First look: Blue Earth Group seek VCAT approval for mixed-use Maribyrnong development

Melbourne developer Blue Earth Group is seeking VCAT approval to push on with its dual-tower, mixed-use development in a prime location in Maribyrnong.

Blue Earth, led by the Dib family, secured the centrally located site, directly adjacent to Highpoint Shopping Centre, Australia's sixth largest shopping centre, in late 2021.

They are planning two towers at 191 Rosamond Street, which takes up a whole corner block of 1.21 hectares within the defined Highpoint MAC area.

CHT Architects have designed the two buildings, which will home a mix of residential, commercial, and retail spaces. There will be 622 apartments across both buildings, which have been designed to each access either a courtyard for ground level apartments, or a balcony, off the principal living areas.

The higher density tower, at 16 levels, will have 416 apartments. The smaller neighbouring tower will have 206 apartments, and two commercial spaces.

True to Blue Earth's high level of amenity across all of their apartment projects, residents will have access to a co-working space, wellness centre, gym, living and dining rooms, a theatre room, and a rec room.

Car parking will be available for 642 vehicles and there will be 695 bicycle spaces.

The Town Planning Report by Planning & Property Partners noted a number of sustainable initiatives through the design process which will create a greener project.

"The robust façade design to each of the two buildings and material palette, internal layouts and incorporation of operable windows promote natural ventilation to habitable areas, while maximising daylight to living areas of each of the dwellings through the site’s frontage and building separation provide," the report noted.

"This passive design features are intended to limit reliance on mechanical heating and cooling throughout the year, with pre-cast concrete the noted primary structural materiality for durability and thermal mass performance. High performance glazing to windows will ensure a reduction in thermal loads, which will be assisted by appropriate ratios of fenestration to façade areas of the development."

The 695 bicycle spaces greatly exceeds to statutory requirement, and the site's proximity to existing public infrastructure and serviced amenities aligned within the Highpoint MAC, which will only be enhanced in the future, and assist future residents and users in choosing alternative transport modes. The site has a walk score of 92 out of 100.

"The above mentioned design features and overall design response result in a building which displays an excellent ESD performance which is a feature attraction of the completed development; enhancing user comfort levels and reducing living costs over the lifetime of the building."

Building 01 (above) was described as "irregularly shaped", with a streetwall effectively creating a podium/base in presenting to the existing public realm for the upper levels to then sit above. The established base of built form contains the on-site car parking.

Above the base, the upper levels erode the building’s north-eastern corner and continue to create a central void, creating a ‘U shaped’ building envelope in capturing northern light and maintaining a physical separation of around 25 metres from the eastern and western wings.

Building 02 (top), is separated by around 19 and 26 metres from Building 0.1. The two prominent streetwall elements to its south and north to act as ‘book-ends’ of the building to Rosamond Road and which are separated approximately 40 metres from each other on this frontage.

The family-owned Blue Earth Group have a long track record of delivering apartment projects all across Melbourne.

They're currently selling Porter, in the inner-western suburb of Spotswood. Porter, which will offer both apartments and townhouses from its prime Birmingham Street location a stones throw from Spotswood Oval, will be part of a wider masterplanned precinct.

Spotswood Yards was originally the Victorian Railway Workshops complex including the former Ways and Works Workshop. A railway line connecting Melbourne with Williamstown opened in 1859, passing through the area that became Spotswood.

Fast Facts

Site size: 1.12 hectares

Apartments: 622

Parking: 642

Bicycle Parking: 695

Building 01

•  16 levels 
•  416 apartments
•  154 one-bedroom apartments
•  248 two-bedroom apartments
•  14 three-bedroom apartments
• Open communal space with community garden, bowls court, barbecue areas, turfed areas
• Level four internal communal space for shared dining, living, and recreational activities. 

Building 02

• 14 levels
• Two commercial offices
• 206 apartments
• 96 one-bedroom apartments
• 106 two-bedroom apartments
• Four three-bedroom apartments
• Level two communal open space