THE final release at the former Commonwealth Games site at Parkville will create 58 apartments across two three-level buildings and put buyers within easy reach of the city, Royal Park and freeways.

Hyde Parkville, as the buildings will be known, will be part of the broader, 20-hectare Parkville Gardens development that was set aside for construction of the athletes' village in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

There will be 21 one-bedroom apartments, 36 two-bedrooms (30 with an en suite) and one three bedroom version, which will also have two bathrooms.

A joint project of Citta Property Group and Australand, the Parkville Gardens development will eventually be like a small town, with about 1000 dwellings a mix of apartments, townhouses, freestanding houses and villas created within the heritage-listed buildings that have been on the former hospital site for about a century.

The apartments for sale are designed by SJB Architects and the simple contemporary style includes "framing" around balconies, with a wide range of external materials and colours adding interest.

Compared with apartment sizes in, for instance, nearby Carlton or Flemington, many are large – not so much those with one bedroom, which are between 43 square metres and 51 square metres, but the one-bedroom units with studies, which are 59 square metres, and the two-bedroom ones, which range from 60 square metres to 95 square metres.

The two-bedroom apartments begin at $470,000, with townhouse style offerings from $585,000.

Just released, four of the apartments have sold, with early interest almost exclusively from owner occupiers.

Australand's development director of built form, Sarah Bloom says the project's low-rise design

and proximity to the city and parklands makes it unusual and appealing to buyers.

Hyde Parkville also has indoor-outdoor recreation facilities, to be known as The Park Club. This will include a 25-metre indoor pool, a gym and outdoor areas that flow on to parklands and, eventually, Royal Park.

Buyers have a choice of two interior colour schemes and, for once, they are not both neutral. One contains mostly soft greys and light turquoise set against timber floors, while the other has a darker look with flashes of red and orange.

All come with a balcony or courtyard, stainless steel appliances, security access and parking.

A new trial Metlink bus route runs from Moonee Ponds to the northern end of the city via Cade Way.

A Hyde Parkville display suite is open daily from noon-3pm.