First look: Epping set for Fender Katsalidis-designed apartment development
Renowned architecture firm Fender Katsalidis has puts its pen to a design of a new apartment tower in Sydney's West.
FK, on behalf of the applicant, real estate finance group AsheMorgan, has drawn up plans for a 15-level shop top project at 246-250 Beecroft Road, across the road from Epping train station and on the fringe of the Epping Town Centre.
The tower will home 103 apartments above a medical centre and retail space.
The podium will be predominantly be the use of the medical centre, in response to a demand in the area, as well as for general retail that can provide potential food and beverage opportunities.
The medical centre and retail entry on the ground level will be accessed from Beecroft Road via a common lobby, while the residential lobby entry at ground level will be separated from the commercial entry to provide secure access for residents.
The apartments will be a mix of 29 one-beds, 56 two-beds, and 18 three-bedders.
FK advised in their design statement submitted to the local council that the L-shaped tower presents two interlocking forms, through the use of variations in height of the two intersecting wings, as well as articulation in the corner expression.
"A simple and restrained palette will be utilised throughout, with warm and textured materials creating a sense of human scale and tactility," FK noted.
"To articulate the podium massing, a brick colonnaded form is proposed in the podium level, complemented with bronze metallic framed glazed element infills."
Full height glazing will also be included to maximise visual connection between the lobby and retail tenancies and the street.
A private native garden is proposed across the ground floor to enhance the green link to the community along with a communal terrace on the level two podium.
Fitted out with social and recreational spaces, the level two podium will also include a communal lawn, barbecue facilities, outdoor seating, an outdoor cinema, as well as table tennis and football facilities.
The level 13 and 14 rooftop terraces will also take advantage of the viewlines, along with incorporating barbecue facilities and outdoor seating, wrapped in lush landscaping.
Sitting within close proximity to key transport interchanges, namely the Epping Train and Metro Stations, the project is also well connected to the retail and dining precincts of Beecroft Road and Oxford Street.