News

Three on short list for Freo makeover

A boutique development company, a major national diversified property group and a consortium have been picked as the final contenders to help convert a former BP oil tank site near the centre of Fremantle into a leafy residential suburb with more than 1000 new homes.

The Match Group, Australand and the Knutsford Consortium - consisting of the Georgiou Group, Fini Group and Mainpart Holdings - will be named today as the short-listed preferred development partners (from a field of eight) for the Knutsford urban renewal project.

Lands Minister Brendon Grylls will announce the short-listed proponents, one of which will partner the State's land development agency, LandCorp, to transform the 20ha former industrial site that also contains a "difficult" landfill tract into a residential precinct.

The winner of the contract is expected to be chosen by July, with development of the first stage to start later in the year.

Mr Grylls said those short-listed were selected from a competitive field of some of the nation's foremost designers, in partnership with some of Australia's premier developers.

In the first stage, the 11.4ha Knutsford site, the former landfill area which is four minutes on foot away from the heart of Fremantle, will be developed into about 450 houses, town houses and units plus parkland.

Future stages are expected to yield more than 400 dwellings but eventually, over five to 10 years, the entire development, bounded by Stevens Reserve and Booyeembara Park, will have more than 1000 dwellings over 20ha.

 

Source: Cathy Saunders, The West Australian, p. 53 (March 17, 2010).

Site Retains Heritage Value

Local boutique developer Match, working with the Heritage Council of WA, had released a development in harmony with the site’s heritage values, said Heritage Minister John Castrilli at the launch of Maymont Apartments on Whatley Crescent.

The three-level development across the road from the Maylands train station includes 42 one and two-bedroom apartments on the first and second floors, while at street level 16 shopfronts have been restored in the style of their original build between 1902 and 1924.

Mr Castrilli said the Maymont development showed how heritage and new development could be blended to revitalise older suburbs, achieving higher density housing “without sacrificing heritage and our community sense of place”.

“The Whatley Crescent shops are one of the few groups of shops to remain relatively intact, retaining much of their original features such as masonry parapets, metal shopfronts, tiling and decorative glass,” he said. “This strip of shops is an integral part of the Maylands town centre.”

The Whatley Crescent group of shops was being permanently listed on the State Register of Heritage places, he said.

Last month, the City of Bayswater gave the green light to an urban-renewal plan to make over streetscapes in Maylands town centre within a 400m radius of the Maylands train station in a bid to make higher-density living an attractive option – while protecting the character and heritage of the area.

Just four apartments remain for sale in the Maymont development, a blended heritage/mixed-use complex. One single-bedroom apartment is available at $385,000 and three two-bedroom apartments for $535,000 each.

Contact Cameron Barr at Match Property on 9324 3855 or 0419 048 219.

 

 

Source: Sandi Lovatt, The West Australian

Appointments Strengthen Heritage Council

Heritage Minister John Castrilli today announced the appointment of a new member and four reappointments to the Heritage Council of Western Australia.

Mr Castrilli said developer Lloyd Clark would replace Professor Norman Etherington, who had moved interstate.

Mr Clark is managing director of Match, which specialises in the development of heritage properties.  Match won last year’s Heritage Council Awards for excellence in adaptive re-use.

Adaptive re-use successfully blends heritage and new development, revitalising heritage buildings and ensuring they are conserved as ‘living’ evidence of WA’s past.

Four members, whose terms had expired, will serve a further four years on the State Government’s advisory and statutory body on heritage.

They are:
·          Real Estate Institute of WA chief executive Anne Arnold
·          National Trust WA vice-president Professor David Dolan
·          WA Local Government Association representative and City of Armadale councillor Henry Zelones
·          Architect Philip Griffiths.

The Minister said he was very pleased these members had agreed to give their time, expertise and experience to enhance the work of the Heritage Council.

“The appointments ensure that the interests of the community, owners, heritage professionals and local government are well represented on the council,” he said.

“The mix of community representatives and professionals will also ensure the Heritage Council is well equipped to deal with the many issues facing the conservation and development of our significant heritage assets.”

