7-Story Waterfall Among Features in Australia's New Developments

Buying into an exclusive location in one of Australia’s most desirable cities is becoming increasingly difficult to pull off, let alone afford, for those seeking even the most premium of properties.

But whether your heart desires the beachfront, parkside or the buzz of the city, there’s a handful of exclusively located apartment towers being launched during the Southern Hemisphere’s autumn/winter that will provide buyers with the access to their long coveted dream location.

Such locations—in Sydney, Melbourne and on the Gold Coast—demand equally impressive designs, luxurious interiors and world class resident-only amenities.

The developers of these premium projects have recognized the opportunity to deliver these offerings, engaging some of Australia’s most highly acclaimed architects for standout and timeless designs. Teams of award-winning interiors designers and acclaimed landscape gardeners have also collaborated.

Here we preview some of Australia’s newest apartment complexes, in the country’s best locations, that are newly launched or soon to be released.

Over the last 20 years Sydney Park has been transformed into a green urban oasis.

The development of an underutilized, 2.1-hectare former warehousing site within Sydney Park is the first of its kind and will provide unprecedented access to Sydney’s third-largest inner city recreational area.

Architects MHN Design Union and Silvester Fuller have designed 436 apartments across eight six-story buildings that will be the only homes ever be built in the area.

Wide streetscapes, plenty of residential amenities and a boutique retail precinct will enliven the disused pocket of Sydney, only 6 kilometers west of the central business district.

Designed to reflect the ecology of the park, purchasers of the homes—larger-than-usual one, two- and three-bedroom apartments, two-story terrace houses with courtyards and penthouses—will have the choice of three color schemes.

Reflecting the natural surroundings, there will be light, natural and charcoal variations, mixed with natural finishes and custom-built joinery.

A carefully curated shopping precinct will feature restaurants, cafes and boutique, and specialty providers such as organic wholefood retailers and high-end fresh food producers.

The focus on health and well-being continues with resident-only amenities, which will include a pool, spa, sauna and fitness space. A choice of three community spaces for socializing, including a work hub and a private dining suite, will be built, in addition to a rooftop and Zen gardens.

It’s a project developers expect will appeal to existing residents of Sydney’s inner west, owner occupiers and downsizers as well as pet owners, who love everything about the well-located, health-conscious, green area.

Deposits are currently being taken and a display apartment will be constructed in July.

Number of units: 436 in total, released in stages
Price range: From A$830,000 (US$650,969) for one-bedroom apartments, A$1.1 million (US$860,000) to A$1.45 million (US$1.14 million) for two-bedrooms, A$1.85 million (US$1.45 million) to A$2.18 million (US$1.71 million) for three-bedrooms
Developer/Architect: HPG/Silvester Fuller and MHN Design Union
Apartment sizes: One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments as well as three-bedroom terraces.
Amenities: A boutique retail precinct will be filled with specialty and organic wholefood retailers, high-end fresh food producers as well as restaurants and cafes. Amenities will focus on well-being, and include a pool, spa, sauna and fitness space. Residents will have the choice of three community spaces, a work hub and private dining suite as well as rooftop and Zen gardens. Two Tesla cars will be available for hire, and an onsite concierge will address day-to-day requirements.
Website: onesydneypark.com.au

Located on a quiet residential street, Signature is one block from the heart of Broadbeach. Popular Kurrawa Beach is a 150-meter walk away, as are the upgraded Pacific Fair Shopping Centre and Star Casino.

Surrounded by fine dining restaurants, cafes, boutique shopping and entertainment, it’s a cosmopolitan lifestyle in one of Australia’s best beach settings.

Signature is Little Projects’ first foray into the Gold Coast, and the Melbourne-based developers bring with them a passion for sophisticated and high-end finishes, as well as a focus on high-quality residential amenities.

Designed by architectural practice Rothelowman and SJB Interiors, the tower has a striking glass facade and apartments that have open and flowing floor plans. Floor-to-ceiling windows maximize the ocean views and natural light, with buyers able to choose from two subtle neutral colour palettes to personalize their home.

The Deck at Signature is an entire podium level dedicated to residents-only amenities, including the Gold Coast’s first 50-meter infinity edge pool. There will also be a family-friendly podium lawn area, barbecue and teppanyaki cooking areas, lounge and private dining room for entertaining, theater, gym, steam room, sauna and spa.

Newly launched to the market, construction is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2018.

Number of units: 263 apartments
Price range: One-bedrooms from A$475,000 (US$372,542), two-bedrooms from A$620,000 (US$486,266), three-bedrooms from A$1.48million (US$1.16 million)
Developer/architect/interior designer/landscapes: Little Projects/Rothelowman/SJB Interiors/RPS
Apartment sizes: One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments
Amenities: Every apartment at Signature has been designed with an ocean view. Residents will have access to resort-style amenities, including a 50-meter infinity swimming pool, indoor and outdoor dining spaces and a gym.
Website: signaturebroadbeach.com.au

Waterloo is fast becoming one of Sydney’s most desirable suburbs for its lively local food scene and alternative art galleries and retailers. Dubbed a “10-minute suburb,” it’s a transportation hub, easily accessible by foot, bike, car or public transport.

The latest project within the new town center of Green Square, 4 kilometers from Sydney’s central business district, Waterfall by Crown Group has been designed as an urban oasis, an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Designed by Sydney-based architects SJB, Waterfall will include 331 apartments across three seven-story buildings and an iconic 20-story sculptural tower that overlooks lush, tropical landscaping and a unique water garden.

