<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/aura-by-aqualand-north-sydney-168-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">AURA</a>&nbsp;doesn’t just rise over North Sydney, it redefines it. Now in its final release, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aqualand-australia">Aqualand</a>’s $1 billion architectural statement is not just complete, but already reshaping the way people live, connect and dine in this rapidly evolving harbourside CBD.

Positioned beside the new Victoria Cross Metro Station and boasting panoramic views across Sydney Harbour, Aura’s 386 residences crown a mixed-use precinct designed with unapologetic ambition. The curvaceous sandstone-inspired form by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a>, paired with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/richards-stanisich">Richard Stanisich</a>’s understated interiors, sets a design tone that’s both monumental and intimate.

At its peak, literally, the two penthouses so spectacular they command their own names; La Davina and Il Magnate. The residents are spread across the&nbsp;entire top floor, offering what many consider the most refined residences ever built in North Sydney. Designed by Richard and Kirsten Stanisich, each four-bedroom home is meticulously crafted to evoke calm, space, and permanence.&nbsp;

<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/VB70993aG-I?si=adRBlXQliYmYvaSz" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

The kitchens are fully wrapped in natural stone, with integrated Gaggenau appliances, Sub-Zero fridges, concealed sculleries, and even a zip hydro tap delivering boiling, chilled and sparkling water on demand. A linear stone fireplace anchors the open-plan living space, dividing lounge and dining zones with quiet sophistication.&nbsp;

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The master suite, meanwhile, feels more like a private retreat, complete with a custom stone makeup vanity, walk-through dressing area, and spa-inspired ensuite with heated stone floors, a freestanding Villeroy &amp; Boch tub, and timber veneer joinery throughout.

Kirsten Stanisich, Director of Richards Stanisich, said the penthouses offer incredible scale reflective of a single residence.&nbsp;

“We sought inspiration for these remarkable residences from the classic top-floor Parisian apartment," Stanisich said.

"We looked at what made these French apartments so elegant and found it really came down to their scale. It was ultimately this generosity of space that we used for the AURA penthouses, where we’ve designed considered rooms with deep large-scale proportions."

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Everyday living at Aura feels no less elevated. A dedicated 24-hour concierge, Technogym fitness centre, sky dining terraces, and a resort-style pool serve a lifestyle designed to rival luxury hotels.

At street level, Aqualand’s own hospitality arm, Etymon Projects, curates a precinct of LA-style bistros, Japanese fine dining, and local wine bars, all seamlessly integrated into the building’s sculptural podium.

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This final chapter, aptly dubbed The Finale, is more than a sales phase, it’s an invitation to two of the most exclusive apartments ever to be built in North Sydney.

With limited residences remaining, buyers can access curated incentives including stamp duty rebates, rental guarantees, legal fee coverage, and even $20,000 towards dining within the precinct.

From generous one-bedders to The Icons, two singular penthouses priced well into prestige territory, Aura’s offerings reflect a scale and calibre rarely seen in urban Sydney. And with move-in now immediate, this is no longer a promise of future luxury. It’s happening.

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Staff Writer

Aqualand unveils penthouse collection at AURA By Aqualand in North Sydney

There’s no sign of the development wave that began several years ago slowing along Old Burleigh Road.

Around 10 new apartment developments are either underway or preparing to launch along the 800-metre strip stretching from the southern edge of Surfers Paradise towards the heart of Broadbeach, collectively adding just shy of 1,000 new apartments to the beachfront corridor.

The latest plans propose a further 30 apartments to replace an original six-unit walk-up on a 658 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/20a-old-burleigh-road-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">20A Old Burleigh Road</a>. The 14-storey building has been designed by Ferro Chow Architecture, which recently joined the Elevation Architecture Group.

The developer behind the project is Geoffrey Booth, whose Future Liv In has focused on delivering rental accommodation across regional Australia.

<img alt="Old Burleigh Road" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="99d393e7-d404-43bc-80cb-6255c39b83d6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-01-05%20at%2012.28.44%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ZFT8F3mOny4M4ut.kFF3woC9WH9oR5gT" />

The Old Burleigh Road development will comprise 18 two-bedroom apartments, 10 three-bedroom apartments, and a single four-bedroom residence occupying the entirety of level 12. Above, the building will be crowned by a two-storey penthouse with its own private lift, several multi-purpose rooms, and two rooftop terraces — one featuring a puppy lawn and spa, the other offering a private swimming pool, sunset deck, and built-in barbecue.

Resident amenities will be located on the second level and include a pool with adjoining spa, cabana, and pool deck, along with an indoor residents’ lounge featuring a bar and an alfresco barbecue kitchen.

In the architectural statement submitted by Elevation Architecture, the project is referred to as “UMI”, which the firm says has been “inspired by the majestic hinterlands and shaped by the coastal climate”.

“It is an exemplar of how community living can still feel at one with nature, breathable, and deeply connected in place,” the architects noted.

They added that the site benefits from established building separation to adjoining towers, helping to maintain privacy, sunlight, and residential amenity, while still offering direct beach access within an urban setting.

