Mirvac completes The Eastbourne
Mirvac has completed construction its $454 million luxury apartment complex, The Eastbourne, which replaced Dallas Brooks Hall.
The 14-storey East Melbourne project opposite Fitzroy Gardens is a joint venture with the site owner, Freemasons Victoria.
It made headlines when more than $300m in off-the-plan deals were sealed within three days of the project’s release in 2016.
The co-developers initially intended 258 dwellings for the 280 Albert Street project.
Following amalgamations however there are 245.
Configurations range from one to seven bedrooms, and in size from 50 square metres.
The largest home, spreading 565 sqm and said to have cost $15m, was designed to be three apartments – one being a top floor penthouse.
The Eastbourne also includes seven ground-level terrace-style residences.
Mirvac said there are 140 unique floorplans.
Bates Smart was the architect.
Freemasons Victoria will occupy a Masonic facility at the north-west corner of the new complex.
The Eastbourne
Mirvac head of residential, Stuart Penklis, likened The Eastbourne to a six-star hotel.
Residents can utilise a theatre, business centre, spa, steam room, gym, yoga/Pilates room and north-facing pool.
A lounge area known as the Conservatory includes a courtyard terrace, bookable entertainer’s kitchen and dining room.
“The Masters Club, excusive to Limited Edition and Prestige residences, offers an unrivalled lounge experience, complete with an inviting fireplace and temperature-controlled wine cellar,” according to Mr Penklis (story continues below).
The Eastbourne “breaks new ground” in sustainability with everything from construction materials to the efficiency of lighting and home automation, considered, the developer added.
“Stand out sustainability features include a ‘green switch’ to reduce standby power consumption in every residence, a 22-kilowatt solar photo-voltaic system to provide clean renewable energy to all common areas, [and…] two electric car charge stations”.
Residences also have access to a car share service and 24/7 concierge.
Bates Smart’s Kristen Whittle described The Eastbourne address as a landmark.
“The Dallas Brooks Hall means something to the city so we wanted to create a memory of the previous building within East Melbourne which is consistently characterised by a high level of architecture and offers a green front door to Melbourne’s most prestigious inner ring suburbs.
“The Eastbourne was at the forefront of luxury design and amenity, instilling a sense of generosity and grandeur to its residences and utilising high-calibre materials such as limestone and marble in pedestrian areas to encourage residents to linger.
“Being minimal has allowed us to push boundaries, truly embodying simplicity which is rare in residential architecture in Australia – it takes a lot of consideration to achieve elemental architecture.
“The generous balconies are extraordinary, they give you a sense of being up in the air but grounded in the tree canopy, with cinematic views of the Fitzroy Gardens and back across Port Phillip Bay.
“The experience is similar to a luxuriant hotel, it’s well-lit and beautifully landscaped, you feel like the stress just disappears and you just want to be there, live there,” he said.
The Eastbourne’s rivals
Millionaire buyers are spoiled for choice in East Melbourne.
At the eastern edge of Fitzroy Gardens, Salta Properties in 2009 completed a luxury apartment complex, 150 Clarendon St, which contains 89 dwellings over 12 floors.
In May, a sub-penthouse acquired off-the-plan for $19.4 million in 2007 was listed with an asking price of $46m, which was discounted 15pc before being withdrawn from sale last month.
At 13-23 Spring St, opposite Treasury Gardens in the CBD, Cbus Property is about to replace a Mercure hotel with a 35-floor tower containing 84 oversized residences (artist’s impression, right).
Two years ago, that builder completed another high-end complex next door: 35 Spring St contains 241 within 43-storeys.
