assemble will co-invest alongside institutional equity investors in all projects. 

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4124]

Assemble managing director Kris Daff said that the timing of this partnership is critical as Australia has an affordable housing shortfall in excess of one million dwellings that must be met by 2036.

“We are proud to partner with Housing Choices Australia to deliver much needed long-term mixed-income rental housing. Our partnership demonstrates how the private and not-for-profit community housing sector can work in unison to deliver real solutions to Australia’s critical housing shortage,” said Mr Daff.

“At a time that has been socially and economically devastating for Victoria, fuelled by uncertainty in housing tenure and barriers to home ownership, our communities need support now more than ever to ensure we do not reach crisis point.”

“Build to rent is a scalable model, and when executed to its best effect, it has the potential to meet our nation’s demand for secure-tenure affordable housing. We see mixed-income communities as a blueprint for the future of Australian housing,” said Mr Daff.

Housing Choices Australia managing director Michael Lennon said although new to Australia, build to rent is widely adopted internationally

“The establishment of build to rent as an asset class reflects the growing maturity of the community housing sector in Australia," Lennon said.

“Build to rent recognises that there are very significant unmet housing needs in Australia coupled with a strong desire by institutional investors to diversify and to contribute solutions to the housing crisis. The community housing sector offers ideal partnership opportunities because of its depth of experience in managing tenancies and communities cost effectively.”

“International examples of build to rent offer a wider array of housing choices, enrich city communities, benefit local economies and most importantly, take pressure off the housing system overall,”  Lennon added.

Assemble currently has a significant project pipeline in Victoria – the largest private portfolio of mixed-income housing.
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At least 20 per cent of the dwellings will be within the low-income housing component of each community

Assemble strike $1.5 billion affordable housing deal with Housing Choices Australia

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<h2>OPINION:</h2>

Never in our lifetime have we experienced such a global shock that has also provided a unique opportunity to take stock of our lives. Many of us are pausing to consider what areas we’re happy with, what we need to change, and new habits we would like to form to enable a more fulfilling life.

We also face challenges that have put a spotlight on our finances and show us just how financially resilient we may or may not be. This can be a confronting situation to find ourselves in but, like anything, we get to choose how we respond to the challenge.

I believe that there has never been a more critical time to take a closer look at our finances and set ourselves up for a less stressful and more prepared approach to our financial future.

In my work as Assemble’s Financial Coach, I help residents improve their financial wellbeing and guide them towards achieving their ultimate goal of homeownership via the Assemble Model.

My first piece of advice is to take stock of where your money is going.

During this period of uncertainty, it is best to focus on the essentials – food, transport, utilities, and housing. Consider reviewing any items outside of these essentials to check whether you can remove them altogether or look at reducing these costs to ensure you are on the best or cheapest deal available. If you work towards stripping these expenses right back, you may have the chance to decide if you still wish to continue paying for these non-essential items once you return to your lifestyle after COVID-19 passes. You may even consider new ways to use that extra money if you find that you could quite comfortably live without them.

While you may have had to reduce spending on the things that took a reasonable amount from your weekly budget – such as dining out, gyms or beauty treatments – it's important to take a look at where you can reallocate these outgoing costs.

If you’ve lost your job or had your hours reduced, this is the time to find more funds to better support you throughout this time. This could include using your emergency fund and any resources offered by the government, such as JobSeeker, or contacting service providers to pause payments or put bills on hold. It’s okay to accept the financial support available as there is no shame in asking for help.  If you feel overwhelmed, remember that this time will pass, so lean on friends and family for emotional support if you need it.

If your employer has not been affected, then this puts you in the fortunate position of being able to redirect these non-essential costs to boosting your savings. This could include a home deposit, increasing your emergency fund to future-proof yourself in the event your circumstances change, or to pay down debts that would have otherwise taken more time and money in interest costs to get rid of.

For example, if you’re no longer spending $160 on a gym membership each month, then this can be reallocated by increasing your monthly debt repayments by an additional $160 or setting up an automatic transfer for that amount across to your savings or emergency fund instead. You can apply this concept to many expenses, such as dining out, social events, exercise classes, public transport and pay TV or sports channels that you’re not using. All of these subscriptions and fees can add up, and you can get these amounts working for you in other ways.