“Drawing inspiration from the Gold Coast hinterlands and the region’s natural landscape, the podium and tower detail highlights the contrasting elements of treetop green and cliff-face peach. The vibrant texture and materiality shaped by time has a richness in depth and character.”

<img alt="Old Burleigh Road" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b3d6c923-a0ab-4d74-86da-177313447e8e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-01-05%20at%2012.28.38%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=i2fygmoVQM6hWpbATTAW_yTitoMTrnI1" />

Old Burleigh Road has become a hotspot for developers, with the three-tower Jewel development kickstarting a wave of projects up and down the strip when it was completed in 2020.

Currently under construction and approaching completion is <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/faro-broadbeach-123-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">FARO Broadbeach</a> by 5Point and Bottega, 21 large-scale half- and full-floor apartments. 5Point is also behind the recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lumara-108-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">Lumara</a>, another 37 apartments to add to the pipeline.

Luxury builder GRAYA is progressing construction on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/enclave-by-graya-118-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">Enclave</a>, its first Gold Coast tower, while Polycell remains the most active developer on the street. They are preparing to launch <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/sandpiper-broadbeach-155-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">Sandpiper</a>, a 50-storey redevelopment of the former Sandpiper Holiday Resort that will deliver around 200 apartments alongside extensive resident amenity. The group also has another 130-apartment project approved nearby, as does <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/dvb-approved-for-second-broadbeach-apartment-development">Dean Gallagher’s DVB Projects</a>.

Joel Robinson

First look: Old Burleigh Road apartment development wave continues

Sunshine Coast developer Habitat Development Group continues to position itself as one of the region’s largest new apartment developers.

Its latest project is in Maroochydore, where it is currently delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-millwell-2-millwell-road-east-maroochydore-qld-4558">The Millwell</a>. Adjacent to the new 53-hectare Maroochydore City Centre project, Habitat is planning a further 180 apartments on a 3,468 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/132-136-aerodrome-road-maroochydore-qld-4558">132–136 Aerodrome Road</a>. The site was purchased with approval for a smaller 13-storey, 103-unit building.

Habitat will demolish the two existing retail centres, currently home to the Salvation Army Family Store and Neighbours Aid, and replace them with an 18-storey building featuring the significant rooftop amenities that have become a hallmark of Habitat developments in recent years. The rooftop will include both indoor and outdoor spaces, anchored by an infinity swimming pool.

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There will be a mix of one- to four-bedroom apartments.

The Development Assessment Report, submitted to the Sunshine Coast Council, says the proposal&nbsp;is not speculative, but a response to both zoning intent and demonstrated housing need.

“The proposed development represents an appropriate and logical intensification of the site, consistent with the planning framework and the intended urban outcomes for the locality.”

Across the Sunshine Coast, councils are increasingly scrutinising not just height or yield, but whether new projects genuinely align with the long-term structure plans underpinning growth corridors. The&nbsp;ASTP Planning Report&nbsp;reinforces the approach, noting that the project has been shaped around site responsiveness rather than generic typology.

“The development has been designed to respond to the physical constraints and opportunities of the site, while delivering a high-quality residential outcome that integrates with the existing and emerging urban context.”

<img alt="Habitat" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3a03fc54-4ca5-4868-88d0-eeced70604e2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-01-05%20at%2010.12.28%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=1pkK3lJrrZjkghTLBReM2zatcas4Nc4B" />

In mid-2025, Habitat, a developer that also builds its own projects, commenced construction on The Millwell, located just over one kilometre from the new proposal. The Millwell will comprise more than 200 apartments across two eight-storey buildings.

Habitat also has two projects on Lake Kawana in Birtinya: <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/st-clair-birtinya-930-931-waterside-retreat-birtinya-qld-4575">St Clair</a>, a 200-unit, two-building development launched last year and set to welcome buyers this year; and Esperance, a 175-apartment project currently progressing through the development approval process.

First look: Habitat continues to bolster Sunshine Coast apartment pipeline with Maroochydore development plans

John Camilleri, the breeder of legendary racehorse Winx, is set to deliver a landmark two-tower beachfront development that would redefine the Surfers Paradise skyline.

Camilleri, who spent around $100 million acquiring development sites across the Gold Coast in 2025, has lodged plans for two new towers on the dress-circle stretch of Garfield Terrace, just two days before Christmas.

In assembling the site, Camilleri's Celestino Developments has effectively acquired the 71 Garfield project by Iris Capital and AALTO by Weiya Holdings, creating an unrivalled <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/63-79-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">4,000 sqm beachfront holding along Garfield Terrace</a>.

The proposal comprises two residential towers of 55 and 48 storeys, linked by a dramatic skybridge which will home “exclusive VIP and wellness amenities.”

In total, the development would deliver 275 two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments across the two towers, rising above a shared landscaped podium that incorporates a central green space and a beachfront swimming pool stretching more than 90 metres.

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Architecture firm DBI, in documents submitted to Gold Coast City Council, said the project at 63–79 Garfield Terrace would “establish a new benchmark for beachfront residential living on the Gold Coast.”

