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Completed May 2020

Napier St, Footscray

Builder: Manresa Constructions
Architect: Stoll Long Architecture
Investment partner: Victorian Government

Two men stand outside a modern apartment building. The man in front is smiling, wearing a gray beanie and a striped scarf; the man in the background wears a dark coat. Trees with autumn leaves are behind them.
A modern multi-story apartment building with large windows and balconies sits on a street corner, surrounded by trees, parked cars, and intersecting roads under a partly cloudy sky.
Street view of a modern apartment building with large windows, a brick and metal exterior, black railing, and a row of small green plants in front. The address 302/32 is visible near the entrance.

About the development

Funded in part by the Victorian State Government’s Victorian Property Fund, the Napier Street development delivers social housing for individuals who have experienced, or are at risk of, homelessness. The project transformed a block of 17 small units into 54 modern, self-contained apartments, offering secure homes to those who are most in need.

Awards

2021, Affordable Development Award

UDIA National Awards for Excellence

Property Features

54x homes
11x studio
43x 1-bedroom
Communal area
Landscaped outdoor garden

Building design

Designed with a strong focus on renters well-being and quality of life, the development offers bright, naturally ventilated spaces, a generous communal area, and a landscaped outdoor garden.

Sustainability and comfort were key considerations in the design, with features such as rooftop solar panels to help lower energy costs and reduce environmental impact, and a rainwater harvesting system that supports toilet flushing and garden irrigation.

The building includes an embedded network to streamline utility access, high-performance glazing and energy-efficient services to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures year-round, as well as a secure bike storage facility to promote active transport.

Support partnership

As part of Unison’s holistic approach to tenancy management, the building also features a dedicated Place Management Office. This enables our team to deliver timely, personalised support—helping residents maintain their tenancies, build community connections, and access local services, as well as cultivating social and economic opportunities.

Development funding

The $13M development was partially funded by the Victorian State Government’s Victorian Property Fund, which supports registered housing providers in delivering projects that expand the supply of long-term affordable housing for low-income and disadvantaged Victorians.

A modern, multi-story apartment building with large windows and balconies, surrounded by trees, situated on a street corner with cars and city skyline visible in the distance.
A glass sliding door opens to a balcony with a clear view of a city skyline under a blue sky with a few clouds. The room has wooden flooring and white walls.
Modern apartment balcony with frosted glass railings, overlooking a city skyline in the distance. Sliding glass doors open to an empty room with wooden floors. The sky is partly cloudy.
Several solar panels are installed on a flat rooftop with a satellite dish nearby; a city skyline and blue sky with scattered clouds are visible in the background.

    Want to discuss a project?

    To discuss a development project with our team, don’t hesitate to contact Unison CEO James King on 03 9349 0250.

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