The WeAreLiving Queens build-to-rent development has officially been declared open by Barings and Aware Super.
WeAreLiving Queens delivers 433 professionally managed homes in one of Melbourne’s most sought-after inner-city locations, alongside Albert Park.
The $405 million development provides much-needed housing choice and makes a significant contribution to Melbourne’s housing supply, offering studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments across 14 levels in a location combining parkland, city connectivity and premium lifestyle amenity.
WeAreLiving Queens is the flagship project for the expanding brand. The latest and largest build-to-rent development for WeAreLiving, Queens follows this year’s successful launch of WeAreLiving Preston in Melbourne’s north and WeAreLiving Brunswick in Brisbane.
With a pipeline of more than 2000 build-to-rent homes across New South Wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria, WeAreLiving is a property operating platform owned by one of Australia’s largest super funds, Aware Super, and managed by Barings, one of the world’s leading alternative investment managers.
Designed by Bates Smart and built by Hickory, WeAreLiving Queens will soon be home to over 850 residents who will enjoy a comprehensive suite of resident amenities, including 24hour gym, pool, sauna, steam room and cold plunge, pet wash and dog run, rooftop terrace with barbecues, co-working spaces, meeting rooms, a dedicated podcast studio, private dining rooms, cinema rooms, resident lounge, over 2,500m2 of landscaped courtyard gardens, and 503 secure car spaces including electric vehicle charging.
The all-electric building achieves an average NatHERS rating of 7.8 stars across all apartments and features an embedded energy network, double glazing throughout and private balconies or terraces to every apartment.
Build-to-rent specialist Essence Communities is the property manager, with a dedicated onsite team delivering tailored services to residents.
Rents start from $680 per week for studio apartments; $795 per week for one-bedroom apartments; $1,060 per week for two-bedroom apartments; and $1,580 per week for threebed apartments. Every apartment includes premium appliances, including Fisher & Paykel and Haier cooking appliances, refrigerator, washing machine and dryer, with fully-furnished options also available.
Like the recently-opened Preston development, WeAreLiving Queens benefits from the Victorian Government’s 50% land tax concession for new build-to-rent projects, in line with Government’s multi-faceted housing supply strategy.
Warwick Dowler, Head of Residential for Barings Real Estate Australia, said: “With 433 brand-new apartments, WeAreLiving Queens is our largest build-to-rent development to date and its location near the park and lake, as well as the tram line for a simple CBD connection, offers residents the true Melbourne lifestyle.
“These new homes represent a significant contribution by Barings and Aware Super to new housing supply in this busy, desirable area. This is what WeAreLiving is all about – creating quality homes in great locations with amenities tailored to the area and which fill gaps in the local community, so residents can enjoy a vibrant lifestyle with everything they need in a secure tenancy. “And with Albert Park directly opposite, for Formula 1 fans, WeAreLiving Queens is your front row seat to the Grand Prix each year.”
Alek Misev, Head of Property at Aware Super, commented: “WeAreLiving Queens provides valuable housing supply to Melbourne, whilst showing Aware Super’s commitment to invest in local projects that will provide stable, long-term returns for our members. This building will enable hundreds of Australians to live in high-quality homes, with the added benefit of rental stability – a pillar of the build-to-rent model.”
“Where people live, how they spend their time, and distance to their workplace has a genuine impact on them. With an inner-city location close to Melbourne’s tram network and ANZAC Station – along with a host of on-site facilities such as co-working spaces, rooftop terrace, and pool – WeAreLiving Queens provides a great location complemented by design that values community and wellbeing.”
George Abraham, Managing Director at Hickory, said: “More than just a building, this development creates 433 high-quality homes that sets a new benchmark for build-to-rent living. As demand for quality housing continues to grow, projects like WeAreLiving Queens demonstrate the important role our industry can play in delivering vibrant, connected communities for the future.”
Bates Smart Director Karen Wong said: “WeAreLiving Queens leverages its position next to Albert Park by drawing in the experience of parkland and lake. Apartments prioritise natural light and air, their cascading terraces overlook the park and water. The result is a happy and healthy community for living.”
The WeAreLiving brand is focused on delivering premium build-to-rent communities close to employment, education, public transport and everyday amenities, creating professionally managed neighbourhoods designed around convenience, connection and resident wellbeing.
WeAreLiving Queens is the brand’s third build-to-rent development to open in 2026, with WeAreLiving Zetland in Sydney set to be unveiled in Q3 2026.
WeAreLiving Queens is located at 50-52 Queens Lane, Melbourne.
