Developer PDG and automotive group Zagame have received permission to develop the Roden & King mixed-use commercial and Build to Rent scheme in Melbourne.
The site is currently an Audi dealership and service centre, however, a permit has now been approved for the projected scheme as it will provide green open spaces for people to connect, whilst acknowledging the historic Victorian terraces that flank the development.
Designed by DKO and lead architect Raymond Mah, Roden & King is situated at 577 King Street in West Melbourne within a ten-minute walk to North Melbourne, the Flagstaff railway stations and the future Arden Metro station.
The development will deliver 287 Build to Rent homes in a mix of two-story lofts, studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, with 6% allocated as affordable housing.
With a gross realisation of $95m, the Roden & King development features three distinct buildings, each catering to diverse housing needs spanning from single individuals to families. The Stanley Street building acts as the gateway to the development and consists of the main lobby, residential amenities and concierge services.
The Roden Street building respects the fine-grain Victorian terraces with angled structures and recessed top levels. The King Street apartments form a distinct zig-zag façade with balconies facing stunning CBD views.
“The urban fabric of West Melbourne is a captivating blend of small terrace lots and larger industrial plots. This design proposal introduces a new pedestrian link across the large site in the form of a landscaped courtyard. The courtyard also acts as the front door to new commercial tenancies, communal areas and residential lobbies. The Roden & King design proposal dismantles what is currently a large block into smaller, organic parts which encourage resident and visitor flow paths to interact in a delightful way.”
Raymond Mah, Director and Principal Architect, DKO
Inside the apartments, DKO’s interior design reflects inner-city living with flexible spaces. Integrated workspaces allow future occupants to work and study remotely – supplemented by co- working spaces on the ground floor of Stanley Street, where residents can collaborate or work in quiet meeting pods.
The proposal submitted by the developer addresses the need for post-industrial sites to have a new life and appropriate use to suit the changing needs of the city. Reflecting the Victoria Housing Statement of putting housing closer to where people work, Roden & King is situated adjacent to the Arden Urban Renewal Precinct, where 34,000 jobs are forecast to be created.
The development includes over 2,100 sqm of indoor and outdoor amenities, including co-working spaces, a gym and rooftop dining. Roden & King will provide exceptional sustainable transport with generous bike storage, end-of-trip facilities, EV chargers, and an in-house carshare facility for residents.
DKO and PDG are also working together on another Build to Rent scheme currently under construction in Southbank – on the former site of the JH Boyd Girls’ High School.