You need to give your money ‘a job to do’ because if you leave it sitting in your account, it won’t be long before it’s given another ‘job’. These can come up as ‘bored in iso online shopping’ or ‘the extra chocolate stash’ – which isn’t beneficial to your financial position.

Although COVID-19 has been devastating for people, significantly impacting our health system and economy, it has brought an opportunity to re-evaluate how we spend our time, which influences how we will earn and spend money in the future.

This can mean that in the months ahead when we’re readjusting our lives and setting new goals, we can do it with confidence in our financial position and a new understanding of how we want to spend our time based on what we truly value.
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Resetting your finances during COVID-19 – a financial coach’s guide 

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Here at Apartments.com.au, we love to track developments from the moment they are lodged for town planning consideration to construction, and through to completion. 122 Roseneath Street represents one such project that we have been fortunate enough to follow over the course of its life cycle, having first been profiled on Apartments.com.au way back in <a href="/news/in-detail-122-138-roseneath-street-clifton-hill">October 2015</a> and being added to our database in August of the same year.

This almost four year journey came to a close last month with the first residents moving into the progressive development in Clifton Hill. With community engagement and social connectivity as two of its greatest drivers, 122 Roseneath Street has been delivered by a collective of socially engaged and design oriented joint development partners comprising ICON Developments, Wulff Projects and Assemble.

Designed by Fieldwork, 122 Roseneath St. comprises 65 homes with a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments, and two and three bedroom townhouses, in addition to a retail space and resident workshop space within three buildings.

Holistically the development is characterised by its raised landscaped spines or laneways, which provide circulation and access for residents but also adequate building separation for privacy while also ensuring a green aspect. The three buildings are arranged around these green spines with a taller central apartment building in between and two rows of townhouses along the east and west boundaries transitioning down in scale to respond to neighbours. 

The raised landscape spaces allow for parking below while also creating a quasi-public space - there are no gates preventing access to the public but by raising the space and providing access via a series of stars there is some delinieation between public and private use.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/fieldwork_roseneath_ctatjana_plitt_57a8844.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The spines provide a green buffer and outlook between buildings. Image: Tatjana Plitt"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fieldwork_roseneath_ctatjana_plitt_57a8844.jpg?itok=9oN03ntU" title="The spines provide a green buffer and outlook between buildings. Image: Tatjana Plitt" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The spines provide a green buffer and outlook between buildings. Image: Tatjana Plitt</figcaption></figure>According to the joint development partners, the approach employed for 122 Roseneath St. project represents a growing trend in Australia’s apartment market,  which incorporates human-centred design driven by shared values and psychographics of residents and the local community.

The joint development partners say that by adopting a community-led approach, they were able to attract a diverse yet like-minded group of purchasers, resulting in a housing typology that reflects the community’s needs and aspirations for the neighbourhood.

The development team, undertook a comprehensive community engagement process throughout key moments along the project's life cycle, including early engagement with local residents during town planning and organising presentations which sought feedback from prospective purchasers prior to sales and again during construction. 

Prior to the finalisation of the building’s design, the developers conducted 12 stage one design presentations which were attended by 450 people, and a further 7 stage two design presentations which were attended by 280 people.

Feedback received during these sessions informed the inclusion of a communal room for flexible uses (e.g. yoga and kids play during the day and entertaining at night), a laundry, a workshop space for bike repairs and dog washing, and edible herb garden, external operable shutters and a rooftop deck for townhouses.

