Atherton Gardens estate in Fitzroy, Melbourne was built by the Housing Commission of Victoria between the mid 1960s and 1971. Following World War II the government embarked on a development program to raise living conditions throughout the city. Several housing estates were built across Melbourne as part of the State Governments 'Slum Reclamation Act'.

All of the developments, including the Atherton Gardens estate, used precast concrete building techniques which were progressive at that time. The pre-fabricated concrete panels were made in the Housing Commission's own concrete factory established in Holmesglen.

Design

Atherton Gardens is comprised of 800 flats in four high rise towers, each 20 storeys high, surrounded by landscaped gardens, playgrounds and carparks, spread over eight hectares of land.

The flats are designed mainly for families, and are made up of two and three bedroom configurations. Two lifts are included in each tower, and communal laundry facilities are available on each floor.

Current and Future

In 2010 the Australian (National) Government gave the Victorian State Government funding to extend the Atherton Gardens estate with 152 new homes. The extension project was completed in 2012.

The department of Human Services has also started developing a masterplan to guide future renewal of the Fitzroy estate. This is referred to as the Fitzroy renewal plan - an overall development concept for future physical renewal of the estate over a 20 to 30 year timeframe.