7 & 9 Yarra have been conceived as a ‘pair’ - as complementary neighbours without replication or duplication - as fraternal twins. One a 22 storey residential tower, the other a 15 storey office tower. Together they initiate the urban renewal of the Forrest Hill precinct. 7 & 9 Yarra establish a streetscape character, and importantly act as streetscape partners to each other. A shared podium and new pedestrian arcade join the two towers. This arcade connects Claremont Street to the South Yarra Station by joining the already completed Stage 1 Arcade between Macmillons Publishing and Duttons on Claremont Street. A third stage will connect Chapel Street to the South Yarra Station via Daly Street.

The two buildings are strikingly different in colour, office - black, residential - white. The office building is angular, the residential building has a softer profile. 7 Yarra Street the taller of the two buildings was conceived as a cantilevered ‘ribbon of roof’ that folds its way down the building. This device allowed us to give each apartment a sense of connectivity to the roof and a large-scale building element. This gesture sought to create a sense of place and ownership for the occupants within the larger building fabric.

Interiors Hecker Phelan Gutherie.

Country: Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung