Heirloom in Melbourne’s blue-chip suburb of Armadale is located on the High Street commercial strip, nestled alongside local high-end boutiques and artisanal eateries.

“The project speaks to Armadale as a leafy, residential borough,” says Woods Bagot Associate and project leader Carla de Francesco. “The building is born of its context, referential of the Edwardian architecture and design language of its locale, the podium and facade taking on the character of the street in its arches, columns and metal detailing.”

De Francesco says redeveloping the site will bring added vibrancy to High Street’s retail strip, adding to it a boutique neighbourhood with a contributory impact on the local community.  

Comprising two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, each generous residence features its own terrace, with landscaping by Jack Merlo creating with a sense of curatorship, calm and privacy. 

“We’ve incorporated bespoke, single-residential-focused detailing that isn’t always found in multi-residential design; there’s been a real emphasis on quality, with finishes in stone and solid timber or timber veneer,” says De Francesco.

“Each apartment is individual and boutique, every one with access to landscaping, natural light and views through intelligent masterplanning. Large terraces on the north create a flood of natural light within each apartment, and the surrounding low-scale developments means uninterrupted views of the city.”

The building facade uses waterstruck brick, featuring a largescale podium form at the base that engages with the contextual single shopfronts in the retail district. Rising up the built form, the character transitions to finer metal detailing, referencing the wrought iron work that characterises High Street. Rather than presenting a single-block form, the architects have carved into the podium to create large open courtyards at the centre.

“One of the early concepts was the idea of longevity and timelessness – craftsmanship in both architecture and interiors,” continues de Francesco. “The name ‘Heirloom’ denotes this philosophy of value and charm that can be enjoyed by generations.”

The ground floor will be retained as retail space while a large pivot door signposts an extravagant arrival moment, offering privileged glimpses through to the courtyard from the entrance. “It’s European-inspired architecture, reviving old-world grandeur,” says De Francesco.

Heirloom responds to a growing trend for house-sized apartments, addressing an appetite for high-end lateral living that benefits from both multi-residential amenity and house-scaled living.

“Residents don’t have to compromise on homely comforts for their city residence. As a boutique building with large internal floorplates, it’s the best of both worlds,” says De Francesco.  

Inside, architects have used high-quality finishes, including metal detailing, fluted glazing, real timber and natural stone. Returning to the notion of craft, Woods Bagot has championed local makers with pendants by Anna Charlesworth pendants in the lobby and communal spaces, and custom door handles to each residence by V.Brokkr.

Construction on Heirloom Armadale will commence early 2024 with completion forecast for 2026. Enquire here.

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Isla Sutherland
Content and Communications Specialist (Australia & New Zealand)