"The project occupies a rare, uninterrupted oceanfront site and has been shaped by a design philosophy that merges architectural elegance with environmental responsiveness and a carefully curated lifestyle experience. Together, the 48-storey North Tower and 55-storey South Tower form a distinctive twin-tower composition whose dynamic silhouette will make a significant contribution to the Surfers Paradise skyline."

DBI said the architectural language draws inspiration from the fluidity and movement of the coastal landscape.

"Each tower is defined by organic, curving forms and continuous balcony ribbons that wrap the buildings, providing deep shading, enhancing environmental performance, and reinforcing the rhythmic, sculptural expression of the façade. These balcony forms also reduce the apparent mass of the towers while maintaining strong visual continuity from podium to summit. Sculpted reflective downturns run along the western spine of both towers, shifting and lifting as they extend upwards to frame service zones and open eastward to maximise ocean views."

<img alt="Garfield" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a2a00ce3-a0e9-45d6-b4b5-b7baed592ac5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-30%20at%209.53.40%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=DnruWV1dhLrtXOeElwekyd7vPq2gw55t" />

The project’s most striking feature is the skybridge at level 45, which will house executive lounges, formal dining spaces, wellness facilities and panoramic ocean-facing views.

“The skybridge enhances the identity of the development, promotes social interaction, and delivers a lifestyle experience not found elsewhere on the Gold Coast,” DBI added.

The podium will host an extensive suite of recreational amenities, including resident lounges, private dining rooms, a large open green lawn, and the signature 90-metre pool stretching along the beachfront. The pool is divided into lap, lounge and children’s zones.

The southern end of the podium will accommodate additional wellness facilities, including a gymnasium, plunge pools, treatment rooms and a dedicated yoga lawn.

<img alt="Garfield" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ee1b4f25-231f-4804-83b1-a573a1481962" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-30%20at%209.55.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=zObzIA3D5w7EwqPsHjr2pKrA4vbB28zL" />

There will be 127 apartments in the North Tower and 148 in the South Tower, including multiple penthouses, while the Enderley Avenue and Oceanway frontages will be activated by a series of food and beverage tenancies.

Camilleri emerged as the most active site acquirer on the Gold Coast in 2025. He spent just over $30 million acquiring Pacific Point, a 10-level Surfers Paradise apartment block and an adjoining three-level duplex, from fellow racing identity and Aquis billionaire Tony Fung. Plans are now underway for a 93-apartment, 40-storey tower on the 1,682 sqm site.

He also paid $53.65 million for the 1,500 sqm Garfield Terrace site previously marketed as AALTO by Weiya Holdings, before acquiring the adjoining parcel from hotel billionaire Sam Arnaout’s Iris Capital, the developer behind V&amp;A Broadbeach.

First look exclusive: Billionaire Winx breeder’s bold two-tower Surfers Paradise play with 45th-storey skybridge

The Melbourne-based HLA Group is the latest developer to expand into South East Queensland, lodging plans for a unique mixed-use short-term accomodation and apartment building in Taringa, with the building design inspired by the Glasswing Butterfly.

The development application for 10 Morrow Street seeks approval for a total of 232 dwellings, comprising 116 residential apartments and 116 short-stay accommodation units. The build-to-sell residential component is made up of 31 one-bedroom apartments, 67 two-bedroom apartments, 17 three-bedroom apartments, and a single four-bedroom apartment, offering a diverse mix aimed at singles, couples, families, and downsizers.

<img alt="Taringa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="33913cd4-9839-4456-b325-d35b3f8b4694" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.40.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=sLvc7jUrYzDwqPDZBPrXTosKHDSp.qrt" />

Designed by Ellivo Architects, the tower takes strong inspiration from nature, with the architectural language driven by one of Queensland’s most delicate species. As described in the planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council, Ellivo Architects state the design is “inspired by the elegance of the Glasswing butterfly," and mirrors the graceful sweep of its wings, a form that feels light, fluid, and alive.

“Lush subtropical greenery is throughtfull woven throughout, transforming the building into a sanctuary in the heart of the city.”

The proposal positions the building as more than a conventional residential tower, with Ellivo Architects describing 10 Morrow Street as “an urban oasis that blends short term accomodation with residential living. A destination for rest, relaxation, and renewal.”

<img alt="Taringa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="84e9a0ff-464e-4973-bffe-5d5a8fe9f087" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.40.32%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dhX9eVgUaQE2TvCzJPhF8N8_hzYSKpyK" />

Formally, the building’s massing and floorplate are directly shaped by its butterfly inspiration. Ellivo explain that, “adopting the wings of the Glasswing Butterfly, the tower's plan is divided into four distinct quadrants, each shaped to mirror the wing's segmented geometry and taking the slender ‘veins’ up the facade of the tower.”

"This approach results in a sculpted tower form with articulated façades and a strong vertical expression."

<img alt="Taringa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5947011d-ff6c-4a57-bdc1-9072a472a79c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.40.29%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=nnGqd4WCZM8AOJZY.c3u49BO4LurKRhb" />

The Assessment Report by Human Habitats said the 19-storey tower capitalises on its strategic connectivity and prominence at the entrance of Taringa Village and adjoining the Taringa Station.

