Demolishing and Building a Duplex Development in Doubleview

The development site

A seasoned developer with several duplex and triplex projects completed, the client had bought the Doubleview property 10 years ago. He liked the suburb, which is close to both the city and the beach, and was confident the site could be ultimately developed into a duplex development with the rear lane access being very beneficial. When his most recent tenants moved out of the existing house, he knew the time was right to look at the development potential of the 645sqm site. The existing house was tired and in need of more than a coat of paint and could be demolished to make way for two new homes.

The challenge

Although the client, a commercial project director, had developed many times before, he wanted to team up with a reputable builder that could not only manage the entire project for him, but that he could also relate to in a commercial sense. The sloping block also required a thoughtful design solution to help minimise costs and maximise profit. Passive solar design was a priority, along with elevations and floorplans that would appeal to a broad range of tenants or buyers.

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The development solution

The client had approached two other builders for this project but had not found the sense of connection he was looking for. Friends had recommended Dale Alcock, so when he met with Design Consultant Stuart Jenkins and discovered they both had a similar background he knew he had found his project team. “Stuart wasn’t just a salesperson, he had an understanding from a technical perspective and was appreciative of my design requirements” the client said.

Stuart drew up plans for a duplex development on the site. The rear laneway meant both properties could have separate access from the street. One of the homes has four double bedrooms, while the other has three double bedrooms and a home theatre/fourth bedroom. Both have impressive kitchens, two bathrooms, open-plan living areas, alfresco and double garages. The slope of the site was used to its advantage, helping to achieve higher-than-average ceilings as well as keeping site costs down.

The outcome

The client now has two brand-new properties for sale or rent instead of one small, dated property. The potential of the block has been maximised and the new properties have wide appeal. Confident that he was getting a quality finish and that any issues would be addressed quickly and efficiently during the project, the client was able to enjoy the whole development process. “I outlined my expectations and felt I was listened to,” he told us. “Stuart was great. I wanted to do everything upfront, with no surprises, and even though this meant we met many times, Stuart was happy to accommodate this.”

His top tips for others thinking about developing? “Plan as much as you can upfront, spend time doing this as it’s easier for everyone. Understand the process a little and be aware of what’s happening. And remembering this is a handmade product, so there will be little things that won’t be perfect,” the client told us.

The client has put one of his new properties on the market and is planning to hold on to the other one. Both have broad appeal to a range of tenants and buyers thanks to their contemporary street appeal and functional layouts.