Embracing graceful living in the Southern Highlands...

Bowral, in Sydney’s Southern Highlands, is a drawcard for many living in Sydney.

The mountainous views, combined with its sophisticated dining and retail offering, makes it a perfect escape for visitors, both from town and those travelling from interstate. So, when the owners of this large plot (approximately 2,500 square metres) on the edge of town, formerly a disused nursery, decided to build a supermarket, there was a loud outcry – from the councillors from Wingecarribee Shire Council to the locals who were set against a generic ‘big box’ retailer with endless car parking.

Mediation success

While there were a series of council meetings along with protests against this proposed development, Dickson Rothschild started to liaise with the two brothers who owned the prominent corner site – one of whom is an architect. Over a series of meetings, which started eight years ago, architect Nigel Dickson suggested another alternative – well needed housing. Adjacent to a corner pocket park, Dickson Rothschild came up with a scheme for 43 apartments spread over three detached buildings, with generous landscaped formal-style gardens designed by Arcadia. The idea would not only provide much needed accommodation for the locals working in Bowral and the surrounding region, but also for those wanting less maintenance that comes with a detached house in the country.

Demographic Insights and Local Character Considerations

Given the demographics for this housing development, Dickson Rothschild opted for a more traditional style of architecture – slate pitched roofs, dormer-style and multi-paned windows, combined with loggias and/or large terraces. A large communal garden, complete with outdoor seating and barbeque facilities above the car parking area, allows residents to come together. There are also other outdoor areas to meet as well as Maynard Park, a public park on the corner which feels integral to this development. Mindful of the older cohort who will live here, each of the apartments is single level, with the top floor of each of the three levels benefiting from the dormer-style windows and angled ceilings. Open fireplaces in some of the apartments add to the European sensibility.

A sense of scale and proportion often missing in many apartments

Varying in size from 100 square metres for the two-bedroom apartments to 120 square metres for the three-bedroom dwellings, there’s a sense of scale and proportion that’s often missing in many apartments. Timber floors, open plan kitchens and generous living areas are combined with spacious bedrooms, all with views of the lush surrounds. And unlike many bathroom fit-outs with clinical white tiled walls, here the tiles appear in a herringbone arrangement, adding considerably more depth. Dickson Rothschild was also mindful of who would be occupying these apartments, many of which will be available for rent. So, the bathrooms are generous and there are few corridors. Even the undercover parking that’s been provided for residents is wider than usual – given older people often find it more difficult to get their cars in and out of spaces.

Becoming a focal point

Formerly a fairly derelict street in a salubrious neighbourhood, it has become a focal point, with shops and cafes at ground level, offices on the first level, and 80 apartments above – with 10 of these apartments allocated to affordable housing. Not surprisingly, when the marketing campaign was released, the majority of one, two and three-bedroom apartments sold in the first day! Varying in size from 50 square metres for a one-bedroom apartment to 95 square metres for three bedrooms, each one benefits from a large 12 square-metre balcony. The architects were not only able to provide more affordable housing but also give the developers 12 per cent more floor area. And when current costs are at approximately $30,000 per square metre, this increase is considerable.

This model of housing is in considerable demand at present

This model of housing is in considerable demand at present with very few options currently available for those wanting ease of living in their older age. However, unlike the standard model, where there are high fences on the outside and clinical spaces within, here there’s a strong connection to the gardens, the local corner pocket park and, best of all, it is only a stone’s throw from the main shopping strip – allowing residents to walk rather than have to constantly use their cars. The Bowral apartments also provide a place where people can ‘age gracefully’, not unlike the style of architecture that’s been provided. It’s also an important story to show that one idea can certainly ‘morph’ into another, one that is more suited to a community that is passionate about its environment and keen to maintain its position as a sophisticated rural township that has built a reputation as one of the finest in the Southern Highlands.

Images: Manyard Gardens, Bowral

Architecture l Design & Construct l Documentation l Planning – Expert Witness Services l Marketing Plans l Interior Design – Dickson Rothchild

Photo credits: Anthony Fretwell, CGI: Dickson Rothschild

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