The council comprises nine members and is chaired by Marion Fulker, chief executive officer of the Committee for Perth.

Minister's office - 9213 6800

Source: Government of Western Australia, Minister for Heritage Media Statement (12 February 2010) www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au

Council Nod For Fort Knox

The $200 million redevelopment of Fremantle’s Fort Knox building into 241 apartments is likely to get under way later this year after a delighted Fremantle City Council approved fresh plans for the heritage-listed site.

Boutique developer match won unanimous support for the project, a 50-50 split of one and two-bedroom apartments.

The amended design includes the removal of a previously approved additional storey above the original heritage building.

A five-storey apartment building will also be developed behind the facade of an adjoining building.

The new design was developed in conjunction with Cameron Chisholm and Nicol, a firm with considerable design experience with heritage projects.

Match Managing Director Lloyd Clark said he wanted the development, formally known as the Dalgety Woolstores, to be the “best warehouse apartment conversion in Australia”.

The council initially approved the application from the company in 2008 with a further extension to the approval granted last June.

However the new plans, which were approved unanimously under delegated authority by the council’s planning committee last Wednesday, flag an increase in the number of apartments from 222 to 241.

Match recently got development approval for an 81-apartment beachside development in South Beach, which was approved on the premise of the increased demand for one-bedroom apartments.

Planning committee chairman Andrew Sullivan described the Fort Knox project as an exciting development to the East End.

“There is now unanimous support bordering on sheer delight and excitement that the building is going to be brought back into life but better still it really respects the heritage of it,” he said.

Mr Sullivan said councilors were also happy that Match had included some smaller, more affordable units in the development.

Mr Clark said that shifts in the property market and an increased demand for one-bedroom apartments in inner-city areas such as Fremantle and Perth were behind the design changes. “We believe the new plans are a great fit for Fremantle and for the building,” he said.

Mr Clark said apartment prices were scheduled to be released in the next six months.

Fremantle Society president Ian Alexander said the society fully backed the revised plans.

The plans follow confirmation last month from Esplanade Hotel Fremantle owner Marylyn New that she had lodged yet-to-be approved plans with the council for the old Woolstores.

High-profile property developer Luke Saraceni sold the Fort Knox building to Match for about $20 million in 2007.

Source: Beatrice Thomas, The West Australian, p. 56 (10 February 2010).

 

 

Heritage Linchpin Completes Maylands

Perth’s most celebrated heritage renewal developer, Match, has completed another landmark project; this time in Maylands.

“Maymont” is a 42 apartment and 16 shop mixed-use development located on the corner of Whatley Crescent and Eighth Avenue in Maylands.

Spanning some 4,214sqm along the town centre strip, the heritage renewal project has been touted the linchpin that will drive Maylands into one of Perth’s most sought after suburbs.

Match Managing Director, Lloyd Clark, said while much of the building’s structure had been lost to years of neglect, Match has successfully preserved and restored several of Maymont’s heritage façades, as well as two of the existing heritage shops in entirety.

“The sheer character of the building brings a sense of depth to the streetscape.  It’s such a shame that this and many other heritage treasures are often left in disrepair for so long.  We feel fortunate to have been able to capture this classic architecture before it was lost forever,” he said.

“With the Shire of Bayswater’s support, Maymont has introduced a residential component into the Maylands centre, which automatically injects a sense of activity into the area.  Together with the stunning historic entry statement, new cafes, boutique retailers and beautification works along the streetscape, Maylands has all the hallmarks of being the next Mount Lawley, Leederville and Subiaco.”

One of Perth’s leading café operations, MILKD, has already established itself on Mayland’s main strip, and another very funky café, SHERBERTS, also recently opened.

Maymont comprises of one bedroom and two bedroom spacious apartments, all with secure parking and Match’s signature features, including large balconies and well appointed fixtures.

It took Match two years to negotiate a change of zoning for residential living in the town centre, which makes the apartments and the ability to live amongst the action very rare.  

