Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

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"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

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After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

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Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

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The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

Joel Robinson

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]

Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]

The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]

Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]

The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Rainbow Bay apartment doubles in price since off the plan sale during pandemic

Sydney Apartments

Prominent eastern suburbs developers HSN are back to the popular Bondi locale, setting their sights on Bondi Beach this time having previously developed Ellipse in Bondi Junction.&nbsp;

The property group, along with their construction arm HSN Construction, has lodged plans for a residential development across an amalgamated 1166 sqm site at 55 Hall Street.

Located just 350 metres from the sand of the iconic Bondi Beach, PBD Architects have been engaged to design the four-storey shop-top project, which will deliver just 16 apartments above ground floor retail space.&nbsp;

In keeping with market demand and residential options in the area, a mix of floorplans will be constructed, with one one-bedroom apartments, 12 two-bedders and four three-bedroom apartments.&nbsp;

“The surrounding context has seen some impressive developments come to fruition in the past decade, many of which have contributed to the Australian coastal character of the area,” PBD said in their application plans.&nbsp;

“The site functions as a development that seeks to activate the Hall Street street frontage, with the design sympathetic to the pattern of development and desired future character of Bondi.”

The overall style of the Hall St residences is eclectic, however it fits in with the wider neighbourhood’s context through its Australian coastal style.&nbsp;

<a data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dbd912d0-4364-4f62-a9eb-e3eacc12c733" href="/new-apartments/55-hall-street-bondi-beach"><img alt="Render of the Hall Street development. " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dbd912d0-4364-4f62-a9eb-e3eacc12c733" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-29%20at%205.22.22%20pm.png?VersionId=XLO08Wvwsy18GDNTes0ClhZLYHNo7aSw" /></a>Render of the Hall St development.&nbsp;

Framed glazing throughout maximises the solar orientation of the apartments, while also capitalising on the views.&nbsp;

A mix of fluted precast concrete will make up the base of the development, complemented by natural stone and a mix of brown and green hued elements.

A close collaboration with renowned landscape architects, Bates Landscape has resulted in a synthesis of building design, further corroborating the design with the natural surrounds. &nbsp;

The landscape proposal draws upon the unique ecological character of the Bondi area, with planter boxes utilised throughout the building facade, as well as across the ground floor, seamlessly connecting the project to the natural neighbourhood.&nbsp;

The site’s location near to the best Bondi has to offer will also means future residents will be within walking distance to a number of cafes, restaurants, bars and supermarkets, as well as a range of public transport options, providing connection to a wider range of facilities, including schools and the Sydney CBD.&nbsp;

There’s been a string of developers who have taken to the popular street in recent times, including <a href="/news/nsw/first-look-allen-linz-and-eduard-litver-team-up-for-new-hall-street-bondi-apartments">Allen Linz and Eduard Litver’s $12.5m project across an amalgamated site at 34-38 Hall St.&nbsp;</a>

The four-level building will have ground floor retail, apartments above, and two-levels of basement parking, with the block bookended by the heritage Post Office to the east.

Embece Studio were enlisted to design the plans for the project, taking inspiration, not dissimilar to PBD, from the neighbourhood’s surrounding landscape and greenery.

The well-known Sydney property investor and developer, <a href="/news/nsw/vaughan-blank-set-for-apartment-development-on-bondi-beachs-hall-street">Vaughan Blank, has also submitted $9.4 million plans to transform the old Westpac building on Hall St.&nbsp;</a>

He'll be creating a new shop-top housing building, with 15 apartments and retail premises on the ground floor, designed by BANG Architecture.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136998]

HSN has lodged plans for a residential development across an amalgamated 1166 sqm site at 55 Hall Street.

alisonwarters@gmail.com

First look: HSN lodge apartment plans for Bondi’s popular Hall Street

Award-winning, sustainable developer Stable Properties is set to take on a rare new development in&nbsp;one of Sydney’s most prestigious enclaves.

Stable, led by founding directors&nbsp;Ed Horton and Danny Flynn, have created a point of difference in the development space, looking to&nbsp;restore and redefine existing buildings and heritage properties.&nbsp;

Finalists in the Property Council of Australia’s Awards for Best Heritage Development, are seeking to recycle&nbsp;a dated mid-century red-brick building in the exclusive suburb of Kirribilli.&nbsp;

<a data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d329a7e8-497e-4b1a-b6c9-6e78f354a274" href="/new-apartments/waruda-kirribilli-20-22-waruda-street-kirribilli-nsw-2061"><img alt="Render of the Kirribilli development " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d329a7e8-497e-4b1a-b6c9-6e78f354a274" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-29%20at%203.37.27%20pm_0.png?VersionId=ezYClbqMXYNWeKKqOpGHwegV5EmoxJi_" /></a>Render of the Kirribilli development on Waruda St.

