The onsite amenity keeping residents entertained at Riverbank, Abbotsford apartments
While the rolling lockdowns were keeping Melburnian's at home, it was a requirement that all amenity inside apartment developments be treated in the same way as the rest of the hard-hit commercial industry.
But that's now a thing of the past, and apartment dwellers are once again taking advantage of the shared, communal spaces.
None more so than those at Riverbank, the newly completed development in Abbotsford by Salta Properties.
Set on the banks of the Yarra River, Riverbank is a collection of one and two-bedroom apartments, with interiors by Carr Design Group.
The sustainable 6+ energy rated building features a number of amenities, including a swimming pool and gym, cinema, an extensive lounge space, kids playroom, bike workshop and even a vaunted golf simulation room. There's also two EV car charging stations for resident use.
Upon entering Riverbank, residents will be captivated by the earthy transitional and communal spaces that connect with the riverfront setting.
Architects SJB created a generous public realm around Riverbank, incorporating plazas, active retail frontages, and pedestrian/bicycle paths.
Unrivalled building amenity has been provided to ensure occupants will be able to create a sense of lifestyle and community within Riverbank.
Clean and simple in design, the ‘Splash’ swimming pool was purposefully designed to overlook the Yarra River below, while keeping residents privacy with an abundance of tree canopies.
One of the most impressive inclusions on the extensive amenity list is The Clubhouse, the residents' lounge featuring plush velvets and wood panelling. A dark veneer formed bookcase wall creates a spine to the lounge area, sitting as not only a feature in the room but also doubling as a library.
Another feature of Riverbank is the ‘Movie House’ cinema, where residents will be able to experience VIP treatment with the in-house private screen.
Situated overlooking the Yarra River, the gym and sauna will almost make you feel like you’re exercising outside, without leaving the comfort of your own home, fitted out with the best in exercise and fitness equipment.
The children’s play and creative area features work benches, colouring areas, and arts and crafts, all in the safety confines of the precinct.
‘Spokes’ bike workshop is available for cycling enthusiasts to fine tune, store and maintain their favourite two-wheeled accessory, while golfers can head to ‘The Swing’ golf simulation room to fine-tune their skills before hitting the fairway.
Comprising 530 apartments in two buildings adjacent to the Yarra River in Abbotsford, The Park House is the final piece in the wider Yarra Gardens Precinct. Embracing its enviable position and river bank frontage, the building is elevated on piloti's, which gives residents views through the site of the unique natural landscape along the river.
Just three kilometres from the CBD, the tower forms have been arranged and sculpted to allow views to the river from the majority of the apartments, unlocking the parcel of land formerly occupied by the Melbourne Fire Brigade.
When we spoke to SJB earlier, they noted the importance of north-facing frontage to the Yarra River.
“These differing conditions resulted in building forms that have been shaped to respond to their location on the site and precinct planning that ensures a high quality public realm with enhanced amenity and connection to the Yarra River,” they said.
These shared spaces open up to the surrounding landscape, with internal lounges spilling out onto alfresco terraces, leading down to the river, encapsulating a sense of space and connection to nature.