How Chapman Gardens created a point of difference in Castle Hill
Chapman Gardens is set to be one of the earliest completed projects in the new $1 billion Showground Precinct in Sydney's Castle Hill.
The first stage of the three-building, 258-apartment development is slated for completion early next year, with the whole project expected to be completed by early 2024.
The completion date has been an attractive proposition for buyers, Shant Van Kolck, head of sales and marketing at developer CG says.
"The precinct is coming alive and we'll be one of the earliest completed projects," Van Kolck recently told Urban.
CG are a builder developer, which Van Kolck says has been another major drawcard for buyers.
"Because we're also building the project, buyers know our building timelines aren't going to blow out as much, and we have building teams on site all day to answer construction details about the project."
Chapman Gardens, on a massive 12,000 sqm site on Dawes Crescent, comprises three buildings, The Chapman, Greenview, and Parkfront, all focused on being surrounded in lush landscaping.
Van Kolck says the team have tried to create something that sets it apart from the rest.
"There's a number of projects slated for the Showground Precinct, so it's important to develop something that brings buyers to your project and not anyone else's, and that's what we've done."
Chapman Gardens is unique in that it gave 50 per cent of the site back to gardens and landscaping, which meant the space between the three buildings is larger than anything else on the market.
"No shadow diagram was requested as part of the development application," Van Kolck notes.
What the separation means for buyers is that not only is the project surrounded in walkways and outdoor meeting spaces, the apartments get double the amount of sunlight in winter than any other development in the immediate area.
Another drawcard for buyers Van Kolck says is that they've created the project in a way that will bring in a variety of different buyers.
"There are a number of different configurations throughout, with the majority being one-off designs" Van Kolck says.
"We have a real mix of configurations across our three buildings, which means there's something for everyone. Some of the apartments have two bedrooms and two study rooms. No one offers that anywhere."
Van Kolck says it can be an attractive proposition for an investor who might be looking at an apartment's resale value and rental yield.
The majority of interest however has come from downsizers and upsizers, from the immediate area.
"Castle Hill and Hills District locals have shown the most interest, while we've got buyers coming from Macquarie Park and Hornsby who want to move into the area."
There's small touches that CG have made to their apartments, such as going with a five burner gas cooktop instead of four, and including butler's pantries as standard. Showers and baths have been separated in the bathrooms. Van Kolck says the modern day buyer is moving away from the traditional, and now quite outdated, shower and bath combo.