Taking up a prime corner site at 20 Waruda Street, the project will look to keep in with the surrounding 20th Century Art-Deco architecture, with the current building kept intact, restored to provide a modern facade, along with additional and extended floorspace.&nbsp;

Designed by Nettleton Tribe, a clearly defined two-storey base forms a podium which integrates the steep sloping topography of the site, along with defining the public domain and improving the streetscape character.&nbsp;

Seven whole-floor, three-bedroom apartments will be delivered across the project, with each residence generously proportioned, spanning 233 sqm.&nbsp;

Each of the apartments will feature solar panels, battery storage and EV chargers, making it one of the first sustainable high-density development, with next generation smart technologies set to be included as well.&nbsp;

Oriented and designed to maximise on the sweeping southern views, each residence will extend to expansive balconies which take in the Sydney Harbour, The Opera House, the Sydney CBD and the Harbour Bridge.

“This size of apartments, together with their quality and sustainable characteristics, is rare and as a result, will add further to the product diversity in this precinct, supporting identified demand,” Nettleton Tribe said in their application plans.&nbsp;

<a data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dc17336a-9ef1-4602-a8b8-ffc3b1668506" href="/new-apartments/waruda-kirribilli-20-22-waruda-street-kirribilli-nsw-2061"><img alt="Render of the Kirribilli development on Waruda St with views to Sydney Harbour" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dc17336a-9ef1-4602-a8b8-ffc3b1668506" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-29%20at%203.38.02%20pm.png?VersionId=6JoptRSu7MVN37727qVvKSz9Hr8idYB5" /></a>Render of the Kirribilli development on Waruda St with views to Sydney Harbour.

“Demand for large three-bedroom-plus apartments, to replace impressive family homes, particularly from the Upper North Shore, is growing and market availability is rare and limited.”

“These apartments will fill this gap and add to apartment diversity within the immediate area.”

The proposed architectural language, being conscious of the sensitivities within the Heritage Conservation Area of Kirribilli, is contemporary with an emphasis on simple expression of forms and materials.

A layering of elements add texture and visual interest to the facade, while a considered palette creates a juxtaposition to the adjacent buildings.&nbsp;

Previously Stable developed The Burcham in Rosebery, the regeneration of the old Wrigley’s factory.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136999]

Stable, led by founding directors Ed Horton and Danny Flynn, have created a point of difference in the development space, looking to restore and redefine existing buildings and heritage properties

First look: Stable Properties lodge plans for new Kirribilli apartments

Mirvac Constructions has become the first business in Australia to be awarded the highest possible 5 Gold Star iCIRT rating by regulated ratings agency Equifax.

The Independent Construction Industry Rating Tool (iCIRT) is designed to aid property buyers by assessing an entity’s capability, capacity and ability to deliver a trustworthy building, with Mirvac the first to achieve the prestigious rating.&nbsp;

The rating tool is one of several pillars of reform introduced in NSW in recent years and is intended to raise building standards and consumer confidence in built form within the state.

Head of Product and Rating Services at Equifax, Brad Walters, said the iCIRT rating has played a pivotal role in rebuilding trust and transparency in the sector following a difficult few years across the construction industry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=100322 project_image_fid=167722]

“It is important to recognise those that have and continue to demonstrate a high level of resilience and reliability in the delivery of trustworthy built assets,” Walters said. &nbsp;

Mirvac’s Head of Residential, Stuart Penklis said the 5 Gold Star rating had been earned through five decades of designing and building high quality, well-designed buildings across the commercial and residential sectors.&nbsp;

“We are incredibly proud to be the first, and so far, only, group in Australia to be awarded the highest possible 5 Gold Star rating,” said Penklis.&nbsp;

“Mirvac has consistently delivered a track record of quality development and now our achievement has been endorsed through an independent assessment process. Raising the standard of construction in NSW is critically important to protect purchasers and restore confidence in buying off the plan and newly built apartments.”&nbsp;

Mirvac is currently progressing with a number of residential apartment and master-planned community projects including Nine by Mirvac, Green Square and Langlee in New South Wales.&nbsp;

