With urban development on the rise, standout swimming pools are increasingly expected in new apartments as buyers seek the luxury of resort-style living, minus the maintenance.
Whether it's the promise of a serene escape or a statement of extravagance, high-end pools have become a pivotal feature for prospective apartment buyers, signalling a shift toward luxury resort-style living.
But these aren't your basic backyard pools. From architecturally-designed magnesium pools to rooftop onsen spas, buyers are expecting beautiful spots to swim – and developers are listening.
“Increasingly buyers are seeking a resort-style lifestyle, connecting with ease to amenities within the development and locally,” Pikos Group CEO, Michelle Wooldridge, told realestate.com.au.
“They want to walk out their door and be a stone’s throw to everything. They’ve worked hard all of their lives and now they want to kick back and enjoy life more. Amenities like pools are a very important aspect of a resort-style, luxury lifestyle."
Pools are one element of wider amenity available in off-the-plan developments that buyers expect to see, with some wellness facilities now also considered must-haves.
Wellness is at the forefront at Gaia with hot and cold plunge cools, yoga lawns and communal gardens available to residents. Picture: Pikos Group
“Pools are deal breakers for some, as are gyms, and now more and more prospective buyers are also wanting saunas,” Wooldridge said.
“Many residents also enjoy having their families around, with all the amenities for their children and grandchildren – but they don’t want to have the upkeep of it all.”
Let's dive into 10 off-the-plan apartments with spectacular swimming pools.
Kloud, Gold Coast
Reflecting its Palm Beach location, Kloud by developers GRAYA features a resort-inspired magnesium pool, along with a wet deck featuring day beds, an integrated barbecue kitchen, and an alfresco social space all immersed within landscaped gardens.
Exclusive amenities at Kloud feature a resort-inspired magnesium pool, wet deck, day beds, barbecue kitchen and outdoor social space. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Magnesium pools contain magnesium chloride and lower levels of chlorine in comparison to saltwater and chlorinated pools, offering a cleaner swimming experience.
The development, designed by the award-winning team of Rob and Andrew Gray, comprises 23 beachside residences with panoramic ocean views, expansive living spaces, and serene outdoor areas.
Price points range between $3.5 million and $9 million with limited residences remaining. Kloud is expected to finish construction by the end of 2025.
Skye and Gaia, Brisbane
Pikos Group's Skye offers unsurpassed views over the Brisbane River and city skyline. Nestled at Kangaroo Point, the development takes advantage of its vistas with a floating rooftop deck and infinity pool.
The pool is positioned at the northernmost peak, wrapping around 270 degrees to maximise both sunrise and sunset views. Wooldridge said the pool will be completely tiled with luxurious Bisazza mosaic tiles.
Residents can enjoy the heated infinity pool and Skyeline aquatic deck year-round, while soaking in panoramic views of Brisbane's city skyline and river. Picture: Pikos Group
"There’s accompanying lounge areas and an outdoor kitchen where residents can prepare a meal and enjoy the outdoor community lifestyle,” added Wooldridge.
Skye offers 69 residences across three buildings over 13 levels. Apartments start from $3.7 million with construction expected to finish by September 2025.
Pikos' other Kangaroo Point development, Gaia, is another standout. It features Brisbane’s largest private riverside parkland with more than 20 nature and leisure zones, one of which is a riverside pool inclusive of hot and cold plunge pools.
MORE: Brisbane's best off-the-plan developments
Monarch Place Luxury Residences, Gold Coast
You could be excused for thinking you were in Miami at this swish offering from Monarch Place Luxury Residences in Southport.
Forming part of the $3.8 billion Imperial Square Project, the property offers both heated indoor and outdoor pools, along with a magnesium pool centred around wellness.
Monarch Place has a dedicated wellness space for residents to enjoy a holistic luxury lifestyle. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Complemented by a dedicated wellness spa, steam room, sauna, and fully equipped gym, residents can experience a holistic luxury lifestyle.
