One of North Sydney's best-known commercial buildings could become hundreds of new homes, with insurance giant Zurich Australia lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to transform 5 Blue Street into a mixed-use residential development above North Sydney Station.

Rather than demolishing the existing building and starting again, Zurich is proposing an adaptive reuse project that would convert the landmark office building into a 15-level residential development delivering 62 apartments, 86 affordable co-living dwellings, activated retail and significant upgrades to the Blue Street Plaza.

The proposal reflects a growing trend of commercial property owners repositioning ageing office assets into residential housing as Sydney grapples with housing supply shortages and changing workplace demand.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0bba7d12-06dc-4375-aad7-238c94b21ac5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.42.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=NJl5oLAEBDGuPmY3RnyliKODjMc8lvRh" />

Located directly above North Sydney Metro and train station, the 3,051 sqm site occupies one of the most strategically positioned parcels of land on Sydney's Lower North Shore.

Designed by fjcstudio, the proposal seeks to retain and adapt much of the existing structure while creating a contemporary residential address that better connects with the public domain surrounding North Sydney Station.

The application proposes two basement levels, ground floor retail, affordable co-living accommodation across the podium levels, and apartments above, while preserving and enhancing the publicly accessible Blue Street Plaza.

Rather than pursuing maximum apartment numbers, Zurich has opted for a housing mix heavily weighted towards larger owner-occupier residences.

The proposal includes 62 build-to-sell apartments comprising 12 one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom, 29 three-bedroom apartments and two premium penthouses. It also incorporates 86 affordable co-living dwellings, which would be managed in perpetuity by a Community Housing Provider.

That balance between traditional apartments and affordable housing reflects the NSW Government's push to increase housing diversity around major transport infrastructure.

The proposal has been lodged concurrently with a rezoning application, with Zurich arguing the site is ideally positioned to support additional housing given its immediate proximity to public transport, employment and services.

"The proposal aims to respond to the housing challenges facing Sydney through the delivery of diverse housing types in a highly accessible location," the design report by fjcstudio states. It also seeks to improve pedestrian amenity through upgrades to Blue Street Plaza while creating a high-performing residential building that responds to the surrounding context.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36082e15-c636-4481-bb68-5a5f6443fe39" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.41.36%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=5P6VD.fvmqjQfIG3TWWMRXxQWiQBjeFB" />

Rather than replacing the commercial building, fjcstudio has developed a design that works with the existing structural framework above the rail corridor, an approach that significantly reduces demolition while allowing the site to be repositioned as a mixed-use residential precinct.

The existing structural constraints have informed much of the building's design, including its relationship with Blue Street and surrounding public spaces.

The building has been designed as a slender tower rising above a clearly defined podium, with vertically expressed façades intended to reduce the perceived bulk while reinforcing North Sydney's emerging skyline.

According to fjcstudio, the architectural language responds directly to the surrounding commercial towers while maintaining a finer grain expression more closely aligned with the neighbouring Lavender Bay streetscape.

The tower incorporates articulated façade elements, landscaped podium edges and recessed upper levels to soften its appearance and improve pedestrian amenity below.

A significant component of the proposal is the revitalisation of Blue Street Plaza.

The existing public space has long served as one of the primary pedestrian connections between North Sydney Station, Greenwood Plaza and Blue Street, yet its role is expected to become even more important following the opening of Sydney Metro.

Zurich's proposal seeks to strengthen that role by improving landscaping, introducing new retail frontages, enhancing pedestrian permeability and creating more active edges throughout the day and evening.

Ground floor retail would wrap the plaza, while separate residential and co-living entries have been designed to improve wayfinding without reducing street activation.

Landscape design has been integrated throughout the podium and public realm, softening what is currently one of the most heavily urbanised parts of North Sydney.

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fjcstudio has carefully oriented apartments towards Sydney Harbour and the CBD while using privacy blades and articulated façades to minimise overlooking between neighbouring buildings.

