Castels in the Sky

Luxury High Rises Combine The Comforts Of Home With Resort-style Amenities

- Damien Martin

When a mystery buyer paid an estimated $140 million for a living space in the One Sydney Harbour development in October, it set a record price for real estate in Australia. It also represented the denouement of the luxury high-rise trend throughout the country’s capital cities and resort areas of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. The three buildings of the Renzo Piano-designed One Sydney Harbour complex are scheduled to open in 2023.

The record-setting residence will compromise a two-storey penthouse and another penthouse, totalling nine bedrooms and about 1600 square metres. A news release from Lendlease highlighted the private rooftop pool, spa, gym, and master bedroom “bigger than most homes.” Whilst this may be the most lavish example, it is hardly alone as luxury high-rises begin to dominate the skyline.

RESORT LIFE

These luxury high-rise developments are characterised by the amenities they offer. OSK Property’s Melbourne Square in Southbank will feature a 3700-square metre park and resort-style pool. The $2.8 billion project will also boast a Skye Club, theatre, golf simulator, and private meeting and dining rooms.

“The whole aim was to provide amenities where people can get to know their neighbours, really foster a sense of community within the building and create this amazing health and wellbeing development that’s anchored by the park at the front of the site,” interior designer Chris McCue told Domain.

Waterloo Mastery, a $500 million luxury high-rise development from Crown Group will have 374 apartments across five buildings when it opens in 2021. It “will provide Sydneysiders an option to live in the finest holiday resort destination, in the most sought-after architectural precinct, at an affordable price,” project director Prisca Edwards told the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.