Live City

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 

R&amp;F Property Australia&#39;s Footscray development Live City is set to breathe new life in to Ballarat Road.

The are&nbsp;rejuvenating&nbsp;the historic 1900s industrial complex of the old Kinnears Ropeworks&nbsp;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,&nbsp;has recently been completed.&nbsp;The 14 level tower&nbsp;has been designed by Elenberg Fraser and homes 208 apartments which&nbsp;start from $468,000.

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R&amp;F are set to take advantage of the wider transformation&nbsp;Footscray has undergone over recent years.

The suburb, around six kilometres west&nbsp;of the Melbourne CBD,&nbsp;has&nbsp;gone from a gritty and rundown area&nbsp;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&#39;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.

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Take the tram route 82,&nbsp;one of the last surviving historic routes from the historic Footscray tram network. That runs&nbsp;from the corner of Leeds and Irving Street&nbsp;to Moonee Ponds junction.

It runs via the $1.5 billion Western Hospital and Maribyrnong&#39;s High Point Shopping Centre. There are two tram stops literally on Live City&#39;s doorstep, as well as two&nbsp;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.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/live-city-124-188-ballarat-road-footscray"><img alt="" height="862" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/live_city_location.jpg" width="1600" /></a>

The suburb is popular among students and young professionals, with Footscray Park, the largest of VIC University&#39;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&#39;s large indoor&nbsp;market&nbsp;is a popular haunt for those seeking the freshest fruit, veg, meat and seafood. There&#39;s also a number of retail outlets in the Irving Street block.&nbsp;

Over the last five or so years the suburb, just six kilometres north of Melbourne, has been undergoing its own transformation



Joel Robinson

Footscray Walking Tour: What's within walking distance of Live City?

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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

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/live-city-124-188-ballarat-road-footscray" target="_blank"><img alt="" height="942" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2021-03-17_at_12.51.35_am.png" width="1766"></a>

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Transforming Melbourne’s inner-western fringe, R&amp;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

<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/gender-equity-wall-carla-mcrae-web.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Gender Equity wall by Carla McRae, Footscray."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/gender-equity-wall-carla-mcrae-web.jpg?itok=Her7rn4G" title="Gender Equity wall by Carla McRae, Footscray." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Gender Equity wall by Carla McRae, Footscray.</figcaption></figure>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

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/live-city-124-188-ballarat-road-footscray" target="_blank"><img alt="" height="626" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2021-03-17_at_12.56.32_am.png" width="922"></a>

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

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/live-city-124-188-ballarat-road-footscray" target="_blank"><img alt="" height="562" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2021-03-17_at_12.56.04_am.png" width="950"></a>

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

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/live-city-124-188-ballarat-road-footscray" target="_blank"><img alt="" height="692" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2021-03-17_at_12.49.51_am.png" width="1034"></a>Live City sets to preserve the heritage buildings that formerly made upthe  George Kinnears &amp; 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&amp;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

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/live-city-124-188-ballarat-road-footscray" target="_blank"><img alt="" height="1707" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/dsc00985-scaled_0.jpeg" width="2560"></a>

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.
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Transforming Melbourne’s inner-western fringe, R&F Property’s newest precinct brings the Footscray community to life

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

Situated in the heart of Footscray, and just 6 kilometres from Melbourne CBD is <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/live-city-124-188-ballarat-road-footscray">Live City</a> - a new residential development built on a strong foundation of history and culture. Our latest&nbsp;display suite tour takes a look at the unique, curated homes of Live City's first development release of the master-planned community.&nbsp;

Check out our video tour:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xpaJ47H4tRg" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>LIVE CITY AT A GLANCE</h2>

Developer:&nbsp;R&amp;F Property Australia

Architect: Elenberg Fraser

Location: 124-188 Ballarat Road, Footscray VIC 3011

Number of apartments: 208

Construction status: Complete

<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-124-188-ballarat-road-footscray-0f79677b44fb6af74dda01ada6eddbae_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/live-city-124-188-ballarat-road-footscray-0f79677b44fb6af74dda01ada6eddbae_1.jpg?itok=tiNDp2AA" width="580" /></a></figure>

Designed by renowned architect Elenberg Fraser, the master-planned-project has retained and repurposed many elements of the former Kinnears Ropeworks Factory, from the classic exposed brickwork and steel trusses to the organic materials used throughout the interiors.&nbsp;

Live City kitchens boast the ease of luxury within every aspect of design, with elegant brushed stainless steel fixtures, reconstituted stone benchtops and Smeg appliances.&nbsp;

The interiors are sophisticated and modern, and floor-to-ceiling joinery grants residents unparalleled outlooks from each room and encourages plenty of natural light to fill living 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/live-city-124-188-ballarat-road-footscray-1a33af762c9c4c4da2310675c4448297.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/live-city-124-188-ballarat-road-footscray-1a33af762c9c4c4da2310675c4448297.jpg?itok=LIYbj1Qj" width="580" /></a></figure>

Engineered acoustic timber flooring throughout brings each home a modern aesthetic and offers residents a coveted low maintenance lifestyle. Live City bathrooms include sleek walk-in showers, complete with modern shower nooks and rainfall showerheads.

