New homes: Boutique Santana townhouse development another drawcard for Dickson

Dickson is one of Canberra’s suburbs in the midst of a major rejuvenation with two new supermarkets and a sprinkling of additional specialty shops on the cards.

The suburb is already one of Canberra’s major restaurant hubs and a spate of new developments will add to the area’s vibrancy.

The latest development to hit the market is the boutique townhouse complex the Santana – a collection of nine three-bedroom, two-storey townhouses, which are unique to the suburb.

Designed by Stewart Architecture, the development was conceived to fill a gap in the market, says  architect Marcus Graham.

“Each three-bedroom residence was to have a large, secure garage, to accommodate up to four cars, and direct access to expansive private gardens,” Graham says.

“These were seen as items which buyers are calling out for in the inner north, particularly those wanting to comfortably downsize from traditional inner north homes, but maintain space for their families to visit and keep up their hobbies such as gardening or keeping classic vehicles or a boat.”

Situated in a quiet position on Stockdale Street, the townhouses are set among secure landscaped gardens and feature an open-plan design with large, private outdoor areas.

The sophisticated design of each home is well integrated into the garden setting. All rooms are generously proportioned and the living spaces flow seamlessly into outdoor spaces.

‘”Every residence is designed to achieve excellent solar access and natural ventilation,” Graham says.

“Buyers can then choose from a variety of layouts including the ability to live entirely at ground level, the opportunity for dramatic double-height living spaces with mezzanine studies, street facing courtyards under the canopy of the old deciduous street trees, or huge rear gardens.”

A glass-panelled staircase will be a stunning centrepiece for each townhouse. The lantern design above the stairwell will allow sunlight to filter through the home.

Graham expects the design will appeal to a variety of residents including families and downsizers. “The inclusion of unusually large gardens, internal access garages, three bedrooms, and the ability to live on the ground floor level will appeal to everyone.”

The Santana, Stockdale Street, Dickson. Price: $699,950-$819,950. EER: 6. Phone One Agency’s Bryan Gammarra on 0405 660 842. Inspect: By appointment

Design and amenities seal the deal

The design of Dickson’s Malabar Apartments won Hayley Sweet over when she was looking for her first home.

She had originally looked at a few units in Braddon, but when she saw the value of the apartments just one suburb over, she loved what was available at Malabar.

“I really like the area and what I could get in Dickson was just perfect for me,” Hayley says.

Hayley has  bought a two-storey loft apartment on the top floor of the development.

“It’s got a really beautiful layout and design,” Hayley says.

“I loved the loft design, that was really important to me. It also has a big balcony, really nice fixtures and finishes and you get a lot of wardrobe space.”

The on-site amenity was another major drawcard for Hayley.

“The swimming pool, theatre and gym – everything was there. I also really liked the outlay of the landscaping,” Hayley says.

Completion is due in 2018, however the display suite, which includes all details of  inclusions, colour palettes and even a two-metre model of the development, allows buyers to become well acquainted with Malabar.

Hayley says the process of buying her first home has been made simple.

“Ray [Corazza] has been really great and really helpful through the whole process,” Hayley says.

“I met with Ray and decided straight after the meeting that the apartment was the one I wanted and going to go for.”