Plans lodged for outgoing Mercedes-Benz dealership
Orchard Piper has submitted plans for the residential-based mixed use village it hopes to build on the outgoing Mercedes-Benz Toorak dealership it purchased for $67 million last May.
The local developer has appointed Singapore designer Kerry Hill Architects to pen the project, with 43 dwellings over eight storeys, two levels of offices and a ground floor food and beverage precinct.
A laneway will also be created connecting Carters Avenue and Ross Street, both roads the site has extensive frontage to.
“Orchard Piper is [also] in discussions with council about extending a broader streetscape and surrounds upgrade to that already underway…in Toorak Village, which could see a redesign of the Carters Ave public car park offering expanded opportunities for the public to enjoy more open, green space,” the company’s co-founder and director, Luke McKie, said.
The project’s end value has been put at c$400m – about half the value of the group’s development pipeline.
If approved, construction should start next year, when Mercedes-Benz’s leaseback expires.
Orchard Piper aims for premium
The Orchard Piper project will cover 7-11A and 17-19 Carters Ave – a 3589 square metre holding considered a key development site by the City of Stonnington.
The residential component will include a porte-cochère entry, hotel style fixture and a concierge.
Dwellings will contain between two and four bedrooms, all with balconies. Resident-only amenity includes a 25 metre lap pool, sauna, steam room, gym and sunken garden.
The offices are expected to be Prime or A-grade, with end of trip facilities.
The project will also include EV charging stations, 160 car parks and 117 cycle parking bays – some which will be available for commercial users.
Not far away, Bill McNee’s Vicland is putting the finishing touches on Central House, a luxury office at 489-505 Toorak Rd, replacing the Toorak Way retail complex and car park.
With 10,500 sqm over nine floors, it was fully leased during construction (story continues below).
Orchard Piper sticks to Stonnington
KHA also penned a recently approved $120m Toorak project for Orchard Piper, covering 109 Mathoura Road and 420-426 Toorak – all up, 1415 sqm.
“We feel so fortunate to be able to bring an architect of KHA’s calibre to the Melbourne marketplace,” Mr McKie said.
“Their designs are truly place-making and will be transformation for Toorak Village,” he added.
A redesign of the car park could offer expanded opportunities for the public to enjoy more open, green space in Toorak Village, according to the executive.
“This is a rare opportunity for the municipality to effect a precinct upgrade, adding to streetscape improvements that are already underway for Toorak Village,” he said.
Myles Baldwin Design will create the landscapes.
Co-founded with Rick Gronow in 2010, Orchard Piper has also completed Toorak projects, in Washington St and St Johns Lane.
It is also behind developments in Davis Ave, South Yarra, and Huntingtower Rd, Armadale – the latter involving the demolition of a century old red brick home.
Its pipeline includes a $300m 17 storey hotel and apartment complex at 448 St Kilda Rd, to be delivered in partnership with the Carter family, which has owned the property for two decades.
Unveiled last year, this was KHA’s first Australian design.
Orchard Piper is also planning 13 luxury apartments opposite Fitzroy Gardens, in East Melbourne, incorporating a c1873 building.
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