How to Incorporate Heritage Into New Design

Revitalising properties with historic significance takes specialist skill. Ascot Green in Brisbane is the latest example of how an iconic Mirvac redevelopment embraces its past for a contemporary future.

The distinctive character of generations past cannot be impersonated. The colourful stories of a site, space or building are a unique commodity that create an authentic sense of place. None more so than at Eagle Farm Racecourse. The sport of thoroughbred horse racing began its Queensland chapter on this site in 1865. Since then thousands of glamorous racegoers have visited the venue for the fun and excitement that comes with racing.

Over 150 years of history are ingrained in the site. Far from seeing this as a problem, Mirvac, in partnership with Brisbane Racing Club, have used the history of the location as the inspiration for the Eagle Farm residential precinct.

A new residential apartment development complex – Ascot Green – has been designed for the site and includes extensive gardens and a new retail precinct.

Perforated brickworks, remnants of former footpaths, patinated surfaces and fragments of ornamentation have all been incorporated into the design – reinvigorating the site for future generations with overt reference to the past. This respect for the old provides an important link between the past and the present and helps secure the future of the precinct as a “place” for community.

Warwick Bible, Mirvac’s General Manager of Residential in Queensland, says “Ascot Green’s blend of timeless, new apartments within a unique heritage setting makes it a rare offering within Ascot. The apartments have been designed with local downsizers in mind, knowing that these customers appreciate heritage and quality in equal measure”.  

Many purchasers at Ascot Green were well aware of the history of the site (a large portion of purchasers came from Ascot and neighbouring suburbs) before buying. Many were also downsizing from their family homes.

For downsizers, the historical significance of Ascot Green makes it easy to blend old and new when it comes to interior design.

Sites of historical significance often have views of established gardens and greenery.

“They have large, generous open-plan living spaces as well as considerable storage within the apartments and adjacent to the basement carpark areas,” Bible says. “It features resort style amenities including the approximately 800-square-metre rooftop terrace of Ascot House, and an exclusive lap pool located within the lush sub-tropical grounds.”

Ascot House has 90 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and a number of penthouses. The first Ascot House residents moved in, in June.

Bible says there has been a lot of interstate interest from downsizers. “People appreciate the location, which is close to Racecourse Road, and the recently opened Racecourse Village, where they can walk to the shops and cafes. And it is close to the city and to local transport,” he says.

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