Bringing luxury home: the joy of hotel-style living

Imagine a life where every day feels like a five-star getaway. Globally, prestigious developments such as London’s Ritz-Carlton Residences and Dubai’s Bulgari Residences offer top-tier amenities such as private chefs, luxury spas and gourmet dining at home. 

Now Melbourne’s St Kilda Road will have its own world-class offering with the construction of The Carter Building residences by Orchard Piper due to begin in mid-2025.

Together with partner, The Carter Group, the property developer is aiming to provide a best-in-class collection of 54 residences on the upper levels of an integrated, five-star, 107-key hotel, in an area experiencing renewed interest as a thriving cultural, sporting and botanical destination.

The two to four-bedroom apartments, including two expansive penthouses – up to 450 square metres with panoramic views of the CBD, gardens and over Albert Park Lake to the Bay – have been designed by internationally acclaimed Kerry Hill Architects. They feature outdoor terraces, some with fireplaces and pools. The firm is renowned for its work for the luxurious Aman Hotels, having designed nine resorts in total, including those in Shanghai, Kyoto and New Delhi.

Convenient access to a luxury lifestyle

“Hotel-style living is about bringing the ambience and exceptional service people experience when they travel, back home,” says Orchard Piper director Luke McKie. “It is a lifestyle of complete convenience.”

At The Carter Building, residents can expect a suite of hotel services. Need tickets to a show or dinner reservations? A dedicated concierge service to take care of all requests. Want to brush up on your golf game? A golf simulator with international PGA courses will be available exclusively to residents.

“It’s effortless living, from returning home and being able to drop your car keys with the valet, have your luggage delivered, and arrive at a meticulously cleaned apartment, to having a dinner party privately catered for by a five-star culinary team,” says McKie.

A 500-square-metre, state-of-the-art wellness centre featuring Technogym equipment, a 20-metre pool, a sauna and steam room and an on-site spa will allow residents to pursue their self-care routine.

Additional on-site services will include laundry, turn down, private car transfers, in-room catering and cleaning, a business centre, a ground-floor cafe and a signature mezzanine-level restaurant.

Art and culture on the doorstep

With a prime position on Melbourne’s famous, tree-lined boulevard, St Kilda Road, the development is moments from the CBD, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Botanic Gardens, Fawkner Park and the MCG. This location is expected to be a drawcard for buyers who crave culture and amenities close to home. 

“With world-class events – such as the Australian Grand Prix, Australian Open, Melbourne Cup and AFL finals – bringing guests to the hotel, residents will have access to the buzz of an international hotel while being able to retreat to their own, private space,” says McKie.

A design-led retreat 

McKie says the goal with the exterior was to ensure it reflected Melbourne’s character. This included embracing the city’s iconic bluestone used in the entryways and transitioning to timber flooring, high-end finishes and customised cabinetry.

Inside the residences, expansive kitchens with monolithic kitchen islands will open onto living areas with full-height windows that offer direct access to private outdoor spaces. The aesthetic is soft and streamlined, with custom wool-blend carpets, stone and oak flooring, marble benchtops, European appliances and beautifully crafted Brodware tapware among the interior features.

The central spine of the building will feature open green space – a continual orientation back to nature, says McKie, while, in the residences, floor-to-ceiling windows will provide panoramic views of St Kilda Road.

Keyless entry, custom-designed Italian Poliform wardrobes, 24-hour security and a pet-friendly policy, will complement the convenience of the luxury residences, with the $300-million mixed-used development expected to be completed by 2027.

The Carter Building

448 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004

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