Local owner-occupiers and downsizers snap up Empress Apartments in AVJennings Waterline Place, Williamstown development
The ASX-listed developer AV Jennings has seen a wave of local owner-occupiers and downsizers snap up apartments in their latest residential tower Empress Apartments.
Empress Apartments, designed by Elenberg Fraser, is part of the Waterline Place community, a stone's throw from Williamstown Beach. There will be around 450 residences across the project, a combination of apartments and townhouses.
Empress is the third apartment tower of four planned. Due for completion in June, around 75 per cent of the eight level tower has sold.
Caleb Smith, principal architect at Elenberg Fraser, says the sculptural form of Empress reflects the nautical heritage of Williamstown, with profiled corners inspired by the classic bow-wave of ships slicing through water.
"The horizontal profiles of the upper storeys give the building a lightness while reducing glare within the interior spaces," Smith said.
"The interiors have been thoughtfully designed to take full advantage of breathtaking bay scenes and abundant natural light. Extensive glazing to all apartments draws the views into the interior spaces, while dual and corner aspects layouts are designed to capture the sea breezes."
Crowning Empress is a rooftop with 360 degree views. In one direction is the beach and the other the Melbourne skyline.
AVJennings sales agent Susan Lindblom says the owner-occupiers and local down-sizers have been attracted to the development so far. They're selling their family home and downsizing - having accumulated some capital growth from their house and buying an apartment with a small mortgage and banking the rest in to their super.
One of Waterline Place's newer apartment buildings GEM, sold out recently, with just the penthouse remaining.
Following the completion of Empress, there will be just one apartment building left. Dubbed The Merchant, the development will comprise around 140 one, two and three bedroom apartments, as well as a selection of upper level skyhomes.
It has been proposed to be seven levels, which will be the last building of that height in the City of Hobsons Bay. Recent regulations has put a cap on residential apartment developments which can't be higher than two or three storeys in the city.
The Merchant is set to launch this toward the end of the year.
Also launching this year, in the next few months, is Piper Townhomes. There will be 14 three-storey townhomes, 10 fronting Nelson Place, four set at the rear on Waterline Place.
They follow the nearly complete Bower Townhomes, two banks of six three storey townhomes which have been favoured by professional couples with dual income and no kids, as well as families.
The Bower Townhomes arguably have the best location of the townhouses, set opposite Point Jelly Brand Reserve with water views. They range in price from $1.9 million up to $2.35 million.
