Chris Griffin has intimate conversations on his podcast, The Pocket, and shares his own lessons along the way. “I interview people that have achieved some level of significance in their life and really unpack a part of their story that makes it really special,” Griffin tells Broadsheet. Recent guests include Simon Beard, founder of streetwear chain Culture Kings, and AFL-rookie-turned-NFL-tight-end Patrick Murtagh. His long-term goal, he says, is “to become one of the [most] trusted voices and educators in the world.”
Griffin recently relocated to Melbourne from the Gold Coast “to grow my podcast and take it to the next level”, he says. Life in a big city presents a host of opportunities, as well as a motivating buzz. “The Gold Coast is a bit more laid-back. I wasn’t slacking off, but when I go away with the sole purpose to work away from that comfort [zone], I find that pressure builds diamonds and forces me to level up.”
Rather than beelining for the busy CBD streets, Griffin has opted for somewhat familiar territory in the relaxed waterside suburb of St Kilda. “I was trying to find a balance,” he says. “I know I have to go into the city for meetings, so I didn’t want to live too far away … but somewhere a bit quieter, and close to the bay and the beaches.”
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SIGN UPHe’s recently moved into Beach House, the newly opened residential development by Gurner Group where he lives and works. The building offers “so many amenities”, Griffin says – “all the things I’d typically go elsewhere for, all in one place”. Not only has he set up a podcast studio in his apartment, there’s also a co-working space for residents (“I’m sitting in it right now, on level 5”).
Then there’s Saint, a new private wellness club attached to Beach House that opens in October, with an exclusive membership tier for Beach House residents. Unlike Gurner Group’s coveted high-end club Saint Haven, Saint is a new model geared toward sporting aficionados, professionals and entrepreneurs – like Griffin – focused on high-performance, health and wellbeing. Members can expect an upbeat place to work hard, socialise and rejuvenate, with IV infusions, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, red light therapy and even a meditation cave for sound healing and breath work sessions. There’s also a gym, a wholefood bar, and yoga, Pilates and boxing classes.
With all the luxurious and convenient extras at Beach House, there’s often no reason to leave. “There’s a games room to wind down in with a cinema, a cold plunge for the morning and a sauna for the evening,” Griffin says. He’s also been making good use of the in-house bowling alley and the concierge service, not to mention the fleet of Teslas that Beach House residents can book for a small fee.
“It’s like you’re living in a hotel but you’ve signed the lease,” Griffin says. “It has everything you need and more. That’s probably the only problem – I feel like I never need to leave the building.”
Whenever he does go out, it’s usually to his regular coffee spot, Upton Girl in Windsor, for a strong flat white or a magic (double ristretto, three quarters milk). He’s also over-ordered at the nearby Hawker Hall with his mum; taken a meeting at Aru , the forward thinking sibling to Sunda located on Little Collins Street; and had a steak (his favourite meal) at Prahran’s Angus & Bon . Of course, he’s also been officially initiated with a visit to Lune.
He’s even started a Saturday morning run club with his neighbours at Beach House. “Being able to run on the boardwalk and run down the beach, going past The Espy and down south along the water, that’s been a highlight. I’m keen for the warmer months as well, for the Botanical Gardens – there are cool spots to hang out and be out in nature.”
This article was produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Gurner Group. Find more information on Beach House St Kilda or book a rental tour online.