Iskia complex adds to Campbell's sought-after status

Iskia, 81 Constitution Avenue, Campbell
$385,000-$1.45 million

New development along Constitution Avenue will see Campbell emerge as one of Canberra’s sought-after precincts. Part of Walter Burley Griffin’s original plans for the avenue to become a vibrant, mixed-use boulevard, Hindmarsh’s Iskia complex is the latest piece in the puzzle.

Released to the market late last year, the new development will include 146 apartments and townhouses. It has been designed to offer spacious living areas, plenty of natural light and a boutique-style environment for its residents.

“Most of the people who are attracted to this development are interested in smaller scale developments,” Colliers International director of residential project marketing Derek Whitcombe says.

“They like Campbell because it’s a very easy walk to the lake and it’s also an easy walk to the city, but you’re not in the middle of the noise.”

Mr Whitcombe says most buyers have been owner occupiers, however they have appealed to a large spectrum of the market. Four-bedroom townhouses and three-bedroom apartments have appealed to residents who are keen to downsize their block, without compromising their living space, however the development has also attracted younger buyers.

“There is some really well-priced product, which is aimed at discerning first home buyers,” Whitcombe says.

“These are really good first home apartments. A lot of the buyers work in that area – the ASIO building, Russell Offices and other government buildings. There’s a big workforce there.”

The four-building development will comprise 48 one-bedroom apartments, 60 two-bedroom apartments, 28 three-bedroom apartments and 10 four-bedroom townhouses.

It has been designed by award-winning architects Stewart Architecture, the team behind some of Canberra’s most popular residential developments including Bridgepoint, Dockside and the Realm Precinct.

Iskia’s contemporary design will tie in with the current redevelopment of Constitution Avenue.

Developers Hindmarsh have completed more than $3.5 billion worth of projects across Australia. The company’s Canberra developments include Creswell, also situated along Constitution Avenue, Altitude in Belconnen and Sorrell in Woden.

Hindmarsh development manager Robert Speight says Iskia was designed to complement the new precinct and will feature five commercial, retail or hospitality tenancies at street level facing Constitution Avenue. A pocket park at the centre of the development will balance the communal spaces at the other end of Constitution Avenue.

The site will occupy the former RSL national headquarters site, which was sold to Hindmarsh last year. The RSL will be returning to the site on the ground floor of the development.

Whitcombe says much of the interest has come from residents of Campbell and its surrounding suburbs.

“The thing that we’ve really noticed is there are a lot of people who really love Campbell,” Mr Whitcombe says.

“There are quite a lot of Campbell residents who have driven past Iskia and they’ve noticed it’s not a huge development, it’s got a boutique feel about it and they realise they could live in an apartment here.

“It takes awhile to contemplate moving into a townhouse or an apartment after years of living in a house and Iskia has attracted interest from people who have been living in Campbell for a long time.”

One-bedroom apartments start at $385,000, two-bedroom apartments are priced from $545,000 and three bedroom apartments $760,000. Four-bedroom townhouses range from $1.1 million to $1.45 million.

The display suite is open Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 3pn and Monday to Friday from noon to 2pm.