Hewlett St Bronte: Fortis unveils plans for $125m luxury self-contained home development

A grand vision for a $125 million project to deliver 10 luxe homes perched on a coveted eastern suburbs location have been revealed by a Sydney developer.

A bold $125 million development featuring just 10 luxe self-contained homes has been earmarked for a highly-coveted eastern suburbs site.

Sydney developer Fortis has unveiled plans for a luxury project at Bronte, just 200m from the beach.

Plans show the generous 2400 sqm block at 122-128 Hewlett St will feature 10 lavish three and four-bedroom self-contained homes with four bathrooms, basement parking, private pools and landscaped gardens.

Fortis snapped up the site – touted as one of the largest private land holdings on the market in the eastern suburbs – for around $45 million in February. The original apartments were built in the 1970s and the family had retained ownership of the property until it was sold this year.

The project has been developed with Sydney architecture firm MHNDU, which has created luxury spaces with Fortis since 2017 including the Benson in Rose Bay and the Marmont at Point Piper.

Pending approval, construction is set to begin in late 2023 for completion in 2024, and Fortis has opened registrations for prerelease purchases.

The existing apartment block at 122-128 Hewlett Street has been in private hands since the ‘70s. Image: Google.

Fortis director Charles Mellick told the Wentworth Courier the “exclusivity and unmatched beauty” of the site proved a drawcard for the company’s next project in the east.

He said he expected to see demand from affluent families seeking Bronte’s coastal lifestyle, as well as time-poor buyers seeking an architecturally-designed home with high-quality amenities built in.

The Hewlett St development is located just 200m from the beach. Image: Fortis.

Located at elevated Hewlett St with expansive views of Bronte beach, the houses will boast open floorplans that transition into private courtyards, or balconies to enhance the building’s proximity to the coast.

“We’re looking to offer a layering of bespoke finishes that present a sense of luxury, calm and intrigue, and a timeless design that is restrained and effortless,” Mr Mellick said. “The materiality and planting will reflect the coast.”

The Fortis director said that in line with past projects the residences would focus on luxurious minimalism.

Fortis expects the development will attract families seeking an active lifestyle. Picture NCA Newswire/ Gaye Gerard

“They will have a flexible, free flowing floor plan that encourages overflow to outdoor spaces, and the external and internal spaces will be curated to transition the occupants from city life into a beach sanctuary,” Mr Mellick said.

“The residences will have master retreats with walk-in wardrobes and ensuites, custom swimming pools and outdoor entertaining grottos and sweeping ocean and district views.”

Mr Mellick said Fortis planned to scale up its residential portfolio in the coming year, following several high-profile new projects.

In May the developer submitted plans to Woollahra Council in partnership with Sydney-based property group Assembly Funds Management, non-bank lender Pallas Group and the council to replace the ageing multi-level Cross St car park in Double Bay with a new commercial building.

Fortis has submitted a joint plan to redevelop the Cross St car park in Double Bay. Image: Woollahra Council.

The existing Cross Street Car Park could soon be replaced with boutique cinemas, retail and commercial space, apartments, and a 380-space public basement car park.

Fortis associate director Ed Eve called the plans a “once in a generation opportunity to rejuvenate the (Double Bay) precinct”.