First look: Salvo set to launch Southbank apartment tower Moray House

Prominent Melbourne fringe developer Salvo is set to kick off the demolition phase of its now-unveiled Southbank tower, Moray House.

Moray House, rising 56 levels on a prime corner site across 42 Moray Street at 11-13 Hancock Street, will be the first major inner-city high-rise apartment development to launch this year.

More than 240 of the 305 apartments have already been snapped up by a various cohort of demographics, from parents purchasing apartments for their children, professionals seeking a city base, families moving back to inner Melbourne post-COVID, and investors.

The $200 million project is primarily made up of two and three-bedroom apartments designed by interior designer David Hicks, as well as two double-level penthouses with never-to-be-built-out views. Moray House also comprises eight levels of office space, hi-tech co-working facilities and two floors of residential amenity with wellness and relaxation at its core.

Resort-grade facilities located in the most premium parts of the building include health and wellness zones such as luxury day spa, yoga and steam rooms, pool, gym and massage suite accessed by a spiral staircase. Additional amenity includes a hotel-style reception, concierge, ground floor café and bar, private dining rooms, outdoor BBQ areas, residents’ lounges and additional storage spaces. 

Residents can also make use of state-of-the-art co-working spaces complete with 40 hot desks, meeting rooms and collaboration zones, video conferencing, printing and other services.

The residences feature uninterrupted views of the city skyline, Albert Park Lake and Port Phillip Bay, enhanced layouts, abundant natural light and full-height glazing.

Salvo Managing Partner James Maitland said Salvo’s Now Generation blueprint underscores the project’s design approach to how people live, work and relax today, based around health and wellness, connectivity, work-life balance, and practical luxuries.

“The pandemic accelerated a shift in the way people live and awareness of the critical role that internal and external environments play in our physical and mental health and wellbeing," Maitland said.

“Traditional apartment living has evolved to vertical communities and urban placemaking where residents can make new social connections in various communal indoor and outdoor spaces. They also expect resort-style amenities and connectivity with their local environment."

Maitland said Southbank has matured from an urban regeneration precinct to an established suburb with world class lifestyle infrastructure.

“Moray House enjoys a prime location with a walk score of 98%. Residents are an eight minute walk to South Melbourne village and market, Albert Park Lake and MSAC, as well as Southbank’s dining and entertainment precinct. A city commute also takes just a few minutes with two tram lines within 100 metres,” he said.

The development is due to be completed in late 2026.

The project’s two-bedroom apartments range from $639,000 to $765,00, and three-bedroom apartments start from $1.075 million.

Industry data reveals 16,000 dwellings are required in the City of Melbourne alone over the next three years to meet demand, research from Urbis Apartment Essentials; City of Melbourne report showed.

Data from Charter Keck Cramer also shows only 2,600 new apartments were launched in Melbourne in 2023, the lowest in a decade. Recent ABS data has shows apartment approvals in Victoria declined to a 17-year low.

“We’re keen to see the right investment and planning settings that provide confidence for both developers and buyers regarding the delivery of key infrastructure in urban renewal projects to enable multi-unit developments to do the heaving lifting to boost housing supply,” Maitland added.

“On the demand side, revisiting off-the-plan stamp duty exemptions and reducing taxes on foreign investors would go some way to speed up the much-needed delivery of housing and easing the rental crisis.”

Salvo has had success in Southbank previously. Last year they completed Stature Southbank, also designed by Rothelowman.