Category: News

It was a casual conversation over a beer or two, between Michael Lawson and Northerly’s ad agency senior writer, that led to the group to adopt ‘Creating Positive’ as its positioning statement.

When asked what his motivation was geared around when looking at his own career, Michael’s answer was simply, “I want to do things that make a difference”. The best kind of positioning statement, or ‘slogan’ (to use a less professional term), is one that speaks the truth and, for Northerly, it aligns perfectly.

Northerly targets new business opportunities that fit in the space of ‘change for good’. Be it in the disability space for partners such as Rocky Bay; for aged care facilities; or elevated living opportunities for over 55’s such as Altum. Equally, it can be creating innovative and environmentally focused design solutions, such as those at Montreal Commons, working on ‘next level fun’ fit outs like Flight Club, or building ultra-modern commercial spaces that still blend in with their heritage surrounds.

Ultimately, it’s about the choices we make, the quality of work we do, and how it will benefit our clients, staff, and most importantly, the people that utilise the spaces and buildings we create.

‘Creating Positive’ sits comfortably with Northerly and despite it being relatively new, feels like it has been around forever.

Northerly has been awarded the ‘2023 Commonwealth Bank Top WA Home’ for their construction of one of the most prestigious private residences in Applecross at the Master Builders Housing Excellence Awards on Saturday 15 April.

Chief judge Robert Shaw praised the home’s impeccable craftsmanship. “The entries in this year’s awards have been extremely impressive. Despite the issues faced by the residential housing sector, they have remained resilient and shown this through their work,” he said.

Accepting the accolade at the pinnacle event for Western Australia’s construction industry, Managing Director, Michael Lawson, congratulated his team and thanked all the sub-contractors and suppliers involved in the project.

“Any residential construction in this category can be expected to showcase the very finest elements in design, construction and fit out, so it is especially pleasing to have the skills, expertise, craftsmanship and dedication of the team recognised with this award,” said Michael.

Designed by Paterson Architects, this new residence features the latest in environmentally sustainable approaches in a truly bespoke build that boasts an exceptional level of quality and finish throughout.

With panoramic views to the city, the home takes advantage of both river and street frontages and comprises a central two-storey atrium, allowing natural ventilation flow and light penetration to the entire building. The indoor and outdoor living and alfresco areas on the ground floor are constructed over a six-car basement car park and overlook the Swan River, a covered outdoor pool, putting green and guest accommodation/home office with landscaped courtyard and water feature.

The main living area, master bedroom and two ensuite bedrooms on the first floor are serviced by an elevator. Internal finishes feature polished travertine, marble, granite as well as timber veneer, lacquered cabinetry and wall-panelling with superbly detailed walls and ceilings.

As well as scoring the night’s top honours, Northerly took home several prizes for recognition of excellent craftsmanship by the sub-contractors on the project:

• Best Home in the Over $3.5M category – Northerly
• Excellence in Floor & Wall Tiling – Vivastone
• Excellence in Plastering – Lenzo Plastering
• Excellence in Painting – Pretl & Williams
• Excellence in External Finishes – Vivastone
• Excellence in Ceilings – Pro Ceilings and Walls
• Tradesperson of the Year – Vivastone

“We thank our clients for entrusting Northerly to bring their beautiful new home to life,” added Michael.

Following the stellar success of Flight Club’s flagship bar on Murray Street in 2021, Northerly was tasked with bringing to life Perth’s second instalment of the revolutionary entertainment destination, this time in Fremantle. Situated on South Terrace, the site of the renowned Newport Hotel was transformed into Perth’s second ‘social darts’ venue.  

Flight Club takes full advantage of the iconic building’s design by furnishing each of the intimate rooms with quirky décor, creating an enticing customer experience within which to explore. Whilst the layout and ‘fairground-fun-meets-old-school-British-pub’ vibe are like Murray Street’s Flight Club, elements such as the colour scheme, wallpaper and ornaments, including fairground horse, ‘Bella’, are unique to Fremantle. The focal points of the bar are the Oche areas, each serviced by a bespoke bar and check-in counter. 

The soft launch on Thursday 13 April saw over 150 guests treated to a red-carpet arrival, followed by an evening of live music, showstopping cocktails and exciting games of social darts. Attending on behalf of Northerly were Managing Director, Michael Lawson, Flight Club Project Manager, Renato and Emma Palmiero, Contracts Administrator, Trevor Czichy, and Site Supervisor, Martin Morrissey.  

 The Northerly team were pleased to once again work with BHO Interiors and NightOwl Entertainment to make their vision a reality. Flight Club Fremantle is expected to make a positive contribution to the city’s night life renaissance as a ‘go to’ entertainment precinct for years to come.  

Northerly have made the move from its stunning location on Stirling Hwy, Nedlands, to premises it custom built and occupied some 13 years ago.

The site (Level 2/541 Hay St, Subiaco), which is certified 5 Star Green Star Rating by the Green Building Council of Australia, has undergone a complete refresh and internally shares little resemblance to the space that Northerly inhabited from 2010 – 2015.

Northerly Managing Director, Michael Lawson, said both the building’s environmental assets, and its consideration of those who work there, aligned well with the company’s positioning statement – ‘Creating Positive’.

‘We have accommodated for those who wanted to ride to work with bicycle racks and lockers for 26 cyclists, two unisex change rooms and individual showers to all levels of the building, as well as lowering environmental impact with initiatives such as a 56,000 litre rainwater storage tank,’ Mr Lawson said.

‘It captures all the rainwater from the roof and provides recycled water to flush all toilets within the building and irrigates all landscaping to the perimeter of the building.’

Aside from the exhaustive environmental credentials, the ‘re-relocation’ also offers brilliant Perth city and Subiaco views and an incredible outdoor entertaining deck.’

The site is shared by Amana Living and Austin Technology.

Arguably Perth’s northern beaches most creative apartment development, Altum Luxury Apartments in Scarborough North is racing toward completion, with just 20% of dwellings remaining for sale.

‘Deliberately Different’, Altum is the brainchild of none other than Northerly Managing Director, Michael Lawson, who created the vision for his own parents.

‘I questioned Mum and Dad, as active and social 70 somethings, about what they would like in an over 55’s development. What was their idea of utopia?’

Mr Lawson commented, ‘The outcome was Altum. It accommodates room to move for many who will be transitioning from a large block and house, with apartments that are both luxurious and large. There is also a massive focus on ‘health is wealth’. Everything at Altum caters for an active, yet laid back, lifestyle.’

A rather smart initiative of Northerly has been to hold regular owner catchups, with sundowners and events on site at various completion stages.

‘It’s enormously gratifying to see friendships already starting to develop amongst the Altum community. Owners are actually having their own get-togethers and this again speaks to the design and vibe of Altum, in that it is attracting like-minded purchasers,’ Lawson said.

Altum will be completed in 2023.