It is part of the original Advanx Rubber Factory site and is the final piece of the development of the block. Originally intended as a commercial development, it was converted to a 133-apartment development. The site is master planned with 3 apartment buildings addressing the 3 street frontages with a central courtyard and retail on the ground floor. The buildings vary in height from 5 to 7 storeys.
Challenges for the site include noise and air pollution from the high-level Eastern Suburbs Railway and high traffic volume of New South Head Road. The building along New South Head Road is an above ground car park that acts as a screen to the site with a large-scale Korban Flaubert public art work integrating a green wall and colourful footsteps on the façade. A motor showroom is retained at street level.
Apartment buildings are entered from foyers located in Neild and McLachlan Avenues. A small public square sits between the original Advanx development and the second one, Advanx East, in front of a retained heritage-listed warehouse. The buildings form podium levels around the 3 street edges and transform to a stepped form that creates rooftop terraces with a communal garden above the car park.
Location: New South Head Rd, MacLaghlan Ave, Neild Ave, Rushcutters Bay, NSW 2022 -33.87058S, 151.228399E
Client: Lindsay Bennelong
Completion date: 2014
Program: Retail, 133 apartments
Architects: DJRD & Lacoste+Stevenson,
Team: Andrew Hippwell, Thierry Lacoste, David Stevenson, Simon Howard, Melanie Schonfeld
Structural : SCP Consulting
ESD / Services: NDY (Mechanical), BSE (Electrical), Hughes Trueman (Hydraulic), John Emerson (Civil)
Landscape architect: Place design Group
Photography / images: Lacoste+Stevenson Architects & DJRD