Purchases of luxury apartments across Melbourne’s affluent suburbs have seen a shift in buyer demographic as local owner-occupiers and first home buyers enter the market at an unprecedented rate. The introduction of new government incentives, quality building and low-maintenance living are just a few of the many reasons people are deciding to embrace apartment living, despite prices being comparable to detached dwellings.

“...Developers and sales agents have identified a new market demographic in older down-sizers or families who want to spend the same amount of money they would on a terrace home, however, they are now seeking out larger luxury apartments as a viable lifestyle option.”

- Leonard Teplin, Director, Marshall White Projects

There were some doubts as to whether Australian's could trade in the backyard and suburban lifestyle for city-living, but real estate guru Don Gallicchio has already noticed a shift.

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"People doubted whether these apartments would work in Australian culture; they said we're too wedded to the suburban block... But I think they've been proved wrong. People have been trialling city living, renting then buying. Not many go back."

- Don Gallicchio, managing director with Ray White City Residential

Here are 10 high-end Melbourne apartments:

#1 THE MELBURNIAN (approximately $500k - $5m)

Located in the heart of St Kilda Road, The Melburnian offers a 24/7 concierge service, breathtaking infinity pools and exceptional views of Port Phillip Bay and the city skyline. The luxurious Bates Smart-designed apartments have been fitted with smart-technology and Miele appliances.

View from The Melburnian penthouse featuring a private pool. Credit: The Melburnian

In addition to the many great mod-cons within apartments, The Melburnian puts a premium on resident amenity offering Pilates, Yoga and Thai Chi classes; theatre groups; book clubs; and an exclusive intranet service which allows residents to connect with friends in the building, make restaurant bookings and more.

“The resales have been outstanding, and that certainly indicates a lot about the quality of design and construction, as well as the effect of an outstanding location... When resales are strong – not merely good, but strong – that is a very good indication of long-term value, and this has certainly been evident in regard to The Melburnian.”

- Roger Poole, Chairman of Bates Smart Architects

#2 88 MELBOURNE

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Set to feature a full LED light display upon completion, 88 Melbourne's geometric facade will provide a glimmering beacon on the Southbank skyline. Developer New Sky Group hopes the tower will set a new standard for Southbank's apartment market, having engaged Rothelowman for the architecture.

“We were preoccupied with designing a building that can be seen in the round, a sculptural piece in the skyline rather than four facades jammed together.

There’s a singularity about it that presents as much as a piece of city-making as it is an individual building.”

- Chris Hayton, principal architect at Rothelowman Architects

88 Melbourne's opulent penthouse lounge. Credit: 88 Melbourne

The apartments feature bespoke kitchens with appliances by Sub- Zero, and Wolf - a brand lauded by the likes of Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver. 88 Melbourne's penthouse suites occupy full floors and extend to four meters in height.

“This is your address, elevated. A home and haven in the sky.”

- 88 Melbourne

#3 YVE APARTMENTS (approximately $500k - $4.4m)

YVE apartment tower is sculptural and curvaceous in form, with multi-coloured window panes and ribbons of glass balustrades, demonstrating a clear sense of individuality and uniqueness. Luxury facilities are available to residents, including an executive lounge, a boardroom and a spa which offers massage therapy treatments.

YVE penthouse entertaining area with views of the Melbourne skyline. Credit: YVE

"Buyers today are not looking for a standard residential building in a high rise they want something unique which this building is and has from the design to the finishes."

- YVE

#4 REPUBLIC TOWER (approximately $1.4m - $4.2m)

Republic Tower. Credit: Fender Katsalidis Architects

The 35-storey brutalist-styled skyscraper towers over downtown Melbourne with a striking sense of finesse, which is a signature style of its iconic creator Fender Katsalidis Architects. The apartments feature flexible open plan living areas, private terraces, reverse cycle air conditioning and a resort-style pool.

Exquisite views from Republic Tower. Credit: Fender Katsalidis Architects

Republic Tower also had a $100k+ art budget, where local artists could feature their work in large format on the Russell Street side of the building.

"Instead of doing a permanent installation, we decided to change it every four months or so, because it gave more people (artists) a chance to use the corner, and it would be ever-changing and more interesting for the viewer."

