How a luxury Rippleside project will be a star by the sea

Jonathan Cowle, principal – national design at Rothelowman said the development of 50 apartments and three townhouses around the landmark 1848 house, St Helens, poses the question, was is it possible for a new contemporary project to connect to the past, to be of its place and really revive the dignity, design excellence and classical form of the past?On first glance, Stella Maris answers yes.Apartments with ultimate amenitiesRELATED: Buddy Franklin splashes $9m on Gold Coast mansionCotton On boss lists luxe renovated houseSix buyers chase young builder’s reno of rundown Belmont home“It was imperative for us to find a way to help define the site and organise the precinct, the gardens and the estate to really celebrate the idea of classical living,” Mr Cowle said.Four buildings pinwheel around the original home (to be restored and reimagined as a stand-alone residence), creating Nautica House and The Arbory at the front, with Park Row at the top of Bay St and The Acreage along the rear.Apartments achieve gunbarrel views across the water, including to Geelong’s city skyline, and communal entries also celebrate the position.Existing trees, such as eucalypts, a Moreton Bay fig, peppercorn and oak trees are celebrated by landscape architects, Acre, which has mixed natives and perennials, used garden roofs so that upstairs residents see greenery, not cliplock steel, and to pick herbs, lemons or limes from an edible garden for their cooking.There’s also a wellness centre, with a 20m lap pool, gymnasium and outdoor kitchen.Rothelowman design director, interiors Jackie Johnston said their aim was to create homes that become much more beautiful over time.Developer Monno’s brief was clear – 3m ceilings, open-plan living, carefully considered sightlines and maximising connections to the outdoor space. Plus, VZug appliances and finding and maximising storage in all of the apartments.“The design team felt it was very important for future occupants to be able to personalise their homes,” Ms Johnson said.“It means providing spaces and walls for things like artwork collections, curating a colour palette that works with a whole lot of decors. It means designing spaces that will accommodate your furniture because everyone has certain preferences.”Materials include engineered oak floorboards, wool carpet, marble benches and splashbacks, large format porcelain tiles, satin-finished 2pac cabinetry and timber veneer. Entertaining at home was a key consideration, so there’s a bar crafted from timber and stone and includes a glass-fronted wine fridge.“Essential for every home,” she said.“A day with family and friends on the terrace around the barbecue. A quiet moment in front of the fireplace. And if you don’t want to see the TV, there’s an integrated sliding panel designed in the joinery.”There will be EV chargers, rooftop solar, large gardens for ground floor apartments, bicycle parking and secure garage and storage.McGrath Projects agent Jim Cross said Stella Maris would set a new benchmark in luxury lifestyle living in Geelong.“They are simply not making any more land around this gorgeous waterfront of ours.“Stella Maris is a boutique development by design so we only have a limited number of these luxury hoes available.“We are positioned in one of he country’s finest locations, taking in this breathtaking view.“There is a huge amount of open space throughout this whole project, we have the luxury of the wellness centre, the swimming pool, a car wash and parking throughout the whole development, including 2-3 and 4 car parks with some dwellings.”McGrath Projects’ Jim Cross is handling sales for Stella Maris. Price guides are from $595,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, two-bedrooms from $795,000; three-bedrooms from $1.6m and four-bedroom penthouses from $4.295m. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au