The Kurraba penthouse: Luxury harbour-front living with stunning Sydney views

There’s more to The Kurraba penthouse than first meets the eye. While there’s no denying the peninsula position dishes up Sydney’s ultimate eye candy, with spectacular views that include the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, you’ll want to step inside to appreciate exactly what’s on offer.

The team at developer Third.i Group decided that this two-storey abode, the cream on the Kurraba Residences cake, should be undisputedly world-class.

“We wanted to style the apartment [so] someone from New York, from London, from Hong Kong or Singapore would walk in and have that sense of sophistication and brilliance,” says Luke Berry, the co-founder and director of Third.i Group.

“We wanted this property to hold its own on an international level, with an international view, and we needed an interior to match that.”

Enter interior designer Phillip Mathieson, who worked with architects SJB to create the definitive fully furnished  turnkey package. All you need to settle in here is a change of clothes and your toothbrush.

The Kurraba penthouse is furnished not with off-the-shelf products, but with custom and catalogue pieces from renowned French design studio Liaigre.

Founded in Paris in the 1980s by Christian Liaigre, the studio has worked on private homes for the likes of Rupert Murdoch, Calvin Klein, Karl Lagerfeld and Bryan Adams.

Mathieson believes this may be the first time Liaigre has been used so comprehensively in an Australian apartment.
He describes the furniture as contemporary interpretations of classic designs using wonderfully tactile materials.

Oak, bronze, leather and silk all feature across pieces Mathieson believes will prove timeless, including a Malte dining table and hand-stitched leather Archipel chairs.

The furnishings pair beautifully with Mathieson’s penthouse interiors, which also focus on a sensory experience.

Linen curtains stir in the harbour breeze, while dark-stained American oak cabinetry is wire-brushed, exposing the natural grain. The four-metre-long kitchen island is clad in Italian grigio argento marble, fluted on the breakfast bar side.

The staircase balustrade is carved from solid limestone, while in the main bedroom’s en suite, both the bath and island vanity are carved from single blocks of statuario marble. A circular skylight with a large, suspended mirror echoes the vanity’s pure cylindrical geometry.

There are more skylights in the gallery-like hallway, where works leased from Artbank are displayed (these pieces can also be bought by the buyer).

The inclusions don’t finish there, however. The kitchen is fully stocked with cutlery and cookware, and linen is stashed away in the cupboards.

“Everything you can imagine is there, ready to activate for a buyer to move in with a bag of clothes,” Berry says.

Making life even simpler, Kurraba Residences has a concierge service that is ready to help with requests big or small.

“Troy and his team are on hand six days a week, to be there to help with the transition and the moving and then to be there to provide ongoing support to our buyers – as they do with the community already living there,” Berry says.

“You can just make a phone call and the property is warmed up or cooled down, depending on the time of year. Your favourite beer and wines are in the fridge, the food that you love to eat is on the table, and you can literally walk in and relax.”

Berry says The Kurraba penthouse belongs in the league of “rarefied real estate”.

“It’s got an unrivalled position on the harbour looking back towards Sydney,” he says.

“There’s nothing else like it on this side of the bridge, with over 400 square metres of internal space on the water’s edge, and never to be built out views of the iconic Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Barangaroo.”

Berry says that, with only 24 apartments, Kurraba Residences offers a very exclusive opportunity to live in a premium Sydney locale, so close to the harbour, “you feel like you can touch it”.

With its house-like scale, the penthouse should appeal to a broad buyer base, ranging from business titans and celebrities to families looking to downsize from trophy homes.

“There aren’t many apartments where you can say you walk out of your living room onto a deck and then onto real grass and an infinity-edge pool and a fire pit that looks over Sydney Harbour,” Berry says.

What the agent says

“In my 10 years working in luxury property, I’ve never seen anything like this piece of real estate; it truly redefines luxury living on the North Shore,” Callum Billinghurst, Hume Residential.

This feature is part of a Prestige Living package.

Read More.

Central Coast $1.3b development includes all-weather fields, new roads and infrastructure

Washed-out community sport matches and sodden ovals could be a thing of the past with Third.i’s proposed $1.3 billion mixed-use development on the Central Coast.

The Sydney-based developer’s project at Charmhaven includes multi-million-dollar all-weather, synthetic community sporting fields and facilities, along with a pipeline of critical infrastructure to be funded and completed by Third.i.

The project, which is the largest housing development planned for the Central Coast, aims to deliver more than 2000 homes, a school catering for 1500 students from K-12, and a new business park.

