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Built in 2001, the Elm Tower in Melbourne outshines many of the city’s newer buildings — both with its design, and the warm community of residents who live inside the 100-apartment complex.
And on the top two floors of the 18-level building, there’s an impeccable three-bedroom penthouse that’s currently the family home of property specialist Melanie Wickham, her partner and two adult children.
With a career in real estate and development, Melanie knew the three-bedroom apartment was special from the moment she stepped inside.
‘While the apartment was in its original fit-out from the early 2000s, it was so well proportioned and generous in scale. And the north-facing terrace was just amazing,’ she adds.
‘Developments have the same interiors throughout [the building], which are beautiful, but often lack character. It was important to me to create a very personalised, unique space that had soul.’
They decided to gut the interiors to start from scratch, carving out new open-plan living spaces on the first floor.
The moody living room features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the skyline, complete with an impressive library wall, while a leafy balcony runs the length of the dining room.
Parquetry timber floorboards and Blanco Dorado marble set the tone for the elegant yet eclectic interiors. Pops of colour, textural tiles, and mid-century pieces add to the home’s lived-in luxury, enhanced only by the unmatched ‘vibrant location’.
‘We have a direct view down Hardware Lane,’ Melanie says. ‘We can stand at the living room windows and determine how long the queues are to make a calculated dash to Piccolina [for gelato].’
Upstairs, there’s also a study, two bedrooms and the main bedroom retreat that opens directly to a leafy rooftop terrace.
‘The living room is our nightly retreat that is so cozy, and of course [we love] the terrace. The layers of plantings here just feel like you are miles away from the bustle,’ she says.
Some of the city’s best cafes and restaurants are all within walking distance, including Tip00 and the family’s favourite ramen shop, Sara.
But with the kids moving out of home, Melanie says they’ve decided to downsize and put this slice of inner-city paradise on the market!
1801/318 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 is for sale with Simon Curtain from Abercrombys and will be sold via private auction on Friday August 8 — unless sold prior.
