New Homes: a jewel near the Crown

The latest addition to Southbank’s skyline near Crown casino is a high-end residential tower that will take its inspiration from both jewellery designs and the art of origami.

The propitiously numbered “88 Melbourne” (located on 88 Queensbridge Street) designed by architects Rothelowman will feature a three-dimensional diamond pattern on its facade and 54 levels of high-end apartments. The building will be artistically illuminated at night by a lighting installation.

Those residing in the higher altitude apartments will peer at views of the city skyline, Yarra River, Royal Botanic Gardens and Port Phillip Bay. The project includes two four-bedroom penthouses occupying an entire floor each which will take in all vistas.

The eighth level of the building will be a glamorous dual-height communal area for residents, landscaped with a tropical theme. Residents can use the wine cellar with tasting area, bar and outdoor terrace, lap pool, steam room, sauna, outdoor barbecue facilities and seating, private dining room with kitchen and lounges for meetings or social events.

Developer New Sky Group has aimed the project at the burgeoning empty-nester market with spacious layouts, more three-bedroom apartments and luxe touches such as the premium Sub-Zero and Wolf kitchen appliances for the top apartments.

A concierge will be stationed in the dual-height lobby on the ground floor, which has a terraced entrance, fireplace and a feature art sculpture.

All three and four-bedroom apartments get one car space or more with additional spaces available for $100,000.

At a glance

• 88 Melbourne, 88 Queensbridge Street, Southbank
• Architect: Rothelowman
• ​Developer: New Sky GroupINTERIORS: KPDOLANDSCAPING: Tract Consultants
• Number of apartments: 219 total. 27 one-bedroom; 159 two-bedroom; 29 three-bedroom; two three-bedroom sub-penthouses; two whole-floor four-bedroom penthouses
• Internal sizes: (in square metres) one-bedroom apartments 49-56; two bedrooms 62-88; three bedrooms 112-159; sub-penthouses 160-194; penthouses 450
• External areas: sub-penthouse balconies only 44-46 square metres
• Prices: one bedroom $498,000-$653,000; two bedrooms $638,000-$1,218,000; three bedrooms $1.64-$3.2 million; sub-penthouses $3.5-$4 million; penthouses $13.5-$15 million
• Car parking: automated stacker system. One car space for three-bedroom apartments; two for sub-penthouses; four for penthouses; other apartments can buy car space
• ​Display suite: 88 Queensbridge Street, Southbank. Open from 30 April
• ​Completion estimate: late 2018
• Selling agent: Urban Activation, phone Lucas Giannotti 1300 750 000

How sweet it is in Southbank

Many Southbank residents swear that A Treat of France has the best croissants in Melbourne.
The French bakery and cafe is owned by Rose Kirik and her husband Sonny, a pastry chef, who make all the pastries, cakes and sourdough bread on the City Road premises daily.
Rose, who formerly lived at Southbank for two years, insists it is one of the most exciting places in Melbourne.
“There is always something to do here as soon as you step out the door – you are never bored in Southbank,” she says.
“I really loved living here as it’s close to everywhere, you are right in the city and you can easily go to South Melbourne Market, Crown casino or St Kilda.”
The streets are filled with a mix of businesspeople on weekdays and more local residents and international tourists out and about on the weekends and the population is increasing with new residential towers sprouting up, she says.
“We get a lot of tradies in here at the moment who are working on all the high-rises going up. We love them.”