Hamel Rocks the terrace world
He’s worked on some of the most palatial homes in the USA and Australia, yet internationally-renowned interior designer Thomas Hamel admits to being honoured to have been entrusted to decorate a brand new terrace in Sydney’s most historic precinct, The Rocks.
The grand three-bedroom, four-bathroom terrace is one of five crafted on the upper two levels of a Federation-style warehouse used by the famous Reynell wine-making company to store its produce until the 1950s. The heritage-listed Walter Reynell & Sons building has frontages to both Gloucester Street and Cumberland Street.
“The terraces are located where the First Fleeters settled, so this area holds special significance to all Australians,” says Hamel.
The Rocks is always in demand but opportunities are scarce. Even rarer is a new terrace of this proportion and free-flowing space with such added bonuses as secure parking for two cars, rooftop gardens, a library, use of an indoor heated lap pool and gymnasium, a concierge, and an on-site building manager.
The 201 square metre terrace is a modern interpretation of the much-loved Victorian terrace, being seven-metres wide.
“We set out to convey the terrace as a home fit for a ‘citizen of the world with a discerning eye for the finer things in life’, and brought together design elements from Asia, Italy and the USA,” says Hamel.
The triple-storey, timber-clad glass atrium over the dining and living rooms was ideal for Hamel to embellish – and he hasn’t disappointed, hanging a sculptural light fitting that adds drama to the interiors.
The three generous bedrooms - all located upstairs - are private havens so serene it’s hard to comprehend they’re in the heart of Sydney’s most invigorating precinct. Each has an opulent ensuite of lustrous white-veined marble, while there is a guest powder room downstairs.
“We wallpapered some of the rooms to add a subtle layer of texture and to soften the ‘new building’ feeling of the terrace,” says Hamel.
The open-plan kitchen is a mixture of practicality and opulence, with top-of-the-range Miele appliances, including an integrated refrigerator/freezer, wall-mounted steamer, oven, microwave, and a Vintex wine fridge.
“The Reynell Terraces combine the vibrancy of New York, the leafy charms of Paris, the urban sophistication of London and the true heritage of Sydney,” said Agent Murray Wood, of Colliers International.
The Reynell Terraces adjoin the 30-storey, 122-apartment Stamford Residences, which is the last approved high-rise development in The Rocks Urban Conservation Area. Demand has been extraordinary, with only seven of these luxurious apartments and penthouses remaining.
Prices start from $3.55 million.
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