HIP V. HYPE founder Liam Wallis and director Katya Crema have been involved in bringing some of Melbourne’s best (and most sustainable) new developments to life, from the trailblazing Nightingale buildings to this trio of Brunswick townhouses.
The developer and sustainable consultancy business is on a mission to do things a little differently, focusing on buildings that have a positive impact on people, planet, and our city’s prosperity.
Liam and Katya are proud to practice what they preach too, having lived in three of their projects, including this South Melbourne apartment on level four of the Ferrars & York building.
‘Living in and learning from the projects we develop and help to design has been a big part of our process to date,’ Liam says.
On the site of an old commercial warehouse, HIP V. HYPE worked with Six Degrees Architects and Ironside builders to create low-impact, high-quality apartments.
The resulting Ferrars & York development features 22 all-electric apartments, with an average 8.6 NatHERS rating (out of 10), and has won a suite of awards both for its thoughtful architectural design and strong sustainability credentials, including the 2024 National Architecture Award for multiple housing.
‘Inside, the apartment is comfortable and remarkably quiet given the building’s vibrant location. The high energy rating creates a very stable internal temperature, something we have only every experienced living in Europe. Monthly energy bills are also low and there is no gas bill,’ Katya says.
While they first moved into apartment 401 as a family of three back in 2022, Katya and Liam say the three-bedroom apartment with a study has ‘grown with them’, as they now have two young boys Massimo (4) and Elio (2), plus a kelpie, Matilda. And after almost three years there, the couple are happy to report the home lives up to their ambitious vision.
‘It has been enjoyable to see the landscape settle in, along with the textured concrete, natural bluestone, timber soffits and timber windows. The building has aged beautifully and we think will continue to do so into the future,’ Katya adds.
The private apartment is the only one on the fourth level, with a balcony overlooking Albert Park, and the famous South Melbourne Market is conveniently located just across the street! Plus, there’s a dreamy shared roof deck with an open fireplace and dazzling city views.
But the biggest thing they’ll miss is the community feel of living in a building with other like-minded individuals.
‘The friendly and generous group of people that make up the Ferrars & York community really has made living here a memorable experience,’ Katya adds.
401/201 Ferrars Street, South Melbourne VIC 3205 is listed for sale with Mack Burgoine and Warwick Gardiner from Jellis Craig, and will go to auction on May 24 at 2pm.