The owner of a 1930s Art Deco apartment building in Sydney's east sought to enjoy its sweeping city and harbour views, and the inclusion of a luxurious penthouse provided the ideal solution.
The newly built penthouse, which sits atop the original four apartments, is a modern, yet thoughtful addition. "The design of the penthouse is contemporary, yet we wanted to maintain the character and charm of the original building," says the owner.
Living overseas at the time, the owner engaged an experienced team to manage the project - including Madeleine Karrys, director of MXM Design Studio - and the process of renovating from afar began.
The luxury begins on the ground floor, where a charming lobby features soft lighting and warm tones in line with the elegance of a bygone era. The lift opens to an alcove next to the open-plan living, dining and kitchen that flows out to a picturesque patio.
"When you enter the apartment, the first thing you see is the expansive views of the Sydney skyline and greenery," says the owner.
At the rear of the apartment are three bedrooms, including a main suite. The two additional bedrooms make use of a 'Jack and Jill' bathroom - with restricted floor space, it proved to be a practical and stylish solution.
A seamless connection between the apartment and balcony is achieved via generous stacking doors, which connect the living, kitchen and dining area to the outdoors and make the inside and outside spaces feel as one. Skylights flood the apartment with natural light.
Luxury finishes, such as Hermes marble, are used throughout the penthouse to maintain the old-world charm of the building. "Brass detailing and decorative lighting give this space an incredibly sophisticated feel," says Madeleine. "The interior is simple and elegant with brass detailing throughout to add a glamorous touch."
Curved details - in the living area walls and the dining bar joinery - add a gentleness and elegance to the modern interior, as does the simple colour palette.
In terms of the architecture, it was all about blending the old with the new. We wanted to keep the original Art Deco building while building a penthouse that was subtle from the street view. For the interiors, we wanted quality materials that were contemporary yet timeless.
Adding a contemporary twist to the original Art Deco look and establishing a consistent connection to the outdoors.
It took four years from initial design to council approval to final build. The renovation itself took a year.
Having to build while being overseas and in the middle of a pandemic. Luckily, the team involved was exceptional.
The entrance, views and quality of the build.
Architect DRE Design; dredesign.com.au
MXM Design Studio; mxmdesign.studio
JCorp Construction; jcorpconstruction.com.au