The project’s namesake is a seven-story waterfall that will be Australia’s tallest man-made waterfall and will be a major drawcard for residents and visitors alike, alongside several major public art works that have been commissioned and will be integrated into the design.

Alongside a collection of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments will be larger courtyard apartments and double-story penthouses. Apartment interiors will have contemporary luxury finishes, utilizing a neutral palette of materials including stone and timber.

Amenities will include an Infinity rooftop pool with a sky garden and terrace, a recreational deck, a secluded bamboo-covered walkway, state-of-the-art cantilevered gym, a rooftop garden, a rooftop cinema, function room with a catering kitchen and music room with grand piano.

Waterfall by Crown Group apartments have been released in stages and is scheduled for completion in 2019.

Number of units: 331
Price range: From A$702,000 (US$550,578) to A$1,522,000 (US$1,193,704)
Developer/architect: Crown Group/SJB
Apartment sizes: Studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments; courtyard apartments and double-story penthouses
Amenities: Lush, tropical landscaping, water gardens, plus Australia’s largest man-made waterfall. Residents will have access to a recreational deck, Infinity rooftop pool and a secluded bamboo-covered walkway as well as a state-of-the-art cantilevered gym, rooftop cinema, function room with a catering kitchen, music room, and onsite retail.
Website: crowngroup.com.au

The first stage of Brunswick East’s highly anticipated urban renewal project 17 Union Street is a collaboration between developer Neometro and BKK Architects and Clare Cousins Architects from Melbourne.

Part of the revitalized Jewell Station precinct, a monumental rejuvenation of the former light-industrial area 5 kilometers from Melbourne’s central business district, it’s a project that will provide a blueprint for future high-density living in the area.

Surrounded by new bike paths, community gardens and public art displays, the developer, architect and interior designer set themselves a goal to deliver a project that allows individuals to “live, prosper and enjoy their apartment.”

The surrounding urban streetscape influenced the urban exterior, which is an expressed concrete structure punctuated by steel, finely detailed masonry and timber infill for a tactile finish.

Green initiatives are everywhere, from the open-air corridors that will provide natural ventilation to the rooftop gardens designed to contribute to the local ecosystem. Canvas shade awnings are designed to promote passive cooling of the generous balconies.

Smart planning has created functional and energy-efficient interiors filled with modern fittings and finishes, lots of natural light, clever storage, study nooks, feature wall panels, open shelving, thermal and acoustic insulation, concealed air-conditioning, track lighting, polished timber floors, and stainless steel benchtops. Two alternate color schemes will be available.

Residents will have some of Melbourne’s best and liveliest cafés, bars, restaurants as well as art and live music options at their doorstep.

The project launched in mid-February and construction is expected to start in late 2018 for an estimated 2020 completion.

Number of units: 43
Price range: From A$435,000 (US$341,170) for a one-bedroom, from A$570,000 (US$447,051) for two- bedrooms and from A$1.09 million (US$850,000) for three-bedrooms
Developer/architect: Neometro/BKK Architects and Clare Cousins Architects
Apartment sizes: One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments
Amenities: Stage one of the project provides connection to public transport as well as parklands, cafes, bars and galleries. The building has several green and sustainable initiatives including rooftop solar panels, recycled water stations and residents’ bicycle service stations.
Website: neometro.com.au

Hawksburn is a hidden Melbourne gem, tucked between Toorak and South Yarra, 5 kilometers from the city. Its streets are tree-lined and the houses are grand.

Given the caliber of the surrounding suburb, and its multi-million dollar properties, developer Gurner’s Hawksburn Place Residences will be a collection of penthouse-sized residences crafted to provide a fuss-free lifestyle without compromise.

Only 700 meters from the Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club and close to artisanal Italian cafe Officine Zero and gourmet grocers such as Toscano’s, Peter Bouchier and Stocked Food Store, the prestige project reflects its refined surroundings.

Designed by Cox Architecture and David Hicks Design in response to the streetscape, the boutique building will be a showcase of craftsmanship, highlighted by a facade of soft curves and shimmering glass.

Arrival into the opulent lobby/lounge will feel more like checking into a five-star boutique hotel with a concierge and the option of a personal storage locker for deliveries.

The emphasis of the residences, which range from 120 square meters to 385 square meters internally, is on space. There are palatial living spaces, kitchens that are designed for entertaining, sculleries, master bedroom retreats, wine cellars and private swimming pools.

The David Hicks-designed interiors will have a distinctly European vibe with alternate color schemes, a choice of timber or stone flooring, Gaggenau appliances and Italian Elba stone applied to kitchen benchtops, splashbacks, bathroom walls and floors.

Gardens designed by landscape architect Paul Bangay will include lush foliage and private courtyards, inspired by the surrounding leafy streets of Hawksburn Village.

Hawksburn Place Residences was launched to the public on March 3.

Number of units: 22 apartments
Price range: A$1.575 million (US$1.24 million) to A$9 million (US$6.99 million)
Developer/architect: Gurner/Cox Architecture
Apartment sizes: Three-bedroom and four-bedroom apartments
Amenities: Dog and car wash facilities, electric car charging facilities, a full time concierge, and a boutique hotel-like lobby featuring artwork. Also at ground level will be VIP lockers, including under bench fridges and wine racks for the receipt of parcel and grocery deliveries.
Website: hawksburnplaceresidences.com.au