Large framed openings along the western elevation maximise harbour outlooks, while the eastern apartments have been angled towards the south-east to improve privacy from neighbouring development.

The project forms part of the continuing transformation of North Sydney from a predominantly commercial CBD into a genuine mixed-use city centre.

Since the completion of Victoria Cross Metro Station, developers have increasingly shifted their attention towards residential projects capable of leveraging the area's unparalleled transport connectivity.

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FiveX recently lodged plans for a 61-storey, 490-apartment tower that would become one of the tallest residential buildings in North Sydney if approved.

Aqualand continues to expand its Lower North Shore presence following the completion of AURA on Walker Street and its recent St Leonards and Roseville proposals.

Developers are also progressing projects throughout Walker Street, Miller Street and the Victoria Cross precinct as demand for well-located owner-occupier apartments continues to strengthen.

Joel Robinson

First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station

Busy developer Aqualand Prestige has formally taken the next step in its expansion across Sydney's Lower North Shore, lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for its long-held Archer Street site in Chatswood.

The application covers <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/51-55-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">51-55 Archer Street</a>, a 1,767 sqm amalgamated site on the eastern edge of the Chatswood CBD, where the developer is seeking approval for a 45-level mixed-use tower delivering 114 apartments, including a significant affordable housing component, alongside retail, commercial space and six basement levels of parking.

The SSDA marks the latest milestone for a project Aqualand has been quietly progressing over the past two years. The developer first secured the site for its Aqualand Prestige platform before undertaking an alternative design excellence process with PTW Architects, ultimately avoiding a formal design competition through the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The proposal has evolved considerably from Aqualand's original concept. The revised scheme has been designed around larger owner-occupier product, with an unusually high proportion of three and four-bedroom apartments, targeting the more affluent buyer profile, and downsizer, emerging across the North Shore.

<img alt="Archer St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0171204c-5811-41b5-9b09-2335d1b7c3d0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%208.52.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=6YTuxfq.puZo7k2wbfgemcO5K3QfXYGQ" />

The 114-apartment mix comprises six studios, 27 one-bedroom apartments, 18 two-bedroom apartments, 50 three-bedroom residences and 13 four-bedroom homes. A quarter of the building will be dedicated to affordable housing, well above the mandated 15 per cent&nbsp;

PTW has structured the building vertically, with affordable housing across levels one to six, premium apartments through levels seven to 31, duplex skyhomes on klevels 32 to 43, a penthouse on level 44, and a rooftop plant level above. Six basement levels will provide resident parking and servicing.

The tower is proposed to reach approximately 154 metres, placing it among a growing collection of residential high-rises transforming Chatswood's skyline.

Rather than competing purely on height, PTW says the design has been driven by creating a slimmer tower capable of delivering significantly larger apartments.

"The primary objective of this project was to create a distinctive building that stands out from the recently approved or built structures in the Chatswood area," the design report states, noting the structural efficiency allows greater investment into apartment quality and resident amenity.

Residents would have access to more than 450 sqm of communal open space including landscaped gardens, swimming pool, rooftop entertaining areas, fitness spaces, community gardens, children's play areas and barbecue facilities.

A major focus of the design has been the public domain.

The ground plane has been opened up through landscaped terraces inspired by Willoughby's sandstone ridges, with native planting, public seating, artwork, retail activation and a series of gathering spaces intended to soften what has traditionally been a hard commercial streetscape.

The landscape strategy references Blue Gum forests once common throughout the area, while incorporating Indigenous storytelling, public art and lighting installations to strengthen the connection to Country.

Chatswood has been one of Sydney's busiest apartment markets over the past 12 months, with a steady pipeline of both new project launches and fresh development applications.

Hyecorp recently launched Celine, a 122-apartment development just along Archer Street, while Changfa and Huirong Group are progressing The Anderson, an 84-apartment project on Anderson Street.

