Boasting Hyde Park views and accessibility to the treasures Sydney has to offer, Eliza ups the ante when it comes to high-rise living
Built from the ground up in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, an apartment block named Eliza was created by Edward Doueihi to provide a new standard of luxe living.
Featuring endless stretches of marble, 3D facades and an unparalleled design aesthetic, an eyeful of lush greenery from Hyde Park is simply the cherry on top.
Builder Edward Doueihi and his property development/construction company Ceerose purchased a 280m2 piece of land with a vision to create something unique.
“In 2009, the site was derelict with the previous commercial building having been demolished to make way for a new residential project that failed to be realised,” explains Edward. “Eliza was purchased by Ceerose, so we developed our own brief.”
With just themselves to answer to, the Ceerose team was given free reign to create their very own slice of 17-storey heaven.
“We recognised the dress circle address as well as the opportunity to create a Sydney landmark,” says Edward.
“The aim was to keep the development luxurious. Eliza has been constructed and built for the purpose of giving future owners a lavish experience that will not be experienced anywhere else
in Sydney.”
Containing 10 half-floor two-bedroom apartments, eight full-floor four-bedroom apartments and a four-bedroom, six-bathroom penthouse, Eliza’s occupants appreciate the finer things in life.
“Several of our apartments were bought by people from overseas who know Eliza offers a rare chance to live in one of the best neighbourhoods in one of the world’s greatest cities,” says Edward.
“These purchasers tend to use their apartment as a luxury hotel, staying here on business trips and vacations. There are international buyers from Europe, the US, Asia and the Pacific.”
The pinnacle of the Eliza complex is, of course, the penthouse, which was yet to be sold at the time of publication.
Comprising 499m2, the penthouse contains a private lobby and lift bedecked in limestone, onyx and timber. “Levels 15 and 16 are devoted to living, dining and sleeping, with the rooftop level being an ‘entertainer’s heaven’,” reveals Edward.
“It has a landscaped terrace, outdoor kitchen and a transparent infinity-edge.
And exclusive Eliza is. Highlights of the penthouse apartment include marble flooring and a marble staircase imported from Italy, internal passenger lift, sandstone accents and 3.8m-high ceilings — and that’s just scratching the surface.
But building in the CBD comes with its challenges.
“Due to the highly trafficked nature of Elizabeth Street, getting access to the site proved an enormous challenge,” says Edward. “We had to use a cantilevered platform during excavation to park vehicles on-site, and we occasionally closed off portions of the road to get our heavy machinery in and out.”
For architect and interior designer Tony Owen, inspiration struck in the form of Frank Gehry. “The architect was tasked with creating something truly unique yet sensitive to the historic context,” says Edward.
“That’s why our inspiration was none other than the brilliant Frank Gehry, who is responsible for some of the most important works in contemporary architecture. It’s hoped Eliza will retain a similar timeless quality.”
The unique nature of Eliza hasn’t been ignored, with the structure already securing national awards for best medium-density residential development and best high-rise apartment building.
“The awards are testament to the time and hard work of Ceerose employees and our contractors,” says Edward. “We have achieved what other builders once thought was impossible.”
An unrivalled view over Hyde Park could only be matched by an equally sharp interior.
Hints of gold work with the white marble staircase and black marble floor to instantly create an opulent ambience.
A spacious kitchen with stainless-steel appliances, a white marble kitchen island and a view to the cathedral set the scene for decadent dinner parties.
Living in the Eliza complex offers a sense of the riches Sydney has to offer. Matching the city it lies within, the structure brings a luxe design to a skyline that’s really something special.
For more information: elizasydney.com
Words by Annabelle Cloros
Photography by Justin Alexander; McGrath; Coco Republic
Originally from Home Design magazine, Volume 18 Issue 2
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