Located at 132 Kavanagh Street and delivered in collaboration with PDG, the project marks Indi’s first completed Melbourne development and sets a new benchmark for design-led, community-centric BTR living.

As part of the broader Boyd Village and Community Hub masterplan, Indi Southbank occupies a prime 1,800sqm site in the heart of Southbank and forms a crucial component of the City of Melbourne’s long-term urban vision. Owned by Oxford Properties, delivered by Investa and PDG and operated by Essence Communities, the building is now fully operational and leasing to residents.

DKO’s architectural response draws deeply from its context. The design references the red-brick materiality of the former JH Boyd Girls’ School, ensuring the new building is sympathetic to its surroundings.

Richly textured and materially grounded, Indi stands in deliberate contrast to Southbank’s prevalent glass towers, drawing on the industrial language of the nearby Kings Way overpass and the earthy tones of the Boyd heritage precinct.

“Every space is curated with the resident in mind,” says Raymond Mah, Director at DKO and Lead Architect on the project. “From the rooftop dining to the ground-floor community interface, Indi creates a sense of belonging within the vertical form. It’s design that puts people first.”

The podium base engages the streetscape with a colonnade and canopy that enhance pedestrian amenity and support active ground-floor uses. Staggered balconies with operable screens animate the facade along the park edge, strengthening the building’s dynamic presence.

With its mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, Indi Southbank has been designed for mobile, urban dwellers who value flexibility, connectivity and shared lifestyle experiences. Most residences include four square metres of internal balcony space, full-height glazing for natural light, and carefully planned layouts to suit long-term living.

Key communal features include co-working spaces, podcast studios, a communal lounge and games room. Two private dining rooms, entertaining spaces and rooftop terraces are located on Level 42, offering views across Port Phillip Bay and the CBD.

Residents also have access to a swimming pool, sauna, and gym , as well as a dedicated dog run and outdoor dining spaces. A Level 42 sky lounge and kitchen are available exclusively for residents, supported by a Resident Services team, smart parcel lockers and food delivery drop-off points.

Targeting a 5-Star Green Star Buildings v1 rating and net-zero in operations, Indi Southbank prioritises sustainability and long-term resilience. The project retains and builds upon existing site infrastructure, optimises passive environmental design, and incorporates energy-efficient systems, 100% electric services, solar PV, rainwater harvesting, stormwater best-practice measures and comprehensive waste-diversion strategies.

The development also delivers lasting value for the broader community. City of Melbourne Council will own and manage the new 900-square-metre Southbank Library located on the Upper Ground and Level 1 Podium (anticipated to open mid-2026), while the Boyd Community Hub houses maternal and child health clinics, community training rooms and support services.

Originally conceived as a build-to-sell project, the pivot to BTR during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated both design agility and a forward-thinking approach to urban living and cements DKO’s position as a design leader in the emerging BTR market.

“Our first bespoke BTR project in Melbourne was an exciting challenge,” says Mah. “From early feasibility with PDG through to design development and construction, we remained focused on creating a building where residents would feel at home — not just renters, but a real community.”

“Indi Southbank is a landmark building we are incredibly proud of. It represents what’s possible when architecture is aligned with user needs, local context and long-term thinking.”

Images: Indi Southbank / DKO

Clémence Carayol

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