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OPPORTUNITY MEETS ACTION

Melbourne’s property market has operated in balanced territory for some time now, and buyers who have recognised this are acting accordingly. With conditions currently tilted slightly in favour of buyers, we are seeing astute purchasers step forward with genuine intent. The opportunities are there, and they are being taken.

This is a market that rewards preparation and decisiveness. For buyers who have done their research and understand value, the current landscape presents a window of opportunity. Stock levels are healthy, the pace allows for due diligence, and negotiations are producing fair outcomes on both sides. These are the conditions that often produce the best long-term results for those willing to act.

For vendors, the message remains consistent. Presentation and pricing are paramount. Properties that come to market in excellent condition and meet buyer expectations on price are continuing to perform well. Where there is a disconnect between expectation and reality, the market is less forgiving than it was twelve months ago, but realistic vendors are still achieving strong outcomes.

What we find encouraging is the sense of pragmatism on both sides of the transaction. Buyers are engaged, vendors are responsive, and the fundamentals that drive Melbourne’s property market remain sound. This is a period defined not by caution but by considered decision-making, and that is a healthy place for any market to be.

If you are considering your next move, whether buying or selling, we would welcome the opportunity to share our insights and help you navigate the current market. Reach out to our team today. ■

By John Bongiorno

AKIDESIGNHOUSEPRESENTS THE GALLERY

COMMUNITY THE RETURN OF O’CONNELLS

PROJECTS

247-253 HOTHAM ROAD PORTSEA

Set across 2,590sqm (approx.) on the Mornington Peninsula, this beautifully appointed Portsea residence delivers a refined balance of relaxed coastal living and everyday comfort.

Designed for family flexibility and effortless entertaining, the home offers four generous bedrooms, including two with ensuites, creating excellent accommodation for guests or extended family. Light-filled interiors and thoughtfully arranged living zones establish a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with large sliding doors extending the home to outdoor patios, landscaped gardens and expansive lawns.

“Designed for effortless coastal living, this beautifully appointed residence captures the relaxed sophistication and entertaining lifestyle the Mornington Peninsula is so admired for.”

GEOFF HALL

SALES EXECUTIVE, AUCTIONEER, LICENSED ESTATE AGENT

At the centre, a well-equipped kitchen with premium Ilve cooking appliances supports relaxed gatherings, long summer lunches and weekends by the coast. Ducted heating, evaporative cooling and remote-controlled blinds add further comfort and ease.

Whether enjoyed as a permanent residence or private coastal escape, this is an inviting Portsea home positioned within one of the Peninsula’s most sought-after seaside communities. ■

Spaghetti Crab p a S ta

A refined take on a coastal Italian classic, this Spaghetti Crab Pasta from Windsor Wine Room brings together delicate Blue Swimmer Crab, white wine and subtle heat in a dish that feels both elevated and effortless. Created by chef Immy, the recipe reflects the restaurant’s relaxed yet considered approach to dining, where thoughtful flavours and quality produce take centre stage.

Finished with fried shallots, fresh chives and cracked black pepper, it is a simple but beautifully layered pasta designed to be shared over good wine and even better conversation.

INGREDIENTS

160g spaghetti

1 tbsp garlic mince

½ tbsp chilli mince

100g Blue Swimmer Crab

150g white wine

5g parsley

20g kombu extract

Salt, to taste

10g chives

METHOD

1. Gently confit the garlic and chilli mince in olive oil until fragrant.

2. Add the Blue Swimmer Crab and cook until just halfway opaque.

3. Deglaze the pan with white wine and allow it to reduce by one third.

4. Stir through the parsley and kombu extract, simmering briefly for 15–30 seconds.

5. Add the cooked spaghetti and toss to emulsify with a little pasta water and seafood court bouillon.

6. Season to taste.

7. Finish with cracked black pepper, fried shallots, chives and a drizzle of olive oil before serving.

For

Melbourne-based furnishing and interiors practice AKI Design House, great design has always been born of intention. Every line, material and detail is guided by a philosophy of restraint, craftsmanship and confidence.

Now, with the launch of The Gallery by AKI Design House and the unveiling of The Rue Coffee Table, the practice is expanding its creative world in a direction that feels both personal and purposeful.

