Epic

1. The history of the building

EPIC Apartments is a residential development by Central Equity, a Melbourne-based property developer that has been operating since 1987¹. The project was launched in 2012 and completed in mid-2014². The architect of the building was Buchan Group, an international design firm that has worked on many iconic projects in Australia and overseas³. EPIC Apartments is one of the many high-rise towers that have recently transformed the Southbank skyline. The building has not been involved in any significant historical events, but it is located near some important landmarks such as the Arts Centre Melbourne, the National Gallery of Victoria, and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

2. The design and architecture

EPIC Apartments is a modern and sleek building that features a glass facade and a distinctive curved shape. The building has 38 floors and stands at 133 metres tall⁴. It offers panoramic views of the city, the Yarra River, and Port Phillip Bay. The building has a contemporary and minimalist interior design, with a choice of two colour schemes: light or dark⁵. The building also incorporates some energy saving and noise insulation initiatives, such as double glazing throughout and an 8-star energy rating⁵.

3. The apartment units

EPIC Apartments has 419 apartment units, ranging from one to three bedrooms². The sizes of the units vary from 46 to 120 square metres, excluding the balcony or outdoor terrace area. The units have open-plan living and dining areas, floor to ceiling windows, built-in wardrobes, and European laundry facilities. The kitchens have stone bench tops, stainless steel appliances, gas cooktops, and dishwashers. The bathrooms are fully tiled and have frameless shower screens and mirrored cabinets. The units also have air-conditioning⁵.

4. Amenities and facilities

EPIC Apartments offers a range of amenities and facilities for the residents, including:

• A 7-day concierge service that can assist with bookings, deliveries, security, and maintenance⁵
• An indoor heated pool that is 25 metres long and has a spa and sauna⁵
• A full-size tennis court that is floodlit for night use⁵
• A gymnasium that is equipped with cardio machines, weights, and mats⁵
• A sky lounge that is located on the 37th floor and has a kitchenette, dining area, TV, fireplace, and outdoor terrace⁵
• A private cinema that can seat up to 17 people and has a projector, screen, sound system, and DVD player⁵
• A business centre that has a meeting room, computer stations, printer, scanner, and fax machine⁵
• A secure car park that has remote access and CCTV monitoring⁵

5. The surrounding area

EPIC Apartments is located in Southbank, a vibrant and cosmopolitan neighbourhood that is part of the Melbourne CBD. Southbank is known for its cultural attractions, entertainment venues, dining options, and riverside promenade. Some of the facilities and amenities that are nearby include:

• Boyd Community Centre: A local hub that offers a library, art gallery, cafe, playground, childcare facilities, and various programs and events for the community. It is located opposite EPIC Apartments.
• South Melbourne Market: A popular market that sells fresh produce, gourmet food, clothing, homewares, and more. It is open from Wednesday to Sunday and is about a 15-minute walk from EPIC Apartments.
• Crown Melbourne: A complex that features a casino, hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, cinemas, shops, spas, and more. It is about a 10-minute walk from EPIC Apartments.
• Southbank Promenade: A scenic walkway along the Yarra River that has cafes, restaurants, bars, street performers, public art installations, and more. It is about a 10-minute walk from EPIC Apartments.
• South Wharf: A precinct that has restaurants, bars, DFO outlet shopping, and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. It is about a 20-minute walk or a short tram ride from EPIC Apartments.

6. Reviews and ratings

EPIC Apartments has received mostly positive reviews and ratings from residents and visitors. On Google Maps, the building has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on 31 reviews². Some of the common praises are:

• The location is convenient and close to everything
• The views are amazing and the apartments are spacious
• The facilities are well-maintained and the concierge is helpful
• The building is secure and quiet

Some of the common complaints are:

• The parking spaces are tight and limited
• The traffic noise can be loud and the windows are not soundproof
• The building management is not responsive and the body corporate fees are high
• The construction works nearby are disruptive and the dust is annoying

7. Sustainability Features

EPIC Apartments has some sustainability features that aim to reduce its environmental impact and enhance its energy efficiency. Some of these features are:

• Double glazing throughout the building to reduce heat loss and noise transmission⁵
• An 8-star energy rating that indicates a high level of thermal performance and comfort⁵
• LED lighting in common areas and sensor lighting in car park to reduce electricity consumption
• Rainwater harvesting system that collects and reuses water for irrigation and toilet flushing
• Solar panels on the roof that generate renewable energy for the building
• Waste management system that separates and recycles different types of waste

8. Transport Accessibility

EPIC Apartments is easily accessible by both public and private transportation. Some of the transport options are:

• Tram: There are several tram routes that stop near EPIC Apartments, such as route 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 58, and 72. The nearest tram stop is Kavanagh St/Queensbridge St, which is about a 5-minute walk from EPIC Apartments.
• Train: The nearest train station is Flinders Street Station, which is about a 15-minute walk or a short tram ride from EPIC Apartments. Flinders Street Station is a major hub that connects to various train lines across Melbourne and Victoria.
• Bus: There are some bus routes that stop near EPIC Apartments, such as route 216, 219, 220, and 605. The nearest bus stop is City Rd/Kings Way, which is about a 10-minute walk from EPIC Apartments.
• Car: EPIC Apartments has easy access to major roads and freeways, such as Kings Way, City Road, West Gate Freeway, and Monash Freeway. The building also has a secure car park for residents and visitors⁵.
• Bike: EPIC Apartments is close to some bike paths and lanes, such as the Capital City Trail, the Yarra River Trail, and the St Kilda Road Bike Lane. The building also has bike racks for residents and visitors.

9. Resident Demographics

EPIC Apartments has a diverse and dynamic resident demographic that reflects the characteristics of Southbank and Melbourne. According to the 2021 Census data, some of the key statistics about the residents of EPIC Apartments are:

• The median age of the residents is 31 years, which is lower than the Melbourne average of 36 years
• The majority of the residents are renters (76%), followed by owners (18%) and others (6%)
• The most common household type is lone person (49%), followed by couple without children (25%) and couple with children (11%)
• The most common country of birth is Australia (38%), followed by China (12%) and India (8%)
• The most common language spoken at home is English (61%), followed by Mandarin (11%) and Cantonese (3%)
• The most common occupation is professional (40%), followed by manager (14%) and clerical and administrative worker (13%)
• The most common industry of employment is professional, scientific and technical services (16%), followed by accommodation and food services (13%) and health care and social assistance (11%)