Inner Melbourne

Nestling in one of Malvern&rsquo;s leafiest pockets, King Bird Development&rsquo;s, Contour presents a boutique collection of residences designed by Ascui &amp; Co. Architects.

The sculpted homes are an embodiment of their address, inspired by the organic beauty of nature, with all of Malvern&rsquo;s cultural delights within reach.

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With consideration for site and neighbourhood context, Ascui &amp; Co. have envisioned a design that gives back to its occupants, nurturing an effortless and elevated living experience.

Combining understated materiality, a sweeping form and inherently practical planning, Contour delivers a collection of two and three-bedroom residences to Melbourne&rsquo;s inner suburbs.

Ascui &amp; Co. are a Melbourne-based firm who are often inspired by the curve motif &ndash; a design language they utilise with precision.

This is exemplified by Contour&rsquo;s rounded edges and the sinuous wave-like elements tracing the periphery of the building, reminiscent of nature&rsquo;s organic forms.

Situated on a corner site, the fa&ccedil;ade follows the natural path of the land, with its soft, rounded edges complimented by a series of contours, sweeping from one face to the other, giving definition to the balconies, slabs and large glazed windows throughout the project.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29091 project_image_fid=81619]

Contour is expressed in a simple materiality, with white concrete and deep grey metals providing a counterpoint to the verdant garden setting.

Ascui &amp; Co. Director, Gonzalo Ascui, said light was paramount to the design of Contour, drawing it deeply into the internal spaces through vast expanses of glass, in addition to the expansive terraces and balconies fostering a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living, while affording panoramic views of the leafy streetscape as well.

&ldquo;There is an elegant softness to the building &ndash; we&rsquo;ve avoided rigidity and sharp lines. The building curves around the corner site, following the natural path of the land. Sinuous wave-like elements trace the form of the building, sweeping from one face to the other in a flowing gesture,&rdquo; said Ascui.

Curated again by the Melburnians, Ascui &amp; Co., the interiors reflect the sophistication of the architecture.

Each space has been generously appointed, boasting high-end finishes with rich textures, creating a sense of open grandeur to th&nbsp; interiors that brightens everyday life and allows residents&nbsp;to connect with the outdoor environment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29091 project_image_fid=81622]

Chosen from the industry&rsquo;s most trusted suppliers and creators, apartments are home to a collection of considered finishes and touches, including natural stones, engineered European Oak herringbone timber floors, soft 100 per cent polyamide carpets, textured joinery, ribbed feature tiles and glass elements.

&ldquo;Together, these premium materials create an aesthetic of timeless sophistication while gifting a low-maintenance lifestyle and unrivalled durability.&rdquo;

Recognising the importance of first impressions, Ascui &amp; Co. curated a considered and inviting apartment entrance.

A robust stone plinth, with a built-in draw, presents a place for things like ornaments, indoor plants, keys and letters, backlit for a striking effect with a curved mirror, creating an air of elegance while the layout of the floorboards emulates the experience of a hallway.

Contour&rsquo;s living room presents a sunny and expansive setting, adorned in a palette of luxurious yet neutral finishes, complete with a fireplace.

Defined by floor-to-ceiling windows, the open-plan living room is awash with abundant natural light and verdant vistas of the landscaping and surrounding treetops, in addition to a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29091 project_image_fid=81616]

Housed within stone joinery, the fireplace creates a cosy atmosphere as well as efficiently heating the space, while engineered timber Herringbone floors provide the perfect base for living.

Ascui &amp; Co. have featured contoured edges at the apartment entrance and in the island bench, evoking an instant air of continuity, where elements of the exterior have been translated within to enhance the unique language of the design

Contour&rsquo;s generous kitchen is the heart of the home, fitted out by a functional design and abundant storage, as well as premium appliances and finishes, from solid quartzite to fluted glass.

Entering the space, the solid quartzite stone island bench instantly draws in the eye, distinguished by the same sweeping contour seen on the facade and at the apartment entrance.&nbsp;

Full-height joinery with a wood grain texture has been paired with elegant fluted glass cabinetry, bringing a sleek and modern feel to the palette, along with a suite of premium Gaggenau appliances.

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&ldquo;Walking into these spaces, the curves are a visual delight. They blend and bend space, allowing light to flow around the corner, coming right into the room and illuminating the finishes,&rdquo; Ascui added.

Stepping into the bedrooms, featuring fluid curved walls and ample sunlight, the master bedroom has been designed as a private sanctuary.

Set upon plush carpet, the room is complete with a spacious walk-in-wardrobe, equipped with custom shelving and a refined fluted-glass door.

Presenting sophistication at its most tranquil, Contour&rsquo;s bathroom offers a private oasis, illuminated by dappled light, with a calming palette, exhibiting full-height tiling on all walls, solid stone benchtops and fluted-glass partitions.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29091 project_image_fid=81620]

Rounding out the room, a double vanity affords a sense of hotel-style luxury, complete with integrated storage, as well as an expansive shower and free-standing bathtub.

