Special report: New Homes' 12 days of Christmas

Santa isn’t the only one making a list and checking it twice. Domain has compiled a selection of 12 new developments around Sydney – one for each of the 12 days of Christmas, if you will, minus all those partridges and pear trees.

The projects range from jaw-droppingly deluxe apartments at McMahons Point to retro-hip digs at Annandale and affordable family-friendly options in some of Sydney’s emerging suburbs.

Proximity to transport is a huge selling point for many of the new residential projects, which have been deliberately built close to existing or future rail and road upgrades. Vast parklands, recreation areas, walking tracks and pedestrian links are designed to promote a healthy lifestyle among residents, while sustainability measures are a strong recurring theme. Some homes are even ready to move into straight away. Talk about turning your Christmas dreams into reality.

Harbourfront Balmain. Photo: Artist’s impression

1. Harbourfront Balmain
100-102 Elliott Street, Balmain
Two-beds, 89 square metres, $1.72 million; three-beds, 116-122 square metres, $2,775,000 to $3,125,000.
Strata levies from $1250 a quarter
Due for completion mid-2017
Agent Toga, 1800 659 339; harbourfrontbalmain.com.au
See more at domain.com.au/project/1261

Just 16 apartments remain for sale at Harbourfront Balmain, a Bates Smart-designed project on the Balmain waterfront. The development is 350 metres from Darling Street, with its shops, cafes, restaurants and supermarket. It’s also within walking distance of Birchgrove Wharf and bus links. All 121 residences have access to basement parking. In keeping with Balmain’s village vibe, the design features eight low-rise buildings between three and five storeys high. Harbourfront Balmain is being developed by TOGA and Far East Orchard Limited. Fabrizio Perilli of TOGA says it offers upsizers, downsizers and investors panoramic water views, a stylish village atmosphere and seamless city connections.

Tribeca, Gregorgy Hills Photo: Artist’s impression

2. Dreamscape, Gregory Hills, South West Sydney 
Access via Healy Avenue, Gregory Hills
House and land 300-634 square metre lots, $618,980 to $769,980
Due for completion late December for the first homes
Agent Tribeca, 1300 874 2322 tribeca.com.au
See more at domain.com.au/project/1974​

Gregory Hills is a suburb on the rise. Located about 60 kilometres from the CBD in Sydney’s booming southwest growth corridor, the area is poised to welcome Dreamscape, a new community of 200 homes. Developer Tribeca expects the first stages of construction to be completed by mid 2017. Contemporary and traditional home designs are available. The suburb of Gregory Hills has a childcare centre and plans for a new primary school, shops and restaurants. Transport options include cycleways, pedestrian pathways, easy access to the M5 and trains. Narellan town centre is about six kilometres away.

Wilco, Tailors Walk, Botany Photo: Artist’s impression

3. Wilco, Tailor’s Walk
67 Wilson Street, Botany
One-beds, 51-58 square metres, $595,000 to $650,000; two-beds, 69-89 square metres, $795,000 to $890,000
Due for completion September 2017
Agent Frasers Property Australia, 13 38 38; tailorswalk.com.au
See more at domain.com.au/project/1070

Tailor’s Walk takes its name from Botany’s textiles manufacturing history. The medium-density masterplanned community from Frasers Property with architects GSA Group is surrounded by lush gardens, a 3000 square metre park and landscaped pedestrian walkways providing a direct link to Botany village. By the time it’s finished, about 1100 people are expected to call Tailor’s Walk home. Wilco is a four-storey building of nearly 50 apartments, of which 35 are still for sale. It’s eight kilometres south of the CBD, four kilometres from Sydney Airport and a short drive from the beaches of the eastern suburbs. The display suite is at 67 Wilson Street, Botany.

The tower is a dramatic glass-clad rhomboid that gently rotates as if someone has given it a slight twist. Photo: Artist’s impression.

4. 8 Phillip Street
8 Phillip Street, Parramatta
Studios, 40 square metres, $503,000 to $581,000; one-beds, 50-58 square metres, $620,000 to $758,000; two-beds, 73-76 square metres, $900,000 to $1.07 million; three-beds, 92-100 square metres, $1.45 million to $1.56 million;
Strata levies from $950 a quarter
Due for completion 2020
Agent Coronation Property, 1800 753 407; liveat8phillipst.com.au
See more at domain.com.au/project/1832

Parramatta is set to receive an eye-catching injection of greenery, courtesy of landscape-designer-to-the-stars Jamie Durie’s work on 8 Phillip. Durie, with architect Domenic Alvaro from Woods Bagot and developer Coronation Property, has drawn up plans to further soften the elegant curved lines of the 55-storey mixed-use building by applying vertical gardens to the facade. The entrance, rooftop bar, pool terrace and streetscape are also influenced by Durie’s philosophy of bringing the outside in and the inside out. 8 Phillip includes a QT hotel and 314 apartments of which less than 80 remain for sale. A display apartment is open seven days, 11am to 4pm.

