Orchard Piper file plans for $400 million mixed-use project in Toorak village
Luxury property developer Orchard Piper has submitted plans for its $400 millon mixed-use development on the well-known Mercedes Benz site in Melbourne's Toorak.
The 3,589 sqm Carters Avenue site is regarded as a key development site under the Stonnington Council’s planning scheme, and, pending planning permits, will soon home a new eight-level building with 43 apartments, commercial suites on the first and second floor, and a number of food outlets and a high-end restaurant at street level.
Orchard Piper again had Kerry Hill Architects (KHA), most known for their award-winning luxury hotel and resort portfolio which includes several Aman Resorts destinations in New Delhi, Tokyo, Kyoto and Shanghai, design the building, their second collaboration following their $120 million project nearby.
Orchard Piper and KHA’s design influence will span approximately 5,000 sqm of land in Toorak village.
“We feel so fortunate to be able to bring an architect of KHA’s calibre to the Melbourne marketplace," Orchard Piper Director Luke McKie said.
"Their designs are truly place-making and will be transformational for Toorak Village."
KHA Director Patrick Kosky said it was important, to put forward a scheme that would pay respect to Toorak Village’s rich and charming heritage.
"The designs emphasise local materiality and hope to encourage an activated ground level which reflects the historic community ‘Village’ character of the area.”
A full-time concierge will service the residents of the two, three and four-bedroom apartments, all of which have expansive balconies. There will be a 25-metre lap pool, sauna and steam room, gym, and a sunken garden.
Working with prominent local landscape architect, Myles Baldwin Design, the plans also see the unique inclusion of a bespoke laneway between Ross Street and Carters Avenue to prioritise pedestrian access for destination and lifestyle appeal.
Orchard Piper are in discussions with Council about extending a broader streetscape and surrounds upgrade to that already underway at present in Toorak Village, which could see a redesign of the Carters Avenue public car park offering expanded opportunities for the public to enjoy more open, green space in the Village.
“This is a rare opportunity for the municipality to effect a precinct upgrade, adding to streetscape improvements that are underway for Toorak Village implemented by Stonnington Council,” adds McKie.
The Carters Avenue project is one of its four current projects part of Orchard Piper's $800 million pipeline scheduled for annual completion over the next five years.
Pending planning permits, construction for the Carters Avenue project is slated to commence construction in 2024 in line with the end of Mercedes’ lease.
