Major Mixed-Use Development For Willoughby

After winning a number of industry awards for its last project, Eliza in Sydney's CBD, boutique developer Ceerose has turned its focus to the Lower North Shore.

The Mint, Willoughby will comprise 104 apartments, two commercial offices totalling 770sqm, a 550sqm retail showroom, and 154 parking bays on a prominent 4,660sqm site fronting Mowbray Road, Willoughby Road and Penshurst Street.

Ceerose founder Edward Doueihi says the location has the right combination of attributes to ensure a successful development.

"We look at dozens of sites every month but have very strict requirements with regards to premium locations that offer amenity, transport and lack of competition," Mr Doueihi said.

"Once we have these key elements we then undertake a meticulous design process to ensure the quality of the architecture is consistent with the very high standards of construction we live by."The international real estate agency Savills Residential Projects has been active in the Lower North Shore for a couple of years and says the region outperforms all others.

Head of Residential Project Marketing For Savills Ged Rockliff said, "Willoughby is a suburb where demand far exceeds supply, and property here is tightly held.""Our research shows just 55 apartments changed hands in the past year, and the median unit price increased by 12.15%.

"Given the quality of the Ceerose brand, owner occupiers and investors alike will be able to purchase here with the confidence of knowing their investment will set a benchmark in the region."

Ceerose's Eden at Chippendale 

Plans show that The Mint, Willoughby comprises two buildings linked by a central open-air atrium, with frontages to the three major thoroughfares. Each building has a separate entrance and two high-speed lifts.

There are 58 different apartment layouts at The Mint, Willoughby, and no two floors are the same. The company's 17-storey Eliza in Elizabeth Street is widely regarded as the most artistic apartment building in Sydney as every floor is a different shape. Ceerose is also nearing completion of Harbour Mill at Pyrmont which cleverly weaves modern apartments within the remnant facade of a flour mill built in 1896.

Eliza on Elizabeth Street in Sydney CBD

Ceerose was founded in 1998 by Mr Doueihi and has expanded to become a full service property development and construction company. The licensed builder continues to maintain a hands-on approach, delivering award-winning apartment developments such as Jade in Sussex Street, Sydney, Eden at Chippendale and DNA at Camperdown.

"We are agile enough to take advantage of opportunities as they arise - ranging from boutique residential developments to large scale mixed-use developments - and we are not constrained by unnecessary management layers, outmoded corporate culture or timid decision-making. This means we can get a project started quickly and efficiently, and see that project through to completion," Mr Doueihi said.

Savills' Mr Rockliff says the prestige of the Ceerose brand - which is reflected in the penthouse at Eliza selling for more than $12 million - will heighten demand for The Mint, Willoughby.

"This particular project will appeal to a broad cross section of buyers who are looking for a quality apartment that is blessed by its proximity to schools, high street retail, recreational precincts and within 15 minutes of the CBD by bus," he said.