The group are also developing FORME at their community&nbsp;Tullamore in Melbourne, along with a number of Queensland projects, including Waterfront in Newstead and Charlton House at Ascot Green which is located on the site of the Brisbane Racing Club.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=93788 project_image_fid=186245]

Mirvac’s first build to rent project in Melbourne, LIV Munro, reached practical completion this month and is set to open next month.&nbsp;

Penklis said Mirvac’s integrated business model in which design, development, construction, marketing and sales are all under one roof, plays a significant role in delivering design excellence and unparalleled quality developments.&nbsp;

“The integration of best in field experts involved in every step of the process, from conception to completion to after sales customer care, is a clear competitive advantage for Mirvac,” Penklis said.&nbsp;

“For the customer, this guarantees absolute confidence that the mark of Mirvac quality is embedded in every little detail on each and every project,” he added. &nbsp;

“Mirvac enjoys a high level of customer loyalty with more than a third of new apartment projects bought by repeat Mirvac purchasers. Trust like that is not manufactured overnight; it is the result of five decades in which we have built some of the nation’s most enduring iconic buildings that have stood the test of time.”&nbsp;

“Equifax is pleased to announce that Mirvac has achieved a 5 Gold Star rating, the highest rating available under iCIRT,” Walters said.&nbsp;

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“Following a detailed, independent and rigorous review, Mirvac were observed to have excelled across each of the six assessment criteria.”

Mirvac General Manager of Design Management and Construction, Jason Vieusseux, said the 5 Gold Star rating is testament to Mirvac’s attention to detail and the pursuit of quality that is applied on every Mirvac project.&nbsp;

“Even in the current climate where there are enormous pressures on construction due to wet weather, constrained supply chains and workforce shortages, we never cut corners,” said Vieusseux.&nbsp;

“That uncompromising approach to construction quality has enabled us to retain and attract the very best construction professionals and work with experienced subcontractors who take pride in their workmanship and the finished products we deliver.&nbsp;

“Within our construction team, which comprises nearly 400 employees across the eastern states, we have decades of experience and knowledge which complements the technology and data driven processes that are now being used by Mirvac Constructions to build with greater precision and achieve higher quality outcomes than ever before.&nbsp;

“The focus on construction quality over the past few years and the efforts of the NSW Building Commissioner have made it more difficult for sub-standard builders to operate. This is going to benefit every property buyer in NSW and lift the reputation of the entire construction sector.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=100322 project_image_fid=163028]

Mirvac is the first to achieve the prestigious 5 Gold Star rating following a rigorous assessment process. Main image: Render of FORME at Mirvac's Tullamore community 

Mirvac awarded first 5 Gold Star iCIRT rating in Australia

Norwest parent developer Mulpha and the University of NSW Built Environment School have released the results of a two-year research study aimed at understanding how the Norwest precinct handles heat and assessing ways to mitigate its impact through smart building, infrastructure and landscape design.

The target of the project is to lower the local Urban Heat Island Effect (UHIE) by two degrees, which will deliver significant cost savings and health benefits to the businesses, residents and visitors to Norwest.

Urban Heat islands form as vegetation is replaced by asphalt and concrete for roads, buildings, and other structures necessary to accommodate growing populations. These surfaces absorb and re-radiate the sun’s heat, causing surface temperatures and overall ambient temperatures to rise.

Mulpha has adopted an urban heat response to minimise heat build-up in its Norwest developments, including its zero-carbon development Norwest Quarter.&nbsp;

Head of Developments, Tim Spencer said the design considerations adopted at an early-stage in any development will have a major impact on the climate variability and liveability in urban environments such as Norwest.

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“We are excited to be collaborating with some of the leading thinkers and bright young minds of UNSW to really understand the Norwest micro-climate and how we can influence it with good planning and design," he said.

“Effective collection of on-the-ground data and analysis by world leading experts is central to our vision for Norwest as a Smart City that leads the way in urban design."

“A more liveable urban environment is also a better business and living environment that can deliver energy cost savings and ensure Norwest is a place where people enjoy being and giving their best, as well as being a great place to live and work in all respects."

“Only through collaboration are we going to be able to realise a liveable precinct, so by sharing this knowledge we hope other developers and even homeowners will take steps to assist in lowering the urban heat in Norwest,” Spencer added.&nbsp;

As the Hills only zero carbon precinct, sustainability and an environmentally-friendly design has been at the forefront of Mulpha’s Norwest Quarter development.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=103264 project_image_fid=196018]

The buildings have been designed to use light coloured materials throughout for high solar reflectivity, as well as using awnings, screens and external shading structures.

