Living small in a new development

In a nod to the century-old homes surrounding the new Green Square development, CD Construction Group is planning six torrens title terraces known as Zinc.

A modern take on the traditional Victorian terrace, the three-bedroom, three-bathroom offerings will all be triple story with top-level parents’ retreats, internal  courtyards and rear garages.

Adding extra appeal will be the addition of so-called Fonzie Flats – named after the studio occupied by The Fonz in the ’70s and ’80s TV series Happy Days – above each of the garages. They will have a studio sleeping space with a bathroom and kitchenette.

Nathan Fuzz, a director of CD Construction Group, says there is demand for clever spaces from people wanting to use them as offices, studios, rental units or just spaces to get away.

In Matraville, developer Collingwood House is also doing something slightly different with its Verge development – splitting it into two pods connected by a landscaped internal courtyard.

This will allow increased air and light in each of the 22 apartments. Verge has been designed by Sgammotta Architects.

The apartments will have external areas of up to 64 square metres each.

They will be about 200 metres from Matraville Public School and just over three kilometres from Maroubra Beach.

Meanwhile in the inner city, developer IPM Holdings has used WMK Architecture and SJB Interiors to re-design a heritage building into what will be known as the IDA apartments. They will retain original features, including timber beams and vaulted ceilings.

The Zinc Terraces

221 Queen Street, Beaconsfield
Three beds 152 square metres $1.85 million
Strata levies No strata, Torrens title
Due for completion 2016
Agent Ray White, 1800 219 838; zincterraces.com.au

Unlike their older neighbours, the modern Zinc terraces will be designed to maximise cross-flow ventilation and natural light.

Gustavo Thiermann of Ink Architects says the aim was to take “the raw concept of a grand Victorian terrace” and integrate contemporary living spaces and sustainable design into the six triple-storey homes.

The terraces will be a few blocks from Green Square station and also walking distance to the area’s growing number of cafes and restaurants.

Hydronic in-slab heating systems will provide warmth in the cooler months while well-positioned doors and windows will allow each terrace to be cooled naturally and reduce the reliance on airconditioning.

Verge 

446 Bunnerong Road, Matraville
Two bedrooms 77 square metres $795,000+
Three bedrooms 87 square metres $895,000+
Strata levies From $800 a quarter
Due for completion Mid 2017
Agent Ray White, 1800 241 621; vergematraville.com.au

For a long time Matraville has flown under the radar but no more. It is catching the eye of developers including Collingwood House, which is planning the 22-apartment Verge building.

The five-level apartment offering will have a lift. There will be retail on the lower level, including a cafe and an upmarket clothing brand.

Marketing agent Peter Shield of Ray White says Matraville is “almost certainly the most affordable suburb in the eastern suburbs”.

“Unlike its neighbouring suburbs you can still buy a quality new two-bedroom apartment with parking for less than $800,000,” he says.

They will feature Smeg appliances and Parisi bathroom fittings. 

IDA

163 Brougham Road, Potts Point
One bed 51-56 square metres $875,000+
Two bed 69-86 square metres $1.525 million+
Three bed 103 square metres $2.75 million+
Strata levies From $470 a quarter
Due for completion September 2017
Agent CBRE, 1800 255 527; idapottspoint.com.au

A significant heritage building designed by the late architect Ian McKay is being re-worked into 30 upmarket apartments in the Woolloomooloo – Potts Point area.

Their position, perched high up on a sandstone cliff, will deliver stunning views of the CBD, Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Ian McKay’s work is considered important as it was associated with the Sydney School aesthetic of the 1960s and 1970s, which favoured the use of honest materials and fused a distinctly Australian approach with influences from Asia and Europe.