This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
TOP Spring Australia is launching its $500 million multi-stage residential community, The Newlands, which will be the first project in the Lane Cove Council’s recently rezoned St Leonards South Precinct to receive development approval.
Encompassing a 1.26-hectare parcel of land at 21-41 Canberra Avenue and 18-32 Holdsworth Avenue on the Lower North Shore, the Bates Smart-designed project will have up to 330 apartments across five eight- to 12-storey buildings with associated basement parking. Landscape design is by Arcadia Landscape Architecture.
The first building in the multi-stage development to be released is Verdant, located in the south-eastern corner of the site adjacent to Newlands Park. Verdant will comprise 99 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments across 10 levels and standalone three-bedroom garden terraces, as well as communal lawns, garden rooms and a pedestrian link providing direct access to Newlands Park.
Apartments range in size from 53 sqm to 180 sqm garden terraces, including outdoor areas, with pricing from $795,000 to $3,250,000.
A large shortage of supply in build-to-sell apartments is set to hit Sydney over the next few years, according to Charter Keck Cramer, and first home buyer support schemes and affordability issues are pushing unit buyers and renters further out.
Top Spring Australia’s managing director, Sydney Ma said the project vision was to develop a range of bespoke apartments that would appeal to a broad range of buyers at various life stages, setting a new benchmark for residential living on the Lower North Shore by bringing a leafier and more suburban lifestyle to St Leonards. The St Leonards South precinct forms a key part of the broader St Leonards Crows Nest 2036 revitalisation plan.
Bates Smart director, Matthew Allen, said “connection to nature is a fundamental driver” of The Newlands design, inspired by the Parkland Forest, gum trees and the historic sandstone outcrops of the local area.
“We have taken inspiration from the Newlands Park frontage and connection to the creek-side corridor walk, that leads from the St Leonards Centre down to the Sydney Harbour. It’s leafy in all directions, with bushland character in the rocky landforms, sandstone and tall trees, giving apartments the feeling of living in a treehouse,” he said.
Buildings have been positioned so they step down the hillside, connecting to the surroundings, and apartments will have a corner aspect and balconies taking in views across the treetops, with upper levels benefiting from harbour views.
Interiors for Verdant had been designed “to contrast the natural and the polished”, with the lobby fitting discreetly between two townhouses to give “the impression of walking into a dramatic sandstone cave cut into the hillside”.
“Sandstone and tile will define the lobby areas, creating a serene underground space. The kitchens and bathrooms will have strong timber and stone accents, with light and dark variations. In the larger residences, a window from the bath will look out to nature,” he said.
A 5,700 sqm green spine, exclusive to residents, will connect through the centre of The Newlands buildings and offer a pool and sun lounge, gymnasium, yoga and stretching areas, a nature boardwalk, pocket park, barbecue facilities, children’s nature play area and rooftop zones with private dining facilities and spaces to work from home.
Construction on stage one of The Newlands is anticipated to commence in early 2023, with completion expected for mid-2025. Both stages are slated for completion in 2025.
