Australian division of US-based development and real estate investment firm Sentinel Real Estate – Sentinel Fund Manager Australia (Sentinel Australia) – has completed lease-up and occupancy has stabilised at The Briscoe by Kinleaf Build to Rent development in West Melbourne. The scheme officially launched in February 2024.
The Briscoe comprises 172 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments across seven storeys, with professional on-site management by Sentinel’s Kinleaf platform. Amenities include a resident lounge, fitness centre, business centre, and a rooftop lounge with views of the Melbourne skyline.
The pet-friendly apartments feature energy-efficient appliances, carbon-neutral benchtops and flooring, floor-to-ceiling windows, and flexible layouts to suit different household needs.
Kinleaf’s on-site team has provided the leasing, maintenance and resident services, including an ongoing events programme focussed on community living.
“As Australia’s largest capital city, it’s essential Melbourne keeps up with demand for attractive Build to Rent offerings, and The Briscoe is doing just that.
Nicholas Reece, Acting Lord Mayor, Melbourne
“With premium apartments and amenities like a fitness centre and rooftop lounge, all just a stone’s throw from the Melbourne CBD, there’s no doubt that The Briscoe will be a valuable addition to West Melbourne.”
The Briscoe by Kinleaf building draws on its industrial history as a former iron yard for Briscoe & Company Ltd – one of Australia’s largest Victorian-era hardware firms.
The heritage façade, art deco signage, and original brickwork have been integrated into the development.
“The Briscoe has delivered a boost of high-quality rental supply to Melbourne’s housing market at a critical time.
“It is evident that housing needs and preferences are evolving across Australia and The Briscoe is a great example of how a well-designed Build to Rent product with an experienced operator can fulfil some of the growing demand for housing and offer greater housing choice.
“Sentinel has owned and managed rental housing on a global stage for more than 50 years and we take great pride in bringing our experience to the local market to create positive outcomes for our residents, investors and the communities in which we operate.
“We look forward to growing our Kinleaf resident community at The Briscoe and at future locations across the country, including in North Melbourne’s expanding Biomedical Precinct where we are currently in planning to deliver another high-quality Build to Rent asset.”
Michael Streicker, President, Sentinel
Sentinel is pursuing carbon-neutral certification and a 5-Star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia. The building is fully electric and targeting a minimum 7.5-Star NatHERS Rating.
The Briscoe is Sentinel Australia’s third operational Build to Rent development in Australia, following the success of The Elements by Kinleaf in Western Australia – the first fully leased and stabilised institutional Build to Rent scheme in the country.
“It has been a privilege collaborating with experienced industry professionals at Sentinel to bring The Briscoe to life.
“Taking the rich heritage of the site and re-interpreting it to create a contemporary, aspirational residential project has been a challenging and rewarding process.
“The Briscoe is a market-leading project and will be a cherished home to many over the years to come.”
Nigel Hobart, Managing Principal, Rothelowman
Sentinel Australia currently has over 1,600 Build to Rent units in operation or under development, with plans to increase this to 5,000 units over the next five years.
The Briscoe by Kinleaf was one of the first of 9,380 Build to Rent units to enter the market in 2024. In 2023, the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) forecasted a housing deficit of 175,000 homes by 2027, with 59% of the shortfall in the unit market.
