Construction has commenced on a boutique apartment development in one of Fitzroy’s most tightly held residential precincts, with 18 new homes set to contribute to the suburb’s growing demand for high-quality, medium-density living.
Located at 450 Gore Street, the apartments sit between Gertrude, Smith and Brunswick streets, offering proximity to Fitzroy’s renowned culture, hospitality and retail while benefiting from the calm, leafy character of surrounding heritage streets.
The project is a collaboration between award-winning studio Edition Office and design-focused developer Neometro, which has a longstanding history in the suburb.
Neometro Director Lochlan Sinclair said the quiet character of Fitzroy’s residential streets is central to the appeal of the area.
“People come to Fitzroy for its hospitality and retail offering, but many choose to stay for the neighbourhood feel,” Sinclair said.
“The tree-lined streets and heritage buildings are one of the area’s most endearing qualities.”
The residences range from lofts through to three-bedroom apartments, with layouts designed to maximise natural light and views across the streetscapes, neighbouring suburbs and the CBD.
Several homes include dual aspects and large outdoor terraces, while volume has been prioritised through features such as five-metre-high ceilings in the lofts — an increasingly rare inclusion in Melbourne’s inner city.
Edition Office Director Aaron Roberts said the design intent was focused on adaptability, scale and long-term livability.
“The apartments all have really generous amenity to them,” Roberts said.
“We’ve spent a lot of time designing a well-balanced floorplan with embedded longevity.
“The homes have the ability to evolve with contemporary life, but also have enough structure and solidity to be low maintenance and long-lasting.”
He added that the work aimed to elevate everyday living.
“We’ve imagined the rituals of daily living in these apartments, whether that be eating, sleeping or bathing,” Roberts said.
“We’ve looked for ways to imbue those moments with a high level of atmosphere and certain experiential qualities to create spatial delight.”
Concrete and other durable materials have been incorporated for both utility and aesthetics, with social functionality also a key priority, reflected in the proportions of kitchen, dining and living spaces for at-home entertaining.
Sinclair said Neometro’s people-focused ethos underpins the design.
“We all deserve to live in a space that has amenity and a feeling of home that accommodates various stages of life,” he said.
“450 Gore Street is designed to age well and provide for its residents for many years to come.”
Neometro has been delivering projects in Fitzroy for close to four decades, beginning on Little Smith Street, and maintains its base in the neighbourhood.
“Our studio is based in Fitzroy, and many of us live locally too, so we’re completely invested in making a positive contribution to the community,” Sinclair said.
Sustainability has also been built into the project, which is targeting a 7.5-star NatHERS energy rating, a 10-year carbon-neutral power agreement, fully electric services and extensive thermal insulation to reduce reliance on gas and ensure year-round comfort.
Completion is scheduled for early 2026.
