Developer Beulah is continuing its expansion into Melbourne’s inner north, submitting plans for its site located at 430 - 434 George Street and appointing Breathe Architecture to design the project.
Beulah has appointed Australia’s most awarded sustainable architecture practice, Breathe Architecture, to design the mixed-use project, which comprises 44 residences and two curated ground-floor retail spaces designed to integrate with the local Fitzroy character.
Breathe Architecture Founding Director Jeremy McLeod says that the team was excited to work with Beulah on delivering a project that seamlessly integrates with the Fitzroy streetscape.
“Grounded in the heart of Fitzroy, this project is about strength and elegance. A refined masonry base sits effortlessly with the George Street Terraces, while the upper apartments open up to expansive views and the northern sun,” McLeod says.
In true Breathe style, sustainability takes centre stage with the project being fossil fuel-free and featuring rooftop solar and rainwater harvesting.
The team will seek to utilise renewable or recyclable material and passive design principles where possible, with residents having access to natural ventilation, biophilic design, sundrenched outlooks and on-site amenities including a ‘bike hub’ and repair station, 49 bicycle spaces as well as a shared resident zone currently earmarked for a fern garden.
Two levels of basement will include car spaces for residents, as well as car share vehicles and EV charging facilities as a means of promoting green transport.
For the architecture, Breathe has drawn inspiration from the surrounding area, which is historically characterised by single and double-storey Victorian and Edwardian terrace dwellings, with remnants of industrial and warehouse buildings dotted throughout.
The design features a three-level brick podium lined with lush greenery, honouring the suburb’s heritage character and streetscape through its scale and materials. The active ground level encourages pedestrian activity and enhances natural surveillance, ultimately improving security and the overall quality of the area.
The levels above the podium are recessed to minimise the form within the residential neighbourhood, complete with external terrace areas.
The design also seeks to incorporate the retained historically significant bluestone wall along an integrated laneway and will provide a dedicated vehicle and cycle entry along Rose Street to reduce the traffic to George Street.
Beulah’s other projects within Melbourne’s inner north include its recently launched sustainable heritage town home project, Brunswick Established and The Wilds, Northcote’s largest creek-front, resort-style houses, which is under construction and due for completion next year.
Beulah Executive Director Adelene Teh says the team was excited to expand its portfolio of boutique projects into Fitzroy, a suburb that holds a special place for Melburnians and visitors alike.
“We are excited to contribute to the pulse of Melbourne's oldest and most desirable suburb—the vibrant Fitzroy. With its eclectic character and rich history, Fitzroy is a culinary heart, a melting pot of cultures, and a hub of thriving lifestyles. We hope our contributions will enhance the precinct's desirability and leave a lasting legacy for future generations,” Teh says.