The bedrooms feature generous storage, soft carpet with some including adjoining balconies where residents can take in the stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

A rooftop terrace offers the perfect retreat to relax and unwind, while the resident's lounge provides excellent facilities for hosting dinner parties or to connect with neighbours.&nbsp;

<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-124-188-ballarat-road-footscray-0dc69517db2e3ef326cfe5490e8fec9b.jpeg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="435" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/live-city-124-188-ballarat-road-footscray-0dc69517db2e3ef326cfe5490e8fec9b.jpeg?itok=BDpW13PH" width="580" /></a></figure>

Live City is perfectly positioned in the vicinity of multi-million dollar&nbsp;infrastructure upgrades, including the&nbsp;brand new Footscray Hospital, and walking distance to Melbourne's sought after&nbsp;Victoria University.

Also within a 1-kilometre radius is&nbsp;Flemington Racecourse,&nbsp;Footscray Train Station and plenty of great local boutiques, grocers, cafes and restaurants.&nbsp;

Stage one of Live City's master-planned community is now complete and apartments are selling now. To secure your new home in Melbourne's vibrant suburb of Footscray, reach out to a <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/live-city-124-188-ballarat-road-footscray">Live City sales agent</a> today.

Olivia Round

Urban’s tour of the Live City display suite

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Footscray’s latest urban renewal project <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/live-city-124-188-ballarat-road-footscray">Live City</a> has recently reached the tallest peak of the precinct's first mixed-use building. The topping out event included a ceremonial tree planting on the rooftop of the 15-storey building and celebrated the work of the dynamic team involved in the landmark project.

<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_topping_out_l-r_jim_moschyiannis_and_thomas_chiu.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="L-R: Jim Moschyiannis and Thomas Chiu"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/_live_city_topping_out_l-r_jim_moschyiannis_and_thomas_chiu.jpg?itok=-KjLxdy7" title="L-R: Jim Moschyiannis and Thomas Chiu" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>L-R: Jim Moschyiannis and Thomas Chiu</figcaption></figure>The R&amp;F Property Australia-led project saw the revitalisation of the old Kinnears Ropeworks take place, where the carefully considered design by Lovell Chen Architects and Heritage Consultants aimed to preserve and strategically incorporate the former building’s unique features including the striking red brick structure and steel girders. With a 100-year-long legacy of workmanship within the former building, it was important to the developers to pay homage to the site’s rich tapestry of history.

<blockquote>
“We are proud to be honouring the site’s industrial past and at the same time creating a vibrant future that will start a new chapter in the history of Footscray.”
</blockquote>

- Thomas Chiu, R&amp;F Property Australia Vice President

<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_footscray_stage_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Live City Footscray Stage One"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="762" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/live_city_footscray_stage_1.jpg?itok=RHG6i6Fh" title="Live City Footscray Stage One" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Live City Footscray Stage One</figcaption></figure>Once complete, Live City will feature 208 designer apartments including timber floors, floor to ceiling glazing, stone benchtops and metallic highlights, with apartments starting at $367,000. The development will also include a ground floor retail tenancy, an exclusive resident bar and lounge, and a rooftop garden with exceptional views of Melbourne city and beyond.

Construction of the multi-stage project is being led by L.U. Simon Builders, and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/live-city-footscray-begins-construction-pushing-rfs-current-apartment-pipeline-beyond-3000">began early 2017</a>, with completion of the first project slated for late 2019, meaning buyers can move in before Christmas.

<blockquote>
“In the coming years, the inner-west Melbourne community will see us deliver all the other exciting components of this master-planned precinct to create a new world-class lifestyle destination.”
</blockquote>

- Thomas Chiu, R&amp;F Property Australia Vice President

Lead image: (L-R) Darrell Mcleod (Landscapes by Design); Michael Hodgson (Project Planning and Management); Jim Moschyiannis (Construction Director, L.U. Simon Builders); Thomas Chiu (Vice President, R&amp;F Property Australia); Rosilia Luo (R&amp;F) and Stephen Jones (R&amp;F).
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Footscray's first Live City development tops out

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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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silvermb

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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