Maymont was also one of a suite of heritage projects that won Match the prestigious Gerry Gauntlet Heritage award. The building’s heritage character gives the environment a very interesting point of difference.

“In recent years, the Maylands town centre has all but transformed and, if experience serves us well, we believed the completion of Maymont will be pivotal to the town’s explosion of activity,” Mr Clark said.  

As a small, young and driven company, Match took the risk on heritage and design-focused projects that larger developers would not be interested in – a decision that has led to a niche in the renewal of heritage listed properties and, subsequently, a market yearning for homes that reflect both passions and lifestyle.

It’s highly acclaimed “Home” renewal in Perth’s west-end has been instrumental in creating a new energy centre in the city’s western corridor. Mr Clark believes the same will occur in Maylands.

“The “Home” phenomenon has been self perpetuating in that its very existence has had a significant impact on the concept of ‘city living’ and, therefore, the value of each property. It is likely the same will occur in Maylands,” he said.

“There’s no doubt that the Maymont apartment values will sky rocket – you only have to visit the area to feel the energy. Until now, the apartments have been priced to attract first home buyers, however currently, we are getting a lot of interest from investors wanting to capitalise on the likely growth and obvious rental demand”.

Maymont is right opposite a train link into the CBD which is great for both owner occupiers and attracting tenants.

The company has already sold some 50% of apartments with only a small number left in its final release.

Maymont’s one bedroom apartments start from $375,000 and its two bedroom apartments start from $535,000. All apartments are spacious and have one and two secure parking bays respectively, as well as Match’s signature features including large balconies and well appointed fixtures.

Heritage Match Up for Maylands

Heritage and development have combined to rejuvenate a row of century-old Maylands shops.
 
Heritage Minister John Castrilli today announced that landmark Whatley Crescent Group of shops is being permanently listed on the State Register of Heritage Places.
 
The precinct of single and two-storey shops, built between 1902 and 1924, incorporates the mixed-use development known as ‘Maymont’.
 
The 4,214sqm site now includes 42 apartments set back from street level behind the original, carefully restored shop facades.
 
Mr Castrilli said local boutique developer Match had worked with the Heritage Council of Western Australia to ensure the development was in harmony with the site’s heritage values.
 
“The Whatley Crescent shops are one of the few groups of shops to remain relatively intact, retaining much of their original features such as masonry parapets, metal shop-fronts, tiling and decorative glass,” he said.
 
“The buildings go back to a time when Maylands was a bustling new working-class suburb, popular among workers at the newly established Midland Railway Workshops.
 
“This strip of shops is an integral part of the Maylands town centre and not only contributes to a sense of place for Maylands residents but is a familiar landmark for travellers on the Perth to Midland rail line.”
 
The Minister said the Maymont development demonstrated that heritage and new development could be successfully blended to revitalise and enhance older suburbs.
 
“This approach clearly illustrates how we can achieve higher density housing without sacrificing heritage and our community sense of place,” he said.
 
Mr Castrilli said Maymont was one of a number of adaptive reuse developments undertaken by Match, which saw the company awarded the inaugural Gerry Gauntlett Award for excellence in adaptive reuse at the 2009 Heritage Council Awards.
 
Minister's office - 9213 6800

Source: Government of Western Australia- Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Minister for Heritage Media Statement (18 December 2009)
www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au

 

Perth's Green Superstar Shows its Worth

This weekend, Perth’s much celebrated South Beach apartment building, SUMMER by Match, will officially launch in the marketplace.  However, it has already created quite a stir.

The SUMMER was this year honoured with the Australia’s first ‘best practice’ rating for multi-unit residential projects by the Green Building Council Australia, which means it is being used as a benchmark for developments country-wide. The property’s design is widely acclaimed and, to top it off, the development has already sold some 20% of its apartments purely through word of mouth.

Match Managing Director, Lloyd Clark, said that the these achievements are not only promising from a sales point of view, but also show how Perth is leaning towards well designed ‘signature’ properties with an environmental conscience.

