10 River — A glowing box of folded glass

10 River, South Yarra

A glowing box of folded glass

Mixed use Architecture Dual Discipline Interiors

Client

Alfasi Group

Address

2-10 River Street South Yarra, Vic

Country

Wurundjeri

Contractor

Figurehead Construction

Renders

Large Arts

Status

Completed

10 River is not your typical boutique office building. Distinguished by an elevated level of convenience through luxurious amenities and biophilic principles, Carr’s architectural and interior design approach is grounded in features reminiscent of an exclusive hotel experience.

At street level, 10 River is defined by a heavy, darkened sandblasted concrete podium capped by a black mirrored canopy that reflects the street’s activity and the trees below. Render by Large Arts.

Situated off Toorak Road and tucked behind Chapel Street in the heart of South Yarra’s shopping district, the main entrance is accessed from River Street. Offering more than 7,000 square metres of net lettable area across nine levels, plus a basement wellness tenancy, 10 River is an exclusive office building shaped around flexibility, convenience and elevated luxury. To guide the brief, Carr undertook market research to identify the unique positioning for 10 River’s tenant profile. This work formalised the project’s overall level of design quality and amenity and resulted in a clear set of design guidelines.

The street level is defined by a heavy, darkened sandblasted concrete podium capped by a black mirrored canopy that reflects street activity and the surrounding trees. The use of weighty materials grounds the building and offers a sense of permanence and arrival.

While the building’s formality and detailed finishes would sit comfortably along Melbourne’s Collins Street, the nine-storey scale clearly distinguishes 10 River from the CBD’s soaring skyscrapers and office towers. Viewed from the west, the tower presents a simple curtain wall of glass. To the east, a u-shaped form comprises stepped terraces with in-built planters and trees that blend the building into the lower-rise character of South Yarra and its greenery while also offering views across the south-eastern suburbs.

From the west, 10 River's tower is defined by a curtain wall of folded glass creating a dynamic articulation of light play.

The site for 10 River is dissected by a diagonal easement, splitting the building’s first two levels in half allowing an exclusive porte cochere and secluded secondary entrance.

The site for 10 River is intersected by a diagonal easement that splits the first two levels in half. Carr’s architectural and interior design response embraces this unique condition by creating an exclusive porte cochere and secluded secondary entrance along the easement. Catering to an elevated tenant profile, this addition allows discreet entry into the building with the convenience of valet parking.

The architectural and interior design language is strongly aligned, working harmoniously as one transition between exterior and interior. The lobby continues the dark, reflective and moody palette through textured stone, pared-back materials and touches of bronze detailing. Much like heritage buildings along Collins Street, 10 River offers a raised ground-floor arrival experience. Classic furniture is placed along the glazing overlooking the street and tree canopies. The sophisticated lobby experience is defined by considered orientation, reflective planes and feature lighting that illuminates detailing and guides movement through the space.

10 River's lobby continues the dark, reflective and moody colour palette through the spaces with textured stone, pared back materials and hints of bronze detailing. Render by Large Arts.

Each office floor prioritises biophilic design principles, including access to natural light and ventilation, as well as access to landscaped outdoor space via terraces and Juliette balconies. Render by Large Arts.

The office levels maintain a simple design to offer tenants a broad degree of flexibility and customisation, qualities fundamental to contemporary workplaces. Each level prioritises biophilic design principles, including access to natural light and ventilation, as well as landscaped outdoor space via terraces and Juliette balconies. Features typically found in residential settings, including operable windows and sliding glazed doors, give tenants control over how they use their space. Every office level offers a different floor plan, with varying terrace sizes and opportunities for client-led customisation. The central core also allows some floors to be split, providing further options for subdivision.

Tenants also have access to a full suite of amenities, including end-of-trip facilities and luxuriously appointed bathrooms. The bathrooms provide a heightened sense of comfort through full-height privacy partitions, soft lighting and generous planning.

The design for 10 River unifies architecture and interior design principles to deliver a high-end workplace for like-minded businesses and organisations. The experience is elevated through a strong commitment to convenience, luxurious materials and hotel-quality design thinking.