The Englefield brings hotel-style living and craftsmanship to South Yarra

The Englefield, a boutique collection of seven generously-sized apartments located along the tree-lined Chambers Street in South Yarra, was recently completed by builder VCON. The development which was designed to celebrate the relationship between nature and the built environment, is a collaboration between developer Perri Projects, architects Woods Bagot and landscape architect Paul Bangay.

According to Perri Projects, The Englefield will enjoy the benefits of tailored living that is reminiscent of a hotel rather than an apartment building, with only two residences remaining including a full floor penthouse. The design is characterised by a rich bluestone façade softened by verdant vines, with Woods Bagot drawing on its extensive experience across a range of sectors to provide The Englefield with a 'hotel feel'. 

Woods Bagot’s focus on design craftsmanship is evident, where the kitchen joinery and island bench as well as bathroom vanities and bedroom cabinetry, have all been custom designed to create a bespoke, one-of-a-kind design motif throughout.

Speaking to Urban.com.au last month, Woods Bagot's Peter Miglis noted the maturing apartment market and the importance of designing apartments based on the same principles of a more traditional home, with bespoke features which celebrate the craftsmanship and considered design of the apartment.

...what we're finding is that there is a market that is maturing, that has become comfortable with the idea of living in apartments. But apartments not as we've traditionally known them, as these minimal requirements and getting the yield up. It's now about apartments that adopt qualities of living in a home, and what I mean by that is having more area internally, having a social network within the complex as well.

We always circle back when we look at apartment planning - how would a house perform and function? And how would we take those attributes and put that into an apartment plan. Maybe one day we don't call them apartments, maybe we adopt another name for them as a fusion between house and apartment coming together. 

...there's also the care to detail, even right down to the kitchen door handles. Moments like that where they are bespoke and they have a sense of individual character and care about them, people have an affinity to that level of detail. 

- Peter Miglis, Principal, Woods Bagot 

This synergy between the contemporary and the traditional is reflected in the use of marble and bronze accents in the kitchen and living areas which are complemented by Chevron patterned Oak timber floors, while a Woods Bagot-designed timber display cabinet reinforces the attention to detail and craftmanship. 

Every room enjoys a green outlook, with windows and terraces opening out to Bangay’s European landscapes which have been designed to act as an extension of the living space, another Woods Bagot hallmark.Apartments are also fitted with smart technology that allows residents to control lighting, heating and blinds remotely through an app on their smartphones.

A three bedroom penthouse spanning 200 sqm occupies the whole top floor, with terraces totalling 110sqm and floor-to-ceiling windows along three sides allowing sunlight access into the interior while also providing panoramic views across the city. The penthouse is expected to fetch between $3.8 - $4.1million and also includes three bathrooms, a powder room, a library, a 128-bottle wine cellar and three car lock up garage.

Woods Bagot and Perri Projects are also collaborating on 23-29 Victoria Street on the northern edge of the Melbourne CBD. The 25-storey apartment development will replace the CBD's last remaining service station with 90 apartments.

What they say...

The Englefield goes beyond traditional apartment living, where comfort, security and unparalleled design are offered in addition to the services and amenity of a hotel. With remote home automation and an abundance of delivery, cleaning and valet services at their disposal, residents can focus on relaxing when they are at home. We are proud to have partnered with an incredible team of architects to bring world-class design to this building, with all the benefits and opportunities that modern technology provides.

-  David Scalzo, Managing Director, Perri Projects

The penthouse is an incredibly unique opportunity to enjoy the space and splendour of a high-end home with the convenience of contemporary living. There are very few purchasers who can say their home is designed by Woods Bagot, an award-winning architecture practice that has been responsible for some of the biggest luxury hotels, commercial buildings and mixed-use precincts in the world. The level of quality craftsmanship, design integrity and fastidious attention to detail of this apartment is unmatched by anything else I’ve seen in the market.

-  Marcus Chiminello, Director, Marshall White

The Englefield Project team

• Developer: Perri Projects
• Architect: Woods Bagot
• Landscape architect: Paul Bangay
• Sales agent: Marshall White