5 Luxury Coastal Developments To Know
Up and down the east coast, these new projects offer the ultimate in lifestyle and comfort.
9 min
A new wave of premium residential properties along Australia’s east coast are set to hit the market this season, catering to wealthy and discerning investors as well as owner-occupiers seeking the ultimate in lifestyle and comfort.
We’ve highlighted five of the best projects coming to market in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and on the Sunshine and Gold Coast in South East Queensland.
Whether they occupy a coastal, bayside or urban location, each project has exceptional city and water views as standard and are located close to recreational amenities, dining, shopping and transport facilities.
Architecturally striking, they represent the best of Australian contemporary architecture, thoughtfully designed and responsive to a specific setting, climate and topography.
Lavishly appointed with increasingly bespoke finishes and fixtures, the inclusion of exclusive amenities are akin to those offered in world-class private clubs and among the best creature comforts money can buy.
All projects featured are new to the market or were recently released and all have stock currently available for purchase.
Nature by Cube, 49 The Esplanade, Cotton Tree, Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Rendering: Cube Developments
Melbourne and Sydney seachangers have been descending on the Sunshine Coast in droves in the past 12 months. Attracted to the sub-tropical lifestyle of the region, 90 kilometres north of Queensland’s capital city Brisbane, developers such as Cube Developments are meeting the increase in demand for more luxurious residential property.
Nature by Cube is an eight-story Cottee Parker-designed project that will offer 13 state-of-the-art residences, all with water views and premium finishes.
Across 12 three-bedroom apartments and one four-bedroom penthouse, each residence has generous open-plan living, dining and kitchen spaces, a butler’s pantry, timber chevron flooring, limestone benchtops and top-of-the-range Gaggenau appliances.
Each bedroom has an en-suite bathroom while the primary bedrooms will have water and garden views while retaining privacy. The art-like sculptural facade will feature organic curves, glass-reinforced concrete, greenery inserts and draping landscaping as inspired by the shapes and tones of the coastal environment.
House-like in size and scale, apartments range from 250 square meters to 510 square meters for the penthouse, with little wasted space and premium fixtures and finishes throughout.
Nature by Cube apartments are available for sale, via an expression of interest campaign. Construction is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2021.
Number of Units: 13
Price Range: $2.638 million–$7 million
Developer/Architect: Cube Developments/Cottee Parker
Apartment Sizes: Three-bedroom apartments and a four-bedroom penthouse
Amenities: Resort-style amenities include a 25-meter lap pool, gym, steam room and spa, private dining room and wine room. Fine-dining restaurants, wine bars, chilled cafes and the beach are all within walking distance; while there’s hundreds of shops, entertainment options and transport links easily accessible within the new Maroochydore central business district. There are EV charging stations installed in all parking bays.
The Ambrose, 19-23 McDougall St., Milton, Brisbane, Queensland
Rendering: Kokoda Property
Located in a tightly held suburban area of Brisbane’s inner west, construction has begun on The Ambrose, a $150 million landmark residential tower. The 19-story tower, overlooking the Brisbane River, is 1.5 kilometres from the central business district, with arterial roads and cycle and ferry networks on its doorstep.
Queensland architectural practice Cottee Parker has designed a building that is sensitive to the surrounding landscape and responds to Brisbane’s sub-tropical climate. Maximizing views to the east while maintaining privacy, The Ambrose features 181 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and four-bedroom penthouses.
The sculptural facade’s organic fins and ascending greenery is inspired by the Brisbane River and city views, reflecting the city’s climate and outdoor lifestyle.
“The Ambrose is a reflection of the way we know people in Brisbane live, work and play, and conveys a strong architectural language rich in both form and function,” Cottee Parker director Sandra Browne said.
The apartments, which range in size from 62 square metres to 185 square meters for the penthouses, feature oak flooring, natural stone bench tops, marble bathrooms and Miele appliances.
The Ambrose is 300 meters from Milton Rail Station, a two-minutes walk to the Milton Ferry, while being only two kilometres from Brisbane’s arts and cultural precinct, including the Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane Library and Brisbane Convention Center.
