An artist’s impression of one of the $60m+ penthouses at One Circular Quay, with its iconic view.
Just back from a tour of what’s undoubtedly the best apartment building in Australia, and, arguably the world.
If you want one, you’d better be quick!
Ninety per cent of the 158 apartments at Lendlease’s One Circular Quay have already sold, $2bn worth.
Most of the buyers are from Sydney’s east or north shore, some from interstate, and, perhaps surprisingly, just four from overseas.
The prominent developer didn’t focus on seeking foreigners, there were sufficient Aussies with enough coin to buy them, loving the fact that every apartment has a north-facing view of the Bridge and Opera House.
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Artist’s impression of the One Circular Quay, to the right in the foreground, with the Waldorf Astoria Sydney the smaller tower to its left.
An artist’s impression of the formal dining room for a dozen in a sub-penthouse at One Circular Quay.
The two-bedders, with no car spaces, were first to go at between $6m and $8m. Now, the cheapest is a $12.75m three bedder.
And, most astonishingly of all, some of the buyers already own in Lendlease’s other luxury high-rise, One Sydney Harbour at Barangaroo, home of the nation’s record-breaking $141m apartment sale: they’ll spend Monday to Thursday in one apartment and the rest of the week in the other.
One Circular Quay’s three-level penthouse — featuring the same marble seen in the Palace of Versailles and an infinity sky pool — is still up for grabs. That will snatch the national record if it sells at the $150m asking price.
We can’t access the penthouse for my tour — the 58-storey block designed by Kerry Hill Architects won’t be complete until the end of the year and the penthouse until next year — but I’ve been given rare access to one of the sub-penthouses on level 52. That’s being fitted out now.
Most of the walls are luxurious timber veneer.
The formal living room.
The whole building is abuzz with workmen, a team of about 800 working around the clock. The interiors of the sub-penthouse, by renowned designer Daniel Goldberg, are going in around me, but having just had a tour of the display suite replica, it’s easy to imagine the finished product.
This, which has four bedrooms plus a study, has already sold for a cool $60m-plus, as has one of the other sub-penthouses. But there are still four left.
Standing in the winter garden, I was mesmerised by the view … the ferries below and the view to the Heads to the right, with Parramatta and the Blue Mountains to the left.
I’m so close to the Bridge I can easily see the cars hurrying along. And the people walking up the Opera House steps.
“It’s hard to drag people away from that view, especially the interstate buyers,” says Steven Chen of the Agency, who’s been charged with selling the handful of apartments that are left.
The whole-floor sub-penthouse will be incredible — about 600sqm — the size of a large house.
Wake up to an amazing view of the Bridge.
The marble bath in the ensuite, with its view of both Barangaroo and the Bridge.
There are two entrances, the main plus another one close by the second kitchen, for staff or other family members.
There’ll be formal dining for up to a dozen; formal living with a library and bar either side; and an informal living area space.
An incision in the wall could accommodate the world’s biggest TV, or maybe a magnificent art piece — the uber rich don’t like to have a television on display.
Most of the walls are luxurious timber veneer and the finest Italian marble feature in the kitchens — complete with $30k Sub Zero fridge and Wolf appliances — and the five bathrooms.
But my favourite features are a toss-up between the master suite, where I could wake up to a view of the Bridge; the marble bath in the ensuite with its Bridge and Barangaroo outlook, or the two wintergardens, where I could stay literally the whole day, observing the sunrise to my right and the sunset to my left.
So, is it the best in the world?
The quality of the finishes at One Circular Quay are extraordinary.
“The position is globally iconic,” says Steven Chen.
Well, in terms of prices, $150m is a bargain compared with the penthouse at Mareterra in Monaco that sold for more than $800m; New York’s Central Park Tower penthouse, valued at more than $360m or the similarly priced top offerings at One Hyde Park in London.
But Steven Chen says One Circular Quay is certainly up there on global terms when it comes to quality of the finishes and the incredible location.
“The position is globally iconic, unmatched and cannot be repeated in Sydney Harbour,” he said.
“The project perfectly blends scale with bespoke design, coupled majestical views, 24/7 service and amenity.”
Daniel Baxter, Executive Director Development NSW/ACT, adds: “One Circular Quay represents a rare combination of location, design and quality, with every residence featuring views of Sydney’s two most recognisable landmarks: the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.
“The attention to detail throughout the project is something buyers consistently respond to, from the use of natural materials and refined craftsmanship through to interiors and amenities designed to enhance, rather than compete with, the harbour setting.
“We’re seeing strong demand, particularly from domestic buyers, who understand the significance of this opportunity and the appeal of owning a home in one of the country’s most recognisable and tightly held locations.”
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