Kew takes a shine to Bellevue Hill as Palm House launches

Bellevue Hill has long been one of Sydney’s premier suburbs. With having the highest median house value in the nation exceeding $10 million, it’s home to some of Australia’s most prestigious schools and The Royal Sydney Golf Club. What the suburb lacks, however, is new apartments which meet the needs of local downsizers and families.

Most units in the area date back to the 1960s, with layouts that no longer suit modern lifestyles, particularly for the downsizer market that dominates Bellevue Hill. As the downsizer trend sweeps through Sydney’s eastern suburbs, many long-time residents are looking for low-maintenance living options without leaving the suburb they love.

When new developments do emerge, they’re typically full-floor residences in boutique buildings, which work for some downsizers, but don’t speak for the whole demographic who might want more amenity, generous open spaces. These types of apartments can also be out of reach for many downsizers.

That’s where developer Kew identified an opportunity with its fourth project in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, Kew Palm House. The team amalgamated three sites to create a generous 3,000 sqm block on Birriga Road, bordering the Royal Sydney Golf Club. The result is a design that feels more like a resort hotel with lush landscaped gardens and traditional harbour-view homes.

While downsizers and families are expected to make up the majority of buyers, Kew is offering a mix of two, three, and four-bedroom apartments among the 16 residences. The two-bedroom layouts, rare for Bellevue Hill, are ideal for lock-and-leave downsizers, while the larger residences are tailored for more permanent owner-occupiers.

Architect Woods Bagot was engaged to design Kew Palm House with a brief to create “a modern interpretation of a classic townhome nestled within a resort.” The project comprises two separate four- and five-level buildings, surrounded by extensive landscaping by renowned firm Dangar Barin Smith.

Communal gardens weave through secluded tree-lined paths leading to a pool house and alfresco spaces, amenities designed to bring neighbours together for communal functions and family events.

To be in keeping with what the market expects in Bellevue Hill, interiors will feature high-end fixtures and finishes such as expanses of travertine, natural stone, engineered timber, and luxury appliances by V-ZUG in the kitchens.

Kew Co-Founder and CEO Ali Mohammed spent two years researching the local real estate market in Bellevue Hill to understand what buyers were looking for.

“What we found is that the majority of the homes in Bellevue Hill are very grand, with generous open spaces and established gardens,” Mohammed said. “We wanted to create that grandiosity in an apartment development, not just focussing on the building but creating plenty of open space to move around.”

Ali Mohammed says he was inspired to create garden-led developments after a trip to London’s Kew Gardens in 2009. “Just as plants thrive under optimal conditions, Kew believes humans flourish in well-designed environments. The residences blend architectural innovation with sustainability, fostering a harmonious connection between people and nature.”

Kew is part of Positive Investment Enterprise, a development and investment group founded in 2011. The company has taken a particular interest in Bellevue Hill, with Kew Palm House being the first in a succession of upcoming projects in the area. They have previously completed Kew Bondi, one of the most architecturally striking buildings on Bondi Road.