How do I improve the kerb appeal of this apartment block?

kovig

8 years ago

Situated in regional NSW

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PRO

Manias Associates Building Designers

8 years ago

The building is typical of its time - and looks the part and appears to be in good condition. It is difficult to tell how it reads on the street-scape as there is no address that I can see, so it is a bit difficult to make general comments. However the margins between public and private space could be addressed and some softening of the brickwork. This could all be archived by some painting and landscaping with some well designed fencing, especially to soften the effects of the concrete stair.

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Comments (17)

jbantick
8 years ago
Landscaping. The building itself looks great; a repaint of timber work and handrails only.
kovig thanked jbantick
kovig
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks jbantick. I was thinking on the same lines. Combination of dark and light grey for fascia, windows, doors and balustrades. I'm in the process of raising the balustrade height to comply with BCA. I was also thinking of an open pergola above the balcony, painting the concrete, and also placing a picket fence between the ground floor units. What's your thoughts?
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A lovely sized bungalow! I think the problem here is that the scape seems to blend into one and there is no focal point. A coat of paint to the render would work wonders and I agree with the other comments to add in and change the current shrubbery. If you have chance to change the doors, I would suggest a colour other than brown, with so much roof space the brown is very overwhelming. I would also suggest some outside downlighting against the render. Good lighting can improve the look of any home. This doesn't have to be expensive either. Hope this helps and good luck
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Just a few things:- I don't think you need to make a radical change, however, the thing that stands out most is the fact that the wall all around is crumbling. The wall at the forefront shows the worst damage, so i would be tempted to render that to improve it. Also, nearer the top up by the front door, the frontage does not match with the other side and it has very dated stone inserts. I would also remove that part so that it matches the other side. Although this time of year is awful for the garden, I think it's better to present it as tidy as possible with no dead plants and a little greenery, so maybe you could put a couple of evergreen standard box up by the front door. I don't think huge changes are needed, but the wall won't help as it's dated and crumbling, so if you can make it look better, prospective buyers will not think that they may need a new wall soon after they move in. It also makes for a better looking entrance to the property and invites you in more.
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kovig
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Hi Michael, really appreciate your advice. You've just echoed the sentiments of another distinguished writer/photographer; that the building is reflective of the period in which it was constructed, and if anything should be preserved. For your information, the building is situated in Hill Street, Orange NSW 2800.
wuff
8 years ago
Love the balustrade.. I agree tidy up, paint railings maybe put in new windows same style and could each flat have its own garden area fenced in some sympathetic way to balustrade
kovig thanked wuff
PRO
Manias Associates Building Designers
8 years ago
It is interesting to note the difference from the picture you provided to when seen on google earth.

The whole site looks "very open" uncharacteristic of the area.

What I mean by that the surrounding houses have good quality well designed front fencing and good landscaping - nearly every house from what I looked at in the surrounding area. Then there is the block next door (I have no idea how that relates to your site - or whether it is part of your site) which is also opened to the street.

Then there is the fact that the stair is at the front with parking directly under it - "bit uncomfortable for a woman to walk up the stairs - if she is wearing skirts" - not a good rental draw card I would think - that would halved your rental/selling market .

There are other issue with identity .....

Some pluses:

1. You have some magnificent street trees

2. Good plantings in front gardens of surrounding houses

3. Looks like a very good area with new and period homes well maintained

4. you have a variety of materials - brick and concrete paving existing - brick paving could be extended.

There are other pluses...depending on the long term expectations for the property

Some possibilities:

1. Fencing

2. Planting - ESPECIALLY AT THE FRONT STAIRS.

3. Define individual unit space - and unit use of external SPACE .

4. define relationship with next door block

5. etc

Do some drawings of possibilities ...."remember measure twice ...cut once " --- doing drawings is equivalent to measuring in Building Designer terms - and a lot cheaper then construction.

etc ...............
kovig thanked Manias Associates Building Designers
kovig
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks again Michael, I really do apologise that the photo doesn't really provide the whole "picture". Being a novice on Houzz, I was trying to put up an unobstructed view of the building, whilst crucially omitting the driveway and carpark. Hopefully this following picture is more illustrative of the challenge I face in making this building more appealing to the rental market. As I write, there are currently 4 units vacant!

To compound my woes, I've gone and purchased a whole lot of steel to raise and modify the balustrades so that it conforms to BCA.
PRO
Manias Associates Building Designers
8 years ago

These two pics give a slightly better view - as I stated above they do show the lack of privacy to the whole complex.