"The proposal offers a significant revitalisation of the subject site that integrates architectural excellence, innovation, and sustainable design to directly address long-standing connectivity and safety challenges, housing supply , and diversity together with enhanced streetscape activation and convenient access to major transport corridors."

HLA Group Australia is registered to South Yarra and is currently delivering Adamson No.5, just 15 luxury apartments that start from around $2 million.&nbsp;

The Butterfly Effect: Glasswing butterfly inspires Taringa apartment development

Olympic Park

Marissa Li was the first person to buy an apartment in Mirvac&#39;s Sydney Olympic Park development Pavilions back in 2017.

The 27-year old first home buyer, who was also the first&nbsp;to settle on her apartment in the 35-level Scarlet, the tallest building at Pavilions, was able to secure the apartment with a five per cent deposit through Mirvac&#39;s The Right Start initiative.

Now having moved in, Marissa is paying $100 a week less in mortgage repayments than she was at her rented Wolli Creek apartment. She paid the further five per cent deposit required in instalments over the three years that Pavilions took to build.

When Marissa began looking for her first home three years ago, The Right Start gave her the opportunity to get her foot in the door with a low deposit and ahead of investors. With reassurance from a family member who had bought at Mirvac&rsquo;s Harold Park development, Marissa felt confident about buying off the plan.

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&ldquo;As someone starting out, buying at Pavilions through The Right Start made a lot of sense to me,&rdquo; Marissa said.

&ldquo;I knew it was the only way I could afford to buy and have a few years to save. If I have a set goal I can save towards that, instead of waiting and only saving a bit here and there.&rdquo;

Marissa attended the launch with her mother and aunt and being first in the line was able to secure the cheapest apartment. But she later changed her mind and decided to pay a little extra to have an apartment with a better outlook over the park-like courtyard garden.

Mirvac&rsquo;s General Manager of Residential Development in NSW Toby Long said it is always a special moment to see people like&nbsp;Marissa moving in to their apartments.

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&quot;It&nbsp;makes the efforts of our development and construction teams, to keep working through all the challenges of the past few months, all the more worthwhile,&rdquo; Long said.

&ldquo;It&rsquo;s been a long journey from the nervous excitement on the day we launched Pavilions to now, where we have a beautiful building with apartments designed and built to the quality that people expect from Mirvac. We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved and to see the beginnings of the Pavilions community.&rdquo;

<a href="/news/nsw/what-a-buyer-needs-to-know-about-pavilions-apartments-in-sydney-olympic-park-five-minutes-with-mirvacs-toby-long">Read more:&nbsp;What a buyer needs to know about Pavlions apartments in Sydney Olympic Park: Five minutes with Mirvac&#39;s Toby Long</a>

Marissa has had plenty of time to consider whether she made the right decision to buy and is adamant she has no regrets.

&ldquo;I am 110% pleased that I bought. I guess you always doubt yourself but I&rsquo;m much happier to be paying off a mortgage than dead money in rent.&rdquo;

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Marissa&rsquo;s happiness with her move is not confined to financial concerns but also the ability to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

&ldquo;I try my best but if the development can lead the way, that fits into my lifestyle,&rdquo; Marissa said. &ldquo;The sustainability at Pavilions is very appealing for me. The toilet and laundry use recycled water and the bins are designed so that recyclable waste is separated. I have my Brompton bike and I&rsquo;m thinking about selling my car and just using the car share that is available at Pavilions when I need it.&rdquo;

Pavilions is now completed, with apartments selling from $625,000.

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When Marissa began looking for her first home three years ago, The Right Start gave her the opportunity to get her foot in the door with a low deposit and ahead of investors

Why first home buyer Marissa Li bought an apartment in Pavilions, Mirvac's Sydney Olympic Park development

Mirvac&#39;s Sydney Olympic Park apartment development Pavilions is the reputable ASX-listed developer&#39;s&nbsp;largest ever single stage development.

The&nbsp;four buildings constructed simultaneously using four cranes at one time.

It&#39;s been strategically located in a growth area where billions of dollars are still to be invested, particularly in the transport infrastructure which will see the commute to the Sydney CBD slashed to just 20 minutes.

The apartments have favoured working professionals, well advanced in their careers, Mirvac&#39;s general manager of residential Toby Long told Urban.

Urban recently sat down with Toby to discuss Pavilions.

&nbsp;JR: Why was Sydney Olympic Park chosen as a location for a Mirvac project?

TL: Mirvac has a long history on the Olympic Peninsula. We delivered the Athletes Village for the 2000 Olympics, which we adapted to create the suburb of Newington, developed more than 900 apartments at Rhodes Waterside, and luxury waterfront homes at Cabarita. So, the location and market were familiar territory for Mirvac and ticked all the boxes for good property investment &ndash; location, amenity, public transport, and billions of dollars in infrastructure on the way.

