Melbourne designers Golden merge three existing apartments overlooking Albert Park Lake into a modern and spacious penthouse for a family.
Spanning the entire 17th floor of a high-rise building on St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Golden have reinvented the idea of a traditional family home for a client relocating from the Mornington Peninsula to inner-city Melbourne. Previously a series of small apartments, Golden have combined these three separate residences into one through clever spatial rearrangement and zoning fit for family life, making for a luxurious lakeside urban penthouse.
The John Pawson Bowl in the contemporary kitchen.
The curved back of the Gubi 3D Stool pairs seamlessly with the island bench.
Golden director Alicia McKimm says that the new apartment needed to consider that the client didn’t want to compromise on space; accustomed to a large family home on the coast. “The apartment needed to be functional, spacious and reflect the client’s personality,” Alicia explains. The existing spaces failed to take advantage of the cityscape and parkland vistas, informing the reflective finishes to mirror the view, including the stone kitchen, handmade metallic tiles and stainless steel-clad rangehood. Set away from living room, the charcoal kitchen features an adjacent bar distinguished through metallic joinery and a blue-tiled splashback.
Golden studio director Daniel Stellini says the curved stone kitchen island acts as a sculptural feature within the home together with other stone references throughout. ‘The living, study and master bedroom also include stone, repeated as touchpoints to unite what was once three separate apartments,” Daniel says.
The bar is complete with a collection of Ferm Living barware.
The dining room features the 412 Cab Dining Chair by Mario Bellini for Cassina and the Capital Pendant Light by Rakumba Lighing.
The Platner Side Table by Warren Platner for Knoll and the Talisman Loop Sconce by Apparatus.
Notable pieces in the living room include the Tactile Armchair by Vincenzo De Cotiis for Baxter, Zeno Light Sofa by Flexform, Mito Floor Lamp by Rakumba Lighting, and Vertigo Suspension Lamp by Constance Guisset above the workspace.
The living room serves as a family room, designated workspace and entertainment area, with a discreet bar concealed within the design. Full-height sliding doors assist with the seamless entertaining setup, granting access to the large balcony that extends to the dining room. In the bedrooms, the flooring shifts from chocolate chevron floorboards to polished concrete, marking a clear transition between shared and private spaces. The master bedroom exudes elegance with a custom built-in leather bedhead, floating stone bedside table, extensive walk-in robe and private balcony.
Golden’s Lake View Penthouse successfully reimagines functional family living within Melbourne’s CBD. Through considered materiality and a balance of open and private spaces, Golden have ensured this penthouse is a considered transition into urban living for the client and their family.
The Roy Tavolo Table Lamp by Mario Nanni for Viabizzuno in the master bedroom. Artwork by Ellie Malin.