This early engagement with local residents and the greater community ensured that the project earned the support of the majority of the community, avoiding VCAT and generating a positive result for locals, residents, and the development team.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/fieldwork_roseneath_ctatjana_plitt_57a8769.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The communal landscaped laneways. Image: Supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="450" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fieldwork_roseneath_ctatjana_plitt_57a8769.jpg?itok=CUAGUvYq" title="The communal landscaped laneways. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The communal landscaped laneways not only provide access but dwell spaces. Image: Tatjana Plitt</figcaption></figure>You can track 122 Roseneath Street's four-year journey on  Urban/Apartments.com.au via the links below:

<ul>
<li><a href="/news/in-detail-122-138-roseneath-street-clifton-hill">In detail: 122-138 Roseneath Street, Clifton Hill</a></li>
	<li>
	<a href="/news/assemble-papers-and-open-house-present-the-brutalist-block-party">Assemble Papers and Open House present the Brutalist Block Party</a>
	</li>
	<li>
	<a href="/news/social-connectivity-is-at-the-heart-of-122-roseneath-street">Social connectivity is at the heart of 122 Roseneath Street</a>
	</li>
	<li>
	<a href="/news/love-me-tender-projects-currently-at-tender-that-will-begin-in-2017">Love me tender: projects currently at tender that will begin in 2017</a>
	</li>
	<li>
	<a href="/news/on-site-with-wulff-projects-part-02-122-roseneath-street-clifton-hill">On site with Wulff Projects (Part 02) : 122 Roseneath Street, Clifton Hill</a>
	</li>
</ul>
We've also uploaded a number of photos from my site visit with Kyle on the <a href="/buildings/122-roseneath-st-122-roseneath-street-clifton-hill">122 Roseneath Street project page</a>. Be sure to check them out. 

<h2>ICON Development's Kyle Reeves:</h2>

<blockquote>
“By speaking directly to our audience, we have created homes that truly reflect purchasers’ preferences and have fostered a genuine sense of community. 122 Roseneath St. demonstrates how a thoughtful, community-led approach to design can achieve strong social, cultural and commercial outcomes,” said Kyle Reeve, senior development manager at ICON Developments.

The success of the approach, which resulted in sales of over 80 per cent on the first day of launch and the remaining homes sold out within 8 weeks, meant that the developers saved $1 million on sales and marketing costs, which was then reinvested back into the building.

Residents, which consist of 85 per cent owner-occupiers, have now moved into the development of 47 apartments and 18 townhouses and represent a mix of downsizers, families, single people, and first home buyers.

The tailored approach resonated with purchasers and resulted in a high owner-occupier rate. By focusing on the role of psychographics, we were able to attract all types of buyers, from downsizers, young families, single people, first home buyers, many with children and pets, to create a community of like-minded residents. 122 Roseneath St. is an affirmation in the true value of upfront community engagement.

Lots of buyers are sceptical about buying off the plan, and I think this is rooted in the traditional lack of communication between developers and purchasers. What this model really did was open up the doors and facilitate this two-way conversation.

The model wasn’t necessarily about driving profit but testing a new approach which could assist with managing risk and delivering a better quality end product. The ability to bring potential purchasers along on the planning and design journey meant that when the time came to sell the apartments, we were very confident we had a product that purchasers wanted, at a price they were willing to pay".
</blockquote>
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Laurence Dragomir

A 4-year journey comes to a close - 122 Roseneath Street, a retrospective

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Located in the Queen Victoria Gardens, MPavilion will officially be opened today with the event to be defined by its temporary architectural structure. Following in the footsteps of <a href="/news/melbournes-architectural-summer">Sean Godsell Architects' 2014 commission</a>, British design firm AL_A have produced this year's pavilion which will stand until the event's completion in February 2016.

Each year over a stretch of four years, an architect will be commissioned to design a temporary pavilion for the Queen Victoria Gardens. AL_A snared the second pavilion which will be free for the public to visit as of today.

Employing cutting edge technology, the MPavilion 2015/16 seeks to mimic the surrounding forest canopy of the Queen Victoria Gardens, while also illuminating during the evening.

<h2>MPavilion design</h2>

Assemble Papers <a href="http://assemblepapers.com.au/2015/09/25/otherworldly-architecture-amanda-levete/">explored the MPavilion design</a> recently, with excerpts from their article below.

<blockquote>
The roof of AL_A’s pavilion will be comprised of vanishingly thin, translucent petals up to five metres in diameter but only three millimetres thick. Slender 40mm wide columns, made from carbon fibre tubes developed for camera tripods, will form the supports.

