The lock-up-and-leave appeal of Candela Ivanhoe’s loft-style residences

Apartment buyers approaching their next chapter are increasingly looking beyond the traditional idea of downsizing.

The focus has shifted towards homes that reduce maintenance without compromising the space, flexibility and privacy often associated with detached living. In Melbourne’s north-east, that balance is driving demand for larger apartment formats that can support changing needs over the long term.

That thinking resonated with Natashya and Tony when they began considering their future housing needs. Both working in financial planning, they approached the decision with a strong focus on finding a home that would continue to suit their lifestyle in the years ahead.

“We both work in financial planning, so we talk daily about retirement planning and what our future would look like,” Natashya says. “For us, we wanted to make sure we were future-proofing ourselves. Having somewhere that was all on one level was great, and with the ability to access those amenities so close was also really important to us.”

The couple ultimately chose a loft-style residence at Candela Ivanhoe, the 58-residence development currently under construction on Upper Heidelberg Road by Salter Brothers. Scheduled for completion in Spring 2026, the project has attracted a predominantly owner-occupier market, with more than 90 per cent of purchasers intending to live in the development.

While many apartment projects focus on compact layouts, Candela Ivanhoe’s loft residences introduce a format more commonly associated with townhouse living. For Tony, that distinction became central to their decision-making process.

“The type of apartment was really important for us,” Tony says. “There was another apartment up for sale at exactly the same time when we were looking at Candela Ivanhoe which was already ready, but we wanted a split-level apartment with four bedrooms and two living areas. That was why Candela Ivanhoe ticked all the boxes.”

The loft-style residences, including the four-bedroom Lustre layouts, are arranged across two levels, creating separation between communal and private zones.

At the centre of the lower level is an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area. The kitchen features integrated Miele appliances, a large island bench, and a walk-in pantry, while timber flooring extends throughout the living areas to create continuity between each zone.

Positioned on the same level, the master suite includes a walk-in robe, oversized ensuite and direct access to the terrace, allowing it to remain closely connected to the home's primary living spaces.

A sense of openness is created by the residence's proportions and expansive rear glazing. Measuring approximately 5.4 metres high and 8.5 metres wide, the glass wall draws natural light deep into the living areas and strengthens the connection between the interior and terrace beyond.

Natashya says that relationship to natural light immediately stood out.

“I love knowing that it looks like we’re outside when we’re inside,” she says. “Coming from Eltham, we have a home that has that biophilic feel where you feel like you’re outside when you’re inside. All the glass and the light made it feel like we weren’t trapped inside.”

The living area extends directly to an oversized terrace designed to accommodate a range of uses beyond outdoor dining. The dimensions allow space for seating areas, planting, and larger gatherings, effectively expanding the usable footprint of the apartment.

Upstairs, the layout shifts into a more private arrangement. Three additional bedrooms are positioned around a secondary living area, creating flexibility for visiting family, working from home, or separate retreat spaces.

A dedicated study zone accommodates a full-width desk, while the central bathroom combines bath and shower functions in a single wet area configuration.

Separate powder rooms on both levels support larger households and day-to-day practicality.

Beyond the apartment interiors, Candela Ivanhoe achieves an average 7.5-star NatHERS energy rating through passive solar design principles, double glazing, rooftop solar powering communal areas and water reuse systems integrated throughout the building.

Residents also have shared access to a communal rooftop garden, a dedicated residential lounge, complemented by a cafe and lifestyle wellbeing centre located on the ground level.

Located within Ivanhoe Village, the development places cafés, grocers, restaurants and Ivanhoe Station within easy walking distance, supporting a lifestyle less reliant on the car.

“I love the fact that it’s easy to lock up and go,” she says. “From a security perspective, it’s great. We’ve got space not only for the car, but for bikes, of which we have many.”

In established suburbs like Ivanhoe, where detached housing stock has traditionally dominated family living, projects such as Candela Ivanhoe are broadening the apartment conversation. Rather than replicating smaller investor-focused layouts, the loft-style residences respond to buyers seeking permanence, spatial flexibility, and stronger connections to natural light, outdoor space, and local amenity within a more manageable home environment.