- Nonda Katsalidis

#5 TEN TO TWELVE - $2m +

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Ten to Twelve. Credit: Conrad Architects

Brighton’s timeless collection of homes ‘Ten to Twelve’ was designed by Conrad Architects in collaboration with Miriam Fanning from Mim Design and landscape architect Jack Merlo. Ten to Twelve's custom floorboards, chamfered stone, grand pillars and tall windows reflect the traditional style of properties the beachside suburb of Brighton.

Ten to Twelve's bespoke kitchen. Credit: Conrad Architects

Mim Design’s elegant interiors focus on earthy marbled textures combined with industrial bronze metals, giving the place a modern warmth. The outdoor environment provides a lush green oasis with multiple heights and layers of vertical and hanging greenery.

#6 HM@S COMPLEX

Another Fender Katsalidis favourite, HM@S Complex exhibits a sail-like facade, an innovative design choice to maximise sea and city views for all residents. Double height windows and expansive balconies add to the grandeur of this lavish, modern apartment. 256 apartments fill twin 18 storey towers, crowned with 5 bedroom penthouses with spectacular 360º views.

HM@S penthouse features double story windows for one of Melbourne's best ocean views. Credit: Fender Katsalidis

“This is a stunning residence and completely rare considering the water views from the three levels will never be built out.”

- Gerald Betts, RT Edgar director via The Real Estate Conversation

#7 AUTUN (approximately $1,286,000 - $1,956,000)

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The stunning design of Malvern East's Autun complex is a credit to the stellar line-up of Australian designers: Conrad Architects, SJB interiors and landscaping by Jack Merlo Design.

Autun's luxurious living area. Credit: Conrad Architects

Each of the 39 townhouses contains a private elevator, wine cellar and fireplace for ultimate luxurious living. The double floor ceiling heights give a superb feeling of openness in the living areas, and the louvre window shutters add a homely touch.

#8 ALUMUNA

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The exquisite Port Melbourne residence Alumuna was designed by Woods Bagot and has been coined one of the most sophisticated designs in the bay.

Alumuna's elegant open-plan living area. Credit: Woods Bagot

Floor to ceiling windows provide a wide-spanning view of the ocean, and inset balconies offer a sense of privacy. Prioritising quality over quantity, there are just 22 apartments (two of which are penthouses), so every room has ample space. Each apartment also boasts excellent acoustic protection, hydronic heating, lime-washed American oak flooring and luxurious imported marble bench tops.

#9 MAYFAIR by Zaha Hadid

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The Mayfair. Credit: Zaha Hadid Architects

By 2022, Melbourne's St Kilda Road is due to welcome the greatly anticipated Mayfair building designed by Zaha Hadid Architects in collaboration with Elenberg Fraser. The $330 million complex embodies ZHA's iconic style of fearless, avant-garde design.

"...Computational parametric design allowed an optimising algorithm to identify shape similarities within the facade to a tolerable degree, minimising the number of different facade panels required."

- Zaha Hadid Architects via Dezeen

Inspired by the “rolling waves of the Australian oceans and landscapes”, the building is essentially a work of art, where fluid wave-like motifs meet complex architectural geometries while maintaining a masterful sense of cohesion. The 19-storey tower will feature 158 residences, with two luxury spas, an al fresco dining area and sky bar situated on the rooftop for residents to enjoy the vast city and ocean views.

Mayfair has been scheduled for completion by late 2022.

The Mayfair roof terrace featuring two open-air spas and bbq facilities. Credit: Zaha Hadid Architects

#10 Eureka Tower by Fender Katsalidis

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Eureka Tower. Credit: Fender Katsalidis Architects

Lastly, one of Melbourne's tourism landmarks – Eureka Tower designed by Fender Katsalidis Architects. Residents can enjoy the iconic 360° views year-round from any of the 556 residential apartments across floors 11 to 80. The 975 ft skyscraper features an elevator which travels at 9m per second (the fastest lift in the Southern Hemisphere), 24-hour concierge, a private cinema and luxury spa facilities. Eureka Tower's top ten floors are even plated in 24-carat gold!

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