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Try before you buy at Vita, West Leederville

Natalie HordovEastern Reporter

Recognising that committing to an off-the-plan purchase can be daunting, the developer has built an exact-scale, fully furnished and operational two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment at the Northwood Street project.

“In the current economic environment, people are, understandably, more cautious about making big financial decisions, and buying an apartment off the plan without any real concept of how it will look, feel and function can feel like a real leap of faith,” executive director Jon Smeulders said.

“We know we have a development offering unbeatable quality, value and beautiful design, so we were happy to put our money where our mouth is by building an exact replica apartment to show buyers just what they’d be getting.”

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The display apartment was opened on July 16. Mr Smeulders said while the concept was an unusual step in the Perth market, it had been welcomed by buyers, with 165 people visiting the display apartment in its first week.

“We’ve had an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from people who have been through,” he said.

“It’s a huge difference from looking at a scale model in a sales office, or a series of pictures on a wall, to being able to walk into a full-sized apartment where the lights work, the climate control works, the fixtures, fittings and appliances are all in place.

“You can appreciate the space on offer and it’s beautifully furnished and styled.

“It also allows potential buyers to see for themselves how colour schemes, tiles and floor coverings look in situ and to have the discussion about making changes and customising aspects if they’d like.”

Vita has been designed by Melbourne-based award-winning architects Elenberg Fraser and features a striking curved, wave-like facade.

It will offer 64 apartments over five levels, plus two ground-floor commercial units.

Residents will enjoy a range of benefits, including fully integrated European kitchens with Asko appliances, including a built-in fridge, dishwasher, pyrolitic oven, induction cooktop and concealed rangehood.

In another initiative designed to give buyers a realistic experience, Georgiou Living plans to host cooking demonstrations by Asko in the display apartment’s kitchen.

With a projected average National House Energy Rating Scheme rating of 7.8 stars across the $40 million development, buyers can expect significant savings in energy costs.

The Building Code of Australia standard for apartment developments is an average 6-star rating, and Vita’s average rating is set to cut average heating and cooling energy bills by about 40 per cent compared to a 6-star rated apartment.

Mr Smeulders said Vita’s location on the fringe of the CBD, just 200m from West Leederville train station and within walking distance of parklands and shopping, dining and entertainment options, was very attractive to buyers.

“With the beautiful design, premium quality and prime location, Vita is bringing a little piece of South Yarra to West Leederville, and that’s something that’s being welcomed by the market,” he said.

For more information about Vita West Leederville, call Rod Murtha at WA Property on 0411 721 978 or rod@waproperty.net, or visit the display apartment at 35 Northwood Street. n