With many 'empty nesters', active retirees and 'baby boomers' buying property along Australia's eastern coastline, values have soared in recent years.
Nelson Bay, one of the NSW’s most popular holiday destinations, just a little over two hours from Sydney and 40 minutes from the Hunter Valley, is experiencing an influx of City folk.
Colliers International research shows the price of apartments in the Port Stephens region increased by 26% over the past year, and it predicts a new residential development called ‘Aqua’ will create a further wave of interest.
As a holiday apartment or primary residence, ‘Aqua’ promises to delivers the kind of finish, aspect and lifestyle that people travel all the way to Noosa to capture, says Colliers.
Set amid landscaped gardens and such recreational facilities as a 25-metre pool, spa and gymnasium, Aqua is located on an elevated 1.1-hectare site on Nelson Bay’s Tomaree peninsular.
“The peninsula has a population of around 20,000 people, and is growing by 4% annually. This is almost four times the State’s average of 1.1%, so you can see how popular the area is becoming,” says Colliers Murray Wood. Aqua has been designed by renowned architect Peter Hunt to maximise Port Stephens’ idyllic lifestyle, and Wood believes a high proportion of buyers will come from Sydney seeking a ‘sea-change’.
“People can live in luxury here for a fraction of the Sydney equivalent,” says Wood.
Aqua backs on to the 27-hole Nelson Bay Golf Club, and is close to a bowling club, tennis courts, the beach, marina, shopping centre and a medical centre.
Aqua comprises three buildings, between two and four storeys in height, which capture a range of water and parkland views. The 110 apartments are spacious and functional, with generous balconies, open plan living areas, high ceilings and large expanses of glass that create a relaxed, resort-style environment.
Designed with style and grace, each apartment offers high-tech features which provide a link with the latest in-home entertainment and communications systems.
“As a resident of Aqua you’ll also enjoy the peace of mind that comes from living with a fully-integrated security system,” Wood adds.
Prices at Aqua start at around $340,000 for a two bedroom apartment up to around $1.6 million for a massive two storey penthouse.
All apartments have quality kitchens with reconstituted stone bench tops, mosaic tile splashbacks, European-style appliances, and luxury bathrooms/ensuites. Large and practical terraced decks are a feature of some apartments, and owners can select from two internal schemes, called ‘cool’ and ‘warm’.
The nine penthouses have even higher quality finishes and inclusions.
The developer of Aqua is Project Control Group.
Information on Aqua, in Tomaree Street at Nelson Bay, is available by contacting Colliers International on toll free 1800 006 947 or by appointment through Port Stephens Projects on toll free 1800 880 191.
