It is, without doubt, a sophisticated approach to a new local landmark and focus of community admiration. Eve Apartments on the corner of Macdonald and Eve Streets, Erskineville, greets visitors with a modern, sculptural façade of white glazed tiles, followed by sweeping curves of Midnight Blue thin brick tiles, gracefully lining the ceiling and grand entrance walls. It is a design masterpiece and a statement in new urban luxury.
For its first development in Sydney, Fridcorp has delivered a project not only with a great, central location – in heart of Erskineville, just 4.5kms to the city centre and 300m from the train station – but with impeccable design, at an affordable price. Not surprisingly, Eve Apartments’ 197 one, two and three bedroom apartments across four buildings sold off the plan before construction commenced.
The combination of Fridcorp, DKO Architecture, Hecker Guthrie on interiors and 360 Degrees on landscaping, has delivered a sophisticated, modern and elegant design. It offers an eye catching exterior, impeccable interiors and abundant leafy communal spaces, capped off with city skyline views.
“The relationship between site and surrounding suburb is intrinsic to the project’s design language, and in particular its use of brickwork,” says Nick Byrne, director at DKO. “It is conceived, designed and shaped as a response to a range of local elements, such as the distinctive curved corner treatment of numerous local buildings, along with an honest and robust materiality.”
Midnight Blue thin brick tiles, supplied by Robertson’s Building Products, perfectly match DKO’s design intent. “The brick tiles flow across the entrance, being lightweight enough to line the sweeping curve while robust enough to withstand all weather conditions and daily use of the entry portal, “ says Nick Byrne, director, DKO. What’s more, “They have a beautiful lustre, and offer textural richness and contrast to the stark white bricks of the façade,” comments Byrne.
The sensual curve of Midnight Blue thin brick tiles punctured by sharply framed balcony slots creates a dynamic entry statement of vertical and horizontal movement – and is one of the most outstanding features of the design. Byrne continues, “The dynamic form of the entry arch is generated by a curve that swoops up, then down to ground the brickwork. It is one of a number of contextual responses to its locality, here recalling the distinctive brick arch of a nearby rail underpass as well as the old brick kilns that once existed in the neighbourhood.”
To the resident or visitor, it’s abundantly clear that maximising residential amenity was a key design aim. Lush landscaping on the ground floor and roof, and European style ‘stoops’ along major street lines combine to create a vibrant sense of community. In particular, Level 4’s rooftop garden, complete with built-in timber seats, offers a friendly communal space for residents and their guests, while the mature trees and plants along the gently winding pathways provide a warm welcome into Eve’s four apartment buildings.
Paul Fridman, founder and director of Fridcorp, says, “We’re very proud of Eve – from its exceptional design to its high-quality interiors and the development’s exemplary communal spaces. We think the project demonstrates that Sydney’s apartment planning guidelines allow for the realisation of excellent design.” And we couldn’t agree more.
Architects: DKO Architecture
Product: Midnight Blue thin brick tiles
Interior Designer: Hecker Guthrie
Developer: Fridcorp
Landscaping: 360 Degrees
Builder: Richard Crookes Construction
Photographer: Brett Boardman Photography