To reduce heat in Norwest, there is also the plan for substantial rewilding of the land surface, with a high percentage of deep soil planting and canopy cover, tree planting in both private and public spaces, and water features established throughout the precinct.

Over 70 per cent of the project is dedicated to green, open spaces, which will only bolster the effects of the new plan, with 2,000 residents expected to call Norwest Quarter home upon completion.&nbsp;

According to the NSW and ACT Regional Climate Modelling (NARCLiM), Sydney is expected to experience an increase in average maximum and minimum temperature for all seasons in the future, reflecting the broader phenomenon of global warming.

A Norwest-specific urban cooling guide has been published this week for the benefit of all developers and design practitioners working in Norwest to understand urban overheating and introduce suitable cooling strategies. This will improve the performance of developments, create a more liveable environment and address the challenges of climate change at a local level.

This marks the culmination of two years of monitoring and analysing Norwest’s microclimate from a network of 15 environmental sensors around the Norwest precinct to determine how the precinct performs now as well as how it will develop as the climate continues to change.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=103264 project_image_fid=196012]

Dr Negin Nazarian, Scientia Senior Lecturer, UNSW Built Environment, said heatwaves are becoming more frequent and severe, which has serious consequences for public health, liveability and functionality of urban environments.

“Heatwaves in Australia kill more people than any other natural disaster, Nazarian said.&nbsp;

“With the increased rate of urban development, city and precinct scale climate is dramatically changed, resulting in additional warmth brought about by the urban heat island effect.

“It is paramount that we understand and closely monitor not only the climatic factors, but also the urban design characteristics that impact human health and well-being in the face of such heat events, and further promote smart city strategies to address this.”

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The buildings have been designed to use light coloured materials throughout for high solar reflectivity, as well as using awnings, screens and external shading structures.

Mulpha and UNSW release plan to reduce urban heat in Norwest by two degrees

The Chinese property developer Megland is set for its next Sydney apartment development.

With a reputation for high rise mixed use developments in China and having previously been involved in Vista in Chatswood, Megland has filed plans for a collection of residences in Wollstonecraft on Sydney’s Lower North Shore.&nbsp;

The group have amalgamated a 2,348 sqm site across 3-5 Morton Street,&nbsp;where they’ll deliver a total of 29 apartments designed by Surry Hills-based architects PBD.&nbsp;

Reflecting the local market demand, 20 two-bedroom apartments will be on offer in the four-storey building, along with nine three-bedders. &nbsp;

Wollstonecraft is characterised by a predominantly medium to high density residential area within a moderately steep, tree-lined street. Most of the existing buildings comprise low-rise, post-war flat buildings and townhouses which are set across gentle sloping and undulating sites.&nbsp;

Considering the materiality of the existing neighbourhood, the project will feature a consistent base material of face brick to respond to the surrounding context, while building articulations are clearly defined in the facade, creating the appearance of two separate buildings when viewed from Morton Street.&nbsp;

<img alt="Render of the Wollstonecraft development " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d34b010f-a994-4acc-a322-19c584f16dd0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-22%20at%204.11.14%20pm.png?VersionId=SUpdRLbH48WFy48Qny7.mt92oXaOXju4" />

The facade will incorporate fluted precast concrete elements, paired with clear glass balustrades, metal bronze finishes and high brick curved blade walls. The upper level penthouse apartment will also be crowned with a bronze-toned metal cladding to create a material contrast to the overall mass and effectively reduce the scale of the height of the building.

A close collaboration with renowned landscape architects Site Image has resulted in a &nbsp;further synthesis of building design and its natural surrounds. A majority of the existing trees within the boundary interface to preserve privacy between neighbours, while the courtyard apartments benefit from perimeter planting which help the development merge with the leafy locale.&nbsp;

Taking advantage of the north-facing aspect of the building, all apartments have generous balconies positioned to flow from primary living spaces and take advantage of orientation and outlook

Located 900 metres west of the North Sydney CBD and just over one kilometre from North Sydney station, residents will be within proximity to everyday essentials, in addition to being able to easily access the greater metropolitan area.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136853]

The group have amalgamated a 2,348 sqm site across 3-5 Morton Street, where they’ll deliver a total of 29 apartments 

First look: Megland Group lodge plans for next Sydney apartment development

Integrated property investor and developer, Cbus Property, has officially launched its residential mixed-use development, The Langston, to the community in Epping. 
&nbsp; 
Cbus Property’s Chair, Georgina Lynch, and CEO, Adrian Pozzo, were joined by the Lord Mayor of the City of Parramatta Councillor Donna Davis, and other key stakeholders in the official launch to open the project’s public plaza and introduce the community to the dynamic retail precinct.

