New homes: Allara Street's Highgate apartments whet inner-city appetite

The recent launch of Allara Street’s Highgate development has highlighted Canberra’s appetite for inner-city living.

About one-third of the 190-unit development was sold during the two-week VIP pre-release, with a variety of buyers drawn to the variety of one, two and three-bedroom floorplans.

The 18-storey, 190-unit development will comprise 63 one-bedroom, 97 two-bedroom and 30 three-bedroom apartments.

The apartments will be positioned atop five levels of car parking and two levels of high-end retailers and restaurants.

Colliers International director of residential project marketing Derek Whitcombe said the location was “unparalleled”.

“To be able to come down from your apartment and walk 30 metres into the Canberra Centre, walk across to the casino, or to one of the many restaurants and cafes on Bunda Street, has been very appealing to buyers,” Whitcombe says.

“There has been strong interest in the high-quality retail and restaurant premises that will go into the ground floor at Highgate fronting City Walk, offering north-facing alfresco dining in a treed environment.”

The $120 million development by Morris Property Group is an integral part of the CBD’s rejuvenation. It is in the centre of Canberra’s entertainment precinct, just footsteps from the Canberra Theatre Centre and the Canberra Casino, which is set to undergo a $330 million upgrade.

Morris Property Group development manager Barry Morgan says the development will benefit all Canberra residents as well as buyers.

“We see Highgate as the next phase of the continued rejuvenation of Canberra City, with the new apartments and additional retail and dining amenities bringing more people to City Walk and linking the area to the casino entertainment precinct and to the long-term vision of City to the Lake,” Mr Morgan says

“Buyers are able to see that Highgate offers true inner-city living, and are drawn to the prospect of living in the very heart of Canberra’s retail, theatre and entertainment district.

“We expect this level of interest to continue, especially once buyers are able to see for themselves the quality of the development, through the display suite.”

With prices ranging from $374,900 for a one-bedroom apartment to $1,039,900 for a luxury three-bedroom home, the development has attracted a diverse mix of owner occupiers, as well as investors keen to take advantage of Highgate’s outstanding position.

All apartments feature an architecturally designed open-plan layout, high-quality inclusions and finishes.

On-site amenity includes a podium on the 10th floor with a gym, swimming pool and private theatre.

Construction is due to commence early next year, with completion expected in mid-2018.

Highgate, Allara Street, City. Price: $374,900-$1,039,900. EER: 5 Phone Colliers International on 1300 638 981 or visit highgatecanberra.com.au Inspect: Saturday and Sunday, 10am-3pm, and Monday to Friday, 10am-6pm