New York apartment style comes to Sydney's inner north

The developers of a new apartment building in St Leonards love New York so much that they decided to build a development in its honour.

The Manhattan Apartments on Chandos Street is the brainchild of architect Paul Saunders and his wife Sarah and each of the 32 apartments has been given its own name – all relating to New York.

The Manhattan is part of a new wave of development sweeping through Sydney’s inner-northern suburbs – one that is breathing life into many precincts as new amenities pop up to meet the needs of residents moving in.

CBRE director Ben Stewart is overseeing the marketing of Oxley Crows Nest, a new 74-apartment development, and says he’s noticed a big shift in the profile of buyers in the last 18 months.

“We’re seeing more and more owner-occupiers … wanting to be close to transport, wanting to be close to shops,” he says. “It’s becoming more of a residential area to live in.

“We’ve seen, in the last 12 months, an increase of owner-occupiers by about 30 per cent.”

Stewart says about 70 per cent of buyers around the Crows Nest area are now owner-occupiers.

The agent marketing the Manhattan Apartments, Julie Holman of LJ Hooker Projects & Developments, says buyers appreciate properties with a touch of difference. People expressing interest in the development include those downsizing out of larger houses on the lower north shore, and investors. The boutique development will feature 2.8-metre-high ceilings and wide oak timber floors, emulating the look of a city the Saunders have f grown to love.

1. Verona Cremorne 
320-322 Military Road, Cremorne
One-beds 67 square metres $765,000+
Two-beds 73 to 93 square metres $945,000+
Three-beds 94 square metres $1,305,000+
Strata levies From $625 a quarter
Due for completion Late 2016
Agent LJ Hooker Projects & Developments 0425 285 833
www.veronacremorne.com.au

In heart of Cremorne, this boutique five-storey block will have 20 units. Each of the apartments is designed to have an indoor-outdoor feel, with an open-plan living area leading onto balconies and winter gardens.

Architect Tony Leung of a+ design group says all the apartments have a good-sized study, which is designed to appeal to professionals who appreciate having a sizeable workspace at home.

The finishes at  the Sun Property development invoke a sophisticated feel and include oak timber floors and stone kitchen benches. Most of the apartments at Verona Cremorne will have security parking. While there is no train station at Cremorne, there are express buses to the city.

2. Oxley Crows Nest,
521 Pacific Highway, Crows Nest
One-beds 45 to 65 square metres $675,000+
Two-beds 71 to 89 square metres $975,000+
Three-beds 97 square metres $1,600,000+
Strata levies From $695 a quarter
Due for completion Late 2017
Agent CBRE RESIDENTIAL PROJECT, 1800 738 568,
oxleycrowsnest.com.au

Designed by architects NettletonTribe, Oxley Crows Nest boasts panoramic views from Lane Cove to the Sydney’s CBD skyline. “More than 60 per cent of the building has great views,” says CBRE director Ben Stewart.
The development is in the heart of Crows Nest and is a walk to restaurants, bars and cafes. The train station is also just 400 metres away.

The attractive concrete and glass building offers floor-to-ceiling windows that let in plenty of natural light. Features inside the Oxley Crows Nest apartments include timber floorboards and Miele appliances.

Stewart says the floor plans are “very efficient”. “They’re good, regular shapes. They’re easy to furnish,” he says.

3. Manhattan Apartments,
63-65 Chandos Street, St Leonards
One-beds 41 to 67 square metres $585,000+
Two-beds 76 to 78 square metres $1,075,000+
Three-beds 87 to 101 square metres $1,375,000+
Strata levies From $579 a quarter
Due for completion Mid-2017
Agent LJ HOOKER PROJECTS & DEVELOPMENTS, 0425 285 833,
manhattanresidences.com.au

Natural-looking wide oak engineered floors create a warm, relaxed look in the living areas of the Manhattan Residences and the balconies have timber-look porcelain tiles, which help to meld the indoor and outdoor living areas.

Designed and developed by architects Saunders Global, the Manhattan Apartments offer 32 mostly north-facing apartments. The bulk of the apartments are one-bedroom configurations, some with studies. There are also six two-bedrooms and three larger apartments with three bedrooms apiece. Most apartments offer views.

The interiors were crafted by Michelle Astudillo and feature marble in the bathrooms and stone benchtops in the kitchens. Sales agent Julie Holman of LJ Hooker Projects & Developments says finding a north-facing boutique block on the lower north shore is a “real treat”.