hawksburn place residences

This Moody Melbourne Penthouse Places Antiques & Art At Its Forefront

Spanning an entire floor, the penthouse at Hawksburn Place Residences in Melbourne combines expert craftsmanship with personal style. Purchased off-the-plan in 2018 by a couple looking to downsize from their neoclassical family home, the penthouse was the result of a collaboration between luxury developer GURNER, interior designer David Hicks, Cox Architecture, and landscape architect Paul Bangay.

IMAGE: MARK ROPER

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The expansive penthouse comprises three bedrooms, three bathrooms, powder room, laundry, study, private retreat and six privately garaged car spaces, and features a wrap-around 360° rooftop terrace with views of the CBD, spacious gardens, and a heated plunge pool. 

hawksburn place residences
IMAGE: MARK ROPER

Hicks worked cohesively with the couple to bring their vision of a darker, more moody colour palette to life, in a daring departure from the staid white-on-white palette that is all too common in design today. The result being a rich materiality of chocolate parquetry, smoky walls, seagrass wallpaper, hand-knotted rugs and rattan armchairs that work to absorb and offset the abundance of natural light afforded by the 360° floor-to-ceiling windows. Far from being sullen, the effect of the darker colour scheme is simultaneously inviting and alluring.  

hawksburn place residences
IMAGE: MARK ROPER

A key element of the couple’s style lies in their collection of priceless antique pieces, which Hicks heroed through custom cabinetry, raised ceilings, and dedicated spaces to showcase the globally amassed furniture and artwork collection. “The antiques speak for themselves so we provided a dramatic backdrop for them to sit seamlessly,” explained Hicks. “Introducing specific places for each piece with strategic lighting was also key.”

True to form for Hicks and GURNER, the penthouse at Hawksburn Place Residences is fitted with several luxury hotel-style details, like coffered LED ceilings, private dual lifts with direct access to the apartment foyer, feature chandeliers sourced from Paris, motorised curtains and blinds, and a custom design stone shower seat with LED lighting.

hawksburn place residences
IMAGE: MARK ROPER

Words by AR Staff