First look exclusive: Piccolo plot new Kew apartment development

A year after paying around $35 million for a large 8,475 sqm site in the heart of Kew, boutique Melbourne apartment developer Piccolo has revealed what it intends to do with it.

They've filed $50 million plans to the Boroondara Council for five three-level buildings at 18 Barry Street, a block near Kew Junction shopping village that is currently occupied by a former residential aged care facility.

There will be 60 two, three and four-bedroom apartments as part of A Piccolo House , Barry Street, part of the Piccolo House collection that targets the high-end owner-occupier. Its most recent development, A Piccolo House, Gore Street in Fitzroy, secured a flurry of sales when it launched last year, quickly selling 70 per cent of the 49 apartments.

Piccolo, led by industry veteran Michael Piccolo, is once again teaming up with Woods Bagot, the architecture firm who has a string of proejcts with Piccolo. The developments end value is expected to be around $180 million.

The Barry St Entrance. Image credit: Woods Bagot

The five buildings, in landscaping by ACRE, will comprise three levels of apartments, each with generous private outdoor spaces or balconies. 

The buildings will be arranged around a central communal area. Buildings A and B will each have 10 apartments, Building C will home 12 apartments, while Buildings D and E will have 14 apartments a piece.

The buildings will sit above a basement with 133 parking spaces, additional visitor and staff parking, and 72 bicycle parking spaces. 

The view from A'Beckett St. Image credit: Woods Bagot

Future residents will also have access to extensive communal spaces, like a north-facing central outdoor area, as well an amenities building dubbed 'The Meadow' that will feature communal entertaining areas, a wine cellar, and a landscaped rooftop. 

There will also be health and fitness facilities, including a gym, yoga room, spa, and golf simulator. A guest studio, lobby, concierge, and staff offices will also be part of the development.

The view from Barry St. Image credit: Woods Bagot

The planning assessment report prepared by Contour Consultants said, by definition pursuant to the provision of the GRZ4, the site is a "super sized lot".

"In response [to the Planning Policy Framework], the delivery of 60 high quality apartment dwellings contributes to the provision of a diverse housing type that will cater to a variety of households and families, on a large, under-utilised parcel of land and in an area with good access to transport, employment and a range of other services and facilities," the report noted.

It highlighted the State Government's "bold target" set in September 2023 to build 800,000 new homes by 2033 to address housing shortages and housing affordability.

"Larger sites such as the subject site which provide the opportunity for increased dwelling density, play a significant role in achieving the goals set out by the Victorian Government."

The site is currently occupied by an unused residential aged care facility

When securing the site in midway through 2023, Michael Piccolo highlighted the site's potential due to its tranquil setting.

"Its location, surrounded by the serenity of leafy streets and impressive vistas, combined with its scale, liveability, and character, ticks all the boxes for us," Piccolo said.

"This unique opportunity is a rare gem in the current market, where properties of such calibre are extremely scarce."