How do I get started with Albert Living?

Book a consultation through our website. We'll discuss your site, your brief, and your budget, then walk you through our full process from design and approvals through to occupancy permit. Everything is managed under one team from day one.

Can I customise my home design?

Every Albert Living home is custom designed from scratch — there are no fixed templates or pre-set floor plans. Your site, your lifestyle, and your brief drive every design decision from the first sketch through to construction.

How much does it cost to build an architecturally designed home in Kew?

Construction costs for a luxury custom home in Kew typically range from $8,000 to $11,000 per square metre depending on the complexity of the design, site conditions, and the level of custom finishes specified. A 300 sqm architecturally designed home in Kew would generally range from $2.4M to $3.3M in construction value, excluding land.

How much does a knock-down rebuild cost in Kew?

A knock-down rebuild in Kew typically involves two separate costs — demolition and construction. Demolition of an existing dwelling generally costs between $15,000 and $35,000. Construction of a new architecturally designed luxury home in Kew starts from $8,000 per square metre, with full bespoke builds ranging toward $11,000 per square metre.

What are the payment terms for a custom architectural build?

Custom architectural builds are typically structured across 5 to 6 progress payments tied to key build milestones — deposit, base, frame, lock-up, fixing, and practical completion. Construction loans generally cover 70 to 85% of the total construction value, with some lenders going up to 90%.

What design features are most requested in luxury Kew homes right now?

Almost all current builds feature a custom pool and alfresco zone, dual living areas for entertaining and everyday family use, a showpiece kitchen alongside a butler's pantry, multiple ensuite bedrooms, and custom built-in joinery throughout.

Can I choose my own materials and finishes?

Yes — every material is selected collaboratively during the design phase, from natural stone benchtops and floor tiles to custom joinery finishes and furniture. Our in-house stone and joinery collections are available to browse as a starting point.

Do you specialise in renovations or new builds?

Albert Living specialises in luxury knock-down rebuilds and new constructions in Kew. We deliver the highest level of architectural excellence and uncompromised luxury by starting with a clean slate.

How do I know if my block in Kew is suitable for a custom home?

Most residential blocks in Kew are suitable for a luxury custom home or knock-down rebuild. Albert Living conducts a full site assessment at the start of every project, reviewing your certificate of title, planning overlays, and Boroondara zoning controls before a single design decision is made.

How long does it take to design and build an architecturally designed home in Kew?

A full custom architectural build in Kew — from initial design brief through to occupancy permit — typically takes 12 to 18 months. This includes 2 to 3 months for concept design and documentation, 60 days for building permit approval, and 9 to 12 months for construction.

What is it like dealing with Boroondara Council for a new build in Kew?

Building in Kew often means navigating Boroondara's strict neighbourhood character guidelines, heritage overlays, and significant tree protections. Albert Living anticipates these council requirements from day one of the design phase — designing with these overlays in mind rather than fighting them.

Do I need a planning permit to build a luxury home in Kew?

In most cases, no — a planning permit is not required for a single dwelling construction in Kew. Planning permits are typically only required for heritage overlay sites, dual occupancy, or multi-dwelling developments. Albert Living assesses your site from day one and advises you immediately on whether a planning permit applies.

What is the difference between a Planning Permit and a Building Permit?

A building permit is required for all single home constructions in Kew — issued by a registered building surveyor, it confirms your construction drawings comply with the building code. A planning permit is a separate approval issued by Boroondara City Council, only required for heritage overlay sites, multi-dwelling developments, or dual occupancy builds.

How long does a planning permit take in Kew?

If your site requires a planning permit, approval from Boroondara City Council typically takes between 3 and 12 months depending on the complexity of the application and heritage overlays. Albert Living prepares all planning documentation in-house and liaises directly with Boroondara Council throughout.

How long does a building permit take in Kew?

Once all documentation is complete — including architectural drawings, structural engineering, soil test, energy rating, and stormwater plans — a building permit for a luxury custom home in Kew is typically issued within 60 days. Albert Living coordinates and prepares all permit documentation in-house.

About Albert Living

Albert Living is a design-led luxury home builder in Kew, Melbourne — the only company in Melbourne's inner east delivering architectural design, construction, joinery, stone finishes, and integrated furniture under one roof.

