"Affordable" new apartments set for Southport

Southport is set for a new apartment development which have been mooted as more affordable than other apartments on the market.

The eight-storey building at 18 Bauer Street will comprise 54 apartments, a mix of 16 three-bedroom and 38 two-bedroom units which BDA said will offer quality apartment design in a central location and at an affordable price point.

The apartments will be set atop a communal podium and expansive entry lobby, with a small-leaved Fig and landscaping penned for the space. 

Softly curved balconies and vertical blade walls combine with a textured and timeless material palette, featuring light-textured face brick and a mix of coloured and rendered concrete. 

The bladed walls sweep toward the base transitioning into curved podium planters, complemented by further planting across the site’s boundaries, in addition to cascading and screening landscaping. 

"As designed, the project will provide a memorable sculptural apartment building," BDA noted in their design statement submitted as part of the development application.

“In its overall shape, massing and composition, the external form of the project has been developed through a considered analysis of the physical form, existing character, climatic conditions and envisaged potential for the site."

The architecture firm said the design intent is to contribute positively to the image, identity and overall quality of the context through achieving a high quality urban environment with appropriately expressive built form and activated and interesting street frontages.

Externally, the tower will be made up of predominantly glass and rendered painted concrete, with the base also including a mix of brick, stone cladding and aluminium battens. 

Future residents will also benefit from the site's close proximity to the Ferry Road Markets, along with Southport Shopping Centre, the CBD and an array of public and private schools.

"Through thoughtful considered analysis of the context and its location within Southport, the design builds on the existing contextual qualities and re-defines the existing Neighbourhood Centre with an appropriate urban response," BDA added.

"The design approach will result in the addition of a high quality, engaging apartment building providing considerable amenity for residents, visitors and neighbours alike."

The plans were filed by a company associated with local builder and Kriptal director, Ralf Hecke.

Hecke's Kriptal most recently developed the Brightwater Apartments in Labrador.