Live City Footscray begins construction, pushing R&F's current apartment pipeline beyond 3,000
Today marks the official commencement of construction across the Kinnears site in Footscray.
After years of laying dormant, developer R&F Property Australia will turn the sod on the multiphased project which is valued at $750 million. Christened Live City, the development will see various aspects of the 1908 former Kinnears Ropeworks building retained or amalgamated into numerous residential buildings slated for the site.
Ultimately the urban regeneration project may include as many as 1,450 apartments plus retail, commercial office space and multiple publicly accessible areas.
The development comes with a vision to create a sustainable hub that integrates seamlessly with the surrounding local neighbourhood, along with increased housing and amenity for Melbourne’s inner west.
We want to create lively communities that have good transport connections, shops, cafes and access to employment and education facilities.
R&F Property Australia Vice President Thomas Chiu
Designed by Elenberg Fraser, the entire project is to be delivered over the next 6-8 years and includes six separate precincts.
Urban.com.au noted that builder Capri was onsite as of late February for enabling works, with construction proper now set to commence. Expected within the first stage of Live City which accounts for the western portion of the massive 33,393 square metre site are 208 apartments across three buildings.
LU Simon's aspect of the build reaches 15 levels, with future buildings across the site ranging between eight and eighteen storeys. Currently, demolition works are in progress elsewhere across the site, gradually removing the structure that formerly housed the rope manufacturer.
Post purchasing the Kinnears site from AXF Group during 2016 for a reported $60 million, Live City represents R&F Property Australia’s first Melbourne project. Between site purchase and construction commencement R&F Property Australia went through the planning process which included consultation with Maribyrnong City Council and Heritage Victoria in order for all parties to be satisfied with heritage aspects of the development.
Live City's commencement will see it be delivered in unison with another upcoming R&F Property Australia project, in Brisbane's West End.
Earlier this month the developer confirmed intentions for the $500 million mixed-use precinct which spans 1.6 hectares. Expected to accommodate in excess of 1,000 apartments and a new public realm to the Brisbane River under the approved masterplan, R&F Property Australia are chasing adjustments to the masterplan which includes a public plaza and retail/restaurant spaces.
Both the Kinnears and West End projects are in addition to Brisbane 1, which is R&F Property Australia’s maiden Australian development. Hutchinson Builders are in charge of the build which will deliver 744 apartments across 3 towers and which has a 2020 targeted completion date.
R&F Property Australia's penchant for large-scale projects will see their current apartment pipeline across the three Melbourne and Brisbane developments swell beyond 3,000 apartments, with further land holdings in both cities likely to bolster that figure further in years to come.
