First look: Maroochydore set for unique apartment development, The Paddington

The Sunshine Coast CBD Maroochydore is set for a rare boutique apartment development.

Dubbed The Paddington, at 21 Wright Street near Maroochydore Road and Duporth Avenue, will have just 10 apartments. There will be nine two-bedders and a one-bed apartment. Each apartment spans two levels.

It's a unique design by Sprout Architects, the local architecture firm founded by architect Anthony Robinson back in 2007.

“A two-level unit as opposed to a single storey unit allows pushing and pulling of facade elements to create more character and greater setbacks between the property boundaries and the building,” Robinson noted in the development application submission.

“The two-level dwelling typologies are sympathetic to Australia’s traditional terrace house character. As opposed to the redundant six pack developments of the 70s 80s 90s that contained single level, repetitive floor plates.”

Robinson added that compared to traditional stacked single level developments, the two-level unit type will achieve a less bulky form, due to the void created in the balcony design.  

The two-level design will also create a greener project, with residents given the opportunity to grow vertical plants up to 5.4 meters instead of 2.4 in traditional apartments.

“This can be achieved via trellis or light weight vertical planting, such as bamboo on balconies,” Robinson added.

The apartments follow an open plan design, with the dining area flowing to the kitchen at the centre of the floorplate, before leading to the living space which connects to the main balcony.

The second level of the apartments will home the bedrooms and bathroom, with the master-bedrooms featuring an ensuite, as well as an additional juliet balcony.

An outdoor communal space will be located on level one of the building, with the space featuring outdoor seating, gardens, a bar and barbecue areas.

Open space was a focus in the design of The Paddington, with Sprout plotting additional communal area on level three, with lounges, dining and barbecue facilities.

The built form is made up of concrete filled blocks with the lower levels taking on a lighter palette, before topping out in a dark, charcoal finish. Anodised Aluminium battens in flat bronze wrap the sides of the building, with the outdoor communal space a feature in the façade when viewed from the street.