Rothelowman blends heritage and contemporary living in the heart of Melbourne
Bold in vision and grounded in purpose, apartments are selling at Far East Consortium’s 640 Bourke Street, a landmark high-end residential offering set to redefine liveability in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD.
Designed by Rothelowman and born from courageous thinking as well as a deep respect for place, the project bridges the city’s historic fabric with its cosmopolitan future, rising elegantly from the heritage-listed Eliza Tinsley warehouse.
“Amenity at 640 Bourke is the heart of the experience,” says Jackie Johnston, Interior Design Director at Rothelowman.
“It’s a distinctive collection of private, social and wellness spaces crafted to elevate the rituals of urban life.”
Originally built in the early 20th century, the three-storey red brick warehouse reflects the industrial character of its time, modest in scale yet significant in presence, anchoring a quiet chapter of Melbourne’s architectural history.
The 68-storey tower above will comprise more than 600 residences and be enriched by a suite of amenities designed to create a distinct sense of place, connection and community.
Set across levels 10 and 11 of the tower and throughout the heritage building, these amenities are designed to delight and restore. Residents will have access to a Turkish-style hammam bathhouse with a 25-metre pool, a whisky bar and lounge with sweeping city views, intimate private dining rooms, and a residents’ salon.
Melbourne’s rich history is thoughtfully embedded in every facet of the project. “It’s central to the project’s materiality and ornamentation,” Johnston says.
“We’ve designed a cohesive journey that begins at the street and extends through to each individual residence—layered, elegant, and unmistakably Melbourne.”
For Rothelowman, it was vital to curate the lived experience at every touchpoint. “The lobby, for example, is both destinational and deeply considered—refined and confident, with a distinctly Melbourne sensibility. It speaks not only to the building’s quality, but to the character of the city and the lifestyle residents aspire to,” says Johnston.
“Our approach begins from the inside out,” Johnston says. “We design through the lens of the resident—thinking about how people live, move and feel in a space. It’s about delivering enduring quality, not just in finish but in the experience of daily life.”
Every residence, irrespective of size or price point, is shaped by a commitment to generous daily living. Intelligent layouts prioritise light, flow and furniture integration, while considered details, such as mosaic tiling inspired by the city’s laneways and arcades, infuse the interiors with a sense of narrative and place.
“We’ve worked closely with Rothelowman from the outset to strike the right balance between bold, design-led ideas and everyday functionality. While they’ve pushed us towards innovation and material expression, we’ve kept a strong focus on liveability and the long-term needs of residents,” says Far East Consortium’s Director of Sales and Marketing Lauren Sheldon.
“The result is a thoughtfully refined design, one we believe will deliver the most elevated interior finish Far East Consortium has brought to market in Melbourne.”
Artistic Impression Renders
This article was originally published in Industry News by Architecture & Design