“We have been extremely fortunate to have the renowned Architect Professor Geoffrey Warn working on the project in collaboration with environmental experts, Lincolne Scott.  Professor Warn is a widely published academic in the area of environmental design and has created some of Perth’s most exciting architecture,” he said.

“The result really speaks for itself; a stunning beachside property just minutes from Fremantle and, best of all, it will be a leader as an example of environmental sustainability Australia-wide."

SUMMER is located on South Beach Esplanade in South Fremantle, just 100 metres from the beach and opposite parkland.

Some apartments have sweeping ocean views; while on the ground floor apartments have direct street access through large private courtyards.

“High ceilings and generous balconies are included in all Match projects because we find they have broad appeal, but being able to offer a beachside environment just adds another level to the concept,” Lloyd said.

“The SUMMER has been carefully designed to save the equivalent of six swimming pools of water in annual use and cost, plus the apartments will require less than half of the energy to heat compared to the typical apartment elsewhere which in view of the energy price rises will result in maximum savings in running costs to owners."

“The SUMMER is secure and beautifully appointed and has been priced so competitively that I think many will be surprised.  We are really excited about this project."

SUMMER by Match one bedroom apartments start from $495,000.  Prices for two bedroom apartments start from $785,000 and $1.19m for two-level three bedroom apartments.

Match is a boutique property developer that has made a name for unique signature properties.

The company will open an onsite sales office Saturday and Sunday between 1pm and 4pm.  Alternatively, you can visit www.thesummer.com.au for more information.

More Heritage Accolades for Match

Local boutique development company, Match, has again been recognised for its building-sensitivity and commitment to heritage preservation at the 2009 Heritage Council Awards held last week (Thursday 30 July 2009).

This time, however, the design-centric organisation received kudos for more than its work on the much coveted HOME offices and apartments in central Perth.  The Heritage Council of Western Australia presented the company with a newly created award that celebrated Match’s body of work.

The Gerry Gauntlett Award was created to recognise excellence in adaptive reuse and to commemorate the lifelong contribution made to heritage by the Heritage Council of Western Australia’s late chairman Gerry Gauntlett.

While Match had only entered its HOME project into the award programme, the Heritage Council surprised the company by incorporating an extended list of its heritage renewal projects, including the Clocktower in Inglewood, the Maymont in Maylands, and of course HOME at 464 Murray Street Perth, which retained some 95% of the buildings original heritage fabric.

Match Managing Director, Lloyd Clark, said the recognition given by the State’s primary heritage body is further testament that attention to detail can produce magnificent works for both the individual and the future of Perth’s streetscape.

“When we made the decision to take on major heritage renewal projects, we were well aware of the challenges ahead and, being such a young organisation, we had our fair share of critics.  However, our focus was always on the end result and we took time to work closely with the Heritage Council to ensure an optimum result,” he said.

“By being acknowledged with such a high caliber award, together with the string of recent awards our projects have received, we hope to further demonstrate what can be achieved today in design.  We will continue to develop projects that not only make us proud, but complement the Perth streetscape and environment.”  

During this year alone, Match has received back-to-back honours for its projects, including the national Property Council of Australia Rider Levett Bucknall Awards for Home, coupled with the country’s first Green Star Rating for Apartments being given to its South Beach  apartment building “The Summer”, which will effectively benchmark environmental sustainability principles across the nation.

"We generally see our role as being more than a developer trying to make the best financial return.  We take our responsibilities seriously and run a lean ship to be able to achieve magnificent projects that are both unique and commercially viable,” Mr Clark said.

“To be frank, we are overwhelmed at the response to our work and take encouragement from it that we are on the right track."

The Gerry Gauntlett Award aims to reflect the same passion, commitment and advocate for heritage matter as that of its namesake.

Match continues its heritage renewal work both in inner city Perth, with the ‘Maymont’, due for completion this year, and the upcoming renewal project Fort Knox warehouses in Fremantle.

For more information on Match’s portfolio visit www.itsamatch.com.au
 

 

 

 

National Win for Perth Historic Icon

One of Perth’s most significant heritage renewal projects has become WA’s only development to take home a prestigious Property Council of Australia Rider Levett Bucknall Award for Innovation and Excellence 2009 for boutique development group Match.