Develotek recently secured approval for a 101-apartment tower on Pacific Highway, while Tian An LFD received the green light for Hammond Greens, its apartment development on the edge of the Chatswood Bowling Club.

Commercial property developer FiveX is also making its move into the residential market. Last month it lodged plans for a 61-storey tower with 490 apartments, which, if approved, would become one of the tallest residential buildings in Chatswood.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-fivex-targets-chatswood-skyline-with-61-storey-tower-after-north-sydney-plans">First look: FiveX targets Chatswood skyline with 61-storey tower after North Sydney plans</a>

Aqualand is also expanding its development pipeline following the launch of its luxury residential brand, Aqualand Prestige. The developer has delivered a string of high-end apartment projects across Sydney's affluent suburbs over the past decade, most recently AURA by Aqualand on Walker Street in North Sydney.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292863]

It has since quietly assembled its next wave of projects.

Earlier this year Aqualand launched Boronia in Roseville, a boutique 111-apartment development on Larkin Street. The project is one of the first significant apartment developments to launch in the suburb ahead of what is expected to become one of Sydney's most active new housing precincts under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms, which allow greater density around train stations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=373685]

The developer has also lodged plans for a two-tower, 413-apartment development on Herbert Street in nearby St Leonards, further strengthening its presence across the Lower North Shore.

Beyond that, Aqualand remains behind the final stage of Barangaroo, where plans will deliver a five-hectare mixed-use precinct comprising new homes, retail, hospitality and community facilities, alongside a new Metro entrance and more than two hectares of public open space, completing the Barangaroo precinct.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/central-barangaroo-development-takes-big-step-with-concept-proposal-approval">Central Barangaroo development takes big step with concept proposal approval</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-aqualand-joins-st-leonards-apartment-party">First look: Aqualand joins St Leonards apartment party</a> 
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First look: Aqualand pushes ahead with Chatswood apartment tower as SSDA lodged for Archer Street

Mass timber is becoming an increasingly popular construction material in apartment developments, but Adelaide developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> is taking the approach a step further.

At its new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flowe-bowden-18-gibson-street-bowden-sa-5007">Flowe Bowden</a> development, the exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure isn't just about reducing the building's environmental footprint. It also forms the foundation of a broader wellness strategy, influencing everything from indoor air quality and natural materials to the way residents move through and experience the building.

The 115-apartment mixed-use development, designed by Melbourne-based architecture practice Fieldwork, will occupy a prominent island site opposite Bowden Village Reserve, combining one, two and three-bedroom apartments with retail and a dedicated wellness destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375528]

Wellness isn't confined to a gym or shared resident facility at Flowe. Instead, Fieldwork embedded the concept into the building itself.

The development has been split into two residential wings connected by a naturally ventilated central breezeway, replacing traditional enclosed corridors with open-air walkways that improve natural light, encourage cross ventilation and create more opportunities for neighbourly interaction.

"Rather than treating wellness as something that only happens on the ground floor, our response integrates it throughout the building, which led us to ask what it really means to design a healthy building," Fieldwork Director Quino Holland said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375531]

The building's architecture also reflects Bowden's industrial heritage. The lower podium references the area's historic brick and sandstone buildings, while the upper levels transition to exposed CLT, allowing the timber structure to become a defining feature throughout the apartments and shared spaces.

The use of mass timber sits alongside a range of sustainability initiatives, including a fully electric, gas-free design, rooftop solar and a targeted 5 Star Green Star rating.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375524]

Inside the residences, the focus remains on natural, durable materials. Blackbutt engineered timber flooring, exposed CLT ceilings, porcelain surfaces and warm timber joinery create a calming interior palette, while low-VOC finishes and responsibly sourced materials have been selected to improve indoor air quality.

Kitchens have been designed as the centrepiece of each apartment, featuring porcelain island benchtops, timber-look cabinetry and brushed steel tapware, with layouts that maximise natural light and ventilation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375530]

The more traditional interpretation of wellness comes in the form of Level Eleven, a two-storey wellness club spanning the ground floor, mezzanine and first floor.

