“The Abbey”, developed and delivered by Traders In Purple, and designed by AJH+, comprises of seven beautifully appointed luxury residences – three of which are built within the former South Cronulla Uniting Church and Sunday School hall. Sitting adjacent, four contemporary residences celebrate the site’s special link to its past and coastal position. Traders In Purple’s vision was to pay legacy to the rich history of this property while creating high-end sophisticated residences that are like private sanctums.

Complete in January 2021, the redevelopment is an amalgamation of two lots containing a heritage listed former community Church and support buildings and two houses. The Church foundation stone is dated 18 April 1924 and was built at a time when the Cronulla peninsula was developing. As an ‘interwar church’ its local heritage listing related to its simple gabled form, roof line and finishes.

The facades contrasts coastal-contemporary architecture with heritage-inspired craftsmanship; richly textured brick, Australian timbers, concrete and sections of rusted Corten steel echoing the earthy colours and forms of the coastal landscape.

Internally a sense of intimacy is created, intelligent design melds with striking marble, timber and stone finishes, built-in cocktail bars and gas fireplaces surrounded by aged brass and travertine with high-end appointments.

A diverse selection of floorplans, the residences appeal to a variety of buyers. Each residence enjoys private landscaped courtyards and private secure basement parking for two cars with internal access and additional storage.

Currently being sold by expressions of interest, The Abbey has attracted exceptional interest and setting a new benchmark in quality, external design aesthetic and price point. Sale prices between mid $2m – mid $3m have been achieved/anticipated.

Judges Comments

The Abbey is an outstanding example of a small-scale infill development that not only made reuse of its existing building and features, but creatively added new ones in a complementary way, without the feeling of overdevelopment of the site.
The Judges were impressed with not only the thought and attention to detail that went into the restoration of the former South Cronulla Uniting Church and Sunday School Hall, but the adopted design principle allowing all additions within the 1924 church to be reversible. All new features inside the readapted apartment within the church walls, such as the kitchen and floating bench, bedrooms, bathrooms, and master bedroom loft, were all installed away from the church walls and the delicately restored stained glass windows.

The combination of 3 unique apartment renovations, in each of the 3 separate sections of the church, created both an integrated, but unique offering to its occupants. The designer took advantage of the unique size and orientation of each of the 3 former church and hall zones, creating 3 unique dwellings.

The eastern part of the site was redeveloped with the addition of 4 new and modern townhouse apartments that looked into and shared the central common landscape space used by all 7 dwellings. Small elements of the church design were reflected within in the apartments and basement carpark, linking it all together.