The 1927 Chicago-esque building renamed “Home” when reopened as a mixed use apartment and office building over a year ago is located on the corner of Milligan and Murray Streets.

The challenging renewal project was taken on by boutique development company, Match, who worked meticulously with the Heritage Council of WA and the city of Perth as well as heritage and design experts to adapt the project and retain some 95% of original heritage fabric.

The project has received the national award for Heritage and Adaptive Re-use, up against some of Australia’s largest names in property, including Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, Grocon, Cbus Property, Landcom and SA Government.

Match Managing Director, Lloyd Clark, said the Award, together with Match’s string of successful projects, demonstrates how important design is to development today. He said Home is a masterpiece of historic architecture and shows what can be achieved when time is taken to consider the project, rather than only driven by the bottom line.

“It was an honour to rejuvenate this characteristic landmark for contemporary use and tremendous to be recognised for our work.”

“The Award, coupled with recently being honoured with our ‘The Summer’ project at South Beach receiving the country’s first Green Star Rating for Apartments, shows that WA can and is leading the way in design. It also says that care and attention to detail can pay off, both environmentally and commercially” Mr Clark said.

Home has had a distinguished history, being originally built as the warehouse of Perth-based British tobacco giant W.D. & H.O. Wills. It has since been used as a storage facility, nightclub and roller-rink, before being left derelict for several years before its reincarnation to Home.

Along with environmental and design focused projects, Match is fast becoming recognized for tackling some of Perth’s most sensitive heritage projects, and is receiving accolades and winning tenders on its focus on design.

“When we set out, we really wanted to make a mark in the local property industry and on the Perth landscape with this project,” Mr Clark said “it is great for this result to be acknowledged in this way.”

“There were just too many buildings going up that lacked a sense of style and/or interest because the main focus was on rate of return rather than developing something that has intrinsic value. After several successful projects, we are proving that people do appreciate the extra time and resources we pour into creating projects of interest. We are extremely proud of what we have achieved.”

Match is currently working on a number of heritage renewal and special interest projects projects, including the ‘Maymont’ in Maylands, The Summer in South Fremantle, Mix in Mount Lawley and The Fort Knox Warehouses in Fremantle.

 

Yet Another Win for Match

In a year that has already accredited Match with the nation’s first Green Star rating for apartments, as well as the prestigious national Property Council Australia Award for Heritage and Adaptive Use, the boutique development company is again celebrating the acquisition of a highly sought after family property in Lime Street North Fremantle.

The site, sized 2,517sqm, has two street frontages and is located steps from the Vlamingh Parklands and Rocky Bay Heritage Trail and Cliffs.

Previously owned by the Barrymore Family, who operated a national children’s wear retail and wholesale business from the site for 25 years before relocating their distribution centre to the eastern states, the family achieved all subdivision and development approvals prior to sale.

The original 1940s warehouse property, which was home to the Robinson Wools for many years, was acquired by Match for just over $6million.

Match said this property, to be simply named “LIME”, is an excellent example of the advantages pertaining to new market conditions.

“Clearly one key benefit in the current property market is that prime properties, such as LIME, are not only available, but can be acquired with a stronger negotiating position.  For a boutique development company like Match, this enables us to offer a high standard product more cost effectively than ever before,” Mr Clark said.

“As our structure does not to see us carrying high capital costs or excessive staff, we are perfectly placed to take advantage of the increasing number of premium land opportunities now available.  It’s great for our investors and the end user."

After a comprehensive review of the site and property, it was decided that the original building could not be retained.  However, while plans for LIME are still in conceptual stage, Match plans to draw on its expertise in design and warehouse development to create several exclusive residences and a similar number of warehouse style apartments.

Match will look to establish the same environmental sustainable principles of which its South Fremantle property, The Summer, is now benchmarking for the whole country.

“As The Summer is a pilot project for the Building Council of Australia Nation Green Star rating tool, it has not been rolled out into the open the market as yet.  It has, however, demonstrated what can be achieved through careful and calculated design and we plan to implement the same standards in all our new projects,” he said.

