All quotes can be attributed to: 

LLOYD CLARK, MANAGING DIRECTOR

OF M/GROUP (Parent company of Match) 

THE FOUNDATIONS…

The foundations of M/Group were established in 2001 on a mission to improve Perth streetscapes, which at the time were in grave danger of becoming dull and lifeless through extremely conservative developments.

The urban environment was effectively being swallowed by ‘cookie-cutter’ apartment designs, and the market was not being given any choice.

Match, M/Group’s apartment development company, was the inspiration of directors Lloyd Clark and Cameron Barr, who shared a genuine passion for Perth’s streetscapes and urban living. They knew their products would not suite everyone, but the appeal for others would be enormous.

By following the global trend towards apartment living, and determined to change the way the City approached the inner city environment, the company cut its teeth in suburbs such as Inglewood and Mount Lawley and developed a knack for identifying and securing strategically located sites with enormous design and lifestyle potential.

They took on projects, such as heritage sensitive developments, that larger companies would see as too complex.  Nobody seemed to be doing this in Perth at the time, and they really believed in the approach.

CREATING A FOLLOWING…

The company’s bold approach to development and strong design focus quickly attracted a following of both investors and buyers starved of unique product.

The company was committed to delivering boutique product that carries inherent value. Such product cannot be replicated and will always create market demand due to the limited supply and key locations.

Landmark projects, such as the reputed heritage renewal Home, set the bar for both design and heritage renewals in the City, and Match’s apartment developments began to sell out prior to official market release.

M/Group continues to push boundaries with daring designs, such as M24 in Leederville and the heritage renewal and repurpose of Fremantle’s Dalgety Woolstores, Heirloom.

As market demand for apartment living increases, the company remains true to its design focus while taking cues from the surrounding environment.

THE MARKET APPEAL FOR APARTMENT LIVING

M/Group believes that apartment living is entirely about lifestyle and that apartments represent low maintenance environments often located at the doorstep of great cafes, bars, parks, beaches and restaurants. They provide security and generally offer some of the best views in the area – outlooks that are typically out of reach to conventional homes.

Some of the world’s most famous cities, such as New York, Barcelona and Paris, are renowned for an energy that can only be created through density and constant activity. They believe that ‘life creates life’, which is already evident in some of Perth’s inner city environments, such as Mount Lawley and Fremantle.

In recent years, Perth has embraced apartment living, which has paved the way for a good selection of boutique designs that consider the lifestyle of the end user and integrate this into the design outcome.

While M/Group believes there is still a potential oversupply of ‘cookie-cutter’ projects, the company have played a significant role in demonstrating that demand for unique, boutique apartments remains strong, and has effectively contributed to a improving Perth’s streetscape and creating a legacy for the City.

FILLING IN THE GAPS…

As the company evolved and grew in terms of scale and success, the directors identified gaps in the development process leading to a project’s delivery.

A vertically integrated business model was adopted to fill those gaps and de-risk investments by retaining control of every aspect of the development process, from design, development, building and delivery.

Construction firm, M/Construction, was introduced in 2010, together with real estate and property management company, M/Property, and finance broking company, M/Finance.

By replacing all outsourcing with skilled and handpicked key people, the company has been able to maintain a high level of quality control and value-add throughout the whole process.

In 2015, M/Group introduced M/Land, with a view of applying the company’s boutique development ethos into the land subdivision space. This was followed earlier this year, by the launch of an income fund division, M/Assets, with a focus on building a portfolio of high yielding properties.

M/Group is today a diversified property company that also includes the in-house provision for income fund management, incorporating corporate governance, compliance, strategic direction and capital raising for its group of companies.

As a company, M/Group has grown consistently and organically over 15 years from a clear vision and passion for good design. It is anchored by a sound foundation to accommodate future expansion into the next decade.

For more information visit www.mgroup.com.au

M/24 stands as Leederville’s most courageous architecture, and is set to alter the character and energy of Carr Street with a nod to the site’s ‘soft drink producer’ history. The apartment complex is currently under construction with over 70% of apartments sold.

M/24 comprises 39 one and two bedroom apartment with 500sq.m of shop space on the ground level. It is designed by Melbourne Architect ARM in collaboration with Perth’s reputed boutique developer Match, and is inspired by the site’s former occupant, Golden West Aerated Water Company, which was established around 1902 by Mr J.J. Wallis to produce soft drinks, such as ginger beer, lemonade and kola beer.

Mr Lloyd Clark, Managing Director of M/Group, parent company of Match, said the site was a welcome opportunity for the company to push the design envelope.

“Match was established on a mission to improve Perth’s streetscapes through innovative and considered apartment design that remains in context with the surrounding environment. Leederville is the epitome of cutting edge culture, so our team was really excited to explore the opportunities and present a concept that took Perth’s streetscape architecture to a new level,” he said.

“It was a calculated risk and we were unsure how the market would respond, but M/24 hit the ground running. It immediately attracted young owner-occupiers wanting a signature residence and investors looking to capitalise on the building’s unique appeal.”