Aloft, Darling Point Photo: Artist’s impression

5. Aloft Darling Point
7 Loftus Road, Darling Point
Two-beds, 133 square metres, $3,495,000; three-beds, 178-227 square metres internal, $6.7 million to $7.95 million
Strata levies from $1275 a quarter
Due for completion June 2018
Agent Julian Hasemer of 1st City, 0412 207 206; Shayne Harris of Savills, 0410 421 196; aloftdarlingpoint.com.au
See more at domain.com.au/project/1217

Some of Sydney’s most iconic vistas take centre stage at Aloft, a luxury project of five apartments from developer APG Capital and architects X.PACE Design Group. The residences capture views over the masts of the Cruising Yacht Club to the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Interior finishes include travertine stone floors, Monaco oak timber veneer joinery and marble in the kitchens and bathrooms. All apartments feature single or double security parking with lift access and secure storage. From Aloft, it’s a short walk to ferries, Rushcutters Bay and Double Bay. Edgecliff station is about 800 metres away and it’s three kilometres to the CBD.

Room to entertain: Putney Hill will have almost 800 houses and apartments on the site, more than half of which will be green space. Photo: Supplied

6. Putney Hill
78 Lardelli Drive, Ryde
Two-beds, 82-83 square metres, $890,000 to $960,000; three-beds, 104-128 square metres, $1,265,000 to $1,495,000
Strata levies from $1500 a quarter
Due for completion mid-2018
Agent Frasers Property Australia, 13 38 38; putneyhill.com.au
See more at domain.com.au/project/456

More than half the land at Putney Hill, a new development from Frasers Property Australia, is parkland and open space. Dino Carulli of Frasers says the project is well suited to families, offering a more suburban lifestyle in a higher-density environment. “Our apartments often offer the space and proportions of a two- or three-bedroom traditional home, but within a block, and surrounded by parkland, so there is no need to sacrifice access to outdoor space.” When completed, the Cox Richardson-designed development 13 kilometres north-west of the CBD will have nearly 800 houses and apartments. There are about 40 apartments available across the eight and seven storey Peak and Canopy buildings.

Fairwater, Blacktown Photo: Artist’s impression

7. Fairwater
Fairwater Boulevard, Blacktown
Two-beds, 130-131 square metres, $573,000 to $594,000; three-beds, 164-232 square metres, $708,000 to $834,000; four-beds, 255-296 square metres, $794,000 to $994,000; five-beds, 328 square metres, $1.05 million
Community levies from $210 a quarter; most homes have no levies
Due for completion 2020
Agent Frasers Property Australia, 13 38 38; fairwaterliving.com.au
See more at domain.com.au/project/1198

From one type of green to another, Fairwater is a masterplanned community on the site of the former Ashar Golf Course about one kilometre from Blacktown CBD. The 38-hectare site from Frasers Property Australia is making a name for itself as a leader in sustainability features, including geothermal heating and cooling technology, LED lighting, ceiling fans and rainwater tanks plumbed to laundry and toilets. By the time it’s finished, about 1000 homes will occupy the site. More than 300 residences have been sold to date and about 135 families have already moved in. Amenities include landscaped parks and gardens, lakes, ponds, play areas and walkways. Sixteen homes are currently on the market.

Centrale, North Ryde Photo: Artist’s impression

8. Centrale
1 Delhi Road, North Ryde
One beds without parking, 50-58 square metres, $595,000 to $665,000; one-beds with parking, 50-58 square metres, $705,000 to $750,000; two-beds, 72-84 square metres, $855,000 to $980,000; three-beds, 97-122 square metres
Strata levies from $790 a quarter
Due for completion late 2017
Agent Frasers Property Australia, 13 38 38
See more at domain.com.au/project/1095

It doesn’t get much closer to transport than Centrale, a high-density community from Frasers Property Australia right next to North Ryde train station. The Turner Studio-designed project features four buildings, ranging in height from nine to 13 storeys. From North Ryde station, it’s one stop to Chatswood, two stops to Macquarie Centre shops and Macquarie University and eight stops to the Sydney CBD, 13 kilometres away. Centrale is the first residential development neighbouring the ambitious urban renewal project known as Lachlan’s Line. About 80 of the 380 apartments are still available. A display suite is open seven days from 11am to 5pm at Building A, 12 Julius Avenue, North Ryde.

