This penthouse apartment at 1301/38 Ryrie St, Geelong, has brilliant city views.

Occupants could be mistaken for feeling on top of the world in this Ryrie Residences penthouse apartment above Geelong’s Holiday Inn & Suites.

The exclusive apartment complex is a crowning portion of the $200m Geelong Quarter development from Franze Developments in collaboration with IHG Hotels and Resorts, which is behind the hotel.

Geelong Quarter is designed to revive Ryrie St by creating a vibrant addition to the city’s arts, entertainment and hospitality precinct.

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The open-plan living area is bathed in natural light.

McGrath, Geelong listing agent David Cortous says the three-bedroom, three-bathroom penthouse apartment at 1301/38 Ryrie St, Geelong, offers luxury living at its finest.

“It is the only apartment complex that has full hotel amenities, including the use of the pool, gymnasium and room service available,” Cortous says.

Other luxury amenities available include a bar and the restaurant, Maestro, run by Adrian Richardson, a celebrity chef known as ‘the master of meat’ and executive chef, Maliq, who use local produce, create house-made pasta and in-house dry-aged meats.

The large-scale penthouse features open-plan living with timber flooring, elegant cabinetry and a kitchen with natural marble and Wolf appliances, including a double oven, an integrated fridge and freezer and an in-built wine fridge.

This large balcony is prime watching New Year’s Eve fireworks.

Built-in storage is a handy addition to the lounge.

The impressive ensuite is luxury all the way.

Cortous says that other standout features of the property include some of the finer details, including the curved bathroom walls, and each bedroom having its own ensuite.

But the most showstopping component, he says, is the spectacular views.

“The apartment offers luxury on a large scale with panoramic views of Corio Bay around to GMHBA Stadium,” Cortous explains.

“The master suite is overindulged with two walk-in robes, stunning views from the bed, and an ensuite that rivals the best hotels.”

Additionally, the apartment boasts four car spaces and a generously sized outdoor living area, which flows from the kitchen, both of which are rare for apartment living.

Wake up to bay views every day.

The penthouse sits along the Geelong’s Holiday Inn & Suites.

“The property is suited to the owner-occupier looking for space, luxury on a large scale, and an easy lifestyle,” says Cortous.

“If security is top of the list, this delivers in spades,” he adds.

Its central CBD location, close to the train station, and a whole host of amenities contribute to the “easy lifestyle,” making both commuting and enjoying Geelong simple.

“The property overlooks the arts precinct and offers the very best Geelong has to offer, all within walking distance,” says Cortous.

“The best restaurants, cafes, arts, and of course, the prized Geelong waterfront.”

Offers for 1301/38 Ryrie St, Geelong close on October 5 at 5pm. Price hopes are $2.4m to $2.4m.

The post Ryrie Residences penthouse hits market with Holiday Inn hotel perks appeared first on realestate.com.au.

It’s not unusual for adults to live with their parents to save a deposit. But for some families, living together is a long-term commitment.

Around one in five households is now multigenerational, and for those living in a three-generation household, there are wonderful moments, but compromises too. 

The number of three-generation households rose by 22% between 2016 and 2021, from 275,000 to 335,000 people, ABS data shows.

But four generations under one roof? That’s rare. Yet it’s a soon-to-be reality for Sydney-based Aleks and Paul. 

Working as a team

The decision to live together was initially finance-driven. Aleks and Paul had been saving a deposit and watching the market. 

“We could afford a two bedroom apartment which we knew wasn’t going to work forever,” Aleks told realestate.com.au. 

So, they looked at an alternative: renovating and extending a family asset on Sydney’s Lower North Shore to accommodate Aleks, her husband Paul, Aleks’s mother Diana, grandmother Javorka, Pluto the dog, and the baby that’s on the way. 

Aleks says that covering the cost of a construction loan on a home made more financial sense than buying an apartment. Plus, it would provide emotional security too.

“My parents are divorced, my mum and my grandma were living alone and we were all on opposite sides of Sydney.”

“Being able to be there for one another was critical for us,” she said, adding the family home had “good bones” and it was paid off.

“Paul and I were able to take our significant amount set aside for our deposit, which we were able to re-deploy for a construction loan.” 

Despite the economic sense, the decision wasn’t made lightly. Not every newly-wedded husband wants to move in with his in-laws, “It was a question of pros and cons and there were a lot of pros.” 

Planning a multigenerational property 

The existing residence has three bedrooms and a study, but once extended it will have five bedrooms (two with ensuites), a study, dining room, two living rooms and a kitchen.

