Fascinating to look back at the original promotion material

I found this on the CBRE Residential Projects website, the real estate company that originally marketed the HM apartments. Not only does it provide interesting context now the finished building is approaching, but it's a challenge to see how much of the vision of a few years ago is being realised.

The central atrium ideas will play out well, and I hope they still intend to include photos and storyboards from the Mill's history. I have not seen the 'sliding aluminium shutters' that will give the building a 'striking, ever-changing external appearance'. Watch this space! And (thank goodness), there's no gymnasium.

But this might be up to us:

" ... it will have resident gardens which could even be turned into allotments allowing vegetables to be grown and harvested.”

Who's for growing some carrots and zucchinis?

RESIDENTIAL ‘BAKE-OVER’

 A $95-Million development at Pyrmont pays homage to the site’s 100 year history as much as it showcases the future of apartment living.

Harbour Mill will be interwoven within the remnant facade of the former Edwin Davey & Sons Flour Mill at the junction of Allen Street and Jones Street. Balconies on some of the 136 apartments will sit behind the remaining walls, giving occupants a sense of history as they look out through the heritage windows to the north, east to the city and west across Wentworth Park.

The mill commenced production in 1896 and continued until 1996, falling into disrepair following its closure. Over time most of the buildings on the site were demolished, although the original facade remains and has become a much-photographed symbol of Sydney’s industrial roots.

Preserving as much of the mill’s history as possible was a priority for the developer Ceerose, which purchased the 3,100sqm site last year. Company founder Edward Doueihi has a connection to the flour mill dating back to when he was a child. His father ran a bakery in Cowper Street, Granville, and he’d often take Edward to the mill to collect supplies.

“I’ve been emotionally attached to the mill since my childhood,” said Mr Doueihi. “Unfortunately most of it has been torn down. Now that I own the site I’m going to build something that reflects the mill’s proud history and my fond memories.”

To ensure an appropriate response, Ceerose staged a design competition and invited some of the city’s top architects. Acclaimed international firm Grimshaw Architects won the competition with a unique solution that pays tribute to the mill’s heritage whilst being underpinned by principles of humane, enduring and sustainable design.

An integral feature of the winning design is restoring the remnant facade, which is clearly visible from the Western Distributor Motorway, and integrating it with the new structure. The building façade will be constructed from large sliding panels which are a tribute to the warehouse and industrial heritage of the area. 

“This will give Harbour Mill an architectural point of difference over most other residential developments,” said Mr Doueihi. “We’ll pay further homage to the mill’s history by displaying photos and storyboards, and by integrating public art into our heritage interpretation strategy.”  

The overall design comprises two interlinked buildings – a four-storey structure which sits within the heritage facade, and a 10-storey structure which ‘steps up and over’ it. Holistically, the new development will take on a chequerboard pattern formed by the aluminium screens on each apartment balcony.

“The design respects the heritage of the mill and the place it has played in the history of Sydney, whilst acknowledging and fitting in with the modern trend coming through in the Pyrmont-Ultimo area,” said Andrew Cortese, a Partner with Grimshaw Architects. “The old and new aspects of the building blend and work together, delivering an unique building.” 

Harbour Mill is configured around a series of interlinked and interlocked atriums and voids that provide light, air and an uplifting sense of ‘theatre’. A central atrium will focus natural light into the heart of the building – an important shift away from the usual artificially-lit corridors and lobbies. 

Because of the intelligent design the public atriums will be filled with fresh clean air – unlike the air-conditioned interiors of most apartment buildings.

Residents will enter their apartments via open perimeter walkways, encouraging interaction and enabling visual connections between levels. 

“We’ve taken a very communal approach – almost a European sensibility – where we’ve created spaces that are shared by all the residents while still maintaining their privacy,” said Mr Cortese. “The building has visual connectivity – you can see people at different levels – and it will have resident gardens which could even be turned into allotments allowing vegetables to be grown and harvested.”

Mr Cortese says city residents are yearning for ‘old world’ living where you know your neighbours and feel an integral part of a community. “It’s the responsibility of architects, town planners and urban designers to successfully blend such traditional principals with passive solar design, energy efficiency, sustainability, home offices and reticulated communications systems to create an environment that gives residents a sense of place.”

The majority of apartments have generous balconies that create private outdoor living spaces which open seamlessly from internal areas. Because the balconies are set within the building facade they provide a level of passive environmental control and protection from the elements. 

Each apartment is designed for maximum operability, with sliding aluminium shutters. Residents will close them for privacy and relief from the sun, or open them to let in light, fresh air and the views. This will give the building a striking, ever-changing external appearance.

“We have retained the mill’s industrial character and strong horizontal lines, but added all the modern touches and comforts for today’s lifestyle needs,” said Mr Cortese. “This extends to providing a cafe on ground level and a communal gymnasium.” 

Kitchens at Harbour Mill are streamlined and functional, with practical stone benchtops, sleek polyurethane cabinets and joinery, and Smeg’s up-market Linear range of appliances. 

Ensuites and bathrooms have the latest selection of ceramic and vitrified floor and wall tiles, glass and frameless mirrors, and Villeroy & Boch tapware to create a neatly tailored appearance which harmonises with the contemporary look.

Living areas have timber flooring, while bedrooms have plush woollen carpet.

Pyrmont – named in 1806 after a fashionable spa town in northern Germany – is one of several fringe CBD suburbs that have undergone a residential renaissance over the past decade.

“Pyrmont offers attractions that most people want – shops, parks, cafes, excitement, recreation, sporting facilities, cycleways and convenience – and is one of Sydney’s most livable suburbs,” said David Milton, Managing Director of CBRE Residential Projects. 

As part of the development, Ceerose is creating a new public link that runs down the western side of the building to connect Ultimo and Pyrmont with the light rail station that has, up until now, been cut off because of the Western Distributor. 

“Residents of Harbour Mill will be within 50 metres of the Wentworth Park light rail station, and just minutes by foot to the Sydney Fish Markets, the Blackwattle Bay waterfront, The Star and Darling Harbour,” said Mr Milton.  

“Harbour Mill has basement parking for 167 vehicles, but Pyrmont is so well served by public transport that many people moving in to the area are getting rid of their cars. There are also spaces for 160 bicycles at Harbour Mill which I can see being used extensively.”