The facility will include a gym, yoga and reformer Pilates studios, Finnish and infrared saunas, magnesium hot and cold plunge pools, and dedicated recovery spaces. Unlike many residential wellness facilities, Level Eleven will also operate commercially, allowing the broader Bowden community to access the venue while giving residents exclusive membership benefits.

The ground floor has also been designed around everyday living. A café overlooking Bowden Village Reserve will activate the street frontage, while a bike workshop with tool storage, co-working space and dog wash has been incorporated to support daily routines and encourage interaction between residents.

"Flowe brings together my two biggest passions, creating places and creating healthier lives," Otello founder Daniel Harris said.

"We wanted to create something Adelaide hasn't seen before, a genuinely healthy building, where the way you live is lifted without even trying."

Flowe is positioned directly opposite Bowden Village Reserve and within walking distance of Bowden Railway Station and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, placing future residents just minutes from the Adelaide CBD while remaining connected to one of the city's most established urban renewal precincts.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152022]

Otello launches wellness-focused Flowe Bowden with Adelaide-first mass timber apartment design

Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

First look: Inca eyes Mona Vale with State Significant DA for Dawn apartments

Location

Coloured by an emerald green hue, Indooroopilly is one of the most naturally rich suburbs in Brisbane.

Offering residents the best of both worlds, Indooroopilly sits just 10-minutes from the city, and only seven-minutes from the foothills of Mount Coot-Tha.

Streets are shrouded by canopies of native vegetation, leading out to expansive parklands and lush nature reserves, with the suburb home to an assortment of parks and walking trails, as well as a number of popular bike paths, including the scenic River Loop Trail.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=109830 project_image_fid=184163]

Brisbane-based developers, North, took to the amenity-rich suburb to deliver their latest residential project, in a cross-studio collaboration between the renowned Rothelowman, Carr Design and Form Landscape Architects.

Located at 97 Swann Road, Ethereal Residences deliver a collection of two and three-bedroom apartments, imbued in the lush greenery that sets Indooroopilly apart.&nbsp;

Blending seamlessly with its surrounds, the hilltop residences make a dynamic yet elegant contribution to the Indooroopilly streetscape.Each residence has been designed to take full advantage of surrounding views, enhanced by the unique sloping nature of the site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=109830 project_image_fid=184948]

Curved elements in the building create an organic and distinctly &lsquo;Ethereal&rsquo; aesthetic, complementing the landscaping and local vegetation.

Composed of high quality materials that are designed to endure the test of time, the built form is finely detailed, with strong ties to the heritage character of the area.

Stepping out from Ethereal, the Swann Rd bus station sits on the doorstep of the project, connecting residents to the wider suburb and into the CBD.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=109830 project_image_fid=184165]

Coffee lovers are just 60 metres from the AVID Coffee Lounge on Swann. Just&nbsp;over a kilometre away is the Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, home to over&nbsp;330 specialty stores, major retailers and premium dining outlets, including David Jones, Coles, and an Event Cinema.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Encased by the Brisbane River, the suburb also features two golf courses, with Indooroopilly Golf Course seven minutes by car from Ethereal, sharing the space with a number of parks and green areas, including Indooroopilly Island Conservation Park and&nbsp;Thomas Park Bougainvillea Gardens.

St Lucia Golf Links sits just 1.5 kilometres down the road from the Residences, as does the Jack Cook Memorial Park and Perrin Park.&nbsp;

The Indooroopilly River Walk sits just two kilometres from the Ethereal, with the link offering&nbsp;a safe route from&nbsp;Twigg&nbsp;Street to the Jack&nbsp;Pesch&nbsp;Bridge and the&nbsp;Indooroopilly&nbsp;Rail Station, with additional connections to&nbsp;Radnor&nbsp;Street and Riverview Terrace.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=109830 project_image_fid=184952]

The riverwalk includes a&nbsp;walkway, viewing platforms and dedicated bike lanes, with&nbsp;sweeping&nbsp;views of the Brisbane River and the iconic Walter Taylor Bridge.