At night, hidden LEDs will light the petals from within. To build this dramatically dematerialised structure, AL_A is working collaboratively with mouldCAM, a marine fabrication specialist, and the Australian office of engineering firm ARUP. Together, the team has developed a composite that combines a clear resin used for surfboards with carbon fibre strands, to achieve both translucency, and the flexibility and strength needed for the petals’ five metre spans.
<cite>Assemble Papers</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image76_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="AL_A's preliminary images for MPavilion"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="259" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image76_0.jpg?itok=Y2Fec8us" title="AL_A's preliminary images for MPavilion" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>AL_A's preliminary images for MPavilion</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
MPavilion will be a strange hybrid of high technology and organic form. It too, will prompt curiosity, drawing attention to both itself and an otherwise oft-overlooked part of the city, in this case Victoria Gardens.

In service of the idea of the pavilion as a tree canopy, or as a building that responds dynamically to the climate, though, AL_A has made a brave move: the pavilion will have no walls. Given Melbourne’s fickle weather, this commitment to conceptual purity is risky.
<cite>Assemble Papers</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>The architect says</h2>

<blockquote>
The brief is a great opportunity to design a structure that responds to the climate and the landscape. I wanted to exploit the temporary nature of the pavilion form and produce a design that speaks in response to the weather. Rooting the pavilion in its parkland setting, I looked to create the sensation of a forest canopy in the heart of the city that gives shelter to a program of events.

At AL_A, we have a long history of working with boat builders, and Australia has some of the finest. We’re working with a nautical fabricator to employ the boundary-pushing technology of composite materials to create the canopy, which is made up of a number of seemingly fragile, translucent petals supported by impossibly slender columns that gently sway in the breeze.
<cite>Amanda Levete: mpavilion.org</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>A catalyst for collaboration</h2>

MPavilion will act as an events hub that will host dozens of public events from today October 5th through to 7th February 2016. A variety of workshops, talks and installations will occur over the this four month period.

Most interesting is the event titled <a href="http://www.mpavilion.org/program/high-density-happiness-building-communities">high-density happiness: building communities</a> set for Wednesday 14th October at 6pm. Featuring Neometro's James Tutton and Dumbo Feather's Madeline Lucas, the conversation will principally explore "Urban social initiatives that encourage collective ownership of inner-city communities".

A <a href="http://www.mpavilion.org/program">full events guide</a> for the 2015/2016 MPavilion is available.
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silvermb

Melbourne's MPavilion is launched today

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<blockquote>
It's a really interesting discussion and I think it really is an ongoing discussion. I know the guys from Assemble Papers are working on something in relation to it which I'm participating in and they're asking some interesting questions; not necessarily about asking people if they want a larger apartment because a lot of people will say yes, but they're asking would you be willing to sacrifice size for design. For instance would you rather a 45sqm well designed apartment over a 50sqm stock standard apartment?
<cite>Michael McCormack, Milieu co-founder and Director</cite>
</blockquote>

Touched on briefly during Apartments.com.au's <a href="/news/an-interview-with-milieus-michael-mccormack">interview with Milieu's Michael McCormack</a>, the above quote relates to the ongoing debate within the industry regarding apartment design standards and how best to tackle the issue.

Our friends at <a href="http://assembleprojects.com.au/">Assemble</a> have taken it upon themselves to go the extra mile and have conceived a highly detailed survey by asking people what their expectations of apartment design are based on their lifestyles, needs and desires. The findings of the survey will form the basis of a report that Assemble will submit to the State Government as part of the consultation process.

Having been invited to review, comment and provide any additional points on the draft format of the design I can honestly say that it is nothing short of comprehensive. We ask you, our readers, on behalf of Assemble to take the time to complete the survey, which provides a great opportunity for everyone to have a say and help inform apartment design in Melbourne.

<h2>Help redefine the great Australian dream</h2>

To understand what makes for great medium and high density living, and to contribute to the <a href="http://assemblepapers.com.au/2014/09/19/the-great-apartment-design-debate/">current debate on apartment design standards</a>, Assemble is reaching out to you to tell them how you live now – and how you’d like to live in the future – via a national small footprint living survey. Once you’ve shared your thoughts and experiences, you can throw your hat in the ring to win a weekend at <a href="http://www.hotel-hotel.com.au/">Hotel Hotel</a> in Canberra. The survey should take no more than 15 to 25 minutes to complete and all responses will be recorded anonymously.

