Construction has completed for a new and expansive residential precinct in West Melbourne, set to contribute to suburb’s rapid growth and increasing reputation as one of Melbourne’s most attractive locations for a diverse mix of homebuyers.
Located at 512-544 Spencer Street and designed by Australasian architecture practice, Plus Architecture, The Marker is an $87m investment by developer Lechte Corporation to revitalise the industrially recognised streetscape of West Melbourne with a thriving 31,260sqm mixed-use community, centred around the principles of sustainability and village-style living.
Unique to Plus Architecture’s design for The Marker is its dual structure, which sees two separate residential buildings with separate entries exist side-by-side, offering two exclusive lifestyle opportunities for a broad range of residents. Named Roden and Spencer & Stanley, the buildings together contain 195 apartments over eight levels and benefit from shared amenity and retail offerings on the ground plane, with lush greenery uniting both buildings as one.
A culmination of a 20-plus year relationship between Plus Architecture and Lechte, The Marker was born from a joint vision to bring a statement of quality, liveability and scale to transform West Melbourne into an emerging and established precinct for modern living.
“Our design for The Marker seeks to provide not only a home for its residents but to become a thriving village-like destination that deeply connects and respects the heritage and future direction of West Melbourne. Our granular design is both aspirational and familiar; a place to call home, experience the city and build community,” says Plus Architecture Director Ian Briggs.
The Marker’s completion arrives as West Melbourne is emerging as a hotspot for community and cultural activity, with the City of Melbourne’s 2018 West Melbourne Structure Plan seeing the suburb’s industrial context transformed into a buzzing community with green space, walking and cycling routes, residential offerings and service-based businesses over the past four years. This has paved the way for the suburb’s emerging identity as a hub for economic vitality, with West Melbourne’s population now more than doubled since 2011 and owning a walk score of 96 and ride score of 100, according to Real Estate Australia data.
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“The Marker is poised to be the face of a new, revitalised West Melbourne and will drive a more socially diverse and culturally inclusive neighbourhood that extends the limits of the CBD. With a key focus on sustainability and community, the site will act as a landmark for a hub of social activity and fervour underpinned by a strong sense of place,” says Director of Lechte Christopher Paul.
Defined by its sculpturally curved, landscaped upper levels stacked high above a cubic built form, Roden offers 50 bespoke residences and makes a statement for high-end urban living, featuring open-plan, spacious layouts designed for active downsizers. Adjacent, Spencer & Stanley’s mix of 145 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments draw inspiration from nearby homes and warehouses, with sawtooth rooftops, exposed brickwork and textural brick pillars and tapered balconies and is receiving interest from a broader segment of young families and working professionals.
Showcasing sweeping views of the city skyline and local area, The Marker’s residences enjoy an abundance of natural light and are complete with quality finishes, including stone benchtops, European oak floors, bespoke wood cabinetry and joinery as well as Miele appliances. Lockable storage cages and individual bicycle bays are available for residents, as well as a biophilic-designed, bespoke enclosed courtyard with native rainforest plants as well as a private club and library lounge designed for cocktail parties and business meetings.
Emulating Melbourne’s laneway and courtyard culture, a number of generously landscaped private common areas and internal passageways exist to connect with Plus’ placemaking concept to integrate an environmentally, and sustainably, considered oasis for the site’s urban context. Creating an energetic street presence, ground floor retailers include a full-line ALDI supermarket and a selection of speciality cafés and retailers that sit discretely within the architectural design of the precinct for an optimal balance between privacy and activity.
The Marker’s unique duality, connectivity to amenity and its foundations of community and sustainability has attracted a diverse range of buyers who are eager to be part of an impressive residential offering with a rich identity, located within the heart of one of Melbourne’s fastest-growing hotspots.
With its close proximity to the city, employment hubs, hospitals, education, expanding green spaces and government and private business support, West Melbourne is set to continue to be a strong drawcard for design-led young professionals, downsizers, and savvy investors looking to capitalise on the high growth seen in the area’s property market.