LUXURY PENTHOUSES REDEFINE HIGH-END LIVING IN NORWEST
Banksia’s four-bedroom penthouses offer house-like space with single-level convenience, designed by Richard Archer for discerning downsizers.
3 min
A new benchmark for luxury living has arrived in Sydney’s Hills District, with the release of a collection of four-bedroom penthouses at Norwest Quarter, designed by acclaimed architect Richard Archer.
These residences, part of the Banksia building, promise a rare combination of spacious, house-like proportions and single-level convenience. They cater to high-net-worth buyers looking to downsize without compromise.
The Banksia penthouses are located in the Norwest Quarter in Norwest, a leafy suburb in Sydney’s Hills district, about 35 km from the city.
Mulpha, a leading property developer and investment group, developed the precinct to create a sustainable, mixed-use community. It integrates the penthouses with retail, green spaces, and lifestyle amenities within a beautiful natural setting.
“With expansive outdoor terraces, panoramic views, and open-plan interiors, these homes offer a rare sense of space in apartment living,” said Tim Spencer, Head of Development at Mulpha.
“They are designed to maximise light, airflow, and indoor-outdoor living. Each penthouse also incorporates custom finishes, high-end appliances, and adaptable spaces to suit many lifestyles.”
The penthouses boast concealed butler’s pantries, integrated smart home technology, and master retreats.
According to Richard Archer, director of Archer Design, the design challenge was to create a home that feels as open as a house but with the ease of apartment living.
“We wanted to craft a space that brings the outdoors in, with terraces that extend the living areas and maximise views of the Blue Mountains and surrounding landscape,” he said.
Australia is seeing a growing trend of luxury downsizing. Affluent buyers seek spacious, well-appointed apartments that provide high-end amenities without the maintenance of a traditional house.
Long associated with family homes, the Hills District in NSW is seeing an increasing demand for premium apartment living that doesn’t sacrifice space or prestige.
Norwest Quarter’s masterplan incorporates green spaces, sustainable design, and premium lifestyle amenities, including a resident-only mineral pool, fitness facilities, and a private garden sanctuary.
It is also near the Norwest Metro Station and local retail hubs. The Norwest Metro Station provides easy and quick access to the city with direct links to Barangaroo and Chatswood.
Norwest Quarter is Australia’s most ambitious zero-carbon mixed-use precinct, placing sustainability at the forefront of its design.
The spokesperson said, “With 70% of the development dedicated to green spaces, the master plan integrates tree-lined plazas, walking trails, and energy-efficient building design, offering a balance of urban convenience and environmental consciousness.”
For more information, visit norwestquarter.com.au/penthouses
A divide has opened in the tech job market between those with artificial-intelligence skills and everyone else.
A 30-metre masterpiece unveiled in Monaco brings Lamborghini’s supercar drama to the high seas, powered by 7,600 horsepower and unmistakable Italian design.
Buyer demand, seller confidence and the First Home Guarantee Scheme are setting up a frantic spring, with activity likely to run through Christmas.
2 min
The spring property market is shaping up as the most active in recent memory, according to property experts Two Red Shoes.
Mortgage brokers Rebecca Jarrett-Dalton and Brett Sutton point to a potent mix of pent-up buyer demand, robust seller confidence and the First Home Guarantee Scheme as catalysts for a sustained run.
“We’re seeing an unprecedented level of activity, with high auction numbers already a clear indicator of the market’s trajectory,” said Sutton. “Last week, Sydney saw its second-highest number of auctions for the year. This kind of volume, even before the new First Home Guarantee Scheme (FHGS) changes take effect, signals a powerful market run.”
Rebecca Jarrett-Dalton added a note of caution. “While inquiries are at an all-time high, the big question is whether we will have enough stock to meet this demand. The market is incredibly hot, and this could lead to a highly competitive environment for buyers, with many homes selling for hundreds of thousands above their reserve.”
“With listings not keeping pace with buyer demand, buyers are needing to compromise faster and bid harder.”
Two Red Shoes identifies several spring trends. The First Home Guarantee Scheme is expected to unlock a wave of first-time buyers by enabling eligible purchasers to enter with deposits as low as 5 per cent. The firm notes this supports entry and reduces rent leakage, but it is a demand-side fix that risks pushing prices higher around the relevant caps.
Buyer behaviour is shifting toward flexibility. With competition intense, purchasers are prioritising what they can afford over ideal suburb or land size. Two Red Shoes expects the common first-home target price to rise to between $1 and $1.2 million over the next six months.
Affordable corridors are drawing attention. The team highlights Hawkesbury, Claremont Meadows and growth areas such as Austral, with Glenbrook in the Lower Blue Mountains posting standout results. Preliminary Sydney auction clearance rates are holding above 70 per cent despite increased listings, underscoring the depth of demand.
The heat is not without friction. Reports of gazumping have risen, including instances where contract statements were withheld while agents continued to receive offers, reflecting the pressure on buyers in fast-moving campaigns.
Rates are steady, yet some banks are quietly trimming variable and fixed products. Many borrowers are maintaining higher repayments to accelerate principal reduction. “We’re also seeing a strong trend in rent-vesting, where owner-occupiers are investing in a property with the eventual goal of moving into it,” said Jarrett-Dalton.
“This is a smart strategy for safeguarding one’s future in this competitive market, where all signs point to an exceptionally busy and action-packed season.”
Two Red Shoes expects momentum to carry through the holiday period and into the new year, with competition remaining elevated while stock lags demand.
From mud baths to herbal massages, Fiji’s heat rituals turned one winter escape into a soul-deep reset.
In the remote waters of Indonesia’s Anambas Islands, Bawah Reserve is redefining what it means to blend barefoot luxury with environmental stewardship.
