Riverlee is honoured to announce the handover of the newly-completed Stage 1 Residences to Haven; Home, Safe, as residents prepare to move into their new homes.

With 1- and 2-bedroom formats bolstered by 250sqm of communal space, the 151 apartments have been purpose-built to provide affordable housing in the City of Whittlesea, doubling the supply of affordable homes in the municipality.

The Stage 1 Residences are the first completed building in the New Epping masterplan, which will create a new urban north Melbourne, comprising residential, commercial, convenience retail and healthcare, all underpinned by wellness and sustainability.

New Epping project director Ben Rowe says the arrival of residents to New Epping was an exciting milestone in the overall vision for the community.

“Riverlee’s partnership with Haven; Home Safe has allowed us to provide New Epping’a first residents with spacious and well-designed apartments,” he says.

“With a diverse and inclusive housing mix on the way, New Epping is set to become a city within the suburbs, where residents will enjoy access to regenerated green spaces, medical and commercial services, as well as neighbouring amenity like the Northern Hospital, Pacific Epping Shopping Centre and Costco.”

Expressing Riverlee’s commitment to rigorous and progressive design outcomes, the residences were designed to the Better Apartment Design Standards and a minimum silver Liveable Housing Australia rating. NATHERS modelling also showed an average of 8.0 stars, with the use of energy-efficient appliances, double glazing and rainwater collection and reuse.

Built by Hacer Group and designed by MGS Architects, the residences were fast-tracked as part of the Victorian Government’s Building Victoria Recovery Taskforce in December, 2020.

Further planning applications for New Epping are expected to be lodged this year.