Elgin Towers
Elgin Towers
Client:
Homes Victoria
Location:
Melbourne, Victoria
Collaborators:
Mala (landscape), RPS (community consultation)
Scale:
248 homes
Status:
Due for completion 2028
Contact Person:
Oliver Mayger
Architectus is the lead designer of Elgin Towers, a project within Australia’s largest urban renewal initiative.
A partnership between the Victorian and Federal Governments, the program will redevelop Melbourne’s 44 public housing towers into high-quality, accessible homes and increase social housing by at least 10 per cent.
Like the city’s other aging high-rise housing, Elgin Towers was built to outdated design standards. Reaching the end of their useful lives, the 60-year-old towers are no longer fit for modern living, particularly for young families and people with disabilities.
“At Elgin Towers, our design philosophy goes beyond simply providing housing—we aim to create homes that deeply resonate with the people who live in them. Through meaningful community engagement, we’ve come to believe that thoughtful design can make individuals feel truly seen and valued, cultivating a genuine sense of belonging for every resident.” – Liz Seuseu, Project Design Leader
Working with Homes Victoria, we’ve designed contemporary, sustainable new housing to replace the 17-storey red brick towers in the inner-city suburb of Carlton.
Architectus will also be delivering signage and wayfinding, incorporating a holistic design response to the project.
Incorporating 248 social homes with private balconies, the two new 15- and 20-storey buildings will boost housing stock on the currently unoccupied site by 26 per cent.
“Every single one of these homes in Carlton will become a modern, energy-efficient and accessible place for people to call home…”
Clare O’Neil
Federal Minister for Housing and Homelessness
High-quality housing for a range of community needs
Elgin Towers is designed to meet the changing needs of the community, with apartments ranging from studios to four and five bedroom homes. The spaces for larger families are a direct response to resident feedback on the project.
Other features include better accessibility, reverse-cycle heating and cooling, a laundry in each apartment, double-glazed windows and modern kitchens.
Designed to create warm, energy efficiency environments with plenty of natural light and ventilation, the homes are set to achieve 5-star Green Star and 7-star NatHERS ratings.
New outdoor spaces and better connections
The new development, funded through the Federal Government’s Social Housing Accelerator Program, will also include community spaces, communal landscape and new shared spaces linking the two buildings to neighbourhoods and amenity nearby.
Demolition of the site and towers at 20 Elgin Street and 141 Nicholson Street has commenced, and construction is expected to be completed by 2028.
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Client:
Homes Victoria
Location:
Melbourne, Victoria
Collaborators:
Mala (landscape), RPS (community consultation)
Scale:
248 homes
Status:
Due for completion 2028
Contact Person:
Oliver Mayger
