Carr Design Group

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The campaign to raise the profile of Melbourne's latest, and potentially smallest hotel is on in earnest. United Places Botanic Gardens is weeks away from completion and is being billed as pioneering new levels of luxury for travellers to this city.

Conceived by Carr Design Group, the hotel at 157-159 Domain Road spans only four levels, with a ground floor eatery christened Matilda the latest local venue for Melbourne Chef and Restaurateur, Scott Pickett.

Thereafter the building includes a mere 12 hotel suites, each of which maintains a north and south aspect owing to the building's small floorplate. 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/29666370_10215100670687854_1570636027_n.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Domain Road's new addition is nearing completion. Image: Stab studio"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="652" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/29666370_10215100670687854_1570636027_n.jpg?itok=Xjbx9VXQ" title="Domain Road's new addition is nearing completion. Image: Stab studio" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Domain Road's new addition is nearing completion. Image: Stab Studio</figcaption></figure>According to Carr Design " The principle façade is articulated through an exposed concrete frame, which contrasts with the refined glazing system and delicate bronze balustrading. The overall effect references the early 20th century work of Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld, and will present a jewel to South Yarra upon completion."

United Places Botanic Gardens is a joint effort between Melbourne-based developer Tallow Group and creator/owner of United Places, Darren Rubenstein. Trio Construct took on the build which commenced during mid 2017, working across the compact site which bookends Domain Road's restaurant and cafe strip.

The hotel is aiming for a niche aspect of the short-term accommodation market, based upon the idea of combining a hotel and home, with Prahran-based design practice Projects of Imagination also playing its part in fine-tuning the new brand's 'holistic experience'. This translates to oversized hotel suites accompanied by a personalised butler service and a tailored in-room menu devised by Matilda.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image68_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Carr Design have created all interior spaces within the Domain Road development"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="393" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image68_9.jpg?itok=UD_aiZqF" title="Carr Design have created all interior spaces within the Domain Road development" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Carr Design have created all interior spaces within the Domain Road development</figcaption></figure>The project's common areas are restrained in palette akin to the exterior but are finished to a high level. On the interior design, "the furnishings and artist commissions within the hotel soften the buildings brutal form and minimal palette of grey and bronze, lending itself to carefully considered juxtapositions – it is exclusive yet inclusive, public and private, dark and light."

A similar design ethos is present for the development's nine one-bedroom suites and three two-bedroom suites, albeit with lighter and brighter notes. 

Darren Rubenstein summed United Places niche in Melbourne's crowded hotel market; "We wanted to create a home for guests, where they could revel in the luxury of Melbourne's best design, food and location in the privacy of their own suite."

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_8350_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="United Places under construction during late 2017"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="378" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_8350_0.jpg?itok=Gsuu2E-d" title="United Places under construction during late 2017" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>United Places under construction during late 2017</figcaption></figure>
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silvermb

United Places announces itself as Melbourne's latest hotel 

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The City of Melbourne's Future (Planning) Committee this week resolved to issue conditional approval for a 10-storey building at 1071-1081 Hoddle Street in East Melbourne. The building would rise to a height of 31.54m and accommodate 26 apartments on a triangular shaped site with a total area of 311 sqm.

The railway cutting for the Hurstbridge and South Morang lines abuts the rear of the site and a council lane stretches along the southern boundary of the site. The existing property on site is known as ‘Ascot Private Lodge’ and was previously used as a boarding house.

The development will retain the façade of the 'Ascot' which is an ungraded building, with a café slated for the ground floor, but no car parking will be provided due to the location and site constraints.

Additionally the development will breach the 24m height limit outlined in DDO21 which applies to the site by 7m but this is supported by Council as ".... the proposal meets the design objectives by not having a direct impact upon Wellington Parade, Fitzroy Gardens and Yarra Park and respecting the scale and significance of heritage buildings in the vicinity of the site."

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/hoddle_gf.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Ground Floor Plan. Image: Carr Design Group Planning Report"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="352" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/hoddle_gf.png?itok=sizBiawG" title="Ground Floor Plan. Image: Carr Design Group Planning Report" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ground Floor Plan. Image: Carr Design Group Planning Report</figcaption></figure>One of the few sticking points for the City of Melbourne and one they are seeking to address via a condition on the permit is further resolution to the new development's facade.

<blockquote>
Despite the minor projection in height above the preferred 24m datum and bold massing profile of the proposal, the sophisticated architectural response warrants urban design support. The demonstrated level of design quality within the application package are befitting both of the retained heritage base and highly exposed site to the residential hinterland to the north and Hoddle Street to the east. Further, we are confident specifically in the demonstrated ability of the project architects from our knowledge of previous work.

