Why multigenerational living is taking off in Melbourne’s east
The trend of multiple generations cohabiting together is on the rise, prompting new home builders to create luxury dream homes for those living under one roof.
Multigenerational living is an ancient tradition. However, this familial housing style is making a big comeback.
Recent research by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) revealed one in five people live in a home with adult relatives in Australia, with that number increasing to one in four in metropolitan Sydney.
The trend is also being seen in Melbourne, with new developments in the city’s east specifically catering for this increasing buyer segment.
The award-winning Author Townhomes is catching attention for its multigenerational designs.
Shifting demographics
Unsurprisingly, affordability tops the list when it comes to why families are taking this approach. But factors at both ends of the age spectrum are coming into play as well.
Younger adults are choosing to move out later in life. The latest report by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, revealed that up to 43% of children in their early 20s now live with family — up from 36% in 1981.
Meanwhile, many families with ageing grandparents are deciding to live together to help with care and companionship.
REA Group economist Anne Flaherty says the pandemic is also driving an uptick in intergenerational living.
“Since coronavirus happened, we have more people who’ve moved back into their family homes — we are seeing more adult children living back with their parents,” Flaherty says.
“But outside of COVID, there are the broader changes in society. We are seeing more migration of people who come from countries where it’s common to have multigenerational living. In some cases, these families might have three generations, sometimes four generations, living in one house.”
A new housing generation
These shifting demographic changes are starting to have an impact on home design in Australia.
The surge in cohabiting families is likely contributing to the growing interest in larger homes.
Home offices are increasingly becoming a ‘must-have’ feature.
But it’s not just about size. New-home builders are taking note of the trend and bringing increasingly innovative living solutions to the market.
G3 Projects managing director Bobby Lim says the design of Author Townhomes at Box Hill South in Melbourne’s east is embracing the ‘living-together-apart’ concept with their double-storey townhome designs.
“A lot of the four bedroom [homes] have two living areas, one upstairs and one downstairs,” Lim says. “Even in the three-bedroom townhomes, there’s a bedroom on the ground floor and another two bedrooms on the first floor, so that provides privacy.”
This layout is perfect for elderly parents who struggle to use stairs, or independent adult children, he explains.
Four-bedroom townhomes will have a double garage, while three-bedroom properties will have a room for a second space in the driveway.
A landscaped communal park is also planned for the centre of the development and will appeal to all ages with manicured grassy areas, walking tracks and a playground.
Stage one at Author Townhomes has sold out, with stage two now on the market. Construction is set to commence in August, with Cobild appointed as the development’s builder.
Lim says a range of developer incentives and stamp duty concessions are available to buyers prior to commencement of construction.
Indoor-outdoor living adds a sense of space to a home design.
The move to focus on multigenerational design is resonating with buyers, Lim says, with many families getting in early to benefit from a range of developer incentives before construction begins.
The design is also receiving industry praise, collecting the prestigious ‘Architecture Multiple Residence for Australia’ category at the 2020-2021 Asia Pacific International Property Awards.
The finer details
While having additional space and a well-considered design is a major focus of multigenerational living, Lim says what really makes an amazing multigenerational home is luxury and location.
In Melbourne’s east, demand for multigenerational housing has been steadily increasing, he says, with the various amenities in the area make it an attractive location for all generations.
For families with children, the quality of public schools in the area is a major drawcard.
Box Hill High School is one of the highest achieving state schools in the state, while Deakin University is an easily accessible higher education offering. Plus, there’s a wealth of shopping, transport and healthcare options nearby.
The bustling Box Hill Central area has great dining options, with an array of Asian-style restaurants, making it a major drawcard with many multigenerational buyers.
Stone benchtops wrap all the way around the bench.
Attention to detail and quality finishes are what sets the townhomes at Author apart from other options in the area, Lim says.
“They are spacious and have timber floors; some of the homes have bathtubs, some of the kitchens have butlers’ pantries,” he says.
“They have really extensive stone benchtops and splashbacks. There are three different colour schemes, providing light, dark and natural themes.
“The townhomes are definitely high end — we’ve gone that extra step.”
Pictures are courtesy of G3 Projects.