After the rush for space and low-density living during Covid’s peak, these new launches are tailored for buyers ready to return to luxe condos.
Any negativity around living in high-density dwellings in Australia during the height of the pandemic has been replaced by the desire for cutting-edge design, exceptional views and glamorous interiors.
These aren’t cookie-cutter condos, instead they feature five-star concierge services, private plunge pools and unique floor plans often larger than a typical Australian house.
With low supply of prestige property in almost every corner of the country, and a continued flow of foreign and returning expat investment into Australia, the upper end is weathering the storm better than the wider market.
Tim Lawless, head of research at property data firm CoreLogic Australia, said although housing values are dropping across the board, the priciest homes are holding their own.
“The most noticeable easing in value falls can be seen across the premium end of the housing market,” he said.
These brand new apartments are in a category of their own, meeting the modern needs of both local and international buyers in Australia’s most coveted locations.
Vue by Sammut Group will make an impact on the Cronulla landscape when completed in mid-2025. The beachside suburb south of Sydney has long been associated with coastal condo living, but this A$350 million (US$243 million) development will offer 112 apartments across two seven-story buildings, as well as a rejuvenated retail precinct.
The 1.29-acre, mixed-use development will sit above Cronulla Mall and inject a contemporary lifestyle hub into the northern end of the shopping strip. It is also within walking distance of Cronulla Beach plus numerous popular bars and eateries.
Designers PBD Architects were inspired by natural materials and the fluidity of the ocean to create a sculptural facade with striking curves and walls of glass. Interiors have been created by Sydney-based Mim Design. Highland Property are selling units off plan, including 26 one-bedroom, 30 two-bedroom and 56 three-bedroom apartments, plus a number of penthouse floor plans available.
At street level, there will be 9,500 square feet of commercial space, as well as speciality shops, restaurants, cafes and major supermarket brand Harris Farm Markets.
Sales launched in March.
Number of Units: 112
Price Range: From A$1.15 million to A$2.95 million, with penthouse apartment prices on application
Developer/Architect: Sammut Group/PBD Architects
Residence Sizes: One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, as well as penthouses.
Amenities: Resort-style features will include a north-facing pool with poolside cabanas, a full open-air gym, sauna, large communal terrace with pavilion and barbecue areas.
Website: vuecronulla.com.au
During the pandemic, Geelong was a popular landing pad for Melburnians fleeing the city in search of space and more bang for their buying buck. As a result, the region 45 miles from Melbourne’s central business district has undergone a price and population boom.
The second-largest city in the state of Victoria, Geelong is an inlet of Port Phillip Bay, so water is a common theme for developers and architects looking to tap into Australia’s love of the ocean.
Stella Maris in Rippleside is a A$125 million bayside development on the former site of the Stella Maris Convent, home to the Sisters of Mercy. The Italianate mansion at the center of Stella Maris was built in 1848 and was one of the earliest mansion houses in Geelong.
There will be 53 homes with a mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom residences, including both townhouses and apartments sold through McGrath Projects.
Already turning heads, Stella Maris set a new suburb record shortly after its early 2023 launch. A grand 3,509-square-foot, four-bedroom apartment sold for A$4.5 million, the most paid for a strata-titled property in the area.
Comprising five buildings, Stella Maris also features private and communal amenities set within ornate gardens landscaped by Acre.
The bayfront site is a 15-minute walk from Geelong’s CBD and the North Geelong train station servicing Melbourne in approximately an hour. Sales launched in January, and the project is due for completion in 2025.
Number of Units: 53
Price Range: A$595,000 to A$4.5 million
Developer/Architect: Monno/Rothelowman
Residence Sizes: Three-bedroom and four-bedroom
Amenities: The project includes a wellness center with a residents-only gym and lap pool, EV charging stations, communal car- and dog-washing bays plus an edible garden.
Website: stellamarisrippleside.com.au
Residences rather than just apartments, the boutique block of 22 homes at Society Armadale is underway by luxury-residential builder Krongold Construction. Located in one of Melbourne’s most exclusive suburbs, Society features unique individual floor plans created by CHT Architects with interiors by Sora and gardens by landscape architect Jack Merlo.
Combining high design with technology, the project blends an exterior of concrete, travertine and steel with interiors featuring rich natural materials like timber floors, stone and marble surfaces plus a focus on light with a purposeful connection to the landscape.
