Sky high terrace living in the heart of Melbourne’s Alphington
A sky-high soak in the spa, a BBQ with the footy, or a spot of golf are all at your fingertips at the Roses apartment in Melbourne’s inner-city.
Few can lay claim to having a whole floor dedicated to entertaining. But the Roses can.
Melbourne couple Megan and Gary are known for the party pad on the top floor of a new luxury tower in the northern suburb of Alphington, 7km from the city.
“We’ve had some wonderful celebrations upstairs,” Megan said. “Last year, Christmas was wonderful and New Year was unbelievable. It was a stunning night with a view of the fireworks.”
Their friends and family gather on the terrace directly above their three-bedroom apartment.
They love that there are distinct zones.
While some enjoy themselves around the outdoor kitchen and BBQ under the pergola, others can lounge and watch the footy on the outdoor widescreens or soak in the six-person spa.
If you can’t make it to the nearby golf course, you could even have a putt on the three-hole green.
It’s not just friends who get to enjoy it, either.
“Other neighbours were having a party on the adjoining communal rooftop and, of course, it wasn’t long before they joined us,” Megan said.
“That was good fun.”
Megan’s interest in the property was initially piqued when one of her close friends was selling the family home and picked up a brochure for the riverside YarraBend masterplan development.
“She showed me this stunning brochure and the plans for this apartment, which had the huge rooftop,” Megan said.
“I said, ‘Oh, you don’t need all that.’ Of course, at this stage, I didn’t want her to leave and I wanted to talk her out of the whole plan.”
Megan ended up taking the brochure home to Gary.
In truth, they were getting sick of maintaining the gardens and pool of the family home and were already thinking of downsizing, but weren’t ready to give up the space.
“It had a wonderful plan with three bedrooms and central living area,” Megan said. “So, we had a look, and then all of a sudden, we were making appointments.”
They ended up making the 400sqm penthouse theirs, converting one of the rooms into Megan’s home office.
One of the beauties of building off the plan is the ability to make the apartment your own.
The couple made no fewer than 167 requests for changes to the original design, including fluted glass cabinetry; a Billi tap for on-demand cold, sparking and boiling water; a gas fireplace shipped from the US; and the spa, which had to be craned into place on top of the building.
“Everyone was really patient and happy to work through everything … and we came up with a great product in the end,” Megan said.
As much as they love their home, they have decided to build again in Ivanhoe.
The penthouse at 307/37 Mills Boulevard, Alphington, is listed with The Agency’s Malinda Martin with a price guide of $2.35m to $2.58m.
But even when the Roses do leave the YarraBend development, they won’t be far away.
“We’ve still got good friends here,” Megan said.
“After Kaz and myself signed up off the plan, another girlfriend, Lisa, who was selling in East Ivanhoe, bought one too. So, we’ve got very close friends.”
The property will soon be surrounded by new cafes, a coffee bar, and restaurants, including a fine dining restaurant by chef Adam D’Sylva.
Residents will, in the future, be able to access a private business and entertainment hub and state-of-the-art health and wellness centre, with a shopping centre and medical precinct also planned.
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