Revolutionary Nightingale housing model set for Freo

The City of Fremantle has welcomed the start of construction on a revolutionary housing development that sets new standards for affordability and sustainability.

The Nightingale Fremantle development on Wood Street in Fremantle’s Knutsford Precinct is Nightingale Housing’s first project outside of Melbourne.

The Nightingale model aims to construct multi-residential buildings that are produced at below-market rates and incorporate a range of sustainability features and social benefits.

Construction on the Fremantle Nightingale project, designed by EHDO Architecture’s Dimitri Kapetas and Dave Delahunty in partnership with established property developer Don Fini of Fini Sustainability, officially kicked off today with a ceremonial turning of the first sod.

Mr Fini said the Nightingale Fremantle project would usher in a new era of housing development in WA.

“The Nightingale model is a social enterprise, backed by philanthropic investors who believe that homes should be built for people, not profit,” Mr Fini said.

“The 15 apartments in this development will only be sold to owner-occupiers, and in the event they decide to re-sell they agree their sale price will be what they paid plus any average increase in property prices in the area.

“There are shared amenities like a rooftop garden and communal laundry which will not only reduce living costs but also foster a sense of community among the residents.

“There’s also a 20 kilowatt solar photovoltaic system which is expected to offset the complex’s body corporate costs by up to as much as $11,000 per year.”

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said the Nightingale project was another example of how Fremantle was leading the way in promoting sustainable housing.

“The City of Fremantle’s vision for the broader Knutsford precinct is for the area to become a world-class example of sustainable urban development, and the Nightingale Fremantle project certainly fits that description,” Mayor Pettitt said.

“As a One Planet council the City of Fremantle is absolutely committed to supporting initiatives that promote a way of living that is better for us and better for the planet, so it’s not by accident that we’re seeing all of these amazing sustainable developments popping up all over Fremantle.”

Another cutting-edge sustainable development happening in the Knutsford precinct is Development WA’s East Village project on Montreal Street.

36 homes being constructed within the project will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy using roof top solar panels and a shared community battery, supported where necessary with green energy from the grid.

In an Australian first, a village micro-grid will allow residents to generate and share energy with their neighbours using an innovative energy trading platform.

Fremantle is also home to WA’s first One Planet community, WGV at White Gum Valley, while the LIV apartments in central Fremantle have also achieved One Planet accreditation.

On the commercial front, Sirona Capital’s component of the Kings Square Renewal project will feature 5-star Green Star commercial spaces, while the City’s own civic centre and library under construction in Kings Square will be one of the most energy efficient buildings of its size in Australia.

Yolk Property Group also has approval to build WA’s first timber-framed office building in Fremantle’s East End.

The City of Fremantle’s Sustainable Building Policy, adopted in 2011 and updated last year, requires new residential and commercial buildings with a floor area of greater than 1000m2 to achieve a minimum 4-star ‘Green Star’ rating or equivalent.

The City’s ground-breaking planning approach to infill housing – The Freo Alternative – includes requirements for developments to have high energy efficiency ratings and include solar panels, rainwater tanks and grey water systems.

For more information on the Nightingale project visit the Nightingale Fremantle website.