How an apartment building becomes a lifestyle
More Australians are living in apartments than ever before – a trend that is driven by many factors including affordability, proximity to transport and employment, the desire for low-maintenance living and the growing appeal of first-class building amenities such as rooftop pools, private cinemas and gyms.
And as new apartment developments spring up to cater to demand, the new addition to this “lifestyle” package offering is a dedicated ground-floor retail space within the building. This retail area can play an important role in helping to sow the new building into the existing fabric of a suburb. But it can also provide a highly appealing lifestyle factor for both building residents as well as neighbours. After all, who wouldn’t want to live upstairs from a Gelato Messina?
Photo: ARIA Property Group
Gelato Messina in Melbourne Residences
Brisbane-based property developers, ARIA Property Group, often dedicates the ground floor portion of its residential buildings to premium retail offerings. Downstairs in The Melbourne Residences, South Brisbane, is host to Australia’s favourite gelato brand – Gelato Messina, as well as other must-have Fish Lane dining experiences, such as La Lune Wine Co. and Chu the Phat.
ARIA is well known to Ironfish investors for its innovative, beautifully designed and delivered buildings – in fact, our CEO, Joseph Chou makes no secret of the fact that he continues to buy investment property in all of ARIA’s developments.
Photo: Tom Ross, Broadsheet
The Kettle Black in 50 Albert
South Melbourne’s fashionable foodies can regularly be spotted making the breakfast pilgrimage down to The Kettle Black – ranked as one of the top 50 best cafes in Melbourne. The coffee surpasses Melbourne’s high standards and its famous breakfast dishes feature crayfish oil, mandarin sorbet and Flinders Island wallaby.
The Kettle Black is located within 50 Albert – an award-winning apartment development which was designed by Elenberg Fraser architects. Ironfish recommended this landmark project to our investors back in 2013.
Photo: The Weekend Edition
Salts Meats Cheese in Haven
“No longer shall we cry mozzarella-sized tears, because the Sydney-born food emporium (Salts Meats Cheese) is making its way to Brisbane,” proclaimed the Weekend Edition.
Salts Meats Cheese along with Betty’s Burgers & Concrete Co. and Jocelyn’s Provisions are three premium food outlets that are making their home in the ground floor of “Haven” – a new luxury apartment development in the Gasworks precinct of Newstead, Brisbane.
Salts Meats Cheese Director Stefano de Blasi said Salt Meats Cheese, Gasworks will become their new Australian flagship restaurant and cooking school.
“We’re going to bring to Brisbane something never seen before: live mozzarella stretching, flaming cheese wheels, bottled cocktails and metre-long pizzas. What I love about this site is we can offer our guests a choice of indoor and al-fresco dining experiences, which is a first for the Salt Meats Cheese group,” he said.
The new foodie Haven is in its final stage of completion and due to open its doors next month.
“Developers are now recognising that retail plays a key role in attractive owner occupiers, investors and tenants to their developments. Not only does it add convenience, but is also adds a “cool” element to a building, and turns it into a destination within a city,” said Ironfish National Apartments Manager, William Mitchell.
“Having one of the best cafes or restaurants in a city in an apartment building has a real impact when buyers and renters are making their decision on where to live. We expect to see this trend strengthen as developers continue to innovate in this space, and residents place more importance on ‘the retail factor,’” he said.
If you are interested in further information about “Haven” or buying investment property with integrated retail in the 5 major capital cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth – please contact your local Ironfish Strategist.