Convenience and Views Are the New Amenities in Sydney
Upcoming high-rises are offering chic, city-living lifestyles
A growing number of homeowners in Sydney’s prestige suburbs are trading in their large homes and quarter-acre blocks for an inner city sanctuary with all the trimmings.
The list of must-haves includes architectural significance, residential amenities and space. But an increasing demand for well-located properties in close proximity to the best Sydney has to offer has seen the redevelopment of key sites and transformation of former commercial properties.
The new and in-demand high-end apartments in such prime locations not only allow residents to leave their cars at home—where pedestrians are welcome and parks are plentiful—but offer an array of lifestyle amenities and modern conveniences, well beyond the requirements of the past.
Another trend that’s being seen throughout Sydney is the transformation of iconic buildings into residential towers. The urban renewal of these sought-after locations is changing the streetscape of many suburbs, turning long-forgotten corners into thriving and highly desirable inner city villages.
Today’s savvy and well-informed buyers might have access to more information than ever before, but they also have more choice, with homes that often include harbor views, close proximity to beaches or the central business district and easy access to cafes and restaurants.
Here are five of Sydney’s best inner city apartment complexes that are under construction or due to begin shortly. The apartments within all projects are being sold off the plan now.
1. Blue at Lavender Bay, 61 Lavender St., Milsons Point
Lavender Bay is considered the No. 1 Sydney neighborhood in terms of liveability, and Blue at Lavender Bay harnesses its prime location with timeless architecture and deluxe interiors.
There’s easy access to the village centers of Kirribilli and McMahons Point, and the project is within walking distance of the North Sydney and Sydney central business districts.
On top of that is a selection of the city’s top schools, gyms, recreational facilities, shops and ferry, bus, and train stops, and it’s a location that ticks every conceivable convenience box. Over the Sydney Harbour Bridge awaits the city, a short walk or bike ride away.
Developer Aqualand has engaged architects PTW to turn this former commercial building into a luxurious 129-apartment residential tower. Unrestricted views north and south will be maximized with panes of floor to ceiling glass.
The facade will be removed and the interior gutted, with curved balconies adding a softer look. There will be winter gardens and well-appointed interiors that will feature Gaggenau appliances, natural stone and custom joinery.
The official project launch was on Sept. 9.
Number of units: 129
Price range: From A$960,000 (US$760,000) for one-bedroom apartments, from A$1.85 million (US$1.47 million) for two bedrooms and POA (price on application) for three bedrooms
Developer/architect: Aqualand/PTW
Apartment sizes: One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments
Features: Access to ferry, train and bus transport, cafes, restaurants and the business districts of North Sydney and Central Sydney
Website: aqualand.com.au
2. Luxe Rose Bay, 637-639 Old South Head Road, Rose Bay
A collection of nine designer apartments in the fashionably chic eastern suburb of Rose Bay, Luxe is a premium residential project that comes with access to iconic eateries, specialty retailers and world-class attractions.
The MHN Design Union-designed building, a combination of garden apartments, townhouse-style apartments and city-view homes, is sophisticated and simple in its styling.
Black window frames and timber contrast against neutral tones and greens of lush landscaping.
Low maintenance and designed for the lock-and-leave lifestyle, each apartment has floor-to-ceiling windows and full-height glass sliders that access private balconies from which to enjoy the panoramic harbor city views. The floorplans include a secluded al fresco zone for extra space, and bedrooms are privately tucked away to the rear.
Within walking distance of Rose Bay’s village, Luxe residents will be close to iconic restaurants and cafes, such as Catalina Restaurant, Bernasconi’s or La Bretagne. Westfield Bondi Junction shopping center is a five minute-drive away.
Also nearby is the Rose Bay Wharf ferry, Royal Sydney Golf Club, Woollahra Golf Club and Bondi Beach.
Number of units: 9
Price range: From A$1.215 million (US$963,000) for a one-bedroom townhouse, from A$1.46 million (US$1.157 million) for a two-bedroom, penthouse (sold) for A$3million (US$2.4 million).
Developer/architect: WinterGarden/MHN Design Union
Apartment sizes: One-bedroom townhouse, two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom penthouse
Features: The interiors, designed by Lawless & Meyerson, are neutral with golden hues. Standard features include marble kitchens, brushed-nickel fittings, European oak herringbone flooring and circular Carrara mosaic tiling in the bathrooms.
Website: luxerosebay.com.au
3. Wharfside Residences, 2 West Promenade, Manly
A decade in the planning, the former Manly Civic Club is receiving a new luxurious lease on life, with five levels of high-end apartments built above it when it is completed in late 2018.
The design of the luxe Wharfside Residences, a collection of 38 apartments, has been inspired by the heritage-listed Auckland Garage, a Spanish Mission-style former service station, which will be redeveloped into an upmarket beer garden.
Mijollo International has designed a carefully proportioned and scaled podium and upper elements in relation to the heritage Auckland Garage and neighboring developments, streets and open spaces.
Reversing the terracotta from the roof to the podium reflects the Spanish Mission-style of the Garage, which forms the centerpiece of the redevelopment.
