Kalgoorlie $140m Modular Workers Village Approved

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.

Highly reputed property acquisition specialist, Mr James Collis, has joined M/Group as director of its income funds business with a sole focus on increasing the company’s income asset capacity.

Mr Collis will target the acquisition of strategic high quality properties, in all markets including retail, commercial and industrial, with strong revenue streams and blue chip tenants. His work will boost M/Group’s existing investment portfolio of property development and land funds and broaden the company’s investment base across an extended range of product.

Mr Collis believes the company’s latest investment focus will create a niche proposition in the Western Australian investment market.

“There are some really good quality properties on the market at the moment and, at the same time, people are looking to invest in secure, income producing assets,” he said.

“M/Group is targeting assets Australia-wide with a value proposition of around $10million to $30million. These tenanted assets provide investment opportunities for small to moderate-level investors, providing access to a low-risk investment class usually reserved for large-scale transactions.”

M/Group intend to utilise its retail funds management license to allow these new opportunities to be available to a broader market who may not traditionally have access to this investment class. The company’s asset funds will target annual returns of circa 8% with a minimum investment requirement from $10,000.

M/Group initially entered the asset funds market in 2013 with the acquisition of the strategically located Officeworks building in Bunbury. The asset incorporated a blue-chip tenant, long lease and high forecast returns. The fund was fully subscribed within just weeks of its release

The appointment of Mr Collis follows a succession of oversubscribed investment funds managed by the company, including development product in Leederville, Como and Fremantle.

M/Group Managing Director, Mr Lloyd Clark, said Mr Collis’ credentials are strongly aligned to the company’s success in identifying and procuring strategic investment opportunities. He said his appointment supports the company’s continual growth through the introduction of new and highly sought after product.

“Over the last twelve months, M/Group has identified strategic opportunities to support business growth through diversity of opportunities. Last year we introduced a land development division led by John Wroth, and our property management and construction companies continue to build momentum,” Mr Clark said.

“James’ background and experience represents an excellent fit for M/Group’s development as a vertically integrated business. We are extremely pleased to welcome James onto the team.”

Under the direction of Mr Collis, M/Group is currently negotiating the acquisition of some $60million worth of income producing assets with the release of new funds anticipated for later in the year.

For more information on income investment funds please contact James Collis on (08) 9324 3855 or James.Collis@MGroup.com.au

In a landmark decision by the City of Fremantle, a design innovation introduced by boutique property company, Match, will enable four street frontage studio apartments to be used for either residential or retail/commercial purposes within the recently completed Sublime apartment complex.

Sublime is a mixed-use concept development located on Lime Street in the heart of North Fremantle. It is walking distance to the North Fremantle train station, Leighton Beach and Swan River, as well as metres from the cliffs of ‘Rocky Bay’.

The development sold over 80% of the one and two bedroom apartments prior to completion just weeks ago, with the four remaining dual-use studios held back from the market pending approval from the City of Fremantle.

Mr Lloyd Clark, Managing Director of Match parent company, M/Group, said the City’s approval of this new zoning is significant, and will provide property owners with the flexibility to follow property market trends or lifestyle preferences.

“The decision to allow for dual usage in the Sublime studio apartments is a planning first and will introduce a level of investment security that has never been possible before,” Mr Clark said.

“This opportunity has only been achieved by the introduction of an innovative ‘loose fit’ design installation that can easily allow for conversion from a studio apartment to a shop and back with little intervention. It is of enormous significance to investors or first home-buyers looking to live in a prime location with future prospects.”

Sublime is designed by award-winning Architect, David Barr of David Barr Architect, in collaboration with Oldfield Knott Architects. The structure creates a striking streetscape statement with oversized balconies and vivid red sunscreens, intensified against a neutral colour scheme. The building takes on a modernist industrial feel, with a colour palette inspired by the neighbouring ‘Dingo’ flourmill.

Internally, the studio apartments are understated with clean white interiors, cabinetry, walls and stone bench tops.  All apartments are fitted with Bosch appliances and Rogerseller tapware

Architect David Barr believes the duel function tenancies provide an affordable opportunity for people looking to live, invest or establish businesses in North Fremantle.

“The studios are designed to deal with the constraints of a modest scale, through the use of borrowed internal space for cooking, living and outdoor entertaining. Two large translucent sliding screens are strategically placed to open up and incorporate the courtyard space providing an expanded sense and function of space. When closed, the screens provide privacy and light within the living room. Each apartment also contains cleverly located storage that functions as both storage and division of space between bedroom and living zone. The units are unique and very efficient,” he said

“The studios are incredibly well located in North Fremantle, 200m from the river, 300m from the Indian Ocean, 400m to the Fremantle / Perth train line and less than one kilometre to the North Fremantle strip.”

The Sublime studio apartments are sized at 55sq.m and with the capacity for disability compliance bathrooms that support residential or commercial usage such as shops, cafes or offices.

They are attractively priced from $375,000 and scheduled for release in late February.

For more information or to submit an Expression of Interest prior to release, contact us on 0432 660 066 or info@itsamatch.com.au