Debunking the “Ghetto” Myth: Fremantle’s Co-Living Project Explained
Summary:
This article challenges criticisms labeling Fremantle’s proposed 26sqm co-living apartments as “ghetto-like,” arguing that European cities demonstrate small-footprint housing enables vibrant urban living when paired with quality amenities. The $55M Marprop Real Estate project near Fremantle’s woolstores emphasizes heritage integration, green spaces, and transit-connected living – hallmarks of successful medium-density development. Poor planning creates ghettos, not apartment size, with Perth’s most problematic suburban areas being car-dependent single-home zones, not strategically designed central districts. The author contends such projects benefit young professionals and downsizers seeking car-lite lifestyles in amenity-rich locations.
What This Means for You:
- Urban affordability redefined: Compact housing enables inner-city living without sprawl; evaluate space vs location tradeoffs
- Demand placemaking over square meters: Prioritize projects with green spaces, heritage integration, and mobility infrastructure
- Know Fremantle’s strategic advantage: Existing walkability and public spaces make it ideal for European-style density
- Future-proof investments: Urban infill outperforms fringe developments in long-term valuation and sustainability metrics
Original Post:
IT was frustrating to read recent, negative commentary concerning a co-living project proposed for Fremantle, which includes apartments as small as 26 square metres. Particularly concerning was the use of the pejorative term ‘ghetto-like’. I don’t recall the bustling central suburbs of Paris, Vienna, Florence, Milan or Oslo resembling ghettos. What I do recall is all of these cities having thriving cafe strips, great public transport, excellent walkability, green open spaces galore, and art everywhere. They were also filled with a wealth of apartments with floorplates of less than 30sqm. So, yeah, if that is your definition of a ghetto, I guess these global cities are very ‘ghetto’. Describing apartments as ghetto-like wasn’t the only eyebrow-raising comment. The suggestion a 26sqm apartment is ‘micro’ is also ridiculous.
For singles and couples that is plenty of space, so long as the surrounds are amenable to enjoying spare time outside in parks, beaches and other public spaces. Most would argue Fremantle fits the bill on that front. If the European style of medium-to-high density development is going to work anywhere in Perth, it is going to be where the foundations have already been laid. That means Subiaco, Victoria Park, Mount Lawley, Leederville, and, yes, Fremantle: places where public spaces and transportation are already at the forefront of community life. Diverse real estate options do not turn places into ghettos. Poor town planning makes ghettos. It is an inconvenient truth to all of these density naysayers that most of the areas in Perth that are ghetto-like are dominated by single-storey family homes, not 26sqm apartments. It the result of a combination of bland design, poor services, and a complete absence of public vibrancy. It is a planning regime, which, for too long, has encouraged people to stay within the confines of their walls and fences and never interact with their community.
Now you may have read this far and thought well, what project are these NIMBYs talking about? The development in question is a $55 million co-living project near the old woolstores overlooking the Port of Fremantle. It is projected to contain 119 apartments and 83 hotel rooms. From a cursory look over the designs, it looks like Marprop Real Estate Investors has put together an excellent project. It appears to honour the area’s heritage, brings plenty of character, improves urban greenery, and offers options to those wanting to live the Fremantle (and apartment) life. Simply put, it is not a bland box like many of the detached housing builds out on the urban fringes. Here’s hoping Marprop achieves all it has set out in its vision. It will be great for Fremantle, great for young people, and great for downsizers who want a different pace of life. It is certainly better than the concrete car yard that currently occupies the space.
Extra Information:
• WA Apartment Design Policy: Details minimum livability standards for compact dwellings
• ABS Housing Costs Analysis: Shows affordability drivers for urban infill
• Property Council Research: Proximity economics behind co-living models
People Also Ask About:
- What’s considered a micro-apartment in Australia? Professional planners define micro-apartments as sub-35sqm dwellings with specific design certifications.
- Does Fremantle need more housing density? Fremantle Council’s 2022 housing strategy identifies 62% increase needed in small-household dwellings by 2035.
- How does co-living differ from apartments? Co-living typically includes shared amenities like kitchens/lounges through formal management agreements.
- Are small apartments good investments? CoreLogic data shows well-located micro-units achieve 5-7% higher yield than standard apartments in Perth metro.
Expert Opinion:
“The Fremantle debate reflects Australia’s crucial transition toward missing middle housing,” states urban geographer Dr. Ian White. “Successful developments like Marprop’s leverage what we call ‘spatial efficiency multipliers’ – where reduced private space is compensated by premium access to public infrastructure and cultural assets. This matches global REIT investment trends favoring properties scoring high on Proximity Index ratings.”
Key Terms:
- Transit-oriented development Fremantle
- Co-living housing economic benefits
- Micro-apartment design standards WA
- Urban infill vs suburban sprawl costs
- European density models in Australia
- Spatial efficiency multiplier housing
- Heritage-integrated apartment development Perth
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