Construction Starting at Luxury Apartment Project on Channel 10 Site

Construction is just about to start at a striking new apartment project in Forest Hill, in Melbourne’s east.

MAX Apartments is the latest instalment in the Forest Ridge development, a new neighbourhood offering the best of leafy east Melbourne lifestyle.  

Anne Flaherty, economist at realestate.com.au, says this pocket of the city has an abundance of local schools, universities and parklands, which makes it a great fit for families. Plus, its surrounding nature is matched by its wealth of local amenities.

“One of advantages of this particular area is how connected it is,” Flaherty says. “There’s lots of retail amenity — it has everything you need. But at the same time, it’s not very far from the Dandenong Ranges and has easy connectivity to the CBD.”

Home buyers have increasingly been seeing the attraction of the Forest Hill lifestyle, with the median house price in the area up 12.4% over the year to September ’22, according to PropTrack.

Flaherty notes Forest Hill holds long-term growth potential, with several employment hubs in the nearby area.

“Box Hill is just around the corner, which has become a real centre for industry and offices,” she says.

There’s also a large hospital and educational institutions — like Burwood and Deakin University — making it an attractive prospect for local workers looking for accommodation, Flaherty adds.

From an owner-occupier’s perspective, for first-home buyers this apartment complex is an opportunity,” Flaherty explains, adding it could also attract investors.  

“There is a range of different property sizes available. There should be good strong tenant demand in this area because there is so much employment nearby.”

Green oasis

Bonnie Formosa, sales and marketing manager for Forest Ridge, says that despite adjacent suburbs becoming increasingly busy, Forest Hill has retained its more relaxed and serene community atmosphere.

“Forest Hill is somewhere people want to live because it doesn’t have the congestion, yet they’re two minutes in the car from good restaurants on the fringes of the suburb,” she adds.

Forest Ridge features native landscaping, cascading vegetation and tranquil pedestrian links, set in mature, tree-lined streets. Parklands, walking trails and sporting facilities sit alongside the residences.

Renowned landscape architect Jack Merlo has designed impeccable, sophisticated outdoor spaces. Two large ground-floor courtyards offer a private sanctuary, with pergola and furnishings. Plus, residents have access to a communal terrace with sweeping views.

“The terrace is glorious,” Formosa explains. “Barbeque facilities, an indoor-outdoor room, kitchen and massive dining table, a residents’ lounge, wall-mounted TV, and fire pit – it will be stunning.”

A local’s delight

Many of the apartments at Forest Ridge have sold to people who’ve previously bought at the development but are now looking to downsize in style locally.

Ann Thorpe says she was attracted to the quiet, comfortable area within easy reach of everything she needs.

“I have purchased my current home in Forest Ridge,” Thorpe says.

“The area is a very quiet and comfortable place to live. Everything is in reach of Forest Ridge MAX apartments. It’s close to many facilities and a nice leafy, quiet suburb.”

Thorpe adds that she was particularly impressed by the size of the floorplans, as well as the quality of the luxury apartments stylings.

“We were impressed by the modern interior design as well as the large apartment sizes,” she says.

Luxury, without the price tag

MAX is all about proportion and detail. SJB Architects and Interior Design have created wide open spaces in a building that is curvaceous and robust.

“These apartments are of a quality buyers expect from prestige property areas, like Brighton and Toorak,” Formosa says.

“It’s not your average interior or exterior design — everything is luscious.”

With generous, open-plan living, functional sunbathed kitchens, and master bedrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows connecting to private balconies, there’s an abundance of space.

Tranquil bathrooms boast luxurious freestanding baths and high-end tapware, tiling, sinks and cabinetry.

The leading-edge contemporary design features Miele appliances, timber floorboards and ducted air-conditioning for year-round comfort.  

“Softened edges through curved balconies, internal walls, island benches and bathroom cabinetry create a sense of warmth and welcome,” Formosa adds.

Formosa says MAX offer the best of east Melbourne living — luxury, spacious living with a tranquil surrounding.

“It’s impressive, spacious, sophisticated and interesting – the area has never seen anything like it,” Formosa says.

“Everyone who visits is blown away — it’s two or three tiers above anything else that you would see around here.”

Pictures are courtesy of Forest Ridge.