The best Melbourne CBD apartments for sale with no stamp duty

The new stamp duty waivers could save buyers up to $55,000 on new apartments
The best Melbourne CBD apartments for sale with no stamp duty
L to R, Melbourne Quarter and Melbourne Grand. Images supplied
Joel Robinson June 8, 2021

Property buyers keen on buying an apartment in the City of Melbourne were given a shot in the arm at the Victorian Budget last month.

Prospective buyers seeking established apartments in the CBD which have been completed for over 12 months will face no stamp duty on their purchases, as long as the purchase price is under $1 million.

Apartment sales at that price could save buyers up to $55,000 in stamp duty.

The news has been particularly welcomed by first home buyers, who so far this year have seen the HomeBuilder grant expire which had been driving a lot of demand to buy new property.

At the end of June, first home buyers will also see the 50 per cent stamp duty waivers for new property under $1 million expire, as well as the 25 per cent discount of stamp duty for new homes.

Urban have put together the best four best CBD apartment towers which offer the stamp duty. 

Melbourne Square

One bedroom apartments from $487,000, two bedroom apartments from $642,000.

Melbourne Square on Southbank's Kavanagh Street is the latest mixed-use development by OSK Property.

The five-acre prominent gateway precinct has been has been strategically located within proximity to the best education available in Australia including as The University of Melbourne, RMIT University and Swinburne University, as well as the city’s iconic arts, entertainment and shopping havens such as the National Gallery of Victoria, Southbank Theatre, Crown Casino, South Melbourne Market, Southgate Shopping Centre and Collins Street.

Cox Architecture designed the precinct, as well as the residential component of Melbourne Square, a pair of towers rising above a terraced podium. The collection of apartments across the East and West towers are fitted out with interiors by Carr Design.

There are four distinct design themes by Coco Republic to choose from, The Manhattan, which offers a sophisticated dark palette, Bondi, which has a coastal feel, Paris, which boasts timeless luxury, and Soho, which showcases monochromatic industrial style. 

The brand new selection of apartment feature kitchens that have marble block island benches, Kohler tapware, state-of-the-art Miele appliances, a five-burner gas hob and DynaCool refrigeration.

The resident amenities feature an indoor pool with uninterrupted views spanning the Melbourne eastern skyline, a sauna and a yoga studio, a gym, private dining areas and kitchen, a state-of-the-art games simulator and a music room and games room.

Melbourne Quarter

One-bedroom apartments from $458,000, two-bedroom apartments from $607,000

Melbourne Quarter is the masterplan-like community of the award-winning national developer Lendlease.

The apartment development has been designed by the international design firm Fender Katsalidis, one of the most sought-after design firm's across the globe.

The 2.5 hectare Flinders Street development will feature a public open space with a mix of both retail and parkland.

So far the East Tower has been completed. That homes Club MQ, three whole-floors of resort-style amenities including theatrette, private dining, indoor pool, gym and spa.

Melbourne Grand

One-bedroom apartments from $489,000, two-bedroom apartments from $569,000

Melbourne Grand is the award-winning development from Central Equity.

The $470 million tower at 560 Lonsdale, in the heart of the CBD, has a striking curved facade thanks to its design by high-profile architects Guilford Bell + Graham Fisher and its build by Multiplex.

The curved tower features a glittering facade, with a wave-like joinery Motif, giving the tower a striking point of difference. 

Melbourne Grand features a string of hotel-style amenities which take up the whole of the 10th level. As well as an indoor poor, gym and yoga studio, there's a residents' lounge with a banquet room and coffee bar, as well as a 17-seat luxury theatre.

The apartments, which all have a 7.2 star average energy rating, span up to 120 sqm and feature high ceilings and floor to ceiling windows with motorised blinds.

Most living areas have their own study nook with a built-in desk and a balcony with panoramic city views off the living space. Each kitchen is fitted with Miele appliances and integrated aircon comes as standard.

The Peak

One-bedroom apartments from $483,000, two-bedroom apartments from $618,000

Only just falling in to the stamp duty waiver having been completed 12 months ago is The Peak, the latest development from Auriton Group.

The Peak's location is one of the key selling points, located on the quiet side of the Melbourne CBD at 141 La Trobe Street with views to Carlton Gardens.

It's also set near Spring Street, one of Melbourne's most expensive street's for apartments which far surpass those in The Peak.

There are 177 units in the 42 level tower, with a floor plate of just four apartments per floor, giving each unit a corner aspect.

Each of the remaining units have a 3D Tour.

Joel Robinson

Joel Robinson is the Editor in Chief at Urban.com.au, managing Urban's editorial team and creating the largest news cycle for the off the plan property market in the country. Joel has been writing about residential real estate for nearly a decade, following a degree in Business Management with a major in Journalism at Leeds Beckett University in England. He specializes in off the plan apartments, and has a particular interest in the development application process for new projects.

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