Boutique developer Fortis has lodged plans with Woollahra Council to refurbish Gaden House, the heritage-listed building by renowned architect Neville Gruzman.
The plans aim to restore the iconic building to its former glory. With architecture by Lawton Hurley, Gaden House will undergo a $6.5 million upgrade which will be used to renovate the existing site and bring it up to current compliance standards. Prominent heritage elements including the facade, internal spiral staircase, terrazzo podium and feature lighting circles will also be restored.
As part of the upgrade, two additional levels will be added to Gaden House with a deep horizontal recess, creating a clear visual break between the top of the existing building and the proposed additions. The topmost level will be set back in a light colour with a screen, surrounded by lush planting that will soften the edges.
“Gaden House is a rare example of 1960s commercial architecture, one that has been loved and appreciated by generations as an icon of Double Bay. Our current work at the nearby Pallas House demonstrates our expertise in restoring and elevating the aesthetic and form of heritage sites. Our proposal for Gaden House is an expression of our values at Fortis, and we are committed to preserving it for the future users of this building”, says Charles Mellick, Director, Fortis.
Located at 24-26 Bay Street (2A Cooper St) in Double Bay, Gaden House is an architectural masterpiece characterised by its mid-century modernist style. Designed in 1968, Gaden House is known for its striking, elegant facade and stunning features. The building currently comprises three storeys and boasts of three street frontages on Cooper Street, Brooklyn Lane and Bay Street. Fortis purchased the 386.7 sqm corner site in 2020 for circa $20 million.
An affluent, harbourside suburb, Double Bay is located 4km from Sydney CBD and known for its thriving, dynamic social scene. The suburb boasts of excellent amenities and transport options, offering easy access to the Double Bay ferry wharf, while Edgecliff train station lies a 10-minute walk away. Double Bay is also known for maintaining a unique village feel, surrounded by high end boutiques and retailers.
Pallas Group is the parent company of structured property investment arranger Pallas Capital and boutique developer Fortis. The expected end value of Fortis’ Sydney projects currently under construction or under a planning proposal is $900m, with a further $800m pipeline of work in Melbourne.
