The great Aussie dream was for long a house on a quarter acre block but the trend towards supersized apartments is redefining what it means to live in luxurious space.
Demand for apartments with house proportions – all of the upside of a standalone dwelling, with none of the maintenance and a softer price tag for a desired suburb – is shaping and expanding floorplans.
In new builds, developers have taken note, adding large balconies and terraces to homes with compact internal footprints, bolting on the square meterage, or offering three-bedroom apartments that can take a family.
Buyers who like older architectural styles will find art deco pads and apartments carved out of large Federation mansions have the oomph and decoration they are after.
Here are some of the best substantial apartments for under $1 million listed by Domain.
The entire top floor of the 1970’s apartment block, opposite the St Kilda Botanical Gardens, has volume and character in spades.
Described as “house-sized accommodation”, the tone is set immediately by the broad entry foyer and a dining area – often not found in apartments – which connects the balcony, beside the living space.
It sold for $912,000.
The loft-style property has one bedroom, light and airy space. The pad is in the Mascot Central development, near to public transport, which has a swimming pool for residents and stands out for its double-height ceilings and a walled courtyard.
The main bedroom has glass overlooking a void, with the living zone below, and an enormous walk-in wardrobe.
From the king-sized bedroom to the study and a breakfast bar in the kitchen, the property in the Pavilion development comes with every extra attribute imaginable.
The apartment overlooks the garden beside the pool, which residents can enjoy, and covers 111 square metres internally.
The apartment, which sold for $801,000, is at an axis of Hawksburn and Toorak Villages, Chapel Street and Como Park, in a vibrant and attractive part of Melbourne.
Bi-fold doors peel back to the eight-metre long balcony, capturing tree-top views, cooling the living and dining area, with a brekkie bar in the kitchen.
The massive balcony is what makes this one-bedder bigger than average and with its $4000 Jordan Lucky mural on the living room wall, packs major design credentials.
The dark colour scheme is a unique stroke. Above is a rooftop terrace for residents that takes in views of the harbour.