Latest technology usage drawcard for boomers in BTR project
LONDON: Incorporation of the latest technology in a build-to-rent project is drawing a boomer crowd.
One of the Melbourne’s richest families has revealed plans to turn a city-fringe block vacant for 16 years into hi-tech homes in which you can “bake a cake from your iPhone”.
The 482 Drummond St, Carlton, property had been earmarked for a retirement village by former owner Australian Unity, but never progressed since 2008.
Developer Bensons Group, run by the high net worth Jreissati family, bought the property from the aged-care provider last year and this week released striking imagery (left) of its plans for a $183m 13-level apartment complex it will start in September.
Marshall White Projects director Leonard Teplin is handling sales for the Drummond House development, which will have a private cinema inside, another on the rooftop, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, plus a wellness centre with a sauna and salt therapy room.
The hi-tech building will purify air, using UV light to kill bacteria, and use Siemens appliances that “will let you bake a cake from your iPhone”.
Mr Teplin said the goal of the unusual features list was to show buyers something they hadn’t seen before and reconnect them with the market at a time when many were reluctant.
Three-bedroom apartments will start at $1.76m.
Mr Teplin said other projects without similar financial backing were likely to “sit there” longer term as they waited for home prices to catch up with increases to construction costs.
