WMK Architecture have designed a $280-million residential and retail edifice called The Quay with two metallic towers, at 17 and 16-storeys, to complement the much-anticipated Frank Gehry creation across the road in Sydney.
The building is going up in the Chinatown area, diagonally opposite Gehry’s Dr Chau Chak Wing Building for the UTS Business School. Both developments should be completed by early-2014.
The design by WMK Architecture was selected by a panel of experts and granted 10 per cent ‘bonus’ floorspace by the City Of Sydney Council due to its environmental initiatives and design response to re-activating the public spaces.
The architects describe the complex as “an urban resort”, with a communal north-facing terrace garden connecting the two towers, and a large indoor-outdoor gymnasium.
“We introduced elements previously only seen in prestigious hotels which gives The Quay an unique architectural point of difference over other residential developments,” said Greg Barnett, managing director of WMK Architecture.
“The geometric glass, aluminum and louvre facades embrace strong vertical and horizontal planes, and the subtly different architectural expression of each tower reflects the diversity of the inner city Haymarket precinct. You could say the buildings have different personalities within a common language.”
The Quay Street site has had a chequered history. From 1912 to the 1950s it was the thriving poultry section of Paddy’s Market before the warehouse was turned into a retail outlet. The building burnt down in 1985, but luckily a corner section of the facade was saved and preserved, albeit propped-up by steel supports.
This remnant warehouse facade on Quay Street and Ultimo Road will be sympathetically incorporated into The Quay, helping to provide an historical context at street level.
The Quay will have 270 apartments, above two retail levels comprising shops, service providers and a major supermarket. Four underground levels will provide parking for 272 cars and dozens of push bikes.
The interiors have been crafted by Smart Design Studio, and set new standards of quality with limestone floors in all living spaces, kitchens, bathrooms and balconies, ‘floating’ joinery, richly-veined marble island benches, chamfered ceilings and LED lighting in most apartments.
“Our concept is ‘life beautifully packaged’, and we’ve taken inspiration from the world of luxury brands,” explained William Smart.
“We’ve foregone the overhead cupboards, white polyurethane joinery and blond timber accents in order to create a special place that is crafted and unique. This concept pursues the idea that things that surround us can create the mood of a space, just like a stage set builds the scene that transports us to another world.”
The two foyers are created by specialist hotel design firm CHADA to a six-star standard, they have cavernous spaces, internally-lit panels, bold colours, reflective surfaces, oversized feature lights and comfortable seating areas for guests and residents.