Luxury living room with Arabescato marble feature wall at 70 Cobden Kew Melbourne

Luxury foyer with fluted cabinet and arabescato marble at 70 Cobden, Kew

A Design-Led Approach to Luxury Homes

Albert Living specialises in designing and building custom luxury homes in Kew, Victoria — one of Melbourne’s most established and architecturally significant suburbs. Building in Kew requires a deep understanding of planning overlays, heritage considerations, and council requirements within the City of Boroondara.

As a design-led luxury home builder, we manage the entire process — from architectural design and planning permits through to construction and interior detailing — ensuring every home is cohesive, highly resolved, and tailored to its site.

Luxury master bedroom featuring marble tv wall and warm lighting at 70 Cobden Melbourne by Albert Living.

Our Approach to Luxury Homes in Kew

Albert Living was founded on the belief that luxury homes should be delivered as a complete and considered experience — not a fragmented process between designer, builder, and suppliers.

In Kew, where streetscapes, heritage context, and architectural quality are highly valued, this approach becomes even more important. By integrating design, construction, and interiors, we create homes that feel cohesive from the very beginning — not assembled as separate parts.

For our clients, this means a more streamlined journey, clearer communication, and a home that is resolved in every detail.

Luxury ensuite with Rosa Norvegia marble at 70 Cobden Kew Melbourne

Why Most Luxury Builds in Melbourne Fall Short

Most luxury home builders in Melbourne separate the architectural design process from construction — engaging external architects, then handing drawings to a builder who substitutes materials and trades. Joinery suppliers are engaged separately. Furniture is left to the client after handover. Each handoff is a gap where design intent erodes, costs shift, and the home that was promised becomes the home that was approximated.

The result is familiar to anyone who has been through it — materials substituted after contracts are signed, trades discovered mid-construction that should have been coordinated on day one, and a finished home that reads as a collection of decisions made by different people at different times.

Albert Living was built to close that gap entirely.

The Only Fully Integrated Luxury Builder in Melbourne's Inner East

Albert Living is the only design-led construction company in Melbourne's inner east that integrates architectural design, structural engineering, custom joinery, stone finishes, and furniture under one roof. The architect who designs your home is the same team that builds it. Site constraints and Boroondara council requirements are resolved at the design stage. Every material is selected before construction begins — not sourced from a catalogue after handover.

When Albert Living hands over a luxury home in Kew, the occupancy permit is in hand, every joinery piece is installed, every stone surface is sealed, and every piece of furniture is already in place. There are no outstanding items. The home is ready to move into on day one.

This is what we mean by concept to keys.

Concept to Keys

Our Seamless Design & Build Process

PHASE 01

Design & Permitting

This phase transforms your vision into a buildable, approved reality. Our in-house architects and structural engineers develop your design together from the first sketch — with site orientation, Boroondara planning controls, heritage overlays, and your lifestyle driving every decision. Materials, finishes, custom joinery, stone surfaces, and integrated furniture are all specified during this phase as a single cohesive decision.

We manage all council approvals and building permit documentation in-house, concluding with photorealistic 3D renderings and a fully detailed working budget — so every element is resolved before a single brick is laid.

4 - 6 Months

Duration

PHASE 02

Construction & Handover

From first site break to final walkthrough, we manage the entire physical execution of your home. Groundwork, structural framing, lock-up, and the meticulous internal fit-out of custom joinery, stone finishes, and integrated furniture — all delivered by one team with weekly project update meetings throughout.

When we hand over your home, the occupancy permit is in hand, every finish is complete, and every piece of furniture is already in place. Move-in ready from day one.

10 - 18 Months

Duration

Featured Albert Living Projects

Projects in Kew and Melbourne’s Inner East

Albert Living has delivered luxury homes across Kew and Melbourne’s inner east, responding to complex site conditions, planning overlays, and architectural requirements within the City of Boroondara. Each project reflects a commitment to material quality, construction precision, and design integrity.

100 Derby

2026

An architecturally designed home in Kew, Melbourne — open-plan living, custom timber joinery, Arabescato marble, and integrated furniture across 153 sqm.

70 Cobden