Young Wandana Heights fashion enthusiast makes big sacrifice for dream wardrobe

Riley Redford has just bought his first off-the-plan townhouse where is converting the fourth bedroom into a wardrobe to accommodate his suit jacket collection. Picture: Alan Barber

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A Wandana Heights man with a passion for suit jackets has gone to extraordinary lengths to find a home that’s a perfect fit for his collection.

Riley Redford is sacrificing one of the four bedrooms in his new Armstrong Creek townhouse to create an extravagant walk-in wardrobe.

With the 26-year-old’s clothing currently stuffed into multiple wardrobes, the desire to consolidate was a key attraction of purchasing an off-the-plan townhouseat Jinding’s Harriott estate.

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“I looked at a few townhouses and one of the things was none of them had big enough wardrobes,” Mr Redford said.

“I really wanted a townhouse for the townhouse style of living — I like the idea of reverse living — but I can’t be without a huge wardrobe.”

It was a match made in fashion heaven when the suit aficionado, who works as chief financial office for a technology company, discovered he could customise a Harriott townhouse to create his dream walk-in wardrobe with a steaming cabinet and bench seat under the window.

“I want a similar style to what you see on The Block, have they have got glass panes on some sections with your display items and pull out racks where you hang your pants and an island bench in the middle,” he said.

Riley Redford, 26, can’t wait to move into his off-the-plan townhouse has Harriott.

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Harriott developer Jinding has just broken ground on the first 45 townhouses in a dedicated precinct at the Armstrong Creek estate following a spike in sales since the Reserve Bank’s first interest rate cut in February.

It eventually plans to roll out 164 two, three and four-bedroom townhouses.

Buyers have been a mix of first-home buyers and downsizers attracted to the $524,900 starting price and low-maintenance lifestyle.

Jinding managing director of development Andrew Ashwood said the start of construction was an exciting milestone for future residents.

Construction has just started on the first townhouses, which adjoin Sparrovale wetlands.

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An artist’s impression of one of the townhouse kitchens.

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“In Victoria, we’re all aware of the ongoing pressure on housing supply and the effect it is having on affordability,” Dr Ashwood said.

“Townhomes offer an accessible entry point for many buyers, particularly the first-home buyer market who have struggled to get onto the property ladder.”

Jinding has appointed local contractor Wellam for new civil construction works at Harriott.

This includes the installation of traffic lights at the corner of Barwon Heads Rd and Harkness Blvd and a major road realignment to allow for turning lanes to improve traffic flow.

The works are expected to be completed in mid to late 2025, with residents required to use Boundary Rd to exit the estate during certain periods.