Essendon Station fast becoming a magnet for apartment developments
Essendon Station is making a good fist of attracting its fair share of apartment developments. Much like the plethora of apartment projects sprouting up along the Tram 59 route which slices through Essendon/Essendon North, the emergence of multiple apartment projects surrounding Essendon Station speaks to the success of the suburb in attracting new investment and people willing to call the suburb home.
With the mass of investment within Essendon Fields also radiating throughout neighbouring suburbs, Essendon in particular has seen a solid boost to apartment development in recent years, This, coupled with the Essendon Junction Structure Plan has given apartment developers confidence to seek higher density outcomes around the junction/station precinct.
Largest of all is Linc at 15 Russell Street which is mere metres away from Essendon Station's entrance.
Revel Development Group Director, Daniel Caspar recently spoke of the merits of Essendon via circulated comment:
The gentrification of the Melbourne’s inner ring may have taken some decades to reach suburbs like Essendon, but now that it has, we are seeing greater opportunities for positive, high-density development with a focus on owner occupiers.
We are experiencing strong interest amongst buyers within a three to five-kilometre radius of the inner north-west, who are looking to either upgrade, downsize or enter the market for the first time and are willing to move to Essendon to do so because of its relative affordability.
Acclimatised to the idea of apartment living, these buyers are favourably comparing the suburb’s proximity to the city and quality of amenities with equivalent suburbs in the east and bayside.
Daniel Caspar, Director, Revel Development Group
Linc as the tallest apartment development within Essendon will also boast a number of enhanced features, including a rooftop terrace with views toward the CBD; one of three three separate garden areas within the project. Plus Architecture are responsible for Linc's internal and overall design, with Jack Merlo in charge of outdoor areas.
Linc is not the only development looking to capitalise upon its immediacy to Essendon Station.
Another sizeable planning application is before Moonee Valley City Council, with interests controlling 27 Russell Street looking to replace an Edwardian/Bungalow style house with 61 new apartments set over 9 levels.
John Demos Architects has created a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments within the proposal, supported by a new ground floor cafe of 130sqm.
In the immediate area, 93-97 Rose Street is all but complete, Alexandria at 952 Mt Alexander Road has launched its sales drive while 118-120 Buckley Street's display suite is taking shape.
The remainder of the development pipeline surrounding Essendon Station consists of the approved 23-25 Russell Street and the at appeal 81 Rose Street. 47 Rose Street which consisted of a five level residential building was withdrawn from the approvals process last week.
Savills recently moved on a development site at 95 Buckley Street which is capable of accommodating an apartment building under the Essendon Junction Structure Plan. Also in the wings is the possible rejuvenation of the sprawling car park adjoining Essendon Station as part of VicTrack's station precinct development program.
