A gentle path to a Courtyard

The issue of a courtyard renovation was raised at a Christmas function in the courtyard several years ago. I don’t recall the exact words, but the conversation was about permanent furniture in the form of tables and benches and how more use could be made of the space.

There may have been earlier discussions and I have had several casual conversations over the past few years on occasion with parents with children, concerning the need for a meeting and play area.

I can’t recall when I first tried to get the topic included in Owners Committee discussions but it was certainly more than a few years back. It was definitely proposed as an agenda item for our November 2018 and subsequent committee meetings, but never discussed.

Why have a courtyard?

All owners should be interested in increasing or maintaining the value of their property regardless of whether it’s a financial investment or simply their home until they move on.

I have discussed this building with several real estate salespeople while they were at these premises and also - through a friend - with a principal of a major real estate company.

The opinions of the salespeople are unanimous - when they show prospects an apartment in this building there is nothing more to show, and the context of the apartment - our building - is fairly tatty. In my opinion the recent repairs and renovations have done little to change this.

The HQ Marketing Manager of Jellis Craig agreed with the sales view, confirming that the more positives a sales person could present the higher the price/prospect of a sale.

Typically a salesperson will:

• Take the prospective client to the for-sale property by the nicest route.
• Visit any nice common areas. The roof top garden in the case of the new block of apartments at Jewel station.
• Find a quiet location for discussions if the resident is present.

None of these are surprising and in the case of 34 Union St none can be met.

Additional to owners’ financial expectations is the liveability of 34 Union Street for all residents. A meeting place such as a thoughtfully arranged courtyard can be a significant contributor.

The Victorian Government, in a document on Better Apartments Design (Appendix A), describes what authorities should include when considering approval for the construction of an apartment building. In their words: “provide adequate and useable communal open space for the benefit of residents”.

Objections

Maria (MIA) has claimed that what I am describing as a courtyard is a walkway for access to the townhouses. Drawing 08-003 A02 of the architect’s plans for this building is described as the “courtyard plan”. In that drawing there are references to “the landscape plan" and "for "landscape details”, clearly showing that the space is more than a “walkway” and is in fact intended to be a courtyard and landscape area.

The courtyard at 34 Union Street satisfies the Government’s recommendations of size, and with care, visual intrusion into other residents’ space. Unfortunately the original builder never implemented the architect’s vision that included lawns, rain gardens and other perquisites of a usable, welcoming courtyard.

Continuing the program of restoration that followed our VCAT success, I put it to our Owners Committee that it should consider a courtyard renovation that will add value to all properties and a meeting place for residents.

The intention is not to achieve the original plan, but rather, in consultation with owners and residents, to create a pleasant meeting place.

To this end a subcommittee could be appointed to produce ideas with costs for the redevelopment and subsequently to oversee the actual implementation.

There may be objections about spending on non-essentials, but these are easily answered if increase in property value is considered.

Cost

The cost can be whatever we decide, from the frugal version to the all singing etc. For completed works in one go, it would almost certainly be more than we could justify.

An enquiry to a professional garden designer indicated a cost of at least $10,000. I believe that an interested subcommittee can from our own intellectual resources produce a satisfactory plan.

Two 1800mm x 720mm outdoors tables with four bench seats, delivered and stained are less than $5,000. 2,400mm x 900mm planters, delivered, stained and filled with soil about $500 each.

As sometimes said – We’re not building sheep stations.

An obvious question is where is the money? One answer, no longer valid is that there may be some left over from our repairs. The new Maintenance Fund requirements will probably absorb any spare funds. The other answer is to borrow it.

The examples below of furniture and planter cost for the courtyard plus the costs estimated for the "Hanging Gardens" project and some volunteer help are about $30,000. Read Paying for the extras for a look at the options.