Kinnears

Owner-occupiers are acting quickly to secure an apartment in Live City at Ropeworks, the latest Footscray development from R&amp;F Property Australia.

Live City is the first stage of the masterplanned development revitalising the historic Kinnears Ropeworks site.

The development brings together a fully integrated, mixed-use community that&rsquo;s thriving with character and history.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3565 project_image_fid=77396]

Set amid heritage buildings and laneways, cafes, convenience shopping and public open spaces, the precinct will feature a wide range of apartments in one, two and three-bedroom configurations.

The low maintenance benefits of apartment living have been a big drawcard for owner-occupiers, a testament to the project&rsquo;s liveable design.

Honouring the past, hints of the old Kinnears will be present throughout the development with a number of early 1900s manufacturing and storage buildings repurposed for the community.

<blockquote>
&ldquo;Design within the public spaces will incorporate its industrial history and antique parts of the factory will be reimagined within the art scene&rdquo;, the developers said.
</blockquote>

Live City will be situated amongst the diverse dining experiences and cultural heritage of Footscray.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3565 project_image_fid=68174]

Residents in the development enjoy being so close to health and leisure amenities, as well as outdoor spaces, well-serviced transport and numerous stores.

Designed by Hayball Architects, Live City features a neutral palette to reflect the earthy, tactile rope factory heritage.

The apartments feature open-plan living and dining space for entertaining and socialising, with clever storage solutions and premium finishes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3565 project_image_fid=68172]

A communal lounge area on an upper podium of the building boasts sweeping views across the Melbourne CBD and the suburbs below. &nbsp;

With the transformation of Footscray underway, residents are better connected.

Live City is located less than two-kilometres from Footscray Station, serviced by the Metro Tunnel, the 27-kilometre Melbourne Airport Rail link and soon the West Gate Tunnel Project forecast to open in 2023.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=3565]

Live City is the first stage of the masterplanned development revitalising the historic Kinnears Ropeworks site

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Why owner-occupiers are loving the Footscray apartments at Ropeworks’ first stage, Live City 

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Developer <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/rf-property-australia">R&amp;F Property Australia</a> will this Saturday take the uncommon step of hosting a community day which will showcase the heritage aspects of their Live City development.

<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/live_footscray_event_invite.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Live Footscray free community event"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="304" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/live_footscray_event_invite.jpg?itok=VzpHdU6y" title="Live Footscray free community event" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Live City Footscray community event</figcaption></figure>Live City is the working name for the former Kinnears Rope Factory site which primarily fronts <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/footscray-vic">Footscray’s</a> Ballarat Road. The bulk of the former factory’s unique brick facade which spans hundreds of metres and other heritage aspects will be retained as part of R&amp;F Property’s multi-phased transformation of the hulking site which maintains three street frontages.

According to the <a href="http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/12649/download-report">Victorian Heritage Register</a>, the Kinnears Rope Factory’s spans back to 1909, with subsequent buildings added through to 1969. 

The Victorian Heritage Register notes "Kinnears Ropeworks is of historical significance for its contribution to the industrial landscape of Melbourne, in particular the western suburb of Footscray as a major industrial centre. Kinnears Ropeworks, Footscray, is of architectural significance as an important example of a large industrial complex and is highly representative of early twentieth century industrial construction."

<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/v2165.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Kinnears in action during 1921. Image: Victorian Places"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="361" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/v2165.jpg?itok=xz3q1iyU" title="Kinnears in action during 1921. Image: Victorian Places" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Kinnears in action during 1921. Image: Victorian Places</figcaption></figure>The community day and barbecue will be an opportunity for Footscray residents, Victoria University students, the local business community and surrounding retails to witness first-hand what the intended transformation of the site entails.

To shed light upon the massive redevelopment that will in time introduce a mixed-use programme across the over 3 hectare site, R&amp;F Property will outline their intentions for the development, whilst heritage consultant Lovell Chen will provide an in depth presentation regarding the project’s key heritage  retentions and how they will interact with the new built form.

Touching upon the historic importance of site, Lovell Chen will explain in detail various heritage components and Live City’s master vision. The approved master plan will see laneways and heritage brick structures incorporated into the fabric of the new precinct, with the heritage consultant also explaining how the community will be able to utilise the development upon its completion.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/live-city-footscray-begins-construction-pushing-rfs-current-apartment-pipeline-beyond-3000">Construction of Live City’s first tower is underway</a>, as are heritage retention works.

