Grande homes make for a grand life: 48 hours living on the doorstep of Canberra’s best

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It’s December 2025 and The Grande on London by Geocon has just welcomed its first residents to the master-planned development that melds a dress-circle location with luxury living. What’s it like to live the “Grande” lifestyle for 48 hours? Ray Sparvell went back to the future to find out.

Friday 4pm: I’ve finished work and come home to spend my very first weekend at The Grande on London. I enter my apartment and am immediately drawn to the sweeping balcony views of Lake Burley Griffin and Commonwealth Park. It will take a while to get used to that!

I feel like I’m in a very upscale hotel; there’s a distinct feel of luxury that comes through the refined colour palette, material selections and inspired choices of fixtures, fittings and finishes.

Geocon general manager of development Andrew Clark says the aesthetic has been carefully considered as an essential part of The Grande on London’s appeal.

“We have adopted choices in warm or cool colour schemes and looked for classic and durable material selections that convey a timeless elegance,” he says.

Friday 6pm: It’s time for a sundowner, and most options are within walking or scooter distance. I choose Bar Rochford in the iconic Melbourne Building for a cheeky cocktail or two.

Saturday 10am: Now to make the most of my favourite residents’ amenity. My morning swim in the rooftop pool offers panoramic views of the CBD, the lake and just about everything else.

Clark says the selection of amenities is based on local experience and broader research, adding: “The overarching objective is to provide residents with a home setting where many needs for, say, keeping fit or going for a swim are right there.”

Saturday 2pm: The view of the lake inspires me to retrieve my bike from the basement storage and I’m soon whizzing alongside Lake Burley Griffin.

Saturday 7pm: Dinner at Raku, which was an instant restaurant classic when it opened and has been a popular favourite ever since. My highlight is the 150-day grain-fed scotch fillet with wasabi sour cream and rhubarb salt.

Saturday 10pm: I consider staying out to head on to Molly for cocktails and then 88mph for some ’80s feel-good music. In the end I decide on a chilled night in The Grande’s private cinema.

Sunday 8am: I take my morning coffee on the balcony, before heading to The Grande’s fully equipped fitness room and yoga studio for a workout.

Sunday 12.30pm: It’s a lovely day so I decide to take the short walk into town to buy some essentials.

The Grande on London’s location is the most important ingredient in its success, says Geocon chief executive Damon Smith.

“It’s unrivalled with its access to the lake and to the city, and it provides for the ultimate in a walkable neighbourhood,” he says.

Sunday 3pm: Returning home, I wander through the lushly landscaped plaza area that connects The Grande’s three buildings.

It’s too inviting not to stroll across to the residents’ library to grab a book to enjoy in the green sanctuary as I soak up the sun.

Sunday 5pm: Not yet ready for the weekend to be over, I invite friends round and we head up to the stylish residents’ lounge to settle in and watch the sun set over the lake.

Smith says The Grande on London is about so much more than simply taking advantage of a smart address.

“We believe we are creating the setting for a new community to thrive,” he says, “and The Grande will certainly be playing a major role in further activating this edge of the city.”

More than 60 per cent of the apartments were sold as of August 2024. Find out more at thegrandecanberra.com.au

Disclaimer: The Grande (‘the Development’) Illustrations and images are the designer’s impressions only and are subject to change as required by the Developer and by law. No guarantee or warranty is given that the images herein will accurately depict what is constructed. Any view lines shown are indicative only as at the date of publication. Actual views from the Development may vary on completion from that shown and may be impacted by building design changes and current and future developments. Purchasers should rely on their own enquiries before entering into any contract for sale. See website for details. Licence no 18401809 V4 January 2024