New homes: Atria in Kingston turns convention on its head with secret garden

A design that turns convention on its head means residents will have a distinct experience entering Atria.

“What we’ve done is sort of reversed the idea of having an enclosed corridor situation to get into your apartments, and we’ve replaced that with a garden,” co-director of Cox Architecture Chris Millman says.

Residents will wander through a garden and over a bridge to their homes.

The walkways provide light and cross-ventilation to apartments while adding a feeling of spaciousness and detachment from surrounding residences.

“The walkways give you a sense of privacy and security,” KG Capitol development manager James Koundouris says.

Developed by KG Capitol and Peet, Atria completes Kingston’s Green Square, with commercial space adding amenity to the area.

This adds a European touch, which Millman believes will reap rewards, reinvigorating the area.

“It’s quite urban,” he says. “It’s sort of like European living if you like, because you end up with more of a precinct scale where you have shops down the bottom.”

It’s much more than just a nod to commercial, with the space including a new supermarket, cafes and various retailers.

A carpark on the second level creates a physical and acoustic separation for the homes, as well as providing an elevation, which creates spectacular views.

Residents emerging from their apartments will find themselves in the centre of a thriving cultural hub.

“What we’re trying to create is apartments overlooking Green Square that are reminiscent of a piazza lifestyle enjoyed in most of the stylish urban-renewal areas of Sydney, Melbourne, as well as precincts in Rome, London, Barcelona, New York, Paris,” Koundouris says.

Dwellings feature double-glazed windows throughout, ‘Havwood’ timber floors, ducted reverse-cycle air-conditioning, Bosch kitchen appliances, stone benchtops and integrated fridges. A range of one, two and three-bedroom apartments are still available for sale.

Inspect: Monday-Wednesday, 10am-2pm and 3.30-5.30pm; Thursday, 10am-5pm; Friday, 10am-2pm; weekends, 10am-4pm. Agent: Mark Wolens, Independent Property Group 0418 632 711.

Feature we love: Open-air entrances and individual walkways are fresh and fun.

Who lives here: With a vibrant cultural scene, Kingston appeals to both the younger end of the market, first-time buyers and young professionals, and those seeking to downsize to a central location.