Goya Dmytryshchak
More than 400 apartments across six towers ranging from five to 15 storeys have been approved for the former Kinnears Ropeworks factory site in Footscray.
The second stage of the landmark $880 million Kinnears residential development was last week approved by Maribyrnong council.
Nearly 20 years after closing its doors following more than a century of operation, the rope factory site in Ballarat Road is being redeveloped into a residential, retail and community precinct named Ropeworks Footscray.
Stage 2 comprises 407 apartments, 1112 square metres of retail space, 370 onsite car spaces and 253 secure bicycle spaces.
As part of R&F Property Australia’s redevelopment, three historic buildings are being restored and networks of heritage laneways will be preserved.
Maribyrnong mayor Michael Clarke said the development would again make the municipality “the jewel in the crown of the west“.
“This is a long time coming,“ he said.
“This is an iconic project – 407 apartments and this is just for stage 2.
“Whilst there has been a request for a reduction in car parking spaces, in spite of the fact that we’re looking at 407 apartments, the request for car parking reduction is only 14 spaces. That can well and truly be consumed in the precinct in and around the Kinnears site.
“This particular [development] will turn what is a moribund industrial site into a vibrant housing precinct that will be very much 21st century both in its design and in its capacity to meet the needs of an ever-growing population in Maribyrnong.
“I think it’s a wonderful design outcome. I think it’s going to be a wonderful opportunity, again, to place our great city … as the jewel in the crown in the west.“
The first apartment tower as part of stage one, comprising 208 dwellings and known as Live City at Ropeworks, has been completed at the site.
It includes a bar and lounge and a level 12 rooftop garden and Skydeck, with apartments starting at $348,000.
The development is ultimately expected to have several luxury residential and mixed-use buildings, plus cafes, restaurants, a supermarket, gym, and a childcare centre.
