Published by Domain
This nature-inspired apartment development aims to elevate apartment living in Sydney’s Hills District.
Where community is deeply etched into everyday living and everything you need is on hand, Sydney’s Hills District has it all – from destination shopping, entertainment hotspots and global eats, to sprawling parkland and reserves.
Celebrating the leisurely yet urban lifestyle of Castle Hill, the two towers of the suburb’s newest residential development, Grand Reve, are defined by their organic curves. Inspired by nature and the nearby neighbourhood, the towers are connected at the podium level with 2300 square metres of lush gardens: climbers, flowering shrubs and tree groves abound.
Sitting opposite a heritage estate on a quiet cul-de-sac, and a short stroll from Castle Towers and the Metro Line, this 196-apartment complex has been thoughtfully considered to include a variety of studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments, plus a selection of split-level townhouse-style apartment configurations.
Sam Kassis, founder of Kassis Homes and developer of Grand Reve, explains that Grand Reve means ‘dream big’ when translated into French. “This development has been in our imagination for seven years. We wanted to create a new benchmark of living by taking my 25 years of experience in building luxury homes and transporting the same principles into apartment living,” says Kassis.
With architect and interior design studio Turner and landscape designer Arcadia, Kassis Homes has created a series of beautifully appointed apartments that echo the building’s facade. “The colours and materiality that we chose for the interiors of Grand Reve reflected that aspiration of light, sky and clouds. The materials are light and elegant, but the shape of the curves in the joinery reflect both the cloud aspiration as well as the curves of the building,” explains Kristi Wayman, director of interiors at Turner Studio.
Flooded with natural light, large double glass sliding doors extend the open plan living out onto a private balcony or terrace courtyard. Some apartments offer expansive views across the district and out towards Sydney’s CBD and the Blue Mountains, while others look onto the garden.
Continuing the defining curves and soft palette, the kitchen’s elegant design features stone benchtops, luxuriously appointed Wolf appliances and brass fixtures and drawers. Soothing light adorns the bedrooms, which are generous in size, and the bathrooms boast a contemporary colour palette, stone benchtops, brass fixtures, luxurious rain shower, and ample storage.
Urbanising the backyard concept in a suburban setting, the landscaped gardens are fluid to reflect various lifestyles; seating pods, versatile barbeque and dining areas, play space, water jets, and soft landscaping for children, as well as climate-controlled areas. “We have also included a concierge service to help residents with online deliveries to the building,” explains developer Romio Georges. “Yet, still, I love how we have created such large boundary setbacks unlike anything in the Hills District.”
The street-facing apartments interact with the neighbourhood, plus Grand Reve’s iron gates and brick pillars reflect the heritage features of Garthowen, a heritage-listed Victorian mansion located directly opposite. “What excites me is that there is something here for everyone. We’ve got a wide variety that is going to appeal to the most discerning buyer and across all different budget types as well,” says Adam Sparkes, sales agent for McGrath Projects.
“The design and inclusions are more in keeping with a development that you might find in the inner east or the lower north shore. Yet, the price points on offer make Grand Reve an affordable option for anyone, from first-home buyers through to downsizers and investors.”
▲This article was originally published by Domain in August 2021. Click here to view the original article.
