Beulah lodge plans for mixed-use Prahran project
The Melbourne-based property developer Beulah has lodged plans for its new Prahran project, opposite the iconic Prahran Market.
Beulah, who recently launched their apartments in their anticipated STH BNK by Beulah, has appointed the multi-award-winning architecture and interior design studio, Cera Stribley, to lead the design on the new project.
The existing heritage building on the site at 182-194 Commercial Road, on the corner of Izett Street, is being dubbed by Beulah as a stylish, multi-faceted lifestyle precinct that reflects the cultural history of the area. It will feature prohibition-era’s speakeasy-style establishments, while representing the era, society and values of the time.
Spanning across eight levels, the development will comprise retail and eatery offerings on the ground floor, connected via a double height atrium with natural skylights and lush vegetation, commercial offices on level one and, perhaps the project’s most unique feature, an underground food and beverage offering on the first level of the basement - a nod to the site’s speakeasy-era history.
The proposed bar draws from the Prahran Market’s architectural design as a physical symbol of the era it was built in, allowing for a discrete extension to the heritage listed building.
Crowning the development is a planned 3,500 sqm of dedicated residential space, boasting 39 well-appointed one, two and three-bedroom apartments across six levels, including access to rooftop terraces.
A soft, elegant expression that is recessive yet beautiful in its simplicity so as not to draw much attention from the heritage building on site, the apartments will be ‘veiled’ by a sleek, minimalist, perforated screen facade, which will be operable to allow for varying conditions whilst improving environmental sustainable design performances.
This seamless design aims to become the canvas as the backdrop to Prahran’s existing urban fabric. After a refreshingly collaborative process refining the unique concept with the Cera Stribley team, Beulah Executive Director Adelene Teh looks forward to bringing the concept to life pending approval of the plans.
“Prahran is founded on a rich cultural tapestry, heavily influenced by the industrial and Victorian eras; together with Cera Stribley, we thoroughly enjoyed the process of exploring and honouring this history in producing a remarkable offering that will add immense value to the area," Teh says.
“We are excited at the prospect of unlocking the true potential of this inner-city pocket, while complementing the renowned Prahran Market via retail, dining and public amenity, coupled with an unprecedented residential offering.”
Chosen for its wealth of experience and knowledge within the Stonnington area, Cera Stribley Managing Principal Domenic Cerantonio said the practice was excited to work alongside Beulah on its Prahran offering.
“After working in the precinct for 20 years, it is an honour to be selected by Beulah to help deliver such a significant project for Prahran. Through our work, we aim to create a sense of place that brings architecture and community together and this project is a prime example,” he said.
“Working closely with the Beaulah team, the design pays homage to the site's architectural history whilst acknowledging the social heartbeat of Prahran. The architecture is deliberately retrained at the upper levels whilst the lower levels focuses on enhancing the pedestrian experience along the ground plane.”