Oreana Group

Oreana Property has unveiled innovative new plans to transform one of South Yarra’s key development sites into a premium precinct featuring a central public piazza, offices, small retail and a luxury boutique hotel.

The vision has been crafted by award-winning architects Fender Katsalidis to blend the heritage architecture of the existing Italianate and Tudor building facades with a contemporary design that provides a new destination in the heart of the vibrant suburb.

Behind the heritage facades will be boutique retail stores, function and event spaces, and bars and restaurants while the 116-room hotel will include balconies facing Toorak Road as well as a day spa and wellness centre, and city views from the terrace pool on level eight.

A key feature of the development will be a newly designed public piazza incorporating public seating amongst a lush landscape designed by Oculus Landscape Architects. 

Fender Katsalidis director, Nicky Drobis, says the new design sets a great example for the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings.

“The design shows how heritage infrastructure can be fused with new built forms to create growth, renewal and enhanced urban design outcomes,” Nicky says.

“By adding to the surrounding built environment in a considered way, we are able to frame the Italianate building in a new light, honouring its historic significance.”

Ms Drobis says the activation of the public piazza was a key factor in the design.

“We wanted to incorporate a sense of discovery into the reimagined piazza and contribute to the vibrancy and liveability of the area,” she says.

She says the material palette is inspired by the tones and textures present in both retained heritage buildings while a central water feature, beautiful trees and generous seating will create opportunities for the community to engage with the environment and each other.

Oreana has lodged a development application including the above plans with the City of Stonnington which is pending approval.

Oreana Group managing director Steven Sass says Oreana recognises the importance of celebrating the history of the site through a design that is “truly South Yarra”.

He says Oreana has carefully considered the design of the project to ensure it met and exceeded community expectations.

“We are confident the South Yarra community will respond positively to the plans and have worked hard to create a development that has something for everyone and will become an iconic South Yarra location,” Mr Sass says.

He says the plans offer an exciting new vision for the popular South Yarra Square site which was first developed in the 1980s.

“This development will transform the site into a 24/7 hub for retail, hotel and office workers, hotel guests, shoppers, and bar and restaurant patrons,” Mr Sass says.

“At the same time, there will be considerable economic benefit from the creation of an estimated 500 jobs during construction with a further 100 jobs created when the hotel and hospitality venues open.

“The offices will also be home to approximately 780 employees and the hotel, which will be one of the only luxury hotels in South Yarra, is expected to attract 50,000 local, interstate and international hotel guests per annum and will inject millions into the local economy.”

“South Yarra has huge potential and we’ve already seen a number of new projects launched in the past five years. This project adds another innovative dimension to the local offering.”