Do you have any drawings of the units ?

As you mentioned the BCA - I assume you have some Building/Building design experience ?

Is the garages next door part of the units or is that a separate block?

Some proper design work is required - before other major purchases.

If you require further help please contact me email - or my website newhomedesign.com.au or skype - Cheers.
kovig thanked Manias Associates Building Designers
Luke Buckle
8 years ago
I agree with @Wuff, that balustrade has great character. Would be great to see improvements that help it stand out.
kovig thanked Luke Buckle
fianou
8 years ago
Get rid of the red along the gutter and stairs. I actually think when trying to rent out apartments street appeal is less important. Its what the interior looks like that counts. So if you can show good pictures of the interior when advertising that will help. So in particular.

- Light bright airy apartment

- plenty of storage

- fairly new appliances

- a laundry

- parking

-secure storage for shed items, bikes etc.

To simple cheer up the garden and add some joy I would go for cheap and cheerful and bullet proof. By purchasing bulk landscaping bulbs online and planting them you will have low maintenance colour. Mix them with lavender and other cheap cottage plants. Try and find some bulbs that flower at different seasons. You can plant drifts or large beds below the trees.
kovig thanked fianou
Heidi Smith
8 years ago
I really like this building, and I love the railing... I would not change the railing. Is the railing the same thing as balustrade? (sorry I am not familiar with that term.... if it is, I think that I agree that I would do my best to maintain the character of it when I am trying to meet building code requirements). I think that it is reflective of the period that this house was built.

I think that some nice landscaping of the property would add to its street appeal. I would love some hedging, and perhaps some flowers. I would remove the white railings that are next to the parking area (I am not speaking about the staircase railing, which I like.) The railings that are next to parking area, and entry into parking area are not very appealing... some hedges here would definitely add to the appeal. I would also remove all of the straggly looking plants and opt for something slightly more formal.

The parking garage next to the building is unattractive. I think that this is much less appealing than the apartment building itself. The area definitely needs to be paved and I would explore the costs of improving this area. I think that while people like car spaces, this whole area detracts from the apartment complex which is actually quite nice. Also, is the paved area that is outside the stairs for visitor parking? I think that could be improved as well. If you do not need visitor parking, I would put a grass area here, and possibly a gate or formal hedging at the boundary of the property. I might even add something for tenants to use. Perhaps a bench or picnic table.

I am not certain what the horizontal bar is that is between the windows on the upper floor. Can you have something more decorative there? (perhaps the street name 32 Hill Street (or whatever the street number is) ... written out in a decorative font that is in keeping with the time period of the building. I have seen this on some buildings in Sydney, and it actually looks nice.

I think that I might change the red color on the end of the stairs. Is the seemingly paved area outside of the stairs a parking area?

In one of the pictures I see a set of blue curtains in the upper window. I would replace this with something like a roman blind, so that all window treatments are the same. (I think that it has more appeal from the outside.)

Good Luck!
kovig thanked Heidi Smith
PRO
Essentia Interior Design
7 years ago
I would get rid of the red and used a darker colour from the bricks. Agree with the planting It will soften the look!
C P
7 years ago
I'd put awning blinds up. preferably on the windows over the stairs but even on all the windows. that would create uniformity and remove unsightly appearance of exposed inside windows.
queenie
7 years ago
Put a hedge of a slim-growing tree along the road side of the carports up to the driveway, get rid of the skinny white fence. Make sure the carport & all outside spaces are very well lit at night! Women tenants can be paranoid about feeling unsafe after dark. On the other side of the drive, maybe a 'hedge' of smaller flowering bushes like standard iceberg roses surrounded by beds of niniature agapanthus or something. Agree the red is too much with the brick, get advice on a modern yet timeless colour. And do let us know the result!
PRO
Miami Stainless
7 years ago
Although the handrail and balustrade is in keeping with the retro feel of the building I would suggest checking the height to ensure it is compliant with NCC Regulations. On the balcony section you need a minimum height of 100cm and stairs 86.5cm.
Holly Heath
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Google Three birds renovations and look at house 3 .....very similar and look at the transformation !!!.... just saw how old this post is ... LOL
HU-319610855
3 years ago
Manias- borderline offensive to “half the population“. These are closed stairs, not all women wear skirts, not all women go commando under said skirts, not all such women would be bothered by this. Seriously big deal about nothing.

How do I improve the kerb appeal of this apartment block?

Manias Associates Building Designers

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