Bella

1. The history of the building

• Bella is a residential apartment building located at 250 City Road, Southbank, Victoria, Australia¹.
• It was built in 2014 by Central Equity, a Melbourne-based property developer².
• The architect of the building was Squillace, a Melbourne-based architectural firm³.
• The building was one of the first in Melbourne to feature a smart lifestyle apartment concept, which offers spacious and stylish living spaces with quality fittings and appliances².

2. The design and architecture

• Bella is a contemporary, sophisticated apartment building with a curved glass facade and metallic blue exterior.
• The building has 33 floors and 228 apartment units.
• The building has a simple and symmetrical form that contrasts with the curved and organic shape of the facade.
• The building also has a large circular window on the top floor, which adds a touch of interest and lightness to the skyline.

3. The apartment units

• The apartment units in Bella range from one-bedroom to two-bedroom configurations, with sizes from 50 sqm to 80 sqm.
• The units have open-plan living and dining areas, balconies, built-in wardrobes, ensuites, and euro laundries.
• The units also have modern kitchens with stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances, and dishwashers.
• The units have split-system heating and cooling, double glazing, and roller blinds for comfort and convenience.

4. Amenities and facilities

• Bella offers a range of amenities and facilities for its residents, such as:
  • A 24-hour concierge service, which provides security, assistance, and convenience².
  • A heated indoor lap pool, a spa, and a sauna, which are located on the ground floor and are accessible to all residents².
  • A fully equipped gymnasium, which is located on the first floor and is available for all residents².
  • A secure car park, which is located on the basement levels and has one space allocated for each unit (not stacker parking)².
  • A bicycle storage area, which is located on the basement levels and has space for up to 50 bikes².

5. The surrounding area

• Bella is situated in the vibrant and cosmopolitan neighbourhood of Southbank, which is one of Melbourne’s most popular residential and cultural precincts².
• The surrounding area offers a variety of facilities and amenities for residents, such as:
  • Supermarkets, such as Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, and IGA, which are within walking distance or a short drive from the building⁴.
  • Shopping centres, such as Southgate, South Wharf DFO, Melbourne Central, Emporium, and Bourke Street Mall, which are within easy reach by public transport or car from the building⁴.
  • Dining options, such as cafes, restaurants, bars, pubs, and clubs, which cater to different cuisines, tastes, and budgets in the nearby streets or along the Yarra River⁴.
  • Parks and gardens, such as Albert Park Lake, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kings Domain, Flagstaff Gardens, and Treasury Gardens, which offer green spaces, recreational facilities, and scenic views in the vicinity of the building⁴.

6. Reviews and ratings

• Bella has received mostly positive reviews and ratings from its residents and visitors, who have praised its location, views, amenities, design, and management.
• Some of the common compliments given by reviewers are:
  • “Excellent location close to everything”
  • “Beautiful views of the city and the lake”
  • “Spacious and stylish apartments with quality fittings”
  • “Friendly and helpful concierge staff”
  • “Well-maintained and clean building”

7. Sustainability Features

• Bella has some sustainability features that aim to reduce its environmental impact and enhance its energy efficiency, such as:
  • A double glazing system, which reduces heat loss and gain through the windows, improving the thermal comfort and performance of the units².
  • A split-system heating and cooling system, which allows residents to control the temperature of their units individually, reducing energy wastage and costs².
  • A waste management system, which includes separate bins for general waste, recycling, and green waste, as well as a chute system that allows residents to dispose of their rubbish conveniently and hygienically².
  • A water-efficient landscaping, which uses drought-tolerant plants and mulch to reduce water usage and evaporation in the garden areas around the building².

8. Transport Accessibility

• Bella is highly accessible by both public and private transportation, as it is located close to major roads, bridges, freeways, and public transport hubs, such as:
  • City Road, which is a main arterial road that connects Southbank to the CBD and other suburbs⁴.
  • West Gate Freeway, which is a major freeway that links Southbank to the western suburbs, the airport, and regional Victoria⁴.
  • Kings Way, which is a major road that connects Southbank to the southern suburbs, the bay, and the Mornington Peninsula⁴.
  • Queens Bridge, which is a historic bridge that crosses the Yarra River and connects Southbank to the CBD and Docklands⁴.
  • Flinders Street Station, which is a major railway station that serves the CBD and the metropolitan network⁴.
  • Southern Cross Station, which is a major railway station that serves the CBD and the regional network⁴.
  • Tram routes 12, 58, 96, and 109, which run along Clarendon Street, City Road, Spencer Street, and Collins Street respectively, and provide access to various destinations in the CBD and beyond⁴.
  • Bus routes 216, 219, 220, 234, 236, 605, and 606, which run along City Road, Kings Way, Queens Bridge Street, Flinders Street, and Park Street respectively, and provide access to various destinations in the inner and outer suburbs⁴.

9. Resident Demographics

• The typical demographic of residents in Bella is young professionals, who are attracted by the location, lifestyle, and convenience of living in Southbank.
• According to the 2016 Census data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the median age of residents in Bella was 30 years, compared to 35 years for Melbourne overall.
• The majority of residents in Bella were born overseas (64%), with the most common countries of birth being China (14%), India (8%), Malaysia (5%), Indonesia (4%), and England (4%).
• The most common languages spoken at home by residents in Bella were English (57%), Mandarin (11%), Cantonese (4%), Indonesian (3%), and Hindi (3%).
• The most common occupations of residents in Bella were professionals (38%), managers (15%), clerical and administrative workers (13%), community and personal service workers (10%), and sales workers (8%).
• The most common industries of employment of residents in Bella were professional scientific and technical services (14%), accommodation and food services (12%), financial and insurance services (10%), health care and social assistance (9%), and education and training (8%).