<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/live_city_3_preview_0_0.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aerial overview of the Footscray development in its entirety. Image: R&amp;F Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="390" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/live_city_3_preview_0_0.jpeg?itok=LqaPU71h" title="Aerial overview of the Footscray development in its entirety. Image: R&amp;F Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aerial overview of the Footscray development in its entirety. Image: R&amp;F Property</figcaption></figure>Attendees will have the opportunity to meet representatives of the Live City delivery team. 

R&amp;F Property expect that Saturday’s event will foster greater community awareness and understanding of what is Footscray’s largest development. The project has been given the green light to add retail, community and commercial uses plus as many as 1,450 new dwellings alongside various retained heritage structures across the site.

The heritage showcase community event will be held this Saturday August 4th between 12:30pm – 4pm at The Live City Display Suite at the corner of Ballarat Road and Farnsworth Avenue.
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Live City’s heritage credentials to be outlined via a community event

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Today marks the official commencement of construction across the Kinnears site in Footscray.

After years of laying dormant, developer R&amp;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.

<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/image59_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Live City's initial construction stage. Image: R&amp;F Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="912" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image59_4.jpg?itok=xU9llV2X" title="Live City's initial construction stage. Image: R&amp;F Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Live City's initial construction stage. Image: R&amp;F Property</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
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.
<cite>R&amp;F Property Australia Vice President Thomas Chiu</cite>
</blockquote>

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 LU Simon was <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/kinnears-and-victoria-square-add-to-footscrays-construction-upswing">onsite as of late February</a> 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. 

<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/live_city_3_preview_0.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aerial overview of the development in its entirety. Image: R&amp;F Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="390" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/live_city_3_preview_0.jpeg?itok=qXXBxyqI" title="Aerial overview of the development in its entirety. Image: R&amp;F Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aerial overview of the Footscray development in its entirety. Image: R&amp;F Property</figcaption></figure>Post purchasing the Kinnears site from AXF Group during 2016 for a <a href="http://www.afr.com/real-estate/residential/richard-gu-nets-60m-for-footscray-development-site-20140722-jjllw">reported $60 million</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/live-city-124-188-ballarat-road-footscray">Live City</a> represents R&amp;F Property Australia’s first Melbourne project. Between site purchase and construction commencement R&amp;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&amp;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&amp;F Property Australia are chasing adjustments to the masterplan which includes a public plaza and retail/restaurant spaces.

<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/image56_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Brisbane's West End development. Image: R&amp;F Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="348" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image56_6.jpg?itok=iQOTdWGi" title="Brisbane's West End development. Image: R&amp;F Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Brisbane's West End development. Image: R&amp;F Property</figcaption></figure>Both the Kinnears and West End projects are in addition to Brisbane 1, which is R&amp;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&amp;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.
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Live City Footscray begins construction, pushing R&F's current apartment pipeline beyond 3,000

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Standing dormant for years, Kinnears Footscray has finally begun its transformation into a mixed-use precinct.

Builder LU Simon has initiated works on Stage One of the project, which will be known as <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/live-city-124-188-ballarat-road-footscray">L.I.V.E. City</a>. Beating out other contractors such as Hutchinson and Hamilton Marino, LU Simon is tasked with delivering 208 apartments across 14 levels at the western most section of the massive 33,393 square metre site which is addressed 124-188 Ballarat Road.

Demolition works are in progress elsewhere across the site, gradually removing the structure that formerly housed the rope manufacturer. Architecture firm Elenberg Fraser are working on the master-planned precinct for developer R&amp;F Property Australia. 

Although a display suite onsite is ready, no public release of apartments has taken place as yet.

<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/image281.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Works across the Kinnears site with XO Projects' take on the development"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="492" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image281.jpg?itok=BV_aStlz" title="Works across the Kinnears site with XO Projects' take on the development" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Works across the Kinnears site with an early masterplanned image for the site</figcaption></figure>Meanwhile works across <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/victoria-square-8-hopkins-street-footscray">Growland's Victoria Square</a> site have begun following a January approval to amended plans for the development.

Six buildings consisting of 900 plus apartments, offices and extensive retail space can proceed. The $600 million project now has excavators onsite preparing for a construction start.

Amendments to the Kavellaris Urban Design scheme included bumping apartment numbers up to 931, increasing commercial floor space to 6,012 square metres and boosting parking spaces within the development to 1075. <a href="https://urban.melbourne/planning/2017/10/10/growland-pushes-footscrays-victoria-square-new-heights">Building heights were also marginally increased</a>, with the tallest to stand at 25 storeys.

