My Melbourne Real Estate

Things are looking up – ask Plus Architecture’s Craig Yelland. The architect and director believes the great Australian dream of owning a house is fast being replaced by apartment living. “I don’t understand why anyone would want to live in a house,” Craig says. “Suburban commuting is getting worse because of traffic and the backyard is unkempt because you need a double income to support a mortgage – houses have just lost their appeal.” Instead, buyers are starting to realise they can achieve the same lifestyle by buying an apartment. “By taking on less space you can cut your carbon footprint dramatically, lower utility bills, reduce clutter and say goodbye to car ownership,” he says. “And many new apartment blocks boast beautiful pools, tennis courts, libraries, special occasion diningrooms, theatre rooms and even their own bars.” Don’t forget stepping outside to amenities on your doorstep, including markets, public parks, pools and sporting venues. Craig practises what he preaches, too. He lives in an apartment in Port Melbourne, with his wife, Megan, two children and their dog. A move home from London reinforced their love to be close to the action, and they decided – even when children followed – they could still have it all in an apartment. “The world’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities belong to apartment dwellers. And to compete and thrive, modern Australian cities such as Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney must follow suit,” he says. Apartment life is also cheaper. An example is the design of Plus Architecture’s Society building in South Yarra. It was the first development to receive funding for floor plans starting at 38sq m, with prices to match. “Society sold out within three months,” Craig says. The smaller floor plans don’t mean closer neighbours either, with many of the newer residential towers now featuring cutting-edge acoustics technology, plenty of natural light, privacy and user-friendly designs. Life certainly is looking up. [...]