A New Urban Village built on the idea that well-designed apartments support wellbeing and social connectivity in the community has arrived at Jewell Station in Melbourne’s inner north.
It’s been two years since Neometro, Melbourne’s most design focused and socially led development groups were appointed to transform the parcel of VicTrack land surrounding the historic Upfield Line station, and much progress has been made since then.
Intended as an embodiment of the concept of High Density Happiness for which Neometro is known, the beautifully designed apartments at Jewell Station will be integrated with community infrastructure that promotes an active, socially connected, pedestrian friendly environment.
A truly collective endeavour, the project combines apartment living with social infrastructure such as new bike paths, communal gardens, public arts and events programs, a rejuvenated local park, cafés, and independent retail and meditation spaces.
To bring the precinct to life, Neometro is collaborating with its long-time community partners, including urban farming group 3000acres who will establish community gardens, Melbourne art consultancy Utopian Slumps who is commissioning a public art piece for the precinct, and speciality coffee trader Phase One Coffee (formerly Place Holder) who is opening a new café onsite.
According to Neometro Director James Tutton, sustainability is central to every aspect of this New Urban Village.
“Sustainable living is about creating infrastructure that supports resilient communities while incorporating environmentally-sustainable design principles into the built form,” Mr Tutton said.
“For us, a home is much more than four walls and a roof. Building spaces that promote creative and connected communities is at the core of our values.”
Design Director Jeff Provan said Neometro has enjoyed more than three decades creating residences that owners love and that, as well as leading the way for a new breed of socially aware development, Jewell Station was intended to leave a lasting design legacy.
“We are a team of placemakers who emphasise creativity, subtlety and integrity at every stage of the process,” Mr Provan said.
“Great design stands the test of time and that’s what we want for Jewell Station.”
The launch of the project on 6 August 2016 will see the 13 one-bedroom and 65 two bedroom apartments that make up the eight-story (plus rooftop residents’ amenities) Barkly building released for sale. Ground floor retail opportunities and apartments within a second building will be offered towards the end of the year.
Priced from $395,000, the intimate and balanced Barkly apartments at Jewell Station have interiors by designer Clare Cousins Architects, with a distinct focus on context, space and quality materials.
“Energy efficient interiors and smart use of space will give a nuanced residential experience with a natural sense of flow,” Ms Cousins said.
“By harnessing contrasts, applying modern fittings and finishes, and using environmental cues, these apartments will be light and welcoming places to live.”
Available in light and dark living schemes, the apartments have generous balconies, basement storage cages, wool carpets, European oak floors, and ovens, cooktops and dish drawers. All two-bedroom apartments come with a car space.
Brunswick’s love of cycling means an increasing demand for bike parking. Jewell station will have several convenient and secure storage options, keeping residents’ two-wheeled companions safe in the New Urban Village.
There will also be a secure bike workshop where cyclists can tweak the gears on their road racer, oil their cycle cross, or simply meet up with other cycling lovers before heading down one of the newly-restored bike paths.
Residents of Jewell Station will be in arguably the best-connected address in Melbourne, with the train station, Sydney Rd trams and the Upfield bike track, which links to the famous Capital City Trail bike pathway, on their doorstep.
