Destination – the spice of life

DEVELOPER Harry Triguboff is opening the door to new styles of living in the first stage of a masterplanned community intended to be a Macquarie Park residential market leader.

The four-stage Destination is being developed on a former Goodman Group commercial site in Talavera Road and ultimately will be home to 1300 people.

Mr Triguboff , founder of the Meriton group,  yesterday said that stage one, Orana, would be more than ‘just an apartment building’.

“More and more people are telling us that they’d like more than a conventional apartment, no matter how good the views, quality and fittings.

“We’ve responded by using Orana as a model for future Meriton projects.

”We’re including townhouse-like options, multi-level living, and rooftop terraces.

“You could say we’re taking a new path but I don’t see it like that.

“You have to deliver what people want and that’s what Meriton’s always done – that’s why we’re Australia’s most successful apartment developer.”

The 2.37-hectare Destination site adjoins the Macquarie shopping centre, one of the largest in the southern hemisphere, and is on the doorstep of Macquarie University and the Macquarie Park train station.

Initial stage Orana will consist of a single building with one section rising to 27 floors and the other six levels topped by resident-only gardens and a barbecue area.

The 214-home stage will include an 80-place childcare centre and two retail tenancies.

James Sialepis, the Meriton national sales director, said Orana’s ‘mix’ would include six townhouse-like apartments with rooftop terraces and direct courtyard access to the podium gardens.

“There also will be a selection of multi-level townhouse-style homes, also with private rooftop terraces with turfed areas.

“The idea of walking outside to something more private than a balcony strikes a chord with many people.”

Orana also would have five four-bedroom penthouses with private roof terraces.

Mr Sialepis said Meriton also was ‘going the extra yard’ when it came to Orana’s traditional-style apartments.

“The Destination site, an island that’s apart from other developments in the area, affords spectacular views that take in the CBD 13km away and the nearby Lane Cove National Park.

“Our architect, DKO, has ensured that Orana residents enjoy those views, and can lap up the sun, by way or floor-to-ceiling glass and generous balconies.”

The Orana’s one, two and three-bedroom apartments and townhouses will have internal areas of between 56 and 107sqm, many will have studies or media areas, and some will have two parking bays in the ground-level undercover parking area.

Orana’s lifestyle facilities will include a gymnasium, 20-metre indoor heated pool, spa and sauna.