Asked to create a luxury residential development, Fender Katsalidis created a design worthy of its location. Now complete, Parque sits proudly along the heritage protected St Kilda Road precinct, next to leafy Fawkner Park and only a short distance from the hallowed Shrine of Remembrance.
“It’s an incredible location, adjacent to a heritage park, which will always be protected and is in fact part of the development. A truly unique site along St Kilda Road,” says Fender Katsalidis Director, Nicky Drobis.
The client, SP Setia, presented the team with an existing design with building approval that negotiated the area’s building height restrictions and envelope controls. However, Fender Katsalidis still saw this as a unique project that
warranted careful consideration and could take its cues from its natural environmental context.
This led to a design conceived for placing a building ‘in the round’, with 360- degree views, that absorbed its park environment.
“The buildings form is drawn from the contours of nature to create the two curvilinear tower volumes that define Parque,” says Nicky.
“We are in this remarkable spot, so everything about the building is working from the inside out to maximise views for residents.”
“Literally reflecting the park location, we arrived at an expression that has 100 per cent glazing around the two building volumes. The reflective glass facade let us create a beautiful pattern of recessed and flush glazed panels. It’s very different depending on what the environment of the day might be; it changes with the light and the seasons, just as the deciduous trees of the park do.”
Within, Parque is appointed with the highest level of luxury. The development features extensive communal areas including a chef’s kitchen designed by Shannon Bennett, a function and dining room, a private library and a meeting room.
The magnificent lobby boasts a 24-hour concierge service, lounge areas, communal fireplace and public providore.
“The entry experience is really quite remarkable, Nicky explains.
“You have two entries into the building at ground level and it is very much a grand lobby experience. It’s probably the largest residential lobby we’ve ever designed and is beautifully clad, wallpapered in travertine stone, so it’s quite a stunning environment.”
“The residences are very luxurious, with a level of amenity and appointment that can be likened to a hotel experience. All of the apartments are terrifically sized.
When we began the development’s design, this was not necessarily what the Melbourne marketplace was generally demanding or offering, so we are very proud of setting an industry standard with Parque.”