How the French Art Deco influence inspired Greg Natale's design of The AU, Surfer Paradise apartments
The AU, a luxury apartment development situated across from Surfers Paradise Beach, is the first apartment development on the Gold Coast with interiors and common spaces by the interior design legend Greg Natale.
The Sydney-based Natale, who has clients all over the world, counts Hamilton Island House, on the exclusive Great Barrier Reef island, and Dawes Point House in Sydney, as some of his local work in his vast portfolio.
No designer has truly made it without New York City on their portfolio. Natale has previously designed a luxe apartment in Midtown Manhattan, and also a country house in Oklahoma in the Midwest of the USA.
The multi-award-winning Australian designer, who is known for his masterly use of pattern and colour, and his bold application of both in creating tailored, curated and sophisticated spaces, fit the bill for ASF Group, the developer behind The AU.
ASF Group's brief to Natale was to create something very layered, with a strong European influence.
"I opted for a light palette with French Deco influence so that the owners could add personality to the spaces with furniture and art," Natale told Urban.
Rather than drawing inspiration from previous projects, Natale drew from the French Deco era for the interior design, inspired by French Deco motifs and finishes, crafting each space to harmoniously exist with the rest of the building’s form.
“The shared spaces have an elevated, polished and formal feeling which is a nice contrast to the beachside location. I worked with the organic, curvy nature of the architecture of the building and used curves and repeat circle motifs in my design,” he said.
"I love the European feel of the spaces right on this iconic beachfront location, and a favourite feature is the light and airy feel of the apartments."
There are just 12 whole-floor apartments and 2 three-storey penthouses in the striking 19-level building, which features a facade made almost entirely of golden class. One of the five-bedroom penthouses with its own indoor-outdoor pool has already been snapped up for nearly $9 million.
The full-floor apartments start from 255 sqm and have four bedrooms, all with accompanying bathrooms, kitchens with natural stone bench tops, and an open-plan living and dining areas and a 14-metre-long balcony that faces the beach. Luxury starts immediately, with a private lift entry for residents.
The resident amenity is located on the podium level, with a gym and residents' lounge space, which sit beside the infinity pool that looks out across the sand and ocean.
The podium level also features a barbecue and dining facilities, along with a sauna, ideal for unwinding after a few laps in the pool.