Why I bought a Seafarers, Melbourne apartment: Buyer Q&A
The mixed-use Riverlee development Seafarers is one of the most anticipated apartment and hotel combination's to hit Melbourne in recent years.
The development will home Australia's first 1 Hotels, along with 123 apartments which have already been a hit with entrepreneurs and business executives.
Designed by the international architecture studio Fender Katsalidis, Seafarers is expected to be completed in late 2023.
Urban recently spoke to Gabriella Castelmore, a published author who recently moved back to Melbourne having lived overseas for the last 26 years and has found a home in Seafarers.
How did you discover Seafarers?
I first discovered Seafarers when I was in Paris. At the time, I wasn’t ready to buy a property in Australia as I was still living overseas. When I did finally make the move, I had a good sense of the market and made the decision to look into Seafarers further. After visiting a few different developments, Seafarers was the obvious choice. The location and value for money exceeded my expectations.
What attracted you to Seafarers?
Riverlee went straight to the top shelf in appointing the architect and interior designer, and that really stood out for me. I also liked the 1 Hotel component and its high standard of sustainability.
Location was important - I wanted to be central as in the past I had long commutes to work. Now, I will be in close proximity to the office and able to walk or ride to work easily. Coming from Paris where most people live in apartments, it's comforting knowing there is a beautiful rooftop garden terrace, river views and access to the public park.
What qualities were you looking for in a home?
First and foremost I was looking for quality fixtures and fittings, as well as floorboards and carpets. Moving to Melbourne, I had to factor in the need for storage. I was able to secure two units of storage in addition to a car park space.
Other qualities that were important were the amenities - having access to the gym, pool and sauna.
What are you looking forward to most about living at Seafarers?
To be honest, I am really looking forward to the sheer comfort and luxury Seafarers offers. My apartment is really spacious with a big bathtub and lots of storage for me to keep everything organised and out of sight. I am also looking forward to using the hotel, inviting friends for coffee or a drink and experiencing 1 Hotel in Melbourne.
Are there elements you customised when designing your new home?
I spent a bit of time changing the floorplan and Riverlee was really accommodating throughout the whole journey. I took out the laundry sink which I moved to the large en-suite with access via the hallway. By removing this, I was able to build a substantial study nook large enough for two people with built in cabinetry and shelving.
We also finished the study area 20cm short from the kitchen allowing full floor to ceiling cupboards in the kitchen instead of a wall, and providing an enormous amount of additional pantry space.
What attracted you to the Northbank area?
Accessibility to the city and knowing everything is within walking distance, from the variety of great restaurants and bars Melbourne has to offer to the Arts Precinct and Botanical Gardens. Being a big tennis fan, I am also looking forward to being able to walk to the Australian Open when it’s on.
I was also attracted to the bike tracks located directly around Seafarers and liked the fact that I’ll be able to easily access the South Melbourne and Queen Vic markets.
Are there features at Seafarers that surprised you?
Yes, the heritage aspect really surprised me, with the building retaining as much of the original site as possible. In today's world we need to be more conscious about our waste, and knowing this is something Riverlee is prioritising is very much aligned with my values.