CBD Architects designer Robert Forgione’s plan to build inner-city apartments in Albany’s heritage buildings

A local designer has concocted a plan to build inner-city apartments around Albany heritage buildings in a bid to combat the rental crisis and revitalise the town’s central hub. Lead designer of CBD Architects Roberto Forgione is leading the charge in designing 32 units across five apartment buildings on York Street, Duke Street, Aberdeen Street, Middleton Loop and Collie Street with more on the horizon. Mr Forgione, who ran similar projects in the metropolitan heritage precincts of Fremantle and Guildford, said the designs involved keeping a fine balance between the old and new. “Obviously you don’t want to try and mimic the era of the heritage building,” he said. “We try and complement the style of the existing building, bringing elements of the old into the new with the finer details like rendering and brickwork. “We are very mindful that some of these buildings are more than 150 years old, so we are careful in using lightweight construction and being smart in our use of the space. “It can be challenging working with heritage infrastructure but ultimately, if people want these buildings preserved, they have to be a bit flexible.” Builders are currently putting the finishing touches on the seven-unit Duke Street apartments, which wraps around the renovated old Sergeants Quarters — forming what Mr Forgione calls a “time tunnel”. He is now calling out for building owners on York Street to use their “air space” — the area on top of their building — to build subtle and minimalistic apartments, adding value to their properties and encouraging a livelier city centre. “Traditionally the CBD areas in regional cities can die, so having 400 to 500 additional people living within an 800m radius, and not really needing any form of transport, it will just bring life to the streets,” he said. “We’re trying to just really future proof the CBD, making use of the vacant blocks and air space to infill while keeping that iconic streetscape. “The housing supply in Albany is a crisis in itself so hopefully we’re killing a couple of birds with one stone.” According to REIWA statistics for June, the rental vacancy rate in Albany is 0.9 per cent, falling below the 2.5 to 3.5 per cent it considers a balanced market. Except for a few office spaces and short-stay accommodation, the apartments will primarily sell as long-term rentals with carparking available to the public during the day. City of Albany manager of development services Jan van der Mescht said the city was “strongly encouraging” the projects. “The City of Albany recognises that a vibrant CBD is essential for economic growth, community vitality, cultural enrichment, sustainable tourism and enhancing Albany’s liveability,” he said. “Projects that support sustainable growth, reduce urban sprawl and align with the city’s strategy to develop diverse housing options and optimise existing infrastructure to create a vibrant city centre are strongly encouraged.”