Park & Raphael, a series of 19 luxury townhouses in Abbotsford, Melbourne, is where some of the city’s most creative design talents will collide and collaborate.

Located on the edge of the Yarra River and within strolling distance of Collingwood, Fitzroy and Richmond, this new residential area is close to the Melbourne CBD, but still surrounded by the peaceful parks, cafes, and old workers’ cottages and factories that steadfastly remain in Abbotsford.

“This pocket of Melbourne has the best of both worlds. On the one hand it is secluded – nestled amid parkland – and on the other it’s connected to the CBD, the inner north and the city’s entertainment precincts,” says Kyp Bosci, the managing director of design-led developer, Kalex Projects.

Aiming to deliver inspiring spaces, Kalex will be working in tandem with various designers and architects to offer living areas that mirror both the location and charms of Abbotsford.

Park & Raphael, designed by architectural firm Jackson Clements Burrows, will feature a crafted brick screen façade with black metal and timber detailing. Taking his cue from the surrounding terrace houses and warehouse conversions, principal architect Tim Jackson says that the team is conscious of the aesthetic and heritage streetscape that exists in this patch of Abbotsford.

“[We] wanted to retain the integrity of that local character, as well as offer new ideas about what contemporary townhouse living can be.”

Stretching from 59 to 67 Park Street, the townhouses will offer a choice of two or three bedrooms in seven different configurations, spanning a generous 150 to 220 square metres over two or three levels. The interiors are by DesignOffice.

Neutral tones, polished concrete, tactile timber and immaculate details dominate the units. Sociable island-based chef kitchens are at the heart of each home, manufactured by local craftsmen Cantilever and sporting Gaggenau appliances.

Furniture store Great Dane is also involved with the design process. According to founder Anton Assaad, buyers at Park & Raphael will be invited to the store and offered a focused consultation on the furniture and lighting that they seek, with Great Dane to contribute pieces to complement the interiors of each townhouse.

In addition, Urban Commons will take charge of the landscaping, adding its own custom-designed rooftop barbeque unit with kitchenette, and low-maintenance edible gardens to the rooftops.

“Each of the collaborators brings little moments of surprise,” says Urban Commons’ Justin Hutchinson.

“That’s what really makes a space, those little moments that you don’t expect – whether it be on the rooftop or down on the drive, it’s those stories that attach themselves to the idea of home.”

Targeting style-savvy professional couples and families, the townhouses are due to be completed by late 2014, with prices from $875,000 to $1.35 million.

Geraldine Chua

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