When sustainability costs $14,400 per square metre

We check in to an innovative, carbon-neutral apartment in the Ferrars & York building in South Melbourne.

The apartment block overlooks South Melbourne Market.

Michael BlebyDeputy property editor

Jun 5, 2025 – 5.00am

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What do you have to give up to be sustainable? As with everything in life, there are trade-offs. In the case of developer Hip v Hype’s 8.1-star energy-rated building in South Melbourne, one is a weatherproof corridor.

Each of the 22 apartments in the Ferrars & York building, built on a sliver of land between a tram line and a main road, stretches the width of the 10-metre site, leaving no space for internal corridors.

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Michael BlebyDeputy property editorMichael Bleby covers commercial and residential property, with a focus on housing and finance, construction, design & architecture. He also dabbles in the business of sport. Michael is based in Melbourne.