Amara Residences to deliver riverside elegance

AMARA Residences, a $20 million boutique development at Bulimba, has drawn inspiration from the classic Queenslander to deliver a new take on riverside elegance.The exclusive address at 1 McConnell Street comprises 13 spacious residences, each of them capturing the essence of Brisbane’s relaxed lifestyle.Award-winning Brisbane architectural firm BVN has managed to blend organic elements with the built form to create classic living areas through a biophilic design that is in tune with Amara Residences’ absolute riverfront location.“A sense of space and connection with the environment has been paramount to the design from the outset,” said Development Manager Michael Sutherland, of PDS Group.“This is one of the features that sets Amara Residences apart in the market.”Amara Residences captures key functional elements of Queensland’s iconic architecture, such as extended ceiling heights and large ‘urban balconies’, drawing them into the apartment sphere.“The McConnell Street site could easily have accommodated a higher density development, but that didn’t fit our vision to create a destination residence,” said Mr Sutherland.“Luxury living areas, spacious outdoor areas, commanding riverfront views and privacy bring all the elements of an exclusive Queensland home on the river to the fore here.“Amara Residences blurs the lines between the indoor and outdoor environments, and this is achieved through carefully crafted design features throughout.”The design innovation begins in the central atrium, with large planters and communal areas bathed in the natural tones that filter through the three-storey-high skylight.It extends to the cloistered lobbies that offer the privacy of a home entry where residents can relax and kick off their shoes on arrival. Beyond the front door, Amara Residences reveals a stunning, open living environment that is enhanced through the unique touch of the urban balcony.This enclosed all-weather leisure space includes a built-in, slimline barbecue adding a defined elegance to the casual entertainment space.Glenn Bliesner, representative from BVN and BIM Manager, said Amara Residences’ design pays homage to the Queensland lifestyle while adding a new level of sophistication though design elements that are more attuned with living in a home than an apartment.“We have captured the essence of inside and out through multiple connections that bridge the gap between the living areas and the natural environment,” said Mr Bliesner.“The urban balcony, which has been internalised to become its own room, embodies this concept. This is not a typical viewing balcony, it’s actually an extension of the kitchen.“The urban balcony is designed to enhance the outdoor experience in Queensland’s hot summers. It’s a multifunctional space that could even be used as a pool room or a second living room.“Because we all like a backyard, there’s a touch of this on every level in the alfresco areas next to the urban balconies where we have placed special grassed planters that serve both design and function.“These zero-maintenance planters will enhance privacy by breaking up views onto neighbouring balconies while also offering upper level residences, especially those with pets, the same advantages as those on the ground floor.”Amara Residences blends a simple, timeless design with the natural tones of timber, masonry and stone, and softens it through the infusion of natural greenery.It comprises a mix of two, three and four-bedroom residences, ranging in size from 93sqm to 197sqm.Each residence features quality fittings, European appliances and sophisticated interiors enriched by the elegance of stone in the kitchen and bathrooms.Full-length glass walls take advantage of commanding river views, while extended ceiling heights in living spaces, some reaching 3.8 metres, accommodate natural light and ventilation throughout.All residences make full use of multiple ceiling heights to engage living spaces. Ceilings are brought down to 2.7 metres in areas such as the kitchen, adding warmth to an area that is at the very heart of a home.Ground-floor riverfront residences have their own plunge pools on the garden terrace, overlooking a grassed river walk that leads to the water’s edge.All residences feature master bedrooms and built-in day beds with a soft leather topper and storage below. It’s the perfect place to read while enjoying river views or the shaded vistas.The masters all have ensuites, some complete with a luxuriously deep freestanding bathtub. Spacious walk-in wardrobes add depth to these private spaces.Mr Sutherland said Amara Residences has been specifically designed for owner occupiers, a sector of the Brisbane market that is benefiting from rising interstate migration and empty nesters downsizing.“It’s a market that is particularly attracted to inner-urban lifestyle destinations such as Bulimba,” he said.Amara Residences is located within a short walk to the retail and recreational amenities of Bulimba as well as the Apollo Road City Cat terminal. It is also close to the riverfront precinct of the Bulimba Army Barracks which is currently subject to a new master plan by the Brisbane City Council.Amara Residences is expected to be launched to the market at the end of April and pre-sales are under way. Prices at Amara Residences start from $1.199 million.