Leicester Place

CLIENT | Manors Gate Group

TYPE | Architecture, Documentation, INTERIOR DESIGN

SECTOR | Student Accommodation

STATUS | DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Location | melbourne, vic

HEIGHT | 46.8 m, 14 storeys

SCALE | GFA: 7,636 sqm, Site: 705 sqm, 190 BEDS

COST | CONFIDENTIAL

RENDERS | PLUS ARCHITECTURE

Harmoniously fusing old with new.

Plus was commissioned by Manors Gate Group to complete the architecture, documentation and interior design for a brand new student accommodation project at 4-12 Leicester Place in Carlton. We value these projects as they provide a fantastic opportunity to positively impact the lives of many students while continuing to raise the bar for purpose-built student accommodation in Australia.

Centrally located north of Melbourne CBD/Naarm, Carlton is a vibrant culture hub, and popular among students due to its convenience to the University of Melbourne and RMIT. We were inspired by Carlton's past and present, with industrial motifs such as the use of weathered steel (Corten), along with traditional terracotta elements and red brickwork, synonymous with Melbourne architecture.

We set out to design a building that would feel warm and inviting. To achieve this, we incorporated expansive glazing on the ground floor with vertical greening, outdoor bench seating and cantilevered awnings to activate the streetscape, creating a space where students and the broader community would want to spend time.

In contrast to the industrial quality of the podium, dual towers rise in a sophisticated concrete, embodying precision and refinement. The buildings are intersected by a vertical strip of warm-hued apartment balustrades, uniting the two volumes. This design approach creates a more visually boutique development, without compromising on capacity. To encourage the play of light and visual interest, we decided to incorporate Juliette balconies and various shading devices, to further enhance the comfort of residents.

Through this design, we were able to create a building that would harmoniously fuse old with new, and a collection of residences that students would thrive in.