Opposite Gilbert Park and 200 meters from the ferry wharf, it’s the kind of 17-minute stress-free commute every professional dreams of, not to mention the accessibility of Manly’s shops, restaurants, cafes and beaches.
The Manly Civic Club, which operated from the site for 60 years, will reopen at ground level with contemporary facilities, including a restaurant and bar, lounge areas and other entertainment facilities for members and their guests.
Residents will have access to basement parking, a premium in the suburb. Inside, the design will be contemporary with a light and airy feel to complement the beachside surrounds. Premium finishes such as calacatta marble benchtops, oak-timber-engineered floorboards, Miele appliances and clever layouts to maximize the harbor, park and district views.
Number of units: 38
Price range: From A$915,000 to A$1 million (US$725,000 to US$792,000) for one-bedroom apartments; A$1.485 million to A$2.915 million (US$1.18 million to US$2.31 million) for two-bedrooms, and three-bedrooms from A$2.45 million to A$3.75 million (US$1.94 million to US$2.97 million)
Developer/architect: Newquest Property/Mijollo International
Apartment sizes: One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments
Features: Location to parks and Manly Wharf are main features, closely followed by the Lexis Design interiors that will feature marble island benchtops, oak floors and Miele appliances.
Website: wharfsidemanly.com.au
4. Esplanade, 11 Solent Circuit, Baulkham Hills
As the first resort-style development in Sydney’s Norwest, 40 kilometers northwest of the central business district, Esplanade has already proven hugely popular with the local market as they downsize from nearby prestige family homes and rural properties.
Held back from the market until last month are the penthouse apartments; six premium top floor apartments with house-like proportions, premium finishes and unrivalled district views.
The penthouses will have natural timber floors, gourmet kitchens with Miele appliances and a butler’s pantry with wine fridge, custom joinery, full-height porcelain tiles in the bathrooms and automatic blinds in living areas.
The floor plan separates the master bedroom from the guest rooms, not unlike wings in a family home. Floor-to-ceiling glass brings in natural light and maximizes views across Norwest Lake to the city skyline or back to the Blue Mountains.
Esplanade consists of two mixed-use 18-story towers and includes private resident facilities, including a pool, gym, open-air cinema and landscaped gardens. The towers will sit above 65,000 square feet of extensive waterfront retail space and three levels of boutique commercial suites.
Number of units: 247 apartments, including six penthouses
Price range: A$810,000 to $1,040,000 (US$642,000 to US$824,000) for two-bedroom apartments, A$1,165,000 to A$1,320,000 (US$923,000 to US$1,046,000) for three-bedroom apartments, A$2,000,000 and A$2,950,000 (US$1,585,000 to US$2,337,000) for penthouses
Developer/architect: Capital Bluestone/ Turner
Apartment sizes: Two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses
Features: Residents will have access to an outdoor pool and spa, an outdoor cinema, landscaped areas for socializing and relaxing, cabanas, barbecue areas and a gymnasium.
Website: esplanadenorwest.com.au
5. Castle Residences, 203 Castlereagh St., Sydney Central Business District
Sitting next to the iconic heritage-listed Porter House building on the fringe of Sydney’s central business district, the Castle Residences, designed by Candalepas & Associates, combine five-star resort amenities with the most enviable of locations.
A new take on the apart-hotel, Castle Residences will be on levels 10 to 34, above a brand new 121-room luxury MGallery Hotel by Sofitel that will take floors 1 to 9 below.
The three-level penthouse, covering floors 33 to 35 and spanning 300 square meters, will have one indoor and three outdoor gardens and an L-shaped swimming pool that wraps around the building; it sold off-the-plan for A$18 million (US$14.3 million) prior to its launch in August.
StudioAria, which specializes in high-end hotel interiors, will oversee the finishes of both the hotel rooms and apartments. The firm has selected a color palette of warm, grey timber floors; white-veined porcelain tiles and graphite-metal detailing and tapware. The apartments have Gaggenau and Miele appliances, while the public spaces combine natural stone, bronze and timber accents.
The calming and cocoon-like interiors are refined and sophisticated, designed to provide a sanctuary-style abode, away from the city lifestyle.
Located between Town Hall and Hyde Park, The Castle Residences provide owners with the same deluxe amenities as that of hotel guests. Residents with an empty fridge and no dinner plans can dial room service. The 1870s Italiante Porter House will be restored to accommodate the hotel reception, bars, cafes, restaurants and other public spaces, including a small lobby bar that will serve coffees and cocktails.
A pool and gym will take advantage of city views and be accessible to all residents and their guests.
Number of units: 131
Price range: From A$1.15 million (US$908,000) for studios, from A$1.58 million (US$1.25 million) for one-bedroom, from A$1.975 million (US$1.56 million) for two-bedrooms, from A$4.3 million (US$3.4 million) for three-bedrooms.
Developer/architect: Shanghai United/Candalepas Associate
Apartment sizes: Studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments
Features: Residents will have access to the five-star hotel amenities of the luxury 121-room MGallery Hotel by Sofitel below. They can have the concierge manage their restaurant and nightlife bookings or access the in-residence catering, housekeeping and valet parking services. The pool and gym have views of the city skyline, while the lobby will have a French bakery and café.
Website: castleresidences.com.au