Take your pick at multi-size, 79-dwelling development at Denman Prospect

A proposed residential development in Denman Prospect will range in size from one-bedroom units to five-bedroom duplexes.

The Folio Group has lodged plans for a 79-dwelling, $21.7 million project on the south-western edge of Denman Prospect, fronting Holborrow Avenue and Carden Street.

The DNA Architects designed proposal will take up Blocks 1 and 2 Section 85 and have a combined site area of nearly 11,000 square metres.

A mix of townhouses, duplexes and apartments is proposed across 10 buildings, including eight adaptable homes.

The 22 three-bedroom townhouses with courtyards will take up four of them and one side of the development, while four four-bedroom and four five-bedroom duplexes are contained in two buildings.

Behind the duplexes will sit two apartment buildings, offering 49 units – 21 with one bedroom and a study, and 28 two-bedroom units, all with balconies.

A central driveway, with midpoint access from Carden Street, divides the site horizontally, while the plans show treed open space between the townhouse buildings and a landscaped recreation space between one of the townhouse buildings and one of the apartment buildings.

A landscaped podium park is also planned between the apartment buildings. Deep-root planting and landscaped open space include a mix of native and deciduous trees, to shade west-facing areas and car parks, and shrubs and groundcovers.

Some trees will have a minimum mature height of four metres.

The development application (DA) says the landscaping design will create a favourable microclimate on the site and help residents save energy, as well as all dwellings benefiting from cross-ventilation.

It says the design and separation of buildings and their position on the site, given its steep slope, will offer plenty of natural light for the development as a whole, with all dwellings to achieve more than three hours’ solar access during the winter solstice.

The communal open space areas connect to the surrounding pedestrian and cycle network.

A total of 144 parking spaces are provided across the development through the basement beneath the apartment buildings and undercroft and at-grade parking.

The Folio Group Managing Director Ben White said the project should have wide appeal but still offer something distinctive.

“We have endeavoured to create a wide array of residences catering to various demographics, with a focus on appealing to discerning buyers seeking something unique,” he said.

“We expect a significant portion of our clientele to be pet owners seeking accommodations tailored to their entire family’s requirements.”

Mr White said the site terrain posed some big challenges, especially the driveways.

“Managing steep, transitioning terrain presents significant hurdles on a site of this magnitude,” he said.

“Driveways pose the primary challenge, as they dictate the elevation of each dwelling’s parking, thereby influencing the layout of living spaces.”

Mr White said that DNA collaborated closely with civil engineers Indesco to establish the final floor levels before commencing the architectural design so that views for dwellings on the higher side of the block could be preserved without compromising those on the lower side.

He said DNA had also ingeniously utilised pitched roofs, distinguishing the northern townhouses from the southern ones to impart individual character, while also optimising solar penetration into the living spaces.

The project reflected Denman Prospect’s emphasis on landscape elements and green space.

“We’ve incorporated over 27 per cent deep root planting areas in this project to facilitate substantial tree canopy coverage,” Mr Hunt said.

Construction is anticipated to commence in the third quarter of 2024, with completion in late 2025 or early 2026.

Comment is open on the DA until 4 March.