Why now is the best opportunity to downsize in Castle Hill for decades
For decades, the Hills District has been known for its quiet, suburban, community-driven atmosphere, where residents often choose to settle down and stay for the long haul.
Traditionally, the housing landscape in key suburbs like Castle Hill, Kellyville, Dural, and Rouse Hill has been characterized by acreages and large family homes. Even the smallest properties in the area typically sit on blocks of over 600 sqm, which is about double the size of homes in Sydney's inner ring.
Data from the 2021 census shows that over 92 percent of homes in the Hills District are separate houses, while just 0.7 percent are apartments. However, that gap is expected to shift significantly in the next census, as the Hills District is currently undergoing a substantial transformation. This change has been sparked by the development of the $1 billion Hills Showground Precinct and the recent opening of a Metro Station that connects the area to the city.
As a result, a wave of new apartments is being introduced, catering to two demographics that previously hadn't really been in the market: first home buyers and downsizers.
With no apartments available and the typical need to work in the city, first home buyers often looked closer to the CBD. However, with the opportunity to be connected to the city by the Metro in just 33 minutes and more affordable properties being delivered, first home buyers are seizing their chance.
Also taking advantage of this opportunity are downsizers, who previously lacked options for truly low-maintenance, lock-up-and-leave living.
Among the developments launched in the last few years in Castle Hill, the first apartments to sell were the larger, premium units. Developer CPDM designed its new Castle Hill development, Larool Crescent specifically to suit the downsizer and owner-occupier market.
They focused on creating a series of low-rise buildings, which are uncommon in new developments. The five buildings are arranged around a central landscaped courtyard, designed to flood the apartments with natural light and bring nature indoors.
CPDM has created two different dwelling types for downsizers: the sky homes, which are top-floor apartments with large floor plans, and three-level townhouses.
The sky homes were designed to harmonize with the natural beauty of Castle Hill. Extensive glazing allows for abundant natural light, while the large balconies are enveloped in landscaping. Designed for downsizers, these apartments include internal lifts.
Some sky homes also feature rooftop terraces, which can include a spa as an added amenity.
The four-bedroom townhouses, also featuring a lift, offer landscaped courtyards with an alfresco area, a built-in bar in the open-plan kitchen and living space, and a master suite with a private balcony.
The townhouses start from just under $3 million.
CoreLogic data shows that 231 houses have sold for over $3 million in the Hills Shire in 2023, with 76 of those selling for over $4 million. Already in 2024, there have been 234 house sales over $3 million, with several months left in the selling season; 74 of these have been over $4 million.
Each apartment in Larool Crescent features interiors by Coco Republic, and buyers benefit from the building being insured by extended Latent Defects Insurance from Resilience Insurance. This insurance covers buyers in the event of any structural defects in the building for the first 10 years post-completion.
SRG Builders has been appointed to deliver Larool Crescent, which is slated for completion in late 2026.
