Ahead of the curve

Sensuous curves accentuated by expansive windows give NoBa a sculptural feel few apartment projects can carry off. Graceful bends and sleek arcs that are shown off throughout the exterior are repeated in the interiors.

Curves create a softening effect that enhance each apartment’s interior flow, says DKO Architecture senior interior designer Simone Tyson.

“We’ve softened the joinery when you enter to bring you into the area so it kind of leads you to where you’re going instead of having a harsh corner,” she explains.

“Curves can be found on the timber joinery in the kitchen, sometimes we’ve curved some of the walls and it’s always in the bathrooms, on the shower walls.”

Though the name sounds Japanese, this four-level apartment complex is named after its well-to-do address in North Balwyn. All but seven apartments have been sold and the majority remaining are three-bedroom with price tags of more than $1 million.

The design brief called for a sleek structure with a high-end fitout. The end result is a juxtaposition between the futuristic appeal of the exterior and the back-to-basic elements of the central courtyard, says DKO architect Dennis Chew.

“The contrast between the sleek exterior language and an earthy internal courtyard and the curvatures on the externals and the internals of the building make this project stand out from other apartment projects,” he says.

With generous space throughout the floor plans and slick kitchens that include the finer things – think porcelain benchtops with marble wraparounds – developers DCF Property have downsizers in their sights.

George and Gail Hurdes, pictured with granddaughter Holly, purchased the NoBa penthouse after selling their family house in Balwyn. The couple were adamant on staying in the area, so had considered redeveloping their land into two townhouses and living in one. However, the red tape and time involved put them off, so the Hurdes decided on apartment living.

“When it came down to the crunch all of a sudden my wife and I saw apartment living a turning stone in our lifestyle,” George says.

“We just love where we live in Balwyn. Going to North Balwyn as a village lifestyle, shops at your doorstep, tram at your doorstep and highway nearby. It’s the communal aspect of people we know in the Balwyn, North Balwyn area having lived there for some time.”

Location was the first selling point, followed by size.

“We didn’t want to be restricted in room sizes, particularly in the kitchen and living rooms and also in the bedrooms because we still have grandchildren and everybody else we would like to have visit us, stay with us,” George says.

At a glance

• NoBa, 76 Doncaster Road, Balwyn North
• Architect: DKO Architecture
• Developer: DCF Property
• Number of apartments: 46; 10 one-bedroom, one-bathroom, 21 two-bedroom, two bathroom, 11 three-bedroom, two-bathroom, three three-bedroom, three bathroom, one penthouse.
• Internal sizes (square metres): One-bedroom, one-bathroom 45-54.6, two-bedroom, two-bathroom 63.8-72, three-bedroom, two-bathroom 89.6-133.8, three three-bedroom, three bathroom 106.6-133, one penthouse 206.
• External areas (square metres): 6–116.9.
• Prices: One-bedroom, one bathroom, $440,000 – $535,000, two-bedroom, two-bathroom $630,000 – $720,000, three-bedroom, two-bathroom $930,000 – $1.739 million, three-bedroom, three-bathroom $1.32 million – $1.7 million, penthouse $2.6 million.
• Car parking: One- and two-bedroom apartments have one car space, three-bedrooms have two car spaces.
• Completion: September 2018
• Agent: CBRE, Andrew Leoncelli 1300 888 770
• Open for inspection: By appointment.