Rosebery is a suburb in transition. Bordering Green Square, Victoria Park and Alexandria, it is just six kilometres south of the Sydney CBD, well connected to public transport and is ripe for redevelopment.
Many of the old industrial buildings and commercial warehouses are being demolished and replaced by attractive-looking apartment complexes. The latest of these is Astor by LIVstyle, a boutique developer who has achieved great success with its other Rosebery projects, Verde and The Parker Residences.
Astor enjoys the benefit of frontages to both Mentmore and Rothschild Avenues. It is within 600 metres of the entrance to the Eastern Distributor which provides direct links to the CBD, the Eastern Suburbs and the North Shore. Green Square Railway Station is within walking distance, and Sydney Airport is just a few minutes drive away.
Aaron Tippett, a Director of LIVstyle, regards Rosebery as a “social and cultural hotbed” undergoing extensive urban renewal.
“Every day you can see the area changing for the better,” Mr Tippett said.
“At 105 apartments Astor is our largest project to date, which stems from our confidence in the growing popularity of Rosebery. With Darlinghurst and Surry Hills virtually moribund through road closures and parking hassles, Rosebery has the potential to offer a similar cosmopolitan lifestyle but with less congestion and at a much more affordable price.”
Astor comprises two seven level buildings, sited 23 metres apart, with a large central courtyard that will be landscaped with mature trees and have an outdoor kitchen for social gatherings, custom-designed seating, and areas for private relaxation.
Environa Studio has designed both buildings to be visually complementary, with vertical green walls and slots in the façade to create visible entry points.
“One of our design tenets is to ensure the journey for residents to their front doors is an interesting one, so once they enter the building we take them through sinuous walkways and a series of large and small communal spaces – not boring corridors,” said Tone Wheeler from Environa Studio. “When they enter their apartment they will experience a feeling of sanctuary.”
The 105 apartments at Astor range from one-bedroom to three-bedroom options, and include penthouses with large rooftop terraces and garden units that provide a natural connection to the outdoors.
“We have eliminated un-useable floor space to ensure occupants have generous and flexible interior and external living areas whist being mindful of their need for storage,” said Mr Wheeler. “The rooms are well-proportioned and either square or rectangular which will be easy to furnish, unlike some of the odd-shaped designs created on an architect’s whim.
“We have maximised the outlook, the light, the cross-ventilation, the privacy and the feeling of security for residents.”
Peter Shield, Residential Project Director of Ray White Erskineville, said apartments at Astor take affordable style to a new dimension, and will be appreciated by people who have inspected lesser quality units in adjoining suburbs. “These have a warm and inviting feel, and set new standards for Rosebery with their finishes,” he said.
Astor will provide most apartments with secure car spaces, and there will also be visitor parking. With parking at a premium so close to the CBD, realtors value each space at up to $80,000.
Strata Choice estimates quarterly levies to be $500, $950 and $1,100 respectively for the one, two and three-bedroom apartments.
Rosebery offers an ideal base for workers, being near large-scale employer groups such as the airport, hospitals and Fox Studios. Students are equally well catered for by the University of NSW, Sydney University, UTS, Sydney Tech, the National Institute of Dramatic Art and private colleges.
“Rosebery is close to many of Sydney’s best recreational attractions, such as our sporting stadiums, top golf courses, Randwick Racecourse, and our world famous beaches, including Bondi, Bronte and Coogee,” said Mr Shield.
“Most things you want are within walking distance, including restaurants, theatres, boutiques, galleries, and shopping facilities. Those who buy here will appreciate the benefits even more in years to come as Sydney becomes more crowded and properties close to the CBD grow out of the financial reach of most.”
Construction of Astor is scheduled to start in March and be completed by early-2018.
