Plans afoot for a $600 million, 1,000 apartment project in Melbourne's Footscray

A mixed-use masterplanned urban village in Melbourne's Footscray comprising up to 1,000 apartments and a new retail laneway linking the suburb to the Maribyrnong River is part of a $600 million development plan by developer Growland.

The site at 8 Hopkins Street spans 13,500 square metre and on completion will also feature an elevated Olympic-sized running track for residents.

The precinct, designed by Melbourne architectural firm Kavellaris Urban Design (KUD), will be named Joseph Place and proposes six buildings earmarked for apartments and a potential hotel, 4,000 square metres of retail space and open space for public.

If approved by the state government, construction on Joseph Place is expected to start in early 2017, with the first apartment building due to launch for sale over the coming months.

Due for completion over the next several years, the integrated mixed-use development is expected to house more than 3000 residents and 30 new retailers.

Apart from a new retail laneway, it will have a pedestrian link from Footscray to the Maribyrnong River where, in the future, potential river taxis could connect locals to the city.

“Joseph Pl will elevate what’s on offer in Footscray, bringing its amenity in line with its inner city neighbours. The elevated Olympic-sized running track takes the idea of an apartment gym to the next level,” KUD director Billy Kavellaris said. 

Growland CEO Stephen Yau said Footscray was the same distance from the city as Richmond and was currently undergoing the same transformation Richmond underwent some years ago. 

“Footscray is currently in the midst of a demographic shift - attracting a new wave of students, young professionals and working families who are looking to reside in a well-connected community with easy access to transport services,” Yau said.

“The inner west has been recognised as one of Melbourne’s most undervalued opportunities and is due for rapid growth over the next two to five years."

The Joseph Place precinct is 4.5 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD. 

Growland is a Melbourne-based developer which was founded in 2013 by property entrepreneur Bruce Chan and architect Stephen Yau.