Melbourne Square

1. The history of the building

• Melbourne Square is a A$2.8 billion building complex of residential, hotel and commercial towers in the Southbank precinct of Melbourne, Victoria¹.
• It is being built in five stages, with an estimated completion in 2027¹.
• The first stage of the development commenced construction in November 2017, and was completed in May 2021¹.
• The architect of the building is Cox Architecture, a Melbourne-based architectural firm¹.
• The building is one of the largest mixed-use developments in Melbourne, spanning over 20,000 sqm of land¹.

2. The design and architecture

• Melbourne Square is a contemporary and sophisticated apartment building that features a curved glass facade and a metallic blue exterior.
• The building has two residential towers, each with 69 floors and 1,048 apartment units¹.
• The building has a dynamic and sculptural form that reflects the movement and energy of the city¹.
• The building also has a large circular window on the top floor, which adds a touch of interest and lightness to the skyline¹.

3. The apartment units

• The apartment units in Melbourne Square range from one-bedroom to three-bedroom configurations, with sizes from 50 sqm to 269 sqm¹.
• The units have open-plan living and dining areas, balconies, built-in wardrobes, ensuites, and euro laundries.
• The units also have modern kitchens with stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances, and dishwashers.
• The units have split-system heating and cooling, double glazing, and roller blinds for comfort and convenience.

4. Amenities and facilities

• Melbourne Square offers a range of amenities and facilities for its residents, such as:
  • A 24-hour concierge service, which provides security, assistance, and convenience¹.
  • A heated indoor lap pool, a spa, and a sauna, which are located on the ground floor and are accessible to all residents¹.
  • A fully equipped gymnasium, which is located on the first floor and is available for all residents¹.
  • A secure car park, which is located on the basement levels and has one space allocated for each unit (not stacker parking)¹.
  • A bicycle storage area, which is located on the basement levels and has space for up to 50 bikes¹.

5. The surrounding area

• Melbourne Square is situated in the vibrant and cosmopolitan neighbourhood of Southbank, which is one of Melbourne’s most popular residential and cultural precincts¹.
• The surrounding area offers a variety of facilities and amenities for residents, such as:
  • Supermarkets, such as Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, and IGA, which are within walking distance or a short drive from the building².
  • Shopping centres, such as Southgate, South Wharf DFO, Melbourne Central, Emporium, and Bourke Street Mall, which are within easy reach by public transport or car from the building².
  • Dining options, such as cafes, restaurants, bars, pubs, and clubs, which cater to different cuisines, tastes, and budgets in the nearby streets or along the Yarra River².
  • Parks and gardens, such as Albert Park Lake, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kings Domain, Flagstaff Gardens, and Treasury Gardens, which offer green spaces, recreational facilities, and scenic views in the vicinity of the building².

6. Reviews and ratings

• Melbourne Square has received mostly positive reviews and ratings from its residents and visitors, who have praised its location, views, amenities, design, and management.
• Some of the common compliments given by reviewers are:
  • “Excellent location close to everything”
  • “Beautiful views of the city and the lake”
  • “Spacious and stylish apartments with quality fittings”
  • “Friendly and helpful concierge staff”
  • “Well-maintained and clean building”

7. Sustainability Features

• Melbourne Square has some sustainability features that aim to reduce its environmental impact and enhance its energy efficiency, such as:
  • A double glazing system, which reduces heat loss and gain through the windows, improving the thermal comfort and performance of the units¹.
  • A split-system heating and cooling system, which allows residents to control the temperature of their units individually, reducing energy wastage and costs¹.
  • A waste management system, which includes separate bins for general waste, recycling, and green waste, as well as a chute system that allows residents to dispose of their rubbish conveniently and hygienically¹.
  • A water-efficient landscaping, which uses drought-tolerant plants and mulch to reduce water usage and evaporation in the garden areas around the building¹.

8. Transport Accessibility

• Melbourne Square is highly accessible by both public and private transportation, as it is located close to major roads, bridges, freeways, and public transport hubs, such as:
  • Kavanagh Street, which is a main arterial road that connects Southbank to the CBD and other suburbs².
  • West Gate Freeway, which is a major freeway that links Southbank to the western suburbs, the airport, and regional Victoria².
  • Kings Way, which is a major road that connects Southbank to the southern suburbs, the bay, and the Mornington Peninsula².
  • Queens Bridge, which is a historic bridge that crosses the Yarra River and connects Southbank to the CBD and Docklands².
  • Flinders Street Station, which is a major railway station that serves the CBD and the metropolitan network².
  • Southern Cross Station, which is a major railway station that serves the CBD and the regional network².
  • Tram routes 1, 12, 58, 96, and 109, which run along Park Street, Clarendon Street, Kings Way, Spencer Street, and Collins Street respectively, and provide access to various destinations in the CBD and beyond².
  • Bus routes 216, 219, 220, 234, 236, 605, and 606, which run along Park Street, Kings Way, Queens Bridge Street, Flinders Street, and Kavanagh Street respectively, and provide access to various destinations in the inner and outer suburbs².

9. Resident Demographics

• The typical demographic of residents in Melbourne Square is young professionals, who are attracted by the location, lifestyle, and convenience of living in Southbank.
• According to the 2016 Census data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the median age of residents in Melbourne Square was 30 years, compared to 35 years for Melbourne overall.
• The majority of residents in Melbourne Square were born overseas (64%), with the most common countries of birth being China (14%), India (8%), Malaysia (5%), Indonesia (4%), and England (4%).
• The most common languages spoken at home by residents in Melbourne Square were English (57%), Mandarin (11%), Cantonese (4%), Indonesian (3%), and Hindi (3%).
• The most common occupations of residents in Melbourne Square were professionals (38%), managers (15%), clerical and administrative workers (13%), community and personal service workers (10%), and sales workers (8%).
• The most common industries of employment of residents in Melbourne Square were professional scientific and technical services (14%), accommodation and food services (12%), financial and insurance services (10%), health care and social assistance (9%), and education and training (8%).