Central Equity's Southbank apartment development FOCUS Melbourne wins HIA award
FOCUS Melbourne, the recently completed Southbank apartment development from longtime Melbourne apartment developer Central Equity, has won the prestigious Victoria Apartment Complex Award (over $20 million) at the 2023 HIA-CSR Victorian Housing Awards.
It's another feather in the bow of Central Equity, who is the HIA's most awarded apartment developer in Victoria.
The 50-level FOCUS Melbourne diverges from its contemporaries, as demonstrated by its bright, spacious interiors and luxurious resident facilities and services.
The HIA Australian Apartment Complex award celebrates excellence in several areas, including quality of workmanship, design features and effectiveness, innovation, and visual and market appeal.
The Doig Architecture-designed silhouette of a complex 'butterfly' form extruded and sculpted at the upper levels, complemented by a fully restored heritage-graded former warehouse adjoining the tower, adds to FOCUS Melbourne's uniqueness.
At street level, Central Equity took great care to restore an existing three level historic building. The historic portion was incorporated as part of the project to create an architectural feature and provide an active and vibrant streetscape.
Central Equity has been credited as the pioneer of inner city living in Melbourne, developing residential properties in the Southbank and the CBD. The 2023 HIA award is testament to Central Equity’s 37-year history of ‘delivering as promised’.
“FOCUS Melbourne has been an outstanding success with residents full of praise for their new homes, the outstanding resident facilities and onsite building management services” says Central Equity Managing Director, Dennis Wilson.
The project’s materials were selected for durability and echo its site along the Yarra Bank Highway, overlooking the Yarra River and Royal Botanic Gardens. Strong rectilinear geometry and bronze-glazed glass shape the exterior's contemporary facade and ensure privacy and light filtration.
Located in the lively Southbank, FOCUS Melbourne comprises 591 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments. Living spaces boast 2.7-metre ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, accompanied by a full range of ‘all-in-one’ resort-style amenities, including a pool, gymnasium, sauna, a 17-seat luxe movie theatre, and a landscaped terrace with barbecues.
Apartments feature spacious open-plan living areas, versatile kitchens with mirrored splashbacks, premium Miele appliances, and German tapware. Fully-tiled bathrooms come with elegant mirrored wall cabinets and clear glass shower frames.
The architects and designers have collaborated with Melbourne's best acoustic engineers to ensure residents enjoy unparalleled peace and comfort within their homes.
The development also introduces next-gen features such as a resident-only keyless entry, day-and-night concierge service, 24/7 digitally secured parcel lockers, high-speed lifts with security access, video intercom, and secure bike storage and undercover car parking with remote control access.
FOCUS Melbourne residents benefit from easy access to many cafes, restaurants, and entertainment options along City Road, with the Botanic Gardens, Crown Entertainment Complex, Arts Centre and the Melbourne CBD all within walking distance.
