Why I bought an apartment at Melbourne Square: Urban Buyer Q&A
2022 and 2023 have been the year of the downsizer and rightsizer demographic in the Melbourne off the plan apartment market
OSK Property's $2.8 billion Melbourne Square precinct has proven to be one of the most popular projects on Urban in 2023, and continues to be in 2024, with newly completed and off the plan opportunities.
OSK has the final apartments in the completed East and West Towers on Kavanagh Street, as well as the recently launched BLVD which is slated for completion in late 2026.
Downsizers have come from all over to take advantage of the rare opportunity to move closer to the city. Williamstown downsizer Moira has been living in Melbourne Square for the last two years. The 63-year-old and her partner secured a three-bedroom apartment in one of the completed towers.
Moira said the unprecedented quality of finish and amenities at Melbourne Square, as well as its location and security, were the driving factors behind their purchase.
Each completed tower features two levels of amenities on the podium, including a 50-metre swimming pool, a gym, seating and lounge areas, and several dining spaces.
"I use the eighth-floor gym up to five times a week, helping me keep fit and do bone-strengthening exercises for my osteoporosis," Moira says.
"We have used the outdoor pool with grandkids often, mainly in summer," Moira says, adding that the 54th-floor spa serves as a retreat for both her and her partner, offering a space for relaxation and de-stressing. Both her sons and grandsons have used the recently opened basketball courts outside.
"The diversity of age groups and ethnicities is also very warming to see, young and old. All life-stages live here, and enjoy the great location and amenities."
Moira has also used the bookable function rooms when she's entertained family and friends.
"The quality of the rooms and facilities is excellent, from the premium lounger through to the dining room and demo kitchen on the eighth floor. There is a function room to suit nearly all occasions, and based on our extensive review of other inner-city apartment options, has by far the best facilities we saw."
Over 6000 sqm of public space has been included across the ground floor of the towers, with a landscaped public park, along with several green spaces and walkways, in addition to a full-line double-storey Woolworths and retail and dining options including a restaurant, café and bottle shop.
Moira says she heads to Woolworths almost every day, given it's so close to the building, and she visits the sushi bar, Malaysian restaurant Sama Sama, and the fresh bakery frequently.
Moira and her partner have embraced the Melbourne Square community and are kept updated through the building’s WEWumbo app on all social initiatives, from wine clubs and book clubs to occasional big events like the Grand Prix or Lunar New Year that ignite the precinct.
Melbourne Square is also drawing lots of locals, showcasing the precinct's appeal as a central hub for residents and visitors.
"With its garden areas for dog walkers, other meeting areas, and retail venues having been introduced, it is clearly drawing lots of locals to Melbourne Square, beyond the current towers' residents," Moira suggests.
The walkability factor at Melbourne Square was another major drawcard for Moira and her partner.
"We love to walk whenever we can and the central location to everything is a main attraction of living at Melbourne Square. We walk to the footy, to the city, to the markets - everywhere we can. My son came over from the UK and he walked around the Botanical Gardens, Albert Park Lake and down to the beach, South Melbourne Market, and into the city. Everything is on our doorstep here."
The final apartments remain in Melbourne Square's complete East and West Tower, while BLVD is Melbourne Square's latest off the plan tower.
