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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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The Urban Developer Awards Honour Best of 2024

The cream of the property sector gathered on the Gold Coast in July to celebrate standout property industry performers from across Australasia at the 2024 The Urban Developer Awards for Industry Excellence.

The winners were announced at a gala dinner at The Star on the Gold Coast on July 31.

The seventh annual awards, in association with Trilogy Funds, boasted a record 167 finalists across 23 categories from Australia and New Zealand.

Hosted by actor, author and comedian Matt Okine, more than 640 of the industry’s movers and shakers joined The Urban Developer to celebrate their achievements

The Urban Developer co-founder and chief executive Adam Di Marco said it had been an excruciatingly difficult task for the judging panel thanks to the calibre of finalists.

“Competition across all 23 categories was intense,” he said.  

“The best and brightest projects in Australia’s built environment have again come to the fore in a true indication of the high standard of strong, sustainability-led design and projects, and the people behind them, in the region.”

Development of the Year – Medium-Density Residential

Sponsored by Trilogy Funds


17 Spring St
Nominated by Cbus Property 

The Parq
Nominated by Urban Property Group

Kurraba Residences 
Nominated by Thirdi Group

Canvas, Brunswick
Nominated by ID_Land

The Oxlade
Nominated by Seymour Group

Horizon Frankston
Nominated by Urban DC

No. 7 Field St. Mount Lawley
Nominated by Willing

Cala Dei
Nominated by Spyre

Canvas, Bulimba
Nominated by Graya Developments

And the winner is

Kurraba Residences

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Excellence in Marketing Innovation 

Sponsored by Cue Property

AURA
Nominated by Aqualand

Hume Place, Crows Nest
Nominated by Third.i Group

’Smart Move’ Campaign, Uniting Retirement Living
Nominated by Uniting NSW.ACT & Forethought Outcomes

Wallis Creek
Nominated by Walker Corporations

Ashbury Terraces
Nominated by Coronation Property

Resimax Group Marketing Innovation – Destination Eynesbury
Nominated by Resimax Group

ESR Australia Brand & Digital Experience Transformation
Nominated by ESR Australia

Central Element Rebrand
Nominated by Central Element

Moray House
Nominated by Spyre Group

Seymour Residences
Nominated by Plus Agency and Keco Group Developers

And the winner is

Hume Place, Crows Nest

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The most popular Sydney suburbs for downsizers and rightsizers in 2024

Downsizers and rightsizers have dominated the new and off the plan apartment market in 2024.

The two camps, downsizers in particular, are the least impacted by the continued high interest rates compared to a first home buyer or investor, positioning them as a key target for developers. Most of the new apartment developments that have come to the market in 2024 have been large apartments that suit the size and budgets of a downsizer.

Many downsizers have built significant equity in their family homes over the years and are now looking to move into more manageable living spaces, while also securing funds for retirement.

But where are downsizers and rightsizers looking to buy? 

In this article, we’ve looked at the most popular suburbs in Sydney for both buyer demographics, highlighting some of the most popular developments in those areas.

Crows Nest

Crows Nest has attracted a wide range of apartment buyers over the past three months, especially following the launch of two of Sydney’s most in-demand developments near, and above, the newly opened Metro station.

Apartments in Elevate Hume Place, the apartment development by Third.i and joint venture partner Phoenix Property Investors above the Crows Nest Metro Station, have been snapped up since they hit the market.

Designed by Woods Bagot, Elevate will comprise 130 one, two and three and four-bedroom apartments, the larger apartments proving popular with the next home buyer demographic given the connectivity to the city and the growing lifestyle on offer locally.

 TWT Property Group also has recently revealed The Collective nearby, on the fringe of Crows Nest village and a short walk from the metro.

Locals have driven the sales in the first building of what will be a multi-stage precinct with extensive retail and hospitality spaces.

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The Sydney suburbs first home buyers are looking to buy off the plan apartments

Despite an interest rate cut not materializing in 2024 as many had anticipated at the start of the year, first home buyers appear content to enter the Sydney off the plan apartment market, somewhat reassured that rates are unlikely to rise in the short to medium term.

