Construction wraps on $87 million West Melbourne residential precinct, The Marker

The Lechte Corporation has completed construction on their latest residential development, the marker. 

Located at 512-544 Spencer Street, the $87 million project comes to the rapidly growing and diversified suburb of West Melbourne, as the area only continues to grow as a sought after place to live. 

the marker’s completion arrives as West Melbourne is emerging as a hotspot for community and cultural activity, with the City of Melbourne’s 2018 West Melbourne Structure Plan seeing the suburb’s industrial context transformed into a buzzing community with green space, walking and cycling routes, residential offerings and service-based businesses over the past four years. 

Designed by renowned architecture firm, Plus Architecture, the 31,260 sqm mixed-use community is centred around the principles of sustainability and village-style living, with the residences set across a dual structure.

Named Roden and Spencer & Stanley, the two towers sit side by side, delivering a total 195 apartments across eight-storeys, with each benefitting from shared amenity and retail offerings on the ground plane, with lush greenery uniting them both. 

A culmination of a 20-plus year relationship between Plus Architecture and Lechte, the marker was born from a joint vision to bring a statement of quality, liveability and scale to transform West Melbourne into an emerging and established precinct for modern living, according to Plus Director, Ian Briggs. 

“Our design for the marker seeks to provide not only a home for its residents but to become a thriving village-like destination that deeply connects and respects the heritage and future direction of West Melbourne. Our granular design is both aspirational and familiar; a place to call home, experience the city and build community,” Briggs said. 

Defined by its sculpturally curved, landscaped upper levels, stacked above a cubic built form, Roden offers 50 residences and makes a statement for high-end urban living, featuring open-plan layouts designed for active downsizers. 

Adjacent, Spencer & Stanley’s delivers the remaining 145 apartments, with a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, which draw inspiration from the nearby homes and warehouses. Featuring sawtooth rooftops, exposed brickwork and textural brick pillars and tapered balconies, the Spencer & Stanley apartments have attracted interest from a broader range of buyers, from young families to working professionals. 

Showcasing sweeping views of the city skyline and local area, the marker’s residences enjoy an abundance of natural light and are complete with quality finishes, including stone benchtops, European oak floors, bespoke wood cabinetry and joinery as well as Miele appliances. 

Lockable storage cages and individual bicycle bays are available for residents, in addition to an enclosed courtyard with native rainforest plants, a private club and a library lounge designed for cocktail parties and business meetings.

Emulating Melbourne’s laneway and courtyard culture, a number of generously landscaped private common areas and internal passageways are scattered across the site, with a street presence created at the ground floor, with retailers including a full-line ALDI supermarket and a selection of specialty cafés and retailers.

With its close proximity to the city, employment hubs, hospitals, education, expanding green spaces and government and private business support, West Melbourne is set to continue to be a strong drawcard for design-led young professionals, downsizers, and savvy investors looking to capitalise on the high growth seen in the area’s property market. 

The transformation of West Melbourne has paved the way for the suburb’s emerging identity as a hub for economic vitality, with data showing West Melbourne’s population has more than doubled since 2011.

Lechte Director, Christopher Paul said the marker is poised to be the face of a new, revitalised West Melbourne, driving a more socially diverse and culturally inclusive neighbourhood that extends the limits of the nearby CBD. 

“With a key focus on sustainability and community, the site will act as a landmark for a hub of social activity and fervour underpinned by a strong sense of place,” he said. 

Apartments in the Spencer & Stanley towers are already sold out, with a limited number of one and two-bedroom apartments remaining in the Roden building, priced from $499,000.