There has been a major shift in priorities among Aussie downsizers, with pet-friendly amenities now ranking as a key factor in apartment selection.
A national survey conducted by property developer Capital Corporation among Australian homeowners planning to downsize within the next five years revealed nearly one in three (31 per cent) consider pet-friendly features important when choosing their next home.
This trend was also evident among those actively planning to welcome animal companions into their lives, with more than half at (59 per cent) who intend on getting a pet citing pet friendly amenities were important, ranking just behind general amenities at 62 per cent.
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Source: Lonergan and Capital Corporation.
The research reveals a broader shift in housing preferences as functionality, outdoor access and support for modern lifestyles are increasingly vital.
Almost one-third of respondents prioritised landscaped grounds (30 per cent) and private gardens (29 per cent), indicating a strong desire for open pet-friendly environments that balance nature and convenience.
In response to these findings Capital Corporation is embedding this into the design of its newest development The Residences at Wahroonga Estate with features such as a dedicated dog-wash bay, the first of its kind in an apartment development on Sydney’s North Shore.
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The Residences dedicated dog wash bay
Capital Corporation director Jim Hunter said the dog wash bay aimed to meet consumer demand for pet-friendly, practical, lifestyle-driven apartment living.
“Pets are integral members of the family, and we aim to set a new benchmark in modern, pet-friendly living with The Residences,” he said.
Mr Hunter said the new development will be complemented by large, private landscaped areas adjacent to 25 hectares of serene natural bushland, ensuring plenty of space and freedom for both furry friends and their owners.
Recent buyer Stephen Pillinger is the head of colorectal Robotic Surgery at the San hospital and Clinical Associate Professor at ANU, downsizing from a freestanding six-bedroom home with garden and pool in Turramurra.
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Stephen Pillinger at Ku-Ring-Gai National Park.
Stephen Pillinger’s dogs Molly and Skye
“It’s me, my wife and our two dogs and we have two adult children now there will be space for them as well,” he said.
“We have always had dogs and they are part of the family.
“It’s part of the lifestyle in this area, there’s a lot of bush and bushwalking is something we do – having a place where they are catered for and welcomed is important.”
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Mr Pillinger said the lifestyle in the area including bushwalking with the dogs
Mr Pillinger said the unique set up made The Residences appealing, particularly as it is going to attract other dog owners and contribute to the sense of community, he will also be next to his work at San hospital.
“As you obviously get older and the kids grow up, you use less and less of the facilities and space in a big house,” he said.
“There’s not a lot of point staying and rattling around a big house when you can do away with a lot of those hassles moving to a smaller place,.
“I’ve had my eye on that site for a long time, since they talked about building there because of my work in the area.”
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The Residences
Australia’s growing love of pets is also reflected as 69 per cent of households now owning an animal with dogs present in 48 per cent of homes.
This demand is not only influencing home design but also reshaping what buyers and investors expect from residential developments.
Scheduled for completion in 2027, The Residences will feature 128 luxury one, two, and three-bedroom apartments with plans to blend the heritage charm of Wahroonga’s historic estate offering low-maintenance, pet-inclusive living on Sydney’s Upper North Shore.
'I like it here, we'll take it.'
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