"Aura residents will never need to leave home again" - Inside Aqualand's luxury North Sydney apartment development

The $1 billion mixed-use development, Aura by Aqualand, comprises a mix of 386 luxury residences, retails, dining precinct, and commercial spaces at 168 Walker Street.

Set amongst an urban leafy context, the mixed-used precinct will offer residents the benefits of a suburban dwelling, with the amenity and convenience of forward-thinking high-rise city living.

Architect Woods Bagot says the Aura residents will never need to leave home again

"The project seeks to create a community within itself while also reconnecting with the surrounding neighbourhood," Jason Fraser, Woods Bagot Principal, says.

"Ambitious and cosmopolitan, this new luxury mixed-used precinct will offer the residents the benefits of a suburban dwelling with the amenity and convenience of forward-thinking high-rise city living.

"Catering to different tenant interests, a variety of active, passive and outdoor amenity spaces will encourage residents to exercise, relax or socialise.

"The project seeks to create a community within itself while also reconnecting with the surrounding neighborhood. At street level, a free flowing ground plane opens up the site, blurring the boundary between the neighbouring hotel and enticing the community to enjoy new retail, restaurants and landscape areas."

The renowned architecture firm note that the the sculpturally carved and tapered form echoes the striated texture of the foreshore sandstone, responding to the curvilinear shoreline of Sydney Harbour.

The 28-level tower homes one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, as well as a collection of sub-penthouses and penthouse, all of which Woods Bagot designed in collaboration with interior architect Richards Stanisich.

Kirsten Stanisich, Director and Founder of Richards Stanisich, said their design interprets the architectural concept for the building to reflect the sculptural shorelines and cliff faces of Sydney Harbour.

"We developed two schemes; the first with shimmer, gloss and deep contrast and the second with light, soft, tonal textures and subtle materiality, to evoke the sensory experience of a Sydney coastal clifftop by day and by evening," Stanisich said.

"The interior detailing contrasts straight lines against sculptural form while the planning of the interiors are generous and thoughtfully zoned to create both a sense of sanctuary and an incredible unconfined outlook,” she added.

AURA offers each residence a unique layout in planning and proportion, with different floorplans and flexible solutions as a balance between working and living at home.

Tony Tang, Aqualand Design Director, said they provide a home, not just four white walls.

"When you walk into each residence, you can the view, you can touch and feel the timber, the natural material, the beautiful marble," Tang said.

"These are the kinds of details that give you a sense of home."

All apartments afford a seamless flow from open space living to glorious winter gardens or balconies, 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.

As you move through the apartments, a palette of creamy textures are the backdrop for the play of natural light, augmented by mirrored surfaces, glazed walls and translucent screens, while brass accents add drama and definition.

A decadent marble anchors the bathrooms with finesse, light and space, while the highest standard in materials, from toughened fluted glass to premium ceramic tiling and marble, fit out the rest of the space.

Aqualand Managing Director, Jin Lin, said the vision for Aura is simple but ambitiously bold.

"We see this as a one-in-a-generation development, shaping the future of North Sydney and modern luxury living in Australia.

“These beautiful homes, conceived to be the beating heart of a new and dynamic North Sydney, balance form and function, emphasising stylish design without  compromising on liveability, Lin added.

"Each home is a work of art in its own way, unique in  proportions and outlook, offering space to breathe, entertain, work and relax."

Alex Adams, Head of Sales and Marketing, Aqualand, says Aqualand''s ambition is always to create something that balanced form and function.

"We wanted something immensely beautiful, interior design that could live up to the stunning views from each residence, a work of art, function and complementary to a really vibrant Sydney lifestyle."