Additionally, the development includes the construction of a new link road between Arizona Road and the Pacific Highway to alleviate traffic congestion in the area, plus two new key intersections to improve traffic flow further.

“These measures will not only reduce congestion but also make the area safer for everyone,” Third.i’s head of acquisitions, Florian Caillon, said.

“This includes a much-needed all-weather sports facility for local community sports groups, as well as new roads, water and electricity, which will benefit Charmhaven and the wider region – all at no cost to the NSW Government.

“In addition, there will be walking trails, cycleways and 120 hectares of ecology lands, which we will be funding in perpetuity for future generations.”

If approved, the sports grounds will be the only all-weather sporting field on the Central Coast and are expected to provide year-round access to the community for public use.

Alex Burgin, CEO of Central Coast Football, said the need for all-weather sporting facilities has never been more urgent.

Recent wet weather forced the closure of grounds across the Central Coast, leaving thousands of children unable to play or train.

“The Central Coast football community has been hit hard by ground closures due to wet weather, with many children missing out on playing the sport they love for weeks on end,” Mr Burgin said.

“Any proposal that invests in all-weather sporting infrastructure is not just welcome, but essential for our region’s future.

“Central Coast Football and our 16,500 playing members are keen to support initiatives like the Charmhaven proposal, which will ensure football is accessible year-round for everyone.”

Kanwal Football Club president Brendan Ross said hundreds of kids are affected when the fields are closed due to wet weather.

“I’ve been involved with Kanwal Football Club for six years, and every time it rains, over 540 kids miss out on their training and weekend sport, and that needs to stop,” Mr Ross said.

“If investments like Charmhaven are proposing this type of sporting infrastructure, as a community, we need to support it.”

The development also includes a proposed new school and business park.

St Philip’s Christian College Charmhaven will be a low-fee, independent Christian school serving up to 1500 students from K-12.

The new business park will create more than 600 new operational jobs.

If approved, Mr Cailon said the first new homes could be delivered in 36 months.

“We are committed to creating a new, multi-faceted community which will provide a pipeline of affordable and sustainable housing, infrastructure and green open spaces for the fast-growing Central Coast,” Mr Caillon said.

The population on the Central Coast is forecast to increase to more than 404,250 people by 2041.

Read More.

 $1.6b Charmhaven project unveils game-changing public sports field, 2000 homes and new jobs for Central Coast

 A billion-dollar masterplanned community that promises to reshape the Central Coast has unveiled bold new features, including a state-of-the-art, all-weather sporting field gifted to the public. 

Australian developer Third.i is behind the $1.6 billion project, known as the Charmhaven Project. If approved, the development will include more than 2000 homes, a school catering to 1500 students from kindergarten to Year 12, and a new business park. 

According to the developers, the Charmhaven neighbourhood would be a catalyst site for growth on the Central Coast, delivering a mix of affordable and sustainable housing options, new infrastructure, and more than 120 hectares of ecological stewardship land and open public space. 

Third.i is also constructing a new link road between Arizona Rd and the Pacific Hwy, which is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion in the area. 

Third.i’s head of acquisitions, Florian Caillon, said these infrastructure measures would not only ease congestion but also improve safety for local residents. 

“This includes a much-needed all-weather sports facility for local community sports groups, as well as new roads, water and electricity infrastructure, all of which will benefit Charmhaven and the wider region, at no cost to the NSW Government,” Mr Caillon said. 

“In addition, there will be walking trails, cycleways and over 120 hectares of ecological lands, which we will fund in perpetuity for future generations.” 

If approved, the sporting field will be the only all-weather facility of its kind on the Central Coast. 

Alex Burgin, CEO of Central Coast Football, said the football community had been heavily impacted by ground closures due to wet weather, with many children missing out on playing the sport they love for weeks at a time. 

“Any proposal that invests in all-weather sporting infrastructure is not just welcome, it’s essential for our region’s future.” 

Brendan Ross, President of Kanwal Football Club said if developments like Charmhaven were proposing this kind of infrastructure, the community should support it. 

Aaron Hammond, a father of two young players at Kanwal FC, shared his family’s experience. 

“Since the season started in April, my kids have only been able to play and train six times because the oval has been closed by council,” he said. 

The proposed school, St Philip’s Christian College Charmhaven, would be a low-fee independent christian school that would offer strong academic and extra-curricular opportunities which could have up to 1500 students. 