Sydney Olympic Park lies in Sydney&rsquo;s geographic heart, between the CBDs of Parramatta and Sydney, straddling east and west. It also lies within the knowledge corridor where the smart jobs of the future are concentrated and is key to realising the economic and social ambitions for the Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula.

Olympic Park is also quite unique in being a growth area - a young and vibrant suburb that has a lot to offer. Everything you need is already there &ndash; cafes, restaurants, world class leisure and fitness facilities, train station, retail close by and this incredible 430-hectare parkland, right on the doorstep.

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There are billions of dollars still to be invested at Sydney Olympic Park, especially in transport infrastructure, as well as a new high school proposed for nearby Wentworth Point. There will be an Olympic Park station on the Metro West line, with a journey time of just 20 minutes from Parramatta to the Sydney CBD. Light Rail stage 2, connecting Olympic Park to Parramatta is back on the agenda with recent NSW Budget funding to advance planning.

JR: Who did you identify as the buyer demographic when the design was in its early stages, and why this demographic?

TL: The demographic profile at Olympic Park and surrounding suburbs showed that residents are younger and better educated than the NSW average. The dominant age group is 25-34 and 45 per cent of residents have a bachelor degree or higher, twice the NSW average. The population is truly multicultural with around 70 per cent of residents first or second-generation Australians whose parents were born overseas.

Our assumption was that buyers at Pavilions Residences would follow a similar trend and that has been borne out, with a high level of professionals well-advanced on their career journey.

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The buyer profile has differed in one significant respect with a far higher proportion of owner-occupiers than investors. Mirvac tends to attract more owner-occupiers because of our focus on quality and longevity. We do have a good following of investors who know that the price premium for a quality property is recouped in lower maintenance and repair costs, and strong capital gain.

JR: What was the design brief for the towers? And was there a shortlist of &ldquo;must-haves?&rdquo;&nbsp;

TL: Pavilions Residences stands at the gateway to Sydney Olympic Park, therefore a strong architectural statement was called for. Equally important was creating a connection with the natural environment and designing around three majestic Moreton Bay fig trees. Two of these decades old trees stand at the Australia Avenue edge of Pavilions Residences, forming a botanical marker for Sydney Olympic Park. The other was relocated to a new position on the site in a delicate six-month operation. The key design principles were:

-Vary the building heights to enrich the future desired scale and character of the precinct; 
-&nbsp;Create a more successful transition from 30+ storey residential towers on Australia Avenue to lower-scale buildings within the precinct; 
-&nbsp;Provide a gateway to Sydney Olympic Park from Australia Avenue south; 
- Minimise overshadowing to communal space; 
-&nbsp;Provide retail amenity and courtyard adjacent to the existing Fig Trees; 
-&nbsp;Use contrasting materials to create visual interest and define the scale and architectural quality of the building; 
-&nbsp;Maintain accessible communal open space with areas for passive and active recreation;

All open space and common areas to have access to natural light and air, and all lift cores open onto large lobbies with windows providing natural outlook and seating. 
 
JR: What did BVN bring to the table? Did they win a design competition? How did the process go for appointing them?

TL: BVN won the Design Excellence competition&nbsp;and then submitted a revised design following amendments to the Sydney Olympic Park 2030 Masterplan. The updated masterplan allowed for increased floor space in response to Government proposals for Metro West and Light Rail connection. This paved the way for a taller gateway tower with more apartments enjoying the sensational views over the district to the city.

JR: What do you feel are the biggest draw cards for buyers?

TL: Buyers seeking quality construction and finishes, and layouts that enhance liveability, are naturally drawn to Mirvac apartments. Pavilions Residences offers Mirvac&rsquo;s customary quality along with a living environment that has been carefully considered to enhance the connection to nature. From the moment you enter Pavilions, stroll along the majestic colonnade past beautiful gardens, you feel uplifted. That feeling continues as you enter the lobby with its exclusive residents&rsquo; lounge, al fresco terrace and co-working space.

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The shared spaces, including the gardens, with bocce court, barbecues and covered dining pavilions, and fully equipped gymnasium, all contribute to a healthy lifestyle and opportunities for residents to get to know each other and build a strong sense of community. The other important factor for buyers is proximity to 430 hectares of parkland right on the doorstep and a location between the two CBDs of Parramatta and Sydney. The advantages of living between these two powerhouse CBDs will become even more apparent as major transport infrastructure such as Metro West and Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 are completed in coming years.

JR: Can you talk a bit about the Mirvac milestones for Pavilions Residences?

TL:&nbsp;Pavilions Residences was the largest single stage development ever undertaken by Mirvac with the four buildings constructed simultaneously using four cranes at one time. Over 40,000 cubic metres of concrete went into the build, along with 175,000 bricks, 17,200 sqm of floor tiling and 9,100 sqm of balcony pavers.

Innovation has been a constant at Pavilions Residences. LIV Indigo at Pavilions is Mirvac&rsquo;s entry into the burgeoning build to rent sector, offering long term secure leases.

Mirvac&rsquo;s investment in LIV Indigo is a bonus for buyers of Pavilions Residences, ensuring an on-going commitment to the success of the project.

