26 Aug Growing development trend aims to inspire community living
Gone are the days when apartments were just standard unit blocks.
Today, unit blocks are taking on a modern community focus with inclusions like communal spaces, retail facilities and even an open air cinema. It is all part of a growing trend that aims to inspire residents through community art and engagement programs and creative architecture.
Curtis Field, director of residential project marketing at Colliers International, said developers were placing an emphasis on creating inspiring places for residents.
“More and more developers are creating places from the resident’s point of view,” he said. “Rather than the primary focus always being ‘what can we build the most of for the least input’, there has been a move to ‘If I were going to live here, what would I want?’”
At Crimson Hill, in Sydney’s north shore suburb of Lindfield, Defence Housing Australia (DHA) have commissioned internationally-renowned artist Jason Wing, to create a mural as part of its latest release of apartments, Dunstan Grove. The artwork will focus on reflecting the historic and environmental significance of the site and celebrate its indigenous heritage.
“Crimson Hill’s vision fits wonderfully with Jason’s unique themes and influences, including the changing face of Australia’s communities and celebration of the Australian environment,” DHA’s managing director Peter Howman said.
Upon completion, Crimson Hill will have 345 residences including premium architecturally designed homes and apartments for more than 700 residents.
The new development at Woolooware Bay, in the Sutherland Shire, will bring together 600 new dwellings made up of 600 apartments, penthouses, villas and townhouses together with a town centre with retail, lifestyle, entertainment and health services. Residents will have access to new public open spaces including a landscaped public boulevard and Foreshore Park with pedestrian and bicycle links along the mangrove boardwalks, access to Bay Central and Bay Health. The development will also feature a supermarket, gym and sport medical facilities, restaurants, a rooftop sunset cinema, pools and barbecue areas throughout.
“We wanted to build an environment that emphasises the best qualities of coastal living with all the modern amenities one would expect of a development of this calibre,” Angus Henderson, from architectural firm Turner, said.
At Southbank, in Wolli Creek, developers Winten Lyon are creating local community spaces for its future residents. They are currently working with the local council to activate local ovals for greater community use and they have plans for an open air cinema and other community events. The development site will include three buildings ranging from 10 to 15 storeys and upon completion will have 317 apartments in studio, one, two and three-bedroom configurations.
Acknowledgement: Brendan Wong Real estate reporter, Daily Telegraph. From: news.com.au