The over-river walk and cycle way connects to the University of Queensland and Western Freeway Bikeway, which sits just&nbsp;four minutes down Swann Road, also home to St Johns College, along with the Universities Art Museum.&nbsp;

The suburb is home to some of the state&#39;s best educational choices, with Ethereal sitting close by to quite a few.&nbsp;&nbsp;

St Peters Lutheran College is just three minutes by car from Ethereal, while the Indooroopilly State High School is a mere 750 metres down the road.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=109830]

Each residence has been designed to take full advantage of surrounding views, enhanced by the unique sloping nature of the site.



alisonwarters@gmail.com

Between the city and the bush: What it's like living in Indooroopilly

Reducing your commute by living near a train station does not only make life convenient but it may increase the value of your property.

Sydney apartments near train stations are becoming great investments for homebuyers seeking to add a premium to their new property.

This premium was recorded at an average of 4.5 per cent for homes within 400 metres of a station, according to a Sydney study analysing rail projects between 2000 and 2014.

Urban takes a look at eight brand-new, off-the-plan properties that sit within 500 metres of a train station.

1. Lotus Residences, Hurstville 
Developer: TQM Design and Construct 
170 metres from Hurstville Station

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13538 project_image_fid=162003]

Lotus Residences is a collection of 120 one, two and three-bedroom apartments in Hurstville, located just a two-minute walk from the station.

Designed by Anthony Vavayis &amp; Associates, the development delivers light-filled residences, complete with premium Miele appliances, scenic views of Sydney and resident-only amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13538 project_image_fid=162005]

The home is also close by a plethora of dining, retail and recreation in and around the Westfield shopping centre.

2. Auburn Square, Auburn 
Developer: Tian An 
300 metres from Auburn Station

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7317 project_image_fid=79239]

Few residences remain at Tian An&rsquo;s latest Auburn development, Auburn Square, ideal for investors seeking established amenity and unrivalled connection.

The residential development is located a four-minute walk from the train station and features impressive communal rooftop gardens, and 2,000sqm of green space for privacy and entertaining.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7317 project_image_fid=79248]

Designed by Rothelowman, the brand-new one, two and three-bedroom apartments feature high-end finishes, premium inclusions, and a vendor rental guarantee at 5 per cent for two years.

3. Portman on the Park, Zetland 
Developer: Mirvac 
350 metres from Green Square Station

[smartcode_project:default project_id=100811 project_image_fid=162903]

A similar four-minute walk from its local station, Portman on the Park is the latest release in the Green Square by Mirvac development.

The residence offers exceptional luxury apartment living, with world-class amenities and Mirvac&#39;s thoughtful design offering elevated living just minutes from Sydney CBD.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=100811 project_image_fid=162901]

Designed by Mirvac in collaboration with CO-AP, the one and two-bedroom apartments offer light-filled living spaces, muted tones and a range of resident-only spaces.

4. The Galleria, Parramatta 
Developer: Nucorp 
350 metres from Parramatta Station

[smartcode_project:default project_id=9190 project_image_fid=29126]

Conveniently located in Sydney&rsquo;s second-largest CBD, The Galleria puts you front and centre for the exceptional growth and cultural change that Parramatta is undergoing.

The 19-storey tower is a short five-minute walk from Parramatta Station, with local schools, universities and research centres adding to its investment appeal.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=9190 project_image_fid=143540]

Designed by Architex, the 140 residences boast in-built robes, Parisi hardware, quality SMEG appliances and onsite commercial spaces.

5. Pavilions, Sydney Olympic Park 
Developer: Mirvac 
450 metres from Olympic Park Station

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7363 project_image_fid=166649]

Another strong offering by Mirvac, Pavilions is a newly completed development, nestled amongst verdant parklands and a six-minute walk from Olympic Park Station.

