Project details
Bonapartes Serviced Apartments, Fortitude Valley, QLD
The client approached us to discuss updating his investment unit in a serviced apartment complex in Fortitude Valley. As it was a good income spinner, the initial intention was to renovate the studio apartment and to continue letting it (furnished) for short stay visitors. On reflection the client decided he wanted to sell the property instead.
The 55m2 studio apartment is located in a building that was built in the late 80’s. The apartment had not been maintained very well, and was in desperate need of an update.
The overall project included renovating the main living area, kitchen, bathroom, laundry and bedroom.
We provided some recommendations to address the immediate concerns, and also offered a bigger picture vision for the property which included:
- Spatial Planning i.e. zoning specific use spaces within the main living area
- Renovating the kitchen
- Renovating the very small bathroom
- Renovating the laundry area which is located in the bedroom
- Retiling the entire unit – main living/dining/kitchen, bedroom, bathroom.
- Installing a robe in the bedroom
- Repainting the interior
- Installing new window treatments
- Updating and reconfiguring lighting, light switches and power points and upgrading circuit board to accommodate new appliances
- Furnishing and decorating the entire apartment
The main challenge we encountered was access for the tradesman to move materials and equipment from the off-street parking area and through a central courtyard to the unit.
Uplifting 2 layers of tiles in order to relay the new tiles also proved a challenge. The original floor tiles were not going anywhere fast.
The tight floor space called for careful consideration when furnishing the unit. We wanted to avoid cluttering the space, while at the same time filling the space appropriately. We wanted to make it feel like substantial accommodation, suitable for a couple or single professional.
Although we worked within the existing footprint, we were able to make the unit feel significantly bigger and lighter.
Using the new furniture, we changed over the furniture configuration from the original placement. This meant the dining area was more appropriately positioned next to the kitchen zone with the living zone moved into the original dining area.
By mounting the television on the wall, we were able to utilize the angled space, an external stairwell leading to the apartment above the unit. This way the television could be watched from any of the zones in the living area.
The original laundry was on display and a bit of an eyesore from the bed. To address this, we enclosed the laundry area and concealed it behind a door.
The bathroom was a very small space, and originally did not even have a vanity or sink. We were able to add a wall hung vanity creating a more functional bathroom.
The property did sell after 1 day on the market and set a record price for the complex.
