5 reasons to get excited about the new Midtown MacPark development

As the popularity of apartment living rises, buyer expectations are also climbing.

High on wish lists is the desire to live in an ‘urban village’ where there’s immediate access to amenities like shops, cafes and transport, as well as plenty of green space and a vibrant community. A new development, Midtown MacPark at Sydney’s Macquarie Park region, is masterplanned to deliver this lifestyle.

With architecturally designed apartments, walkability and green-star sustainability, this new urban village is set to transform this area of Sydney.

Macquarie Park is the second-largest business district in NSW and home to major business headquarters, while Macquarie University and the Macquarie Centre shopping centre are other drawcards to the area.

Nigel Edgar, general manager of development at Frasers Property Australia, says MidtownMacPark is a unique opportunity for buyers, with 3,300 residences set to be built for approximately 6,500 people within 10-12 years.

“There are jobs, it has universities nearby and it has Sydney’s largest shopping centre outside of the CBD,” he says.

For people looking for more than just an apartment, here are five reasons to get excited about Midtown MacPark.

1. Urban village vibes

The most attractive areas to buyers don’t just have nice homes, but a range of amenities and lifestyle options.

“Urban villages are where people aspire to live, as they are diverse, they have a range of housing options from large houses, small houses to apartments,” says Edgar. “They have lots of cafes, public open spaces and things to connect to. That’s our aspiration at Midtown. To create a sense of place and belonging by creating  places where people can get together and connect.”

Midtown will be buzzing with parks, playgrounds, cafés and convenience stores, a proposed primary school and two childcare centres, senior living facilities, a community centre, cycling tracks, a 25-metre pool, gym, and more.

2. Everything is walkable

Key to a perfect urban village is walkability, which means having everything you need within a short stroll, explains Cameron Kusher, executive manager of economic research at REA Group.

“People want to be able to walk downstairs and get their bread and milk, get their coffee in the morning, get a bite to eat, or drop into the chemist,” says Kusher.

“Being able to walk to a supermarket, or jump on a train and get into the city relatively easily is definitely attractive.”

Midtown has pedestrian paths and cycling links all built into the design. It’s a 500-metre walk to Macquarie Business Park and a 600-metre walk to Macquarie University. Edgar says it’s also just 500-metre walk to the new Macquarie University Metro station.

“In 2024, when the second stage of the new Metro opens, it will go right through from Macquarie Park to Barangaroo in the city, so you’ll be in the city within 30 minutes,” says Edgar.

It’s also close to Macquarie Centre, which is home to everything from high-end fashion to food stores, restaurants and entertainment.

3. Plenty of public space

Apartment dwellers want easy access to plenty of green space for exercise sessions, socialising and relaxation. Midtown will have a 6,000sqm central village green, as well as neighbourhood ‘pocket parks’ with BBQ facilities, playgrounds, exercise stations, paths and cycleways.

“The really exciting part is, whilst we’re able to deliver a new apartment community, we’re also able to preserve 33 percent of the area as open space,” says Edgar.

4. Sustainability built in

With environmental sustainability increasingly important, Frasers Property is targeting a 6-Star Green Star Communities rating from the Green Building Council of Australia for Midtown. Midtown will feature solar PV, high efficiency centralised hot water, smart meter technology and minimised use of onsite gas. The homes will have energy-efficient AC systems and LED lighting throughout.

“We’re future-proofing our community with a vision of being carbon neutral in operation,” says Edgar.

5. Affordable options

With Sydney housing the most expensive in the country, buyers are looking for affordable options within easy reach of the CBD.

To meet this need, Midtown is offering a selection of apartments under $750,000 which may be eligible for the $25,000 HomeBuilder grant. First home buyers could potentially couple this with the NSW First Home Owner Grant and stamp duty concessions.

“We have a mix of one-bedroom apartments starting from $595,000, and studios, two, and three-bedroom apartments, as well as two-storey penthouses on offer — our pricing is really competitive,” says Edgar.

Article from realestate.com.au

View full article here