Pavilions includes a 4,500sqm courtyard for residents to enjoy alfresco dining facilities and relaxing amongst nature, an on-site gymnasium and a community room.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7363 project_image_fid=166647]

A large selection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and terrace homes are available, designed by BVN Architects in collaboration with Mirvac Design.

6. Kogarah Grand, Kogarah 
Developer: Modern Developments 
450 metres from Kogarah Station

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13642 project_image_fid=154104]

Residents at Kogarah Grand will enjoy living a six-minute walk from their nearest train station, from where it&rsquo;s just a 20-minute ride to the CBD or four stops to the airport.

Immersed in the heart of a rapidly transforming community, residents are surrounded by a range of amenities and a welcoming neighbourhood.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13642 project_image_fid=154106]

One, two and three-bedroom apartments deliver views from the bays of Monterey and Brighton-Le-Sands north-east to the city skyline.

7. Mason &amp; Main, Merrylands 
Developer: Coronation Property 
500 metres from Merrylands Station

[smartcode_project:default project_id=31751 project_image_fid=161015]

Located a seven-minute walk from Merrylands Station, Mason &amp; Main is a high-quality development in Sydney&rsquo;s growing West.

&ldquo;Combining established neighbourhood character with proximity to the second CBD of Parramatta, everything is in place for a positive future [at Mason &amp; Main]&rdquo;, the project marketing reads.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=31751 project_image_fid=160996]

Boasting 346 residences, the Woods Bagot-designed development features timeless aesthetics, exclusive residential amenities and spacious floorplans.

8. Destination, Macquarie Park 
Developer: Meriton 
500 metres from Macquarie University Station

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8669 project_image_fid=71739]

Within walking distance to Macquarie University, Macquarie shopping centre and a seven-minute walk to Macquarie University station, Destination boasts a desirable location.

Meriton&rsquo;s vision of creating the ultimate apartment living experiences comes alive in this unique mixed-use neighbourhood.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8669 project_image_fid=71740]

Designed by DKO Architecture, the interiors have been curated to satisfy market demand, providing exceptionally large apartment layouts of house-like proportions.

Sydney apartments near train stations are becoming great investments for homebuyers seeking to add a premium to their new property

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Eight brand-new Sydney apartments and townhomes within 500m from a train station

Benson Property&#39;s completed&nbsp;Ivanhoe apartment development, Chelsworth, showcases a stunning form, shaped to capture CBD and mountain views from its central location&nbsp;in the established north-east suburb.

Just nine kilometres from the CBD, Ivanhoe&rsquo;s leafy streets are home to families and young couples who are looking to embrace the great lifestyle of the surrounding area. &nbsp;

&ldquo;Ivanhoe is home to many established families, while an abundance of amenities, as well as proximity to public transport and major arterials, makes it a popular choice for all ages&rdquo;, Bensons general manager of sales and marketing, Andrew Crichton,&nbsp;says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3309 project_image_fid=169303]

Chelsworth, a collection of just 50 apartments designed by BG Architecture,&nbsp;is ideally positioned to experience the essence of Ivanhoe living, with its close proximity to lush parklands and enviable amenity.

&ldquo;Prestigious educational facilities and family friendly amenities have made Ivanhoe one of the most highly sought-after suburbs in Victoria&rdquo;,&nbsp;Crichton suggests.

Chelsworth is located near the longstanding and highly sought-after schools including the independent&nbsp;Ivanhoe Grammar School and and Ivanhoe Girls Grammar, as well as Alphington&nbsp;Grammar and Marcellin College within close proximity.

Chelsworth also sits near&nbsp;some of Melbourne&rsquo;s most picturesque parklands, such as Chelsworth Park, Ivanhoe Park and Wilson Reserve.

