Light-filled heritage living room in a Newtown house featuring a grand piano, crystal chandelier, botanical mural wallpaper, marble fireplace and blue velvet seating.

NEWTOWN TERRACE

Item description

Project Brief & Design Intent

Newtown Terrace began as a grand but dilapidated terrace house in the historic inner-Sydney suburb of Newtown. The Owners, having observed TO THE MIL’s work on adjacent heritage terrace projects, invited the team to tender for the renovation of this significant residence.

Working in collaboration with Daniel Boddam Architects and Stacey Kouros Design, the project sought to respect and preserve as much of the original fabric as possible, while introducing new architectural elements that both support contemporary living and celebrate the home’s historic character. Rather than relying on isolated interventions, the design approach focused on seamless integration between old and new — retaining original materials and finishes where possible and introducing new structure, materials and volumes that enhance the terrace’s inherent beauty.

Construction & Craftsmanship

The restoration of Newtown Terrace demanded technical precision and deep expertise in heritage building crafts. Existing decorative elements, including ornate cornices, ceiling roses, tessellated tiles, wrought iron fretwork, balustrading and the original staircase, were all carefully restored on site with meticulous attention to detail and finish.

The intricate work required experts in traditional trades, and the coordination of multiple skilled craftspeople. Although this restorative process was time-intensive and exacting, it resulted in a finely resolved outcome in which the preserved heritage fabric sits confidently alongside new structural components.

Weekly site meetings between the Owners, Architect, Designer and Builder allowed for ongoing refinement of details and ensured that the original design intent was faithfully carried through each stage of construction.

Material Palette

The material strategy for Newtown Terrace was deliberately layered to articulate the dialogue between heritage and contemporary intervention:

→ Restored heritage materials — including original plaster cornices, ceiling roses and tessellated floor tiles — were preserved and repaired to retain the character and patina of the existing house.

→ Traditional finishes such as French polish on the original staircase emphasise the craftsmanship of the restoration.

→ New materials such as concrete, glass and timber were introduced in modern elements (garage structure, rooftop garden bed and terrace deck) to complement existing finishes and contribute to the reimagined architectural experience.

This balanced material palette ensures that the historic and the contemporary coexist without conflict, each enhancing the presence of the other.

Client & Architect Experience

The collaborative dynamic between the Owners, Daniel Boddam Architects, Stacey Kouros Design and our team was a defining feature of Newtown Terrace. Regular weekly meetings created an environment of shared investment in the project’s outcome, with each party deeply engaged in decision-making at every stage.

This mutual commitment fostered a seamless workflow and a strong sense of pride in the work, as restoration and construction progressed iteratively. Clear communication and aligned objectives ensured that challenges were resolved constructively, and that all interventions remained respectful of the original home.

Outcome

Newtown Terrace has been transformed into a home that elegantly bridges its historic origins with contemporary living requirements. The meticulous restoration of heritage elements and the introduction of new architectural works — including a rooftop deck and modern garden structure — together create a residence that feels both timeless and thoroughly updated.

The project was recognised for its quality and sensitive approach, being selected as a Finalist in the HIA CSR NSW Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards 2018 — Renovation / Addition Project ($1M–$5M), reflecting its standing within a competitive category for heritage renovation and addition works.

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