Footscray Walking Tour: What's within walking distance of Live City?
R&F Property Australia's Footscray development Live City is set to breathe new life in to Ballarat Road.
The are rejuvenating the historic 1900s industrial complex of the old Kinnears Ropeworks and converting it in to its own masterplanned community.
It will home eight apartment towers when completed in between six to eight years, as well as retail and commercial precinct.
Stage one, the first residential tower, has recently been completed. The 14 level tower has been designed by Elenberg Fraser and homes 208 apartments which start from $468,000.
R&F are set to take advantage of the wider transformation Footscray has undergone over recent years.
The suburb, around six kilometres west of the Melbourne CBD, has gone from a gritty and rundown area to become an eclectic sought-after suburb for its cafe culture, student hub and connectivity to the Melbourne CBD.
Subtle hints to its industrial past remains, whether it's through the residential conversion of its factory buildings or commercial conversion of former warehouses.
Infrastructure surrounding the suburb has contributed to its gentrification. But some existing infrastructure plays a big part in its connectivity.
Take the tram route 82, one of the last surviving historic routes from the historic Footscray tram network. That runs from the corner of Leeds and Irving Street to Moonee Ponds junction.
It runs via the $1.5 billion Western Hospital and Maribyrnong's High Point Shopping Centre. There are two tram stops literally on Live City's doorstep, as well as two bus stops.
Getting around town is also set to become even easier for residents of Live City, with news that train services will be running to the Melbourne CBD every two minutes during peak times from Footscray Station.
The suburb is popular among students and young professionals, with Footscray Park, the largest of VIC University's campuses a stones throw from Live City.
That features world class sports science facilities, state of the art lecture theatres and aquatic and fitness centres. The adjacent parklands also meet Flemington Racecourse.
Footscray's large indoor market is a popular haunt for those seeking the freshest fruit, veg, meat and seafood. There's also a number of retail outlets in the Irving Street block.
