The Shakespeare Group has moved a step closer to completing its $350 million development on Melbourne's St Kilda Road.

St Boulevard

Builder Icon is due to complete work on the three-tower St Boulevard residential development, after topping out the project last week.

Construction across two buildings, the 122-apartment Magnolia and 91-apartment Ginko will draw to a close early 2020 followed by the third tower 207-apartment Anaca in mid-2020.

The Elenberg Fraser-designed development, which is adding 420 new apartments to the precinct sandwiched between Albert Park and South Yarra, will feature over 7,300sq m of 5-star resident amenities and landscaping.

The family-owned developer, which currently has over $1 billion of property assets under management, repositioned the development from a commercial scheme early on instead of targeting owner-occupiers.

St Boulevard

Now 90 per cent sold, sales agent Colliers International highlighted that there was a clear trend towards “final phase purchasing” as purchasers return to the market confident in projects which are nearing completion.

“The prime location, great design, stunning amenities and the anticipated completion of construction in early 2020 have been the main drivers of successful sales,” Colliers director Brett Griffith said.

Shakespeare Group director Catherine Law said the development had attracted high owner-occupier interest—in particular, professional homebuyers looking for high-end opportunities on the city’s fringe.

“We understand that there is an increasing demand for luxury apartments designed for residents to call home.

“It is an excellent proposition for young professionals, families and downsizers.”

The near sold out project has defied the Melbourne high-rise apartment price slump which have been effected by construction defects and cladding issues.

The completion of St Boulevard follows Mirvac's $450 million East Melbourne luxury apartment building The Eastbourne saw almost 140 different floor plates incorporated through the project, customising the “experience” for individual owners.

A spate of developers are now looking to follow suit and tap into the appetite of Melbourne buyers seeking near complete or completed penthouses and sub-penthouses.

Malaysian property developer SP Setia has appointed Probuild to construct its landmark UNO project with the 65-level residential tower in Melbourne’s CBD, looking to buck the slow down in apartments.

The 210m-high development at 111 A’Beckett Street will have an end value of $500 million and is currently 88 per cent sold.