Vertical tower to embrace social, affordable and accessible apartments
MELBOURNE: It’s social and affordable housing like you’ve never seen it before — with a 7.5-star energy rating and “world-class amenities”, including a rooftop cinema, dining area and gym overlooking the city skyline.
While the former HomesWest system delivered no-thrills flats, new details on the upcoming 27-storey building on Pier Street, Northbridge, being developed by the Department of Communities, reveal a new level of luxury in government housing.
A total of 30 per cent of the 184 apartments in the $50 million tower will be used for social and affordable housing. The remaining 70 per cent will be sold on the open market.
Nigel Hindmarsh, acting assistant director-general of commercial operations at the Department of Communitiessaid the high standard of taxpayer-funded social housing was justified because it was entirely financed from profits from the overall project.
Construction has been delayed until next year, after a city-wide slump in apartment pre-sales.
Brendan Gore, the managing director of project developer Peet, said the ground floor would have “world-class amenities for all to enjoy, including a cafe with alfresco dining in the external colonnade, as well as a shared community-based space and co-working hub supporting local business”. It was designed by Klopper and Davis Architects.
