Mulpha has released the first apartments in its $1billion zero-carbon, masterplanned Norwest Quarter development in the Hills, Sydney, following development approval this month.

Award-winning builder Parkview Construction has been appointed to commence work in June 2022, after working extensively with Mulpha to quality control and deliver new benchmarks in sustainable design and construction.

Located within 750 metres of the new Norwest Metro Station at 40 Solent Circuit, Norwest in Sydney’s Hills District, the first stage of Norwest Quarter will include two residential apartment buildings, Banksia and Lacebark, with a total of 196 apartment homes, and more than 3,000 sqm of specially curated and sustainably led retail and commercial space including a full-floor commercial gym, fresh food grocer, medical services and restaurants.

Strong interest in the apartments has seen over a third of the first apartments released off the plan selling in the first two weeks to a mix of owner occupiers, including young families, and local investors.

The 115-apartment Banksia building, designed by leading architects Bates Smart, will offer a choice of one-, two- and three-bedroom open plan apartments, with the best views north towards Castle Hill Country Club or southwest over Norwest Lake. Banksia’s design prioritises outdoor space and connecting to nature, with each apartment having one or more oversized balconies with lush landscaping.

The 81-apartment Lacebark building by Smart Design Studio is also selling off the plan, and will offer generously sized one, two, and three-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom penthouses, all with curved balconies and angled blades designed to bring in more sunlight in the winter and protection from the sun in the summer.

Banksia has a resident-only podium rooftop with swimming pool, sunlit garden, resident lounge, work from home pods, and function room for hire, while Lacebark has a resident lounge and a beautiful garden, complete with a kitchen, sundeck, and BBQs.

An enormous open public plaza linking Banksia to Lacebark next door will feature a wild botanical garden with an amphitheatre, timber walkways, water and wild play for children, decked areas and seating, all contributing to the 70 percent of open green space within the precinct.

The Norwest Quarter environment has also been designed to minimise the urban heat island effect (UHIE) through substantial re-wilding of the natural landscape, which in turn promotes local flora and fauna. Initiatives to enhance long term re-wilding include pollination and soil health management. This all contributes to the creation of a cooler and healthier environment throughout the precinct.

Apartments in Norwest Quarter will consume two thirds less energy than a typical apartment, and one third less water from the grid. Due to the strong sustainability credentials of the apartments, purchasers may be eligible for discounted green mortgages, potentially providing a lower interest rate* on their mortgage.

Both buildings also offer innovative upgrade options that transform the floor space of your spare room or home office, a direct response to the changing way people live in a Covid-world, working from home more and needing more flexibility in apartment design.

Both buildings with feature rooftop solar panels, electric vehicle charging with fast charges, and high-performance, centralised air-conditioning. The apartments will have high efficiency lighting and appliances, and are 100% electric with, induction cooktops and electric hot water.

Other sustainable community initiatives will include communal electric BBQs, communal gardens, productive beehives for enhanced pollination, worm farms, composting and natural landscapes.

Mulpha Head of Developments, Tim Spencer, said:

“We are very excited to launch the first apartment buildings in Norwest Quarter which we believe will set a new benchmark in lifestyle design with its focus on community, sustainability and harmony with the natural environment.

“The design of both buildings far exceeds standard sustainability regulations with best practice passive design principles and high-performance environmental initiatives throughout.

“I believe people will choose to live here for the opportunity to be part of a community, aiming for a better future, targeting 100 percent renewable energy, reduced waste, and efficient use of resources including water.”

When complete, the Norwest Quarter masterplan will transform over 3.8 hectares of greenfield land into a vibrant village centre for over 2,000 residents. There will be nine residential towers containing 864 apartments, with 6,000m2 of space provided for cafes, restaurants, neighbourhood shops and childcare facilities.

Norwest Quarter is within walking distance of the Norwest Metro Station and the emerging Norwest town centre as well as extensive parklands, pathways and cycleways.

Norwest Quarter will be the first zero carbon precinct in the Hills and one of the most ambitious in Australia in terms of sustainable practices, initiatives and design considerations.