No longer considered gritty: What development is transforming Melbourne’s Footscray?

Long considered gritty and unsafe, Footscray is now praised for its eclectic arts scene, foodie reputation and the luxury residential developments contributing to its facelift.

Located in the City of Maribyrnong, the suburb boasts a multicultural energy due to its diverse population resulting from successive waves of immigration throughout the 1970s to the late 90s.

As a new landmark precinct unfolds in Melbourne’s popular growth suburb, Urban takes a look at ten things you will love about Footscray.

1. A new thriving precinct

Transforming Melbourne’s inner-western fringe, R&F Property’s newest Footscray precinct brings the community to life.

While honouring the site’s industrial past, Live City will feature laneways, cafés, public spaces and heritage buildings to set the tone for Footscray.

2. Investment potential

“Following the likes of Collingwood, Fitzroy and Richmond, the potential of this former working-class industrial suburb is being realised”, the project marketing claims.

Footscray boasts promises of future growth with an influx of education and health workers.

The ‘Footscray University Town’ initiative, a partnership between Victoria University and Maribyrnong City Council, is further opening up opportunities for investment, enterprise and employment in the precinct.

The suburb additionally has a rental yield of 4.2 per cent for units, according to REIV, well above the Metro Melbourne of 2.8 per cent.

“Certain sections of Footscray […] are gentrifying and have got great potential” said property investment adviser, Michael Yardney, on his website in Janaury.

3. Live in a trendy suburb

Footscray is amongst Melbourne’s trendiest suburbs, according to Time Out. The melting pot of cultures boasts a diverse offering of restaurants, bars and eateries.

Melbournians love food and Footscray delivers brilliantly on diverse dining experiences.

The Fresh Food at Live City will deliver residents everything they need to whip up a gourmet dish at home, from delicious deli goods to freshly roasted coffee.

4. Health and fitness facilities

Live City is giving Footscray the fitness rejuvenation it needs, with countless health and fitness amenities available to residents.

A dedicated pool and proposed gym within the development encourage a balanced and healthy lifestyle, with an array of workout choices and state-of-the-art facilities.

5. City views

Designed to capture the best angles, each Live City apartment enjoys floor-to-city glazing and expansive views over the city and Footscray.

The development, which boasts a communal upper podium, features a communal bar and lounge, podium deck and green space to soak up the sunshine and take in the expansive outlooks over Melbourne

6. Surrounded by parks and recreation

Although still evoking a sense of industry, Footscray is surrounded by parklands and nature, with leisure opportunities abound.

Residents will have opportunities to walk, cycle, canoe, fish and barbeque by the beautiful Maribyrnong River.

7. Convenient Location

Just a short walk away from two of Victoria University’s campuses, Live City boasts unmatched convenience.

Just six kilometres from the city and brimming with transport options, residents will feel never feel disconnected.

8. Preserved heritage buildings

Live City sets to preserve the heritage buildings that formerly made upthe  George Kinnears & Sons factory.

The site, which exists as a large industrial complex of early 1900s buildings, will be repurposed for the community, reimagined within the art scene.

Established in Footscray on Ballarat Road in 1902, the Kinnears factory manufactured rope, yarn, wine, canvas, carpet, linen, cordage, jute and flax.

9. Live City’s Public Plaza

R&F Property have designed streets and laneways to drive people into the beating heart of Live City, the central plaza.

The space is set to provide residents and the broader community with space to gather and socialise, featuring public seating, landscape sculptures and pathways.

“Like a network of arteries,” the plaza is set to become the “new heart of Footscray”, the project marketing claims.

10. The luxury apartments themselves

The residences themselves play a role in reinvigorating the inner fringe suburb of Footscray, creating a contemporary community with thoughtful design.

Live City’s lobby delivers a transitional space that buffers the energy and activity of the outside world from the interior.

Designed by Hayball, the sculpted walls, feature ceiling pendant and complementing arrangement of greenery breathe life into the complex, while earthy finishes reference the site’s original heritage as a ropeworks factory.

Inside the apartments, timber flooring, a reconstituted stone benchtop and open-plan living brings together the kitchen, dining and living into a communal space.

One-bedroom apartments in the home are priced from just $350,000, while three-bedroom residences begin at $690,000.