George Corner by Neometro

George Corner is the latest project by Neometro (publishers of Open Journal). Located between Smith and Brunswick Streets, George Corner comprises one and two bedroom apartments, with a display suite now open (details below) and construction set to commence in November. 

Designed by McAllister Alcock Architects, lead architect Karen Alcock talks us through the George Corner design, from facade through to layout, fixtures and fittings.  

George Corner
Display suite open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 11am – 1pm
377 George Street, Fitzroy (at corner of Argyle Street)
Enquiries: Ben Khong 0401 78 32 32
www.georgecorner.com.au

Architect’s Statement
George Corner is located in a precinct of Fitzroy that has an architectural history of large factories and tall, multi-storey brick warehouses constructed from the 1870s onwards. Many of these buildings from the Victorian and Edwardian eras remain, and this industrial legacy is an important part of the local neighbourhood character.

When designing this project we felt that it was important to reference this strong industrial heritage.

The site at 377 George Street is a dream for project of this type. It has three street frontages and the major façade faces north with uninterrupted views across the rooftops of Fitzroy.

For us the design of the building at street level is one of the most critical ways of knitting a new building into an existing neighbourhood. To generate street level activity there is a mix of two tenancies earmarked for café/restaurant use, along with three apartments with direct street access. ‘Living on the street’ is another vital part of the Fitzroy character, where small terrace houses literally open onto the street. At George Corner we have treated the interface between the ground floor apartments and the footpath as a version of the traditional front verandah but with security and privacy provided with integrated landscaped screens.

Where possible we prefer to use materials in their ‘natural’ form; we find they age well, developing a patina and richness with time. The external palette is predominantly off form concrete and natural cement renders, with inserts of natural timber where it will be ‘touched by hand’ – for example on the balcony handrails. We also like the facades of our buildings to have ‘colour and movement’ and employ moveable external screens and blinds for this purpose.  As well as allowing the occupants to control privacy and sun penetration they ensure that the elevations are always changing. At George Corner the external blinds will be a random distribution of 3 shades of red – a reference to the warm colouring of the old face brick warehouses.

Our approach to multi-residential projects ensures that the interiors of the apartments receive as much attention as the exterior of the building. Apartments are designed to be liveable. Where do you put your microwave, your brooms and vacuum, recharge your laptop – all of these things are considered.

The apartments on the lower levels of the building have polished concrete floors which will provide thermal mass benefits as well as being ‘bullet proof’. Another example of using a material in its ‘natural’ form, the simple elegance of polished concrete floors also works well with any style of furniture.

The 2 storey apartments in the ‘roof like’ upper levels have generous north facing windows, with an unobstructed view over Fitzroy and beyond, and timber floors that connect with the timber decking on the balconies.

McAllister Alcock Architects
www.maarchitects.com.au