Top Spring Australia launch parkside St Leonards apartment development, The Newlands
The integrated property development group Top Spring Australia has launched The Newlands, their $500 million residential community on Sydney's Lower North Shore.
The multi-stage development in St Leonards, which was the first to receive development approval in the Lane Cove's recently rezoned St Leonards South Precinct, will see 329 apartments and terraces created across a 1.26 hectare site at 21-41 Canberra Avenue and 18-32 Holdsworth Avenue in St Leonards.
Designed by Bates Smart in landscaping by Arcadia Landscape Architecture, The Newlands is being pitched as a vibrant, highly pedestrian-oriented precinct with a strong focus on the surrounding natural landscape of Newlands Park, which sits directly across from the site.
There will be five buildings, ranging in size from eight to 12 storeys. The first building in the multi-stage development to be released is Verdant, located in the south-eastern corner of the site adjacent to Newlands Park.
The first building, Verdant, will comprise 99 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across 10-levels and standalone three-bedroom garden terraces, as well as private communal lawns, garden rooms and a pedestrian link providing direct access to Newlands Park.
Apartments range in size from 53 sqm to the 180 sqm garden terraces (including outdoor areas), with pricing from $795,000 to $3,250,000.
“We are extremely pleased to be partnering with an award-winning team on this major project, with both Bates Smart and Arcadia proven to deliver outstanding design outcomes in the local area time and time again, Top Spring Australia's Managing Director Sydney Ma said.
"The team understands modern Australian environments and have the ability to provide an authentic design response."
Ma explains that the project vision was to develop a range of bespoke apartments that would appeal to a broad range of buyers at various life stages, setting a new benchmark for residential living on the Lower North Shore by bringing a leafier and more suburban lifestyle to St Leonards.
“Overlooking Newlands Park, with deep generous setbacks from any surrounding roads, The Newlands occupies a prime position in the St Leonards South precinct which forms a key part of the broader St Leonards Crows Nest 2036 revitalisation plan," Ma added.
“St Leonards is known for its proximity to the quieter suburbs of Wollstonecraft, Greenwich and Waverton, and future residents will benefit from access to the established amenity, from childcare, healthcare and education, to transport, retail and hospitality, as well as the new Crows Nest metro line.
"The location offers city convenience and accessibility with a village lifestyle – not to mention opportunities for rest, respite and active exercise. Every building has pedestrian and cycle access, promoting health and wellbeing principles.”
Bates Smart Director, Matthew Allen, said “connection to nature is a fundamental driver” of The Newlands design, inspired by the Parkland Forest, magnificent gum trees and the historic sandstone outcrops of the local area.
“As the first development to receive Development Approval in the precinct, The Newlands will set the benchmark for the broader precinct. We have taken inspiration from the Newlands Park frontage and connection to the creek-side corridor walk, that leads from the St Leonards Centre down to the Sydney Harbour. It’s leafy in all directions, with bushland character in the rocky landforms, sandstone and tall trees, giving apartments the feeling of living in a treehouse,” he said.
“The buildings have been positioned so they step down the hillside, connecting to the surroundings, and apartments will have a corner aspect and balconies taking in views across the treetops, with upper levels benefiting from harbour views.”
Allen said that the interiors for Verdant had been designed “to contrast the natural and the polished”, with the lobby fitting discreetly between two townhouses to give “the impression of walking into a dramatic sandstone cave cut into the hillside”.
“Sandstone and tile will define the lobby areas, creating a serene underground space. The kitchens and bathrooms will have strong timber and stone accents, with light and dark variations. In the larger residences, a window from the bath will look out to nature,” he said.
“The spacious light-filled garden terraces are well-integrated into the street with their own private entries. These large terraces with beautiful courtyards walk out onto their own private lawn overlooking the mature trees of Newlands Park.”
A 5,700 sqm metre green spine, exclusive to residents, will connect through the centre of The Newlands buildings. The private space will encompass a resort-style pool and sun lounge, a health and wellness facility with gymnasium, yoga and stretching areas, an immersive nature boardwalk, a pocket park, barbecue facilities, children’s nature play area and rooftop zones with private dining facilities and spaces to work from home.
Overlooking Newlands Park, Verdant offers the most significant park frontage of any building within the wider St Leonards South Precinct and is nearest to nearby Wollstonecraft and St Leonards train stations.
Blake Schulze, National Director Residential at Colliers, said The Newlands was “the most significant residential project to launch in Sydney this year”.
“The Lower North Shore is an untapped opportunity. It’s a unique proposition to integrate new residential supply in an established area undergoing substantial improvements to infrastructure and open green space. The Newlands is one of the largest masterplanned communities to launch in Sydney this year, with the diversity in dwelling types ensuring there will be a product to suit many property seekers,” Ma said.
Construction on stage one of The Newlands is anticipated to commence in early 2023, with completion expected for mid 2025. Both stages are slated for completion in 2025.
