What was once home to one of Melbourne’s biggest industrial household names is transforming into a thriving mixed-use lifestyle precinct in the heart of Footscray.
Live City, the first residential building within the revitalised Kinnears Ropeworks site, opened to residents in late 2019, with almost all apartments now sold.
Work is now set to begin on the second stage of the precinct, now known as Ropeworks Footscray, later this year when construction of Millhouse Residence kicks off.
A historical icon in the Maribyrnong region
While R&F Property Australia transforms the Ropeworks Precinct into one of the largest urban renewal projects ever undertaken in Melbourne, the site’s original history will not be forgotten.
George Kinnears & Sons established in Footscray on Ballarat Road in 1902. Throughout its 100-year history, the Kinnears factory manufactured rope, yarn, twine, canvas, carpet, linen, cordage, jute and flax. Kinnears closed its doors in 2002 after a century of making rope, string and other products.
Many residents in Footscray and surrounding suburbs hold vivid and dear memories of the Ropeworks factory, which is why we’re committed to retaining and incorporating heritage elements of the site and will continue to share stories of the site’s rich history for generations to come.
R&F Property Australia has been committed to finding and detailing the stories of workers from the Kinnears Factory to keep the memory alive. You can read one of those stories here, and view historical images of Kinnears here.
Significant progress is already underway within the Ropeworks Precinct
The Ropeworks Precinct is already home to hundreds of residents who call Live City home. Comprising of 15 storeys and 208 apartments, Live City has a dedicated 1912sqm of retail space, a communal bar and lounge cascading out to the podium deck and luxury finishes throughout.
Maribyrnong City Council approved the second stage of Ropeworks in early 2021 to precincts two and five, which gives the green light for construction on Millhouse Residence to commence.
What’s on offer for buyers at Millhouse Residence
On completion, Millhouse Residence will be a north-facing boutique residential community within the masterplanned Ropeworks Precinct. While Millhouse Residence will be part of a thriving mixed-use locality that’s positioned near everything residents could ever want or need, occupants will still benefit from the intimate atmosphere created within the 95-apartment building.
Millhouse Residence will be built to the east of the existing Live City apartment complex and is slated for completion in 2024. Image: An artist’s impression of the Ropeworks Precinct once complete.
Millhouse will comprise of apartments, terrace homes and a limited number of townhomes that suit a range of different lifestyles and living arrangements. With various layouts and work-from-home options, coupled with all the communal amenity people have come to know and expect, Millhouse Residence offers buyers the best of the West.
What else is to come to the Ropeworks Precinct?
Aside from Live City and Millhouse Residence, the Ropeworks precinct is planned to include:
- An art and eat street
Good food and art are quintessential to Melbourne’s cultural scene. That’s why the Ropeworks Precinct will comprise of the street art, cafes, and shops that residents have come to know and love.
- Public plaza
A place for the community to socialise and live life to the fullest, the public plaza will be a key element to bringing the residents of Live City, Millhouse and Footscray together.
- Health and leisure facilities
To tie into Footscray’s walkable and healthy lifestyle, the Ropeworks Precinct will have dedicated facilities for those wanting to amp up their training regimes.
- Historical laneways
One such way of keeping the heritage of the iconic Kinnears Factory alive is through the laneways scattered throughout the precinct. These laneways will retain the familiar industrial style of the precinct.
- Fresh food
Residents will be able to wake up and grab a coffee before doing their weekly shop – all without venturing too far from their front doorstep. The fresh food on offer within the Ropeworks Precinct will have all the daily essentials one could need.
When you buy within Millhouse Residence, the future thriving Ropeworks precinct will be located on your doorstep. With access to fresh food, art, health and leisure facilities and the iconic industrial heritage that forms Footscray’s history, living at Millhouse Residence is set to amplify everyday convenience while putting you in touch with life’s luxuries. To make an appointment at our display suite, click here.