Seniors Housing & Healthcare Trends

LOS ANGELES: This new wave of futuristic flats offers cashed-up buyers everything they’d get in a house and plenty more, boasting private dining rooms, secure wine cellars, personal pools and car showrooms.

It’s all part of the “right sizing” trend, a millionaire’s version of downsizing.

“A revolution in the concept of the residential penthouse is being led by the Crown Residences at One Barangaroo,” writes Knight Frank Australia partner Erin van Tuil in the groups’ Rightsizing Report 2022.

This year a six-bedroom penthouse in the WilkinsonEyre-designed complex was launched with a $100m price tag. It features six bathrooms, a steam room, private plunge pool, cinema, gym, private lift and postcard views of Sydney’s famous harbour.

“The new concept offered by the residences in One Barangaroo is likely to pave the way for the prime market in Australia with more super prime projects likely to emerge over the next decade,” Ms van Tuil writes.

To fit the right sizing mould, according to Knight Frank, developers are now shifting towards a higher proportion of three-bedroom apartments than ever before, and incorporating space in floor plans for large wine and art collections.

Rightsizing to an apartment from a suburban dream home is also a tall order for a car connoisseur, so developers have that covered too.

“Developers around the world are continually forging ahead with some impressively designed apartments being delivered to the market allowing our clients to showcase their luxury collectables in their homes,” Partner and head of research at Knight Frank Australia Michelle Ciesielski says.

“One concept that comes to mind is incorporating glass car lifts within the townhouse or apartment which delivers the homeowners pride and joy into the living room.”

And the technology has already arrived down under with a new Melbourne development by Growland breaking ground in 2022. Known as Neue Grand is the first in the southern hemisphere to include a German-engineered parking system transferring each vehicle from the basement directly into private residences via a high-speed lift.

Head of advisory for Maker Advisory Reece Coleman said premium apartments go far beyond standard definitions of luxury.

“The days of luxury apartments being defined by having a swimming pool in the complex and a landscaped garden are long gone,” he said.

“The questions agents are fielding in display suites now are not ‘where are the parking facilities?’ but ‘where is my wine cellar?’”

Neue Grand, Melbourne, Victoria

Price guide: From $5.5 million

The era of the Bond villain has arrived with Growland’s new development housing Australia’s first sky garages.

If you’re going to park a big chunk of cash in a sports car, you’re obviously going to want to see it from your lounge room.

Unsurprisingly, the luxury whole floor apartments are also packed with a long list of features including private lobbies and resident-only amenities.

Aura, North Sydney, NSW

Price: From $1.8 million

Designed by Woods Bagot and Richards Stanisich, Aura apartments are centre stage in the soon to be revitalised North Sydney district.

In addition to a long list of luxury fixtures and fitting in the penthouses, developer Etymon Projects – known for creating five star hotels — has injected a next level concierge service for residents.

‘The Club’ will tailor its services to individual lifestyle needs and includes options such as; home management for unpacking groceries, co-ordinating tradespeople, watering plants, vehicle maintenance, and private event planning for dinner parties and children’s birthdays. 

Akoya, Greenwich, NSW

Price guide: From $1.35 million

Coined “Australia’s best pool” when it launched earlier this year, Akoya on Sydney’s North Shore is offering up retirement living with a difference.

Less bingo halls and more uber luxury inclusions, these apartments developed by Alceon Group have individual wine storage, a golf driving simulator, private theatre, a club lounge and library plus a rooftop infinity pool with iconic views.

Masthead Ocean Club, Gold Coast, Queensland

Price guide: From $5 million

Set to completed in 2024, Masthead will comprise 20 apartments, five “sky homes”, two duplex sub-penthouses and one super-penthouse.

Developed by Banda, whose CEO is Princess Beatrice’s husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi, Masthead will have a resident’s only club including a cigar room, plus champagne and whisky bar.

Port Vincent, South Australia

Price guide: From $850,000

In September is was announced the Port Vincent Marina was getting a facelift.

Under the makeover there will be nine luxury floating homes, a five-storey apartment building and waterfront townhouses as part of a $40m plan by the Lillis Group.