With construction group Hutchinson Builders commencing ground works on the precinct back in January 2019, on the site of Epping’s former Westpac Credit Card Services building, the project’s completion marks the conclusion of a momentous journey that began when Cbus Property acquired The Langston site in 2014.

Located in the heart of Epping, between Langston Place and Chambers Court, The Langston features 462 residences across three towers of 29, 24 and 19-storeys, known as Langston Tower, Central and Oasis.

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The ready-to-move-in residences are priced from $590,000, with one and two-bedroom apartments still available.&nbsp;

The new community is now home to more than 1,000 people, who are enjoying an unrivalled lifestyle courtesy of the project’s extensive amenity offering, including the Sky Lounge and dining space on level 22 of The Langston’s middle tower, Central, in addition to lush podium-level gardens, the Wellness Hub and co-working spaces.

Pozzo said the achievement of practical completion at The Langston was a significant milestone for Cbus Property.

“The delivery of this project has been a resounding success for all stakeholders,” he said.

“A big thank you to Hutchinson Builders, our stakeholders and our construction workforce for rising to the challenges faced by our communities throughout the past few years. Major projects of this calibre always have their challenges. However, I am pleased to say our team expertly navigated the pandemic-related lockdowns and ongoing uncertainty around COVID-19 during the complex construction phase to achieve this outstanding result.

The official opening of the precinct was also celebrated with the second occurrence of The Langston Weekender festival, which followed the inaugural festival held in 2018, prior to construction commencement.

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More than 5,000 visitors attended the event, transforming The Langston’s public domain for a day of family-friendly fun, featuring market stalls, art, music, dancing and entertainment.

The event also supported The Langston’s new retail operators, including the on-site supermarket Mint Fresh IGA, fitness club operators Team Bros, City Cave Float and Wellness Centre and new local cafe, Brew Bar.

Pozzo said he was delighted to welcome Epping locals and the wider Sydney community back to The Langston.

“We have certainly been on a long journey since we first held The Langston Weekender back in 2018 and we enjoyed showing people and celebrating how much the precinct has transformed in the intervening years,” he said.

“The idea behind the first iteration of this event was to help people conceptualise the future lifestyle and retail offering at The Langston, so it was incredibly rewarding to be able to showcase the completed project in person.”

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6074]

Located in the heart of Epping, between Langston Place and Chambers Court, The Langston features 462 residences across three towers of 29, 24 and 19-storeys, known as Langston Tower, Central and Oasis.



CBUS Property wrap up construction on The Langston in Sydney’s North West

Rolling lockdowns are a thing of the past, but what isn't is working from home.

At the census, albeit conducted in or around lockdown, 31 per cent of workers living in New South Wales were working from home, up from just five per cent at the 2016 census.

In Sydney, it was a jump from four per cent to 39 per cent.

And despite everything from cafes to borders reopened, the working from home trend is still continuing, which is making apartment developers rethink some of the amenity they are offering.

At Astrid, the latest Castle Hill apartment development to hit the market, the local developers went full throttle on the working from home spaces, in a more refined way that others.

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Their focus was to build a working from home space which actually took you away from the home, however without actually leaving.

Not content with just creating study nooks (which they also have done in most the apartments), the developer went out of their way to offer extensive opportunities to work from a different space through the project.

One of the most unique spots to work from is the outdoor cabana (main image). The innovative space is fully solar powered and has its own wifi. It will use&nbsp;only sustainable materials and the power of the sun.

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There's further work from home facilities in the&nbsp;Astrid Lounge, which provides a hub of work desks and lounges that are wifi-enabled and imbued in lush greenery.

"The idea for Astrid was that employees are working from home, but are often camped out on a dining room table or kitchen island," Turner Wolfe Director Matt Wolfe says.

"The developer went out of their way to create extensive, unique work from home facilities, which will give those buyers an option to get out of their apartments and work in an environment that's connected to nature, all without the commute."

