When deciding that inner-city living is for you, two things are usually compromised: privacy and the feeling of abundant space. This riverside apartment in South Yarra, now crowned 2026 HIA Australian Apartment of the Year, dramatically throws this myth out the window. It’s both serene and expansive.

The delivery of this outcome was far from straightforward, Alex Godler, Director of AG Construct, explains. Commencing immediately following Melbourne’s COVID-19 lockdowns, the project was impacted by widespread material shortages and labour constraints, placing sustained pressure on program and procurement.

Basement works coincided with one of Melbourne’s wettest Octobers on record, with saturated ground conditions making excavation demanding. The removal of spoil proved equally difficult, with tip closures and strong demand from major infrastructure projects significantly limiting truck availability at a critical stage of the build.

Beneath the surface, the complexity continued. Rock foundations, a steep site gradient and a high-water table required engineering solutions, including a specialised dry basement system to ensure long term durability and protection.

The resulting apartment has three carpeted bedrooms with ensuites and deliberately oversized walk-in robes. Two private terraces extend the living spaces, offering generous areas for entertaining.

A defining feature of the home is the sculptural fireplace, positioned as the centrepiece of the main living area. The three-sided gas fireplace sits on a curved stone hearth and is framed by floating curved timber joinery above, creating a cohesive architectural element that can be experienced from multiple vantage points.

The sense of calm is reinforced through the careful integration of services and storage, allowing the primary spaces to remain visually clean and uninterrupted. Natural light is drawn deep into the apartment through curved glazing that captures leafy views across the Yarra River, complemented by strategically placed skylights.

The apartment is finished in a refined palette that draws from its natural surroundings, with earthy stone, dark bronze metalwork, and light European oak flooring and joinery paired with satin nickel fixtures. A bespoke bronze pearl satin powdercoat applied to the metalwork provides a distinctive layer of detail throughout.

The HIA judges noted the consistent meticulous detail and disciplined workmanship throughout. The whole apartment has a sophisticated and enduring aesthetic, while maintaining a warm, welcoming feeling.

The passion Alex has for this build is clear in its execution. ‘Our approach was to deliver a highly resolved and finely detailed outcome that fully realised the architectural brief and responded to the expectations of its setting,’ he says.

‘It was a collaborative effort, and I’d like to acknowledge the commitment of our subcontractors and the AG Construct team, who worked tirelessly through challenging conditions with a shared determination to deliver the project to the highest standard.’

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Materials

• Exterior finish: Silver Travertine from Signorino
• Exterior paint: Dulux in Grand Piano, Domino, Rammed Earth
• Interior floor tiles: Backstage Graphite in 600x1200mm from Classic Ceramics
• Timber flooring: European oak in Oslo from Tongue & Groove
• Carpets: Elmview NZ wool in Neptune from Victoria Carpets
• Stone: New Savior honed limestone from CDK Neolith.