97 Mathoura, Toorak VIC

At 97 Mathoura Road, six high-end apartments come to life through a design philosophy that observes craftmanship of the highest order. The brief requested a luxurious, multi-residential development that was timeless and sophisticated. Delivered through a careful selection of materials and an investment in quality, the dwelling has been meticulously crafted throughout to sit respectfully within the grand streetscape of Toorak, just five kilometers south-east of Melbourne’s CBD.

“Our client Moda came to us wanting to create a luxurious multi-residential development that was timeless and sophisticated. 97 Mathoura Road has been designed to stand the test of time through its careful material choice and investment in quality”

Stephen McGarry, Associate Director at Carr.

Designed by influential and award-winning architects and interior designers, Carr, for luxury apartment developer Moda, the project has been characterised through a distinctly handcrafted approach, with simplicity a defining feature of the layout. Materials sourced from across the globe include rare grey oak timber, hand-made Spanish bricks, custom metalwork and fine Italian imported stone, pushing the boundaries in every respect and highlighting Carr’s commitment to quality and authenticity.

Pure, clean lines dominate the living space, with the kitchen at the pinnacle. Here functionality and texture have been superbly blended to result in a cooking and entertaining experience that is beautiful while supporting all the requirements of the user. “We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure the kitchens are generous in size, extremely functional and ideal for entertaining” says Stephen.

The residences feature a carefully curated selection of Gaggenau products which have been seamlessly incorporated into the kitchen design. The selection, from the avant-garde 400 series, includes a cooktop, oven, combination steam oven, warming drawer and dishwasher. Hand selected for their exceptional performance and professional standard, the chosen appliances, from the heritage German brand, exude luxury and quality and work synergistically within the apartment.

A 200-series wine climate cabinet offers the perfect environment for residents to showcase and protect their collection.

“The timeless design of 97 Mathoura Road is echoed and supported through the sleek aesthetic of Gaggenau’s appliance design,” says Stephen. “These appliances are embedded perfectly into the kitchen’s minimal and considered space.”

Material and texture set the tone of the building’s simple yet tactile form, and each moment of the luxurious development has been selected with timeless sophistication in mind.

Hand-made stone imported from Italy and crafted in Melbourne by Signorino, is on show through every apartment. The signature, natural stone features in the kitchens and master en-suites, carrying a beautiful, tactile quality. In the kitchen it’s in the form of a 20mm profile to the island bench, with a reverse chamfer edge. Mirroring the external brickwork of the building, it works to connect the interiors with the outdoors.

“Stone is a unique and beautiful natural material. It has a brushed, as opposed to honed, finish with small indentations that create a raw texture. You can feel the veins and intricacy of the stone when you run your fingers over it,” says Stephen.

Further features of the kitchen include brush finished black metal work, applied on the horizontal face and custom metalwork, which clads the cooking area’s back wall, rangehood and front face of the cooktop. A specialized wax has been added to the black metal finish, creating a matte look that protects the surface and adds more texture and depth, inviting further touch, feel and engagement.

“The kitchen is particularly stimulating for the senses, you are drawn to touch the fittings as well as the materials on which they are mounted,” says Stephan.

Spaces link fluidly throughout the building, from the entrance to each of the apartments’ interiors. Designed to provide the uppermost in livability and interior comfort, sustainable principles have been incorporated such as orientation and cross ventilation. With a gardenesque feel to the building, each apartment plays with framing views to the outdoor greenery and beyond.