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Of course not all employees require an office settings. The rooftop terrace surrounded in landscaping and with extensive skyline views is another option for remote workers.

And when working from home, lunchtimes look a little different.

There's a resort-style swimming pool in the project, as well as a fully-equipped gym.

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There are 94 apartments in the Zhinar Architects-designed Astrid, starting from $625,000 and ranging in price to $1.96 million.

Astrid sit in the booming Showground Precinct in Castle Hill, which is attracting significant investment including&nbsp;more restaurants and cafes, encouraging the dine-out lifestyle much closer to home.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=22748]

At Astrid in Castle Hill, the local developers went full throttle on the working from home spaces, in a more refined way that others

How the work from home movement inspired Astrid's amenity in Castle Hill

Progressive Australian property developers Lindsay Bennelong are set to add a new landmark project to their burgeoning portfolio.

The group has lodged plans for a boutique development on a prime beachside site in Manly.

Just five apartments will be built across a four-level building at 61 North Steyne, four three-bedroom units and one two-bedder.&nbsp;

With close proximity to Manly’s town centre and the CBD, the area is characterised by a mix of building types which have evolved and changed over the years, with the latest residences set blend seamlessly with the coastal surrounds.

<img alt="Render of the North Steyne development " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9e6120c3-3b2c-4566-abe9-0dbb8ee6fa92" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-21%20at%209.46.39%20am.png?VersionId=jZOxyXcsg8efn67l62MtdCE7Ndk4Arr6" />Render of the Manly development at 61 North Steyne.&nbsp;

Designed by Platform Architects, the generously-sized apartments boast views across Manly Beach, complete with expansive outdoor areas fronting the water.&nbsp;

A feature screen has been incorporated in the design to maintain privacy to neighbours and between apartments, with the elements also creating visual interest and articulation to the building as well as providing an element of solar control. The building is also proposed to be constructed of concrete and masonry to enable heat gain to radiate in the cooler evening hours – again contributing to a comfortable temperature.

The site benefits from a portion of road reserve that was dedicated for road widening. That dedication has now been abandoned and the land to south at 60 North Steyne has incorporated the area into their landscaped front setback design.&nbsp;

“We feel that stepping down a corner site that is flanked by taller buildings would result in a less than desirable urban design outcome and as such feel a compatible building height is more appropriate," Platform Architects noted in their design submission.

Landscaping has been incorporated into the design to give all dwellings access to greenery, including large trees, shrubs and ground covers, contributing to the local flora and microclimate. Landscaping is not only limited to the ground floor level but is also incorporated at higher levels, with a green roof over the carlift and planters on the terraces and balconies. Landscaping thus plays an important role in the overall expression of the design, with the green spaces also for water absorption, re-use and filtering of the run off into the existing drainage systems.&nbsp;

<img alt="Render of the North Steyne development " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1ebe2a4c-5311-48ea-adbc-7669442c4dc9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-21%20at%209.46.57%20am.png?VersionId=TubLajRLd7gWytFTIZe9t2r0tXLBcEzC" />Render of the Manly development at 61 North Steyne.&nbsp;

The proposed density on the site is desirable due to the site’s close connection with job opportunities in Manly Town Centre, along with public transport to the city and other suburbs. In addition, the location of the site is well suited to accommodate future residents with easy access to public amenities and transport within walking distance.

Lindsay Bennelong are well known in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, having completed the sold-out Vue in Bondi Junction. The group’s other Bondi Junction project, Whitton Lane, is currently on the market. They also have plans for a small project in Maroubra.

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Just five apartments will be built across a four-level building at 61 North Steyne

First look: Lindsay Bennelong lodge plans for beachside Manly apartments

National property developer and construction group, Traders In Purple, has plans for a $65 million development in the Southern Highlands.

The group acquired the 2.1-hectare Argyle Street site in Moss Vale back in November 2021.

They will deliver 52 residences to the area, with the intent to provide wider living options for local downsizers and families who have been priced out of the Sydney market.

A mix of three and four-bedroom terraces and villas will be delivered, each benefitting from a generous courtyard. The residences will sit alongside a proposed Village Green, designed as an open space for residents to enjoy the outdoors and interact with their neighbours.&nbsp;

Bonus + Associates designed the project to feature high pitched roofs, along with an abundance of landscaping. Six free-standing homes screened by existing trees are proposed on Argyle St, in keeping with neighbouring homes, with the townhouses and villas set behind. The interiors have been designed by Duet, who have previously collaborated with Traders in Purple on the luxury boutique farmstay, Greyleigh.&nbsp;

Each of the residences will also be fitted with solar photovoltaic panels so that future residents will be protected against rising energy costs.