Construction has begun and is scheduled for completion in 2022 with 50% of the apartments still available for purchase.
Number of Units: 181
Price Range: From $590,000 to $2.095 million
Developers/Architect: Kokoda Property/Cottee Parker
Apartment Sizes: One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses
Amenities: Residents will have exclusive access to substantial communal amenities including landscaped rooftop gardens, an 11-meter swimming pool, spa, sun lounges and barbecue area. Other amenities include a cinema room, lobby lounge, viewing deck, lawn covered terrace and gym.
Awaken, 275 Boundary St., Coolangatta, Queensland
Rendering: S&S Project Developments
Occupying an elevated headland above the Gold Coast’s iconic Duranbah and Snapper Rocks, Awaken has been designed to emulate this exclusive location while capturing 360 degrees of panoramic coastal views.
Awaken will occupy a site just inside the Queensland and New South Wales borders, overlooking two surf beaches, rock pools, a scenic lookout and walking paths. Unsurprisingly, the architectural brief for the ultra-premium project had to meet, and if possible, exceed the site’s extraordinary location. The result is a collection of only nine apartments—average price A$4.2 million each—that will likely appeal to affluent second-home owners and permanent residents.
“Awaken will be a game changer for the Gold Coast and South East Queensland,” KM Sales & Marketing director Jayde Pezet said.
World-renowned urban artist Lindy Lee has been engaged to create an 11-story art piece on the north-facing side of the building that will come to represent the iconoclastic status of the structure.
Buyers will have the opportunity to individually design their apartments to ensure each of the nine residences are wholly unique and bespoke.
Lavish and opulent fixtures and fittings will be offered to buyers who will have the choice of incorporating natural stones, steel and glass, custom cabinetry and leather accents alongside a full suite of home automation and security features.
Each apartment will have a private and extensive wraparound balcony, offering views south to Byron Bay and north to Stradbroke Island, while capturing afternoon seabreezes in every room.
Residents will be spoiled for choice with multiple white sand beaches in walking distance as well as the outdoor and leisure activities of the Tweed River.
Registrations of interest are being taken, with the project scheduled to launch to the market in early April.
Number of Units: 9
Price Range: Starting at $3.95 million
Developers/Architect: S&S Project Developments/Cottee Parker
Apartment Sizes: Three- and four-bedroom full floor apartments and one double-story penthouse
Amenities: Residents will have access to a swimming pool, luxurious steam room, outdoor landscaped barbecue area, additional secure storage and beach shower facilities. Level one will contain a destination fine dining restaurant and a café will occupy the ground level offering health food and coffee.
Website: awakenrainbowbay.com.au
The Landmark, 500 Pacific Highway, St Leonards, Sydney, New South Wales
Rendering: A+ Design Group
A vertical village of more than 400 apartments, The Landmark’s visionary architecture, enviable central location and vast amenities make it one of the most anticipated projects in the market.
Uninterrupted vistas of Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge and city skyline are part of the 52-story building’s appeal, with every floor and balcony unique in shape, size and outlook.
Still to be released are six of the seven penthouses that will occupy floors 30 and above, promising some of Sydney’s most dramatic views.
Inside will be multiple living areas, floor-to-ceiling windows, three or four bedrooms, a home office, cinema room, internal lift and private garage. Master craftsmanship is on display in the custom Italian-designed kitchens which feature grey Pietra marble countertops, custom cabinetry and Gaggenau and Sub-Zero appliances.
A Sky Lounge will be an exclusive space for residents in three-bedroom apartments and penthouses situated on Level 30 and above, offering stunning, panoramic views and an additional space to entertain friends and guests.All residents can make use of an acoustically engineered music rehearsal room, an indoor playground for children and a library for reading and studying.
The Landmark’s final release of penthouses and three-bedroom skyhomes is expected this year. The building is under construction and will be completed in October 2021.
