Apartment living inspired by iconic New York architecture

Apartment living doesn’t have to mean leaving the old and familiar behind. At West Residences in Mount Lawley, traditional materials and thoughtful detailing offer a different take; one that draws on the character of established homes while responding to an unusually shaped urban site.

Developed by Willing Property, the 30-residence project occupies a triangular block on West Parade. Its distinctive form has a surprising point of reference: New York’s Flatiron Building, which founding director Tim Willing encountered on a family holiday. The inspiration became a starting point for a building that looks beyond the conventional apartment block, with a handcrafted brick façade that gives it a memorable presence on the street.

“The triangular shape of the site gave us the opportunity to reinterpret one of the world’s most recognisable buildings for Perth,” Tim says. “We saw this as an urban, quietly artistic part of the city, a little like New York’s Meatpacking District. We wanted to create a building with a strong sense of beauty and form, something that would draw people in and encourage them to explore a part of town they might not otherwise visit.”

The exterior’s brickwork nods to the golden era when detail and craftsmanship were integral to a building’s identity. “Brick has always been a big part of what we do at Willing,” Tim says. “Using locally sourced brick gives the building a sense of permanence and texture, helping it sit naturally within the neighbourhood.”

For Sam Klopper, director of Klopper & Davis Architects, the materials were as important as the building’s form. Timber became a way to bridge the gap between the familiarity of a house and the apartment-style living.

“Using timber inside is critical to connecting people to a sense of an Australian home,” Sam says. “People resonate with traditional timber floors; they understand them. One of the things we’re trying to do through our work with Tim is transition people from a house to an apartment.”

Woodpecker Flooring supplied the timber flooring that carries that idea through the residences. Heytesbury engineered oak flooring grounds the apartments in warmth, its deep walnut tone complementing the refined palette, while in the penthouse, Balboa laid in a classic herringbone pattern adds character and architectural elegance.

For interior designer Maude Pilote of Klopper & Davis Architects, the natural tones of the flooring helped provide a consistent foundation throughout. “The interiors were designed to be eclectic, blending different timbers and metals to create a versatile space, so whatever furnishings people brought into the space would feel right at home,” says Maude. “I love Woodpecker Flooring for the exceptional quality, ensuring lasting durability and a beautiful floor for years to come. I also love that it’s a family-owned company - I’ve worked with them for years.”

That emphasis on longevity runs through the project, from the brick façade to the material choices inside. West is also the first development delivered entirely by Willing Build, the company’s in-house construction arm, bringing design and construction together under one roof.

For Tim, the outcome will be measured by the lives lived within it. “The best part is seeing people move in and make West their home,” he says. “We’ve put a lot of thought and care into this project, and we’re proud of how it’s come together. We hope it’s a place people love living in for years to come, and that it becomes part of Mount Lawley for generations.”

Words: Elizabeth Clarke