Riverlee reveal $18 million penthouse atop Seafarers, Melbourne apartment development
Riverlee has unveiled an expansive waterfront penthouse which will top its $600 million Seafarers apartment development on the Docklands waterfront.
Designed by Riverlee founder and architect Clement Lee OAM in collaboration with Nonda Katsalidis and the team Fender Katsalidis, the 719 sqm, luxury penthouse has been priced from $18 million.
The apartment, with four bedrooms and four bathrooms, has been designed with its own personality and configuration to create a result that is refined and compelling, Fender Katsalidis principal Rosie Morley says.
“Generous scale, bold intersecting forms, integrated joinery and the masterful interplay of texture, colour, and light continue across every room,” Morley says.
“With framed views to green outlooks, these apartments use biophilic design to make luxury and simplicity one.
"Skylit conservatories and terraces provide an immediate sense of calm, and flexible floor spaces give residents the opportunity to come together or break away.”
Home to Australia’s first 1 Hotel, the US-founded, nature-inspired luxury brand, Seafarers will be home to the first completed hotel-branded residences in Melbourne.
Supported by the dedicated team of over 200 hotel staff, residents gain full access to guest amenities and hotel services such as housekeeping, in-room spa treatments, private chef, 24/7 concierge, botanical and pet care, valet, and signature 1 Hotel events.
Launching the penthouse to the market in the same month Riverlee kicks off its 30-year anniversary celebrations, Clement Lee says the luxury residence is a project of personal significance to himself and Riverlee’s in-house design team.
‘’The penthouse at Seafarers offers an experience that exemplars and exceeds the quality, functionality and placemaking that Riverlee has become known for," Lee says.
"This is the culmination of my career, 30 years as a developer and 40 years as an architect and urban planner.
“Working with our long-term project partners Fender Katsalidis, we have created something that signifies more than a home — it is the crown jewel of Seafarers and a legacy that I am personally very proud of.”
Situated on the final piece of Melbourne’s original waterfront, the 18th-floor penthouse represents the last opportunity for uninterrupted views of Melbourne’s Yarra River, boasting its own 72 sqm biophilic open terrace, a rare offering for its height and scale. Inside it has floor to ceiling views, a private lobby entrance, wine cellar, formal dining, and cocktail lounge.
The 125 sqm master suite features Poliform walk-in robes, while guest bedrooms and social spaces are arranged around a grand central gallery and internal conservatory.
With construction underway, 1 Hotel & Homes Melbourne is set to open in 2024. The Agency co-founder Steven Chen says the premium offering and the imminent timing of the penthouse’s completion will be of interest to high net-worth clients looking for a brand new turnkey residence.
“This is a rare offering in terms of location, the immense size of the residence and the integrated 5-star hotel services and amenities on offer, so we are anticipating strong interest,” Chen says.
“With breathtaking views of the Yarra River and the beautiful Melbourne CBD skyline, this lock-and-leave penthouse offers immense privacy and high security."
Chen believes there will be a lot of clients interstate and internationally that will want to acquire the penthouse as a second or third residence.
Recent findings by Knight Frank Research have revealed future demand for second homes, including branded residences, is expected to be driven by rising affluence, increased mobility, and the desire of wealthy investors to expand their residential property portfolios.
Fifteen per cent of UHNWIs have been considering a purchase in 2023, it reports, and global sales of prime and super-prime properties have rebounded, with Australia considered a favoured destination for second home purchases.