There has always been something artful about Sydney’s skyline. 

Even before its two most famous landmarks were built, the grand domes of the Queen Victoria Building, the gothic towers of Government House and the intricate details of Customs House gave the city character, whimsy and gravitas. 

It’s a tradition continued by architects today, as more buildings take their place in that famous skyline. 

One of those buildings, AURA by Aqualand, is due to be finished in mid-2024, and the developers behind the project are proud to be celebrating a decade of bringing innovative design to Sydney.

“The development is Sydney’s latest example of architecture as sculpture, a category that includes some of the city’s most memorable buildings,” Aqualand head of sales and marketing Alex Adams says. 

“From the white sails of the Sydney Opera House to the giant plant-draped bowls of Barangaroo House and Darling Harbour’s nest-like mixed-use building The Exchange.”

Not only has Aqualand worked with renowned architects to achieve innovative and elegant design, in its ten year-history the team has created vibrant communities for the people who live and work in the buildings they develop.

“Our buildings have spaces and amenities where people can have a complete living experience in one location to enjoy – such as pools, gyms, libraries, communal rooms, community rooms, rooftop entertainment spaces and podium level retail,” Adams says. 

He says residents also get to know each other through the “AQ Club” which offers money can’t buy experiences to further strengthen community connection. 

“Aqualand is also a long-time supporter of local arts, sporting and cultural organisations in Australia, including the South Sydney Rabbitohs, the Art Gallery of NSW, the Sydney Modern Project and Sculpture by the Sea in Bondi,” he says. 

Other projects the team has completed over the past decade include BLUE at Lavender Bay and The REVY, and Adams says part of their success was Aqualand’s willingness to take on challenging projects in already built-up locations. 

“It would have been far easier to work from clear sites for both those projects,” he says. 

“BLUE at Lavender Bay embodies our philosophy of taking on challenging long-term projects that result in a unique and elevated living experience for our buyers.

“We also collaborate with only the very best architects and other project partners to provide industry-leading projects, and we invest in superior construction materials, fixtures and fittings and building products that future-proof the projects.”

For their latest undertaking, the Aqualand team has worked with acclaimed architects Woods Bagot, creating a skyline-redefining structure in North Sydney. 

“AURA’s gracefully undulating facade creates an illusion that the single structure is divided into four separate towers, with staggered peaks stepping down from level 29 to level 23. 

“The building’s distinctive hourglass shape cinches in at the level-nine ‘waist’ of the building, where the resident’s community centre is located,” Adams says. 

North Sydney has experienced a huge wave of investment from both private developers and the government in recent years. The new Victoria Cross metro station is set to open in June 2024 and a wave of new businesses and residents have moved into the area. 

It has become a magnet for major global companies too, with Zurich, Sony, Coca Cola and Microsoft just a few calling the suburb home. 

Adams says AURA will add to the bustling hub by including a providore, bakery, café and wine bar, an all-day diner and a contemporary Japanese restaurant to the development. 

“A network of landscaped laneways will welcome people into the precinct,” he says. 

“There will also be a wellness room, end-of-trip facilities, pool, gym and community room. 

“Also a glamorous rooftop area offers a sun deck, private dining rooms, barbecue and kitchen space for year-round al fresco entertaining.”

And as with Aqualand’s previous residential projects, the apartments themselves will be luxurious, with high-quality fittings, spacious rooms and harbour views. 

“Display apartments within AURA have been completed for buyers to experience the quality of the fittings and fixtures firsthand and get a real sense of the various layouts and spaces,” Adams says. 

So, what does the next ten years have in store for Aqualand? 

Adams says it’s all about continuing the team’s commitment to building quality housing – whether that be high-end apartments aimed at owner-occupiers or projects to help get people into a home – including the developer’s first build-to-rent project, also planned for North Sydney. 

“We are determined to provide housing solutions that help address New South Wales’ housing crisis,” he says. 

“We remain committed to creating dynamic communities and proud legacies for future generations and residences for our clients that they are proud to call home."