The Holly Penthouse: Family Home Meets Luxury Penthouse Apartment Living

The Holly Penthouse is divided into public and private areas, with living and entertaining areas located to the north, while the southern end is devoted to the master retreat, spare bedroom the children’s quadrant. ‘The configuration of the zoning was important’, explains Tom Robertson. ‘The separation of public and private spaces allows it to feel more like a family home than a regular apartment’.

A splash of grey cement render on the eastern wall and feature fireplace, meanwhile, links the lounge and dining areas, even as they are separated by the presence of the fireplace and integrated oak shelving. Similarly, the bathrooms are differentiated as public or private via their materials. The family bathroom is characterised by an understated palette of grey, white and blonde timber, whereas the powder room is dramatic with a dark grey terrazzo paired with an intricate geometric wallpaper in tones of blue and yellow (‘a dinner-party conversation starter’, says Tom).

While this is by no means an ordinary apartment (or even penthouse), the impressive views make it impossible to mistake it for a detached family home either. Through floor-to-ceiling glass the views take in the CBD, the bay, and the Dandenongs blue in the distance. The terrace is also no quarter-acre backyard, but also no standard miniscule apartment balcony. With a dumb-waiter, cooking and entertaining area as well as an outdoor shower, the terrace is the ultimate combination of spacious family courtyard and urban outdoor living.