Two apartment towers, standing at 19 and 17 levels, have been approved for 281-297 Montague Road in West End after undergoing significant design revisions.
Read: A Fresh Take on The West End Towers
The project, designed by The NRA Collaborative, represents a scaled-down vision of the original proposal for five towers.
The developers, Sydney-based Henroth Investments, reduced the scope from five towers to two, now offering a total of 345 apartments instead of the initially planned 470. The towers will rise as 5-star Green Star-rated residential buildings, incorporating environmentally conscious design elements.
Traditional corridors will be replaced with green atria, while biophilia filters at the ends of landscaped corridors will provide vertical greenery and natural air filtration along the facades. This approach aims to blend sustainability with aesthetics, promoting a healthier living environment for residents.
Community-Centric Features
The revised Montague Road development places significant emphasis on community integration and public spaces. A retail plaza spanning 1,626 sqm will serve as a central hub, alongside a proposed public plaza and parklands designed to enhance local engagement.
On the first level of each building, alfresco terraces will act as outdoor study and workspaces. Enclosed glass pods will offer private areas for residents to hold online meetings or record podcasts, reflecting modern lifestyle needs.
The two towers will be supported by two basement levels of parking, offering 482 spaces to address residents’ needs. While the reduction in tower numbers has decreased the overall apartment count, concerns persist among local residents about the development’s height and the potential for increased traffic in the area.
A Deliberate Design Process
This project reflects years of planning and adjustments in response to local feedback and urban design standards. According to planning documents, the developers sought to create an “exemplar response to key urban design” that enhances community benefits.
Read: Scaled-Back Plans Revealed for Controversial West End Riverfront Site
The approval of the revised design highlights a balance between development goals and community considerations, paving the way for a new chapter in the urban landscape of West End. Whether it will fully satisfy the concerns of residents remains to be seen, but the emphasis on sustainability and shared spaces sets a progressive tone for future projects in the area.
Published 9-December-2024
