Lifestyle, residential and wellness developer Lowe Living, and joint venture development partner lNT.RE (formerly Icon Developments) have announced the popular SOAK Bathhouse brand will anchor the ground floor of their $160m luxury Emerald Place development at 182 – 200 Clarendon St, South Melbourne, which is set to open in August 2026.
This will be the second Melbourne outpost for the SOAK Bathhouse brand, after its inaugural Victorian location in South Yarra launched in 2025, which has quickly become a staple in Melbourne’s bathing and wellness scene.
SOAK Bathhouse has signed a 10-year partnership to take out the 459sqm prime corner ground-floor tenancy, which will join the other two retail tenancies, high-end commercial space and 38 ultra-luxury residential apartments and penthouses above.
SOAK Bathhouse is renowned for its luxurious and socially-focused mineral pools, cold plunge, sauna, steam room, infrared LED therapies, and massage services. Its arrival at Emerald Place, South Melbourne marks a significant milestone for both brands and for South Melbourne.
While the specific inclusions of the venue are still under wraps, SOAK Bathhouse has confirmed the space will be equipped with a signature SOAK Bathhouse mineral pool, cold plunge, saunas and steam room, alongside a lush dedication to verdant greenery and ferns throughout the tranquil bathing spaces.
SOAK Bathhouse will serve both Emerald Place residents and the broader South Melbourne business community, creating a wellness destination that bridges the gap between work and home. For residents, it’s a daily ritual on their doorstep. For the surrounding office workers, it’s a place to decompress, recharge and transition between professional and personal life.
The partnership has underpinned Lowe Living’s commitment to delivering wellness-led amenities that not only embed physical spaces within the projects but integrate established, renowned wellness brands to anchor and operate these spaces.
Through the partnership with SOAK Bathhouse, penthouse buyers will be granted complimentary memberships, while all other residents of the Emerald Place development will benefit from exclusive discounted access. Together, these privileges deliver a compelling lifestyle enhancement and a lasting investment in wellbeing.
Lowe Living has been steadily carving out a niche in the luxury property market as a wellness-led developer, having a partnership with the Sorrento-based Aurora Spa & Bathhouse to offer a private, residents-only wellness spaces at its upcoming Camberwell and Brighton projects.
These partnerships with Aurora Spa & Bathhouse and now SOAK Bathhouse, reinforce a broader shift across Lowe Living’s portfolio towards a meaningful commitment to health-focused amenity and wellness offerings.
Since its inaugural offering in Mermaid Beach, which has since expanded nationally across Queensland, Sydney and Melbourne, SOAK Bathhouse has grown into a leading contemporary bathhouse brand, attracting a dedicated following thanks to its unique social-focused approach to bathing.
Australia’s wellness industry is currently worth $USD126.7 billion according to the Global Wellness Institute, representing the fourth largest in the Asia Pacific. The Institute also reports that thermal and mineral springs are fuelling Australia’s wellness growth, rising 21.5% amid booming demand for bathing.1
Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living:
“ At Lowe Living, we view our partnerships as an extension of our design philosophy. We align with brands that genuinely elevate the everyday experience of our residents and deliver tangible value for our purchasers that enrich their lives.
“ SOAK Bathhouse was a natural fit for Lowe Living and specifically Emerald Place. Their approach to contemporary bathing and social wellness strongly aligns with our vision of creating homes that prioritise long-term health, connection and lifestyle.”
Tim Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living:
“ Securing Melbourne’s second SOAK Bathhouse for Emerald Place is a significant milestone for Lowe Living, INT.RE and South Melbourne.
“ This partnership reflects the continued evolution of luxury residential development. Today’s buyers are looking beyond finishes and floorplans and investing in holistic living environments, not just inside their apartments but in the communal and wider local amenity offerings, too.
“ For Lowe Living, this partnership reinforces our broader strategic shift toward wellness-led development.
“ Integrating respected operators like SOAK Bathhouse strengthens the long-term commercial performance of our projects while enhancing the day-to-day experience for residents.”
Matthew Bourke, Chief Executive Officer of INT.RE:
” South Melbourne has evolved into one of Melbourne’s most dynamic live-work precincts, and Emerald Place reflects that reality.
“ Our residents aren’t just living here; many are working in the surrounding buildings. SOAK Bathhouse creates a third space between work and home where wellness becomes part of their daily rhythm.
Alexis Dean, CEO and Co-Founder of SOAK Bathhouse:
“ At SOAK Bathhouse, we believe wellness is something that’s meant to be shared.
“ Bathhouse culture has always been built on connection – creating spaces where people can slow down together, have meaningful conversations, and reconnect with themselves and each other.
“ With South Melbourne, we wanted to create a place where the community can gather, build rituals, and experience wellness in a way that feels social, welcoming and part of everyday life.”
For more information, visit www.loweliving.com.au or www.integratedre.co.
1 Global Institute of Wellness
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