Data collected by MatterFact showed that first home buyers made up over 60 percent of enquiries in 2024 across New South Wales on Urban.com.au, driven by more affordable stock coming to market outside the city, particularly in and around suburbs along the recently opened Metro line.

Speaking with first home buyers across Sydney in 2024, the main driver of their purchase is the ability to afford the deposit, having saved up while living at home. However, many feel they are not yet ready to take on a mortgage. They are looking to enter the property market but aren’t prepared to begin repayments just yet, so they’re opting to buy into new developments at the earliest possible stage, knowing that the construction period will likely be at least two years, by which time they will be better positioned to begin repayments.

In this article, we explore the most popular suburbs in Sydney for first home buyers in 2024, highlighting some of the most sought-after developments in these areas.

Crows Nest 

Another suburb to benefit from the metro boom is Crows Nest.

Previously relying on heading to the neighbouring St Leonards for a train, Crows Nest is now just minutes from the centre of Sydney on the metro, which is drawing first home buyers.

One of the most popular projects for the year, and it only launched a few months ago, is Elevate Hume Place, the apartment development being delivered literally above the Crows Nest Metro Station.

Third.i, and joint venture partner Phoenix Property Investors, have seen a great response to the 130 one, two and three-bedroom apartments that have been designed by Woods Bagot.

One-bedroom apartments, which are under $1 million, are being seen as a great investment given the rarity of a TOD (Transit Oriented Development) so close to the city, one which isn’t easily repeatable.

Not just first home buyers, but any buyer at Elevate can buy an apartment with just a $10,000 deposit, rather than the standard 10 per cent.

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Going, going, gone: Record numbers of apartments sold at launch

Time is ticking for homebuyers wanting to get their foot in the door of the Elevate Hume Place development, with multiple apartments sold at launch to both local and international buyers.

Positioned strategically above the newly opened Crows Nest Metro Station, Elevate Hume Place by developer Third.i Group, alongside joint venture partner Phoenix Property Investors, generated significant interest from both local and international buyers.

Designed by Woods Bagot, Elevate Hume Place features 130 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments that combine modern aesthetics with convenience providing residents with seamless access to Sydney’s CBD in just seven minutes and Chatswood in four minutes, making it one of the most connected addresses in Sydney.

Third.i co-founder Luke Berry said the project has received over 6,000 leads with over 400 appointments to date, with this unprecedented demand and strong interest not only reflecting the quality of the apartments but also the increasing demand for convenient, transit-oriented living in Sydney’s dynamic real estate market.

“We are thrilled with the strong sales results at launch for Elevate Hume Place, this achievement highlights the growing appetite for contemporary living that prioritises accessibility and connectivity,” Luke said. 

“The design, amenities, demographic, and prime location of Elevate Hume Place have attracted a diverse range of local and international buyers, from young professionals and first home buyers to investors and downsizers, all seeking the perfect blend of urban convenience and community charm.”

JLL’s head of residential project sales Australia Freya Watson said the development’s position to the Sydney Metro was a massive drawcard.

“Properties near metro stations often achieve a 20-30% price premium and attract high rental demand, which has contributed to the strong buyer interest,” Freya said.

Among the international buyers, 25% were seeking residences for their children studying in Sydney and another 25% comprising Australian passport holders or permanent residents looking for personal stays. The remaining 50% are investment-driven buyers, predominantly from Singapore and Hong Kong, drawn by the project’s strong rental returns potential.

“The Metro is a huge draw for buyers, especially those who value or are accustomed to the convenience of public transport, with its prime location and quick access to the CBD,” said Freya.

“The city views are also a major attraction, along with the abundance of schools and universities right on the doorstep.”

Elevate Hume Place buyers will experience a perfect blend of connectivity, community, and the vibrant lifestyle that Crows Nest offers.

“In addition to direct metro access, residents will benefit from being close to Crows Nest Village, which provides a variety of lifestyle amenities,” Luke said.

“The overwhelming interest underscores the demand for transit-oriented developments in Sydney, and we are proud to fulfil this need with Elevate Hume Place. 

“We encourage interested buyers to act swiftly.”

A limited number of residences remain available at Elevate Hume Place, with prices starting from $970,000 to $12 million.

