South Australian-based builder Mossop Construction + Interiors has recently begun work on the development at The Square in Woodville West, which was designed through the Apartment Construction Cost Demonstration project – a partnership between state government and industry.

The Square is a government urban redevelopment replacing a high concentration of aged South Australian Housing Trust properties with a new community mix of high density affordable and public housing.

The Apartment Construction Cost Demonstration project explored factors including building and site layout, construction methodology and choice of materials. The joint project targeted a construction cost of between $1,800m² and $2,000m² to ensure the commercial viability of the four-storey suburban apartment development.

Mossop Construction + Interiors Managing Director Neil Mossop noted the importance of the project in: “… showcas(ing) to the industry the ability to deliver another type of affordable housing option to the market, which is especially important when trying to work with urban infill within established suburbs.”

In addition to Mossop Construction + Interiors, Renewal SA worked with architectural firm Studio Nine to create a concept for the development, the Bristol Apartments, which John Galluccio, Managing Director of Studio Nine Architects stated: “sets a new residential benchmark for long-term apartment living to The Square.”

Construction of the one, two and two-bedroom plus study apartments began last month with the homes selling from $283,000. Construction is expected to support 26 jobs.

Another South Australian company Normus Urban Projects is also building 25 new homes in a separate development at The Square in Woodville West. Normus was appointed through a public tender to build the new homes in Stage 2C of The Square, after Stage 2B sold out.

Construction on the Normus dwellings is providing single and double-storey homes with two- and three-bedroom floor plans with prices starting from $315,000. The Stage 2C project will support about 40 jobs during construction.

“Not only is it great to be building Stage 2C, but we’re also very happy to provide work experience and job opportunities for local people who are keen on working in our industry,” said Normus Urban Projects Operations Manager, Darrell Davies.

> Read the full Apartment Construction Cost Demonstration project report

> Learn more about Renewal SA’s training and employment initiative, the Works Program

> Visit The Square at Woodville West website