Leading by example

Buying property has always been about location, which is commonly ranked first, second and third in the list of essential features. But today the lifestyle factor is also right up there as a key attraction.

Combine both these elements and you have a certain recipe for success, as Mirvac has proven with The Peninsula on Burswood a 17.1ha master-planned community on Perth's Burswood Peninsula. Such is the success of the project, which is a joint venture with Australian Super, that properties in the first five apartment towers all sold off the plan in the first weekend each was released to the market. The fifth and most recent release the Aquarius tower was in December, and included the sale of 45 luxury apartments.

The project has also contributed to another recent milestone for Mirvac WA. In March, the company won the prestigious National High Density Development award at the national annual UDIA congress in Melbourne for Allegro, the first residential tower in the development.

Mirvac WA CEO Evan Campbell says the Allegro was one of four quality national developments that were vying for the national award.

"To achieve the highest UDIA award in the country is a significant achievement for Western Australia."

Campbell attributes the ongoing demand for residences to a number of factors, including the picturesque setting, the architectural diversity of the properties on offer, the spectacular views and the sense of community and security. Campbell also says the convenience and accessibility of the location are major drawcards The Peninsula is just 5-10 minutes from the city via train or freeway. The development is also within easy walking distance of the State Tennis Centre and the Burswood Entertainment Complex, which includes the Casino and Burswood Dome.

"Perth doesn't have major traffic issues and people are finding it is not essential to live in the inner city to enjoy an urban lifestyle," Campbell says.

Once complete, The Peninsula will be home to approximately 3000 residents living in a diverse range of village-style housing options. These include courtyard and executive terraced homes, mid-rise and high-rise apartments.

Mirvac Design architect Chris Maher says that right from the start, the architectural planners sought to create an environment to be enjoyed, not just lived in. All the multi-unit dwellings have been carefully woven around pristine lakes and large, landscaped open spaces that include riverfront promenades and cycle ways.

"A number of factors influenced the design of the community, including the existing topography of the site and its social history," says Maher. "We also looked at historical precedents, including traditional walled villages in Tuscany and The Circus in Bath, England."

With the towers and townhouses providing high-density accommodation, Mirvac was able to designate parklands and garden areas that are 30% greater than required statutory allocations.

"Mirvac believes that less can be more," says Campbell. "Although we could have planned for 1200 residences, we have deliberately limited the number to 900 to create a more spacious environment. This project was never about producing a large number of little boxes for short-term gain. Having the discipline to stay with our vision of the masterplan has been a key reason for the project's ongoing success."

Maher says the architectural planners have created view corridors through the development to provide river glimpses and city views from pathways and roads.

"The Peninsula was also designed to respond to the greater Perth landscape," he says. "The design is a visual response to the urban nodes of south Perth and the inner-city high-rises across the river. The centrally grouped apartment towers create a residential centre that brings additional focus to this side of the river. This, in turn, places the Swan River back at the heart of the overall city landscape."

Similar perspectives are a feature of the houses and apartments, which have been designed to capture the expansive city, golf course and harbour views without sacrificing privacy. All residences also feature high-quality fixtures and fittings, in keeping with the high standard of specification throughout the development.

Campbell says another key reason for the project's success is the fact that Mirvac was responsible for all aspects of the project, from the design, construction and project management through to the marketing, sales and customer relations.

"There are many benefits to having one developer for a project of this size, including certainty of outcome and assurance that the original vision will be retained.

"Mirvac has a strong reputation and track record in producing similar developments on the East Coast. This reputation, along with the expertise of Mirvac Design in providing the integrated design elements, and the co-ordinated and staged development are other major benefits."

For more information, contact the Peninsula Burswood Sales & Information Office, off Victoria Park Drive on the Plaza at Allegro, phone (08) 9424 9999, fax (08) 9355 3584. Website: www.mirvac.com.au.

Story by: Trendsideas