Wickham’s new lighthouse

Two striking new townhouses in Newcastle’s inner-city suburb of Wickham reference the area’s maritime history while giving a glimpse of its urban future.

Expert painter John Hersee has worked on a plethora of high-profile residential and commercial projects throughout Newcastle and the Hunter. But he is usually working to someone else’s brief and specifications.

So, when John and his wife Jude decided to build on this inner city block in Wickham, on the corner of Union and Throsby Streets, they were ready for a unique architectural design and keen to go
all out on the materials, fixtures and finishes they love.

Standing in front of the two three-storey buildings with a courtyard at their centre, the curved glass façade is impossible to miss.

Past and future

Joel Coleman, founder of Shade Design explains, “The design is an urban take on Mediterranean architecture, mixed in with almost cruise ship like features, connecting to the precinct’s history
while adding fun and interesting vistas for the public walking the streets.

“We believe that Wickham and surrounds will continue to evolve as a densely urban environment, activated through quality architecture and a variety of local businesses – a mix reminiscent of Melbourne’s cultural areas.”

John and Jude expect the location to develop into “the village green of Wickham, with pedestrians and bikes all along this corridor.