Another first at Pavilions Residences is our world first apartment using &lsquo;green ceramics&rsquo; made from waste glass and textiles as a construction material. Through Mirvac&rsquo;s on-going collaboration with the UNSW Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) the apartment opens the door to zero waste in construction and a reduction in demand for resources.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7363 project_image_fid=170821]

JR: How do you see the Sydney Olympic Park area changing in the next five to 10 years?

TL: Sydney Olympic Park has undergone massive change in the past five years and this will only continue in the five to 10 years ahead. Five years ago, the resident population was only about 1,500; today it is more than 6,000. The Sydney Olympic Park 2030 Masterplan lays out a vision for the future with an expanded Town Centre catering for around 23,500 residents and a daily worker population of around 34,000 and 5,000 students.

As major transport projects are completed, early adopters are likely to reap the benefit, living within minutes of the Parramatta and Sydney CBDs by Metro Rail, while enjoying the rare luxury of parkland right on the doorstep. The East has Centennial Park, the West has Bicentennial Park, more than twice the size with a greater variety of walking and cycling trails.

The apartments have favoured working professionals, well advanced in their careers, Mirvac's general manager of residential Toby Long told Urban.

What a buyer needs to know about Pavilions apartments in Sydney Olympic Park: Five minutes with Mirvac's Toby Long

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Two three-storey office properties in Sydney’s Olympic Park have come to market as a redevelopment project.
The 14,423sqm site, which comprises 6 Parkview Drive and 102 Bennelong Parkway.
It is being marketed as Quad Two and Three, with mixed-use and apartment redevelopment potential subject to council approval.
GJS Property’s Jason Wright and Chris Bailey, in conjunction with Savills Australia’s Neil Cooke and Stuart Cox, have been appointed by Growthpoint Properties Australia to market the property via expressions of interest.
More than $70 million is tipped.
Cooke said interest was anticipated from a variety of development groups looking for a residential development play with strong underlying net income.
“There are limited opportunities capable of providing a high-quality mixed-use development situated within such close proximity of all desired amenities,” he said.
Developers will enjoy the income available during the holding period, generated from a combined 10,389sqm of Net Lettable Area in the two five-star NABERS-rated office buildings.
It has a substantial passing income of $3,800,432 per annum with all leases incorporating annual increases between 3.5 per cent and 4 per cent.
The site is zoned B4 Mixed Use under the provisions of the State Environmental Planning Policy (State Significant Precincts) 2005 but will benefit from density and height increases as part of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA) Master Plan 2030.
The Master Plan 2030 is pending gazettal, coupled with established and proposed infrastructure.
The vendor had commissioned a feasibility study through architecture firm, Turner, which has been actively involved with the SOPA’s Master Plan 2030.
The feasibility study outlines the potential for 33,722sqm of Gross Floor Area, subject to council approval, providing up to 446 units and a building height limit of up to 15 storeys.
The agents noted Sydney CBD and district views that could be attained through a redevelopment are unlikely to be built out due to the Badu Mangroves and Bicentennial Park to the east. 
Some 18 years after the Olympics, the suburb is an established urban oasis benefitting from significant infrastructure and private investment, Mr Bailey said adding developers working on surrounding residential and mixed-use projects had succeeded in capitalising on the versatility of the precinct.
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$70 million plus Sydney Olympic Park residential site set to spark developer contest

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Sydney Olympic Park Authority is seeking to lease 1,500sqm retail floor space which is suitable for a supermarket.
Situated within the new Pavilions by Mirvac development at 2 Figtree Drive, the site is currently under development.
It will deliver a total of 705 apartments across four residential buildings with frontage onto Australia Avenue.
Sydney Olympic Park currently has a community of over 10 million visitors, 19,000 workers and 3,000 residents, which is set to increase as an additional 2,000 apartments are expected to be delivered over the next five years.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/7/5/Olympic%20park2.jpg" alt="">
Future growth as outlined in the Sydney Olympic Park Master Plan 2030 will see a daily community of 23,500 residents and 34,000 workers.
The open tender seeks a tenant to occupy the premises for a minimum fifteen years.
The tender closes on 31 July 2018.
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Sydney Olympic Park Authority looking to lease space to a supermarket

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Sydney Olympic Park has experienced the biggest stock increase in Australia over the past year.
Investar suggests its sales stock has grown by 189%, from 37 units this time last year to its current 107 offerings. 
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/4/5/sydney%20olympic%20park.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/4/5/sydney%20olympic%20park.jpg" alt="">
A two bedroom apartment has been listed for sale with a price guide of $768,000 to $784,000 (pictured below).
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-sydney+olympic+park-127730742" target="_blank">The 612/1 Australia Avenue apartment</a> features two spacious bedrooms, gourmet kitchen with stone bench top and two appointed bathrooms.
Extra features include split system air conditioning, building video security intercom, and secure parking.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/4/5/6121%20australia%20avenue.jpg" alt="">
Another Australia Avenue two bedroom apartment was sold for $709,000 last year (pictured below).
Located on the fifth floor of the near new Australia Towers building, the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-nsw-sydney+olympic+park-126172790" target="_blank">501/7 Australia Avenue</a> apartment comes with 99 square metre living space, stone top kitchen with European appliances, and secure car park.
Positioned in the heart of Sydney Olympic Park, it is mere footsteps from the park’s world-class sporting venues, train station and restaurant precinct.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/4/5/5017%20australia%20avenue.jpg" alt="">
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Sydney Olympic Park experiences big stock increase

