Earmarked for construction early next year, the latest development by award-winning developer Melissa Calder-Mason at 44 to 46 Watt Street, Newcastle, is currently for sale off the plan.
A redevelopment of an existing building as well as a construction of a new one alongside, when complete it will offer just 16 apartments opposite Stronach’s Watt Street Commercial Centre.
Her previous project, the former Eckersley Art Supplies building in Cooks Hill, was transformed into warehouse-style terraces.
She said 46 Watt Street was an amazing building.
“It was built in 1932 as six, two-bedroom apartments. Double brick, with concrete floors and high ceilings, it has outstanding features rarely found today in Newcastle, like the timber spiral staircase – there are only two like it in NSW – plus the curved brick walls, another lost art,” she said.
“Another wonderful feature of this building is the high ceilings in each unit – all of the new units have a ceiling height of 2½ metres and the new building of three metres, which is something that is wonderful in a development and very rare.
“The new building at No. 44 will offer four, two-bedroom apartments with an eastern aspect, plus four, one-bedroom apartments, which are nearly the equal in size of two-bedders that are being sold in other developments.”
Project Architects and Heritage Consultants: carste STUDIO at Wallsend are working with her on the project. Associate Jason Penhall said it was a complex redevelopment.
“Within The Hill conservation area and in the vicinity of a number of local heritage items and with a site width of only six metres, designing a residential flat building that was going to not only be a great place to live, but still be financially feasible, was always going to be complicated,” he said.
“The existing building on the adjacent site currently accommodates six residential units and will be increased to accommodate eight luxury apartments.
“To make the new building work the two sites will be amalgamated, providing another eight luxury single and two-bedroom apartments and the multi-storey car stacker system.
“This stacker can support 27 cars, each with their own access code, has four levels and disabled parking bays incorporated. It will be vertically landscaped.”
Listed through Walkom Real Estate agent Graeme Brownlow, prices start from $465,000 for a one-bedroom apartment.
YVONNE CAMPBELL
