Project in Focus: Montague Apartments

Location: Montague Street, South Melbourne
Developer: Clancy Constructions
Date of Completion: 2022

Montague Street, South Melbourne, is a highly desirable pocket in Melbourne. The period homes, along with the wide leafy streets, attract high-end developers. In this case, there was an opportunity to develop a carpark associated with the adjacent pub, the well-known O’Connells Hotel, into luxury house-sized apartments.

Rather than overdevelop the 400-square-metre corner site, the decision was made from the outset to build only three apartments, one on each level. Given the site’s modest dimensions, secure parking for all of the residents is in the basement, with not just car spaces, but garages for added security. At the other end of the building are large outdoor terraces and swimming pools for the residents living in the top two levels, with the ground level apartment enjoying a private courtyard garden.

As well as providing generous accommodation, with units having three bedrooms and a separate study, Mills Gorman Architects was mindful of the interface of the development, being on a prominent corner site. Its design cue came from the many Art Deco apartments in the neighbourhood, some of which feature generous curved balconies. While not being derivative of this style, there are curved balconies and softer edges given the building is aligned with the footpath. The façade was also detailed with wire to allow vines to eventually cover a significant portion of the building. The extensive planter boxes, both at ground and upper levels, further green up the streetscape.

Unlike many apartments that appear ‘cookie cutter’ - identical to each other - here the apartments have their own character. While the ground floor apartment benefits from a verdant outlook through steel and glass windows and doors, the penthouse apartment enjoys views of the city. There’s also an unusual light source from the skylights positioned in the dining area – with the glass skylights connected to the swimming pool directly above. Given the brief was for a high-end offering, the finishes used by the architects include timber parquetry floors and well-appointed kitchens with state-of-the-art appliances. Many of the interior walls are also finished in a black stained timber to accentuate the warmer tones of the timber used throughout – a development driven by quality that’s aligned to its A-grade location.