First look exclusive: Neometro file plans for Gore Street, Fitzroy apartments
Designed-focused Melbourne developer Neometro has submitted plans for a collection of 23 apartments in the heart of the vibrant Fitzroy neighbourhood, in collaboration with award-winning Melbourne architectural studio Edition Office.
The project, 450 Gore Street, between Brunswick Street and Smith Street, is located in a leafy residential pocket of Fitzroy. It and has a distinct geometric form elevated by subtle sculptural detailing. Neometro are targeting a gas free project, with a 7.5 star NatHERS energy rating. A mix of one, two and three-bedrooms will be on offer.
The intention of the design of 450 Gore Street is to complement its urban residential surroundings, with it being positioned alongside Victorian terraces, worker's cottages, and an established tree canopy. It will feature raw concrete, coloured tactile bricks, clear fluted glass and deep forest green painted metal detailing.
The building features a carefully staggered facade, designed in line with detailed shadow analysis to maximise natural light into each building while protecting residents’ privacy. Giving way to deep private balconies, the unique design also affords each apartment direct access to outdoor space.
Floor to ceiling windows offer impressive views out across the inner-north suburbs and towards Melbourne’s central business district, which will remain protected due to the location’s zoning rules.
The building’s ground floor apartments feature generous interior volumes, which actively engage with the street and are a natural evolution of Neometro’s loft typology in size and scale.
The project marks a long-lasting connection between Neometro and the City of Yarra, where it has completed 10 projects, including its first ever project 35 years ago, 51 Little Smith Street in Fitzroy.
“Since 1985, we’ve worked to deliver better architectural outcomes for the City of Yarra," Neometro Director Jeff Provan says.
"Our buildings are designed to provide for people over the course of their lives and our long-standing residents in this suburb are testament to the quality of Neometro homes."
450 Gore Street will be the first project Neometro and Edition Office have worked on together.
Neometro Director Lochlan Sinclair says the building represents a new partnership founded on shared values and mutual respect.
"We are very pleased to be finally coming together, to create this stunning addition to Fitzroy and continue our long-lasting connection to the suburb," Sinclair said.
Edition Office is ran by Aaron Robert and Kim Bridgland. Bridgland says the architectural language of the existing industrial and post industrial buildings in Fitzroy is strong horizontal banding often supported on large robust columns or piers," Bridgland says.
"This defines the pedestrian experience and retail frontages along many of the streets and we feel is a detail worth celebrating. We have reinterpreted the recurring motif into a new design aesthetic. The banding becomes the mechanism through which to unite the site’s industrial heritage and Gore Streets’ residential fabric.
Neometro will be taking registrations of interest this month, with an official launch expected in early 2024.