|

monolithic apartment complex contrasts with verdant fitzroy streetscape in melbourne

edition office and neometro UNVEIL monolithic apartments

At 450 Gore Street in Fitzroy, architecture studio Edition Office and development group Neometro are building a complex of 18 monolithic apartments. Rising from one of Melbourne’s leafiest inner suburbs, the concrete project establishes a striking presence against its green streetscape, while aiming to deliver durable and sustainable residential spaces. Scheduled for completion in early 2026, the building explores how density can be accommodated in established neighborhoods without compromising livability.

edition office neometro design monolithic apartments in leafy fitzroy 1
all images courtesy of Edition Office and Neometro

concrete forms house adaptable, human-scale dwellings

In shaping the development, Melbourne-based architecture studio Edition Office consolidated the program into a sculptural and enduring form, while development group Neometro focused on embedding human-scale qualities within the living environments. The collaboration reflects both practices’ shared commitment to rigor in design and their long-standing relationship with Fitzroy’s urban context.

The apartment mix includes one, two, and three-bedroom configurations, designed with an emphasis on daily rituals and adaptability. Kitchens, dining areas, and living spaces are carefully proportioned to support cooking, entertaining, and social life, while loft residences feature five-meter-high ceilings that heighten a sense of volume and atmosphere. Inside, the monolithic shell gives way to softer, more intimate interiors designed to accommodate changing needs over time. Concrete, chosen for its durability and capacity to register the passage of time, defines the project’s material identity. The robust, structuralist language of the exterior contrasts with the leafy surroundings, while interiors are sensitive and adaptable. This use of ‘material honesty’ is intended to anchor the building within Fitzroy, a suburb where historic layers and contemporary additions coexist.

monolithic apartment complex contrasts with verdant fitzroy streetscape in melbourne
the project establishes a striking presence against its green streetscape

integrating energy efficiency with Fitzroy’s urban landscape

Environmental performance is a key consideration. The project targets a 7.5-star NatHERS energy rating and incorporates fully electric services, high thermal insulation, and a long-term carbon-neutral power agreement. Many apartments also benefit from dual-aspect layouts, opening onto views of Fitzroy’s backstreets, neighboring suburbs, or toward Melbourne’s CBD.

For Neometro, which has been active in Fitzroy for almost four decades, the project continues a legacy of residential development in the suburb. Combined with Edition Office’s architectural approach, the Gore Street complex presents a model for contemporary urban living: monolithic in presence yet designed with sensitivity to its context and residents.

edition office neometro design monolithic apartments in leafy fitzroy 3
concrete is chosen for its durability and capacity to register the passage of time

edition office neometro design monolithic apartments in leafy fitzroy 2
loft apartment interior

edition office neometro design monolithic apartments in leafy fitzroy 7
inside, the monolithic shell gives way to softer, more intimate interiors

edition office neometro design monolithic apartments in leafy fitzroy 4
interiors designed to accommodate changing needs over time

edition office neometro design monolithic apartments in leafy fitzroy 8
the living space contrasts with the leafy surroundings

edition office neometro design monolithic apartments in leafy fitzroy 6
interiors are sensitive and adaptable

edition office neometro design monolithic apartments in leafy fitzroy 5
bathroom interior

project info:

name: 450 Gore Street
architects: Edition Office | @editionoffice

development group: Neometro | @openjournal_neometro
location: Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia

Similar Posts

  • Villa Pizzorusso

    One of the most remarkable Puglia villa rentals available, this restored 16th-century masseria (fortified farmhouse) stands proudly on the ancient Appian Way. If you are looking for a luxurious holiday retreat brimming with character and history, this stunning property is for you. Deep in the countryside and surrounded by olive groves, Villa Pizzorusso is the ideal place to get away from it all. The secluded gardens, filled with orange trees and aromatic herbs, are wonderfully private, and you’ll love the magnificent 80 ft (25 m) swimming pool. Enjoy a morning coffee or early evening aperitif on the extensive first-floor terrace and take in the views across the peaceful landscape. The character of the grand old masseria is still in evidence throughout. Enter the interior through the arched portal and step into a world of barrel-vaulted ceilings, stone arches and a wealth of period details that wouldn’t look out of place on a film set. Different parts of the building date from different eras: the main wing, complete with five cupolas and frescoed ceilings, was added in the 18th century, while the main living area – including an open-plan kitchen – is located within the 17th-century stables. There’s plenty of space to accommodate up to twelve guests. Each bedroom is air-conditioned and simply furnished with neutral tones and traditional wood furniture, while the bathrooms feature striking contemporary fixtures. Four of the bedrooms are located in the main villa with the two upstairs bedrooms having private entrances and secluded access from the ground floor, while two more are located in a smaller stone building in the courtyard. There is much to see and do in the area – from the beaches of the Ionian and Adriatic coasts, to the whimsical conical architecture of the local trulli dwellings. Gourmet travelers should stop at the charming local market town of Mesagne, with its bakeries, wine co-ops and cheese shops (the fresh mozzarella and ricotta are made daily). Puglia is also rich in picturesque medieval cities, such as Ostuni and Otranto, their atmospheric narrow streets lined with an abundance of restaurants specializing in the delectable local cuisine.

  • How to Style an Entryway Table

    An entryway table can be both practical and stylish. A welcoming furnishing with the power to set the design story for your home, this piece is also a place where you can stash keys, mail and other essentials. At the same time, avoiding a cluttered look is of utmost importance. Plants, artwork, decorative bowls and […]

    You’re reading How to Style an Entryway Table, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.