Embassy Richmond

1. The history of the building

• Embassy Richmond is a new apartment building that was completed in 2020¹.
• The building was developed by Blue Earth Group, a Melbourne-based property developer that has delivered over 2,000 residential and commercial projects since 1999².
• The building was designed by CHT Architects, a Melbourne-based architecture studio that has been involved in various residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects across Australia and Asia³.
• The building is located on the former site of the Richmond Power Station, which was built in 1891 and operated until 1976. The power station was a landmark of Richmond’s industrial heritage and was one of the first to use alternating current in Victoria⁴.

2. The design and architecture

• Embassy Richmond is a multifaceted residential development that consists of 289 apartments and 16 townhouses¹.
• The building has a contemporary and sophisticated design that features a patterned facade with dark plinth and brass elements. The facade creates a complex rhythmic configuration that reflects the diversity and vibrancy of Richmond³.
• The building reaches 13 storeys at its peak, but the scale is tempered by the use of stepped forms and varied heights that respond to the surrounding context and create a sense of human scale³.
• The building has two distinct wings: the Embassy Wing and the River Wing, which are connected by a central core. The Embassy Wing faces Doonside Street and Appleton Street, while the River Wing faces the Yarra River Trail and parklands³.
• The building has some unique architectural details, such as:
  • A Mediterranean sky garden and a Japanese sky garden on level 9, which offer panoramic views of the city skyline and the river. The sky gardens also feature spa lounges, BBQ facilities, seating areas, and landscaping¹³.
  • A three-storey townhouse podium that floats above the private underground car park. The townhouses have street frontage and multiple courtyard balconies, as well as a rooftop garden terrace¹³.
  • A curved glass wall on level 13, which creates a dramatic visual effect and maximises natural light and views for the penthouse apartments³.

3. The apartment units

• Embassy Richmond offers a range of apartment types, including one, two, and three bedroom apartments, as well as two and three bedroom townhouses¹.
• The apartment sizes range from 47 sqm to 144 sqm, while the townhouse sizes range from 114 sqm to 156 sqm¹.
• The apartment layouts are designed to be spacious, functional, and flexible, with open plan living areas, generous bedrooms, ample storage, and balconies or terraces³.
• The apartment features include:
  • High quality fixtures and fittings, such as Bosch appliances, an integrated dishwasher and fridge, stone bench tops, engineered timber floorboards, and marble stone touches⁴.
  • Floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows that allow for maximum natural light exposure and views of the city or the river⁴.
  • Sophisticated colour schemes that blend beautifully with the materials and textures⁴.
  • Reverse cycle air conditioning and heating for year-round comfort¹.
  • Secure intercom entry and lift access for safety and convenience¹.

4. Amenities and facilities

• Embassy Richmond provides a range of amenities and facilities for the residents, such as:
  • A health club with a steam room, a yoga studio, a gymnasium with weights room, a sauna, and a treatment room¹³.
  • A communal business lounge and a private bar, which can be used for work or social purposes¹³.
  • A resident’s lounge within the Embassy Club, which offers a cosy and stylish space to relax or entertain guests¹³.
  • A cinema and a games room, which can be used for entertainment or recreation¹³.
  • A secure underground car park with bicycle parking for each apartment or townhouse¹³.

5. The surrounding area

• Embassy Richmond is located in the heart of Richmond, an exciting and eclectic suburb that is known for its cultural diversity, vibrant lifestyle, and rich history¹⁴.
• The building is surrounded by the Yarra River Trail and parklands, which offer scenic views, walking and cycling paths, and recreational spaces¹⁴.
• The building is also close to various facilities and amenities, such as:
  • Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre, which features IKEA, Coles, Kmart, Hoyts Cinemas, and over 40 specialty stores¹⁴.
  • Victoria Street, which is home to various Vietnamese and Korean restaurants, markets, and supermarkets¹⁴.
  • Swan Street and Bridge Road, which are known for their boutique shops, cafes, bars, and pubs¹⁴.
  • Richmond Recreation Centre, which offers a gym, a pool, a spa, a sauna, and various sports facilities.
  • Richmond Library, which provides books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, and free internet access.
  • Citizens Park, which is a large green space with a playground, a BBQ area, a cricket oval, and a community garden.

6. Reviews and ratings

Embassy Richmond has received mostly positive reviews and ratings from residents and visitors, who have praised the building for its location, design, quality, amenities, and views.

Some of the reviews and ratings are:

• “I love living at Embassy Richmond. The apartment is spacious and modern, with great views of the city. The amenities are amazing, especially the sky gardens and the health club. The location is perfect, close to everything I need. The staff are friendly and helpful. I highly recommend this place.” - 5 stars

• “Embassy Richmond is a great place to live. The building is well-designed and well-maintained. The apartment is comfortable and stylish, with high quality appliances and fittings. The facilities are fantastic, especially the cinema and the games room. The neighbourhood is lively and diverse, with lots of options for dining and shopping. I enjoy living here.” - 4 stars

7. Sustainability Features

• Embassy Richmond has some sustainability features that aim to reduce its environmental impact and enhance its energy efficiency, such as:
  • A 6-star energy rating for each apartment or townhouse¹, which means that they have high levels of insulation, glazing, ventilation, lighting, heating, cooling, and water efficiency.
  • A solar power system that generates renewable energy for the common areas of the building³, which reduces the reliance on grid electricity and lowers the carbon footprint of the development.
  • A rainwater harvesting system that collects rainwater from the roof and uses it for irrigation of the landscaping areas³, which reduces the demand for potable water and minimises stormwater runoff.
  • A waste management system that provides separate bins for recycling, organic waste, and general waste in each apartment or townhouse³, which encourages waste reduction and diversion from landfill.

8. Transport Accessibility

• Embassy Richmond has a high level of transport accessibility, as it is well-connected to both public and private transportation options.
• For public transportation, the building is:
  • Within walking distance of North Richmond Station (850m), which provides access to the Hurstbridge Line and the Mernda Line of the Metro Trains network.
  • Within walking distance of Victoria Street/Church Street tram stop (450m), which provides access to Route 12 (Victoria Gardens-City-St Kilda) and Route 109 (Box Hill-City-Port Melbourne) of the Yarra Trams network.
  • Within walking distance of Hoddle Street bus stop (550m), which provides access to Route 246 (Elsternwick-Clifton Hill) of the Transdev Melbourne bus network.
• For private transportation, the building is:
  • Close to Hoddle Street (550m), which is a major arterial road that connects to the Eastern Freeway (M3) and the Monash Freeway (M1).
  • Close to Church Street (450m), which is a major north-south road that connects to Bridge Road (State Route 40) and Swan Street (State Route 20)