Coburg Collective: A vibrant mixed-use development in Melbourne's inner-north
Located on the inner edge of Melbourne's CBD, Coburg is rapidly becoming a hotspot for commercial and residential development, drawing attention from both investors and the government's future planning initiatives.
With its access to various transportation options such as tram, train, and bike paths leading directly to the city, along with quick links to the freeway and Melbourne Airport, Coburg's strategic location has become a sought-after destination.
The presence of esteemed educational institutions like Monash University, RMIT, Coburg Primary School, and Brunswick East Primary School in close proximity also add to its allure.
Among the prominent developments that have transformed Coburg into a vibrant urban hub, Ruiyi Australia's Coburg Collective delivers a mixed-use project to the heart of the inner north, boasting 158 apartments in the main building and an additional 12 townhouses along Cash Street.
More than just residential apartments, the Hayball-designed, eight-level building is also home to significant commercial and retail spaces, as well as two grand lobbies, complete with concierge services, a library, bar, lounge, gym, pool, and sauna. Communal courtyards and gardens grace the ground floor and the rooftop, with the crowning space also featuring a cinema and far-reaching views to Melbourne's skyline.
Hayball said a lack of public open space and amenity in the area prompted them to introduce and maximise high levels of green space to both the public and private realm when designing Coburg Collective.
An internal laneway and onsite retail options along Sydney Road enrich the overall experience, providing residents with a diverse selection of dining, entertainment, and shopping opportunities.
"Additional to the pedestrian through link to Sydney Road, we have introduced a public pocket park, landscaped yards and setbacks to residential entries as well as a rooftop terrace and micro gardens to the upper floors," Hayball advised.
The architectural vision for Coburg Collective is a testament to the suburb's industrial aesthetic, with Hayball blending raw tactility with curated elegance to pay homage to Coburg's historic heart. Inside, the interiors adopt a neutral and refined palette, allowing for individual expression amidst raw, organic materials.
"The Sydney Road façade is designed to be highly articulated, presenting a distinct character to the street and entrance to the public realm, while the street wall offers a mix of textured concrete and glass with planter boxes, dramatic metal-profile shopfront canopies, and glazing systems," Hayball added.
"The street wall above, primarily composed of brick is punctuated by alternating openings of infill steel fin balustrades, flush glazing and open voids, offering glimpses to the courtyard gardens beyond.
"The Cash Street Townhouses draw on the local vernacular housing stock to provide a contemporary design response to the surrounding context including the use of undulating roof profiles and articulated brick front fences."