Stage One of Victoria Square includes the delivery of 161 single bedroom, 265 dual bedroom and 28 triple bedroom apartments across two towers.

<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/image27_5_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The amended and approved Victoria Square. Image: KUD"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image27_5_0.jpg?itok=pVUNNQPH" title="The amended and approved Victoria Square. Image: KUD" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The amended and approved Victoria Square. Image: KUD</figcaption></figure>With earthworks in progress, construction proper on Stage One of Victoria Square is slated to begin mid this year, with a completion target of 2020.

Either side of Victoria Square, construction is also in motion for two fellow Joseph Road Precinct projects. Blue Earth Group have initiated construction across 2 Hopkins Street, whilst Stage One of Riverina Footscray has recently topped out.

It will temporarily hold the title as Footscray's tallest residential tower until Victoria Square's first stage is completed. Future stages of Riverina will see two 31 level apartment towers also delivered.

<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_7067.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Riverina Footscray construction progress"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="355" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_7067.jpg?itok=hE1vkpNG" title="Riverina Footscray construction progress" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Riverina Footscray construction progress</figcaption></figure>
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Kinnears and Victoria Square add to Footscray's construction upswing

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The long-dormant Kinnears site fronting Ballarat Road is all but ready to begin its transformation into one of Footscray's largest apartment-driven urban renewal projects.

An onsite display suite that will cater for the multiple towers to be developed over the life of the project is now complete, and ready to be swung into action once developer R&amp;F Property Australia launches the first phase of the project. And Kinnears' first stage looks to be a 15 level apartment tower at the eastern end of the sprawling site.

Kinnears which is addressed 124-188 Ballarat Road is R&amp;F Property Australia's first major development in Melbourne. 

Kinnears' rebirth first came to prominence <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/rf-properties-advance-plans-for-kinnears-footscray-redevelopment">during late 2015</a>, with Elenberg Fraser enlisted by the developer to create a new masterplanned residential enclave. In doing so, limited demolition and adaptation of existing heritage buildings spread over the site has been worked into the overall masterplan, which also includes provisions for 1,400 plus new dwellings.

The display suite model depicting the entire project is very much in line with the 2015 site plan, and sees a number of new north-south pedestrian and vehicle links dividing the site.

<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/image2kinn.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Kinnears site masterplan."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image2kinn.jpg?itok=cXhqcWcX" title="The Kinnears site masterplan." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Kinnears site masterplan.</figcaption></figure>Information within the display also elaborates on the project's public features. Shops and a supermarket will be set around a plaza, with communal facilities such as a childcare centre, kindergarden, maternal and child health centre also in the mix. Offices, a gym and further medical-based spaces add the the development's mixed-use nature.

R&amp;F Property Australia, part of Guangzhou-based R&amp;F Properties, has been trying to gain a foothold in Melbourne for some years.

At one stage the developer was primed to secure Fishermans Bend's <a href="https://urban.melbourne/projects/fishermans-bend-renewal-area/60-82-johnson-street-south-melbourne">60-82 Johnson Street</a>, but that deal <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/business/property/developer-mcnee-makes-a-30-million-killing-on-south-melbourne-apartments-site-20170124-gtxnkd">failed to materialise</a>, with local developer Salvo Property Group subsequently securing the approved site. R&amp;F Property Australia's next move was for Kinnears, successfully acquiring the site from <a href="http://www.afr.com/real-estate/residential/richard-gu-nets-60m-for-footscray-development-site-20140722-jjllw">AXF Group for $60 million during 2014</a>, with development plans already in motion at that stage.

Based in Melbourne, R&amp;F Property Australia's first successful move on the national development scene was in Brisbane. Dubbed <a href="http://www.rfaustralia.com.au/project/brisbane-1/">Brisbane 1</a>, the project sees 600 plus apartments in development over multiple buildings on a 4,661sqm plot in South Brisbane.

With the imminent launch of Kinnears, R&amp;F Property Australia also now has a Melbourne-based apartment project that will be rolled out in stages over coming years. Imagery for subsequent stages of the Kinnears development can be seen <a href="http://www.starweekly.com.au/news/plans-lodged-for-first-stage-of-kinnears-rope-factory-redevelopment/pub/maribyrnong_hobsons_bay/">here</a>.

<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/image77_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="R &amp; F Properties first Australian project. Image: brisbane1towers.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="724" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image77_1.jpg?itok=sb9vAKmn" title="R &amp; F Properties first Australian project. Image: brisbane1towers.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>R &amp; F Properties first Australian project. Image: brisbane1towers.com.au</figcaption></figure>
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