The rise and rise of Golden Age
Keen observers would have noted the increased media attention surrounding Melbourne-based property developer Golden Age in the lead up to the official launch of their most notable project, the gleaming Victoria One on Elizabeth Street. An informative piece on company head Jeff Xu was published last week in the Financial Review, outlining the rise and rise of both man and company as Golden Age continues to assert itself upon the Melbourne property scene.
From their first modest development of some three levels in Box Hill completed three short years ago, Golden Age have since delivered the 32 level mixed-use 27 Little Collins Street and have witnessed their most recent project, the 20 level Emerald apartment development, reach structural completion in recent weeks.
At the Victoria One launch evening last week, the affable Jeff Xu announced that the soaring tower had financing in place after reaching 60% sales and that a preferred builder had been chosen. Probuild has the task of delivering the 75 level, 241 metre tower from late 2014 , marking the firm's tallest build to date.
Victoria One at a glance
- $350 million dollar project
- 115 one bedroom apartments, 482 two bedroom and 32 three bedroom apartments split across a 75 level tower
- Podium apartments feature featuring in-built planting boxes overflowing with greenery
- Apartment sizes range from 41sqm to 91sqm
- One bedroom apartments from $370,000 up to minimum 890,000 fro a three bedroom apartment
- Completion due 2017
A technical overview of the project can be seen in an associated planning assessment article.
Ins and Outs
Leading global colour systems firm Pantone in choosing emerald green as their colour of the year provided the following description: "Lively. Radiant. Lush… A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony." The same could be said for Victoria One's facade as project architect Elenberg Fraser have designed a unique tower which will change consistently as light and shade and traverse the facade.
This is of course due to the prominent silver-white metallic fins cascading down this façade, thus "Creating curves and peeling away at the corner of Elizabeth and Franklin Streets."
A benefit of the curtain facade sees all apartments feature floor to ceiling windows, allowing for excellent natural light penetration. Wintergardens are included, featuring operable windows and built-in breakfast bars which is a bonus not generally included within contemporary designs. Customised lighting, wallpaper, hardware and bathroom accessories are available, while the dual available colour schemes coupled with timber flooring throughout add an earthy feel to internals. This earthy feel in turn flows into the communal areas.
Victoria One will include a pool, spa, gym and indoor/outdoor entertaining area over level nine. Featuring landscaping and barbecue areas, the podium-top facility is designed to reflect the beaches and rockpools of the coast. Elsewhere the residents facility on level 40 provides two resident lounges, double dining rooms and poker play facilities for private events.
As has become common over Melbourne's taller residential towers of late, an entire floor at a lofty height has been seeded to a communal residents-only retreat. Level 66 is home to the exclusive One Club, a lounge area consuming the entire floor and inspired by the beauty of the Yarra Valley according to Golden Age.
A golden year indeed
The new year will herald the arrival of Golden Age's latest development, a preliminary render of which is seen below. According to Business Day, 450 St Kilda Road was purchased during April, and has since seen Golden Age act briskly to facilitate a Bates Smart-designed tower of 19 levels.
227 luxury apartments are slated for the project that will have an approximate market value of $180 million. The not yet submitted for planning approval scheme sees a streamlined residential building curving mildly away fom the abutting historic Airlie Mansion.
The location and ever increasing prowess of Golden Age should ensure the immediate success of 450 St Kilda Road upon release.
