A new apartment building is set to become an Australian icon as the tallest inhabited building in Sydney, second in height only to the Sydney Tower. Launched by hotelier Crown Resorts, the 275m edifice is the epitome of luxury and style.
Situated in the vibrant Barangaroo precinct at the site of the old dockyards, the waterfront building sits a mere 30 metres from the edge of Sydney Harbour and offers breathtaking views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Naturally, Sydney’s best vista and the prime location don’t come without a hefty price tag – prices start at $9.5 million for a 2-bedroom apartment.
Two of the most opulent residences have already been snapped up by Australia’s ultra-rich elite. Venture capitalist Bob Blann has claimed a $40 million-dollar apartment which takes up an entire storey, while famed billionaire and former Crown Resorts director James Packer has spoken for a two-storey $60 million residence. It’s these record-breaking prices which have led to One Barangaroo’s residences being dubbed Australia’s most expensive apartments.
On track to be completed in early 2021, the project is Crown Resorts’ first foray outside the hotel business. It follows the current trend of luxury branded residences worldwide, rivalling other international cities such as London, New York, Hong Kong and Singapore. Comparisons have been drawn to the prestigious One Hyde Park in London and New York’s One57.
The building will house 82 residences, consisting of 2-5 bedroom apartments and a small number of duplex penthouses. Over a quarter of the residences have been sold ahead of the project’s completion date. Apartments start on the 30th floor, sharing the building with the new Crown Sydney hotel, casino, retail and dining venues below.
A major selling point is a unique lifestyle on offer, combining the hospitality and facilities of living in a hotel with the comfort and privacy of a home. Residents can enjoy 6-star hospitality services provided by the hotel, including concierges, room service, housekeeping, valet parking and doorman services on demand. For the on-the-go city dweller, these services will help make life a breeze. With a simple phone call, residents can arrange for a cleaner to tidy up their apartment, have a concierge stock up their fridge, book a private chef or sommelier, or even organise personal shopping and babysitting.
Access to health and wellness services such as a 6-star spa, fitness training at a harbour view gym and mindfulness sessions are also included, along with a reserved spot at the hotel’s restaurants. Facilities are plentiful: a tennis court that also doubles as an event space and private cabanas, wet pool decks and whirlpools on each level. Inhabitants also enjoy exclusive perks such as a residents-only pool deck and private entrance.
The building itself is an architectural marvel. The exterior is the brainchild of London-based architecture firm WilkinsonEyre, who created a hypermodern construction with a gleaming glass exterior and sculptural form. Tall, sleek and twisting, the irregular form gives every storey of the building a unique floorplate. On the inside, New York design boutique Meyer Davis lends the building a Manhattan feel with bespoke interiors filled with marble, metal, leather and parquet. Grey, cream and neutral tones exude an air of sophistication. The designers drew inspiration from the harbour and the city itself when designing the apartments, with the essence of Sydney reflected in the colour palette, lighting, materials and finishes. The tropical-themed landscaping was designed by St Legere, a company known for incorporating the surrounding environment into its work.
By Jennifer Luu