Lord Mayor Sally Capp and Sentinel Managing Director Keith Lucas at the topping out ceremony for the Briscoe. Photo: Kit Haselden Photography
Sentinel has marked the 'topping out' construction milestone at its Build to Rent apartment building, The Briscoe, in West Melbourne. On completion, the project will be Sentinel's third completed Build to Rent community in Australia.
To commemorate the achievement for the project and Melbourne's growing Build to Rent sector, The Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sally Capp, joined Sentinel's Managing Director in Australia, Keith Lucas, construction partner Crema Constructions and project architects Rothelowman on-site at 164-168 Roden Street for a site tour and topping out ceremony.
Sentinel has established The Briscoe as the name of its new apartment community, paying homage to the site's former status as home to one of Australia's largest Victorian-era hardware firms, Briscoe & Company Limited. The Briscoe will be home to 172 premium and sustainable Build to Rent apartments across seven levels, ranging from one- to three-bedroom layouts. It is scheduled to reach practical completion in March 2023.
Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp welcomed the project and said it will add value to Melbourne's housing landscape.
"I welcome more, quality housing supply in our city, especially when it is combined with community facilities and environmental outcomes," the Lord Mayor said.
"Melbourne is Australia’s most liveable city and it is projects like The Briscoe by Sentinel that continue to strengthen that title."
Artist rendering of The Briscoe, featuring the historic façade of the original building and recreated historic signage. Final finishes may vary.
As pioneered by Sentinel's previous Australian Build to Rent properties, The Briscoe will pursue carbon neutral certification on completion. The building has also been designed to be fossil-fuel-free and target a 5-Star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.
The Briscoe will have a broad range of state-of-the-art amenities to provide residents with a sophisticated rental experience. These amenities include a rooftop terrace with sweeping views overlooking the Melbourne CBD skyline, a gym, a residents' lounge and dining area that can be booked for private functions, a business centre and a landscaped, green inner-courtyard at the centre of the building which will act as the uniting feature of the community.
Sentinel's on-site management, leasing and maintenance staff will provide an enhanced rental experience for residents, including a streamlined and personalised leasing process, 24/7 on-site maintenance and an ongoing program of curated resident events to grow and sustain a vibrant rental community.
Keith Lucas, Managing Director of Sentinel in Australia said: "It's fantastic to see The Briscoe, our first Build to Rent development in Victoria, progress another step closer to completion. It will offer residents a refined, highly sustainable and community-focussed lifestyle, creating a sense of place within and adding to West Melbourne’s existing character.
"The Briscoe has been thoughtfully designed outside and in for a renter-oriented living experience. The design draws heavily on the eclectic industrial heritage of the site and art deco influence of the iconic Briscoe and Co signage. The building is also designed to achieve leading sustainability benchmarks including carbon neutral certification, empowering residents to live greener," said Mr. Lucas.
The announcement received positive coverage in Australian media:
Herald Sun
The Fifth Estate
Brisbane Times
The Chronicle
Sentinel currently has more than 1,300 Build to Rent units under various stages of development throughout Australia. Read more about our Australian Build to Rent Projects.