Assemble is a Melbourne-based residential property developer focused on small footprint projects. They work with like-minded developers to share and realise their vision for sustainable cities. Assemble’s values and ideas find a voice in <a href="http://assemblepapers.com.au/">Assemble Papers</a> – an online and biannual print journal about the culture of living closer together, across art, design, architecture, urbanism, the environment and financial matters. The three directors of Assemble are Giuseppe Demaio, Joachim Holland and Ben Keck. Between them, they also provide to clients architecture services via <a href="http://www.fieldworkprojects.com.au/">Fieldwork</a> and brand communication services via <a href="http://www.localpeoples.com/">Local Peoples</a>.

<blockquote>
The quarter-acre block we once aspired to is no longer affordable for most Australians, nor does it match up to our 21st century vision for well-connected, culturally diverse, sustainable and smart cities. To live better in cities, we need to live smaller. However, the capacity to do so is necessarily affected by government regulation. The Victorian and NSW governments are currently reviewing policies that will have a significant impact on the way we live in years to come, and we have a chance to be part of the process.
<cite>Ben Keck, Assemble Director</cite>
</blockquote>

Assemble’s Small Footprint Living Survey follows the release of <a href="http://delwp.vic.gov.au/planning/policy-and-strategy/better-apartments">‘Better Apartments, A Discussion Paper’</a> by the Victorian Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne MP, on 14 May 2015 – a fresh start to the discussion following the leak of the proposed Victorian Apartment Design Standards in July last year.

Assemble will prepare a report on the survey findings that will be made publicly available on their website. Assemble will also submit the report to the Victorian Government as part of the consultation period for ‘Better Apartments, A Discussion Paper’ and use it as a conversation-starter to engage with industry stakeholders and policymakers across the country.

<blockquote>
Our hope is not only to influence policymaking, but also to provide a useful resource to assist decision-making by home-buyers, renters, developers, planners, architects and city-lovers alike. This is a vital, complicated and passionate debate for our cities. There don’t appear to be any silver bullet solutions. Close consultation between government and the property, planning and architecture communities will be necessary to strike the delicate balance of encouraging new and affordable apartment supply and a high standard of living for current and future generations.
<cite>Ben Keck</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>Come stay at Hotel Hotel</h2>

Hotel Hotel is a place of collaborative craftsmanship made by artists, makers, designers and fantasists. It is the brainchild of the Molonglo Group who are also responsible for the NewActon precinct within which Hotel Hotel resides. NewActon is a series of landscaped and edible gardens, commissioned art, cafes, bars and restaurants, residential and commercial spaces, cinemas and ongoing cultural programs designed to make the everyday special.

The final piece of the NewActon precinct is the series of Nishi buildings – conceived and designed by Molonglo Group, working with Fender Katsalidis Architects, Japan’s Suppose Design Office, March Studios, international engineering consultants Arup, and urban and landscape designers Oculus. It is one of the most radically sustainable buildings in Australia – both environmentally and socially. This is where Hotel Hotel lives – a conduit for NewActon’s communal culture and the product of countless collaborations with artists and designers from all over the country. From Perimeter’s books in the library to Kris Coad’s ceramics in the restaurant, every object and experience is curated to create a supremely pleasurable stay.

Assemble have made friends with Hotel Hotel so one of you will get to go on a weekend away – what better way to thank you for your feedback than by giving you the opportunity to experience small footprint living first hand. The prize includes two nights’ accommodation for you and a friend in the month of September, return flights to Canberra from your nearest Australian capital city and some goodies during your stay.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/hotel_hotel_illustration_by_alice_oehr_for_assemble.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hotel Hotel © Alice Oehr"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="403" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/hotel_hotel_illustration_by_alice_oehr_for_assemble.jpg?itok=5AI_pOHO" title="Hotel Hotel © Alice Oehr" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Hotel Hotel illustration © Alice Oehr</figcaption></figure>http://survey.assembleprojects.com.au/ #smallfootprintlivingsurvey

The The Small Footprint Living Survey will be open for submissions until Monday 20 July, 5.00pm.
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