Natural and eco-friendly design elements include grand planters on the terraces, wide floor-to-ceiling windows, and a communal 6,604-gallon rain tank, solar panels and EV chargers. It was also influenced by modern European minimalist architecture and inspired by the world’s luxury hotels with the inclusion of a concierge service to take in deliveries and laundry, plus around-the-clock security.
Each property has private outdoor terraces—three of which have their own swimming pools. Sitting 4.4 miles southeast of Melbourne’s CBD, Armadale is a quiet suburb bordering the city’s most expensive enclave of Toorak. Sales launched in January and the project is anticipated to be complete in 2024.
Number of Units: 22
Price Range: A$1.8 million to A$16.5 million
Developer/Architect: Bensons Property Group/CHT Architects
Residence Sizes: Two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments
Amenities: There is a concierge, parcel lockers, external solar blinds, home automation, EV chargers, as well as dog wash and car wash bays.
Website: societyarmadale.com.au
Broadbeach has become the beating heart of the Gold Coast region, now Australia’s sixth most populous city. Known for its abundance of eateries and miles of golden sand, the booming suburb has turned into a developer’s hot spot over the past five years.One of the latest apartment complexes to launch in Broadbeach is Sunset Residences, a collection of 12 boutique homes with ocean views and designer interiors by Glenvill Developments and QNY Group. With 270- to 360-degree vistas, these apartments showcase both the sunrise to the east and the sunset over the Gold Coast hinterland.
The 16-level building designed by architects Contreras Earl Architecture has 10 full-floor residences, a two-story beach house apartment with a personal plunge pool, and a vast three-story penthouse with a private rooftop pool deck with a barbecue kitchen.
Interiors by Plus Architecture include sophisticated and functional spaces as well as kitchens fully fitted with luxury stone finishes, Miele appliances, ample counter space and storage. The bathrooms feature a palette of natural stone to complement the kitchens as well as freestanding baths and designer hardware.
Homeowners at Sunset Residences have access to lavish rooftop amenities including a pool, spa, lounge deck, outdoor kitchen and gym surrounded by sweeping Pacific Ocean views.
The landmark project had a soft launch and several pre-sales in late 2022 and officially launched to the market in February. Construction is expected to be completed in 2025.
Number of Units: 12
Price Range: From A$4.35 million to A$5.5 million
Developer/Architect: Glenvill Developments and QNY Group/Contreras Earl
Residence Sizes: Three- and four-bedroom apartments including a two-level beach house and three-level penthouse.
Amenities: Rooftop amenities include a pool and lounge deck, spa, gym, shower/change room, outdoor kitchen and dining space plus secure parcel lockers for deliveries.
Website: sunsetgc.com.au
The exclusive suburb of Woollahra in Sydney’s prestigious eastern suburbs is getting a contemporary apartment development called James St.
It was big news when developers Fortis finally acquired the grand 3,542-square-meter block after a reported yearlong negotiation period. The acquisition represents Woollahra’s largest-ever land consolidation with 14 individual lots purchased. Now the prolific developer has plans to build a A$170 million luxury building on the site with construction set to begin later this year.
Located at 2A James Street in the heart of the coveted suburb, Woollarha Collection will include the architectural restoration of existing heritage buildings on the site, which date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s.
One of the historic properties, a period theater will be transformed by Mim Design into a single residence with a personal court
A focus on intricately detailed interiors, a seamless blend of old and new architecture with free-flowing floor plans opening to exterior spaces, each residence will feature unique layouts and lush landscaping.
Surrounded by sought-after eateries and luxury boutiques, the James St development is just minutes from bustling Oxford Street, the picturesque Queen Street dining and shopping precinct, elite private schools as well as Sydney’s largest and most historic green space Centennial Park.
Woollarha Collection launched at the end of March and is expected to be complete by early 2025.
Number of Units: 25; with 18 apartments, and 7 designer homes
Price Range: From A$1.9 million to A$5 million with a four-bedroom penthouse’s price on application
Developer/Architect: Fortis/MHNDU Architects
Residence Sizes: One-, two-, and three-bedroom residences and a four-bedroom oversized house
Amenities: The development will have no shared lifestyle amenities other than landscaped areas
Website: fortis.com.au/projects/james-st/
