precint OF PLENTY

Melbourne’s inner north continues its evolution with a major new development that’s set to become the latest food destination.

GOURMET DELIS AND grocers, al fresco dining, and stylish restaurants and cafes… Melbourne’s newest suburb, YarraBend, is building on local passion for quality food and diverse dining experiences.

The new foodie hub is part of the Glenvill Group’s reworking of the Amcor paper mill site in Alphington. Once complete, YarraBend will comprise five precincts, with the Artisan precinct boasting food and dining options picked by chef and Fairfield local Scott Pickett.

Pickett, YarraBend’s food curator and consultant, has lived in the area for 15 years and his renowned, award-winning restaurants – Saint Crispin and Estelle Bistro – are just around the corner.

“Melbourne’s north has a great community feeling,” says Pickett. “Streets like High Street offer so much variety and that’s the feel we want with YarraBend.”

Culinary House will incorporate about 60 apartments ideal for first-home buyers and investors, while Artisan Residences will have 28 luxury apartments suited to downsizing empty nesters who still want space.

Ashley Bramich, Glenvill’s sales and marketing director, predicts YarraBend will become a major foodie destination for the inner north. “People here are passionate about sustainability, food quality and understanding food origins,” he says. “We want to create an artisanal food offering that meets their high expectations.”

Bramich says Pickett’s connections to the inner north made him an obvious choice as YarraBend’s food curator.

“Scott is the king of food in the inner north,” says Bramich. “His principles of staying local, being authentic, not cutting corners and being passionate about food are what the Artisan precinct is all about.”

YarraBend is projected to become the world’s most liveable suburb by 2025 and Pickett sees the development as a hugely exciting addition to Melbourne. “This will be a premium artisanal food area,” he says. “It will showcase local produce and provide people with an incredible experience.”