Boom coming to Melbourne says Tim Gurner, who plans second Club Maison apartment development in Prahran
The high-end developer GURNERTM, is set for its second luxury apartment development as part of their new Club Maison strategy.
They've secured a historic former bluestone church and former Sunday school hall site at 145 – 151 High Street, Prahran, and have submitted plans for a $40 million, 45 apartment development above the retained heritage building.
“The heritage significance of the sites is what really excited us about the opportunity to be able to create something that embraces its past and re-invigorates it for the future,” GURNERTM boss Tim Gurner.
“It is no secret I am drawn to heritage sites especially where we can integrate the heritage components into our projects and bring these incredible buildings back to life.
The former Gothic Revival church and Sunday school hall building was constructed in 1891, later altered in 1936 to include shop fronts which are still in use today.
There will be a level of club commercial space behind the façade and an exciting ground floor restaurant and bar.
The proposed design will also feature a private rooftop club with city views, a clear-edged infinity pool, outdoor kitchen and dining spaces, and a sun deck designed by landscape architect John Patrick.
GURNERTM have appointed their go-to design partner Warren and Mahoney, who specialise in heritage restoration, to handle the design.
"We really wanted the heritage to be treated with the love and respect it deserves," Gurner added.
The Prahran development will be the second Club Maison concept project for GURNERTM, who announced their first site in St Kilda after the acquisition of the former Cushion Lounge on Fitzroy Street late last year.
Gurner says there's a major boom coming, and they want to be sure they're ready for it.
"I’m cautiously optimistic on the market this year and think both the residential and hotel markets will present significant opportunities in the coming years so we are aiming to acquire another 10-15 sites across our portfolio in the next one to two years.
“The short term effects of the pandemic are hard to predict, however I am extremely confident in the future of Melbourne and Australia as the world comes out of this hiatus and people seek a safe, beautiful and free life and Australia offers this more than anywhere else in the world."
GURNERTM general manager of boutique, Brooke Formosa, said the site is an ideal location
“Being so close to Prahran’s vibrant Chapel Street precinct and amenity like Fawkner Park, St Kilda Road and the CBD, this site is the ideal location for both a residential component and our new Club Maison accommodation concept,” she said.
“Building our private club, hotel and boutique accommodation portfolio will be a major focus for us into 2021 and beyond, to complement our luxury residential pipeline as we expand into new asset classes, particularly where we can retain ownership and management long-term.