Inglis stables: from horses to houses — five star residential properties to buy

FROM premier thoroughbreds to premier apartments — the historic Newmarket stables at Randwick are about to undergo a remarkable transformation. We show you what it will look like.

Landscape architect Alex Longley in the historic stables at the former Inglis site. Picture: Joel Carrett

• Stables ‘too far away’ from hospital precinct
• Inglis family’s Randwick history

FROM premier thoroughbreds to premier three bedroom apartments — the historic Newmarket stables at Randwick are about to undergo a remarkable transformation.

Cbus Property is gearing up to release stage one of its five-hectare, 642-residence precinct on October 14, after purchasing the site from the Inglis family for a reported $250 million in 2015.

The retail plaza planned as part of stage one.

Known as Newmarket Residences, the first phase includes 128 apartments across two eight-storey buildings, set among a vibrant retail plaza with access to a new 5000 square metre public park.

Prices for one-bedroom apartments start from $780,000, two-bedroom apartments are priced from $1,200,000 and three-bedroom apartments start from $2,200,000.

Concept models of stage one of the development. Picture: Joel Carrett

The old Newmarket Stables building will remain.

Employing four architecture firms — Bates Smart, Neeson Murcutt Architects, Smart Design Studio and SJB — Cbus has promised to marry the heritage elements of the site with a modern, urban hub.

Cbus chief executive Adrian Pozzo said the cumulative design will breathe new life into the historic Inglis stable site.

The Newmarket homestead in the background of this 1906 Inglis photo will remain under a heritage order.

“We know how important this site is to the local community and thoroughbred racing fraternity so we were determined to design something special that is worthy of a site with such a strong history,” Mr Pozzo said.

Bates Smart studio director Matthew Allen said its firm designed stage one to be open, generous and elegant.

An artists’s impression inside a three-bedroom apartment looking towards the park.

A three-bedroom interior with bath.

“The facade concept is an expressed frame with open corners that uses a mix of sandstone toned precast concrete and dark bronze metalwork in direct tribute to Newmarket House which will remain a part of this unique precinct,” he said.

“The interiors reflect timeless design inspired by an equestrian style in a nod to the site’s past.

The mighty Morton Bay fig tree will continue to stand sentinel over the neighbourhood.

“Our colour scheme establishes a calm neutral palette in natural textures such as timber, leather and stone.”

Arcadia Landscape Architecture will follow suit, cultivating the open space using natural resources sourced from the current site, including wood and steel from the horse stables.

WILLIAM INGLIS AND SON MOVING ON

The iconic Morton Bay fig tree that has sheltered the sale yards for more than a century will be central to the design.

Cbus property expects to have the Newmarket Residences completed by 2020.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED AS HISTORY RECYCLED

The historic Newmarket house today.

AS A boy, Alex Longley would go down to the Inglis Newmarket Stables to admire the horses being paraded around the famous sales ring.

His favourite days spent there were with his grandmother, who was the daughter of famous horse trainer Daniel Lewis.

When the landscape architect heard the site, which dates back to 1918, was to be redeveloped, he knew he had to be the one to shape its open spaces.

Wood will be salvaged from the stabling yards to build a platform around the fig.

With his partner at Arcadia Landscape Architecture, Mike Barnett, Mr Longley set out to restore and maintain much of the manicured walled landscape on-site, while rescuing materials from soon-to-be demolished stabling yards.

“My approach came from a very strong desire to connect and to maintain the character of Newmarket itself,” Mr Longley said.

Part of the roof structure of the horse auction ring with stay. Picture: Joel Carrett

Concept model of the sales ring as an outdoor play area.

“We’re salvaging and repurposing the hardwood timber the stables were constructed from to construct a timber deck around the historic fig tree.

“They’ve been in the stables chewed and rubbed by horses so they’re beautifully polished with really great marks in them.”

The pre-sale parade ring under the famous Moreton Bay fig tree in 2002. Picture: Stephen Cooper

Elsewhere, the steel hooks in the back of each horse stall will be salvaged for use along the retail strip so visitors can tie up their dogs.

“We’re looking at every nut and bolt so we re-use it in any possible way.

INSIDE LOOK INTO INGLIS RIVERSIDE STABLES

But Mr Longley’s most important goal was to save the sales ring from complete demolition.

“I think that the repurposing of the sales ring has been the biggest, most ambitious outcome,” Mr Longley said.

Mr Longley outside the historic Newmarket Stables that will survive. Picture: Joel Carrett

“To have lost that structure entirely would have been, I think, a massive failure on the landscape architects.”

Materials from the ring will be used to create an 8.5m suspended climbing play structure for children.