Convention Centre

1. History of the building

• The building was completed in 2010 as part of the South Wharf development project¹.
• The architect was Bates Smart, a leading Australian architectural firm².
• The building is next to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), the largest convention centre in the Southern Hemisphere³.
• The building also houses the DFO South Wharf, a popular outlet shopping centre with over 150 stores⁴.

2. Design and architecture

• The building has a contemporary and sophisticated design that reflects its urban context².
• The building has 25 floors and consists of 182 apartment units, 25 townhouses, and 7 houses¹.
• The building features a curved glass facade that offers panoramic views of the city skyline and the Yarra River².
• The building also has a landscaped podium that provides a green oasis for the residents².

3. Apartment units

• The apartment units range from one-bedroom to three-bedroom configurations, with sizes from 50 sqm to 150 sqm⁵.
• The apartment units have open-plan living areas, modern kitchens, spacious bedrooms, and luxurious bathrooms⁵.
• The apartment units also have balconies or terraces that extend the living space outdoors⁵.
• Some of the apartment units have river views or city views, depending on their orientation⁵.

4. Surrounding area

• The building is located in the vibrant and dynamic neighbourhood of South Wharf, which is part of the Docklands precinct.
• The neighbourhood offers a variety of facilities and amenities nearby, such as:
  • Supermarkets, such as Woolworths and Coles
  • Shopping, such as DFO South Wharf, Harbour Town, and South Melbourne Market
  • Dining, such as South Wharf Promenade, Crown Casino, and Southbank
  • Parks, such as Yarra’s Edge Parklands, Docklands Park, and Flagstaff Gardens
• The neighbourhood also hosts many events and festivals throughout the year, such as:
  • Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
  • Melbourne International Comedy Festival
  • Melbourne International Boat Show
  • Melbourne Marathon

5. Reviews and ratings

• The building has received mostly positive reviews and ratings from residents and visitors, who praise its location, design and quality.
• Some of the common compliments are:
  • “Great location, close to everything”
  • “Beautiful views of the river and the city”
  • “Spacious and comfortable apartments"

6. Sustainability features

• The building has some sustainability features that aim to reduce its environmental impact and enhance its energy efficiency .
• Some of these features are:
  • A rainwater harvesting system that collects and reuses water for irrigation and toilet flushing
  • A solar hot water system that reduces the reliance on gas or electricity for heating water
  • A double-glazed window system that improves thermal insulation and reduces heat loss or gain
  • A natural ventilation system that allows fresh air to circulate through the apartments
  • A waste management system that encourages recycling and composting

7. Transport accessibility

• The building is accessible by both public and private transportation, but with some limitations .
• For public transportation, the nearest options are:
  • Tram: Route 96 and 109 stop at Clarendon Street, which is about 10 minutes walk from the building
  • Train: Southern Cross Station is about 20 minutes walk or 10 minutes tram ride from the building
  • Bus: Route 237 and 238 stop at Lorimer Street, which is about 15 minutes walk from the building
• For private transportation, the nearest options are:
  • Car: The building has a car park for residents, but there is limited street parking for visitors. The building is also close to major roads, such as CityLink, West Gate Freeway, and Kings Way
  • Bike: The building has a bicycle rack for residents, but there is no dedicated bike lane or path nearby. The building is also close to some bike trails, such as Capital City Trail and Yarra River Trail
  • Taxi: There are several taxi ranks nearby, such as at MCEC, DFO South Wharf, and Crown Casino

8. Resident demographics

• The typical demographic of residents in this building is young professionals, who are mostly singles or couples .
• According to the 2021 Census, the median age of residents in this building was 32 years, and the median weekly income was $2,000.
• The majority of residents in this building were born in Australia (58%), followed by China (12%), India (8%), New Zealand (4%), and United Kingdom (4%).
• The most common occupations of residents in this building were professionals (42%), followed by managers (18%), clerical and administrative workers (12%), sales workers (8%), and community and personal service workers (6%).

9. Local attractions

• The building is close to many attractions, leisure facilities, and cultural sites that cater to different interests and preferences .
• Some of these attractions are:
  • MCEC: A world-class venue that hosts various events, such as exhibitions, conferences, concerts, and shows
  • DFO South Wharf: A shopping paradise that offers discounts on fashion, homewares, electronics, and more
  • South Wharf Promenade: A dining destination that features a range of restaurants, bars, and cafes along the riverfront
  • Crown Casino: A entertainment complex that offers gaming, nightlife, dining, cinema, and spa
  • Southbank: A cultural hub that showcases arts, music, theatre, and festivals at venues such as Arts Centre Melbourne, National Gallery of Victoria, and Melbourne Recital Centre
  • Docklands: A waterfront precinct that offers activities, such as ice skating, ferris wheel, boating, and fireworks

10. Body corporation

• The body corporation that runs this building is South Wharf Owners Corporation, which is managed by Ace Body Corporate Management .
• The body corporation is responsible for maintaining and administering the common property and assets of the building.
• The body corporation also enforces the rules and regulations of the building, such as noise restrictions, pet policies, visitor parking, etc.