Modern open-concept kitchen and dining area with light wood furniture, white and marble accents, potted plants with pink flowers, and abstract art on the wall.

BRONTE APARTMENT, 2024

Project Brief & Design Intent

This renovation was undertaken for owners entering a new phase of life, downsizing from a large family home as their adult children moved out. The three-bedroom apartment, positioned directly opposite Bronte Beach with sweeping views through to Bondi, immediately stood out. While the location and outlook were exceptional, the apartment had remained largely unchanged since its original construction in the 1970s and required a full renovation to modernise the space and align it with the owners’ lifestyle. The design intent focused on complete renewal — opening the plan, improving light and flow, upgrading services and finishes, and transforming the apartment into a contemporary coastal residence that balances comfort, sophistication and longevity.

Construction & Craftsmanship

The scope of works involved a comprehensive reconfiguration of the apartment. Bathrooms were newly configured, and a key architectural intervention was the removal of the kitchen wall to establish open-plan living, strengthening visual and spatial connections across the main living areas.

To further enhance the relationship with the outlook, an existing balcony window was converted into a sliding door, opening the living space directly to the balcony. This change required extensive engineering, including the introduction of new structural beams to safely enlarge the opening — a complex intervention executed with precision within the constraints of an apartment building.

Throughout the build, careful sequencing and attention to detail were essential, particularly given the level of finish and the coordination required between structure, services and bespoke elements.

Material Palette

Material selection was central to defining the character of the apartment. Finishes were layered and considered, creating a modern interior that feels both refined and deeply personal:

→ Soundproof parquetry flooring throughout

→ Marble bathrooms with finely resolved detailing

→ Inlaid rugs marking the entrance sequence

→ Gucci wallpaper within the bathrooms, introducing texture and personality

→ American Oak timber panelling and bespoke joinery

→ Custom leather bedhead

→ Integrated, state-of-the-art smart home technology system

Lighting was treated as a critical architectural element. The apartment features a gallery-quality lighting system that allows the owners to showcase artwork they have carefully curated over many years, transforming the home into a setting where art, architecture and living coexist seamlessly.

Client & Architect Experience

The project was delivered through close collaboration between the owners, Luke Durack Architects and TO THE MIL. Clear communication and shared intent were essential in navigating the structural modifications, high-end finishes and technical complexity inherent to apartment renovations. Throughout the process, decisions were guided by precision, care and a commitment to quality, ensuring the finished home felt cohesive, resolved and deeply considered.

Outcome 

Bronte Apartment has been fully transformed into a modern coastal residence that reflects the owners’ evolving lifestyle and appreciation for craftsmanship, design and art. 

The reconfigured plan, refined material palette and carefully orchestrated lighting have elevated the apartment into a sophisticated, low-maintenance home that fully embraces its extraordinary location and outlook. 

It was a privilege to deliver this project and to see the owners enjoying a new way of living in a space shaped around clarity, comfort and enduring quality.

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