Living Carlton is a master planned, environmentally sustainable redevelopment that integrates social and private housing, along with new public parks, a community garden and pedestrian and bicycle pathways.

The consortium led by Citta Property Group with Frasers Property Australia was selected by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to develop three inner city sites in Carlton covering an area of 7.5 hectares.

The redevelopment comprises 9 stages and, at completion, is envisaged to provide a total of 246 social housing apartments and more than 800 private apartments, a 160 bed aged care facility and approximately 180 independent living units with a total end value of $500 million. 

Jackson Architecture was engaged as master plan design architect and coordinating architect, with a team of architectural practices responsible for the design of individual buildings. JCB designed three different projects within Living Carlton: Allure at Lume, Stage 2 ($60M), Apt, Stage 6 ($32M) and Found, Stage 7 ($23M).

Allure comprises a broad mix of apartment types: 50 social housing and 42 private residences. Two 6-storey buildings separate public and private housing yet are designed to be indistinguishable from each other. The buildings form part of a wider master plan with the ground plane activated and connected through pathways and landscaping. A safe environment was created, including lighting design and passive surveillance. The facade is a mixture of natural and dark coloured concrete, while precast panels are textured with circular recesses to create an abstraction of the decorative cast iron balustrading, a distinctive characteristic of Carlton dwellings.

Apt is a 9-storey building comprising 143 apartments in a mix of apartment layouts. The dynamic projecting cube facade of the residential design provides a highly considered use of space that transforms apartment life and connects the community. Each apartment is designed with versatile open living areas and large windows to maximise natural light. A communal rooftop lounge features sliding glass walls to integrate indoor and outdoor zones, expansive views and extensive shared amenity. A communal courtyard features abundant greenery and social spaces.

Found is a boutique residential building project, comprising 65 apartments and four exclusive townhouses. The architectural vision is inspired by the community and character of the precinct. A meeting place of unique architecture and nature gives Found its living identity. The facade materiality and the building’s ‘stepped’ form reflect the diverse cultural fabric of the surrounding community.