Living Like La Vida Local

The Age

Saturday November 10, 2007

Katherine Townsend

Vida is a new entry point to Richmond, says Katherine Townsend.

WITH Richmond's median house price rising almost 30 per cent in the past year and the average house costing $650,000, there is clearly demand for new apartments for buyers keen on the area, but looking for a more affordable option.

The Vida development in Burnley Street will have 44 apartments in six different sizes and is clearly aimed at those keen on living "la vida loca" in this popular suburb.

The development is on a site once occupied by a period homes junkyard and it has several original Victorian homes fronting Burnley Street, with a large area of vacant land behind.

The Victorian cottages will be demolished and three-storey townhouses, with matching replica facades, will be built in their place with much the same setback from the street as the street's other housing.

The townhouses have been designed with an office and one bedroom on the ground floor, an innovation that would suit people working from home in this mixed-use area. Living areas are on the middle floor and the main bedroom at the top. At 137 square metres, these townhouses are the largest accommodation in the development and also have verandas and small gardens, in keeping with their period neighbours in Burnley Street. Two of these townhouses remain for sale.

The other apartments come in floor plans ranging from one-bedroom plus study up to three bedrooms, although 27 of the 44 apartments are in a standard two-bedroom layout.

Most of the apartments open from a pedestrian walkway and are grouped around a central internal garden and walkway. The ground floor apartments have large courtyards and the upper-floor apartments have balconies. All of the apartments have underground car parking and intercom security.

Vida's exterior will be an interesting mix of timber panelling and copper-coloured highlights. The interiors, designed by Brownstone, have timber cabinets, stone benchtops and stainless steel appliances. Bathrooms have "floating" vanity units, porcelain floor tiles and a mosaic feature.

Castran Gilbert marketing agent Cynthia O'Gorman says just over half the apartments have already sold to a mix of owner-occupiers and investors. Vida is within walking distance of everything from the local golf course to the area's many shops and restaurants.

Prices for one-bedroom apartments begin at $393,900 and two-bedroom apartments begin at $434,300. The townhouses are up to $750,000.

An onsite display suite is open weekends from noon to 2pm and construction will begin soon.

The details

Address: 203 Burnley Street, Richmond

Price: From $393,900

Agent: Private sale through Castran Gilbert, 9827 1177

Melway: 2H E7

Lots of front

Riverfront blocks in Hawthorn or Alphington can cost a fortune for a pocket of land, but at Oaklands Junction, near Greenvale, you can buy more than 40 hectares with panoramic views for just over $1 million - all within 30 minutes of the city.

The north-west of Melbourne is relatively undeveloped, which is how three lots of land fronting Deep Creek, the upper reaches of the Maribyrnong River, manage to be so close to the city but still be surrounded by farms.

Riverlea, between Sunbury and Craigieburn, is equestrian country and is zoned Green Wedge by the City of Hume. Three lots of 44, 46 and 60 hectares are for sale. Lot 3 at $950,000 plus, Lot 4 at $1.2 million plus and Lot 5 at $1,150,000 plus. As a whole, the property is for sale at $3.2 million plus.

-- KATHERINE TOWNSEND

Address: Lots 3,4 and 4 Konagaderra Road, Oaklands Junction

Price: $950,000-plus

Agent: Private sale through Elders, Melbourne, 9609 6222

Melway: 365 B9

© 2007 The Age

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