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Thursday, April 7, 2011

The Apartments - NewActon - Canberra


Who: Molonglo Group (developers) and Fender Katsalidis Architects
Types: 1 bdrm/2bdrm/3bdrm
Price range: approx $660k - $970k
Size: approx 78sqm - 140sqm
Strata: Approx. $TBC
Available: Now
Display Suite: Apartment 1110, 19 Marcus Clarke Street Canberra

The Apartments are located in the City West in central Canberra, a pocket of which is undergoing urban renewal and newly dubbed NewActon (apparently one word). This truly is a wonderful location - views to the surrounding hills on all sides, and Lake Burley Griffin just over the road (albeit a busy road). In this precinct there are several new apartment buildings, including the Nishi Apartments nearby, touted as an 8 star NatHERS (Nation Wide Home Energy Rating Scheme) rated building, currently in the early stages of construction. There is also obvious attention in the developing precinct to landscaping, creativity, and revitalisation, with cafes such as Urban Food - an organic food store and cafe that wouldn't look out of place in Surry Hills, a courtyard cinema, and the Flint Bar. Even the lobby of The Apartments is filled with artworks from the Molonglo collection, and have a strong design feel to them.
The striking lobby in The Apartments

Artwork on the other side of the lobby in The Apartments

The architects responsible for the apartments, Fender Katsalidis Architects are a highly regarded Melbourne-based architectural firm. Their past work is reflected in the highly textural, and almost sculptural approach to the building form - with its curving glass facade, and use of timber, reflective glass and concrete. There is a clear communication of the vision between architect and client here in the way that artwork is not only brought into the public urban and interior spaces in the precinct, but also then in the way the architect and landscape architect has reflected this intention in the design of the lobby spaces, the finishes in the apartments, the design intent shown in the public outdoor spaces, the overall form of the apartment tower, and even the design of the retail spaces such as the courtyard of the Flint bar.
Landscaped roof on top of The Apartments podium, below the main tower


The Apartments have a strong focus on quality and design. Full height curved glass windows in the bedrooms provide stunning views to either the lake or the mountains beyond Canberra. The spaces are generous and well finished. The use of exposed concrete ceilings and beams in the main kitchen and living area is a reminder of the intentions of the NewActon precinct, which is to bring a new, slightly gritty and creative edge to an old part of what is otherwise regarded as a city lacking the urban density to achieve the 'inner city' vibe that comes more naturally to places like Sydney and Melbourne.
Master bedroom in the 3 bdrm apartment
Living room with exposed concrete ceilings and columns
The only apartments currently still available are those in the tower, such as the one reviewd here. The loft style, podium, and terrace apartments have all sold out. Keep a look out for other upcoming developments though if this precinct appeals, such as the Nishi apartments.

1 bedroom apartments at 78sqm are approximately $660k. 2 bedroom apartments at 100sqm are approximately $840k and bedroom apartments are around the $970k mark.

1 comment:

  1. Very Melbourne. Very not Canberra. Interesting!
    Who do you think might live there?

    ReplyDelete

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