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Sydney Olympic Park Authority has opened a tender for the leasing of The Lodge at Sydney Olympic Park.
Located within the heritage-listed Newington Armory, The Lodge features:
<ul>
<li>Four separate accommodation buildings equipped to accommodate 160 beds – each with its own meeting room, kitchen and amenities</li>
<li>A large dining hall and recreation area</li>
<li>An administration building with main accommodation amenities and staff sleeping areas</li>
</ul>
The open tender seeks a tenant to occupy the premises for a maximum of five years.
The Lodge has primarily provided low-cost, accommodation services; particularly well used by school groups, sporting teams, music and creative arts groups as well as other visitors.
Although its current permitted use is for short-term accommodation, Sydney Olympic Park Authority is now open to considering other permissible uses for The Lodge.
Charles Moore, CEO of Sydney Olympic Park Authority, said the Lodge is the sole accommodation offering at the 52-hectare Newington Armory.
“We would like to see Newington Armory become a thriving cultural and recreational hub for greater Sydney.” 
Newington Armory is a riverside landscape of rolling hills, woodlands and 100 heritage buildings which date back to the 1800s.
The area provides a cultural, recreational and arts program featuring a variety of leisure tours and activities such as dis golf, bicycle and Segway hire, Heritage Train Discovery Tour, temporary public art, visual arts exhibitions, digital filmmaking and creative writing for all ages, as well as home to the Judo NSW Training Facility.
The open tender closes on 1 May 2018.
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The Lodge at Sydney Olympic Park opened for tender

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The Australian Institute of Architects has questioned the recent announcement by the NSW Government to demolish the Sydney Football Stadium at Moore Park and the Olympic Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park to make way for new stadiums with similar spectator capacities.
‘The Sydney Football Stadium is barely 30 years old, while the Olympic Stadium is less than 20 years old,’ NSW Chapter President Andrew Nimmo said today.
‘When our major public buildings don’t last thirty years, we have a real problem. These are places where some of the greatest memories of modern Sydney were made, places where Sydney was elevated to the world stage.
‘To demolish, rather than refurbish, seems like an extraordinary waste.
‘These stadiums are buildings that should live for at least 50 to 100 years. We are doing something wrong as a society if we apply a throwaway mentality to assets that are still so relatively young.
‘It is not unreasonable to expect that it is time that both stadiums undergo significant upgrades to keep them commercially viable in the competitive world of major sporting events.
‘However, best practice, environmentally sustainable development will acknowledge the embodied energy contained in each of these structures - not only the metal, the concrete, the human hours of toil, but also the embodied memory that is locked up in each of these stadiums. All of this needs to be taken into account when considering the business case.
‘Great cities are made up of many layers of built fabric. We cannot wipe the slate of history clean every 20 years. The loss of these buildings would be like losing a major landmark from the horizon.’
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Architects question plans to demolish Sydney stadiums

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Development has been approved for Mirvac's Sydney Olympic Park development Pavilions.
The developer have slated 705 new homes for the site. 
The approval came the day before the launch of Verde, the second building at Pavilions from Mirvac.
Since weekend launch, 68 first home buyers have purchased at Pavilions.
Around one-third of the apartments in Verde are prioritised for the first home buyer.
Toby Long, Mirvac’s General Manager, Residential Development NSW &amp; Major Projects said, the strength of our sales to first home buyers means we are building a strong community of new property owners who will play an integral role in the future of Sydney Olympic Park.
“We are delighted to see so many young people grab the opportunity to invest in their future and we look forward to helping them on this journey,” he said.
“Demolition of existing buildings began last week, a significant milestone in the development timeline, and with DA approval we are now very pleased to be in a position to begin construction on program.
“The NSW Government has identified Sydney Olympic Park as a priority growth area and critical to its plans to provide jobs, homes and recreation in the Sydney to Parramatta corridor.”
Mirvac began selling the first of four buildings at Pavilions in February this year when launchingThe Right Start, an initiative that allows pre-qualified first home buyers to exchange on a five per cent deposit with the remaining five per cent paid in two annual instalments.
The four buildings at Pavilions range from nine to 35 storeys,
More than 75 per cent of the apartments and terrace homes at Pavilions have sold.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/09/11/Verde%20at%20Pavilions%20Aerial.jpg" alt="">
Mr Long said the government has set a target of 10,700 new homes for 23,500 new residents, 34,000 new jobs, new schools and more shops, cafés and parks for Olympic Park that will revitalise the entire area, creating a vibrant new town centre alive with the people who live and work here, not just those who come to attend an event.
“This is a vision for city building in a prime location midway between the established CBD of Sydney and the emerging CBD of Parramatta," he said.
“It sits within the knowledge corridor where the jobs of the future are being created in employment centres such as Ryde and Macquarie Park,” said Mr Long.
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Mirvac gains DA approval for Sydney Olympic Park as second building sells