Families of all ages can enjoy walking or cycling along the Main Yarra Trail and Darebin Creek Trail, all in close proximity of this contemporary abode by Bensons Property Group.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3309 project_image_fid=35646]

Ivanhoe has been attracting&nbsp;investors in recent years, due to its&nbsp;low vacancy rate of 1.81 per cent and an annual capital growth of six per cent.

The local transport links are too high on a priority list for investors. Chelsworth is ideally&nbsp;positioned for connectivity, located just a short walk from Ivanhoe station and extensive bus routes.

The Eastern Freeway puts the Melbourne CBD a 20-minute drive away, while Westfield Doncaster is just&nbsp;a 10-minute drive.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3309 project_image_fid=35648]

Within walking distance is the&nbsp;bustling Upper Heidelberg Road which features a vibrant caf&eacute; culture, top restaurants, boutiques and daily shopping needs.

Chelsworth is at the heart of Ivanhoe&rsquo;s cultural sophistication and enviable amenity, including Ivanhoe Public Golf Course, Ivanhoe Makers Market and the Hatch Contemporary Art Space.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=3309]

Chelsworth showcases a stunning form shaped to capture CBD and mountain views, thanks to its great location in Melbourne’s well-regarded north-east suburb of Ivanhoe

The gateway to Ivanhoe: An overview of Chelsworth apartments by Bensons

Stockland&rsquo;s new townhome development, Haven, is a combination of sustainable features and open spaces in Melbourne&rsquo;s Altona North.

Situated in the city&rsquo;s inner-west, the project boasts a collection of two, three and four-bedroom townhomes designed by the award-winning SJB Architects.

The townhomes at Haven will be nestled around a future park &amp; playground, and residents will also be able to enjoy the abundance of local cycling trails, parklands and reserves in&nbsp;Altona North.

Enticing locals and visitors alike,&nbsp;Altona North&nbsp;offers a number&nbsp;of local shops and retailers, school and education options, medical centres, job opportunities and recreational activities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29947 project_image_fid=93188]

Residents can enjoy an active lifestyle at the nearby public pool, the badminton centre, the indoor climbing gym or the golf course nearby, while cycle paths, walkways and parks connect the community to neighbouring suburbs

Since Haven truly puts convenience first Urban took a look at our 10 favorite amenities located nearby:

<ol>
	<li>Bayfit Leisure Centre - An Aquatics Centre with a Gym and Cafe</li>
	<li>Altona Badminton Centre - Badminton Centre</li>
	<li>Clip &lsquo;n Climb Williamstown - Indoor Climbing Gym</li>
	<li>Altona Lakes Golf Course - Golf Course</li>
	<li>Altona Miniature Railway - Attraction and Ride</li>
	<li>ScienceWorkd - Science Museum</li>
	<li>Pavey Reserve - Playground and Park</li>
	<li>Kids in Motion - Gymnastics Club</li>
	<li>Kooroit Creek Reserve - Walking Tracks and Parkland</li>
	<li>McNish &#39;Dinosaur Park&#39; Reserve - Parks, Cycling Paths and Playgrounds</li>
</ol>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29947 project_image_fid=93918]

Each residence features expansive, open-plan interiors, a contemporary material palette and outdoor entertainment areas, including private back yards and shared green space.

Located only 11km from the CBD and with a number of transport options, proximity from Haven to the West Gate Bridge and future tunnel is a real asset.

Two-bedroom townhomes within the development begin from just $605,000, while four-bedroom townhomes sell from $815,000. Three bedders start at&nbsp;$742,000.

