Peter Metzner to launch La Strada Residences in Potts Point, Macleay Street's first new apartments in two decades
Potts Point will get its second new off the plan apartment development in market in as many months with the upcoming launch of La Strada, the Macleay Street apartment development by Peter Metzner.
Fresh off the back of the launch of Muse Potts Point, Metzner will launch La Strada, just four exclusive apartments on Macleay Street designed by architect David Mitchell and with interiors by Fiona Lynch.
The bespoke building is designed to complement and enhance the unique Potts Point neighbourhood, renowned for its interwar architecture.
“As a team, David Mitchell Architect and myself spent two years designing LA STRADA, taking its name from the famous 1980s Italian restaurant owned by Giovanna Toppi, Sydney’s Godmother of Italian cuisine,” Metzner said.
The restaurant was a magnet for visiting celebrities including Elton John, Sammy Davis Jr, Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger, Whoopi Goldberg, and Cyndi Lauper, along with Sydney’s leading business leaders and society.
Metzner purchased the building from Toppi in 2021, launching the development with a book that includes a tribute to Toppi & La Strada Ristorante, along with her famous recipes, recreated by daughter Paola Toppi.
Elton John’s favourite dish, paglia fieno alla boscaiola and Kerry Packers’ Steak Diane, accompanied by celebrity messages from the original La Strada’s guest book, also feature in the book.
“Being involved in the hospitality industry, the significance of Giovanna & La Strada Ristorante was not lost on me, when purchasing the building, I told Giovanna it was my intention to celebrate her amazing legacy,” Metzner added.
There are three full-level residences and one three-level penthouse. The project is accessible from Macleay St via a stone-clad private lobby, and via Hughes St to basement parking. Each residence has its own private lift lobby, and all floors have ample natural light throughout. The landscaping was handled by the renowned Dangar Barin Smith.
Fiona Lynch has created unique interiors that acknowledge the area’s Art Deco heritage but are both contemporary and timeless, using multiple stone finishes, sculptural details and a minimal colour palette.
Each of the full floor apartments have been 132 sqm and 138 sqm of living space. They have three bedrooms, one being a potential study. Residence one has balconies on three sides including a rear terrace and a tropical garden.
The three-level penthouse, connected by a sculptural staircase as well as a lift, has three ensuite bedrooms, a seperate multi-purpose study/bar area, and a rooftop with a swimming pool and entertainment terrace with views of the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and city.
There's also communal facilities on the roof, set away from the penthouse, in the form of a training and wellness area and a barbecue space.
Ben Stewart of Stewart Residential/CBRE said La Strada is a unique offer for Macleay Street.
"With it being the first new residential building to launch on Macleay Street in 20 years, with approvals challenging and a short supply of full floor three bedroom residences and the three-level penthouse, La Strada is truly special.”
To further acknowledge this history, the ground floor will be activated with a restaurant for the entire Potts Point community to enjoy on Hughes St and outdoor seating on Macleay Street.
Metzner has developed multi-level commercial properties in Campbell Street, Surry Hills, and Riley St, Darlinghurst, and has approval for three residential waterfront dwellings in Tamarama and owns hospitality venues in partnership including the Dolphin Hotel, Harry’s, and Snack Kitchen.
“We have been really focused on creating a timeless, majestic, contemporary building that is absolutely true to Potts Point, with the design ethos that the interiors are unique, modern and liveable. It’s a place where I want to reside, it will be the very best we can deliver and a wonderful place to live,” said Metzner.
