The Rathbone
An innovative nod to tradition
Challenge
This residential project’s narrow site, formerly a petrol station, was a design challenge, as was the site’s urban village character. Innovation was essential to deliver light and space to residents, but we also needed to respect the local area’s traditional architecture.
Insight
As residents crave to live close to the CBD, there is often only two choices; a traditional terrace home often with cramped courtyards and poor daylight, or apartments within compact buildings. Surry Hills is the perfect location to combine the two. The functionality of a two storey terrace with the benefits of being in a light filled secure environment with access to roof top garden.
Solution
Our design imagined 28 distinctive terrace homes and apartments, combined with retail, community space, activated laneways and a public courtyard. Blurring the boundaries between public and private delivers more to the entire community, while roof gardens, park views, sunlight and fresh air ensure private zones feel expansive. The project transforms Flinders Street, which used to be an unloved gem.
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28Dwellings Terrace homes & apartments
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300Metres Squared Common open space rooftop
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Mid 2023Completion date
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6Levels
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$60KProject Budget
Collaborators
SJB Interiors
The Property Agency
Awards
Design Competition Winner 2017

Design inspiration
Design inspiration
The terrace homes of Surry Hills were used to define the dwelling forms. The predominant street wall of Flinders Street was used to define the lower white masonry form that wraps the building. The slick white brick inspired by the traditional tiled surface, you might see on the corner pub.

Details
Details
- 18 double storey dwellings including SOHO style live/work - 10 single storey dwellings 7 of the dwellings include private rooftop courtyards Common rooftop courtyard 2x retail tenancies with a northern courtyard for the retail patrons

Quote
Quote
“It’s warm, it’s inviting and it just feels like home already,” Andrea Cheung, Purchaser
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News & Media
The Rathbone: Where luxury and history meet
A new multi-residential project in Sydney's Surry Hills will provide contemporary luxury living while still paying homage to the suburb's rich heritage.
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