Malmo hotel and apartment complex to bring some buzz to Bruce

Malmo, 39 Braybrooke Street
​$269,900-$449,900

What do you do when your site is required to have a hotel on it?

Well, Bulum Group and Nathan Gibson Judd Architects decided to create what will be, according to Gibson Judd, “a bit of a mini icon – something that had a nice design aesthetic”.

The complex includes a five-story block of 31 residential apartments with a separate building housing a 61-room hotel.

Hotel agent Chris Antos says that with the University of Canberra, the AIS, Canberra Stadium and Calvary Hospital on its doorstep, “there’s actually a massive demand for a hotel in the Bruce area”.

Gibson Judd believes that Bruce is becoming a little bit more of a “buzzier” suburb and that “the lifestyle aspect of it is starting to develop”.

Malmo has been designed to have an active floor plan that integrates into the surrounding landscape.

Gibson Judd describes the development as having “a bit of a sense of living among the trees”.

The ground floor, featuring cafes and a beer garden, is designed to do this while fostering community. The hotel will also feature a restaurant on the top floor, from which guests will be able to “look across a reserve into the distance.”

Gibson Judd describes the design of the property as “contemporary modern” and “crisp,” saying his team were “looking at a pretty clean line aesthetic for the building” which features slightly European-style facades, with stone, timber floors and muted colours featured in the interior.

The apartments are largely north facing and include stainless steel Smeg appliances, gas cooking and reverse cycle air-conditioning.

The complex features one and two-bedroom apartments, with two-bed villas.

Gibson Judd believes that as “a sort of a hybrid development”, Malmo will be an interesting spot to live that will allow residents to be involved in the buzz of Bruce while maintaining its own identity.

Inspect: Weekends, 10am-noon. Agent: Luke Dent, LJ Hooker, 0435 046 964. EER: median 6.5. 

Feature we love: The communal spaces of Malmo, integrated into its outdoor landscape, promises to make it a pleasant spot.

Who lives here: Close to the University of Canberra, the AIS, Canberra Stadium and the Canberra Institute of Technology, Bruce is a real mix of students, first-home buyers and a scattering of those looking to upsize at affordable prices.