Assemble launches 15 Thompson Street, Kensington apartment project
Innovative property development and community management company, Assemble, is forging ahead with its highly anticipated Assemble Model project, 15 Thompson Street, Kensington, with applications now open.
Featuring 198 apartments across two mixed-residential buildings, 15 Thompson Street will welcome a vibrant urban community, comprising studio, one, two and three-bedroom floorplans. Assemble is targeting a 7.5-star average NatHERS rating for the project.
Thomas Gilbert, project leader and Principal at Hayball, explains that the project takes a holistic approach to sustainability: “More than ever, there is a need for socially, environmentally sustainable and financially viable homes. This opportunity with Assemble gives us the chance to apply research, employ some accepted European design knowledge, and pursue our desire to design socially sustainable and ethical buildings at a scale not currently seen in the Australian market. The design of 15 Thompson Street cultivates a strong connection between the indoors and out with plenty of natural light and cross-flow ventilation. The building will be fully electric with embedded sustainable features such as high-efficiency reverse-cycle heating and cooling system, track lighting, energy-efficient double glazed windows and balcony doors and water harvesting.”
This is Assemble’s second ‘rent-with-the-option-to-buy’ project, with the first project – 393 Macaulay Road, Kensington – currently under construction.
At 15 Thompson Street, residents will enjoy a thoughtfully-designed apartment with open breezeways and vertical gardens that connect each home with sunlight and crossflow ventilation. Living spaces are designed for durability, functionality, and longevity, with high-quality fixtures and fittings.
The development will encourage neighbourly connections with ground floor communal rooms off the pocket park, offering a tranquil setting for residents to enjoy activities such as yoga followed by a coffee from Assemble’s dedicated hospitality space. The significant rooftop will feature a barbecue, woodfire pizza oven, and communal play and sporting facilities.
Residents will have ultimate convenience with a parcel delivery cool room, a workshop for messy jobs, a ‘lending library’ stocked with useful tools and equipment and parking for more than 400 bikes.
Flexibility is the key point of difference as residents begin their experience as tenants on a five-year lease, after which time they have the option to buy their home at a pre-agreed price.
Known as the Assemble Model, the development team has pioneered this new innovative approach to homeownership that unlocks access to design-driven, community-oriented apartment living while addressing Melbourne’s severe lack of affordability and security.
Through the model, the need for prohibitive upfront cash deposits are negated by offering residents with stable rental, ample time to enjoy their home, all while working towards a savings goal. Residents can then decide if it is the right financial and lifestyle choice before buying into the project.
Assemble Managing Director, Kris Daff said the launch of 15 Thompson Street is welcomed by buyers particularly amid COVID-19 as Australians are needing access to secure yet affordable housing now more than ever.
“In these unprecedented times, housing security is top-of-mind for many Australians and that places even more importance on our model, which has been purpose-built to provide residents and homeowners affordable, accessible housing,” said Mr Daff.
“Our focus on affordability allows people with household incomes of $60 000 and above a foothold in the property market,” added Mr Daff.
With collaboration at the heart of 15 Thompson Street’s design, Assemble has partnered with architects, Hayball, and landscape architecture practice, Oculus, to create this intimate development where liveability, connectivity and wellbeing take precedence.
Assemble will manage the application process in a similar manner to its successful Macaulay Road project, which is currently under construction, with an apartment assigned to future residents through an automated ballot system, creating an even playing field for all pre-approved applicants.
Applications will close by the end of May with the ballot selections to be announced soon after.
Mr Daff said that although the challenges currently presented in the property market for buyers, the development is already attracting unprecedented interest.
“We have a highly engaged following of our unique housing model. Over the past few weeks alone, we have received daily applications from first home buyers, individuals and families that want to be part of a sustainable and connected community.”
Future residents will also have access to Assemble’s unique complimentary financial coaching throughout their tenancy to help them achieve savings goals and assist with buying their apartment at the end of the five-year lease period, should they wish to do so. Assemble tenants also enjoy secure, long-term rental agreements on a pre-agreed pricing structure.
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