Construction has begun on the Malvern project, with interested buyers left with only a small window now to secure an apartment with just a 5 per cent deposit before settlement.

Three-bedroom apartments can still be secured in Contour, with prices starting from $1,647,500.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=29091]

alisonwarters@gmail.com

"Sweeping from one face to the other": How Ascui & Co. designed the Malvern apartments, Contour

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The Melbourne unit market continued to shrug off the worst of the 2020 COVID impact on property, recording 0.6 per cent gains over December, according to data analytics firm CoreLogic.

It followed from 0.1 per cent gains in October and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/melbourne-apartment-values-outperform-houses-in-november-corelogic">0.7 per cent gains in November</a> to be 1.4 per cent up over the quarter. The quarterly performance saw apartments offset any early year losses to be flat over the calendar year.

The unit market comfortably outperformed the housing market over 2020, with houses contracting two per cent, CoreLogic's data found.

The unit median rose to $576,905 over December, now higher than July levels.

Urban has taken a look at five apartments blocks to secure under the median apartment value.

<h2><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/canvas-272-barkly-street-brunswick">Canvas, Brunswick</a></h2>

Address: 272 Barkly Street, Brunswick, VIC 3056

<img alt="" height="887" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/canvas_brunswick.jpg" width="1200">

Canvas, the Brunswick development by ID Land, has one bedroom apartments starting from $480,000, well below Melbourne's median apartment price. The facade of the Rothelowman-designed block pays homage to Brunswick’s industrial past. Formed by concrete construction and urban design principles, the visual grid spans the building, framing each apartment. It will feature 62 one, two and three bedroom residences with interiors by Hecker Guthrie, expected to be completed in 2022.

Their two beds start from $680,000.

<h2><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/parkhill-apartments-408-spencer-street-west-melbourne">Parkhill Apartments, West Melbourne</a></h2>

Address: 408 Spencer Street, West Melbourne VIC 3003

<img alt="" height="793" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/parkhill_west_melbourne.jpg" width="1200">

Parkhill Apartments in West Melbourne are offering one bedrooms starting from $479,000, developed by the award-winning Central Equity. Early buyers will have the chance to save $430,000 on stamp duty.

Parkhill Apartments has a range of one and two bedroom apartments with 6.5 Star energy ratings. There's a rooftop gym for residents and a rooftop garden with outdoor seating and barbecue areas.

<h2><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/hawthorn-park-33-camberwell-road-hawthorn-east">Hawthorn Park, Hawthorn East</a></h2>

Address: 33 Camberwell Road, Hawthorn East VIC 3123

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Just over the rising median is Hawthorn Park, where developer Dahua Group is offering its one beds in from $609,000. The Camberwell Road development, estimated to be completed earlier this year, comprises 368 residences spread across seven floors and five buildings. Another designed by architect Rothelowman, Hawthorn Park features a fully-equipped gym with yoga and meditation studio, massage suites, a sky boardwalk, sky lounge, garden pavilion and a swimming pool.
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Melbourne's unit median now sits at $576,905 after seeing a 0.6 per cent rise in unit values over December.

Joel Robinson

Melbourne unit values rise 0.6 per cent in December: What you can buy for the new median

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The Real Estate Institute of Victoria’s latest data reveals that Nillumbik’s property market is kicking goals so far in 2019 with two of the top three performers located within the municipality.
Revealing the REIV’s median data for the first quarter of 2019, REIV President Robyn Waters said the median house price in Eltham increased 7.3 per cent to $950,000 in the January-March 2019 quarter while Greensborough’s median house price soared 6.0 per cent to $808,000.
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“Melbourne’s Green Wedge Council proved to be our property hot spot for the first quarter of 2019 as the area’s idyllic surrounds and enviable lifestyle boosted house values. You can still get impressive family home with all the bells and whistles in this truly unique area of Melbourne for less than a million dollars,” Ms Waters said.
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“Consistent with 2018 trends, some outer areas continue to do well with Narre Warren South sitting second on the top 10 list for median house price growth with a 7.1 per cent increase, Mulgrave is at number four with a 4.7 per cent increase and Point Cook in fifth place, also with a 4.7 per cent increase.
"Interestingly, we are also starting to see signs of recovery in Inner Melbourne with Glen Iris and Balwyn North making the top 10 this quarter, recording increases of 4.3 per cent and 4.2 per cent respectively.”
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Overall, Melbourne’s median house price fell 1.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2019 to dipbelow $800,000 at $793,000.
“The market was fairly stagnant in 2018 as vendors resolved to stay put and renovate or extendrather than take their chances on selling in an uncertain market and I think we’ll need to wait until after the Federal Election to see any major change to that climate,” Ms Waters said.
“Looking at the annual picture, the top 10 performers for median house price growth between April 2018 and March 2019 were all in Outer Melbourne demonstrating the popularity of affordable options for families who have their heart set on the ‘great Australian dream’.
In suburbs like Sunbury, Craigieburn and Wollert you can still secure a great family home for $500,000 to $600,000 which is attractive to potential owner-occupier and investors,” Ms Waters said.
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There are also more new house and land packages coming online in places like Officer and Clyde North where burgeoning estates have replaced empty paddocks in a relatively short time frame. As a consequence, the necessary infrastructure and community facilities are coming on line in these areas.
Ms Waters said regional Victoria continues to outperform the Metropolitan Melbourne property market with substantial gains of almost 10 per cent recorded in some towns this quarter and a 1.0 per cent increase overall in the median house price.
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“Four of the top 10 towns for median house price growth in the March quarter were in the Ballarat area: Redan topped the list with an increase of 9.8 per cent to $357,000, Ballarat East was at seventh with a 4.4 per cent increase to $355,000 just ahead of Soldiers Hill at eight with a 4.3 per cent increase to $485,000 and Brown Hill with a 3.5 per cent increase to$440,000,” Ms Waters said.
“In the 12 months to 30 March 2019, three regional towns reported growth of more than 24 percent: Wonthaggi, Redan and Wendouree which is a resounding endorsement for the propertymarket’s in these areas, given the current cooler climate.
Strong annual growth was also found in Stawell, Bendigo, Irymple, Trafalgar, Mount Clear,Wallan and Maryborough.”
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Inner Melbourne prices still weakening, while regional Victoria edges higher

