ARM Architecture and Blackstone to build Real Caulfield as the future of residential development moves in

In a first for Victoria, a unique combination of built-to-rent apartments and a major retail hub is coming to Caulfield.

A streetscape of the how built-to-rent complex Realm Caulfield will look when it’s in November 2022. Image: supplied

A new type of residential development has been revealed in Melbourne’s inner southeast, with the first ‘built-to-rent’ apartment building in the state set to be complete by the end of November.

Realm Australia, a dedicated rental business, has partnered with architecture firm ARM Architecture to create Realm Caulfield — an apartment complex purpose built for renting.

Backed by US investment giant Blackstone, Realm Caulfield is in its “advanced stages of development”, set to be complete in November.

ARM director Neil Masterton said ‘built-to-rent’ style designing was “fundamentally about community spaces”.

“As cities get bigger and more complex, the opportunities for living get more complex,” he said.

“This is where built-to-rent becomes more popular. It’s not just designing the buildings, but designing the space between; where people can communicate and function in better ways.”

Realm Caulfield will have 437 apartments with the building being designed to sit on top of a new shopping precinct, known as Caulfield Village.

Supermarket heavyweight Coles will sit alongside 24 other curated retail and hospitality venues, creating a close and functional community centre for the residents of Realm.

A full-line Coles store is part of the curated retail and hospitality experience to headline at Realm Caulfield. Image: supplied

“It’s high quality and professionally managed, with an asset rich environments,” Mr Masterton said.

“Those things are also becoming increasingly popular as cities get bigger and harder to get around, because you can find everything available in one location.”

Just 300m from Caulfield railway station and next to the racecourse, future residents have easy access to Melbourne’s CBD and cultural events.

Mr Masterton said the post-pandemic world and working from home was a big consideration in the design process for built-to-rent spaces.

“There is a big interest in the idea of working from home. Realm provides a different outlook at this, as spaces outside the building itself are as important and valuable as the individual apartments.”

Realm Caulfield is focusing on outdoor communal gardens for residents. Image: supplied

Mr Masterton said the future of design was heavily focused on sustainability.

“More people are working from home, so there is a strong influence and interest in their immediate natural environment,” he said.

“There are various criteria we must adhere to when designing a building, but even so, sustainability is something we already have taken strongly into account.”

Realm Caulfield will be available for preview from September, and is slated to be complete in November.

Prospective tenants can preview and pre-sign now.

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