A look inside Banksia: One of two towers in Norwest Quarter's first stage

A look inside Banksia: One of two towers in Norwest Quarter's first stage
Render of the activated ground floor under the Banksia tower
Alison Warters February 19, 2023

The first stage of the latest masterplanned community to hit the north-west of Sydney is in full swing.

Mulpha’s Norwest Quarter will bring nine unique towers to the Norwest site, with each showcasing an innovative architectural design and ecological advances. Built in contrasting heights and shapes, the buildings will be well separated for privacy, yet thoughtfully connected to the community and neighbourhood through scenic landscaping and impressive amenities. 

One of the first two buildings to be constructed in the nature-driven community is the Banksia tower.

Designed by Bates Smart, Banksia celebrates the traditional name for Australia’s Banksia or Wadanggari tree, offering an array of apartment types, atop an activated ground floor boasting a range of shops, eateries, and a gym.

“Positioned around a public plaza filled with native flowers and plants, it’s a destination that unites you with the environment by prioritising outdoor spaces everywhere you turn,” Mulpha say. 

Each Banksia floor is a perfect square with apartments arranged around a central core, so everyone enjoys lake, golf course or Blue Mountain views. Corner apartments enjoy aspects in three directions, while single-aspect apartments have been designed to maximise sunlight.

Tall doors open to expansive balcony living, creating a seamless extension to your indoor space, while generous balconies fringed with lush, cascading greenery are angled, ensuring privacy while steeping your indoor-outdoor living in sunlight, and fresh air.

Being nature-driven in design, a number of sustainable and environmentally-friendly initiatives have been included in each of the Banksia residences, including low-maintenance LED lighting, efficient water fittings and appliances, induction cooktops that heat up faster than gas and use less energy, electric hot water, and high-performance, centralised air con.

On top of the amenity across the ground floor, Banksia is crowned by a private podium rooftop sanctuary, complete with a pool, day-beds, a native garden, community veggie patch, and a resident’s lounge. Banksia also boasts its own lobby library, where residents can share and swap books as they please, while also providing a quiet study/workplace nook within the building. Additionally a number of bookable spaces are also provided, including a private dining room, bar, and office nooks. 

The community experience is at the forefront of Norwest Quarter’s design. Art-laden hallways connect each of the spaces, with a share-and-repair shed on site, along with dog washing amenities and car-sharing. 

Located just 400-metres from the Norwest Metro Station, Banksia will be joined by the Lacebark building in the first stage, which will deliver additional amenity for Banksia residents to utilise. 

184 residences are set to be delivered across the two buildings, with more than 3,000 sqm of specially curated amenity and sustainably led retail and commercial space, including a fresh food grocer and medical services. 

Strong interest in the apartments has seen over a third of the first residences released off the plan, selling in the first two weeks to a mix of owner occupiers, including young families, and local investors. 

A mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments are still remaining, with completion slated for early 2025. 

Alison Warters

Alison Warters is a property journalist for Urban, based in Sydney. Alison is especially interested in the evolution of the New Build/Development space, when it comes to design innovation and sustainability.

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