The Gallery by AKI Design House is a curated platform bringing together the studio’s own furniture and objects alongside a carefully selected collection of vintage pieces sourced from around the globe. For Director Candyce Huntsman, the concept was inspired by years spent living and travelling overseas, where a passion for collecting began to emerge.

“Living in London and travelling through Europe and Morocco exposed me to incredible craftsmanship and design history,” Huntsman says.

“Particularly in places like the Paris flea markets, where every piece has a past. That experience has shaped the way we curate today.”

It is a sensibility that defines The Gallery’s offering. Each piece, whether contemporary or vintage, is chosen for its sculptural quality, material integrity and ability to sit harmoniously within modern interiors. The result is a layered collection that reflects global influence through a distinctly refined lens.

Among the first pieces to launch through The Gallery is The Rue Coffee Table, a design drawn from the same spirit of European discovery.

Conceived during travels across France, The Rue is a circular table that balances architectural presence with softness and warmth.

Crafted in collaboration with a skilled Melbourne stonemason and timber artisan, the table places craft at the centre of its design. A subtle boat-edge detail on the underside softens the form, while the legs are designed to ground the piece with understated strength. Available in two sizes (1200 DIA mm x 350 H mm and 800 DIA mm x 350 H mm) in walnut timber or a combination of walnut and carefully selected stone finishes, every element has been considered with precision.

“I was drawn to the idea of designing a piece with a strong architectural presence, yet one that remains soft and refined,” Huntsman explains.

It is this balance that distinguishes AKI Design House. Where many studios chase trends, AKI’s approach is built on longevity, material honesty and a deep respect for the maker’s hand. The Rue is the embodiment of that ethos: craft-driven, materially honest and designed with permanence in mind.

Together, The Gallery and The Rue represent an exciting new chapter for the studio. Both extend the multidisciplinary practice into a space where art, function and collectability converge, offering a cohesive world that is as considered as the pieces within it. ■ LEARN MORE

THE RETURN OF O’CONNELL’S

Long regarded as a cornerstone of the South Melbourne community, O’Connell’s Hotel has reopened following an elegant transformation that thoughtfully balances heritage character with a more elevated contemporary offering.

After more than 150 years at the heart of local life, the iconic venue enters a refined new chapter, designed to continue bringing neighbours, families and visitors together through hospitality, dining and connection.

Now under the direction of the team behind Prahran’s Flying Duck Hotel, the landmark Coventry Street destination has been reimagined as a warm and design-led gathering place that honours its longstanding connection to the local community while introducing a more contemporary dining experience.

Led by Managing Director Brenton Lang and Head Chef Michael Conlon, the revitalised venue centres around a refined interpretation of Australian pub dining, anchored by produce-driven menus, openfire cooking and a deeply considered hospitality experience.

At the heart of the kitchen is a Josper wood-fired oven fuelled by red gum, imparting depth and richness across a menu inspired by native Australian ingredients and relaxed communal dining. Pepperberries, bush tomato and finger lime feature throughout dishes that elevate familiar favourites while remaining approachable and grounded in seasonality.

Highlights include wood-fired prawns with smoked macadamia butter, slow-cooked saltbush lamb shoulder served with flatbread, and housemade doughnuts layered with Davidson plum jam and vanilla cream. Alongside these signature offerings, the menu retains a sense of comforting familiarity through classic pub staples including expertly prepared steaks, chicken parma and market fish.

A curated weekly dining program further reinforces O’Connell’s position as a true neighbourhood institution, with steak nights, Sunday roasts

and relaxed weekday gatherings designed to bring locals together in an effortlessly welcoming setting.

The venue’s interiors, designed by acclaimed Melbourne designer Fiona Drago, introduce a rich and textural palette that respectfully references the building’s history while delivering a more contemporary sense of warmth and refinement. Tobacco-toned timbers, maroon detailing, mocha ceilings and softly layered finishes create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and enduring.

From the lively front bar to the fireplace-framed dining room and the much-loved terrace overlooking Clarendon Street, each space has been thoughtfully designed to encourage connection across every occasion.

