Modern Living is changing and some families are moving away from standalone houses in the suburbs. Here’s where they are going.
Three-bedroom homes on quarter-acre blocks in the suburbs are no longer the Australian dream.
That’s not just because of the housing market; it’s also because people’s lifestyles and goals are changing dramatically.
Zhen Chen is a Brisbane-based property developer who recently sold his family home in the inner city suburb of New Farm so he could “right size” with his wife and their two young children. Mr Chen purchased a Sky-Home at Luminare by Cavcorp, a new development of luxury lifestyle residences in Newstead. He said the decision to rethink his family’s living situation was due to his philosophy that “sometimes less is more”.
“Once you live in a big house, you see it’s a big waste of space. You don’t actually need it, but you have to spend all this time cleaning and maintaining it,” he said. “For us it’s a lifestyle change, where you basically have zero maintenance. I used to have to mow the lawn all the time, oil the timber, it’s a lot of work. But when we look at the product, the penthouse we bought is actually quite similar in terms of living space.”
Mr Chen was familiar with Cavcorp developments before he purchased the property due to his line of work. He said he was attracted to Luminare because of the quality of the build and the amount of thought that went into designing the amenities – specifically, a function room that can be rented for parties and events, as well as the rooftop pool which includes lots of shallower sections ideal for kids to learn to swim.
On top of that, everything his family needs is within what he called a “bubble”. The concept of a “15-minute” city has been around for years and many argue the village-like structure is essential to promoting health and happiness while making cities sustainable. The idea is that everything residents need for their day-to-day lives can be found within a 15-minute radius. Working from home has been a game-changer, slashing commute times and encouraging more people to live locally while promoting sustainability.
“If you choose the right building with the right amenities, it means everything is close,” he said. “My office is just around the corner and we have everything we need, from shopping to restaurants and the gym.”
This style of living has grown in popularity for several reasons, with affordability and convenience at the top of the list. However, the pandemic fuelled the growth of the luxury sector, especially in Queensland’s extremely liveable southeast, as the population swelled and the high end of the market tightened.
Luminare is one of them. It’s being marketed as an “architectural masterpiece” thanks to its sculpted facade, curved concrete cantilevers, and deep bronze glass which varies in luminosity throughout the day.
The development is home to 214 two and three-bedroom residences & 4 Bedroom Sky-Homes that put wellness and lifestyle at the forefront. Facilities include a stunning roof with a 35-metre heated infinity pool that has a glass bottom and a cantilevered edge, hovering 90 metres above the ground with unmatched views of the Brisbane skyline.
The fitness centre uses cutting-edge Technogym equipment with everything from a turf training-track to a Reformer Pilates bed, with a steam room, saunas, magnesium spa baths, and rain shower to aid recovery.
But it’s not just the domain of ambitious professional couples and wealthy downsizers.
Philip and Karen Tonkin are farmers based at Mungindi, on the border of New South Wales and Queensland, who produce beef cattle and cereal crops. The Tonkins purchased a penthouse at another Cavcorp property, Lucent, and recently upgraded to an illustrious Luminare Sky-Home to accommodate their three teenagers.
“We started looking at property in June 2017, both houses and units in various suburbs, but we kept coming back to the fact that apartment living was really appealing to us,” Mrs Tonkin said. “It ticked all the boxes: security, low maintenance, amenities, and the ease of locking up and leaving when we’re at the farm.”
Resort-style living and captivating views have undeniable appeal. However, the Tonkins also factored in the practical advantages of living in this particular part of town. The Long Island precinct development and Gasworks Shopping Centre are right on the doorstep, while peaceful river walks are just moments away.
“With three teenagers, living in Luminare, we’re 15 minutes from everything we need: schools, university, city life and the airport,” Mrs Tonkin said. “Our advice to other families is there are many advantages to unit living, [such as the] immaculately maintained pool, spa, gym, barbeque areas and private dining. This is all hassle free, so you can spend your time on weekends relaxing and entertaining friends and family.”