The building’s look and feel is based on the idea of aerated water and the intricate and complex action of bubbles moving in fluid. On the street-front, M/24’s soft-drink inspired lattice screen extends to the ground at the foyer entry, creating a sense of entering this bubble matrix.

Each apartment is configured to maximise natural light and airflow through living areas and bedrooms. The apartments are developed to offer an active street-front outlook or one that is more private, overlooking a linear communal area with views towards the city skyline.

Each apartment has stylish interiors, quality fixtures and fittings, and an intentionally designed space that creates a blank canvas for residents to personalise. All apartments feature undercover parking, air conditioning, lift access and security.

M/Construction, another M/Group company, is behind the construction of M/24 and part of an integrated and seamless development model that de-risks the development process to provide added benefit and peace of mind to the property purchaser.

M/24 apartment prices start from $450,000 for one-bedroom apartments and $595,000 for two-bedroom apartments. Completion is scheduled for early 2017.

A first glimpse inside a completed apartment within Fremantle’s coveted Dalgety Woostores heritage renewal will demonstrate the sheer versatility of the historic space with a rotating schedule of interiors that aims to inspire new and potential residents looking to adapt an apartment with their own signature style.

The long-awaited opening of Fremantle Heirloom’s Display Apartment arrived with the announcement that completion of the building is ahead of schedule and owners might be moving in as early as January 2017.

Some 300 people visited the apartment over its first weekend open and the developer behind the renewal believe it is just a taste of things to come.

Managing Director of M/Group, parent company of apartment developer Match, said the apartments have been designed to create a raw canvas against an historic backdrop, and the opportunity to showcase their potential is truly exciting.

“The Fremantle Heirloom apartments are designed to accommodate a diverse range of styles which is synonymous with warehouse apartment living,” he said.

“With over 80% of apartments now sold, and construction ahead of schedule, the proposition to secure a piece of Fremantle history has become a reality for many. The opening of our first completed apartment provides an opportunity to do something really special and celebrate this amazing space.”

Respected stylist, Anna Flanders, has been appointed on a mission to regularly restyle the display apartment with furniture and artworks sourced from local Perth suppliers, such as Art Collective WA, Living Edge, Design Farm, Temple Fine Rugs, Peter Blu, Auswest via Tudor Timber, Eco Outdoor and Mossenson Galleries.

On completion, Heirloom will be home to a range of luxury one and two-bedroom warehouse apartments, all featuring original heritage fabric, high ceilings and a central light-filled courtyard with iconic saw tooth roof.

Heirloom is designed by project Architect Dominic Snellgrove from Cameron Chisholm Nicol (CCN), who is a recognised Australian leader in integrated architectural, and constructed by national top tier construction company, Built.

One-bedroom apartments start from $495,000, with two-bedroom loft apartments priced from $695,000.

For more information visit www.heirloombymatch.com.au or contact Chris on 0432 660 066

The names are short and succinct, but the ‘M’ in boutique apartment developments such as M/24 and M/25 is a signature mark that can mean a great deal to those looking to secure a unique apartment investment with strong capital growth prospects.

Behind the ‘M’ series of apartments is boutique developer, Match – a company that has earned significant repute in the apartment development sector for identifying strategically located sites and combining the opportunity with beautiful one-off products that often injects life into an area and creates a striking legacy for the streetscape.

Whilst distinct in design, apartment developments M/24 in Carr Place Leederville and M/25 on the corner of Burt and Walcott Streets Mount Lawley are two recent examples of the company’s work.

Whereas M/24 embodies Match’s propensity for groundbreaking architecture, M/25 presents a more subtle design that will be quite at home in the Mount Lawley environment.

Managing Director of Match parent company M/Group, Mr Lloyd Clark, said the commonalities between both developments are stylish boutique design, location and, most importantly, limited supply. He said the latter underpins the company’s success in delivering apartments that retain value against all property market conditions.

“We wanted to move away from exotic apartment names and, instead, build some depth into what people are actually purchasing when buying Match apartments,” he said.

“It is so important when buying off-the-plan for apartment buyers to do their homework on the developer and its track record of successful projects. Most developments require sales of around 60% before construction can commence. Making sure the developer has a strong body of work to refer to will not only prevent a deposit being locked away in a project that doesn’t come to fruition, but also ensures a quality build that delivers on the initial promise.”

M/25 is a stylish and sophisticated residence incorporating only 30 one and two-bedroom secure apartments, each with the Match signature of high ceilings and large balconies.

M/24 comprises 39 one and two-bedroom apartments with 500sq.m of shop space on the ground level. It is designed by Melbourne Architect ARM in collaboration with Match, and is inspired by the site’s former occupant, Golden West Aerated Water Company.

“In a market environment flooded by large scale ‘cookie-cutter’ apartment designs that bare little comparison to each other, a limited supply, quality boutique apartment will always attract more attention,” Mr Clark states.

For more information on all Match properties, visit itsamatch.com.au or call 0432 660 066.

How important is the façade/the look of an apartment complex to buyers?