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Developer SMA Projects has partnered with Hayball for a new development on Gore Street, Fitzroy.
The project at 250 Gore Street will have a mix of comprise one, two and three-bedroom apartments, as well as a 300 square metre penthouse.
SMA Projects has previously completed two projects on the street, The Lyric and Veludo.
SMA Projects development manager, Robert Murphy, said that there will be the opportunity to customise an apartment with the assistance of interior designer Kate Roach.
Three bedroom apartments are priced from $1,150,000 to $2,600,000, while two bedroom units start from $725,000 
The penthouse is available from $4.8 million.
Demolition of the existing structure is expected to start in December, while construction will begin in early 2019 with an expected completion date of December 2019.
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SMA Projects announce third Gore Street, Fitzroy project 

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Melbourne has the strongest housing market, when it comes to retaining boom time gains, according to CoreLogic.
Since its peak last November, the harshest hit property are standalone houses in inner, inner east and inner south Melbourne.
It is where prices have declined between 4 and 6.1%.
Elsewhere across Melbourne both houses and unit prices have fallen no more than 3%.
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Inner Melbourne apartment holding value after market peak: CoreLogic

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Melbourne secured another 70 percent plus auction clearance weekend, with two sub-regions notching over the 80 percent mark.
The strongest performers came from Melbourne's Inner South and North East, according to CoreLogic.
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The priciest home to sell in Melbourne came from Port Melbourne in the Inner South.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-port+melbourne-127569918" target="_blank">172 Clark Street home</a> fetched $2.465 million.
It was a three bedroom brick home which was marketed as a likely knockdown with a $2 million to $2.2 million price guidance.
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Melbourne's strong clearance rate led by inner south and north east

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Electric car industry leader Tesla Australia has leased a Cremorne warehouse in a leasing deal signed over the holiday period.
The near 700 square metre warehouse at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-industrial+warehouse-vic-cremorne-500641183" target="_blank">69 Cremorne Street</a> was leased by the electric car company on a two years lease at $118,000 gross plus GST.
Located on the eastern side of Cremorne Street between Swan and Kelso Streets, the freehold property adjoins Kangan Institute and their Richmond TAFE Campus.
It sits on 870 square metres and has a 15 metre frontage to Cremorne Street.
Gray Johnson agent Rory White, who negotiated the leasing, believes the Tesla occupancy is to complement the existing retail store, service centre and supercharger vehicle loading facility that is nearby at 650 Church Street in Richmond.
White said that the building, which was offered for lease and was vacant, attracted significant enquiry.
“The inner-suburban precinct of Cremorne has become a highly preferred destination for creative and specialist businesses including a number in the automotive sector and professional consultancies no doubt due to its proximity to all that adjoining Richmond offers together with its excellent accessibility to major road and freeway connections.
“Gray Johnson held multiple offers to enter into a lease over this property before the Tesla offer was judged as the preferred tenancy option” White says. 
Tesla has a service and supercharging facility nearby in Richmond. 
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Tesla Australia take out lease in Cremorne, Melbourne

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GUEST OBSERVER
Secret Agent has updated its price per square metre index for secondary apartments in inner Melbourne. 
An additional 478 apartments have been added to the index so that it now consists of a total of 870 apartments which have sold between 1st January 2016 to 30th June 2016. 
<a href="/images/2016/08/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-26%20at%2011.48.21%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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The new average square metre rate for apartments in inner Melbourne is $8,679/sqm.
The inner South remains the most expensive region for apartments with the average totalling $9,664/sqm. 
This is closely followed by the inner East at $9,089/sqm. 
Central and inner North apartment rates are $8,466/sqm and $8,395/sqm respectively. The cheapest region to buy secondary apartments in is the inner West, at $7,124/sqm.
For more information, <a href="https://secretagent.com.au/" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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