The app for high-rise

Freshwater Place in Southbank continues to lead the way in defining apartment living in Melbourne, with the creation of a free smartphone and tablet app for its residents.

In what is the first of its kind in Victoria, the Freshwater Place Owners’ Corporation (OC) established the service last year in response to the growing needs of its residents and issues with short-stay tenants disrespecting the building’s common areas.

The building’s OC chair Peter Renner said the app was just another example showcasing Freshwater Place’s determination to keep up to speed with the constantly evolving nature of apartment living.

“We’re constantly trying to stay ahead of the game with technology and provide our residents with the best services possible,” he said.

“For us, it is all about the amenity of our residents. The app has been beneficial in improving residents’ experience and access to services, enhancing security and fixing issues surrounding short-stay tenants disrespecting our common areas.”

The all-you-need-to-know app provides owners and tenants with information on everything from the building’s history, management and OC rules to car parking, waste management and even its artwork.

Developed by Facility Management Victoria (FMV) and managed by Freshwater Place building manager Mike Zverina and his team of eight staff, the app’s most important and innovative feature is its video induction program for common areas.

In order to gain access to the pool or gym in the building’s level 10 common areas, all owners and tenants must watch separate induction videos before completing online forms to acknowledge their understanding of the rules of use.

The forms also require short-stay tenants to provide their length of stay, with all information automatically transferred to the building’s management for approval.

Once approved, all residents are issued with entry tags, which are validated for short-stay residents to access the shared facilities only for their length of stay.

While issues concerning individual apartments remain a separate issue, Mr Renner said the initiative had helped eradicate problems relating to short-stay tenants disrespecting any common areas in the building.

He said that, while the app was probably best suited to high-end residential apartments with staff to manage it, he encouraged other apartment buildings to look into adopting the technology.

The Freshwater Place OC has also partnered with an internet provider to offer residents the option to connect to new dedicated high speed fibre-optic internet.

It is currently looking at entering into a similar scheme with an energy provider, which like the internet service would be available to purchase directly through the app.

Mr Renner said by residents purchasing such services directly from building management they could participate in more efficient services at very competitive prices, contributing to the overall living experience.