Melbourne Families Pool Resources to Replace Single Homes with Three-Townhouse Collectives
In 2020, the Davison Collaborative transformed a postwar brick veneer residence in Brunswick, Melbourne, into three architecturally crafted three-bedroom townhouses, effectively tripling the area's density. After acquiring the property from the original owners' children, architect Chris Gilbert, who had previously lost out on auctions in 2018, collaborated with Liam Wallis and Peter Steele of Hip V. Hype to realize the project. The couples moved into their new homes two years later. Meanwhile, the Northcote Townhouses project, spearheaded by Sarah Birthisel, Sarah Cosentino, Stephen McGarry, Tanya Smith, and Neil Clarke, commenced construction in 2022. Both developments received accolades, with Tim Riley of Property Collectives highlighting potential savings exceeding $100,000 for participants. Wallis estimates that 500 similar lots could accommodate 1,500 homes in the vicinity.
Key facts
- The Davison Collaborative in Brunswick, Melbourne, replaced one postwar house with three three-bedroom townhouses in 2020, trebling density.
- The project was led by architect Chris Gilbert, Liam Wallis, and Peter Steele of Hip V. Hype.
- The original house was owned by the same family for 50 years before being sold at auction.
- Northcote Townhouses, a similar project by three couples, was built on a 638 sq metre property backing onto the Mernda train line.
- The Northcote group included Sarah Birthisel, Sarah Cosentino, Stephen McGarry, Tanya Smith, and Neil Clarke.
- Davison Collaborative was a finalist for the Victorian premier’s design awards; Northcote Townhouses received a commendation in the Houses awards.
- Tim Riley of Property Collectives says participants often save upwards of $100,000 compared with buying similar homes.
- Liam Wallis estimates that 500 similar blocks within a kilometre radius in Brunswick could be redeveloped into 1,500 homes.
Entities
Artists
- Liam Wallis
- Chris Gilbert
- Peter Steele
- Jerry O’Sullivan
- Lucia
- Sarah Birthisel
- Sarah Cosentino
- Stephen McGarry
- Tanya Smith
- Neil Clarke
- Tim Riley
Institutions
- Hip V. Hype
- Property Collectives
- Darebin Council
- Victorian premier’s design awards
- Houses awards
- Victorian civil and administrative tribunal (Vcat)
Locations
- Melbourne
- Australia
- Brunswick
- Carlton North
- Northcote
- Darebin
- Mernda train line
- Davison Street