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Mirvac will launch the second building at its Sydney Olympic Park development, Pavilions, in September and is targeted towards first home home buyers.
In February, Mirvac announced The Right Start initiative — where first home buyers get the first pick of apartments —  at the launch of the first stage of Pavilions. 
The scheme also offers a lower deposit and assists with the process of buying off-the-plan.
Mirvac said more than one-third of the total 69 apartments in the new building release, Verde, will be reserved for first home buyers and priced below $650,000 to qualify for full stamp duty exemption with around a dozen under $600,000, meeting the criteria for the state government’s $10,000 first home owners’ grant. 
First home buyers will be able to exchange on a 5 per cent deposit and pay the remaining 5 per cent in two annual instalments.
The 12-level Verde building will comprise one, two and three bedroom apartments from $595,000. Two and three bedroom split level terraces start from $1.39 million and have their own street entry. 
Mirvac general Manager NSW Residential, Toby Long, said the successful launch of Pavilions showed demand coming from a diverse range of buyers from all over Sydney with a greater proportion of first home owners.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/08/28/Pavilions2.jpg" alt="">
“The Right Start lowered the deposit hurdle to get into the market allowing 55 people who had been locked out of the market to realise their dream of moving out of home or making the transition from renter to home owner,” said Long.
“That was a fantastic result and we believe first home buyers will find the boutique nature of Verde in a premium development appealing.”
Currently, more than 80 per cent of the released apartments have sold.
Mirvac recently said during its earnings announcement that it achieved a record high lot settlements for the year ending June 30, while maintaining less than 2 per cent defaults. 
The development falls in the area for which the NSW government has earmarked $10 billion for infrastructure spending, including a station on the proposed Parramatta to Sydney Metro line.
“We have a long and proud history in this area and buyers are familiar with our completed projects at nearby Rhodes Waterside, Newington and Cabarita,” said Long.
Mirvac built the Athletes Village before the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Long said the terraces added a new dimension to living at Sydney Olympic Park for buyers who wanted the lifestyle benefits of Pavilions along with the comforts of a house and courtyard.
“High-rise living is an appealing lifestyle for many however there are others, particularly families, who value being able to walk through their own front gate and enjoy the outdoors in the privacy of their own courtyard.”
Residents’ facilities at Pavilions will include a community room, gymnasium, play area for children and landscaped spaces. There is a 4,000 square metre central courtyard as well.
The existing retail and office space is expected to expand to provide for 34,000 new jobs. 
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Mirvac set to launch second building at Olympic Park development, targets FHBs

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Harry Triguboff’s Meriton group has launched the first stage of its Sydney Olympic Park residential development The Retreat.
The development will feature more than 1200 apartments.
The Retreat is being built on a 5.17 hectare site at 5 Carter Street bought from the Goodman Group for $245 million two years ago.
The first stage will have two elliptical buildings. The North tower will be 22-storeys high and feature split-level loft-style designs, apartments with rooftop entertaining and barbecue areas and penthouses with four bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Harry Triguboff said The Retreat, being developed opposite the ANZ Stadium, is all about green open space, recreation and leisure.
“The Sydney Olympic Park precinct is a very exciting area and we are offering you an opportunity to purchase in the first release before we develop all four stages," he said.
“We have made sure at The Retreat that we provide residents with apartments, resort facilities, shops, a 113-place child-care centre and serviced apartments that complement and add to those attributes.
“We expect to finish the site in the next five years and once completed, we believe prices will rise considerably.
“The Sydney Olympic Park precinct is an idyllic choice for anyone wanting to escape the fast pace of life and more congested living of the city’s heart.”
James Sialepis, Meriton’s director sales, said The Retreat would be ‘in tune’ with the green atmosphere of the Sydney Olympic Park area and a perfect choice for new home buyers.
“The Retreat will have an extensively turfed 2500 square metre central park, with walking and cycling pathways," he said.
“On the third floor of stage one there will be podium gardens where residents will be able to barbecue, dine under cover, or just soak up the views.
“We’ve almost been caught off guard by the demand we’re experiencing for our projects with landscaped gardens and parklands, especially from families and first home buyers, in areas like Lewisham and Sydney Olympic Park.
“The Retreat will be the same and first home buyers will be chasing the great launch prices, with many apartments under $750,000.”
Sialepis said the first stage of The Retreat architects, the SJB group, had designed buildings with glass-faced apartments that capitalised on views across Bicentennial Park and the Parramatta River to the Sydney CBD and the harbour bridge.
Stage one of The Retreat has 149 apartments, some of them the biggest in the area, and they range from one-bedroom through to four-bedroom penthouses with rooftop terraces.
The apartments will start at $585,000 and peak at $2,800,000 for one of the split-level penthouses.
Stage one is expected to be completed by March 2019.
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