An off-the-plan sale of a designer penthouse apartment in a boutique complex has smashed a Melbourne suburb’s price record by millions of dollars.

Property developer Kervale has secured a contract for the top floor stunner in its ESSENCE project in Brighton for a staggering $10.2 million.

That equates to about $22,000 per square metre for the four-bedroom property, which was snapped up by a buyer from nearby Hawthorn.

The sale eclipses the previous Brighton apartment price record of $8.2 million set back in 2019.

And it breaks the current price-per-square-metre record of $19,000, achieved with the sale of a five-bedroom house in 2021.

The unnamed buyer said they had been searching for a new home in the inner-city market for a while before coming across the development.

“The four-bedroom penthouse is the jewel in the crown,” Kervale sales director Michael Ryan said.

“It has all the elements often reserved for an expansive house and truly is the epitome of luxury living in Brighton.”

ESSENCE comprises two buildings with 11 residences in each, blending contemporary design with refined elegance, Mr Ryan said.

“The local buyer had been searching for a long time to find an expansive home with city views that was really special,” he said.

“The penthouse offered just that – four bedrooms, two studies, an eight-car garage, a spiral staircase to a private rooftop complete with a pool, and all the amenities reserved exclusively for residents.”

The buyer will now work with Bruce Henderson Architects to add bespoke, personal touches to their new home.

Whatever luxuries they add will be complemented by the complex’s array of resident amenities, which include a wine cellar, communal lounge, yoga studio, golf club lockers, pet grooming spaces, and electric vehicle charging points.

Graham Morrison, general manager of Bruce Henderson Architects, said the facilities were on par with a six-star hotel.

“The idea behind the design was to be able to provide people with large homes to be able to downsize but still have the facilities they’re used to,” Mr Morrison said.

“In some cases, they haven’t experienced this level of comfort before.”

ESSENCE is currently under construction and is due for completion in early 2023.

“The idea behind the design was to be able to provide people with large homes to be able to downsize but still have the facilities they’re used to,” Mr Morrison said. 

Kervale launch luxury Brighton apartment development ESSENCE

Kervale launch luxury Brighton apartment development ESSENCE

Wed 3rd Aug