Solar energy comes to new multi-residential project in Brunswick East

Apartment dwellers in Melbourne’s inner-north will soon be able to access the benefits of solar energy in a new Brunswick East development by Lucent.

The first of its kind available in the area, the project, named The Stewart Collective, has seen Lucent partner with Allume Energy to offer selected residences a connection to a shared solar system.

Approximately 20 per cent of residences will have access to Allume Energy’s SOLSHARE system which allows users to share a single solar system on their common roof. Lucent is the first boutique developer to offer the world-first technology.

Designed by ClarkeHopkinsClarke with interiors by Austin Maynard Architects, the project offers 69 apartments across six levels, including a range of two-level lofts, in addition to 104-square-metres for an office and 315-square-metres of retail.

Lucent managing director, Panos Miltiadou is glad to be offering the technology and says apartment living should not limit residents from accessing the benefits of solar energy.

“As apartment living has become a more common housing typology, we believe there shouldn’t be the need to compromise on alternative energy options traditionally available to owners of single residences only.”

“We are hoping this project can play a part in closing the gap between the difference in sustainability offerings available to inner-north residents in multi and single-residential homes.”

“Brunswick East is regarded as an ethically conscious area and we are catering to what matters to residents as well as offering them energy savings,” he says.

The Stewart Collective will have an 18kW Allume Energy system producing 23 000kWh of energy each year and stopping 26 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. The savings off energy bills are estimated to be more than $360 per household, per year.

Other environmentally friendly features include a 7.5-star NatHERS rating, electric car charging stations and being 100 per cent fossil fuel free.

“Sustainability is at the core of The Stewart Collective from its location adjacent to CERES, to the central garden for food growing and of course the overall design,” adds Miltiadou.

“Even as a boutique developer, we are committed to minimising the environmental footprint of our projects wherever possible.”

Andrew Maynard from Austin Maynard says the interiors reflect the vibrancy of the area and offer a shift away from the light and dark colour palettes generally offered for off the plan apartments.

“The goal was to create spaces that felt like home with many choices for relaxation and connection. The interiors are very personal and layered with connections to the landscape. The design is unique and shows how insertion of quality and resolved pieces of joinery can transform a home,” says Maynard.

The project has already proven extremely popular with 20 per cent of residences already taken off the market due to pre-campaign reservations, with some of the early interest directed to the solar powered apartments.

“The interest we’ve seen pre-launch shows that the product mix and sustainability offering is the right fit for the intelligent inner-north apartment buyer,” says agent Dominic Ziino from Castran.

“The strong demand stems from the quality of the project being coupled with its positioning next to one of the most important ecological sites in Melbourne.”

The Stewart Collective will launch at consecutive events featuring Andrew Maynard (Saturday 26 October) and the Lucent team (Sunday 27 October).

Dates: 26 and 27 October 2019
Time: 10am – 1pm
Location: 269 Stewart Street, Brunswick East VIC

For more information about the project and to register your interest, please visit thestewartcollective.com.au