Brighton gets first penthouse gallery as apartment blurs line between home and art installation

201/64 Black St, Brighton, is decked out as an art gallery with the works — and the home both for sale in a package deal that’s believed to be a first in the suburb. Picture: Lee Sanders Photography.

A Brighton penthouse is blurring the lines between home and art installation, hitting the market with dozens of works on display — and being run as a part-time art gallery.

The 201/64 Black St apartment in the Etienne development has been furnished with works by artists including handmade glassworks including a chandelier by Leisa Wharington as well as paintings and garden art by Collin Hyett, with the space curated by Kelli Lundberg.

Key features include a hand-blown glass chandelier and other light fittings, as well as exotic plantings that complement landscape architecture by Jack Merlo and Ewert Leaf.

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Set to run until June 5, the penthouse gallery will have artists on hand to guide potential homebuyers looking for a home with instant cultural cache through the pieces and their inspiration, as well as why they’ve been located where they are.

Developer VDG’s director Ross Voci said as an art enthusiast the idea of collaborating to set the remaining penthouse up as a gallery had appealed.

“We wanted to find a way to do something a bit different for the penthouse,” Mr Voci said.

“It’s in a really nice apartment building, but rather than just put in a styling package, we have gone for half styling and half art gallery.”

A handblown glass chandelier in the living room is just one of a series of striking pieces on display around the home. Picture: Lee Sanders Photography.

Even the bedrooms are display points, with multiple artworks hanging within them. Picture: Lee Sanders Photography.

The apartment will cost $3m-$3.3m, with the artworks to form a separate negotiation so the buyers don’t wind up paying stamp duty on them.

The same applies for the current furniture, but combined with the artworks it’s expected they would add six figures to the price.

“The chandelier, and some other pieces will stay with the home if buyers want, it can be a package deal,” Mr Voci said.

“Everything in the lighting, Leisa has done all of the glasswork and it’s all a one off.

“Jack Merlo was the landscape architect, but what Collin has done is go on top of that and used potted plants to create a plant-based artwork in the home.”

The living room balances comfort with cosmopolitan, setting a vibrant artwork next to a fireplace. Picture: Lee Sanders Photography.

Impressive views are on show from the home’s wraparound balcony. Picture: Lee Sanders Photography.

RT Edgar Bayside’s Will Maxted said he believed it was a first for the area, and that it would appeal to downsizers looking for a highly considered space for their next step — though returning expats could also benefit from it being ready to move into.

“Either way, they won’t have to do anything or lift a finger — we will even stock the fridge for them,” Mr Maxted said.

“I never thought we’d see something to this sort of level, but you have to be one step with buyers now – they are more discerning than ever.”

The apartments three bedrooms each come with an ensuite.

With herringbone pattern floors, and a muted colour palette, even the kitchen is the perfect backdrop for an art display. Picture: Lee Sanders Photography.

Homebuyers can have the artworks included with the property for an extra price. Picture: Lee Sanders Photography.

The open-plan living area and kitchen is boosted by a butler’s pantry.

Outside, the wraparound balcony provides more than 160sq m of landscaping and space to take in the sea air while enjoying the expansive views.

The Etienne complex contains 10 apartments and is located a short distance from Middle Brighton train station as well as shops and eateries along Church St, and an easy walk to the beach.

Expressions of interest for the penthouse meets gallery at 201.64 Black St close at 5pm, May 20.

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