New carbon-neutral apartments for Fremantle
December 14, 2020
One of the first carbon-neutral apartment buildings in Australia will be developed by Hesperia in a former light-industrial area in Fremantle, after the project receiving planning approval recently.
Named Montreal Commons, the building is the first to be approved for development in DevelopmentWA’s Knutsford East Village precinct. It will house 39 apartments across five storeys, plus a ground-floor café.
The development will include 75 kilowatts of developer-funded solar photovoltaic generation technology on its roof. Upon completion, the building will trial a unique power trading model where its strata company will retain ownership of the solar infrastructure and generate passive income to offset owner levies by up to 50 per cent.
Designed by Hillam Architects, Montreal Commons reflects the light-industrial heritage of the Knutsford precinct: the sawtooth roofs of surrounding buildings are reflected in a unique, angular façade design, while the arrangement of the building’s courtyard, walkways and main stairs echo the layout of a working factory floor.
A central courtyard and a series of green, open-air communal spaces terraced down the building will offer views and encourage natural light and ventilation, serving as a recreation area for residents and creative privacy between apartments.
Montreal Commons will neighbour Fremantle Golf Course and other apartment projects planned for adjacent blocks. Construction is scheduled for completion by late 2022.
