Step into Kingston Foreshore’s Kingsborough Village and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d been transported out of the Capital.
The development has been designed for community connection; the aim was to create an inner-city complex with a village feel – and what a success that has been.
The vision of local developer John Gasson, Kingsborough Village saw five different architecture firms come together to design one building each in response to Gasson’s brief: a community precinct that explored the site’s industrial heritage.
What’s resulted is a thriving community in a complex that looks and feels like something Canberra has never seen before. The precinct was built with shared spaces in mind to encourage community connection and “day-to-day interactions between like-minded neighbours”.
Resident and business owner Phillip Hopkins, of Kingston Foreshore Cycles, moved to Kingsborough Village from 50 acres of land for the inner-city lifestyle and foreshore location.
He then set up Kingston Foreshore Cycles after moving into the village – how’s that for a short commute?
“The shop and the community fit like a glove,” he says.
Photos Kerrie Brewer
“Because you’ve got an inner-city village community, where people really don’t want to drive their cars, they’re all cycling.”
Phillip says the developer of Kingsborough Village was instrumental in both decisions; to move in and to set up shop.
“From the moment I met John [Gasson], I just had faith.”
Similarly, but in the reverse, Axis Roasters’ Nick Jennings made the move to Kingsborough after having worked in the precinct.
“The developer was very engaged and helpful in helping us find our dream for the roaster. And then it just sort of progressed, and it turned into a place where everyone wanted to work together,” he says.
“The community that grew out of it, I don’t think anyone was quite expecting. But we’re all really tight, we look after each other.
“[People] want to be part of the community as well, rather than just come here and make money.”
Now, Nick fosters the Kingsborough Village community spirit by activating the central shared space with food trucks on the weekends and drinks from The Warehouse – home of Axis Roasters and part-coffee shop part-taphouse.
“The response has been really, really great.”
Nestled in Kingsborough Village are the residents and businesses that are making this thriving community happen. Flip through this special Kingsborough Village feature to hear from: Ascentem, Axis Roasters, Capital Lend, Kingston Foreshore Cycles, The Foreshore Vet, and Waku the Workspace.
Secure your financial freedom with Capital Lend
Capital Lend is a female-run mortgage broking business that specialises in working with first-home buyers, first-time investors, and women to help them achieve financial freedom through property ownership.
Our aim is to find you a loan that not only meets your requirements, but exceeds your expectations in terms of rate, product, and service.
With hundreds of home loan products on the market, you can rely on us to provide you with choice and opportunity and to guide you through what can be the daunting experience of making a big purchase.
We believe that loan products should be easy to understand, easy to access and allow you peace of mind. We build and maintain relationships with our clients and their service providers to ensure the product meets their needs, now and into the future.
At Capital Lend you are working with Canberra’s leading mortgage brokers with many achievements and awards to our name, including the 2020 ACT Brokerage of the Year award from the Australian Enterprise Awards.
We are an equal opportunity employer and support women with disability. We look forward to supporting you in your dream of owning your own home and building a secure financial future. Find more about who we are and what we do:
Capital Lend
Shop 4/10 Parbery Street, Kingston
Kingston Foreshore Cycles: Your one-stop cycling shop
Nestled in the Kingsborough Village, Phil and his team at Kingston Foreshore Cycles have a focus on community, accessibility and sharing their passion for all things bikes with the Canberra community.
They carry a range of eclectic products to suit any adventure, whether you’re touring around our beautiful country or riding to work. All the products in the shop have a story behind it and are carefully selected by Phil as items he and the team all believe in.
They offer walk in and help service alongside a comprehensive servicing and repairs structure, most of the time with a same day turn around! There is strong sense of community and warmth and they welcome anyone from the elite road cyclist to the gravel grinders to the first-time rider.
For more information, visit them at kingstonforeshorecycles.com.au or pop in store 10am-6pm weekdays or 10am-4pm weekends.
Kingston Foreshore Cycles
G2/10 Parbery Street, Kingston
T: 0402 857 994
E: [email protected]
Find a ‘different version of coffee’ at Axis Roasters
Café by day, bar by night, The Warehouse at Kingsborough Village has something for everyone with local beer and wine, and coffee from their in-house roastery, Axis.
Owner Nick Jennings says Axis was born out of a love for all things beans and aims to offer people “a different version of coffee”, with none of the pretentiousness that can often come with specialty coffee.
“We work directly with the importers and the actual growers themselves,” explains Nick.
The beauty of Axis’ small-batch operations means Nick and team can get creative with their beans and work with their wholesale clients to create the blend of their dreams and take the next step in their specialty coffee journey.
“One of our biggest missions is to offer specialty coffee to anyone and anywhere that is possible for us.
“Because we are a small roastery we can be a bit boutique, but a little bit custom for people and offer something different.”
Axis coffee is available for both retail and wholesale purchase. Taste it for yourself weekdays 7am-1pm and Saturdays 8am-12pm.
LG02/9 The Causeway, Kingston
W: axisroasters.com.au | thewarehousertb.com
Ascentem: Supporting you
Ascentem is a Canberra psychology practice focused on being there for you. Our dedicated team of psychologists develop relationships with our clients founded on safety and trust. We believe these values are an important foundation for the courage that is required for your recovery journey.
At Ascentem, we focus on caring for clients and we practise in a transparent, collaborative, evidence-based way that is supportive of your recovery.
We offer a range of psychological services tailored for adults and adolescents including general assessment and treatment, specialised assessment services, and forensic assessment and treatment services for adults.
Our friendly reception staff can assist you with bookings and referrals.
Ascentem
Lower Ground 1/17 The Causeway, Kingston 2604
- T: 6188 4166
- W: ascentem.com
- E: [email protected]
The Foreshore Vet
For Dr Tanya Caltabiano, Director of The Foreshore Vet, the mission was simple.
“I wanted to create a vet clinic that represents this community. A practice should be a warm place where people, and their pets, feel comfortable. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved so far,” Dr Tanya says.
Having opened its doors in late April, The Foreshore Vet is a small animal practice located in the Woolstore building at Kingston’s Kingsborough Village.
“The people of Canberra care dearly for their pets and we want to deliver the best care for them,” Dr Tanya says. “At The Foreshore Vet, we’re all pet owners. Our motto is that we treat our clients’ pets as if they’re our own.
“And we’re so passionate about this community. We run weekly puppy school classes, just started our monthly Saturday morning neighbourhood dog walk, and have plans for ‘dog yoga’ classes, which should be fun and a little chaotic!”
The Foreshore Vet
12/1 The Causeway, Kingston
Waku The Workspace: For CBR Humans
Custom made for the community, Waku The Workspace has just opened at Kingsborough Village, Kingston. Owned and operated by born and bred Canberran Karina Manzano, Waku supports its members through the highs and lows of business and puts people above profit.
Located in a simple and functional boutique space, Waku offers a range of flexible services with all memberships adapting to meet your needs, from solo pods to co-work areas or a virtual office for the digital nomads.
Great for freelancers, creatives or anyone who needs a co-working space, Waku supports local businesses and the humans behind them. Book a trial day today!
Waku The Workspace
LG04/17 Kingsborough Village (Dawes Street side), Kingston
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