Exclusive first look: Hirsch & Faigen lodge plans for Mermaid Beach apartment tower, Yves

Following the launch of its boutique Kirra Beach apartment development The Emerson, the Melbourne-based developer Hirsch & Faigen on to their next project.

They've lodged plans for their recently acquired 1,905 sqm Mermaid Beach site, 7-9 Mermaid Avenue at the northern end of Mermaid Beach, which was bought back in June.

H&F, led by the Melbourne lawyer Daniel Faigen and Richard Hirsch, has had Rothelowman design Yves, which will comprise three 25-level towers. They will home a total of 145 apartments.

Following luxury developments at Palm Beach and Kirra Beach in Coolangatta, Hirsch & Faigene consciously gone for a more price appropriate product for the location.

"With Mermaid Avenue we're getting back to some more affordability," Faigen told Urban, adding that there's a need for a more price pointed product.

"We're not on the beach, nor are we trying to do three of four million dollars per apartment for this one.

"The investor market is super strong on the Gold Coast, and Mermaid already has established amenity with restaurants, cafes of course the beach."

Faigen said Mermaid is still the best suburb on the Gold Coast, with the millionaire's row Hedges Avenue fronting the beach. He said the apartment towers of this size fit the location better than the sites of their previous two developments.

Rothelowman aimed for a suburban approach to arrival in the communal lobby, designed as a greenhouse. Image source: Rothelowman

It's the third time in a row Hirsch & Faigene had Rothelowman handle the design of the project.

The in demand architecture firm call Mermaid Beach the Gold Coast's last humble vestige.

"We all know the Gold Coast has changed a lot in the last 60 years, and as more and more people escape the crowded ‘southern cities’, we anticipate she will change even more," Rothelowman advised in their design statement.

"Between the sleepless Broadbeach & gentrified Burleigh, Mermaid Beach captures the diminishing modesty of the Gold Coast. It is a microcosm with cafes, craft and culture. A community of locals and tourists relishing a more humble urban lifestyle than the north & south.

"A deliberate and direct attitude towards enhancing the way in which buildings can add to the narrative of life of the Gold Coast is important in ensuring an “Architecture of Place” can be developed."

They said the site presents a unique opportunity to create a transitional tower project at the junction between the intensity of cosmopolitan Broadbeach and the more traditional/ laidback vestiges that is well defined by places such as Mermaid Beach.

"A rich part of the evolution of the Gold Coast is the challenge and opportunity posed by the emergence of high density precincts amongst the well-established lower intensity beachside villages of the City. This is very much a product of the desirability of living in the emerging City and the rapid shift towards a more urbanised environment along the length of the Coast."

There will be just eight one-bedroom apartments, which start from 60 sqm, across the towers, 101 two-bedroom apartments from 71 sqm and 30 three-bedroom units, which are upwards of 133 sqm in internal living space. The upper levels are reserved for three subpenthouses and three penthouses, the subpenthouse starting from 156 sqm and the penthouses from 287 sqm. The biggest apartment has 341 sqm of internal living area.

Two of the three towers. Image source: Rothelowman.

The building's are crowned with outdoor rooftop seating, with the residential amenity located in the shared lobby, which Rothelowman designed as a greenhouse to create a suburban feel.

There will be a north-facing swimming pool as the centrepiece, as well as a pool and yoga deck, a gym, sauna, recreation lounge and barbecue seating.

The design is also a nod to the history of coastal masonry walk ups.

"Embedding the coastal traditions of this place within high density apartment precincts is not by any means a straight forward task," Rothelowman state.

The lush, landscaped entry lobby. Source: Rothelowman

"Mermaid Avenue seeks to humbly direct this thinking towards an outcome that promotes liveability and simplicity. The unique “wedge-shaped” site results in a dynamic built form that has been subtly articulated through a series of intersections in form and incisions in the overall mass. A layered approach to façade balancing glazing with masonry responds to climatic orientation, desire for views and outlook. A textural approach which balances reflectivity in glass with undulating precast patterned concrete will create a vibrancy through shadow and depth.

"The low set podium is modestly scaled to engage with the neighbouring apartment buildings and continue the language of the street within the undercroft of the tower. Gardens prevail on all frontages ensuring a balanced relationship with the adjacent sites. The narrow streetscape interface is relaxed with generous setbacks allowing for the establishment of a landscape focused forecourt between the lobby and the footpath. Gardens are utilised to create a domestic tone, rich in coastal species, colour and textures.

Hirsch & Faigenently entered the Gold Coast market with their luxury Palm Beach development Hemingway, and followed it with their even more upmarket Kirra Beach, Coolangatta development The Emerson.

Also designed by Rothelowman, The Emerson, across 13 levels, has just 27 apartments, priced from $3 million.

The crowning jewel is the four bedroom, 430 sqm penthouse on level 13 with two living areas, a master suite with walk in wardrobe and ensuite with double shower and double vanity.