AURA by Aqualand residents to benefit from North Sydney's continuing transformation

Luxury developer Aqualand's involvement in the transformation of North Sydney started right from the company’s outset.

It was 2015 when Aqualand secured a 4,000 sqm site at 168 Walker Street, one of its first site acquisitions just a short walking distance to the new Victoria Cross Station. At that time, the plans for the station were only being drafted.

Now, with construction recently completed on schedule, which is rare in the industry, the timing couldn’t be better for Aqualand to be welcoming new residents to its luxury apartment precinct, AURA by Aqualand. Victoria Cross Station is to open imminently, and will take North Sydney residents to Barangaroo in just three minutes.

There are also new laneways as part of the Metro that has completely revitalised North Sydney. No longer just a commercial precinct, North Sydney is well and truly on the map for everything from cafes and culture to connectivity and convenience.

The recent announcement that Reddam House, one of the most prestigious private schools in the country, is coming to North Sydney, is also now drawing families to the area. Reddam House North Shore is being developed directly across the road from AURA.

Aqualand wanted to do more to contribute to the transformation of North Sydney over and above crafting a luxury apartment building. They wanted to create a community, not only for their residents, but integrate them with the wider North Sydney neighbourhood.

On the doorstep of AURA by Aqualand is a two-level curated food and beverage podium with four world-class venues operated by their hospitality business Etymon Projects. They have recently opened and are thriving under the eye of former Sepia chef Rhys Connell. Within the podium there's Sol, a bakery and wine bar; Una, an artisanal providore; Soluna, an LA-inspired, relaxed dining, bar and lounge and Genzo, a Japanese restaurant (pictured below).

Aqualand Head of Sales and Marketing, Alex Adams, says there's never been a better time to be in North Sydney.

“We’re proud to be a leading the way in North Sydney’s rapid transformation into one of the harbour city’s most sought-after new residential lifestyle destinations," Adams says.

“With the ongoing commitment of North Sydney Council to revitalise North Sydney CBD, and the recent grand opening of our landmark AURA by Aqualand precinct, there’s never been a better time to be in this part of Sydney."

Adams says the growth of North Sydney as a live-work-play destination is bringing the community, workers, students and more visitors to the CBD by supporting activities after work hours, transforming it into a more vibrant and attractive suburb.

“Key to this vision is the investment in infrastructure with the Victoria Cross Metro opening early August and a series of activated laneways that connect Miller Street to two new plazas, while Ward Street across from AURA is being pedestrianised and will link to Denison Street, completing part of the north-south laneway network running from St. Leonards Park to the North Sydney train station then onto Lavender Bay. 

“This pedestrian-friendly laneway and café culture will promote connectivity within the town centre, creating enticing pockets filled with lively cafés, bars and walking trails that add to the evolving cultural ecosystem of the area."

Aqualand scaled back its initial 2016 plans for 441 apartments so they could offer larger floorplans for their residents. Now there are 386 apartments in the 28-level Woods Bagot-designed tower that feature luxury interiors by Richards Stanisich.

Kirsten Stanisich, Director and Founder of Richards Stanisich, said their interior design interprets the architectural concept for the building to reflect the sculptural shorelines and cliff faces of Sydney Harbour. Three colour schemes are available, light, mid, or dark palettes.

All residences afford a seamless flow from open space living to winter gardens, while some apartments feature a multi functional room that facilitates use as a secondary living area, an office, bedroom, or guest room. Completing the offering, select apartments enjoy sunlit glazed studies instead. 

Having recently taken a tour of AURA by Aqualand, the apartment size, configurations, fixtures and fittings, are truly unmatched in North Sydney.

A combination of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments remain and are ready to move in now