Throughout the ages: How Canberra's development landscape has changed in two decades

Allhomes has grown up with Canberra over the past 20 years and the city has been a crucible of development activity.

We’ve been there and reported on every new development as it happened and putting together our “best of the best” has been a daunting task.

Nonetheless, here’s what we think has made the biggest difference to our skyline and shaped our future.

Pre-2000 and onwards: Braddon

An inner-city success story since self-government was proclaimed in 1989, Braddon has evolved from a light industry hub into the epicentre of urban coffee culture with a hipster buzz.

Car yards and panel beaters gradually give way to high-rise apartments, mainly in Lonsdale and Mort streets and along adjacent Northbourne Avenue.

2007: Kingston Foreshore

A contract, worth an eye-watering $1 billion dollars, is awarded to McMahon Contractors with work beginning in July 2007.

This visionary project brings residential living lakeside, further enlivened by a boardwalk strip of dining and entertainment options, along with a range of commercial offices.

An arts precinct with design by Fender Katsalidis will complete the masterplan.

2010: Coombs and Wright

These could be said to be putting the Molonglo Valley on the map.

Land for both comes onto the market in late May 2010. The first of an estimated 55,000 residents will begin to move in within two years.

2014: NewActon

The site, on the fringe of the CBD with views of Lake Burley Griffin, is privately acquired in 1996.

The undoubted jewel is the eco-friendly Nishi building, which wins the International Project of the Year at the Building Awards in London in 2015.

2014: Campbell 5

Campbell 5 is flanked by two of Canberra’s most impressive boulevards – Constitution Avenue and ANZAC Parade.

It’s also close to Lake Burley Griffin and the Parliamentary Triangle. Campbell 5 becomes one of the most sought-after land offerings. Its five key sites are sold via auction in June 2014.

2015: Denman Prospect

Capital Property Group wins a tender to build half the suburb in 2015. Civil works for the first stage of Denman are due for completion in April 2016.

The ACT government also sells the second stage to Capital in 2017 for $135.85 million. Denman Prospect stage two includes land for up to 1200 dwellings.

2016: Tuggeranong Town Centre 

More than 26,000 square metres of land on the edge of Tuggeranong’s town centre hits the market as development in the region spreads westward.

The mega site on Athllon Drive, dubbed Avani Terraces, comes onto the market in October and could house 100,000 square metres of office space, more than 1000 apartments or more than 120 townhouses.

2016: Gungahlin Town Centre

The Gungahlin Town Centre is set to expand towards Franklin with plans to develop more apartment complexes, community facilities, office and retail on vacant land east of the major hub.

The ACT Land Development Agency expects early works to begin the middle of next year on the 48.86-hectare site, dubbed Gungahlin Town Centre East.

2016 & 2017: Throsby and Taylor

The first land in Throsby goes to market in 2016. The suburb will eventually become home to some 1000 dwellings comprising detached homes, townhouses and apartments.

Nearby, the first blocks in Taylor are sold in March 2017. Taylor offers a variety of choice through its planned 2500 dwellings across low and medium-density housing options.

2018: Northbourne Avenue

Northbourne Avenue is arguably the most rapidly transforming area in Canberra.

In December, a longterm planning vision to manage changes to the Northbourne Avenue and Federal Highway corridor is launched. The government plans to turn Northbourne Avenue into a “world-class boulevard”.

2019: Ginninderry

A sales display village opens at Ginninderry, a development that straddles the ACT and NSW.

Strathnairn is the first of its suburbs, arranged along a tree-lined avenue connecting pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and cars with local facilities.

 Ginninderry will include apartments, townhouses, terraces and “compact” homes. Some 12,000 dwellings will eventually be built.

2019: Light Rail

Passengers take their first rides in April 2019 on the biggest single transport infrastructure project ever undertaken in the ACT.

The importance of Canberra’s Metro system lays in the future role it will play in urban redevelopment.

2019: Red Hill

Developers Doma Group and Stockland pay more than $50 million in 2018 for the site of Red Hill’s public housing precinct.

The first sites in the redevelopment are offered for sale in April 2019.

The 53,003-square-metre precinct will be called The Parks, connecting six landscaped parks and comprising 242 dwellings alongside commercial spaces.

2020: Whitlam

Land goes on sale in Canberra’s newest suburb, named after former prime minister Gough Whitlam.

The suburb is the northernmost in the Molonglo Valley region. Over time some 5000 people will eventually call it home.

There are plans for a local shopping centre and primary school along with playgrounds and plenty of green spaces.

Read more of Allhomes’ 20th anniversary story series here.