The designer touch for Sydney’s savvy
Newly renovated Surry Hills apartment block, Meta, is an exciting collaboration between renowned designer, Philippe Starck, and Richard Francis-Jones of FJMT Architects.
In 1999, Starck formed the Yoo company with Manhattan loft developer John Hitchcox and public relations man Matthew Freud. Together, they have been converting “extraordinary spaces in international cities” into flexible living blocks. The Starck signature is currently only seen internationally in buildings such as the Royalton and Paramount in New York and the Delano in Miami.
Meta is Sydney’s only Starck-designed residential project and is a metamorphosis of an early 1900s historical site in Brisbane Street. It includes 77 designer apartments, all of penthouse quality. As with his other projects, Meta reflects Starck’s passion for design that celebrates humanity and reflects individuality.
“Meta’s unique design and iconic status is attracting a new type of investor,” says Andrew Finlayson, managing director of developers, The Carrington Group. “More than half of our purchasers are sophistocrats, 20- or 30-somethings who are savvy and chic property buyers who enjoy quality and live on the cusp of fashion without feeling the need to flaunt it. Meta and the sophistocrat complement each other. Meta delivers the style and savvies they are looking for in the property market.”
The apartments are a mixture of old and new (part warehouse conversion/part new building) and incorporate efficient design, a sense of balance, symmetry and elegance. Starck opens up the living and dining areas through the kitchen and uses the space extremely carefully, incorporating the Starck touch in each part as fittings and fixtures are self-designed, enhancing the look. “I don’t dream about design. I dream about making a better service for society,” Starck claims.
A selection of two-storey and mezzanine units fill the block, with double-height living areas giving a true warehouse feel. Some of the Starck-designed fittings include lights, tapware, basins, sanitary fittings and signature square bath, with blackbutt timber used as flooring in the kitchen and living area.
The Carrington Group has a proven track record creating unique and niche landmark projects. The company successfully transformed the All Seasons Hotel in Darlinghurst into a fashionable residential complex, developed the first two stages of Sydney Park Village (Alexandria), and now has this collaboration with Starck and Francis-Jones to add to its name. More recently, The Carrington Group has developed Capella in Kensington, Beumont in Wahroonga and Coast in Merimbula, all of which ooze its signature flair for everything cool and chic.
An indication of how Meta has been received in the greater design community is evident in the list of illustrious and coveted awards received by The Carrington Group and FJMT Architects. A selection includes Master Builders Association of NSW Excellence in Housing (2005), Commendation from the National Trust Heritage Awards (2005), and Royal Institute of Australian Architects, multiple housing categories (2005).
“The international flavour of Philippe Starck brings another dimension to Meta,” said Andrew Finlayson. “He has developed a unique interior style which is quite different to the typical styles and buildings in the Surry Hills area.”
With so many apartment blocks in that part of Sydney, Meta certainly does stand out as a refreshing break from the norm. And with such a demand for this type of quietly cool living space in the area, these apartments are sure to make a lot of house hunters happy.
The Carrington Group
21 Brisbane Street/144 Goulburn Street
Surry Hills NSW
Tel: 1300 665 172
The apartments are a mixture of old and new (part warehouse conversion/part new building) and incorporate efficient design, a sense of balance, symmetry and elegance.
Starck opens up the living and dining areas through the kitchen and uses the space extremely carefully, incorporating the Starck touch in each part as fittings and fixtures are self-designed, enhancing the look.