The design of the addition is considered appropriate, subject to conditions to further refine the façade design to integrate the development into the retained portion of the building. Other detailed matters can be addressed via recommended permit conditions.

- City of Melbourne Future (Planning) Committee Report, 15 August 2015
</blockquote>

To that end, Carr proposes the use of a combination of materials and finishes for the new build including metal cladding (charcoal), precast concrete, steel framed windows, balustrades and fins (charcoal) and clear glazing. A number of variations of how this palette might be applied to the same building form with subtle distinction is indicated below.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/carr_hoddle.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Facade articulation options. Image: Carr Design Group Planning Report"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="304" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/carr_hoddle.png?itok=zSjOgeAm" title="Facade articulation options. Image: Carr Design Group Planning Report" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Facade articulation options. Image: Carr Design Group Planning Report</figcaption></figure>The design response seeks to distinguish the new built form from the existing Ascot lodge acting as a contrasting element to the cream brick facade rather than trying to mimic. The concrete horizontal spandrel bands of the balconies wrap the building and are a cue to the Art Deco elements of the existing building's facade.

The building's height and mass will provide a strong anchor to the corner site and a focal point on the skyline. While the final composition and facade articulation is still to be resolved, it's expected it will largely be in a similar vein to the endorsed scheme.

<h2>1071-1081 Hoddle Street in Brief</h2>

<ul>
<li>Applicant: Carson Ascot Pty Ltd</li>
	<li>Architect: Carr Design Group</li>
	<li>Planning: Contour</li>
	<li>Partial demolition of existing building with the retention of part of the façade to Hoddle Street</li>
	<li>Construction of a 10 storey mixed use development including a food and drink premises (café), 26 apartments (12 one-bedroom and 14 two- bedroom) and a communal rooftop terrace</li>
	<li>Building height of approximately 31.5 metres (RL59.9) as measured from the Hoddle Street frontage to the top of the plant room and pergola on the rooftop but excluding the lift overrun </li>
	<li>No setbacks to boundaries</li>
	<li>Ground floor comprises a food and drink premises (café) with trading hours between 7am to 11pm (96 square metres), residential entrance via Hoddle Street;</li>
	<li>26 bicycle spaces, 26 storage cages, building services and waste storage accessed via Council Lane CL1379</li>
	<li>No car parking spaces or loading bays</li>
	<li>Level 1 to 2 comprises 4 dwellings (three one-bedroom and one two-bedroom)</li>
	<li>Level 3 to 5 comprises 4 dwellings (two one-bedroom and two two-bedroom)</li>
	<li>Level 6 to 8 comprises 2 dwellings (two two-bedroom)</li>
	<li>Rooftop level comprises a terrace with pergola accessed via a lift and plant room</li>
</ul>
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Laurence Dragomir

Carr's Hoddle Street Development finds favour with Council

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The first apartments within the West End precinct have been launched within the 15-storey Adderley, designed by interiors group Carr Design Group. Covered by Urban.com.au<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/go-west-trenerry-to-deliver-west-end"> last month</a>, West End represents the biggest development project in the inner city, transforming a 9200sqm former industrial site into a thriving, self-sustaining neighbourhood.

Adderley is located on the south-western corner of the West End site at the juncture of Adderley and Dudley Streets. It is the tallest building in the precinct and has been designed to anchor the site and provide a high-end cornerstone to the West End precinct.

The building adopts a tower-podium typology with the tower element wrapped in bronze vertical fins, rising above a four-level charcoal concrete podium, grounding the building into the streetscape, with green plantings activating the lower facade. The tower's curved form, draws on the area's industrial past with a strong formal language which references silos.

Entry to Adderley is via a five-star hotel-style lobby featuring an integrated art gallery, which provides residents and visitors with a sense of arrival in addition to a concierge space and marble floor finish.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/trenerry_property_west_end_in05_adderley_tower_living.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The expansive views from within Adderley's apartments. Image: Trennery Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="304" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/trenerry_property_west_end_in05_adderley_tower_living.jpg?itok=jD-PGyzL" title="The expansive views from within Adderley's apartments. Image: Trennery Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The expansive views from within Adderley's apartments. Image: Trennery Property</figcaption></figure>Internally, apartments have been designed for open plan living and to maximise Adderley’s panoramic views across the city and Docklands.

Urban.com.au asked Sue Carr, Principal at Carr Design Group to provide a bit of background on the project and the experience of working on a significant project amongst a diverse group of talented peers.

