The Hanging Gardens of South Yarra

The Hanging Gardens of South Yarra
Laurence DragomirOctober 12, 2016

Rockley Gardens is an 8-storey residential development that has been designed as a carefully curated residence comprising of 49 apartments, 1 retail tenancy and associated parking.

Located within South Yarra at 339 Toorak Road, Rockley Gardens is the new flagship residential development by Metacorp, the Australian division of International Developer AlloyMDT.

It has been designed by architects, Elenberg Fraser with a unique ‘hanging garden’ façade designed by landscape architects, Oculus.

The development overlooks the historic Rockley Gardens, which stretches east and west along Rockley Rd, and features perimeter garden beds, a fully fenced playground, park tables and seats as well as a public toilet. Taking design cues from its park side location, Elenberg Fraser has entwined the façade of Rockley Gardens with a patterned form of individual planter boxes.

The Hanging Gardens of South Yarra
Lobby of Rockley Gardens

These have been designed to provide both privacy and softness to the façade of the building, acting as a buffer, with the planter boxes melding into the leafy surrounds while providing a green and verdant outlook from within the apartments.

Formally, the development is articulated as a series of stacked volumes which provide the development with a base, middle and crown not unlike typical tower typologies, with the tower element setback from Toorak Road, creating a two-storey podium which is consistent with the streetscape, with a high degree of permeability.

Designed with the downsizer market in mind, Rockley Gardens’ are configured to maximise living spaces and outlook. Some 2 bedroom/2 bathroom apartment configurations range from 100sqm with a 70sqm terrace and 3 bedroom apartments from 150sqm with a 51sqm terrace.

Picture hanging rails will discretely run through all living spaces for residents to display their choice of artwork. This curatorial theme will be continued into the Rockley Gardens foyer entrance, where a significant private work will be commissioned from a renowned Melbourne artist.

Further reinforcing the project's creativity, Elenberg Fraser has also commissioned a lighting installation by ‘articolo’. Nicci, the designer of articolo lighting is committed to creating beautiful Australian made, handcrafted architectural lighting.

Rockley Garden’s proximity to a number of highly regarded institutions such as the Royal South Yarra Tennis Club, the South Yarra Library, Cinema Como and only minutes away from South Yarra's dining and shopping strip, wine bars, cafes and gourmet grocers ensures a high level of amenity for residents within the development.

The development is also well serviced by tram route number 8 which trundles past, and is only 7 minutes walk to South Yarra Station and 10 minutes to the Yarra River for cycling, jogging and walking enthusiasts.

The Hanging Gardens of South Yarra
Rockley Gardens provides a retail frontage to Toorak Road.

What they say

Every aspect of Rockley Gardens has been mindfully curated. Buying early off the plan is advisable, and affords purchasers the opportunity to add their own individual input into apartment plan and layout. It is envisioned that Rockley Gardens will become an enviable address for a lucky few.

Bryce Patterson, Capital Property

We wanted to create a curated home experience. Two colour schemes are available, a warm/dark/European scheme with feature green marbling throughout, and a lighter/bright/Gallery scheme with gray marble.Rockley Gardens kitchens will make striking statements in luxe functionality with marble clad range hoods, splash backs and island benches. Miele appliances will feature in the kitchens with plenty of bespoke cabinetry throughout.

Greta Mak, Interior Designer, Elenberg Fraser

The 'hanging gardens' concept draws inspiration from the site's location, bordering the adjacent park and is an integral element of the building's architecture. Working closely with Elenberg Fraser, Oculus conceived the 'hanging gardens' as not just a screening element ensuring privacy to apartments, but also something which provides an immediate green outlook from within the apartments. Additionally the 'hanging gardens' have been designed as an extension of Rockley Gardens - there is no fence - providing visual interest from the park and passersby on Toorak Road. In some ways the park acts as a backyard to the development.

Claire Martin, Landscape Architect and Senior Associate, Oculus

Rockley Gardens is accepting registrations of interest for private appointments.

To register, see Off The Plan on Urban.com.au.

Laurence Dragomir

Laurence Dragomir is one of the co-founders of Urban Melbourne. Laurence has developed a wealth of knowledge and experience working in both the private and public sector specialising in architecture, urban design and planning. He also has a keen interest in the built environment, cities and Star Wars.

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