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Third.i sells 50 per cent of Elevate, Hume Place apartments above Crows Nest Metro

Elevate Hume Place, the new apartment development above Crows Nest Metro by developer Third.i and joint venture partner Phoenix Property Investors, has raced to 50 per cent sold.

Both local and international buyers have driven the sales of one of the most popular transit-oriented developments in Sydney, above the newly opened metro that will connect future Elevate residents to the rest of Sydney in minutes.

Designed by Woods Bagot, Elevate Hume Place comprises 130 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments.

Third.i Co-Founder Luke Berry said the project has received over 6,000 leads with over 400 appointments to date, with this unprecedented demand and strong interest not only reflecting the quality of the apartments but also the increasing demand for convenient, transit-oriented living in Sydney’s dynamic real estate market.

“With over 50 per cent of Elevate Hume Place sold, this achievement highlights the growing appetite for contemporary living that prioritises accessibility and connectivity,” Berry stated.

“The design, amenities, demographic, and prime location of Elevate Hume Place have attracted a diverse range of local and international buyers, from young professionals and first home buyers to investors and downsizers, all seeking the perfect blend of urban convenience and community charm.”

Freya Watson, JLL’s Head of Residential Project Sales Australia – the sales partner for Elevate Hume Place – shared insights into the diverse range of buyers the development has attracted.

“Elevate Hume Place sets a new standard for transit-oriented living, appealing to both owner-occupiers and investors. Properties near metro stations often achieve a 20-30 per cent price premium and attract high rental demand, which has contributed to the strong buyer interest. Buyers clearly recognise the long-term potential of this development.”

A significant portion of the buyer interest has come from Asia.

Among these international buyers, 25% are seeking residences for their children studying in Sydney, while another 25% are Australian passport holders or permanent residents looking for personal stays. The remaining 50% are investment-driven buyers, primarily from Singapore and Hong Kong, attracted by the project’s strong rental return potential.

“The Metro is a huge draw for buyers, especially those who value or are accustomed to the convenience of public transport, with its prime location and quick access to the CBD,” Watson added.

“The city views are also a major attraction, along with the abundance of schools and universities right on the doorstep.”

Berry says Elevate Hume Place buyers will experience a perfect blend of connectivity, community, and the vibrant lifestyle that Crows Nest offers.

“Elevate features shared spaces that promote community interaction, iconic Sydney views, and sustainable design elements. The thoughtfully designed apartments foster a meaningful connection to the natural surroundings while honouring the site’s rich history. In addition to direct metro access, residents will benefit from being close to Crows Nest Village, which provides a variety of lifestyle amenities.”

Prices at Elevate start from $970,000.

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Third.i’s Crows Nest Metro Stage Wins Consent

Sydney developer Third.i and joint-venture partners Phoenix Property Investors have been granted consent by the Sydney Metro for their Hume Place over-station development. 

Designed by Woods Bagot, Stage 1 of the project over the Crows Nest Station, dubbed Elevate, consists of 130 apartments.

Stage 2 of the project will offer 476 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and operate as a build-to-rent project and includes 60 affordable apartments.

Amenities for Stage 2 announced late last month include a health and wellness centre, golf simulator, co-working space, cinema, rooftop bar, pool, and music rooms.

Third.i and PPI will team up with community housing provider Evolve Housing to manage the project, offering one full tower of Site A as affordable housing in perpetuity.

Third.i and PPI was granted Stage 1 approval for the Metro Precinct development for sites A and B, before amending the concept State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Site A for mixed-use, which includes affordable and private housing, retail and commercial floor space.

The amended plan, which was approved by Sydney Metro, includes 15 per cent, or $100 million worth, of accommodation for frontline workers at the nearby Royal North Shore and Mater hospitals.

The amended concept SSDA is compliant with the transit-oriented development rezoning proposal for Crows Nest announced earlier this year, which would add 3255 homes in precincts within a 1.2km radius of the Metro station.

Third.i last month said its Stage 1 Elevate project had attracted 300 appointments in its opening weekend, of which 25 per cent were Australian-based buyers, with a skew towards downsizers aged over 55.

Twenty-five per cent of interest was from Asia, and the remaining 50 per cent defined as investors, particularly from Singapore and Hong Kong. 

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