Traders In Purple National Marketing and Sales Director Nathalie Pasterfield said community feedback had shown a positive response to the architectural style of the development which reflected the country charm of the Southern Highlands.

“Our architects, Bonus + Associates and Duet, are incredibly talented at creating places that are contemporary but homely and this is what the community is telling us they want to see at Moss Vale,” Pasterfield said.

“There are also practical considerations that we have taken into account such as sustainable homes with renewable energy, private outdoor living space, natural light and a pleasant garden outlook.

“We tweaked some aspects of the design but were encouraged to see many who took part in the community consultation already looking forward to seeing this project come to fruition.”

Moss Vale is around 90 minutes drive from Sydney and has become increasingly popular as a preferred destination for residents, away from the tourist bustle of Bowral. Around 56 per cent of Moss Vale residents are singles or couples without children yet 86 per cent of homes in the locality are separate houses with very little medium density housing available.

Traders In Purple NSW Development Director Thomas Zdun said the development proposal had been shaped after consultation with the local community who were looking for an alternative to the limited range of housing types currently available.

"There is clearly high demand for homes that offer a low maintenance lifestyle so that people can move out of houses that are now too large and difficult to maintain,” Zdun said.

“The lack of medium density housing in Moss Vale is forcing many older couples to remain in homes that are no longer appropriate to their needs. They have lived most of their lives in Moss Vale and want to remain in a place where they have friends and a strong support network but can’t move because there is no suitable housing available.”

“We also spoke with a number of young families and couples unable to afford the high price of a house in Moss Vale where the median price has risen 30 per cent in the past 12 months.”

“With the option to work from home during Covid, a number of young professionals and families moved to well-established regional areas like Moss Vale but there are also many who grew up here and want to remain close to family and in the town they know and love.”

The site is situated opposite the Moss Vale Services Club and is within walking distance to the town centre, along with the train station, Moss Vale Public School, with the group planning to launch to the market in late 2023.&nbsp;

Traders In Purple plan residential development to meet Moss Vale’s medium density housing shortage

Originally all communication to and from Parramatta in the late 1700s was by river, before a rough track to Sydney was opened which loosely followed the route of Parramatta Road.

It took until the end of the twentieth century for the area to form a strategic role in the growth of Greater Sydney.

Now Parramatta is the second largest CBD in Sydney, and is set for its latest stage of redevelopment.

Positioned as part of Australia’s biggest public transport project, Bates Smart has prepared a design report on behalf of Sydney Metro to accompany a State Specific Development Application for a large city block in the heart of the Parramatta CBD.

The site will accommodate the future Parramatta Metro Station, part of the Sydney West Metro project which will double current rail capacity between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD when opened in 2030, along with three commercial office buildings, as well as one residential tower.&nbsp;

<img alt="Precinct Aerial View (Indicative Design Only)" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a906d6c2-249c-48d0-9084-be2282072075" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-16%20at%2011.45.40%20am.png?VersionId=N0B5IvDLZnRkqfUYPibjK8XmEUZuoKUp" />Precinct Aerial View (Indicative Design Only)

“The Central River City will grow substantially capitalising on its location close to the geographic centre of Greater Sydney," Bates Smart noted in their statement.

"Unprecedented public and private investment is contributing to new transport and other infrastructure leading to a major transformation of the Central River City.

“The Sydney Metro West rail link will deliver faster and more efficient transport from the Harbour CBD to Greater Parramatta. Potential radial mass transit/rail services from Greater Parramatta will boost business-to business connections and provide access to a larger skilled labour force to support the growing metropolitan centre. The Sydney Metro Northwest rail link will improve the growth prospects for the north-west of the city by increasing the access to jobs.”

The site, held by Transport for New South Wales, is an amalgamation of multiple individual sites fronting Macquarie Street, George Street, Church Street and Smith Street in Parramatta, including the full extent of Horwood Place between Macquarie Street and George Street.&nbsp;

The four towers form part of the new precinct which will be fully integrated with the new below ground Metro station, a new midblock street, and a considerable new area of public domain, including a new urban plaza and pedestrian laneways.

The scope of Bates Smart services has been to undertake the integrated urban design and architecture roles for the new precinct, interfacing with Grimshaw Architects who are the station designers and Arcadia who are the public domain and landscape designers.