Ann & Dale, Annandale Photo: Artist’s impression

9. The Ann & Dale
268 Johnston Street, Annandale
Studio, 32 square metres, $485,000; one-beds, 40-56 square metres, $599,000 to $715,000
Strata levies from $660 a quarter
Completed
Agent Cramer Property, 1800 988 533; therealthingapartments.com.au
See more at domain.com.au/2013096170

A 1970s apartment building in Annandale has been given a new lease on life. Developed by Ramsay Property Group, the Ann & Dale is a modern reinvention of a robust building that already had great bone structure, including huge windows, high ceilings and full masonry walls internally. The four-storey building has 74 apartments in total, with 20 still available. There’s a light rail stop around the corner, a bus stop out the front and a cycleway that links to the CBD. All units have security parking. Cramer’s Nathaniel Berry says investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to the fantastic location and the fact it’s not a generic off-the-plan development.

Oversized windows capture views of the park and beyond at Ramsgate Park, Kogarah. Photo: Artist’s impression

10. Ramsgate Park
152-206 Rocky Point Road, Kogarah
One beds, 50-55 square metres, $520,000 to $620,000; two-beds, 76-83 square metres, $675,000 to $915,000; three-beds, 95-105 square metres, $940,000 to $1.24 million; terraces, 117-128 square metres, $1.28 million to $1.38 million
Strata levies from $560 a quarter
Due for completion 2019
Agent Colliers International, 1800 579 688; ramsgatepark.com.au
See more at domain.com.au/project/1837

The former Darrell Lea factory site in Sydney’s south is to be transformed into a masterplanned community built around a 7000-square-metre central park. Ramsgate Park, from developer JQZ and architects PTW, will incorporate about 533 apartments across four buildings ranging from 11 to 13 storeys, as well as 20 townhouses. The design features courtyards, roof gardens, play areas, water features, boardwalks and open green space. It’s about three kilometres from Westfield Hurstville, less than two kilometres from the nearest train station and 14 kilometres south of the Sydney CBD. A display suite at 168 Rocky Point Road, Kogarah is open seven days from 11am to 4pm.

The Bradfield, Milsons Point Photo: Artist’s impression

11.The Bradfield
3 East Crescent, McMahons Point
Three-beds, 130-260 square metres, $6.4 million to $14.75 million
Strata levies Not yet set
Due for completion late 2018
Agent LJ Hooker Projects & Developments, 1800 554 888; thebradfield.com.au
See more at domain.com.au/2013260519

“A fusion of luxury, elegance and unparalleled views” is how Tim Abbott of LJ Hooker Projects and Developments describes the Bradfield, a boutique building with eight apartments over seven storeys. Residents of the luxury lower north shore project from Moore Development Group will score bragging rights for their show-stopping views of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Barangaroo and beyond. All residences have three bedrooms, some with media rooms, gyms and cellars. The security building provides level access and two to four car spaces per apartment. It’s a short walk to McMahons Point ferry wharf, one kilometre to North Sydney train station and about four kilometres to the CBD.

The Hugh, North Kellyville Photo: Artist’s impression

12. The Hugh
182-186 Hezlett Road, North Kellyville
One-beds, 61-75 square metres, $490,000 to $595,000; two-beds, 75-118 square metres, $575,000 to $700,000; three-beds, 124-135 square metres, $725,000 to $799,000
Strata levies from $630 a quarter
Due for completion mid-2018
Agent Kanebridge Property, 0419 490 541; the-hugh.com.au
See more at domain.com.au/project/841

Located in the rapidly growing Hills District, The Hugh is a five-storey project from developer Joe Aflack. It’s across the road from The Village, a new shopping centre with supermarket, gymthe hu, restaurants and cafes. Nearby bus stops provide access to Kellyville and Rouse Hill train stations, which are part of the Sydney Metro Northwest. When the new metro opens, due in early 2019, services should run every four minutes during peak hour, with commuter car spaces included in the $8.3 billion project. The Hugh has a central courtyard, kids playground and barbecue areas with shade sails. Just over half of the 180 are still available.