Mixed-use development to reinvigorate Kingston

A new mixed-use building in Kingston will help the group centre reclaim its position as “the hub of the inner south”, according to developers.

The 166-unit development was launched on Tuesday and will replace the large car park site on Eyre Street.

With a full-line Supabarn, 1200 square metres of ground floor retail space and two levels of basement parking, it is the first step in the revitalisation of Green Square.

The project, named Atria, is being delivered by CIC Australia and the Koundouris Group, who purchased the land for $8.55 million in 2014.

CIC chairman James Service said Atria would complement the suburb’s existing developments, both architecturally and in terms of amenity.

“We hope it will reinvigorate Kingston,” Mr Service said.

“We see it as a great connection opportunity and people who come and live here will have a different experience.”

Designed by Cox Architects, the design will combine raw materials, clean lines and a brick facade to sit neatly within the streetscape.

“We asked the architects to create an integrated development that had great street appeal, provided apartments which were practical for the occupants and gave them good access down to the commercial space and then out into Kingston,” Mr Service said.

Koundouris Projects development manager James Koundouris said the retail component of the development would add a much-needed fresh food precinct to the group centre.

“The biggest complaint that we hear from people who shop in the area is that they cannot do their food shopping in Kingston,” Mr Koundouris said.

“It’s the only group centre in Canberra where you can’t actually do all your food shopping – that’s what we want to bring back to Kingston.”

Mr Koundouris said the development was aimed at creating a point of difference, rather than replicating Kingston’s existing amenity.

“We would like a butcher, baker, pharmacy and delicatessen to piggyback off the Supabarn range,” Mr Koundouris said.

Basement parking for 408 cars will replace the existing 168 open-air spaces. An additional 198 spaces will be reserved for residents.

Independent Property Group agent Mark Wolens said 15 of the apartments were sold within the first weekend of marketing and a strong level of inquiry suggests that the rest will move quickly.

Mr Wolens said the mix of one and two-bedroom apartments has appealed to first home buyers, downsizers and investors. He said the one-bedroom apartments, which start from $360,000, had been particularly attractive to first home buyers.

A vast open-air atrium, designed to bring the outside in, is one of the key features of the development.

Apartments will be accessed via boardwalks suspended over fully landscaped gardens.

Construction will start in August with completion slated for April, 2018.