Samuel Property set to launch design-driven Melbourne apartments, Louise
The prominent Melbourne developer Samuel Property is taking on something a little different for its next residential project.
They're set to launch Louise, their anticipated apartment tower just off the sought-after St Kilda Road.
Named after its location at 8 Louise Street, Louise will home 98 apartments across its 16 levels, a maximum of just eight apartments per floor.
The tower will be crowned by a near 600 sqm penthouse with 360 degree views of the city, Albert Park, and Faulkner Bay.
Blair Property Group Founder Darren Blair, who is handling the sales of Louise, says there's something for everyone at Louise, with one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments on offer.
"We're expecting everyone from investors and first home buyers interested in the one and two-bedroom stock, to downsizers and owner-occupiers looking at the larger two beds into the three-beds," Blair says, adding that he expects to be fielding plenty of enquiry from families, as well as those who maybe live down in Mornington Peninsula but want a city pad.
The building is more focused on the owner-occupier, with just over 10 per cent one-bed apartments. Two-bedroom apartments make up two thirds of the building. Blair believes some will get merged to make larger apartments by those seeking a bigger space.
Buyers can purchase in the building from $497,500, with the biggest, higher-level apartments looking to achieve over $11 million.
The location reigns supreme for Louise, just moments from Albert Park and a short stroll to Fawkner Park.
"The project has the best of Melbourne on its doorstep," Blair adds.
"Where does your $10 Uber take you where you live? From Louise it takes you to the best parts of Melbourne, from the city to Chapel Street and even Middle Park Beach."
Renowned architects Cera Stribley have handled the design of Louise, with a vision to deliver a building that is more sensitive to the characteristics of St Kilda Road.
The building is in keeping with the surroundings for the first three levels to the podium, a red brick finish paying homage to the current streetscape.
Cera Stribley Managing Principal, Domenic Cerantonio said it was important future-residents of Louise were provided an exceptionally designed dwelling that complemented the well-endowed local area.
“Every aspect of Louise has been designed to epitomise quality of life," Cerantonio says.
"When it comes to apartment living, there are few buildings that offer such an incredible location as Louise. From sunrise to sunset, there is so much to love about the area; parks, beach, city – the lifestyle here has it all.
"The interior design of Louise is very much inspired by this unparalleled locale, and the Art Deco glamour of the heritage architecture found around the area.”
Louise is a change of tact for Samuel, who since being founded in 2009 by its current Managing Director Illan Samuel, have predominantly concentrated on the high-end boutique owner-occupier market.
Their last two projects have been Willow, just 14 apartments in Brighton, and most recently Edition in Toorak, on the dress circle Lansell Road, which has just three house-sized residences.
But they've kept the same principles in Louise, focusing on the owner-occupier and creating spaces to be lived in.
The opportunity arose when Samuel secured a block of 1950s flats, on a prized 1224 sqm block, for $21 million last year.
Demolition of the flats is expected to commence this year, with construction to start in early 2023. The build is expected to take around two years.
It's a rare opportunity for buyers to get near the prestigious St Kilda Road precinct, and to buy into a project that while is a large building, isn't as high density as some of its neighbours.
