Exclusive first look: Kincrest plots new Prahran apartments
Boutique off the plan apartments have been few and far between in Prahran in recent years.
The cool suburb, known for its cafes, markets and bars, looks set to welcome one, and on arguably on one of the best sites in the area.
Developer Kincrest, who is currently developing The Watson in Essendon and Armytage in South Yarra and has previously delivered three projects in South Yarra, has submitted plans to the Stonnington Council for a mixed-use building on Grattan Gardens.
Kincrest, led by Tom Howgate, secured 3-7 Grattan Street off market, and then amalgamated the neighbouring single-level warehouse to create 1,613 sqm and a 35-metre frontage to the park.
The plans by Cheah Saw Architecture are for 22 apartments across a seven-level building. The two three and four-bedroom apartments, offering larger than standard sizes, something which is built into Kincrest's development ethos, will sit above two levels of strata offices and a ground-floor cafe and retail space that will face the park.
"The Greville St precinct, with positive input from the City of Stonnington, has rejuvenated in recent years, we’re really excited to be within such a historical, vibrant area of life. We see this development as contributing to a world-class location" Howgate says.
"Both the apartments and the offices will be desirable for a lot of people. There's transport on the doorstep with the Prahran Station, access to Punt Road, and every service you could want within 200 metres. That's on top of being directly opposite the park, an opportunity that rarely presents itself."
Howgate says there's not been apartments or office spaces like this in Prahran before.
"We have a lot of confidence in the location and what's on offer, and we believe it will resonate with several buyer demographics."
Cheah Saw cleverly designed the building on an irregularly shaped block to step down from its roof, creating a green topography.
"The building is intended to be an extension of the park, a sloping green hill stepping down to Grattan Gardens.," the architecture firm noted in their documentation submitted as part of the planning process.
"The terraces are framed by greenery above and below, framing views to the park and utilising the concept of borrowed scenery, connecting the building to the park and beyond."
There's a maximum of six apartments per floor. The majority of the apartments are well over 150 sqm, something which Howgate says has stood them in good stead in a challenging market.
There will be four two-bedroom apartments, 17 three-beds, and a single four-bedroom penthouse that will share the top level with a communal terrace.
Howgate is hoping to launch the Grattan St project later this year.
