New homes: Three of the best developments in Sydney's west

The redevelopment of land for new homes in Sydney’s west is happening near many of its rivers, with walking paths and parks nearby.

Close to the Nepean River, The Sheffield at Thornton is on track to become the tallest development in the Penrith city centre. The 10-storey $115 million development is a joint project of St Hilliers and First Point Projects.

Deborah Landes​, the executive director of First Point Projects, says the Sheffield’s “unique and innovative” split-level loft penthouses will create “expansive views through floor-to-ceiling glazing across two-storey-high spaces”.

The penthouses will take in views of nearby parklands, the Nepean River, which is a few blocks away, and the Blue Mountains.

For people who enjoy a thrill, the last group of apartments at Wentworth Point on the Parramatta River, called ONE The Waterfront, could have something to offer. A glass pedestrian sky-bridge links two rooftop parks 30 metres above the ground.

The bridge between the gateway buildings to Wentworth Point will span 20 metres and will be pre-fabricated with – the super-brave will be disappointed to learn – a timber floor.

The sky parks will be reasonably large – 1400 square metres, all up. One will have a rooftop cinema, the other barbecue and picnic facilities.

Developer PietyTHP​ brought in architect Frank Stanisic​ and interior designer Angus Henderson of Turner to work on the five buildings’ design.

Stanisic says the sky-bridge is part of a larger concept of “providing a necklace of open aerial space” that acts as a physical and social connector.

“The bridge will move ever so slightly in certain weather conditions, and the experience of walking or riding a bicycle over it will be exhilarating, rather than scary,” says Stanisic.

ONE The Waterfront is on 2.5 hectares and will offer 273 apartments.

Sheffield at Thornton

6-8 Engineers Place, Thornton Drive, Penrith
One-bedrooms 53-78 square metres $395,000+
Two-bedrooms 70-93 square metres $550,000+
Three-bedrooms 99-142 square metres $660,000+
Strata levies From $480 a quarter
Due for completion Late 2017
Agent Thornton Central, 1800 885 388; thorntoncentral.com.au

Western Sydney is in the midst of a transformation and that is good news for Penrith, says Tim Casey, executive chairman of developer St Hilliers.

“Penrith has the Western Sydney Airport and Western Sydney Employment Area right on its doorstep,” he says.

St Hilliers’ latest project, the Sheffield at Thornton, will deliver 204 apartments in two 10-storey buildings.

Casey describes the architecture of each building by Group GSA as “striking”.

“Sheffield reflects our vision to showcase design innovation, building diversity and high-quality urban living,” he says.

It will be about 150 metres from Penrith train station and will have shops and services including a supermarket, restaurants, a gym and a medical centre.

ONE The Waterfront

Corner of Bennelong Parkway and Hill Street, Wentworth Point
One-bedrooms 64-92 square metres $641,000+
Two-bedrooms 83-92 square metres $862,000+
Strata levies From $600 a quarter
Due for completion October 2018
Agent Link Realty, 1300 865 465; onethewaterfront.com.au

The pet-friendly ONE The Waterfront is the final piece in realising the vision of a Mediterranean village at Wentworth Point on the Parramatta River.

The peninsula suburb has been evolving since Sydney hosted the Olympics nearby in 2000.

Architect Frank Stanisic​ says the buildings will feature clear and bronze glazing, gold-finished louvres and bronze metallic framing that will animate the facade. “As the light changes throughout the day, the buildings will take on different expressions,” he says.

Amenities will include a 500-square-metre park at ground level, which will have a running track, a children’s playground, fitness stations and a community pizza oven. A primary school is also planned for Wentworth Point in the next two years.

Charles Bank

10B Charles Street, Canterbury
One-bedrooms 50-54 square metres, $554,000+
Two-bedrooms 70-83 square metres, $675,000+
Three-bedrooms 97 square metres, $820,000+
Strata levies From $680 a quarter
Due for completion Late 2017
Agent JLL, 1800 824 011; charlesbank.com.au

The makeover of the banks along Cooks River is continuing with Charles Bank, an 88-apartment offering about 300 metres from Canterbury train station, hitting the market.

Jones Lang LaSalle’s national head of residential project marketing, Aaron Hatch,​ says there is a strong demand for apartments in the area. Canterbury benefits from being close to popular hubs including Newtown, Dulwich Hill, Marrickville and Ashfield, he says.

“It is an attractive precinct for couples, families and professionals who are after great value and may have been priced out of inner west locations such as Stanmore, Petersham, Lewisham and Summer Hill in the last few years,” says Hatch, whose firm is handling the marketing of Charles Bank.

He describes Canterbury as a “hub to nearby amenities, as opposed to being the destination in and of itself”.