Match believes its latest acquisition in the highly sought after area of North Fremantle, is another win for the company following the high profile acknowledgment of its work on heritage project, Home in Perth, and, of course, The Summer.

The company is currently working on a series our unique properties that span from Fremantle to Maylands, which are in varying stages of development.

LIME is set to be launched later this year.

WA Apartments Receive First National Residential Green Star Rating

A cutting edge residential apartment development proposed for South Beach named “The Summer”, has been awarded Australia’s first ever Green Star residential rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).

The Summer, developed by boutique company Match, in partnership with investment giant Hawaiian, received Australia’s first 4 Star Green Star – Multi Unit Residential PILOT certified rating, following its participation as a national pilot project.

Comparable to other rating tools, the GBCA 4 Star Green Star Rating far exceeds that typically allocated to housing, such as the NatHERS or BASIX rating tools, as it takes into account all aspects of the design, construction and materials, as well as energy consumption.

Based on the NatHERS ratings, The Summer apartments would average 7 Stars, with some apartments exceeding even 9 stars, with The Summer’s rate of energy consumption being less than half of the BCA requirement for the whole building.

Mr Robert Mulcahy State Director of Lincolne Scott Engineers said the 4 Star Green Star – Multi Unit Residential PILOT rating represents the pilot project’s “best practice” and is an amazing achievement that all future projects can realistically aspire to.

“The Summer provides a leading example of how projects can achieve good environmental outcomes through an integrated design approach,” he said.

The accreditation process included a rigorous assessment of the proposed apartment design, which was developed with an objective to reduce environmental impact and increase occupancy comfort levels.

According to the GBCA’s Green Star Executive Director, Robin Mellon, The Summer demonstrates that residential developments can go ‘above and beyond’ minimum requirements and reach best practice outcomes by focusing on good passive design principles such as orientation, shading and natural ventilation.

“With energy and water prices set to rise, any residential project able to cut its energy consumption by half the BCA requirements is certainly ‘future proofing’.  It’s also great to see best practice in sustainability go hand-in-hand with good design aesthetics – a clear signal to the industry that ‘green’ and ‘good architecture’ are compatible,” Mr Mellon says.

The Summer was designed by renowned architect Professor Geoffrey Warn of Donaldson Warn Architects, with environmental design assistance from building services consultants Lincolne Scott Engineers.  

The design proposal incorporates an extensive range of environmental design techniques that effectively reuses some 80% of the site waste, provides over 90% of apartments with dual aspect to allow natural ventilation, introduces moveable screens on balconies to allows screening to provide solar shading, as well as includes energy efficient appliances, rainwater storage and significantly reduced operating costs by implanting energy conservation principles, rather than that of a conventional base building.

Architect Professor Warn is a widely published scholar in the area of environmental design.  He is the design director behind numerous significant projects that include the Bali Memorial, the Tree Top Walk in Walpole, the Lotterywest Federation Walkway in Kings Park and the UWA University Club.

In the case of The Summer, he was not only appointed for his environmental credentials, but also his innovative style in design.

Located on South Beach Esplanade in South Fremantle, on the northern Cockburn coastline, The Summer will be built approximately 100 metres from the beach reserve and is the only product of its kind in terms of pricing and style.

Managing Director of Match, Lloyd Clark, said receiving Australia’s first Green Star rating for Multi Unit Residential is a major coup for Match and Western Australia.  He said that the project has clearly demonstrated that, despite WA’s distance from the eastern seaboard, the State is on the absolute forefront of innovative apartment design and Match is proving to be a leader in this field.

“We are very proud to be able to offer The Summer to the Western Australian market,” Mr Clark said.

“The significance of being awarded this rating is massive.  We are literally setting the benchmark for the future Australian standards and environmental achievements in design.  The benefits of this project will be far reaching in both the local and national market place.”

While The Summer will be officially launched to the market later this year, Match is currently taking registrations of interest.  For more information visit www.itsamatch.com.au.