![Paragon Apartments / Fender Katsalidis Architects - Exterior Photography, Facade, Cityscape](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62fc/db61/9672/4107/112b/b6a1/medium_jpg/paragon-fender-katsalidis-architects_5.jpg?1660738610)
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Architects: Fender Katsalidis Architects
- Area: 2900 m²
- Year: 2021
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Photographs:Willem Dirk Du Toit
![Paragon Apartments / Fender Katsalidis Architects - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade, Cityscape](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62fc/db46/dfae/2a3f/348e/aa4c/medium_jpg/paragon-fender-katsalidis-architects_1.jpg?1660738430)
Text description provided by the architects. Paragon is a residential building on a prized corner of Melbourne’s CBD that tells a multi-layered narrative of the city’s past, present, and future. Designed for metropolitan living, Paragon creates a sense of identity for its residents by transforming a piece of the Melbourne cityscape into an urban sanctuary.
![Paragon Apartments / Fender Katsalidis Architects - Interior Photography, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62fc/db5c/dfae/2a3f/348e/aa57/newsletter/paragon-fender-katsalidis-architects_22.jpg?1660738448)
![Paragon Apartments / Fender Katsalidis Architects - Exterior Photography, Garden, Courtyard](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62fc/db49/dfae/2a3f/348e/aa4d/newsletter/paragon-fender-katsalidis-architects_4.jpg?1660738430)
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Previously the home to Melbourne’s Celtic Club, the facade of the original heritage building was respectfully protected, restored, and celebrated. The glass tower rising above it features an elegant Celtic-inspired diagonal grid pattern across the reflective surface. Adjacent to the heritage façade at ground level, a regular grid reflects the datums of the traditional architecture, but in a minimal more orthogonal manner.
![Paragon Apartments / Fender Katsalidis Architects - Interior Photography, Living Room, Sofa, Table, Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62fc/db63/dfae/2a3f/348e/aa5d/newsletter/paragon-fender-katsalidis-architects_11.jpg?1660738973)
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![Paragon Apartments / Fender Katsalidis Architects - Interior Photography, Dining room, Table, Chair, Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62fc/db40/9672/4107/112b/b69c/newsletter/paragon-fender-katsalidis-architects_3.jpg?1660738433)
Unfurling across three stories, a living green element serves as the backbone of all the common linked areas. This conservatory-like space provides relief between the main tower and the heritage facade. The lush sanctuary, complete with refined terrazzo and outdoor seating, offers a tranquil escape from the bustling streetscape below.
![Paragon Apartments / Fender Katsalidis Architects - Interior Photography, Living Room, Sofa, Table, Chair](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62fc/db46/9672/4107/112b/b69d/newsletter/paragon-fender-katsalidis-architects_2.jpg?1660738477)
![Paragon Apartments / Fender Katsalidis Architects - Interior Photography, Dining room, Table, Windows, Chair](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62fc/db63/dfae/2a3f/348e/aa5c/newsletter/paragon-fender-katsalidis-architects_8.jpg?1660738861)
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A wellness oasis offers an array of luxury amenities for rest and relaxation, and a series of formal and informal zones blur the line between the public and private domain to present an exclusive club for residents. High-quality amenities are a core benefit for users of the building, providing a place to gather, meet, and form the community. Groups can occupy the space and enjoy a variety of uses, including a fully equipped gym, swimming pool, and entertaining areas. Extending the amenity further, a library, private theatre, and screening lounge add a high level of detail and function.
![Paragon Apartments / Fender Katsalidis Architects - Interior Photography, Stairs, Handrail](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62fc/db5d/dfae/2a3f/348e/aa58/newsletter/paragon-fender-katsalidis-architects_17.jpg?1660738554)
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![Paragon Apartments / Fender Katsalidis Architects - Interior Photography, Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62fc/db61/dfae/2a3f/348e/aa5a/newsletter/paragon-fender-katsalidis-architects_21.jpg?1660738457)
Though the tower rises to 48 levels, it has a deliberately small-scale residential density. The original scheme of 280 apartments was reduced to 227 to allow for a maximum of 6 apartments per floor. Site constraints meant that floor plates are shallower than typical apartments, allowing for greater levels of natural light and excellent corner vistas. The implementation of a vertical solar panel system boasting 128 panels spanning 158sqm installed on the core walls proved not only innovative but to be an attractive value-add