Number of Units: 429
Price Range: Studio apartments from $600,000-$750,000. One-bedrooms from $720-000- $980,000. Two-bedrooms from $1.25 million-$1.88 million. Three-bedrooms from $2.2 million-$4 million. Penthouses from $11 million-$18 million.
Developer/Architects: New Hope/A+ Design Group in association with Warren & Mahoney
Amenities: Residents will be granted exclusive access to Club 500, which includes the services of a full-time concierge, an indoor lap pool, a spa, a sauna, a private gym, a yoga room and a cinema. A virtual golf room combines luxurious lounges and modern technology, while a communal lounge with bar, dining room and fireplace is available for private events.
Pavilion Green Sky Homes, 216 Bay Rd., Sandringham, Melbourne, Victoria
Rendering: Auyin
The double-story sky homes atop the recently completed Pavilion Green are a sight to be seen due to size, outlook and quality of finishes.
It’s a new benchmark for this popular seaside suburb less than 20 kilometers from Melbourne’s central business district, where residents relish the active outdoor lifestyle of swimming, sailing, cycling and walking trails.
Pavilion Green’s contemporary design is a direct reflection of its premium coastal location. Waves of curved linear bands flow across the façade thanks to generous cantilevered balconies that are private and protected from the elements. The Sky Homes are Pavilion Green’s piece de resistance; huge homes that range from 235 square meters to 470 square meters, including outdoor terraces.
Each two-story residence comes with its own private elevator and central feature staircase and a complete home-integration system that includes Sonos speakers, electronic blinds and a smart TV in the main living area. Panoramic views of the city skyline and Port Phillip Bay, high ceilings, gas fireplaces and luxe kitchens featuring a Signorino marble island countertops, Miele appliances, double ovens and a butler’s pantry come as standard.
Sandringham is one of Melbourne’s most sought-after seaside villages, with easy access to upscale shopping in Brighton and Westfield Southland, residents have dining, retail, recreational facilities and transport at their doorstop.
Construction of Pavilion Green has been completed with the four sky homes to officially be released to the market in March.
Number of Units: 4
Price Range: $2.2 million to $2.99 million
Developer/Architect: Auyin/CBG
Apartment Sizes: Three-bedroom sky homes
Amenities: At ground level are boutique retail spaces, a private lobby and exclusive residents’ retreat. A large entertainment terrace flows out to the landscaped gardens of Pavilion Green, while central elevators and stairs provide accessibility to allocated basement parking, private lockable storage and bicycle bays.
Website: skyhomessandringham.com.au
Reprinted by permission of Mansion Global. Copyright 2021 Dow Jones & Company. Inc. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Original date of publication: March 18
Copyright 2020, Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. LEARN MORE
Consumers are going to gravitate toward applications powered by the buzzy new technology, analyst Michael Wolf predicts
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
6 min
There’s nothing more appealing than being able to cool off in your own pool on a hot summer’s day. For many Australians, the idea of a backyard pool is enticing but with so many styles to choose from, the decision is not always straightforward. Considering your budget, the needs of your household, along with the size of your outdoor space is key to achieving the best outcome for delicious days poolside. We take a deep dive into the best in pools to get you into the swim.
CLASSIC RECTANGLE
Nothing beats this classic pool design. With the ability to cross styles of architecture from Hamptons to mid century modern and minimalist design, the rectangular pool is a ‘one size fits all’ style that adapts to most needs, from swimming laps to splashing about with the kids. Go as big as you can manage on acreage or shoehorn it onto a suburban block for a clean, classic look that’s hard to top.
INFINITY POOL
A popular choice where there are views of the water or bushland to enjoy, an infinity pool gives the illusion of having no edge. Also known as rimless, overflow or zero edge pools, the water flows over the edge of the pool into a catchment basin that sits below the waterline, out of sight. A great choice for elevated positions where the pool can create a visual bridge between the house and the view, an infinity pool is particularly expensive to install and run thanks to the continuous need to pump water from the catch basin.