Developed by Azzura Investments and designed by architect Kris Kowalski, Monarch Place will have 323 apartments across 40 storeys. Apartments start from $761,000 with construction expected to complete by 2027.
The Canopy, Melbourne
Committed to biophilic and sustainable design, The Canopy by Gamuda Land features an eco-deck rooftop with serene onsen spas offering 360-degree views from its South Melbourne perch.
With a focus on connecting to nature, The Canopy offers a rooftop with barbecues, dining areas, fire pits, and Onsen spas. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Japanese onsen spas are renowned for their natural hot spring waters and offer a wealth of wellness benefits, like easing muscle tension and promoting relaxation.
The Canopy offers a selection of two- and three-bedroom apartments starting from $780,000. Construction is expected to finish by January 2026.
MORE: How health and wellness is proving big business in off-the-plan developments
Origami and Park Avenue, Sydney
Designed by globally renowned architect Koichi Takada with interiors by award-winning David Hicks, JQZ's Origami offers sophisticated living with hotel-style concierge services, smart entry, high-end finishes and exciting architectural design. Of course, the residences are crowned by a rooftop pool with panoramic views of Sydney's skyline.
The space is complemented by stylish sun loungers and landscaping, providing residents with a serene environment for relaxation right in the heart of the city.
Designed by globally-renowned Koichi Takada, Origami's outdoor pool offers panoramic views of Sydney's skyline. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
JQZ's St Leonard's project, Park Avenue, has a similarly impressive resort-style outdoor swimming pool paired with the backdrop of Sydney’s CBD skyline and harbour.
Both developments offer a range of dwellings with Park Avenue's apartments starting from $986,000.
Highett Common, Melbourne
Located in Melbourne's coveted Bayside area, Highett Common by Sunkin Property Group features both an indoor and outdoor pool appealing to urban luxury enthusiasts.
With over 43% of the development dedicated to green space, residents will find lush gardens around the outdoor pool. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Highett Common has nature integrated throughout, with over 43% of the property dedicated to green space. The development offers two swimming options: an outdoor pool surrounded by the aforementioned sprawling greenery, and an indoor pool tailored for year-round fitness.
There is also a gym, as well as a yoga, Pilates or meditation studio, in addition to a wellness lounge.
Over 185 properties are on offer starting from $525,000 and construction is expected to finish November 2026.
The Dunes, Perth
Sitting right on Scarborough Beach, The Dunes, developed by Edge, showcases resorts-style luxury with its lagoon pool.
The Dunes lagoon pool is complemented by coastal-inspired materials and textures. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The surrounding pool area features stylish cabanas, sun loungers and a spa section, providing residents with high-end coastal comfort just steps from the beach.
With over 223 properties starting from $850,000 on offer, The Dunes is estimated to complete construction by October 2026.
One Sydney Harbour, Sydney
One Sydney Harbour is designed by Pritzker Prize-winning master architect Renzo Piano, who's responsible for impressive buildings like Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, The Shard in London and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City.
In collaboration with Lendlease, the three residential towers complete Barangaroo South's transformation and aim to set a new benchmark for luxury living in Sydney.
One Sydney Harbour is designed by one of the world's leading architects, Pritzker Prize-winning Renzo Piano. The project includes two pool areas - The Pool Club indoors, and The Pool Deck, overlooking the harbour. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
It's no surprise then, that there are multiple pool offerings in the development.
Inside, there is The Pool House – a luxurious and calming area awash in green marble with an indoor pool, spa, steam room and sauna. There is also a state-of-the-art gym, private wellness treatment rooms, and a studio for yoga, meditation and Pilates.
Outside, there is The Pool Deck – an expansive L-shaped lap and leisure pool overlooking Watermans Cove, surrounded by landscaping and sun loungers.
One Sydney Harbour prices start at $1.685 million with Residences One completed and Residences Two and Waterman's Residences on track for completion by the end of 2024.
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