Located 5.2 km from the Melbourne GPO, Royal Ascot Residences sits comfortably between the Maribyrnong River and Royal Park on the corner of Mount Alexander Road and Mascoma Street in Ascot Vale. Part of a vibrant multicultural community, the building offers a total of 40 apartments in one-, two- or three-bedroom configurations. Plus Architecture was given the challenge of creating a building that celebrated the residential streetscape of suburban Ascot Vale, a Melbourne suburb dating back to the late 1880s; and the Mount Alexander Road high street, marked with significant commercial structures.

Plus was able to achieve a successful outcome through the incorporation of residential-style materials (brick slips) coupled with organic concrete shapes to create oversized balconies capable of housing suburban gardens in the sky. The brick facade cladding is an integral part of the scheme providing an attractive, non-combustible, UV-stable, frost-resistant facade material. The brick slips were installed using an adhesive fix system and coupled with custom-made corners such that the end result cannot be distinguished from heavier, slower-to-install traditional brickwork.

Facing the high street, the facade design showcases KLAY Classics Bushfire KBS SZE 2096 and Finkenwerder Red 2101 in a red palette complementing colours in the adjoining residential streetscapes. For the area facing the internal courtyard, the architects chose Einfach Black Palace KBS SKV 2043 grouted with a light-coloured grout to create a striking contrast showing off the curved balcony structures. The outdoor barbecue and dining area adopts a softer product: Einfach Graphite Brown KBS SKV 2040, which sets off the adjoining planting scheme.

The facade systems adopted at Royal Ascot Residences require little to no maintenance and will contribute to keeping body corporate costs low for years to come, a practical benefit to add to the masterstroke design.