97 Alma Road Apartments, St Kilda East homes, Melbourne housing, Australian property images

97 Alma Road Apartments in Melbourne

25 February 2026

Architecture: Kerstin Thompson Architects

Location: St Kilda East, Victoria, Australia

97 Alma Road Apartments, Melbourne, Australia

A collection of new apartments, designed by one of the country’s top architects, is reimagining St Kilda’s old-world charm for contemporary living.

97 Alma Road, directly opposite Alma Park, reinterprets the iconic mansion block apartments that once defined the suburb, while referencing Spanish Mission design and the golden age of Hollywood.

The collection of apartments and townhouses are designed by one of Australia’s most acclaimed architecture practices, Kerstin Thompson Architects (KTA), for Melbourne’s most long standing design-focused and socially led development group Neometro, in partnership with Besen.

Neometro Director Lochlan Sinclair says the apartments reflect the elegance and easy cosmopolitanism that makes St Kilda one of Melbourne’s most character-filled communities. “St Kilda has a rich and vibrant history,” Sinclair says. “The suburb has also played a key role in Neometro’s early years and with 97 Alma Road, we’re honouring that legacy while exploring what the future of higher-density living looks like.”

The project’s design draws inspiration from St Kilda’s eclectic architectural heritage, with stucco facades and ornamental detailing reimagined for contemporary living. KTA’s design philosophy seamlessly blends boldness with nuance. Kerstin Thompson, Director and Principal of KTA, was awarded Australia’s highest architectural honour in 2023 – the Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal.

Thompson says her team drew on the character of St Kilda and what people love about the neighbourhood.

“The design tells you something about the St Kilda locale and its community,” Thompson says.

“We looked at the history of St Kilda, which was renowned as a cosmopolitan place, and the apartment blocks in the area. We also looked to the community that knows St Kilda well to create a sense of connection to people’s histories and where they may have spent time in their youth. These elements have all been referenced and embedded into the design.”

The design also draws on the calm, tree-lined streetscape and the expansive green space of Alma Park, directly opposite. Intended to reinforce and deepen residents’ relationship with nature, the building serves as an extension of the natural landscape and draws greenery into the common areas and transitional spaces. Park-fronting, north-facing apartments and townhouses are oriented to capture abundant natural light and views of the park’s mature trees, while landscaping by Myles Baldwin Design weaves native and non-native plants into a lush, seasonal tapestry.

Sinclair says the park becomes an extension of the home. “It’s a rare opportunity to live so closely connected to nature, while still being in the heart of St Kilda’s vibrant urban fabric.” A mix of two and three-bedroom homes, including three garden residences and two penthouses, are designed for long-term living. Volume of space is a key design consideration featured throughout to add a sense of generosity and comfort to the homes with several double-height living areas in the apartments and townhouses on offer. The homes are expansive and oriented for natural light and outlook, with open-plan layouts that enable flexibility and flow.

Timber floors, stone surfaces and high quality joinery have been selected for their ability to improve with age. This tactile richness is paired with understated palettes and best-practice passive design to deliver a more sustainable model of apartment living.

Thompson says the apartments are designed to host a mixed community.

“A sign of any healthy multi-residential community is variety, and this project is no different,” Thompson says. “It reflects life in our cities. The different housing types, whether the townhouses, smaller apartments or large apartments, can meet the needs of a diverse community.”

Neometro recently celebrated 40 years of delivering beautiful, functional homes that prioritise community, design and wellbeing. The group launched its first St Kilda development almost 30 years ago, the award-winning Luxe on Inkerman Street.

Apartments at 97 Alma Road start at $649k with townhouses from $1.79m

The project is due for completion in 2027.

About Neometro
Since 1985, Neometro – https://neometro.com.au/ has been building design-focused homes that enhance everyday urban living. Neometro is widely recognised in the design and construction industries for helping to lead a shift towards the development of more liveable and sustainable apartment living in Melbourne. It has won numerous awards for its work in this area, including the Australian Institute of Architects Sir Osborne McCutcheon Award and the top Houses Award for an apartment or unit.

About Kerstin Thompson Architects
Founded in Melbourne by Kerstin Thompson – https://kerstinthompson.com/, KTA is highly regarded for its thoughtful and context-driven approach to architecture. Renowned for residential projects that positively shape lives and communities, the practice is also celebrated for civic, educational, cultural and commercial projects across Victoria. With a strong focus on the fundamentals of design, the practice has a diverse and award-winning portfolio that reflects a commitment to intelligent, enduring and purposeful architecture and interiors that are sensitive to people and place.

97 Alma Road Apartments, St Kilda East, Victoria images / information received 250226

Location: St Kilda East, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Architecture in Melbourne

Melbourne Architecture Designs – chronological list

Melbourne Architecture News

Melbourne Architecture Tours

Uno Tower, 111-125 A’Beckett St, located in Melbourne’s CBD is a 65 storey mixed use development.
Design: Elenberg Fraser

images : Binyan Studios, Pointilism and Lucernal
Uno Tower