Boutique development in Sutherland leads the way in sustainable architecture

The shire is known for many things: beautiful beaches, exquisite national parks, appalling reality television shows.

Unlike many parts of Sydney, the area isn’t exactly known as a hotbed of apartment construction, which makes a new development in Sutherland particularly intriguing.

Not only is Forby one of the few residential complexes to be released for sale in the region so far this year, the 31-unit building has also been designed by award-winning sustainable architecture practice Environa Studio.

With architects Tone Wheeler and Charles Kevin at the helm, it wins some serious eco brownie points for its design and materials. There’s the chic and low-maintenance off-form concrete exterior for starters. Other clever features include include external louvres, extensive glazing, outstanding insulation and generous shading. There’s a communal green space on the roof, too.

Wheeler, Environa Studio’s principal, says every apartment is designed to capture some winter sun, with cross-ventilation for summer cooling.

“It’s designed for residents to have an experience of ‘green’ through plants and trees from the front door to the apartments,” he says.

Sutherland train station and bus interchange are a four-minute walk away, and it’s a level stroll to shops and cafes.

Craig Moore of McGrath Projects says the ground-floor apartments have been designed with older residents in mind, featuring direct street access  from the level, grassy courtyards. The two-bedroom units are expected to appeal to first home buyers and upsizers, while local empty nesters are tipped to pick up the two three-bedroom units.

The display suite opens on April 9.

Feature property:

Artist’s impression of Forby, 126-132 Linden Street, Sutherland 

Forby
126-132 Linden Street, Sutherland
One beds, 58-60 square metres, $560,000 to $590,000
One bed plus studies, 59-60 square metres, $600,000 to $630,000
Two beds, 75-76 square metres, $695,000 to $750,000
Three beds, 98 square metres, $930,000 to $970,000
Strata levies From $495 a quarter
Due for completion September 2017
Agent Craig Moore, McGrath Projects, 1800 983 008,
forbyapartments.com.au

Or try these

Artist’s impression of Darling Mills, 27-33 North Rocks Road, North Rocks

27-33 North Rocks Road, North Rocks, Darling Mills
One beds, 65-66 square metres, $604,000 to $660,000
Two beds, 101-108 square metres, $779,000 to $839,000
Three beds, 119 square metres, $989,000
Strata levies From $550 a quarter
Due for completion December 2018
Agent CPM Realty, 9247 1299, cpmrealty.com.au

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the Darling Mills site was used to mill flour, then wool. As Sydney’s population burgeoned, urbanisation replaced industry in the areas just north of Parramatta. There’s little left of the old mill, but the name – Darling Mills – is about to be revived in the form of a new development from Silky Property. The site, adjacent to Darling Mills Creek, the Cumberland Highway and North Rocks Road, will feature 90 apartments in six eight-storey buildings designed by architects Candalepas​ Associates. Tara Anglican School for Girl and The Kings School are within walking distance, and there’s easy access to the M2. The display suite opens on Saturday, April 2.

Artist’s impression of Liverpool Central, 23 Bigge Street, Liverpool 

Liverpool Central
23 Bigge Street, Liverpool
One-beds, 50-64 square metres, $399,000-$555,000
Two-beds, 70-80 square metres, $505,000-$670,000
Three-beds, 90 square metres, $599,000-$729,000
Strata levies from $595 a quarter
Due for completion Mid-2018
Agent McGrath Projects, 1800 877 288, liverpoolcentral.com.au

The second stage of Liverpool Central, a 233-apartment development in two high-rise towers, went on sale late last month. McGrath’s head of projects, Steven Chen, says demand for housing in the area is strong, with Liverpool earmarked by the NSW government as a major new employment hub. Designed by Rothelowman​ architects, the building features multiple floor-plan configurations, with generous balconies on the upper levels and large courtyards on the ground floor. Chen says the project has been particularly popular among young professionals, “with access to transport, affordability and the creation of jobs set to create a significant cultural shift in the area.” More than 100 units are still available.