The use of bricks in the lower levels and laneways of the towers responds to the local heritage of the site, while the upper levels will be clad in materials that reference and relate to connection to country, with a mix of brown and sandstone hues.&nbsp;

<img alt="Laneway View (Indicative Design Only)" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8b79aaff-24eb-42aa-b2a3-ffb451b106f1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-16%20at%2011.45.51%20am.png?VersionId=7YCyE1l_vTGzM8aBxpeNrr0Hs9cX8nH7" />Laneway View (Indicative Design Only)

Built atop the new Metro, Building B is the residential component of the development, with a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments penned for the 33-storey tower. A total of 145 apartments will be delivered within the building, spanning from 58 sqm internally to 125 sqm, along with two floors of communal recreation space. With the building atop what will be the bustling Metro, careful structure and coordination has gone into reducing the potential negative impacts of the nearby station.&nbsp;

The remaining three towers will hold office and retail tenancies, ranging in height from 24 storeys through to 38-storeys.&nbsp;

Parramatta Metro is pitched to serve and support the growth of Parramatta as Sydney’s second CBD, including boosting jobs and improving connections to recreational and tourist attractions.&nbsp;

Despite being well served with perimeter parks and formal hardscaped urban town squares, there are no parks or public green spaces within a five minute walking radius of the central commercial core.&nbsp;

The Civic Link is a proposed new green, pedestrianised public space and cultural spine that connects from Parramatta Square to the Riverfront. Extending across four city blocks, the link will provide a pleasant and walkable pedestrian and cycle route from Parramatta Square and the current railway station to Riverside Park and the ferry wharf, passing through the proposed site and proposed new Metro station.

A significant number of current and proposed cultural and education facilities are located within a five minute walk of the site and proposed metro station. Immediately South lies Parramatta Square, the Train Station, and Westfield Parramatta. East of Smith Street lies the education precinct containing the new Arthur Phillip High School and Western Sydney University. Immediately West and North West lies ‘Eat Street’, a stretch of Church Street highly activated by restaurants and bars with extensive outdoor seating in the public domain. Further North and Northwest lies the proposed Powerhouse Museum, Riverside Theatre, and Bankwest Stadium, all anticipated to act as major destinations to customers of the Parramatta Metro station.&nbsp;

Quick Look: Sydney Metro&nbsp;

Metro North West Line (formerly the 36 kilometre North West Rail Link) - Services started in May 2019 in the city’s North West between Rouse Hill and Chatswood, with a metro train every four minutes in the peak. The project was delivered on time and $1 billion under budget.&nbsp;

Sydney Metro City and Southwest – The Sydney Metro City &amp; Southwest project includes a new 30km metro line extending metro rail from the end of the Metro North West Line at Chatswood, under Sydney Harbour, through new CBD stations and southwest to Bankstown. It is due to open in 2024 with the ultimate capacity to run a metro train every two minutes each way through the centre of Sydney.&nbsp; 
Sydney Metro City &amp; Southwest will deliver new metro stations at Barangaroo, Crows Nest, Victoria Cross, Martin Place, Pitt Street, Waterloo and new underground metro platforms at Central Station. In addition it will upgrade and convert all 11 stations between Sydenham and Bankstown to metro standards.&nbsp;

Sydney Metro West – Sydney Metro West is a new underground railway connecting Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD. This once-in-acentury infrastructure investment will transform Sydney for generations to come, doubling rail capacity between these two areas, linking new communities to rail services and supporting employment growth and housing supply between the two CBDs. Sydney Metro West stations have been confirmed at Westmead, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock, The Bays, Pyrmont and the Sydney CBD.&nbsp;

Sydney Metro - Western Sydney Airport – Metro rail will also service Greater Western Sydney and the new Western Sydney International (Nancy Bird Walton) Airport. The new railway line will become the transport spine for the Western Parkland City’s growth for generations to come, connecting communities and travellers with the rest of Sydney’s public transport system with a fast, safe and easy metro service. Six new stations will be delivered at St Marys, Orchard Hills, Luddenham, Airport Business Park, Airport Terminal and Western Sydney Aerotropolis. The Australian and NSW governments are partners in the delivery of this new railway

Positioned as part of Australia’s biggest public transport project, Bates Smart has prepared a design report to accompany a State Specific Development Application for a large city block in the heart of the Parramatta CBD

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