In addition, the school would also provide tailored education pathways through the Dynamic Learning College, supporting students with diverse learning needs. 

The new business park in Charmhaven would also create over 600 new operational jobs. 

Subject to planning approval, the first homes could be delivered within 36 months, helping meet growing housing demand on the Central Coast, which is forecast to reach a population of more than 404,250 by 2041. 

“We’re committed to creating a vibrant, multifaceted community that delivers affordable and sustainable housing, modern infrastructure, and green open spaces for the fast-growing Central Coast,” Mr Caillon said. 

Read More.

Third.i announces a mixed-use masterplan for Sydney’s Gladesville Village

Leading Australian developer Third.i Group has officially announced plans for a landmark mixed-use redevelopment in the heart of Gladesville, signalling a new era for the suburb.

Located at 1–3 Flagstaff Street, 2–10 Cowell Street and 1 Massey Street, the proposed project will transform the ageing Gladesville Village Shopping Centre into a vibrant, community-focused precinct delivering more than 500 new homes.

This will be the first project of its kind for Gladesville, an integrated masterplan that not only responds to its surroundings but significantly improves upon the existing Local Planning Panel controls.

The development comprises more than 500 new apartments delivered through a combination of build-to-sell and build-to-rent housing, a circa 4,000 sqm major supermarket, a curated food and beverage precinct, a state of-the-art health and wellness centre, and over 4,500 sqm of publicly accessible open space.

Gladesville’s hospitality scene is set for a major boost. At the centre of the new precinct, a curated food and beverage offering will introduce some of Sydney’s most popular operators to the neighbourhood, activating the site day and night and creating a thriving social destination for locals and visitors alike.

Designed by award-winning architects i2C and with landscaping by Arcadia, the team behind Lane Cove’s acclaimed Canopy project, the proposal sets a new benchmark for place-making in Sydney’s Lower North Shore.

A continuous green spine stretching from Massey Street to Cowell Street forms the centrepiece of the design, offering pedestrian-friendly access and clear sightlines throughout the site. The result will be a connected town centre with a truly civic heart.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape Gladesville into a lively, social and inclusive hub,” said Florian Callion, Head of Acquisitions at Third.i Group.

“We’ve worked closely with Hunters Hill Council to ensure this project aligns with their twenty-year vision for Gladesville. From day one, our focus has been on delivering a project that balances housing supply, thoughtful design and public benefit.”

The proposal directly responds to the Council’s Local Strategic Planning Statement (2020), which identifies Gladesville Village as a centre “primed for place-based redevelopment.” If approved, the project will help meet Hunters Hill Council’s National Housing Accord target, delivering much-needed homes in a time of chronic undersupply across Sydney.

“Now that Council’s updated plan is due to proceed to gateway and public exhibition, we look forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to bring this vision to life,” said Florian Callion, Head of Acquisitions at Third.i. “We’re excited by the opportunity to help deliver the kind of vibrant, connected and inclusive town centre that Gladesville residents have been waiting for.”

The project will also deliver significant public benefits without placing any financial burden on Council. All infrastructure upgrades, including new pedestrian connections, landscaped public domains, and civic amenities, will be fully funded by Third.i, demonstrating the developer’s commitment to delivering legacy projects that serve the broader community well into the future.

Pending approval, construction is expected to commence in late 2026.

Read More.

Revitalizing Gladesville: Major Redevelopment Plans for Shopping Centre Unveiled

More details about the planned redevelopment of the upcoming Gladesville Shopping Centre were revealed in a rare radio moment at 2RRR on Tuesday, July 8.

Mayor of Hunters Hill, Zac Miles and developer Florian Callian, Head of Acquisitions at Third.i Group told 2RRR “Tuesday’s Morning Mix” host, Natalie de Silver, that this development was a “once in a generation opportunity to reshape Gladesville.”

“It’s going to be a really special area, and a far improvement from what’s there,” said Mr Callian.

Hunters Hill Council is proposing a redevelopment, including a new and improved shopping precinct, open space and more than 500 apartments up to 23 stories high. Mr Callion confirmed that the proposed development would include a hectare of open space, making the new centre more attractive and enjoyable.

“We are delivering close to 4000 (square metre), we are a bit over that, of public open space through that spine of the site, which is really going to let the community interact. There is obviously going to be tree canopies and potentially some small gathering areas.”

Mr Callion compared Third.i Group’s aspiring development to Lane Cove’s renowned ‘The Canopy’.

