development | residences | narrow site
coming soon
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The Focus
Located in the heart of Ascot Vale, Union Residences is a boutique multi-residential development designed to respond to both the opportunities of its inner-city location and the changing expectations of today’s buyers. Positioned within walking distance of cafés, restaurants, local shopping and public transport, the site offers the convenience and connectivity increasingly sought by owner-occupiers and downsizers looking to remain close to the communities they know and enjoy.
When the project arrived at Destination Living, development plans had already been prepared.
While the proposal achieved a strong yield across the site, questions had begun to emerge around whether the homes were truly aligned with the local market and whether the development was delivering the strongest possible outcome.
Rather than simply refining the existing drawings, we took a step back and reassessed the project through both a design and commercial lens↗︎. The focus was on creating homes that felt generous, functional and highly liveable while remaining practical to build and positioned for long-term market appeal. The result was a refined development strategy that prioritised buyer expectations, buildability and enduring value, establishing a stronger foundation for the design stages that followed.
Every successful development begins with understanding who it is being designed for.
For Union Residences, the commencement phase focused on identifying the future purchaser and ensuring the development responded to the way they live now and into the future.
While the original proposal maximised the site’s development potential, the homes themselves were not ideally aligned with the buyers most likely to purchase in this part of Ascot Vale. The layouts felt constrained and there was an opportunity to improve both functionality and overall market appeal.
Early discussions centred on understanding what buyers in the area were genuinely looking for.
Our review identified a strong opportunity to appeal to downsizers↗︎ and owner-occupiers seeking a low-maintenance lifestyle without sacrificing space, comfort or convenience. These buyers were less interested in maximising floor area and more interested in homes that offered natural light, generous storage, privacy and thoughtful planning.
This understanding shaped several key decisions early in the design process.
One of the most significant was the introduction of lift access. By incorporating a lift, the three-level homes became far more accessible and appealing to downsizers. Rather than viewing multiple levels as a limitation, future residents could enjoy the benefits of generous accommodation across three storeys while maintaining comfort, accessibility and long-term flexibility.
Storage was another important consideration. Recognising that many purchasers would be transitioning from larger family homes, the design incorporated practical storage solutions throughout the residences without compromising the sense of openness or liveability.
Natural light was prioritised from the outset, ensuring the homes felt bright, welcoming and connected to their surroundings despite the constraints of the site.
Natural light and privacy presented additional design challenges. Given the site’s constraints↗︎ and the number of proposed residences, careful consideration was given to building separation, outlook and internal planning. The intention was for each home to feel independent and residential in character rather than part of a larger development.
Equally important was establishing a sense of individuality. Although the three homes were designed as a cohesive development, each residence features its own distinct façade composition. Subtle variations in form, material selection and architectural detailing create visual diversity along the streetscape while reinforcing the feeling that each home has its own identity, character and presence.
Combined with the careful internal planning, the result is a collection of homes that feel separate and considered rather than repetitive or development-driven, creating a stronger sense of ownership and connection for future residents.
From a construction↗︎ perspective, simplicity remained a guiding principle.
Rather than introducing unnecessary complexity, the design focused on efficient floorplans, straightforward structural solutions and practical building methodology. This approach helped improve buildability, manage construction costs and support the overall commercial viability of the development.
Throughout the early design process, every decision was measured against two key objectives: creating homes people would genuinely want to live in and ensuring the development delivered a stronger long-term outcome for the client.
By the completion of concept design, a clear strategic direction had emerged.
The project had evolved from a yield-driven proposal into a market-led development shaped around the expectations of its future residents. Through a greater focus on accessibility, storage, natural light, privacy and individuality, the foundations were established for a collection of homes that better reflected the lifestyle expectations of the Ascot Vale market while supporting the project’s long-term value and success.