Hachem

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Maribyrnong is increasingly taking some of Footscray's limelight in terms of development activity throughout Melbourne's western suburbs, which flows all the way to the creation of a new 5 star hotel.

Edgewater Estate within Maribyrnong is clear to host the suburbs first high-end hotel. Late last year Council voted in favour of a new eight-storey hotel and apartment extension above the stalled Club Edgewater project at 31 Edgewater Boulevard.

Architects Hachem describe the project as a 5-star luxury hotel, which is a far cry from its original intended purpose as a licensed gaming facility under the guidance of the Western Buildings. That particular build stalled as a result of the partnership between the developer and sporting club falling through.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_4487.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="31 Edgewater Boulevard currently makes for a sorry state."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_4487.jpg?itok=ABq9YB3V" title="31 Edgewater Boulevard currently makes for a sorry state." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>31 Edgewater Boulevard currently makes for a sorry state.</figcaption></figure>Originally slated for 10 levels, but reduced during the planning process to dual 8 level buildings above a common podium, 31 Edgewater Boulevard is expected to accommodate roughly 60-70 hotel suites within its unique exterior. Also present is a function room, restaurant, bar, cocktail lounge, cinema and pool for hotel residents, plus an additional pool, cinema, retail spaces and a commercial gym for residents and guests alike.

Hachem's finish for the building includes grey and gold tinted glazing shrouded by polycarbonate louvers. Edgewater's prospective hotel may in time join Quest who have taken a considerable presence nearby at 2 Wests Road.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image85_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Imagery of a completed Quest Maribyrnong apartment. Image: Quest"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="377" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image85_1.jpg?itok=y2M2BkDy" title="Imagery of a completed Quest Maribyrnong apartment. Image: Quest" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Imagery of a completed Quest Maribyrnong apartment. Image: Quest</figcaption></figure>The first hotel/serviced apartment operator of any note with Maribyrnong, Quest serviced apartments will include 78 keys over 8 levels and will adjoin Summus Apartments. Quest is slated to open on July 2nd.

The Quest portion of the entire development has been offered for sale with JLL handling the transaction; Quest has committed to Maribyrnong for a 15 year period with rolling 5-year options thereafter.

Incidentally, Summus Apartments and Marque Maribyrnong have topped out simultaneously, ushering in the structural completion of the suburb's first two high-rise apartment buildings. Summus is in the hands of Brady Group who is acting as head contractor, whilst Marque is under the control of developer and builder JMC Group.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image84_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Marque and Summus are now structurally complete."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="244" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image84_9.jpg?itok=rDPfnPKi" title="Marque and Summus are now structurally complete." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Marque and Summus are now structurally complete.</figcaption></figure>These two projects along Wests Road are at the periphery of what will likely over time become an expansive high-density enclave. Urban.com.au covered Maribyrnong's prospects of heading toward a higher density outcome <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/maribyrnong-on-the-radar">here</a>.

With the likelihood of further sites bound by Wests Road and Rosamond Road heading toward residential outcomes, development sites in the precinct have also become more prevalent. Currently, 8 Sloane Street is up for sale and follows on from the recent sale of 151-153 Rosamond Road.

Both sites are under the guidance of Savills and are zoned mixed-use, with both touted as capable of accommodating developments in excess of 10 levels.
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silvermb

Maribyrnong achieves a number of significant development milestones

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Rarely - very rarely - will a planning application come along that resonates on so many levels; a planning application that delivers an amazing design and a few uncomfortable truths simultaneously.

Consider the following planning application excerpts:

<blockquote>
More recent additions reflect the de-skilling of the building industry and the increasing unaffordability of quality construction. These newer buildings are unlikely to age as well as those built prior to 1970, and will possibly be replaced as building fabrics become increasingly disposable. Alternatively the building fabric in this section of Nicholson Street will remain poor.

The need to improve the quality of higher density development in inner suburbs of Melbourne is well known and the city of Moreland has recognised and formalised this in its Higher Design Code and Structure Plans. We seek to work in chorus with these aims.
</blockquote>

These are the words, and truths delivered by project architect and multi-disciplinary design firm <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/hachem" target="_blank">Hachem</a>. I like their candour. In fact I admire them for it.

<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/Img_8407.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Noy every persons cup of tea - Gateway on Nicholson"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Img_8407.jpg?itok=2aoof2qR" style="height:435px; width:580px" title="Not every persons cup of tea - Gateway on Nicholson"></a>

Ever so briefly Hachem have been engaged by a private developer to conceive a high quality apartment development consisting of 17 dwellings, restaurant and retail outlet. Located at <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/nic--co-38-nicholson-street-fitzroy-north">38 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy North</a> the design is of such a quality that I'd expect it wouldn't look out of place in St Kilda or South Yarra - high wealth areas with an almost expected lofty design standard to match.

While deriding developments such as Gateway on Nicholson (seen above) within the planning report, Hachem have designed 38 Nicholson Street as beacon of exemplary design in an area bereft of contemporary quality. With an unique, active, articulated and undulating facade the design is a step - no make that giant leap - above what the area currently has to offer.

Defined by an external polycarbonate cellular wall wrap, and ably accompanied by brickwork, glazing and a lush forecourt I can't help but love the design. But what I love even more is that Hachem have raised the bar for apartment developments within the vicinity.

We all know that developers are experts in extolling the virtues of their projects, yet 38 Nicholson Street is so far beyond the design norm it may just drag future surrounding apartment developments up a cog or two in terms of design for fear or being made to look comprehensively mediocre.

<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/Image108.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hero perspective. Image © Hacham"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Image108.jpg?itok=3SP1_gtQ" style="height:614px; width:580px" title="Hero perspective. Image © Hacham"></a>

Now I realise there's a wide spectrum of views out there regarding higher density living in <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/melbourne-vic">Melbourne</a>; no doubt some people would turn their nose at the prospect of a five level apartment complex in this location. If (and I mean when) higher density living is to infiltrate certain areas of Melbourne, is it fanciful to expect the quality of the built form to be beyond reproach?

Hachem via 38 Nicholson Street have demonstrated a no compromise attitude toward design, thus creating a cracking apartment project that just works on every level. Put simply this is the gold standard for low-rise, inner suburban apartment design that will put many others to shame... more please!

The planning application can be viewed on <a href="https://eservices.moreland.vic.gov.au/ePathway/Production/Web/GeneralEnquiry/EnquiryDetailView.aspx?Id=510989" target="_blank">Moreland City Council's website</a>.

Unfortunately, like many online planning systems in Victoria, it's not easy to directly link to the planning application on Moreland's site - the first draft of this article had a direct link however upon testing returns an error. To view the application, go to the <a href="https://eservices.moreland.vic.gov.au/ePathway/Production/Web/GeneralEnquiry/EnquiryLists.aspx?ModuleCode=LAP" target="_blank">main search page</a>, then select "Planning permit applications advertised" under Enquiry Type and click next, go to the second page (as at time of publishing) and then click on the hyperlink for application number MPS/2013/949.
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