Newhall Phase One
Newhall Phase One represents the inaugural delivery of the wider Newhall masterplan, establishing the residential and commercial anchor for the site. The phase introduces a high-quality, pedestrian-first urban grain that balances private living with active public frontage. Rather than creating an isolated development, Phase One is designed as a connective piece of the city — a mixed-use block that activates the street and provides a permanent home for both local businesses and new residents.
The Mixed-Use Block
The primary built form is a medium-rise block that maximizes the site’s proportions while maintaining a human scale. The ground floor is reserved for commercial and retail use, with generous glazing and deep canopies that invite pedestrians in and create a vibrant streetscape. Above, the residential component is arranged around a central atrium and a series of well-lit corridors, ensuring every apartment receives ample daylight and a sense of enclosure.
The architecture is defined by a palette of high-quality materials: brickwork that references the existing urban fabric, bronze detailing, and stone paving in the public areas. This material honesty is a hallmark of the Newhall vision — a rejection of the ephemeral in favor of a built environment that ages with dignity and character.
The Public Realm
A defining element of Phase One is the pedestrian realm, which extends the public domain into the heart of the block. The design is guided by three core principles:
- Pedestrian-First Circulation: The block is organized around a primary promenade that links the main street to the residential entrance, with a secondary pedestrian square at the center that serves as a communal outdoor room.
- Active Edges: Every ground-floor unit is required to have an active frontage, whether through retail, café use, or community space, ensuring that the street remains lively and safe at all hours.
- Material Integrity: The paving and street furniture are specified to a high standard, using durable stone and metal that complements the brickwork of the buildings and reinforces a cohesive identity across the whole site.
The central square is the social heart of the phase — a space for informal gatherings, children’s play, and seating, framed by the buildings on three sides. It is a deliberate break from the dense urban grain of the surrounding area, offering a moment of pause and a shared civic amenity for the new community.
Design Principles and Vision
Newhall Phase One is the prototype for what is to follow on the site. The design reflects a commitment to thoughtful urbanism, where every element — from the orientation of the windows to the placement of the trees — is considered in relation to the whole.
The project rejects the idea of the block as a closed fortress. Instead, it is an open and permeable structure that engages with the city, offering a rich pedestrian experience and a high-quality domestic environment. The mix of uses ensures that the block is occupied throughout the day and night, creating a safe and lively urban grain that will only grow stronger as the masterplan unfolds.
In summary, Newhall Phase One is about creating a place that feels like it has always belonged here — a grounded, high-quality piece of the city that balances private life with a generous public realm.