Through Open Magazine, Marshall White was pleased to attend O’Connell’s official reopening event in May, celebrating the return of one of South Melbourne’s most enduring hospitality institutions and an exciting new chapter for the local community.

As Melbourne continues to embrace venues that blend authenticity with elevated experience, O’Connell’s Hotel re-emerges as a timeless local destination, celebrating heritage, hospitality and community with quiet sophistication. ■

THE LOCAL EDIT

WOODEND WINTER ARTS FESTIVAL

5-7 JUNE 2026

Templeton Street, Woodend, VIC 3442

POINT NEPEAN PORTSEA MARKET

6 JUNE 2026

Point Nepean Quarantine Station, Coleman Road, Portsea, VIC 3944

WOODEND COMMUNITY FARMERS MARKET

6 JUNE 2026

High Street & Forest Street, Woodend, VIC 3442

KINGSTON FARMERS MARKET

6 JUNE 2026

3 Jean Street, Cheltenham, VIC 3192

WINE TASTING & ART AT FENIAN WINES

6 JUNE 2026

295 Dunns Creek Road, Red Hill, VIC 3937

RISING: MELBOURNE WINTER FESTIVAL

UNTIL 8 JUNE 2026

Melbourne, 3000 VIC

LIGHTSCAPE: WINTER WONDERLAND

12 JUN - 2 AUG 2026

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne Gardens, Melbourne, VIC 3004

MORNINGTON RACECOURSE MARKET

14 JUNE 2026

320 Racecourse Road, Mornington, VIC 3931

BOROONDARA FARMERS MARKET

20 JUNE 2026

484 Auburn Road, Hawthorn, VIC 3122

TRENTHAM FARMERS MARKET

20 JUNE 2026

27 High Street, Trentham, VIC 3458

FAMILY FREE FUN DAY

21 JUNE 2026

Queenscliff Ferry Terminal, 1 Wharf Street East, Queenscliff, 3225 VIC

BASEMENT COMEDY CLUB: WEEKEND SHOWCASE

UNTIL 27 JUNE 2026

Basement Comedy Club, 120 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000

MHSN MASQUERADE GALA

27 JUNE 2026

320 Racecourse Road, Mornington, VIC 3931

FONDUE CHALET

UNTIL 28 JUNE 2026

Skyline Federation Square, Melbourne, VIC 3000

FIRELIGHT FESTIVAL

3-5 JULY 2026

Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, 3008 VIC

MALVERN EAST CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL 9-12 JULY 2026

St. John’s Anglican Church, 5 Finch Street, Malvern East, 3145 VIC

MOTHER: STORIES FROM THE NGV COLLECTION UNTIL 12 JULY 2026

Ian Potter Centre, Federation Square, Melbourne, VIC 3000

TOP ARTS 2026: SHOWCASING EMERGING

ARTISTS ACROSS VICTORIA UNTIL 19 JULY 2026

National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3006

RUN MELBOURNE

UNTIL 19 JULY 2026

Grand Slam Oval, Olympic Boulevard Melbourne, 3000 VIC

115 CHOMLEY STREET PRAHRAN

A 3-4 B 2.5 C 2-4

From $2,365,000

Chomley Terraces offers refined 3 and 4-bedroom townhouses in Prahran East offering living rooms that are a minimum 6m wide, 9ft ceilings, individual solar panels, EV ready and some with private lifts. Designed by Cera Stribley with landscaping by Andrew Panton Design, each residence also includes keyless entry and a 6y building guarantee.

ROSS HAMS 0410 160 151 SALES BY

BEACHSIDE LIVING

With views to Arthur’s Seat and moments from the shoreline, this Safety Beach residence delivers relaxed Peninsula living. Light-filled interiors, contemporary coastal finishes and expansive entertaining decks create a seamless indoor-outdoor lifestyle, while flexible accommodation and proximity to Martha Cove Marina complete a refined beachside retreat designed for year-round enjoyment. ■

A 3-4 B 2-3 C 2-5

From $3,200,000

Eight architecturally designed 3 and 4 bedroom residences in Armadale, offering boutique luxury living with a focus on space, privacy, natural light and refined design. ROSS HAMS 0410 160 151