Vertical village connects the city with nature 

Arkadia, Defence Housing Australia’s new $60 million residential development in Sydney’s Alexandria, is a new take on inner city living, with communal vegetable gardens and apiaries just the start.

Since forming in 1988, DHA’s property portfolio has grown to include more than 18,000 properties across Australia.

Located at 18 Huntley Street, Arkadia will comprise 152 modern apartments and terraces designed by DKO Architecture, which won a design excellence competition in conjunction with Breathe Architecture for the innovative design.

DHA plans to retain over half of the dwellings for defence personnel. The remaining 71 studios, one bedroom and three bedroom apartments, measuring between 42 to 110 sqm in size, will be offered for sale to the public. The apartments will be priced between $5,000 and just over $1.2 million.

Referencing the history of the area as Sydney’s brickmaking centre, Arkadia’s four blocks will each feature a unique style of patterned brickwork in the foyer. The heritage of the site also inspired DKO Architecture to incorporate an industrial material palette into the design of brick, concrete, metal panelling and glass.

The design team aspires to create a sense of community within Arkadia. Grand brick arches encourage the movement of people through several key pedestrian links, while gardens, pocket parks and a ground floor café foster interaction between residents and visitors.

“The design was inspired by the evolution of Alexandria and blends the elements of city living with sprawling green spaces,” says DKO Architecture’s director David Randerson.

There’s even plans for an apiary and chicken coop on the roof. Residents can also benefit from a communal music room, and a ground floor café.

Jan Mason, acting managing director of DHA, says Arkadia is “very distinctive”, with unique architecture blending with communal vegetable gardens, barbecues and dining pods, to create “a village lifestyle for our residents”.

Colliers International director Ian Bennett says the project is already attracting interest.

“We’re seeing a mix of young professionals, couples and families attracted to the serene location by Sydney Park,” he says, adding that buyers are drawn to the flexible lifestyle that comes with modern apartment living and the opportunity to combine that with open green spaces so close to the Sydney CBD.

Construction is scheduled to commence next year, with completion expected by June 2018.