ALCHEMY (MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT) | REDFERN ST. REDFERN | SYDNEY
Designed at SHED
Alchemy
A thoughtful adaptive re-use of heritage terraces, reimagined for modern urban living in Redfern.
Located in the dynamic Redfern neighborhood, Alchemy is a boutique development comprising 19 high-end apartments and five retail spaces. The project celebrates the adaptive re-use of early 1900s conservation terraces, retrofitting them to accommodate contemporary living while preserving their architectural character. The ground floor now hosts renowned hospitality venues like Bart Jr. @bart.jr.redfern and Juan Bowl & Tea @juan.redfern, contributing to the vibrancy of the local streetscape.
Client Brief:
The brief required the consolidation of four existing terraces, previously used as commercial legal offices, into a cohesive residential and mixed-use development. The design prioritized creating a variety of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments while safeguarding the heritage facade and intrinsic value of the terraces. Additionally, private open spaces were integrated at the rear for upper-level units, enhancing liveability in an urban context.
Completed in 2018, the development anchors the prominent corner of Pitt and Redfern Streets.
Early concept models guided the design of a modest modern addition, carefully calibrated to reflect the height and rhythm of the historic terraces. Contemporary materials were employed to create a thoughtful and respectful dialogue between the heritage structure and its modern counterpart.
Maisonette concept sketches worked to preserve and reinterpret the original terrace layouts, reinforcing the building’s historical integrity within a modern framework.
The entry and vertical circulation were carefully positioned between the heritage and modern structures, distinctly separating them from the activated commercial tenancies, which were designed to engage seamlessly with the streetscape.