Urban.com.au: Is it fair to say that apartment buyers have become more discerning and to really stand out in a saturated marketplace you have to provide almost luxury hotel-like facilities, spaces and interiors?

SC: Apartment buyers have definitely become more discerning and yes, it is now crucial to provide the types of services, amenities and design consistent with the highest rated hotel.

When staying in a hotel, you expect to work out in a high-end gym and relax in a beautiful lounge, but why should this only happen when you’re traveling?

Hotel lobbies have always been inviting and well-designed, so logically residential building lobbies are now expected to have this look, too. The high attention to detail that’s expected in hotels - right down to curated art exhibitions, restaurants and intimate bars - is now crucial to residential building design as well.

West End will deliver a host of amenities for residents and the community, including a 500sqm park to be owned by the City of Melbourne, car share facilities, a day spa, retail arcade, restaurants, cafes, bars, a supermarket, gym, medical centre and dog wash and walking services.

Exclusive residents’ facilities include a 50-seat cinema, wine storage, gardens, barbecues, outdoor dining, a 25m lap pool, a separate lounge pool, spa, deck, outdoor event spaces and an app for controlling apartment lighting and electrics as well as booking concierge services.

It’s about creating communities, neighbourhoods, a sense of security, convenience and liveability that provides the anecdote to an often fast paced world.

UM: What was the major design inspiration? The industrial landscape of West Melbourne? How did this manifest in the design of the building?

SC: Situated on the south-western corner of the precinct, Adderley’s solid, grounded form anchors the site to its eclectic heritage. Referencing the curved, undulating structures of West Melbourne’s iconic industrial silos, refined, linear spaces define the aesthetic, with a grey tinted glass façade providing moodiness and subtle references to edgy origins. Complemented by its strong charcoal base, brass vertical fins wrap the building and provide interest from afar.

The design celebrates a sense of authenticity and an originality characteristic of the industrial landscape of the area, yet a timelessness and strength true to the origins of this much loved heartland prevails.

Carr drew inspiration from classic Italian style and pursued a bold and elegant interior solution, with a refined yet industrial character that takes cues from West Melbourne’s heritage as a resilient, hard-working, genuine suburb.

Energetic, dynamic yet elegant and sophisticated, Carr focused on handsome, strong, monochromatic materials - hard and soft, lustrous and tactile, with rich grain timber veneers, terrazzo and metal detailing.

The Adderley brings the high end bespoke design we are known for in residential areas to an apartment setting, creating a truly unique and unexpected home.

The local market is craving something interesting, detailed, classic and timeless but also adventurous and edgy. We looked to the Italian masters and were inspired by bold geometric forms when designing the Adderley

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/masterplan02.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="West End Master Plan with Adderley in-situ. Image: Trennery Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="336" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/masterplan02.jpg?itok=UlYhpQ4w" title="West End Master Plan with Adderley in-situ. Image: Trennery Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>West End Master Plan with Adderley in-situ. Image: Trennery Property</figcaption></figure>UM: What was it like working in unison with so many other talented designers and architects?

SC: It was a fantastic experience to work with the likes of Mim Design, Hecker Guthrie and Six Degrees. Despite a similar brief, each of us had a distinct and individual design interpretation of this unique and incredibly exciting new urban precinct. The collaborative efforts of the design firms involved has produced a result as diverse as Melbourne itself with a crafted, considered mix of styles to turn a former industrial site into an eclectic, vibrant precinct and community.

UM: How does Adderley fit within the overall vision and master plan for West End?

SC: The Adderley building represents West End’s most exclusive address where luxurious fittings and refined, timeless materials are central to the buyer demand. Featuring 100 one, two and three bedroom apartments across 14 levels, we have changed the concept of apartment design creating luxurious, crafted home-like spaces that are as sophisticated as they are practical for those that respect and appreciate beautiful design.

UM: Do you think West End will be seen as a benchmark or model for other developments in the area and a catalyst for further investment?

SC: Absolutely, West End is the start of something new, something fresh – a precinct that builds on the authenticity and deeply ingrained fondness for an established suburb but building on these foundations to bolster its liveability and liveliness as somewhere to call home. It is the re-awakening of a suburb previously only renowned for its industrial origins and gritty history, bringing together a whole new community of people and personalities from young families to empty nesters.

The provision of 5 star hotel amenities and an eclectic mix of interesting and dynamic architectural and design outcomes across the five buildings comprising West End, will see the creation of a world-class mixed-use retail, residential and leisure precinct of which Melbourne can be proud.

The Adderley is an accompaniment to a curated life, a life well traveled, and offers a unique home for those with a discerning eye for timeless design.
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