Encompass, the final building in Frasers Property Australia’s landmark Living Carlton housing project has  welcomed its first residents. 

Located on the corner of Elgin and Nicholson streets in Carlton, Encompass comprises 115 one-, two and three-bedroom apartments over eight floors as well as a residents-only rooftop lounge with striking  city views and underground garage with parking for 114 cars and 48 bikes. 

A staggering 98% of the apartments settled within a fortnight, with the first residents moving in from the  end of April.  

Encompass, designed by Jackson Architecture and built by Harris HMC, is part of the Living Carlton  project, comprising 7.5ha across three sites in a desirable inner-city location. 

The Living Carlton project, launched in 2008, is a joint venture between Frasers Property Australia, Citta  Property Group and Homes Victoria which delivered a mix of social and private housing, raising the total  number of social dwellings across the sites to 246. 

A total of 847 private apartments were constructed throughout the nine stages of the project, as well as a  refurbished heritage ‘chapel’ building, four public parks and three children’s playgrounds. 

Alex Newell, Development Director, Victoria, Frasers Property Australia, said crossing the finishing line  was enormously satisfying. 

“This project has involved so many people across so many organisations all working together for a  common goal — to rejuvenate and redevelop these sites with a really diverse mix of housing styles and  density for a wide demographic of residents,” he says. 

“It’s had the dual impact of increasing social housing supply and increasing housing supply generally, all  in one of Melbourne’s best located inner-city suburbs. We’re very proud of the work we’ve done here.” 

Encompass, located just a few blocks from Carlton Gardens, 2.5km from the Melbourne CBD, directly on  a tram route and walking distance from Carlton’s vibrant dining, shopping and entertainment scene was  more than 50% sold before the first sod was turned. 

Every apartment has a private balcony or courtyard and 2.7m ceilings in living areas. The residents-only  rooftop lounge has views across Carlton Gardens to the city, and to Mt Dandenong, and features a fully  equipped kitchen, alfresco barbecue area, relaxation zones and formal lounge area. 

Frasers Property Australia, this year celebrating its 100th birthday, has a strong track record of working  with government departments and other partners to help address the housing crisis and deliver social  housing, including at the milestone Midtown MacPark community in Sydney’s Macquarie Park and in  Parkville and Westmeadows in Victoria.