Situated in the city’s inner-west, the project boasts a collection of two, three and four-bedroom townhomes designed by the award-winning SJB Architects

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The top 10 amenities minutes from Stockland's Haven in Altona North

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GUEST OBSERVATION
To make a success of moving home, to the country for example, it helps to be open to the ways a place will change you. 
Many people move in the summer months, but not everyone realises that moving starts a process of identity transformation that never really stops.
I first noticed something about place changing a person when I moved to Canada. While Canada and Australia share many similarities, there were still significant differences. The clothes worn were one, and occasionally a phrase would seem unfamiliar. I was teased for saying “queue” instead of “line up”, and “no worries” instead of “no problem”.
When I moved back to Australia, to tropical Cairns, I found myself in a world that moved on “tropical time”. It could hardly have been more different from the fast-paced world of North America. I had to adapt
Identities are created and evolve in <a href="http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199874002/obo-9780199874002-0030.xml" target="_blank">places</a>. Places can be physical, geographical areas and can also be places inhabited virtually, including online games, forums and blogs, or in discourse, such as books and magazines. These places continually shape our identities, changing as we live our lives day by day.
When we move to a new house, especially if it’s a big move such as from city to country or from one country to another, the process of moving inevitably changes us. For a start, we are now a newcomer and the “locals” will speak of us that way. That shapes how we are perceived and perhaps even whether and how we are accepted socially. The norms and morés of the new community may influence us in other ways, even prescribing how we are “supposed” to act in the new area.
‘City girls’ and ‘country girls’
In my <a href="https://eprints.usq.edu.au/34713/" target="_blank">recent research</a> into how media affect lifestyle migrants in rural Queensland, I looked at how place changes people. Many of the women I spoke to described themselves as a “city girl” or a “country girl”. These women framed their identity in relation to their location.
The women who called themselves a “city girl” often chose activities that took them to places where they felt they could relate more – such as the shops, galleries and other amenities of the city. Their identification with the city resulted in weaker bonds locally and sometimes meant that they chose to return to the city. Certainly, they were less satisfied with country life.
On the other hand, women who identified as a “country girl” engaged in activities accessible in their rural locations, including crafts, cooking, gardening and outdoor activities. Their free time reinforced their emplaced nature and strengthened their ties to their place and the people in it. They adapted to being in the country and were happy with where they lived.
How do you adapt to your new life?
Knowing what to do in certain places is a form of capital, as <a href="http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199756384/obo-9780199756384-0083.xml" target="_blank">Pierre Bourdieu</a> outlines. Capital describes the knowledge needed to play the game in a particular place.
There are different types of capital, including cultural, economic and educational. Knowing how to act when working at a major company, for example, is different from knowing how to get on when unemployed. These are different fields, which require different capitals. One requires corporate smarts, the other stipulates smarts in various other areas.
Even if our fields don’t change as dramatically as described above, we still use differing capitals when at work, at home, with friends and as a parent. The way we learn how to act, or adapt, is achieved through the expansion of what’s called habitus.
Ordering coffee is part of many people’s daily ritual, but don’t expect a cafe on every corner outside the city. 
Habitus is the stuff we do without thinking – the beliefs, norms and ways of doing things that are a part of us. If we were in a witness protection program, these are the things that would trip us up and lead the bad guys to us. It’s simple stuff, like ordering coffee a certain way, or bigger things like thinking about the world through a particular framework or liking blue or living in the city.
To expand our habitus, we need to see new ways of doing things and imagine these for ourselves. This could happen by watching TV shows, reading books, travelling to other parts of the world or seeing someone else do something differently. It’s hard to change habitus, because we need to be open to new ideas that permeate our reality and we need to like them enough to decide to adopt them and let them become a part of us.
When we move, we are changing the field we occupy. To adapt to this, we watch how other people play the game and, to fit in, we most likely adopt these ideas within our habitus and change a bit. At the same time, we might influence the people around us, changing them a little bit too. It works dynamically.
So, yes, moving countries or to the country from the city is an identity-altering project, and the more the fields are different, the more we have to adapt.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/109225/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rachael-wallis-568028" target="_blank">Rachael Wallis</a>, Lecturer and Research Fellow, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-southern-queensland-1069" target="_blank">University of Southern Queensland</a>
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-moving-house-changes-you-109225" target="_blank">original article</a>.
</body></html>

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