Encore 1788: Prestige Interiors in Sydney's Double Bay
I had the pleasure of returning to work with SJD Property — this time to photograph their latest development, Encore 1788, in Sydney's Double Bay.
Encore 1788 sits at 28-34 Cross Street, directly adjacent to SJD's acclaimed original 1788 building. Designed by Bates Smart and developed by SJD, the six-storey building delivers 15 luxury residences in one of Australia's most exclusive suburbs. It's the kind of project where every detail has been considered — and where the photography needs to do justice to the craftsmanship.
A Design Inspired by Double Bay's Heritage
Bates Smart drew on the 1920s art deco architecture that defines Double Bay's streetscape, reinterpreting it through a contemporary lens. The result is a building with gentle curves, sculptural forms and a material palette that feels both timeless and luxurious.
Inside, that palette continues: soft, distinctive marble with unique veining; burnished bronze elements integrated with stone, timber, veneer and tinted glass; wide-plank timber flooring underfoot and coffered ceilings overhead. The kitchens feature Wolf and SubZero appliances, integrated refrigeration and statement marble benchtops that serve as the centrepiece of the open-plan living spaces.
It's a project where the interiors are designed to look as elegant in fifty years as they do today — and photographing that kind of timeless quality requires a considered approach.
The Shoot
I photographed several apartments across a full day, capturing the open-plan living and kitchen spaces, bedrooms, bathrooms and the finer details that distinguish a development of this calibre.
The marble is the hero. In the living areas, waterfall-edge island benches in warm-toned natural stone anchor the spaces, their veining creating organic movement against the clean white walls and light timber floors. Getting the balance right — capturing the warmth of the stone without losing the neutrality of the surrounding palette — was the key technical challenge.
Lighting conditions in prestige apartments like these are often excellent. Floor-to-ceiling glazing delivers beautiful natural light, but it also creates contrast that needs to be managed. I worked through the day to capture different qualities of light, ensuring the final images show the spaces at their best while remaining true to how they actually feel.
Working With SJD Property
This was my second project with SJD Property, and it's always satisfying to return to a client who values quality imagery. Developers at this end of the market understand that photography is an investment — not an expense. The images will be used across marketing collateral, sales documentation and digital channels, and they need to reflect the calibre of the product.
SJD's commitment to bespoke design — working with purchasers to tailor joinery and finishes to individual preferences — extends to how they approach their visual content. They understand that each apartment has its own character, and the photography needs to capture that.
Double Bay's Continued Evolution
Double Bay has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. Once struggling after the opening of Westfield Bondi Junction, the suburb has reinvented itself as a destination for high-end dining, boutique retail and prestige residential living.
Projects like Encore 1788 are both a product of that evolution and a contributor to it. They attract discerning buyers — often downsizers from large Eastern Suburbs homes — who want the quality and scale of a house with the convenience of apartment living. And they raise the bar for what's possible in a suburb already known for its beautiful heritage buildings.
For a photographer, it's a privilege to document these kinds of projects — spaces designed with care, built with craft, and intended to endure.
If you're a developer, architect or interior designer looking for photography that captures the quality of your work, I'd welcome the opportunity to discuss your next project.
Contact: steve@stevelockphoto.com | 0418 618 325 | stevelock