When asked what Aqualand’s mantra of ‘Live Better’ really means, their head of sales and marketing, Alex Adams, said: “It’s all about improving our client’s entire life. We’re in the business of creating lifestyles, not just residences. By developing new precincts, including thriving retail and hospitality outlets on our podium levels, we’re elevating the lives of not just our residents, but the entire neighbourhood.

“That’s why we’re so heavily invested in the prestigious suburb of North Sydney, so that our residents can live a better life,” Alex said.

Aqualand’s strong commitment to the North Sydney council area is clearly evident at their landmark AURA by Aqualand residential precinct at 168 Walker Street, which is set to open in mid-2024, as well as their award-winning BLUE at Lavender Bay, which was completed in 2021. 

They are also in the very early stages of planning their first build-to-rent project, set to be built on the site of their existing commercial building at 146 Arthur Street in North Sydney.

The proposed 40-storey project will deliver about 300 apartments available for rent above a lively ground-floor retail and commercial precinct, just 400m from North Sydney Station and 250m from the future Victoria Cross Metro Station.

Their commercial portfolio also features other North Sydney assets, including 15 Blue Street above North Sydney train station and 132 Arthur Street, which could be potential future redevelopment sites. 

Aqualand’s lifestyle and hospitality arm, Etymon Projects, is bringing world-class hospitality venues to North Sydney, with Loulou Bistro already thriving in Milsons Point, and Poetica, which recently opened at 1 Denison Street.

They’re also midway through delivering four other highly curated venues in AURA’s podium level, including Una, an artisanal providore; Sol, a bakery, cafe and wine bar; Soluna, an LA-inspired all-day diner and bar; and Genzo, a contemporary Japanese restaurant, all due to open in mid-2024. 

So, in addition to their commitment to assisting in easing Sydney’s high-quality rental shortage, they’re also delivering on their ‘live better’ philosophy by making these significant contributions to the vibrancy of the North Sydney CBD’s 18-hour economy, which is already in the midst of a major rejuvenation.

So, why invest in North Sydney?

Alex Adams says there are seven main strategic drivers they believe make North Sydney such a strong investment, not to mention a great place to live, including:

It’s mid-way through an exciting renaissance … that’s making it an activated and lively place to live with robust growth potential. There’s myriad trendy bars, pubs and restaurants that are attracting foodies from all over greater Sydney. 

Significant government investment … in North Sydney CBD over the next decade will flow through to more than $14 billion in private sector spending.

New transport options and public infrastructure … are included in the strategic growth plans for North Sydney including myriad public domain works identified in the North Sydney CBD Public Domain Strategy, which includes future amenities, transport (the Victoria Cross Station will be operational in June 2024), and local areas of interest.

Location, location, location … whilst being an old adage, certainly rings true here. North Sydney’s unrivalled harbourside location places the very best of Sydney on your doorstep. Thanks to the future Victoria Cross Station, Barangaroo will be reached in three minutes and there are already plenty of road, rail and bus routes to reach Sydney’s bustling CBD shopping and entertainment attractions in virtually no time. Not to mention the amazing views of Sydney Harbour seen from the harbour-hugging location.

It’s become a magnet for major global companies … with Zurich, Sony, Channel 9, Coca Cola and Microsoft just a few already calling the suburb home, plus there’s the new 1 Denison Street and Miller Place precinct coming. This makes the CBD area the perfect place to live, work and play without leaving your suburb.

North Sydney’s loaded with private and selective schools … with one of Sydney’s most prestigious high schools, Reddam House, about to develop a highrise vertical campus offering private co-education from kindergarten to year 12. It already has myriad other prestigious schools, including North Sydney Boys High School (which claimed the No.1 spot in the Higher School Certificate rankings in 2023), North Sydney Girls High School (claimed fourth in the Higher School Certificate rankings in 2023), Marist Catholic College North Shore, Wenona School and Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College already there.

It’s growing … in terms of people, with its population forecast to increase by 6000, and in terms of property value, with unit prices growing by 12 per cent in the past year (versus 6 per cent in Sydney CBD).

So, these are just a few reasons why Aqualand thinks North Sydney’s a great place to not only live in but to invest in. And with AURA by Aqualand about to complete, it’s about to get even better.