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Supply Co, Richmond

Market Insights
7 years ago
3 minutes

If Melbourne’s CBD is the city’s beating heart, then neighboring Richmond is its quirky offsider; full of life, culture and a vibrancy unmatched by any other suburb.

There’s some of Melbourne’s best Vietnamese along Victoria Street, and the city’s top bars, cafes and restaurants are scattered along Church Street and Bridge Road.

But wandering through the laneways and back streets, it doesn’t take long to discover a treasure trove of architectural gems, many serving as a reminder of Richmond’s bygone era as an industrial hub.

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And while these industries have now moved on, many of the developers who swooped on the hot spot have retained the building’s history to ensure Richmond’s past will never be forgotten.

One such example is the old Builder’s Steel Form Supply Co building on David Street, which is set to be transformed in to a luxurious apartment block.

“The existing concrete facade of the ‘Arc Welders Concrete Form Work and Builders Steel Supply Co’ has been retained as an important reminder of the sites origins and historical use,” explains Laura Waters from Forza Capital.

“The preservation of this facade was a vital component to the greater design outcome.”

And it’s not just the physical building paying tribute to the steel workers that once worked here, but the name of the project - ‘Supply’ Co’ - is a reference to the original company.

“Supply Co is unique because unlike other developers Forza Capital has not tried to develop every last square meter of the site. For example, a communal landscaped terrace on the level one podium provides a functional space for all residents as well as lounge and multipurpose yoga studio/ private dining room where residents can either enjoy yoga or mediation by day or host a private dinner or social gathering by night.”

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It comes complete with a lounge and private dining room, which has access to a fully equipped kitchen.

The block will contain 140 dwellings spanning 11 levels, each with a car park or two in the three-level basement.

Buyers have the choice of a one, two or three bedroom apartment.

“While the exterior of the building is finished in cool, dark, metallic tones with metallic screens for privacy the scheme for the interior reflects the surrounding urban environment. The minimalist use of warm, light tones with bright metal and natural wood fittings is counterpointed by splashes of darker, contrasted colours, which create a clean and functional layout,” Ms Waters says.

“Large windows embrace views over the city to the west and the winding Yarra River to the east.”

They also come with Miele appliances, stone bench tops and engineered timber flooring.

But it’s not just the interior features and building facade that make Supply Co unique - two Melbourne-based artists have been hired to decorate the building.

Sculptor Corey Thomas will create a three-and-a-half metre sculpture, which will form part of the major water feature in the communal terrace.

While prominent street artist Baby Guerrilla will paint a five-storey mural on the northern wall of the building.

The location has proved to be a major draw card, with the CBD less than four kilometres away, the Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre adjacent to the site, and the Victoria Street and Bridge Road shopping precincts nearby.

“Location is important for the success of a development because you need to give the purchaser more than just a place to live.”

To learn more about Supply Co, click here.