Melbourne’s Nightingale Housing, known for its community-focused and sustainable residential projects, is bringing that approach to a new commercial offering under the Nightingale Studios banner.

The launch of Nightingale Studios will see 24 commercial and retail spaces brought to market at Nightingale Wurru wurru bilk, part of the Nightingale precinct in Brunswick.

Colliers Tom Larwill, Matt Knox and Lucas Soccio have been engaged to handle the sale and lease of a variety of commercial and retail spaces across the project.

Nightingale Wurru wurru biik is a mixed-use development that will comprise of 24 commercial spaces, located on the ground floor and level one ranging from 17 square metres to 143.5 square metres making them suitable to a range of uses and occupiers.

Colliers Retail Leasing manager, Tom Larwill said, “With construction set to be complete in December 2023, the commercial spaces are currently provided as a cold shell fit out, with a simple and robust material palette, providing future occupiers the ability to put their mark on the space.

“With a median age of 34 years and a population that is projected to grow by 43,000 people and 18,000 households by 2026, The City of Merri-bek is expected to experience significant change. At Nightingale Wurru wurru biik, a focus is to create a vibrant community of businesses that will improve the amenity and services provided in the area.”

Located in Brunswick facing Albion Street, Nightingale Wurru wurru biik is divided into four connected communities: Wurru wurru, Laak, Yambook and Ngawan.

Nightingale Housing CEO, Dan McKenna said each community had been given a Woi Wurrung name around the theme of the ‘sky’ or ‘wurru-wurru’, one of the six layers of Wurundjeri Country, based on consultation with Wurundjeri Elders.

“People see Nightingale as an organisation that cares deeply about acknowledging the Indigenous heritage of the places where we are creating new vibrant communities. We’re excited that these and all the other values we bring to our projects are now being extended to the Nightingale Studios idea – so like-minded businesses can also be part of what we are trying to achieve,” McKenna said.

The architecture and interior design have been created by Breathe Architecture, who has selected materials that acknowledge Brunswick’s diverse heritage and industrial past.

Like all Nightingale projects, sustainability is at the core of Nightingale Wurru wurru biik, with the buildings being all-electric with solar arrays supplementing 100% Certified GreenPower. Another feature is the courtyard at the intersection of the four buildings that acknowledges the 65,000 years of precolonial history through a connection to the environment.