“We very intentionally kept one kitchen – we wanted everyone to congregate for meals,” Aleks said. 

But they also had to design with the future in mind. They need to ensure good accessibility for grandma. They have also planned for areas where kids can play without disturbing the older residents. 

Prior to settling on this living arrangement, the family had many conversations about cleanliness, sharing chores, meals and lifestyle preferences. A year in, it’s going well.

“We have coffee together in the morning, everyone does their own thing during the day. Paul and my grandmother cook together – she is his sous chef!” 

Grandma Javorka says one of the many benefits is sharing life together and having a bit of help when she needs it. “The little moments are what makes it good.”

One morning over breakfast, Paul and Aleks told the family they were having a baby.

“It was so exciting,” Javorka said. 

Know your exit strategy from the start 

Aleks’s mum contributed the asset while Aleks and Paul cover all construction and on-going costs. The intention is to live together long term, but life inevitably evolves.

“We might need a flatter block and a bigger yard; we might want to sell and move to the country.” 

Aleks has advice for anyone considering following her path. “Be super clear upfront about exit arrangements.” 

“We worked out what the rough calculations for a buy-out would be,” she said, adding that it mightn’t happen, but it was essential to have the conversation. 

Managing conflict 

For intergenerational living to work, Aleks says the key is to distinguish between “hard boundaries” and simply understanding the quirks of your co-habitants. Her grandmother likes a clean kitchen each night. They keep common areas tidy and stay quiet when someone is working. 

But living in the home, while building more rooms, with a baby arriving soon does add to the challenge. Council and development approval processes delayed the works, too.

“We’re going through growing pains because the renovation has stolen some of our spaces.” 

Aleks’s mum Diana adds, “Our current issue is that the renovation has left us with one TV. I think Paul and Aleks are excited to watch their own shows.”

Rewards make it worthwhile 

As a first-time mum, Aleks says she will be grateful to have her village under the same roof.

“Paul and I are so lucky that we have the privilege of having grandmas (including Paul’s mum) and my grandmother around our kids.”

There is a financial advantage too. Living as an intergenerational family means they are not facing significant daycare or aged care costs.

“Everyone can make their own judgement about what works for them but for our family, the benefits win.” 

Aleks’s mum Diana adds: “I love that there is always someone around so there is this sense of community and security.”

“There are so many day to day memories that we make because we live together – as opposed to only seeing each other for holidays or other special occasions. My advice is: focus on the long-term benefit and don’t sweat the small stuff,” Diana said.

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From dual wardrobes to personalised climate zones, “his and hers” styling is having a moment in 2025, and here’s how you can do it in your own home.

In today’s world, couples are no longer just dividing space – they’re creating a home that reflects individual lifestyles, while still feeling united and bringing a sense of luxury into their day-to-day.

“People want comfort that reflects their lifestyle, their schedules, and even their personal preferences,” says Atesh Mani, National Product Manager at Mitsubishi Electric Australia.

“Whether it’s a family with young kids who need the bedrooms cooler at night, or couples who simply prefer different temperatures, personalisation is a growing priority.”

And with personalisation comes not only a sense of luxury, but also control – because let’s be honest, if your home is 45 degrees in summer and 10 degrees in winter, that’s neither luxury nor control.

Here are five luxe trends leading the way.

1. Dual walk-in wardrobes

As the physical size of homes has grown, so too has the opportunity for individual storage.

“Every home has different comfort preferences,” says Mani.

While a walk-in wardrobe was once about space, now it’s about style and individuality.

A dual wardrobe set-up means the ability for a mix of styles, tones, layouts and storage preferences, providing flexibility for personalisation within the home.

2. Dual work-from-home zones

The rise of hybrid working has made the home office a priority. Increasingly, couples are planning two distinct workspaces – sometimes in separate rooms, sometimes divided within one larger area.

This allows each partner to customise their environment with the lighting, seating, tech and temperature that makes them most productive.

Mani sees parallels between the way couples personalise their work zones and how they want to manage comfort individually without a one-size-fits-all approach.

“With our ducted systems and zone controllers, you can turn zones on or off depending on whether the space is being used,” he explains.

This means you can personalise individual temperature preferences and manage energy use, allowing you to control your comfort.

3. Personalised climate control

Perhaps one of the most contested “his and hers” features is temperature.

Men and women often experience heat and cold differently, which can make shared living tricky. That’s why personalised climate control is quickly becoming as important as dual vanities or wardrobes.

