Premier global construction company Multiplex has reached practical completion on property developer Central Equity’s $450 million Focus Apartments in Southbank, located at 71-87 City Road.

The 50-storey contemporary residential apartment tower stands at 167 metres tall in the heart of Southbank’s creative precinct and adjacent to the $1.7 billion rejuvenation of the Melbourne Arts Precinct.

Focus Apartments boasts a total of 591 apartments in addition to a six-level commercial podium. The glazed high-rise tower features an innovative tri-colour window wall system with pre-fabricated aluminum slab edge covers overhanging from its façade.

The building provides exclusive ‘all-in-one’ resort-style amenities including a gym, indoor heated pool, sauna, luxe private theatre, and an expansive resident lounge seamlessly opening to an indoor and outdoor dining area with kitchen and BBQ facilities.

Multiplex Regional Managing Director Graham Cottam said the completion of Focus Apartments was achieved despite multiple COVID-19 lockdowns and additional challenges to construction.

“The completion of Focus Apartments is a testament to Multiplex’s resilience throughout both the 2020 and 2021 lockdowns, with only structure and façade activities continuing during this time,” he said.

“We are delighted to have completed our 19^th project for Central Equity, delivering yet another striking apartment tower to complement Melbourne’s skyline and the surrounding streetscape.”

Multiplex used custom-built structure screens to reduce the risk of falling objects whilst façade elements were installed. This protective structure specifically assisted in the installation of pre-fabricated aluminum components such as slab edge covers.

Focus Apartments features a modularised podium façade to blend seamlessly with the adjacent existing heritage building on City Road.

Central Equity Chairman, Eddie Kutner said “Focus provides luxury, spacious living in a premium Southbank location and includes over 1100sqm of resident amenity. Central Equity and Multiplex have worked together to seamlessly ensure that the building has transitioned from a building site to people’s homes. We have welcomed many occupants to the building who are already enjoying the pre-eminent location and amenity of Focus Apartments.”

Construction works spanned approximately two years, with 382 workers on site at peak construction periods.

Focus Apartments represents Multiplex’s ongoing collaboration with developer Central Equity, with the contractor having delivered many of its landmark and award winning Melbourne towers including Melbourne Grand, Southbank Grand, Southbank One and City Tempo apartment buildings.

Pic - Glenn Hester