The recently completed residential development, The Eastbourne, designed in collaboration with Mirvac and in association with Freemasons Victoria, has created a luxurious inner-city address, which successfully responds to both the surrounding landscape and history of the site.
The 14-level development with 245 apartments, is situated on a prominent corner in East Melbourne on an 8,200 square metre site, previously home to the Dallas Brooks Hall, with frontages along Victoria Parade, Eades Street and Albert Street, and located directly opposite the Fitzroy Gardens.
The design approach was inspired by the notion of pavilions in the park with the aspiration to create a residential environment which directly connects with the gardens and provides a calm and serene outlook. Honouring the site’s unique history and connection with Freemasonry was also important. A sense of craftmanship, quality and refinement has been imbued throughout the development, with stone detailing a signature feature.
The development’s design language is articulated by a series of horizontal masonry planes, which creates a sense of rhythm, helps to break down the overall scale of the building and complements the surrounding East Melbourne architecture.
Lower level residences connect directly with the parklands and enjoy filtered views of the sky through the tree canopies. These apartments are also defined by wider horizontal bands, which in turn helps to provide privacy from the streets beneath.
The residences situated above the treetops are designed to feel comparable to a floating platform, with the sight of the roads below obscured. Views are extended outwards connecting with the landscape and act as an extension to the greenery of terraces. The final uppermost apartments have spectacular panoramic views and as the need for privacy reduces the residences become more open with an increase in glazing.
Double-height residential lobbies are located on the three street interfaces along Victoria Parade, Eades Street and Albert Street. Along the Albert Street frontage, the building has been set back—8 metres at either end and 29.5 meters centrally—to allow for an expansive garden forecourt and porte-cochere, where the landscaping helps to bring the park into the development.
Freemasons Victoria maintains a direct association with the site and occupies a purpose-built, four-level Masonic facility on the corner of Victoria Parade and Eades Street.
A natural palette of light-coloured masonry is used throughout and is both timeless and contemporary.
Exception residential amenity is more akin to a hotel than apartment development and includes an impressive pool, spa and steam room, gymnasium, yoga room, theatre, private lounges with fireplaces, wine cellar, bookable dining room and kitchen.
Apartments range from one-to seven-bedrooms, with the development featuring more than 140 unique floorplates due to the high number of amalgamations and customisations. The project includes apartments from 50 to 565 square metres, alongside substantial terraces which range from four to 300 square metres.
Internally, the apartments continue the theme of craftmanship established by the exterior, with an emphasis on bespoke detailing. Every aspect of the design is thoughtfully considered imbuing a custom-made quality of calm refinement.