Sapphire By The Gardens
Sapphire by the Gardens presents the opportunity to re-invigorate a truly unique CBD site at the edge of the Hoddle Grid and at the doorstop of Carlton Gardens, Melbourne’s only World Heritage listed asset.
Designed by Fender Katsalidis and COX Architecture, the development has 60 storeys and a residential and hotel usage atop a 9-storey podium. The hotel will be operated by Shangri-La.
At ground, the proposal integrates and strengthens the existing public realm and through site connections, maximising opportunities to activate and enliven street edges and then inviting pedestrian movement into and through the heart of the site.
A verdant public forecourt extends the greenery of the gardens into the development; an urban sanctuary at the gateway of the CBD.
A truly mixed use proposal; childcare, hotel, residential and retail uses are combined to offer a connected and active locality, rich in amenity for residents, hotel guests and the public.
The architecture is inspired by its unique location; composed of flowing sinuous curves sculpted by the desire to access sunlight and views whilst diminishing the effects of wind.
Greenery is drawn from the Carlton Gardens and up onto the podium, receding into the highly articulated and sophisticated forms above.
A strong sense of symmetry informs the taller elements as they rise from the podium, an identifiable urban marker for the northern most corner of the Hoddle Grid and a progressive addition to Melbourne’s skyline.
