Lifestyle-led buyers seeking affordability and connectivity are increasingly turning to Norwest in the Hills District of Greater Sydney.
Located about 35 km northwest of Sydney’s CBD, Norwest has evolved from a corporate hub into a liveable lifestyle precinct in recent years.
With convenient access to the city via the Sydney Metro, Norwest is proving popular with all types of purchasers – from first-home buyers looking for an affordable entry point, to young professionals, families, downsizers and investors.
For many, the appeal lies in the certainty of buying into a complete, thriving masterplanned community – with amenities, streetscapes and green spaces already in place – rather than waiting years for a new project to take shape.
The latest release of The Orchards – ZESTE – offers modern apartment living set within attractive natural surrounds, coupled with the benefits of an existing, established neighbourhood.
ZESTE offers the security and certainty of apartments in a community that's already thriving.
Why Norwest is gaining ground with lifestyle-led buyers
Located in the heart of Norwest, ZESTE is the fifth and final stage of The Orchards – a masterplanned community surrounded by natural green spaces and parklands, and adjoining one of Australia’s best golf courses, The Castle Hill Country Club.
Developed by Sekisui House Australia, the project will deliver 1,300 apartments across multiple stages.
Once complete, residents will enjoy a 1.4-hectare public park, outdoor cinema, playgrounds, breakout green spaces, an outdoor lagoon pool (delivered as part of ZESTE), an indoor swimming pool and fitness centre, and a community centre.
This final stage – comprising 209 apartments across two buildings – will mark the end of a 10-year vision and is expected to be complete in early 2028.
Importantly, much of the community – including key amenities – is already delivered, meaning buyers can move into earlier stages now while securing their desired apartment in ZESTE.
The outdoor lagoon pool is just one of the premium amenities ZESTE residents will have access to.
From lifestyle benefits to apartment design
Beyond location and lifestyle, buyers are drawn to ZESTE’s design philosophy, which centres on larger spaces, abundant light and flexibility.
Sekisui House Australia sales manager David Lee said one of the design elements that sets ZESTE apart was the larger-format floorplans.
Designed by award-winning architects Rothe Lowman, each residence integrates natural light and greenery, reflecting Sekisui House’s global philosophy of creating harmony between people, homes and nature.
The apartments range in size from one-bedroom and one-bedroom MAX (a multi-purpose room), to four-bedroom MAX (to be released from April 2026).
The MAX option – typically 3 metres by 3 metres – is ideal for those working from home, wanting a media room or creating a children’s play space.
Mr Lee said many buyers were downsizers coming off acreage and needing more space, while first-home buyers and owner-occupiers also appreciated the ability to personalise the extra area.
“ZESTE on average is approximately 20 per cent larger than previous stages internally,” said Mr Lee.
“(With) this stage, which we haven’t had previously, we’ve actually added the MAX space to all ranges – one, two, three and four bedrooms.
“Especially with a lot of the downsizers coming in from large homes in the Hills area … they’re moving in from a very large home, a very large acreage, and they want that space.”
The homes at ZESTE feature multi-functional, light-filled spaces.
What a finished community really looks like
Aside from larger-format floorplans, another key attraction is the ability to settle into a completed masterplanned precinct with established parks, pathways and active common spaces.
Stage 1 and 2 of The Orchards sold out, while stages 3 and 4 have also been highly sought-after.
Mr Lee said buying into a complete community removed much of the uncertainty buyers face when purchasing into early-stage projects.
“The fact that we’ve already delivered three stages gives people assurance and certainty that the developer, Sekisui House, is going to deliver what they say they will deliver and on time,” he said.
For investors and owner-occupiers alike, earlier releases have shown strong rental demand and value growth.
“In Stage 2, some two-bedroom buyers bought off the plan for $900,000 and then within two years some of those owners ended up selling them for $1.4 million,” Mr Lee said, illustrating how early purchasers in a finished community have benefited from historical market trends.
“The Metro is the biggest attraction and the value proposition versus other suburbs.”
The Orchards is a masterplanned precinct with an established community built in.
A home that fits the next chapter
ZESTE introduces a new concept for The Orchards – the Sky Home Collection.
These cross-ventilated, oversized two and three-bedroom MAX apartments have a north-facing orientation, with main entry via an exclusive, secure breezeway rather than a traditional lobby.
There are no neighbours to the front, ensuring privacy, while open-plan lounge and dining areas connect seamlessly to generous north-facing balconies.
“It’s like a terrace home, but single level, in the sky,” said Mr Lee.
“ZESTE sky homes are a perfect fit in helping a downsizer transition from a large family home to a sky home.
“We launched last month. I’d say that 40 per cent of the purchases were Sky Homes because it’s a unique product.”
While popular with downsizers, the Sky Home Collection also suits couples and small families wanting the feel of a house without the upkeep, as well as investors attracted to its rarity and rental potential.
The Sky Home Collection are a rare opportunity for large-scale homes with the convenience of an apartment.
Why now is the time to buy
The first building release of 135 apartments generated sales of more than $31 million.
With prices starting in the low $700,000s for a one-bedroom apartment, demand is expected to remain strong.
“Since we launched ZESTE, purchasers that have moved into earlier stages have bought the later stages as well – we have a number of multiple purchases,” Mr Lee said.
“They’re seeing the value proposition of buying in early, getting their apartment of choice, their aspect of choice, their floorplan.”
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