CHROFI was engaged by GROCON to undertake design development for this mixed-use development at the gateway to central Manly comprising 26-units, ground floor retail, Telstra exchange and Ausgrid substation. The challenge was to improve the overall commercial viability of the project while enhancing the architectural integrity and expression of the project.
The development is located on land with an existing Telstra Exchange and features a new building that completely envelopes the existing unsightly facility to create a new architecture and set in place the transformation of this gateway site. Key constraints included a requirement to keep the exchange operational throughout the construction as well as meeting demands for parking that led to incorporation of a 49-vehicle car-stacker system.
A landscaped awning mediates between the more traditional charm of Manly’s retail shopfronts, and residential units above. A recessive concrete grid sits quietly on the corner, providing privacy and solar protection to the units. A central courtyard permeates the building to the North, with upper-level apartments opening to the sky.
Critical to the project’s success was our ability to value engineer a financially viable outcome. This included rationalising the design in all respects including internal circulation, façade design and consolidating building structure and services. More importantly, the work resulted in optimised apartment layouts with a higher total sales value.
Team:
Design Development and Delivery: CHROFI
Concept Design: Fitzpatrick + Partners
Landscape: McGregor Coxall
Engineering: AECOM
