Live above retail and dining at these community-centred apartment projects

When it comes to apartment living, buyers of all kinds of lifestyles prioritise differently, whether they are downsizers seeking high-end fixtures and fittings, young professionals requesting technological integration, or families looking for spacious floorplans.

Yet, no matter the lifestyle, most buyers place a premium on community and location connectivity.

Lee-Anne Kielar, Sales and Marketing Director of Brisbane-based developer Pradella Group, affirms this, saying, “Today’s home buyers are prioritising lifestyle, community, and amenity more than ever before, seeking not only a residence but also a wider community that enhances their overall wellbeing.”

Developers across the country realise this, curating their brand-new apartment developments with their own retail and dining offerings.

Let’s take a look at three of these community-minded addresses, located in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Canberra.

The Lanes - Wave Residences: West End, Brisbane

Situated within the $1.5 billion Montague Markets precinct in Brisbane’s inner-city suburb of West End, The Lanes is the precinct’s final chapter and crown jewel. Wave Residences, the project’s first release of luxury apartments, is now under construction.

Being in the Montague Markets precinct, it is evident that the concept of community is at the heart of The Lanes. With the completion of the precinct’s Tondara Lane, residents will be immersed in a vibrant neighbourhood brimming with retail and dining options.

These facilities include Cheeky Bean Espresso, Healthcare Hub, Revive Westend, the Montague Markets Pharmacy, Nails & Beauty, hairdressers, giftwares, medical facilities, BWS, a full-line Woolworths Supermarket, and restaurants such as Broken Heart Burger Club, Taste of China, Voglia Italian, and Wara Sushi.

Buyers have appreciated the Montague Markets precinct design, thoughtfully curated to serve current and future residents, locals, and the broader community by providing convenience and fostering connections.

“Today’s buyers are lifestyle-focused and have expressed that The Lanes’ retail and dining options will simplify their lives and reduce stress by offering convenience and enhancing their lifestyle,” said Lee-Anne Kielar, Sales and Marketing Director of The Lanes’ developer Pradella Group.

“Some have noted that these amenities will also provide opportunities to engage with other residents.

“Retired buyers appreciate the convenience of not having to drive everywhere, with everything they need at their fingertips.”

Construction of stage one of The Lanes Wave Residences is progressing well with completion anticipated for mid-2025. Two and three-bedroom apartments are still available, with two-bedders priced from $1.179m.

Melbourne Square: Southbank, Melbourne

Spanning an entire city block, Melbourne Square sits above an expansive 3,745 sqm of public park with native shrubs, trees, and a waterfall. In addition to this public realm, the development’s collection of retail amenities comprises a Pacific Asian Grocer, BWS bottle shop, Sama Sama Hometown Delights restaurant, 10 Hoff café, an 87-place Nido Childcare facility on the first floor, and Southbank’s first full-line supermarket, Woolworths.

“Extensive market research and analysis were undertaken, and with the data collected, we were able to determine the types of services that would meet the needs of our residents and the Southbank community,” revealed Andrew Hutchinson, Development Director at OSK Property Australia.

“With a shortage of full-line supermarkets, green spaces, and childcare facilities, Melbourne Square was designed to address this undersupply, with Stage One delivering two highly articulated residential towers and these vital amenities that had been missing.”

This mixed combination of residential, retail, and hospitality creates a vibrant and sustainable community, providing a cohesive and holistic atmosphere that affirms it as a destination of choice for residents, visitors, and businesses.

“Our restaurant and café downstairs are places where neighbours gather and friendship groups are formed,” Andrew said to A&D.

“The Owners Corporation Committee and building management team sometimes arrange to meet here too.

“Residents at Melbourne Square often speak of bumping into their friends in Woolworths, whether they live in nearby Southbank apartments or choose to come and shop here from the CBD.

“Melbourne Square is very much a place that draws people together.”

BLVD, Melbourne Square’s next tower, will offer a 130 sqm tenancy, envisaged to be another dining offering to complement what is already at Melbourne Square. As this master-planned precinct grows, more retail spaces will continue to incorporate a variety of different shopping and dining options in another 1,750 sqm of area, including allowance for a 600 sqm creative space, yet to be determined.

Construction for BLVD at Melbourne Square is estimated to begin in Q3 of 2024. One-, two-, and three-bedroom residences are now selling, with one-beds priced from $541,000.

G+: Giralang, Canberra

In Canberra’s northside suburb of Giralang, a brand-new apartment complex of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments is taking shape. Construction is progressing well on G+, where various commercial tenancies will ground the residences.

Poised to profoundly enhance the lifestyle experience for both the community and residents, G+’s retail and dining offering represents a pivotal transformation akin to restoring wheels to a car.

“The retail and dining offerings anchoring G+ Giralang encompass a confirmed IGA supermarket, complemented by a café,” said Kenneth Kong, Head of Marketing and Sales at TP Dynamics – developer of the project.

“Additionally, there are numerous prospective tenancies catering to various takeaway options and essential services.

“While specifics remain confidential until finalised, these offerings are poised to enrich the community experience within G+ Giralang.”

The team behind G+ envision these new spaces as integral contributors to community cohesion, fortifying the existing sense of unity in this Giralang area.

“These offerings will offer a focal point for residents to convene, fostering social connections and enriching community interactions within the facility’s welcoming environment,” Kenneth said to A&D.

“The presence of retail and dining options undoubtedly elevates G+’s overall value proposition, as it introduces convenient amenities directly within the development.”

What’s more, the team recognises that resident preferences and market trends continue to evolve. So, they remain open to adapting G+’s retail and dining offerings accordingly in the future, ensuring these amenities remain fresh and loved.

“Our approach emphasizes flexibility, achieved through a diverse range of tenancies and carefully curated offerings, supported by flexible lease terms that enable timely adjustments to meet the dynamic needs of our community and the broader market landscape,” affirmed Kenneth.

With construction well underway on site, you are invited to schedule physical inspections, whether for retail or residential purposes, to experience the development’s offerings first-hand. One-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments are still available at G+ Giralang, with one-bedrooms priced from $469,000.

To reside in a walkable neighbourhood, close to everyday amenities and lifestyle niceties, is a want that many buyers aim to check off their wish list. You can easily do so at any one of these addresses, where everything you could want and need is just an elevator ride away.

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