Mirvac’s LIV Albert stands as one of Australia’s first renter-only communities, designed entirely with people at the centre of its vision. Situated in Brunswick, the development reflects Mirvac’s commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and placemaking, while advancing its growing build-to-rent portfolio.

From the outset, Mirvac’s goal was to create a neighbourhood that was both people-focused and integrated with its natural surrounds. “We recognised the importance of creating a master plan that celebrated its parkland interface and created an architecture that engaged positively in scale, texture and activity,” said Vlad Doudakliev, Associate Director from Fieldwork. By carving out public through-links and embedding intuitive wayfinding into the design, LIV Albert offers residents a neighbourhood feel while opening the site to the wider community.

“From driving 350 precast piles 40 meters deep through a complex landfill site to pouring over 24,000 m³ of concrete, LIV Albert set a new benchmark for campus-style residential BTR delivery. Despite challenging ground conditions, the project was a true collaboration– with subcontractors, consultants, and the Mirvac team working seamlessly together to achieve an exceptional result,” said Leigh Giannopoulos, Mirvac’s Senior Project Manager, Construction in Victoria.

Collaboration was key to achieving this balance of design and functionality. Mirvac worked closely with Fieldwork, Breathe, and Openwork to translate Brunswick’s heritage character into a contemporary design language. “We drew reference to the Victorian-era red brick terrace houses, and the Post-War yellow brick buildings that characterise the area, translating these into a modern palette for each residential building,” Vlad explained. Elements such as articulated pergola structures nod to post-war migrant traditions of urban gardening, while generous landscaping and community spaces foster connection.

Sustainability underpins every aspect of LIV Albert. The project targets a 5 Star Green Star Buildings rating, 8.2 NatHERS, and is 100% fossil fuel-free. “We maximised daylight access, integrated shading, provided high-performance windows, and ensured abundant opportunities for cross ventilation,” said Vlad. Residents benefit from renewable energy through a 99.5kW solar PV system, an embedded renewable network, rainwater harvesting, and extensive bike parking to encourage sustainable transport. Even during construction, Mirvac prioritised innovation, replacing diesel generators with battery-powered alternatives and adopting modular construction to minimise waste.

Inclusivity is another defining feature. LIV Albert integrates 15 affordable housing dwellings through a tenure-blind model, ensuring all residents share the same design quality and amenities. “There are no visual or experiential differences between affordable and market-rate apartments, supporting true inclusivity and dignity in housing,” said Sarsha Durham, Mirvac’s National Development Director, Build to Rent.

To strengthen community cohesion, Mirvac designed pathways and communal spaces that encourage both internal connection and external activation. Co-working areas, lounges, and dining spaces are strategically placed adjacent to public nodes, fostering serendipitous interactions. Open-air staircases further promote active lifestyles while encouraging daily use.

As Mirvac’s fifth build-to-rent community, LIV Albert is also its most sustainable. It embodies the flexibility of the LIV model, with leases ranging from six months to five years, catering to diverse lifestyles and household types. “LIV Albert reflects our broader strategy by offering high-quality, sustainable rental apartments that prioritise resident experience,” Sarsha noted. “It supports our goal of enabling long-term, stable tenancies within a purpose-built rental environment.”

Looking ahead, LIV Albert is also a blueprint for Mirvac’s future developments. The project provides valuable lessons in tenant engagement, design collaboration, and sustainable construction practices that will shape the company’s national build-to-rent pipeline. Mirvac is continuing to explore opportunities across Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, with an emphasis on embedding climate resilience and affordability in every project.

“Our approach to LIV Albert demonstrates how we can adapt the build-to-rent model to respond to both environmental and social needs. It shows that housing can be high quality, sustainable, and inclusive without compromising on commercial viability,” said Sarsha

With LIV Albert, Mirvac has raised the bar for urban living in Australia. By fusing innovation with inclusivity, and embedding sustainability at every level, the project is more than a residential development, it is a model for how cities can grow responsibly, equitably, and with people at the heart.

For more information contact Mirvac, Level 28, 200 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000, phone 02 9080 8000, website www.mirvac.com