Inside Toorak’s Amazing, Coral-Coloured Caringal Flats! 

This late-1940s apartment complex isn’t by the beach in Florida, or in Europe somewhere – it’s hidden away amongst the multimillion-dollar homes of Toorak.

Caringal Flats is an early modernist residential building designed by architect John William Rivett. The complex turns heads as one of Melbourne’s most notable apartment buildings, especially after being recently restored to its original coral colour scheme!

Inside, two young residents and architects – Ben Ellul of Ellul Architecture and Gretel Stent of Manna Architects – have each renovated their identical heritage flats, with two distinctly different outcomes. 

Read the full story here.

A Rare Look Inside Fitzroy’s Iconic 1930s Cairo Flats

One of the city’s best known and most admired early apartment complexes is the 1930s Cairo Flats. Designed almost 90 years ago by architect Acheson Best Overend as 36 ‘bachelor’ apartments (26 studios and 10 with a separate bedroom), this apartment complex is beloved among Melbourne’s architecture community as a prime exemplar of well-designed, medium-density, minimal housing in Australia.

We spent the day capturing the complex and two of its current residents; author Jennifer Down and creative director Anna Fullerton. 

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Life In Torbreck: Brisbane’s Landmark Modernist Apartment Building 

Around 1.3 million Australians live in an apartment, and yet it’s rare to hear of a building with a genuinely close knit community of residents. 

When we asked Torbreck apartment owners Mat Williams and Steph Cooper (whose home we featured individually in May) if they knew any neighbours we could also visit for a story, we were delighted to learn of several residents with a shared appreciation of their landmark 1958-1960 building. ‘You’ll be spoilt for choice,’ Steph told us… They weren’t wrong!

We spent the day touring the significant mid-century building, including three apartments respectively owned by a group of friends known as the ‘Torbreck lovers.’ Each of the apartments has been sympathetically renovated over time, without detracting from the original vision of Torbreck architects Aubrey Job and Robert Froud.

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Inside South Yarra’s Magical 1930s Beverley Hills Apartments

We’ve long been fascinated by this Spanish Mission-style walkup in South Yarra, with its ornate balustrades, leadlight windows, generous communal spaces, and tropical landscaping set around a central pool.

The architecture by Howard R Lawson showcases influences of Hollywood in its glamour and mystery, and Sydney’s early apartment buildings in its format and landscape, but is grounded in its specific 1930s Melbourne context.

We joined three current Beverley Hills residents Heather Nette King, Leigh Ellwood, and Bailey Jones, for a tour of their homes and the complex’s magical grounds. 

Read the full story here.

A Very ‘Melbourne’ Warehouse Renovation In Fitzroy’s Former Chocolate Factory

The former MacRobertson’s confectionery factory comprises some of Fitzroy’s most prominent historical residential architecture. The complex stems back to the 1880s, eventually occupying multiple buildings in the area, most of which are still standing today as converted warehouse apartments.

Lauren Bruce and Hannah McNeill bought one of these apartments in 2020 with hopes of renovating down the track, only a flood fast tracked their plans! In repairing the damage, they were able to open up the ground floor of the apartment for improved flow and natural light, while introducing warm materials that offset the industrial features of the building.

The result is full of colour and character — a perfect reflection of the couple and their dog Rosie!

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Josh & Matt’s TikTok Famous Melbourne Apartment

Josh Jessup and Matt Moss aka @joshandmattdesign move quickly. Since we first featured the TikTok-famous couple’s Melbourne home mid last year, they’ve moved into a larger apartment in the Eureka Tower, which we were lucky enough to capture before their biggest move yet (more on that below!)

With their wacky thrifted finds, statement vintage furniture pieces, and seemingly endless Facebook Marketplace discoveries, it’s not hard to see why Josh and Matt’s place is one of the most talked about on the internet. Every inch of their property features something new to be discovered, from a floor lamp made from a real tree, to a giant paintbrush, and their own art creations!

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Influencer Maxine Wylde’s Playful Melbourne Apartment

So much has changed in the life of Melbourne content creator and influencer Maxine Wylde over the past three years. Since starting her fashion and style Instagram account in 2019, the 26-year-old has amassed 373,000 followers, with another 153,000 on TikTok, and she’s also bought her first home!

Maxine has spent countless hours sourcing distinctive furniture and decor for her new apartment, including many pieces made by up-and-coming local makers. Her colourful wardrobe is also proudly on display, serving as its own interior feature!

Read the full story here.

This Sunny, Yellow Building Is One Of Melbourne’s Most Revolutionary Apartments

If you’re a local to Melbourne’s north, you’ve probably spotted the bright, yellow features of the ParkLife apartments in Brunswick.

But the intrigue behind the Austin Maynard Architects-designed and developed building goes beyond its beautiful design. The complex is one of the recently completed buildings built under the Nightingale Housing model – a non-for-profit housing provider creating residential buildings under a model that prioritises sustainability, affordability, and community.

ParkLife is also one of Australia’s most sustainable apartment buildings, complete with shared vegetable gardens and an open-air rooftop that helps bring the community together. All the residents had to enter a ballot just to be offered the chance to buy their apartment – which is part of what makes living there so special.

Read the full story here. 

An Art Director’s Effortless Apartment In A Former Spinning Mill

After initially being overwhelmed with the size of her former warehouse-turned apartment space, Marsha Golemac quickly came to the realisation that less is indeed more. Allowing the features of the apartment (enormous bay windows, textured walls and an abundance of natural light) to do most of the work, custom furniture and objects collected over the years simply add the final flourish!

Marsha’s light-filled abode is a lesson in how to fill a large space – or rather, how not to.

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How This First-Time Renovator Transformed Her Pint-Sized Melbourne Apartment

This 1970s Alphington, Melbourne apartment had great bones just brimming with potential… all it needed was a new owner to bring the space to life. 

That owner was academic Laura Schuijers — a first-time renovator who designed and project managed the apartment’s recent transformation, creating an enviable home with custom-made plywood cabinetry, a hand-built bath, and clever storage solutions.

Laura really thought of EVERYTHING in her apartment renovation, from a tailored lighting scheme down to hidden space to store her rock climbing gear (!) in the 34 square metre home. 

Read the full story here.