Bates Smart studio director Mark Healey discusses Lendlease's Gramercy Terraces in Richmond

The residential redevelopment by Lendlease of the Channel Nine studio site in Richmond is expected to be one of the most impressive regeneration projects of an industrial heritage building in the area when completed.

And that's seen buyers snap up the small collection of terraces, designed by the award-winning Bates Smart to incorporate the former Wertheim Piano Factory, which was built over a century ago.

Urban recently spoke to Bates Smart studio director Mark Healey about the Bendigo Street project.

JR: What was the brief from Lendlease for Gramercy Terraces?

MH: The brief was to provide a high-end product offering with a true sense of identity that respected the heritage context.

Lendlease sought the development to be part of a vibrant and sustainable inter-generational precinct within the Richmond neighbourhood, creating a strong sense of place.

The low-maintenance residential terrace homes are predominately targeted at young professionals, young families and agile downsizers. 

Linking Gramercy Terraces to the common theme of the wider precinct, whilst also having their own unique identity to promote the individuality of the product was important. 

JR: How will you incorporate the current building into the design?

MH: The Gramercy Terraces are responsive to the neighbouring textures, rhythm and depth found within the fine grain residential and heritage context to create a familiar atmosphere.

The façade expression references the mass and generous vertical elements of the adjacent heritage building within the broader development.

The building forms also tie in with precinct wide datum, allowing Gramercy Terraces to stitch seamlessly into its immediate context and Richmond cottage streetscapes.

Implementation of similar façade materiality in different tone to subtly unify Gramercy Terraces with other buildings within the precinct assists.

JR: How will the history be reflected in the terraces when completed?

MH: Building on the broader GTV9 site’s historical setting as a place of production, our design language was influenced by a contemporary, refined, industrial aesthetic; combined with a focus on natural materiality extracted from the local context.

Gramercy Terraces drew inspiration from the iconic Federation-era red brick buildings of the precinct, while paying homage to the former Nine Network studio’s colour past. Gramercy Terraces also speak to the character of local terrace house language with landscaped entry.

Contextually responsive materials such as textured brickwork and local bluestone were selected, adding a sense of permanence.

Richmond’s rich industrial history of craft also informed the materiality selected for the interior.  Warm terrazzo stone with metalwork reference the surrounding context but are refined and contemporary in their interpretation.

JR: What is/was the biggest challenge in the design?

MH: The largest challenge was to relate the terrace’s scale and materiality to the neighbouring context whilst also giving them their own unique identity. The massing of each home has been carefully articulated in order to add diversity to the streetscape and achieve active frontages.

JR: Was there a previous similar project you've undertaken which you took inspiration from, or that gave you ideas in the design of Gramercy Terraces?

MH: There is no one project that provided individual design inspiration, however we do believe our residential design is influenced by other sectors in which we work - such as health and hospitality.

We believe this cross-sector approach brings a deeper and more nuanced approach to our design; experience rich spaces that people want to use and will enjoy.

Coupled with this approach, Bates Smart has also delivered over one million sqm of residential projects over the past 20 years leading to resolved and well-planned residences.  

JR: What is the part of the project you're most looking forward to seeing when completed?

MH: We are looking forward to seeing the mix of residential building typologies all come together as a whole, that allows families of all generations to reside within one integrated precinct.

Both Gramercy Terraces and the wider precinct respect the site’s rich heritage and celebrate diversity with timeless appeal.