“What we are proposing to do is exactly just that, but even better,” said Mr Callion.

Mr Callion continued, “We’re wanting some really good quality food and beverage operators, there’s obviously going to be a brand-new Coles that’s going to go through… whether it’s childcare, we’ve got a 1500 to 2000 square metre health and wellness space that we want to put in there.”

Mayor Zac Miles responded, expressing that the current centre was not meeting the needs of our local community.

“The shopper experience has deteriorated significantly over the last decade or so, and what we really need is… some destination and food and beverage operators that go in there, that actually draw people into the centre.”

Mr Zac Miles furthered, “We do need a full format shopping centre. We do need better retail operators. There shouldn’t be you know, a couple of two-dollar shops and the tobacconist.”

Concerns about traffic and limited public transport options were addressed, with calls for the State Government to play its part and improve bus services and access from Victoria Road.

As a resident of our local community and host of 2RRR’s “Monday Morning Matters”, Mark Henderson (Hendo) expressed his concern about the lack of transportation in our area.

Hunters Hill Mayor Zac Miles said our concerns about traffic and transport were valid and needed to be addressed by the NSW Government.

“The main thing that I need to advocate for, from a council level, is we do need better public transport…we are not well serviced by public transport, and that is a State Government issue.”

Read More.

Thirdi Lifts Covers on 500-Home Precinct at Gladesville

High-profile developer Thirdi Group has revealed plans to turn an ageing retail centre into a mixed-use development of more than 500 homes at Gladesville in Sydney’s north-west.

Planned for a site at 1-3 Flagstaff, 2-10 Cowell and 1 Massey streets, the proposal would transform the Gladesville Village Shopping Centre into a “vibrant, community-focused precinct” delivering more than 500 new homes, the developer said.

“This will be the first project of its kind for Gladesville, an integrated masterplan that not only responds to its surroundings but significantly improves upon the existing Local Planning Panel controls,” Thirdi said in a statement.

A combination of build-to-sell and build-to-rent homes are planned, along with a 4000sq m major supermarket, food and beverage precinct, health and wellness centre, and more than 4500sq m of publicly accessible open space.

“At the centre of the new precinct, a curated food and beverage offering will introduce some of Sydney’s most popular operators to the neighbourhood, activating the site day and night and creating a thriving social destination for locals and visitors alike,” Thirdi said.

Designed by architects i2C and with landscaping by Arcadia, the team behind Lane Cove’s acclaimed Canopy project, the proposal includes a continuous green spine stretching from Massey Street to Cowell Street, offering pedestrian-friendly access and clear sightlines throughout the site.

Thirdi head of acquisitions Florian Callion said the group had “worked closely with Hunters Hill Council to ensure this project aligns with their 20-year vision for Gladesville”.

“Our focus has been on delivering a project that balances housing supply, thoughtful design and public benefit,” he said.

The proposal responds to the council’s Local Strategic Planning Statement (2020), which identifies Gladesville Village as a centre “primed for place-based redevelopment”.

If approved, the project would help meet Hunters Hill Council’s National Housing Accord target, according to the developer.

“Now that the council’s updated plan is due to proceed to gateway and public exhibition, we look forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to bring this vision to life,” Callion said.

The project would also deliver significant public benefits without placing any financial burden on the council, Thirdi said, as all infrastructure upgrades, including new pedestrian connections, landscaped public domains, and civic amenities, would be funded by the developer.

If approved, it is slated to begin in late 2026.

Read More.

Investing $1.6B for dynamic new community at Charmhaven

Developer Third.i Group has proposed a masterplanned community on 200ha of bushland at Charmhaven between the Pacific Hwy and Arizona Rd.

The $1.6B project would deliver up to 2,000 homes with 120ha of protected environmental green space, a new low-fee K-12 school for 1,500 students, public spaces, playing fields and a business park supporting more than 600 new jobs.

Third.i says the aim is to create a “dynamic new community with a focus on liveability, affordability and long-term growth”.

First step is a development application for 56 homes which is now on public exhibition and open for submissions until June 30.

Third.i Group promises no infrastructure costs for the NSW Government under measures introduced in the NSW Budget this week allowing developers to build their own public infrastructure under certain circumstances.

Group Acquisitions Head Florian Caillon said that if approved, rezoning (of the Charmhaven site) would allow them to provide critical, enabling infrastructure.

“This would include roads, water and electricity, which will benefit the wider region – all at no cost to the NSW Government,” he said.

