Sod turned on $600m District Living precinct, set to become Australia’s largest build-to-rent community

Construction has officially begun on one of the nation’s most significant housing projects, with a sod-turning ceremony today marking the start of the $600 million District Living precinct at The District Docklands.

When complete, the two-stage development will deliver more than 925 long-term rental apartments, making it Australia’s largest build-to-rent (BTR) community and a major boost to Melbourne’s undersupplied rental market.

Victorian Minister for Housing Harriet Shing, Acting Lord Mayor Roshena Campbell, and Japan’s Consul-General in Melbourne Tokuro Furuya joined senior representatives from developer AsheMorgan, global investment partners Marubeni Corporation, Haseko, Mizuho Leasing, and builder Kapitol to officially break ground.

Located at 10 Little Docklands Drive, beside Docklands Primary School and moments from major transport links, District Living will reshape a strategic corner of Docklands with new housing, retail, public space and a substantial collection of resident amenities. Designed by Warren and Mahoney Architects, Stage One includes 626 apartments, from studios through to three-bedroom homes and dual-level townhouses.

More than 2200 sqm of communal amenities will include a wellness centre, gym, plunge pool, sauna, steam room and sky terrace, complemented by 1000 sqm of private outdoor space and 1700 sqm of publicly accessible open space that connects directly into the District Docklands retail precinct. The all-electric project is targeting a 7.5-star NatHERS rating.

With vacancy rates in Docklands sitting at just 1.8 per cent, Acting Lord Mayor Campbell said the project marked a timely and much-needed addition to Melbourne’s inner-urban housing supply.

Kapitol co-founder Andrew Deveson said the company would use digital-to-fabrication construction methods – more commonly deployed in data centre and infrastructure projects – to accelerate delivery and reduce disruptions.

“Melbourne needs more rental homes, and it needs them delivered with accuracy and speed,” Mr Deveson said. “Construction delays become delays for renters. By solving problems in the model rather than on-site, we shorten the program and deliver consistently high-quality homes.”

AsheMorgan principal Mendy Moss said the start of construction was a milestone not only for Docklands but for Australia’s maturing BTR sector.

“District Living has been designed as a long-term rental neighbourhood, with the scale and amenity expected of a precinct residents will occupy for many years. With more than 925 apartments, it will be one of Australia's most substantial BTR communities and a significant addition to Docklands’ residential fabric,” Mr Moss said.

Marubeni Corporation’s Noritake Miyaguchi said the precinct would anchor the company’s build-to-rent strategy in Australia.

“We see strong long-term demand for professionally managed rental housing in Australia, particularly in well-connected inner-urban locations. District Living represents an important first step in our platform here,” he said.

Stage One is slated for completion in 2027.