April 2008

Make-over for stately St Kilda rooming house

A stately, two-storey 19th century St Kilda property has been given an extensive ‘make-over’ to provide high-quality, affordable accommodation for St Kilda rooming house tenants.

Bought by the State Government in 1982, the Alma Road property, Avoncourt, operated as a rooming house under the management of a not-for-profit group.

Conditions within the property, however, and a local ‘seedy’ reputation hastened its closure in 2006.

This opened the way for the $1.37 million refurbishment which began in early 2007.

De Jong Architects was commissioned to undertake the project, creating 27 rooms, 10 of them fully self-contained.

Communal facilities include a large kitchen and dining area and rooms set aside for TV viewing and recreation activities.

Externally, improved landscaping and a number of security measures have been put in place for the benefit of tenants and neighbours.

The property will be managed by St Kilda Community Housing, a not-for-profit specialist rooming house provider that currently manages 15 properties for the Department of Human Services.

Housing Minister Richard Wynne and Paul Madden, chair of St Kilda Community Housing, opened Avoncourt at an event attended by future tenants, neighbours, the Port Phillip City Mayor and councillors and local agency representatives.

‘Rising rents in the private sector, especially in inner Melbourne, mean it can be a struggle for people to find somewhere to live locally,’ Mr Wynne said.

‘The Avoncourt refurbishment represents a substantial commitment by the Government and St Kilda Community Housing to modern, comfortable and affordable housing for people in the St Kilda area.

‘The changes at Avoncourt reflect the changing nature of rooming house clients with more self-contained rooms, greater amenity and a focus on long-term tenants,’ Mr Wynne said.

‘At the same time, it builds on the traditional strengths of community housing with strong links to the community and local service providers.’