A modern luxury apartment block designed by Fender Katsalidis is set to be built at 557 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne.

Located next to Wesley College, Parque will sit on a 9000sqm site and is planned to have 332 apartments with 6000sqm of private parklands exclusive to residents.

Landscape designer Paul Bangay will create the private parklands by restoring and incorporating century-old elm trees, which already sit on the site, into a design that will honour the Victorian setting.

The design of the building was inspired by its historic, heritage-listed setting – the Victorian Institute for the Blind has occupied the site since the 1860s.

Fender Katsalidis’ design includes two curved glass towers – one 11 floors, the other 19 – flanking an eight floor block, which is topped with the infinity pool.

Fender Katsalidis Architects managing director Karl Fender says, “Uniquely incorporating a significant area of heritage-protected parkland, 557 St Kilda Road is, to me, the most idyllic address on this quintessential Melbourne boulevard.

West tower, northern aspect

“Our architecture respects and reflects the nature of this inspiring location in every sense. Airy, light-filled and elegant, Parque will be a beautiful and tranquil home.

“It possesses some of the finest resident amenities we’ve had the pleasure to design,” he says.

North facing apartment view

Parque is the second collaboration of Fender Katsalidis with international developer SP Setia, with the apartments being marketed by CBRE.

Spectacular views will be had from every level of the multi-residential building, including the ground floor lobby, which will have a panorama of the Bangay designed landscape.

St Kilda Rd, northern aspect

Along with the 25m infinity pool, the rooftop includes day beds, a yoga area and a gym. Other facilities of the multi-residential building include a dining space for entertaining, a library, an outdoor BBQ area, meeting room and massage rooms. The lobby will have a 24-hour concierge service with providore, lounge areas and a communal fireplace.

Apartments range from one, two, or three bedroom residences.

Construction is expected to begin in mid-2014 for completion by mid-2016.