A multi-generational property family is throwing its weight behind sustainability as they launch the boutique Richmond project, Mattone. 

The Tyas family office’s development arm, CADRE, won approval to deliver a high-end townhome development in the tightly held suburb with strong environmental credentials that managing director Christopher Tyas said would set the project apart.

Tyas said CADRE was heavily focused on sustainability and design-led development. He said each residence in the Mattone development could help cut a family’s carbon emissions to the equivalent of planting about 1500 trees a year. 

Buyers could also tap into green finance options for the 10 MAArchitects-designed residences on offer at 27-31 Gibdon Street, Richmond. 

Tyas said the family was passionate about good design and sustainability, which was imbued in all of their projects across commercial, residential, industrial and retail. 

“We don’t want to just greenwash a development—we want to set the standard that all developers should follow, we are always striving to do better, not just for the development but the purchasers and the environment, the triple bottom line,” Tyas said.

“We’re never going to be perfect but we can always do better. We try to look at how we can progressively make change. 

“What drives me is future generations. We need to start to take some serious action in terms of developing buildings sustainably, adaptive reuse, sourcing materials sustainably and minimising construction waste. 

“If we don’t do that we’re going to have a big issue on our hands.”

The project is being future-proofed as a fossil fuel-free development, targeting a NATHERS rating of 7.9, with 2.5kW solar PV systems located on the roof of each townhouse and provisions for electric vehicle charging. 

“Mattone’s location within one of Melbourne’s most tightly held and sought-after enclaves adds another string to its bow—it aligns with the Victorian government’s Plan Melbourne strategy of creating ‘20-minute neighbourhoods’,” he said.

“It recognises the need for changes to the way we live in suburbs, where residents can access anything from parks to restaurants to retail and education within 20-minute return walk.

“All of our projects have always been based around inner-city blue chip suburbs.”

Tyas said CADRE had absorbed increases in costs to ensure they were using better quality materials and supporting companies that had higher sustainability values. 

“Sustainable, net-zero property continues to be a key focus for us—we see property as the industry with the biggest opportunity for environmentally friendly design and with each project we deliver we are aiming to be better and go further than the last, that’s what my family set out to do with this business and that’s what we’ll continue to do,” he said.

CADRE’s sister business, Tycorp, will take on the construction of the project. 

The high-end project is targeting envrionmentally conscious families and second home buyers looking for sustainable design and it would “resonate strongly with buyers looking to minimise their future costs”.