Mitsubishi Electric’s Multi Split systems are designed with flexibility in mind. Multiple indoor units can be connected to a single outdoor unit, allowing each room to be set to its own temperature.

Controlling your comfort is simple with either individual hand-held or wall-mounted remote controllers.

“This gives every family member the ability to customise comfort in their own space,” Mani says.

Technology is also making personalised comfort “much more intuitive” he explains.

All Mitsubishi Electric air conditioners can connect to Wi-Fi, either through a built-in or optional interface. This gives end-users complete control of their system from your smartphone, tablet, or online account, anywhere, anytime! AP, EF, and LN models come with built-in Wi-Fi control as standard.

And with the LN Series, Mani adds, the 3D i-See Sensor goes further by detecting where people are in the room and directing airflow and temperature accordingly.

“These features give people more flexibility to set the comfort that works for them, while also helping save energy by avoiding unnecessary heating or cooling.”

“Homeowners are more informed now and are actively looking for solutions that can adapt to them.”

4. Double bathroom vanities

The morning rush is one of the biggest bugbears for couples, which is why it’s no longer just about one shared solution – dual vanities are fast becoming a bathroom essential.

Separate sinks, mirrors, and storage give each partner their own prep zone, making mornings smoother and less stressful.

This sense of autonomy mirrors a wider trend Mani has noticed in the home, noting that “homeowners are more informed now and are actively looking for solutions that can adapt to them.”

5. Matching showers or oversized baths

Finally, bathrooms are being reimagined as wellness zones, and couples are looking for ways to balance togetherness with practicality.

It’s about blending luxury with functionality – side-by-side showers mean no waiting in line, while statement bathtubs offer room for two without compromise.

It also provides greater areas for personalised products, shower head heights and water temperature in a space used so frequently by the household.

Because let’s face it, when both people in a partnership are happy, life runs a whole lot smoother.

The post His and hers: 5 ways this is becoming the style of the moment in 2025 appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Instead of using the resources of a big-box content producer, Josh Ries writes, create, own, and control your own content and keep your leads.

Meryl Thomas from Attwood who has lived in the suburb for almost 40 years. Picture: Wayne Taylor

When Meryl Thomas moved to Attwood in 1988, it was a practical choice.

She wanted her children to stay at the same school, and the quiet pocket just beyond Gladstone Park kept them close.

But over nearly four decades, the move became so much more.

“I look out every day and see the creek, the trees and the walking tracks,” she said.
“We’re not hemmed in here, there’s space, fresh air and nature at your doorstep. Families have grown up here, kids have flown the nest, and now some of them are even coming back with their own families.”

“That’s the secret, the sense of continuity, of contentment. We all know each other, and that connection is what makes people stay.”

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Ms Thomas said the street had barely changed in all that time.

“Almost every house still has the same families,” she said.

“I’ve seen the children grow up, I’ve even taught some of them as a teacher, and now they’re grown with families of their own.

“Very few move on. It’s extraordinary stability in a world where things are constantly changing.”

She describes Attwood as having the feel of a village rather than a suburb, with its historic church dating to the 1830s, heritage buildings from the 1840s and ’60s, and the local tavern where neighbours still gather.

“It really is a village, and there aren’t many like it left in Melbourne. That heritage, that closeness, is precious,” Ms Thomas said.

Meryl Thomas describes Attwood as having the feel of a village rather than a suburb. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Attwood has long been known as a hidden gem. Ms Thomas remembers when it was almost a mystery to other Melburnians.

“We even had T-shirts 30 years ago saying, ‘Where the hell is Atwood?’ because nobody knew! But once you find it, you don’t want to leave,” she said.

“It’s close to the airport, close to the city — I could be in town in 15 minutes, but at the same time it’s peaceful, with nature all around.”

Living under the flight path has never been an issue.

“Visitors come and stand on the deck and say, ‘Oh my goodness, the planes are so close,’” she said.
“But inside, you can’t hear them. We’re so used to them that we take no notice at all.”

Now preparing to downsize to a retirement village nearby, Ms Thomas admits the move is “emotional beyond words”.

“I’ve done everything in this house myself, from the brickwork, the painting, the garden,” she said.

“It’s such a good street, so supportive. Just this evening, neighbours were waving as we spoke. That says it all.
“Attwood gave me belonging, stability and home, and that will always stay with me.”

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The post Attwood: Why families never leave Melbourne’s hidden gem appeared first on realestate.com.au.