ESQUE is the best, experts confirm
26 September 2014
A LITTLE GEM OF A PROJECT - Judges
No wonder these Mosman residents are happy – they live in the finest medium-density apartment building in NSW.
ESQUE, in Glover Street on the eastern cusp of Cremorne Village, won the prestigious award from the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA).
Just days earlier ESQUE won the Highly Commended National Award from the Urban Taskforce of Australia.
Both awards recognise ‘successful, innovative, environmentally sustainable urban design and architectural distinction’.
The UDIA judges were lavish in their praise of the developer, HELM. “ESQUE is a little gem of a project,” they said.
“It features only 29 apartments but demonstrates best practice in medium-density development. The building fits in beautifully with its neighbours and adds to the value of the streetscape.
"In addition, the design of the ground-floor, street-frontage apartments activates the street and rear lane.
“The detailed design reflects an acute understanding of local market requirements. The communal spaces within the building are exceptional, featuring plenty of light and air, and are beautifully landscaped.
“Each of the apartments is well designed to optimise solar orientation and cross-flow ventilation. The apartments are also well equipped and the finishes have been chosen for longevity as well as looks.”
HELM’s team is widely regarded as developers and builders of distinction, having now won over 35 Awards, including the 2010 and 2014 Australian Apartment Project of the Year.
HELM is one of very few developers who place greater emphasis on oversized two and three bedroom apartments for discerning owner occupiers rather than small units for investors.
The pet-friendly ESQUE proved an ideal way for long-term local residents of the Lower North Shore to escape the maintenance chores of a house yet still live in an area they love. The space, comfort and quality of the apartments pushed all the right buttons, tempting young professionals through to ‘empty nesters’ and ‘baby boomers’ to try strata living for the first time.
WHAT ESQUE RESIDENTS SAID ABOUT THE AWARDS
“This is a marvelous place to live,” said Dianne Malloch. “We downsized from a family home at Mosman and it’s been a pleasant change. Our neighbours are great fun and most are at a similar stage of their lives to that of my husband Jim and myself.
“We all have a lot of living to do, and being free from the cares of a large home allows this.”
ESQUE certainly appealed to owner-occupiers seeking greater freedom and the security of being able to lock-up-and-leave to go travelling.
Several of the owners had just returned from summer in Europe when news of the Awards’ wins filtered through. Enjoying a glass of champagne in the leafy ESQUE courtyard, they were full of praise for apartment living.
“We have formed a friendly community here and we enjoy our get-togethers,” said Wanda Magill. “The location is very convenient with great shopping, the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, services, facilities and transport virtually outside our front door.”
All residents praised HELM for their attention to detail and follow-up service.
“Shortly after we all moved in, HELM hosted a function at a local wine bar,” recalled Mrs Malloch.
"HELM went one better though when Mark (HELM Managing Director Mark Monk) rose to his feet and asked if any of us had any issues that needed sorting…. There was silence.
“I doubt there are many developers with such confidence of their convictions. Nothing is ever too much trouble for them.”