The best brand new Melbourne apartments for sale along the Yarra River
The Yarra River stretches 242-kilometres through south-central Victoria, with the lower stretch of the Yarra where Melbourne was established in 1835.
To the original Wurundjeri people, the river was “birrarung", which translates to 'river of mists and shadows'.
It was only a generation ago that Melbourne’s Yarra River still carried the name ‘Main Drain No. 1’ on the city’s water and drainage maps.
From the days of the city’s settlement on the north bank of the river to a media-led public campaign in the 1980s with, “Clean up the Yarra". Now, whether it be for prestige houses or apartment developments, the Yarra is one of the city's most sought after spots due to its walking trails and how it connects residents to nature.
Four kilometres of prime CBD river frontage links Melbourne’s Convention Centre and World Trade Centre with Crown Casino, Federation Square, Arts Centre Melbourne, the Royal Botanic Gardens and a nuclei of world-class sporting venues. In between the major venues lie an ever-growing array of residences, restaurants, boutique shops, riverside bars, eateries, galleries and theatres.
With all the new residential developments cropping up on the banks of the icon, we’ve taken a look at some of the best apartments along the river.
Seafarers
Developer: Riverlee
The luxury mixed-use hotel and apartment development, Seafarers, will see the transformation of the heritage-listed Goods Shed No.5, on a waterfront site which sat dormant for more than 40 years.
Situated between the CBD and Docklands, Seafarers will comprise 120 luxury hotel-branded residences atop 277 guest rooms, as part of Australia’s first 1 Hotel & Homes.
Designed by Fender Katsalidis, the building takes on a bold sculptural form, with interiors designed by Carr design, taking cues from the ever-changing form of the Yarra River.
With the retention of Goods Shed No.5, Seafarers will also encompass Melbourne’s newest 3,500 sqm public park, Seafarers Rest, to provide open space to users, residents and visitors of the Northbank precinct.
Located on the final piece of Melbourne's original waterfront, Seafarers will integrate luxury residences and luxury hotel amenities, management and services. Everything from valet parking and concierge, to personal shopping and pantry stocking.
Riverbank
Developer: Salta Properities
Capturing the curves of the Yarra below, Riverbank is part of The Park House, the Victoria Road development by Salta Properties.
Designed by SJB Architects, in collaboration with Carr Design, Riverbank apartments take on the earthy palette of the river parkland, offering a choice of two colour schemes to residents.
Dwellings are designed with open-plan living, with a mix of one, two and three-bedrooms on offer.
Planning of apartments provide significant northerly outlook over the natural landscape of the river setting while common facilities are well located and generous.
Riverbank residents get direct access to the Capital City Bike Trail which runs alongside the Yarra River for almost 20 kilometres, connecting Richmond and Abbotsford to the CBD and through Yarra Bend Park to Kew and Collingwood.
Voyager
Developer: Mirvac
Mirvac’s Voyager residences land within the ASX-listed developer's master plan, Yarra’s Edge.
Developed on the north-facing bank of the Yarra River over the past 20 years, Yarra’s Edge is a well-established waterfront sanctuary positioned between the Fishermans Bend precinct and South Wharf.
Just 2.4-kilometres from the city centre, Voyager comprises one, two and three-bedroom apartments, as well as a handful of townhomes.
On the doorstep of Yarra’s Edge, Fishermans Bend is playing a vital role in Melbourne’s future evolution. The 480-hectare site, more than twice the size of Melbourne’s CBD, is Australia's largest renewal site and is anticipated to deliver significant new residential, commercial, transport and community facilities.
Living at Yarra’s Edge also means living close to a spacious new park. Montague Park is located 2.4-kilometres from Voyager and is more than double the size of Melbourne City Square, featuring lush lawns, walking paths and shady trees.
Walmer
Developer: Salta Properties
Already heavily active within the Victoria Street Precinct which straddles both Richmond and Abbotsford, Salta Properties have added 109 high-end apartments on the site which faces the Victoria Gardens complex.
Designed by Bates Smart, the building will present as a ‘U’ shaped structure with an adjoining mezzanine stair leading to the bank of the Yarra River.
Comprising 75 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, Salta Properties’ Walmer presents a riverfront residence that sits as a natural extension of its surrounds.
Landscapers, Taylor Cullity Lethlean, have designed dwellings to feature generous outdoor living spaces, along with native planting.
Each light-filled residence includes an open-plan kitchen, carved stone benches, curated Gaggenau and BORA appliances and integrated fittings.
Walmer also features a well-stocked library, business centre, communal wine cellar and on-call chef and concierge.