The State Government Budget will also make permanent a 50% land tax discount for build-to-rent developments.

To be eligible, buildings must include at least 50 rental homes, remain under single ownership and management, and offer lease terms of at least three years.

More than 10% of the Charmhaven project will be committed to affordable housing, including rental and shared equity options aimed at supporting essential workers and first-home buyers.

Evolve Housing will handle the 200 affordable homes with workers able to rent them at below-market rates. 

Health Services Union NSW Assistant Secretary Lauren Hutchens said members were encouraged by developments that made affordable housing a priority.

“We keep our hospitals running day and night, but we’re being pushed further and further away from our workplaces by skyrocketing housing costs on the Central Coast,” she said.

The Charmhaven project would be the largest housing project on the Central Coast and could deliver almost a quarter of the NSW Government’s target of 9,400 new homes in the region by 2029. 

Central Coast’s population is expected to surge to 404,250 by 2041, putting increased pressure on housing supply.

Third.i Group is hopeful that the first new homes for the masterplan could be delivered within 36 months pending planning approvals.

READ MORE

Thirdi Plans $1.6bn Central Coast Housing Community

Developer Thirdi has proposed a masterplanned community that promises no infrastructure costs for the NSW Government on the Central Coast. 

The 200ha Charmhaven Project site at Charmhaven on the Central Coast is located between the Pacific Highway and Arizona Road and is expected to cost $1.6 billion.

It would deliver up to 2000 homes with 120ha of protected environmental green space, a new school and a business park. 

More than 10 per cent of the project will be allocated to affordable housing for essential workers with the NSW Government not required to pay for any infrastructure costs

“If approved, the rezoning will allow us to provide critical, enabling infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity, which will benefit the wider region—all at no cost to the NSW Government,” Thirdi acquisitions head Florian Caillon said. 

Evolve Housing will handle the 200 affordable homes with workers able to rent the homes at below-market rates. 

“Our members keep our hospitals running day and night, but they are being pushed further and further away from their workplaces by skyrocketing housing costs on the Central Coast,” Health Services Union NSW assistant secretary Lauren Hutchens said.

“That’s why we’re encouraged by developments that make affordable housing a priority.” 

The school, if approved, will be a low-fee independent Christian school for 1500 students.

The Charmhaven Project would be the largest housing project on the Central Coast and could deliver almost a quarter of the NSW Government’s target of 9400 new homes in the region by 2029. 

Thirdi is hopeful that the first new homes for the masterplan could be delivered within 36 months pending planning approvals.

The Central Coast’s population is expected to surge to 404,250 people by 2041, putting increased pressure on housing supply.

Thirdi’s current development pipeline exceeds $4 billion with completed projects across Sydney and Newcastle. 

Read More.

Merewether Residences Expands

The Merewether Residences, a luxury over-55s retirement living development at The Merewether Golf Club, has received approval for a Section 4.55 modification, allowing for an additional level while staying within the original height limits. This expansion reinforces the project’s appeal to retirees, downsizers, and Sydney residents seeking a coastal lifestyle.

A joint venture between ThirdAge and The Merewether Golf Club, the development will now feature 178 architecturally designed apartments across four six-storey buildings. The approved breakdown includes 12 one-bedroom, 121 two-bedroom, and 29 three-bedroom apartments, along with 16 penthouses—eight two-bedroom and eight three-bedroom options.

Construction will be led by Decode Group, known for its work on Third.i’s Dairy Farmers Towers in Newcastle. The development is designed by architect Eugene Marchese and overseen by EJE Architecture, incorporating materials that blend seamlessly with Newcastle’s coastal surroundings.
The project will enhance The Merewether Golf Club, providing new amenities such as a health and wellness space, a sports bar, and a new clubhouse for residents and club members.

Luke Berry, Director of ThirdAge, described the approval as a major milestone, reinforcing the project’s commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable homes that foster community connections.
Site works have begun, with the demolition of the existing greenkeepers shed marking the start of construction. The new clubhouse is expected to open in 2027, with The Merewether Residences slated for completion in late 2027.

Designed to offer a premium lifestyle, the development will feature amenities such as a health club, spa, swimming pool, on-site cinema, communal kitchen, herb garden, and workshop spaces.
Third.i continues to expand its footprint in Sydney and Newcastle, with a development pipeline exceeding $4 billion.

Read More.

Project Milestone: The Merewether Residences secures approval for an additional level

Read More.