Leading property development and asset management group Salta has today unveiled the maiden project completed by Est., its dedicated Build-to-Rent (BTR) platform, with the official opening of Fitzroy & Co welcomed by the Premier of Victoria, the Hon. Jacinta Allan and Minister for Planning, the Hon. Sonya Killkenny. 

Located in Fitzroy North, one of Melbourne’s most sought-after inner-city suburbs, Fitzroy &  Co is a boutique BTR project that offers a point-of-difference from larger-scale BTR offerings opening around Melbourne.

With only 94 apartments, the building’s size provides a rare  opportunity for sought-after, quality rental housing combining the best of contemporary living and amenity with the individuality, authenticity and personality you’d expect to find in a chic hotel or trendy restaurant or bar. 

Salta Managing Director Sam Tarascio said delivering a boutique BTR building that focuses  on lifestyle, social connection and tailored amenity was an important piece of the puzzle to  address Melbourne and Australia’s housing challenge.  

“We saw an opportunity to elevate the rental experience with high-quality, highly contextual,  apartment designs and curated services that reflect the lifestyle experiences many renters are  seeking,” said Mr Tarascio. 

“Our Est BTR platform is driven by extensive customer research and a focus on resident needs.  Fitzroy & Co reflects this, and we’re thrilled to offer a living experience that emphasises social  connection and contemporary design, as well as flexibility and convenience so people can  enjoy the vibrant inner north community, they’re part of.” 

Spanning fourteen levels, with options for one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments plus a  three-level basement with ample, on-grade, parking and storage for residents, Fitzroy & Co  also features more than 1,000 square metres of dedicated lifestyle and shared communal  spaces and amenity that blends the rich personality and local cultural connection of Fitzroy  North with ultra-personal service and a residential hospitality experience. 

This includes a co-working space and private meeting room, as well as a comprehensive gym  and separate yoga studio fitted out by leading equipment provider, Technogym, located on the  ground floor.

On level ten, three-quarters of the floor is dedicated to a resident sky lounge,  complete with a residents entertaining kitchen, private cinema room and dining room which  can be privately booked for social occasions.

In addition, the space features a record lounge with an extensive list of vinyls, as well as a stylish collection of vintage and locally designed furniture, hand-selected by talented Australian interior stylist Emma Elizabeth. 

Sweeping views across the CBD skyline and out toward the North-East can be viewed from the rooftop, which also features a dedicated grassed and fenced pet-park and pet spa. One of Melbourne’s largest pieces of public art, a striking 376sqm mural named ‘Convergence’ by  renowned local First Nations artist Lisa Waup, also adorns the building’s exterior, visible to  neighbouring suburbs in the North-East, a special commission that to embodies the idea of  community, coming together and gathering of people from all over. 

First Nations storytelling through art continues within the building, with many carefully curated  original artworks, many from emerging and local First Nations artists threaded throughout  Fitzroy & Co’s common areas. 

The resident experience at Fitzroy & Co extends with a plethora of activations and services for  residents to utilise led by Est’s in-house operations team – including styling services with  furniture partner GlobeWest, and Fitzroy & Co’s very own resident-led social committee who  will host a range of social activities and events for the resident community.  

Salta’s long-term commitment to the BTR market with the establishment of the Est brand, has  seen the business refocus its current residential pipeline purely on the sector – with 4,000 apartments set to be delivered within the $3 billion Est platform across Melbourne including in  Fitzroy North, Docklands and Richmond.

As its pilot project, Fitzroy & Co is being warmly received by Melbourne renters – with over 2100 enquiries recorded since July and over 145 tours booked.  

“We've received a high-level of interest from a wide range of people wanting to rent at Fitzroy  & Co. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with the early response being that the  individual style, level of detail and the design of the interiors is creating connection with the  local area, which is something that we set out to achieve,” added Tarascio. 

“We're seeing a mix of singles and couples attracted to the 'set up and go' nature of the  building. A few couples have transferred from interstate looking for well-appointed apartments in desirable locations, as well as others who have moved from their previous rentals seeking a better rental experience where they have flexibility and security.” 

“We want to create a place where residents feel that every part of Fitzroy and Co is their home  - not just the space within their apartment - and a place that allows them to thrive and find  more time to live life, their way.” 

The official opening event of Fitzroy & Co was celebrated with industry partners and residents  and was marked with a ribbon cutting by Salta Founding Director, Salvatore (Sam) Tarascio  and Salta Managing Director, Sam Tarascio. Rental opportunities at Fitzroy & Co start from  $650 per week.  

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Salta’s $3 billion move into the BTR sector 

Fitzroy North’s first rental-only building - Open Day