First look exclusive: McMahons Point to get rare new apartment development

Harry Seidler's McMahons Point apartment development, Blues Point Tower, is one of the revered architects' most iconic projects. 

It's in one of the best spots in the harbourside suburb, just off Blues Point Reserve on Blues Point Road. 

They've got the advantage of extensive Harbour views, and residents have convenient access to the city via the McMahons Point ferry. But the tower also stands as a sign of the times in McMahons Point. Most of the apartment developments are decades old. It's been years since a new apartment project was developed.

Cue a new boutique project on a near 1,000 sqm site at 1 Warung Street, under 200 metres from Seidler's landmark.

Vince Squillace's Squillace Architects has put the plans together for seven owner-occupier apartments for a company tied to developer Theo Paradisis from Highbury Group.

The proposed building at 1 Warung Street, McMahons Point

Squillace's Design Report said given the given the locality and context of the site, the unit mix, of six three-bedroom apartments and a four-bedroom penthouse, is appropriate for the local market. One and two-bedroom units are less appropriate for the site, they said.

"The proposed seven units responds to the planning controls imposed on the site, appropriately considers the local market demands and reduces what was previously an overdeveloped site which provided a higher number of units but poor amenity and an inferior product."

The current 1960s building homes 12 units, and there had been approval previously for a nine-unit development on the site.

The current building at 1 Warung Street, McMahons Point

Squillace said given the existing building is a 1960's residential flat building, it has been identified as an uncharacteristic item within the McMahons Point South Heritage Conservation Area, which is primarily a mix of Victorian and Federation 1920’s and 1930’s housing mixed with some Interwar residential flat buildings.

They said the aim is to "create a high-quality contemporary apartment building that makes a positive contribution to this unique and world-class harbour foreshore site whilst maximising views, sunlight, the natural beauty of this environment and enhancing the lives of its occupants."