In Melbourne, median unit prices have increased 5.5% annually over the last three decades. Real wages, on the other hand, have only grown at less than 3%. In response to this disparity, Assemble Futures housing model is an incredibly viable alternative to homeownership, thereby allowing more moderate-income Victorians to enter the property ladder.
Unlike traditional rent-to-buy models where tenants pay above the market rental rates to go towards their deposit, 4 Ballarat St. – through the Assemble Futures model - invites residents to sign a five-year lease (at a pre-agreed market rate) with the option to purchase the apartment they have been living in at the end of the lease period. The security of having a fixed purchase price (which protects from future shifts in the market) is understandably piquing the interest of many first home buyers across the state.
Assemble Futures is essentially offering purchasers an opportunity to secure the future purchase price of a brand new high-quality, sustainably built apartment at 4 Ballarat St. Brunswick while you save to buy it.
For a life well-lived
4 Ballarat St. runs on 100% renewable energy. This, together with the highly functional design by architecture practice Fieldwork, the Rush Wright landscaping which brings you closer to nature, and the vibrancy of the neighbourhood ensures you can live to the fullest while treading lightly on the planet.
The overall design sits perfectly at home in Brunswick, with a palette inspired by the character and history of the location. Warm colours, no-fuss design details and hard-wearing materials show that style, durability and functionality were primary driving factors in the design of these homes. In line with principles of sustainability, all apartments have been oriented to maximise natural daylight. The positioning of windows allows for increased cross-flow ventilation - minimising energy consumption and creating a greater sense of space. The double glazed windows also create sightlines to the outdoors, injecting a distinct sense of belonging and community to everyday living.
True to Brunswick’s sense of community, this development actively brings people together through its range of spaces. The ground floor features a multi-purpose workshop, secure bike storage, parcel room and lending library to share household items with others. The communal rooftop offers a flexible, bookable space to host larger gatherings, from yoga sessions, community events to private parties. An edible garden also brings the community together, giving residents an opportunity to tend to homegrown herbs and vegetables.
“There are some smaller seating nooks for quiet conversations, set within a garden that combines a biodiverse selection of Australian native plantings along with some aromatic Mediterranean specimens. The plant selection is a nod to the eclectic nature of Brunswick.”
Cassandra Chilton, Rush Wright Studio
Security for first home buyers
Assemble Managing Director Kris Daff explains the Assemble Futures housing model has been extremely popular with Melbourne’s first home buyers seeking secure, long-term housing. “We’re witnessing the strongest growth in property values in our history, rising at their fastest rate in almost two decades, and as a result, we’ve reached a crisis point in housing affordability,” he explains.
“Our housing concept, Assemble Futures, takes the volatility out of the market and provides absolute price certainty for our clients over the term of the lease and the end purchase price. This latest project provides those with a moderate annual income an opportunity to save for a home deposit, know they have the security of tenure and live at the heart of the Brunswick community in a quality designed apartment,” Kris continues.
In addition to the two years needed to complete construction, the Assemble Futures model gives you seven years to save for a deposit while you settle into your new home. The best part is that the contract also offers flexibility. If your circumstances change, you can give back the keys after the first 12 months, with no financial penalty.
A development that ticks all the boxes
4 Ballarat St. Brunswick is the third project to be delivered under Assemble Futures. Following the success of two other developments in Kensington, this latest offering combines quality design, sustainable living and community facilities with an enviable Brunswick lifestyle.
The final release is now selling, marking the last days to secure an apartment that ticks all the boxes. Prices for studio apartments start at $295 per week and a $467,500 purchase price. One-bedroom apartments start at $390 per week with a $580,000 purchase price; two-bedroom apartments are priced from $550 per week and a $765,000 purchase price. The spacious three-bedroom apartment is available from $770 per week and $1,110,000 purchase price. For more information on 4 Ballarat St, and Assemble Futures, or to discuss if this is the right property for you, click here.