A persons’ home is their signature. It represents who they are and how they are perceived amongst peers and in the broader the community. We believe first impressions are incredibly important, and when potential property owners respond to a property’s façade it is hard for them to forget it.

Creating a compelling façade is about setting the scene for the rest of the environment. Match deliberately makes particularly strong and bold statements with its developments because we believe it adds depth to each project and the market responds extremely well to this approach.

How important (and why) is the design of the façade when putting together the design for an apartment development?

The process of design and development, particularly when addressing the exterior, is a responsibility as well as an opportunity. The building has the potential to create a legacy for the area and will impact the streetscape for decades to come.

Match takes its design cues from the surrounding environment and that of the potential lifestyles of our residents. One size definitely does not fit all and within our property portfolio you will invariably see a very different style of apartment in Leederville than that of Como, for instance.

How do you balance the amount of money spent on the façade verses apartment interiors and the eventual price point to buyers (such as M/24 or the restoration at Heirloom)?

It has never been the case that a well designed façade compromises the quality of the interior – quite the opposite. A stunning façade sets the tone and expectation for beautiful and complementary interiors. The combination adds value to the properties and increases capital potential.

It is important to note that good design doesn’t always mean additional expense and, in the case of our work on heritage renewals where the cost of restoring heritage fabric might be higher, the inherent value of securing a unique and limited piece of history that cannot be emulated or duplicated, is priceless. This inherent value is passed on through resale and will never date.

What are you trying to achieve with the look of your developments from the street? Are you doing anything innovative in this area?

Match was established on a mission to improve Perth streetscapes, which at the time were in grave danger of becoming dull and lifeless through extremely conservative developments. We believed that built form could really make a difference to an environment and bring the area alive. Our work in Mount Lawley in the early days is testament to this.

We have always taken a cutting edge approach to our developments and continue to work with some of the most country’s progressive architects to achieve a sense of street presence. Our apartments might not be for everyone, but those who respond to the design and the lifestyle it represents invariably never look back.

How does the façade impact future resale price?

Match’s focus is in the creation of boutique and iconic buildings within strategic locations. Our properties often demand attention and a limited supply of apartments means that, regardless of where we are on the property cycle, there will always be demand for this product.

Our work differs enormously from the ‘cookie-cutter’ apartment environments where it is difficult to discern one building from the other. We aim to create signature pieces, and people will always want to be associated with style.

Who should I attribute these comments to?

Mr Lloyd Clark, Managing Director M/Group, parent company of Match.

As Perth’s population continues to increase, an emerging culture of apartment dwellers are opting to avoid the urban sprawl and take up residence in well-located and lifestyle-centric environments that support the notion of building up rather than out.

While this market shift is spurring property buyers to secure a good apartment investment, one of Perth’s most respected boutique apartment developers says buyers should be discerning with their choices, as all apartments do not represent the same investment outcome.

Mr Lloyd Clark from M/Group, the parent company of boutique apartment developer Match, believes boutique and distinctive developments will always attract a premium.

“Well-located apartment projects comprising of 30-40 residences with an abundance of amenity at the doorstep will always have more appeal than large-scale ‘cookie-cutter’ environments. It is resonant of the new of owner-occupiers that include downsizers and young professional couples and don’t want to compromise their lifestyle by moving out to the large land estates in the ‘burbs’,” he said.

“These people want to live in signature spaces and developers such as Match have been actively stepping up in terms of design to ensure maximum appeal and enduring returns of investment.”

Match rose in prominence some 15 years ago by successfully undertaking a series of high profile heritage renewal projects and giving new life to some of Perth’s most beautiful and historic buildings.

The company is currently behind the restoration of the famous Dalgety Woolstores in Fremantle, named Heirloom, and has introduced a range of distinctively designed apartment projects to the market located in various locations around Perth’s suburbs.

“We have built our business on identifying strategic sites in well located environments and then designing signature properties that take cues from the environment and the market,” Mr Clark continues.

“We have introduced beautiful product in areas such as Mount Lawley, Guildford, Leederville, Fremantle, Como, Port Coogee and Subiaco with a view of enhancing the streetscape and contributing to the culture of the areas.”

Match works with some of the city’s most respected Architects and designers, including CCN Architects, David Barr Architects, Oldfield Knott Architects and award-winning Architect Geoffrey Warn of Donaldson & Warn Architects.

As a result of the company’s approach to design and development, its projects maintain a steady flow of enquiries through all market conditions.

“The market is most definitely in a state of divide; on one side there are a number of large-scale apartment projects, many of which are backed by first-time developers looking to maximise land availability and density opportunities. People are correct in being concerned about value proposition of these projects. Many of them will struggle to achieve the required pre sales and,

therefore, will not go ahead,” Mr Clark adds.

“Match sits on the other side of the fence. We have stayed true to our grass roots and focused on unique and well-located sites for boutique projects. Developments like ours will continue to attract strong buyer interest. Where large-scale projects are currently in limbo, we have commenced construction of a number of new apartment projects and in the process of releasing more.

For more information about Match apartments visit www.itsamatch.com.au.