Multi-billion-dollar luxury and lifestyle developer GURNER™ has landed a permit for the redevelopment and reinvigoration of a historic former bluestone church and former Sunday school hall at 145 – 151 High Street, Prahran, with plans to deliver its first private residences and club concept – Club Maison.
Plans were initially lodged in June 2021 and were approved earlier this month after a collaborative process with City of Stonnington council which garnered Council Officer and Counsellor support for the redevelopment concept.
Under the approved scheme, GURNER™ and the existing landowner will transform the site into a luxury private accommodation and club concept over six levels with 45 luxury residences, a 324sqm F&B tenancy at ground level, and a spectacular 262sqm rooftop bar, infinity pool and lounge and endless views of Melbourne.
Long-time collaborators Warren and Mahoney Architects have designed the project with John Patrick Landscapes designing the lush greenery and exterior amenity.
The design is both sympathetic to the historical significance of both heritage buildings which date back to the 1870s, and representative of the new use as a high-end club-style offering designed for the discerning clientele.
GURNER™ general manager of boutique, Brooke Formosa said “ To have enjoyed such a collaborative and supportive process with council underpins and reinforces our vision for this site which will reinvigorate this historic Gothic Revival building and inject new life into this iconic site.
“ Club Maison is a new asset class we are investing heavily into over the next 2 – 5 years, with aspirations to acquire, develop and hold a number of accommodation assets in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
“ This Club Maison project will bring everything for which GURNER™ is so well known – amenity, service, concierge, impeccable design and quality – together and recreate it for a new market,” Formosa said.
“ We have a passion and proven track record for reinvigorating heritage sites and this project will be no different. We are incredibly happy that Council shares our affinity for this site and our plans to breathe it back to life as part of the vibrant Chapel Street precinct.”
Warren and Mahoney Principal Architect, Barrington Gohns said “ An important milestone has been reached in realising the potential of the High Street Prahran Club Maison project – a design that we’re immensely proud of.
“ Like many of the projects we’re collaborating with GURNER on, the design challenge has been a trifecta of respecting and honouring the past, creating aspirational dwellings and, importantly, designing a lived experience that goes well beyond the aesthetic and function of the building.
“ The Club Maison designs really evoke a fuller lifestyle offering. The striking geometry of the gothic design has strongly informed our design for the residences, which take on a more contemporary feel and boast all the luxuries and amenities today’s discerning professional aspires to.”
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