An exciting urban transformation has taken place in the heart of Richmond, Melbourne, converting an industrial building that formerly produced rock crushing machinery that helped carve out Melbourne’s train tunnels into state-of-the-art contemporary apartments and townhouses, known as Jaques precinct.
The sites historical significance dates back to 1885 when the Jaques Bros Foundry was originally established. Keeping the namesake, the developers, Riverlee Group and Macquarie Real Estate Equity Funds had a tremendous task of creating something truly special to the Richmond area. They were able to pay tribute to the local heritage of the building and with the aide of local council and the residents of Richmond, also honour the memory of one of the biggest names in Richmond’s history, legendary footballer Jack Dyer OAM – naming a new street and retail space within Jaques precinct after him.
The $290 million Jaques precinct spans 9,945 square metres and is bordered by Palmer, Coppin, Highett and Griffiths Streets. Featuring 377 apartments and townhouses that were completed across three stages, the precinct is comprised of five integrated buildings and caters for a luxurious modern lifestyle.
In order to achieve the vision of transforming the historical site from an industrial relic into a contemporary example of urban architecture, Fender Katsalidis Architects were appointed to drive the architectural response. Collaborating with Hecker Guthrie and Samantha Eades for the interiors across stages two and three respectively, the apartments throughout the development all embody a generosity of space and design coupled with innovation and strong sustainability aspects.
The floor plans were designed specifically to encourage an entertainer’s lifestyle with the generous kitchens opening directly onto large living areas. The element of luxury is further enhanced with the selection of Gaggenau appliances across stages two and three of Jaques precinct.
With Gaggenau being the epitome of exclusive culinary culture, there was no doubt that they were the perfect brand to partner with in this project. Honouring precision craftsmanship, impeccable quality and intuitive design, the Gaggenau appliances represent the sophisticated lifestyle that the Jaques precinct aimed to achieve.
The avant-garde aesthetic and superior functionality of the Gaggenau range can be experienced to the full extent in stage three, Palmer St, which features the highest level of luxury in the entire precinct. The generously proportioned apartments include imported Italian kitchen joinery with glass cabinetry, smoked mirrors, stainless steel benchtops, butlers pantries and of course German-engineered appliances by Gaggenau.
The Gaggenau 200 series ovens make a bold statement in the luxuriously appointed kitchens. Specified in the striking Gaggenau Anthracite finish, the 200 series succeeds in pleasing both the design aficionado right alongside the culinary connoisseur.
When it comes to the gas cooktop, the Vario 200 series fuses state-of-the-art performance with intelligent design. Crafted from solid stainless steel, the cooktop perfectly compliments the benchtops in the apartments, and the fact that Gaggenau products are all finished by hand reinforces the uncompromising quality that is Gaggenau. The brand strongly believes that finishing the products by hand is the only way to put true soul into the products.
There is a resurgence of entertaining at home as people explore and grow their own culinary skills, transcending the previously accepted norms when it comes to domestic appliances. So it is only fitting that in a remarkable new development such as Jaques, and Palmer St in particular, that the residents are treated to the best in home appliance technology. The Gaggenau kitchen appliances encourage culinary creativity to flourish, while the intuitive features enhance the whole cooking experience while enriching the carefully considered aesthetic of the entire space.
The 56 boutique apartments in Palmer St are aimed primarily at the owner-occupier and the downsizer. Riverlee Group sales and marketing director Kristine Lee said, “Richmond is emerging as a top market for empty nesters and downsizers who require luxurious, quality larger format apartments when they sell the family home and want to move closer to the city.”
Lee goes on to explain, “We have limited the number of apartments per floor in order to create larger residences that will meet the needs of owner occupiers. The premium level of finish aims to appeal to buyers who don’t want to compromise – whether they are upgrading their life and home, or downsizing from the family home.”
While Palmer St and the Jaques precinct encapsulate the luxury lifestyle that inner city living can bring, it’s the carefully considered finishes, fittings and Gaggenau appliances that transform a well-designed space into something truly remarkable.