LAGOON OR FREE FORM
Designed to mimic the natural environment, lagoon or freeform pools have fallen out of favour since their heyday in the 1980s. Despite the name, they are often available in standard sizes in fibreglass or concrete and are characterised by their curved, asymmetrical shapes. Slides and waterfalls are popular accessories to this style of pool while landscaping is typically tropical, in keeping with the oasis-like environment.
LAP POOLS
While the name might suggest that this style of pool is aimed at hard core swimmers, lap pools are a great choice where the obvious location for the pool is long and narrow. If doing laps or water therapy is the main purpose for installing the pool, consider installing swim jets which create non-stop resistance to swim against. A lap pool should be at least eight to 10 metres long to be useful.
PLUNGE POOLS
Nothing beats being able to cool off in your own backyard over summer and what plunge pools lack in space, they can make up for in amenity. While swimming is probably out of the question, plunge pools are generally easier and cheaper to maintain than their larger counterparts, making them an attractive option for heating and cooling. They also have the obvious advantage of being able to fit into most backyards.
SPOOLS (SPA POOLS)
Another great option where space is an issue, spa pools, also known as spools, offer the best of both worlds, with a spa area integrated into all or part of the pool. Known in some places as a cocktail pool, they can be a great solution for those who like to entertain or simply passively enjoy the water. Costs are generally a little less than a conventional pool and more than a dedicated spa.
PERIMETER OVERFLOW POOLS
For those who love the integrated look, perimeter overflow pools are a stylish choice. Designed in line with the edge of the deck, the water gives the impression of overflowing at all edges for a sleek, minimalist look. Water is captured and recycled in channels around the perimeter. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, this style of pool can be pricey to install and run. For level sites though, it’s the ultimate in swimming luxury.
NATURAL POOLS
While conventional pools are kept clean through the use of chemicals such as chlorine, natural pools rely on moving water (via a pump) and biological filters such as plants to maintain good water quality. It’s a style gaining ground in Australia, where water quality is naturally quite high, making the move to natural pools easier, and more homeowners become interested in chemical-free options.
ABOVE GROUND POOLS
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/thespruce-abovegroundpoollandscaping-JeerayutRianwed-ab4fb5d8893145b1933217861c38ac41.jpg)
The great advantage of this style of pool is that excavation is often minimal, which means less disruption – and less cost. Strictly speaking, there’s any number of materials available for construction, including fibreglass and concrete, but the above ground pool is probably most often associated with the old-school modular pool with liner from the likes of Clark Rubber.
GLASS WALLED POOLS
If you’re looking to add a little drama to your home, a glass walled pool could fit the bill. Essentially an underwater ‘window’ in recent years, architects have specified glass walled pools to be viewed from inside the house, with the benefit of drawing natural light through the water into internal spaces. An engineer will specify the exact thickness required to take the weight of the water but expect it to be at least 12mm thick.
What is the best type of swimming pool to build?
The type of pool you choose will depend on your budget and the size and style of your yard. Fibreglass pools come in a range of shapes and sizes and are faster and easier to install than concrete, mainly because they are made on the factory floor and delivered to site. Concrete pools take longer to build but they are customisable and can be finished in high end materials. Often, the decision can get down to how long you intend to stay in your property in terms of how much you want to invest.
What is the most expensive part of a pool?
If you’re talking about construction, excavation is often the big cost that takes owners by surprise. Make sure you understand excavation and tipping costs before signing a contract. Filtration, decking, tiling, fencing and landscaping can all add significant cost to the construction and installation of a pool. In terms of running costs, solar energy can be a good way to offset expenses.
What is a good size for a home swimming pool?
Again, this will depend on the size of your outdoor space, your lifestyle and the people who will use your pool. A family of four will have different needs to a couple who prefer to enjoy a dip at the end of a hot day. Choose a size that allows everyone to move around freely while keeping in mind that the larger the pool, the greater the time and money required to maintain it. Pool sizes in Australia have shrunk in recent years but popular sizes for family pools range from 7m by 3m up to 9m by 4m. Speak to your pool builder about the best – and safest – depth for your needs.
Consumers are going to gravitate toward applications powered by the buzzy new technology, analyst Michael Wolf predicts
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
