Exclusive first look: Time & Place lodge Potts Point apartment plans

It's been two years in the making, but Melbourne developer Time & Place has finally started putting together new plans for the redevelopment of the landmark Potts Point apartment building, The Chimes.

The Macleay Street block dates back to the mid-20th century when it was designed by Hugo Stossel, a modestly well-known post-War émigré architect who designed a number of similar residential apartment buildings in Sydney’s inner eastern suburbs.

The price for the block has been previously reported as $85 million, which would equate to just over $1 million per apartment. There are 80 studio apartments in the nine-level building, which is set to be demolished to make way for another nine-level building, designed by SJB, with 45 apartments.

The building saw a Sydney record $264,000 paid for a car space in 2016.

The Chimes building on Macleay Street

Time & Place made their intentions clear when they started buying apartments in the block a few years ago.

“Over the last 24 months, Time & Place has worked collaboratively with owners at The Chimes, Potts Point, as well as representatives from the City of Sydney to ensure fair and considered outcomes were achieved for all involved," Time & Place Director Evan Papadopoulos told Urban.

“A priority for our team has been to ensure that communications with all stakeholders have been consistent, thoughtful and clear from the outset.”

They are now working through the statutory process with the City of Sydney Council.

"We will approach this next step in the same spirit of transparency and open-mindedness we have adopted over the course of this acquisition," Papadopoulos added.

The Potts Point redevelopment of The Chimes. Image credit: SJB

“We look forward to continuing to engage with the wider community to achieve positive outcomes for this iconic Potts Point site.”

Concept plans for the 1,289 sqm site at 45-53 Macleay Street have been drafted by SJB, which includes ground floor retail fronting Macleay Street.

There will be a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, starting from 50 sqm and ranging in size to the the 270 sqm, half-floor apartments. The two penthouses have private rooftop terraces with a barbecue area and a plunge pool.

The residential amenity is located on the ground level behind the retail. That will comprise a lap pool and 270 sqm of open space.

"With limited space, many apartment buildings are vying for high levels of amenity," SJB noted in their design statement submitted to the local council.

"This proposal offers a variety of apartment types to cater for density while also providing and alternative to traditional detached housing by proposing large apartments at top levels. This will attract residents that would otherwise unlikely move to the area."

SJB said the existing building pays no respect to the streetscape and the new development will change this by introducing an active frontage along Macleay St holding the corner towards McDonald St.

There was a conscious effort to incorporate a number of sustainability principles, including solar panels on the roof and a rainwater tank for use in irrigation of the landscaping.

Town planner Urbis suggested the existing building would not meet the threshold to warrant its listing as a heritage item, nor is it of such architectural quality or historical importance that it should be considered a neutral or even contributory item within the context of the Heritage Conservation Area.

"The subject site, The Chimes, is not dissimilar to Seidler’s International Lodge, or Frank Hoffer’s Riviera. These buildings are pedestrian examples of the Modernist aesthetic, showcasing typical elements without flair or innovation; they are common, and they do not reflect the requisite architectural or aesthetic merit for heritage listing," Urban wrote in their report.

The Chimes is located adjacent to the 10-level Macleay Regis apartment building, regarded as one of the most impressive in Potts Point. 

UAP, who work with developers on public art installations for new projects, were engaged to present a number of opportunity for art to blend in with the current topography of Macleay Street.