Designing outdoor spaces for maximum liveability and lovability

Designing outdoor spaces for maximum liveability and lovability

Apartment Living Chronicles Part 7

With the weather warming up, the urge to spend more time outside is mounting. And some new accessories or items of furniture will allow you to make the absolute most of your outdoor area. So why not take the time to get your balcony space in ship shape and rejuvenated with a few of the great ideas listed below.



If you have an outdoor dining table or even a café table for two, brighten up for a beautiful summer with new seats pads (test them out for comfortability). Or looking for a super comfortable new outdoor seating arrangement, consider one in corner format to allow you to maximise on space and include your outdoor dining table as well. Wood is usually most space effective, but if you have a bit more room you may opt for wicker. Whatever you choose, add some super cosy cushions to the mix.


 

Summer’s colour scheme ideas to work with are pale pink offset against teal, cobalt blue and grass green (forget blue and green not working – they team together to brilliant effect), brass gold and charcoal, white with magenta and turquoise or moss/forest green and tan. Really though, colour is always uplifting and your favourite schemes will be perfect simply because you love them and they make you feel good. 

For the ultimate in relaxation, if space allows, consider putting up an outdoor hammock/swing seat. The rocking motion of hammocks and swing seats is guaranteed to lull you into a state of supreme serenity. Placed in a balcony corner or along its edge, this will provide you with a mini retreat space ideal for reading, a warm weather nap or contemplating life, love and the universe. Highly recommended! And if hanging seating isn’t your thing, a daybed is an awesome multi-purpose piece of furniture that will give you another place in which to retreat.

Love a good barbie? No matter the size of your outdoor area, there is a BBQ that is right for you. Choose from a large selection of gas, electric or charcoal barbies and always be sure to think safety first. If your BBQ has shelves or magnetic tool holder, all the better! Do check with your body corporate to ensure BBQs are allowable before you run out and buy one though.



Lighting is also a critical yet often overlooked element to your outdoor space. Just as you use them to set the mood indoors, don’t neglect to have some beautifully scented candles for use outdoors. The best ones for this purpose are ones that are semi enclosed, so wind won’t extinguish their beautiful ambient light.

 

Need somewhere to put outdoor bits and pieces? Look for treated wooden shelves in which to house candles, BBQ tools and pot plants. You can even set up one of the shelves as a mini bar equipped with outdoor glasses, your choice of alcohol and mixers. Also don’t discount metal shelves as there are some really beautiful designs available that bear up well to whatever the weather throws at you.

Want year-round balcony enjoyment? You may be able to apply to your body corporate to glass the space in with sliding windows to allow an open vibe if weather permits. This way you create a wintergarden multi-seasonal space. If you are not permitted by your body corporate, you can consider mounting a small outdoor heater and you will be amazed at how much it will warm the space. There is a wide variety on the market, including gas or electric models, so you can find the perfect one for your space.

And finally, plants add the natural beauty, tranquillity and oxygen that will complete your balcony to perfection. Remember to choose your plants based on the amount of sun that lands on your balcony and the time it shines directly upon your space. Choose herbs and berries to get the added benefit of being able to use them for your cooking. Our favs are Rosemary, Basil, Parsley, Coriander, Thyme, Raspberry, Blueberry and Strawberry. Best sun loving plants that thrive in pots and planters and pack a powerful colour punch are Agapanthus, Bougainvillea, Lavender, and Petunias. Geraniums prefer morning sun and afternoon shade. Always check with your local nursery as to how they will grow in your particular space. 

If all these ideas have got you dreaming of an apartment with a great balcony, see our divine selection below. These outstanding properties feature generous outdoor spaces and being off-the plan, will give you some extra time to save for your dream home:

Read more about this property here

Food fest - The Sydney suburbs that are a foodie's paradise

Food fest - The Sydney suburbs that are a foodie's paradise

Apartment Living Chronicles Part 6

There are several Sydney suburbs that are any food lover’s dream, where even the most finicky foodie will be able to eat to their heart’s content. Replete with artisan shops and grocers galore, Marrickville and Surry Hills get our vote as joint winners of Sydney’s Foodie Capital. This week we will start by taking to the streets of Surry Hills in search of gourmet fare. 

Long known as the one of Sydney’s hippest suburbs, here the foodie revolution steams ahead in full force. With a plethora of artisan providores, the quality and array of foodstuff on offer is outstanding. Cramer are big on supporting small business, and never has it been so important to shop small as now, as we are on our way out of lockdown. 

For the best in cheese, try Formaggi Ocello. One of the widest ranging cheese selections in Australia, there is something here for everyone. They also have an outstanding range of cured meats, handmade pasta, olive oil, nuts, condiments, biscuits and wine.

For ready-made pasta extraordinaire, visit Pasta Emilia where you can pick up organic pasta and sumptuous sauce. We recommend the truffle cream sauce with either the beetroot and chevre or pumpkin and ricotta house-made tortellini, but as there are ten varieties to choose from, you’ll find the one for you. Then for the perfect bottle of wine to complement your meal, Osteria Emilia offers an outstanding selection of Italian and Australian wines. And before you leave, be sure to pick up a jar of the Peperoncino Chilli Conserve and tub of Beef Ragú. 

The Soul Deli is a greatly morish café/deli. This little Korean powerhouse offers a range of products, both fresh and packaged, and gorgeous homewares make by Korean community members. With a vast collection of pickles, sauces, kimchi and home BBQ packs, you will not be able to leave this cool little deli empty handed. 

If you are in a rush and want a one stop shop to get all your delicacies, try Crown Street Grocer, where the selection is mind bogglingly good. Surry Hills has a number of really cool little grocers. The family-owned Maloney’s Grocer, New Indian House Surry Hills or Lucky Bamboo Asian Grocery are all stocked with excellent, exotic and exciting produce that will add spice, variety and excitement to your home menu plan. 

And don’t miss the Surry Hills Markets that take place on the first Saturday of every month. The 60+ stalls offer a fantastic array of artisan foodstuff, and you can even get in early and start Christmas shopping once they reopen. An important part of the community since 1981, shopping at this market not only provides you with fantastic produce and specialties, it allows you to support the makers directly.

Then if all else fails to please, we can’t go past the original Bourke Street Bakery without being drawn in by the wholesome, ‘Mama loves you’ smell of the baked goods that beckon. The Red Wine and Mushroom Beef Pie; Bacon, Gruyère and Leek Quiche; humble Green Olive and Rosemary Flatbread; and Ginger Brûlée and Chocolate Ganache Tarts are all mouth-wateringly good.

With covid turning even the least food obsessed of us into would-be gourmet chefs, having the best grocery stores and providores on call is now more important than ever. So, to live in the midst of the foodie action, check out our incredible village development, Surry Hills Village.

Mood boosting must-haves for your home

Apartment Living Chronicles Part 5

There has never been a better time than the present to look for ways to boost our mood. Even the most stoic among us have lockdown fatigue, and the rest of us are going positively stir crazy. Creating a peaceful yet uplifting atmosphere in your home is the perfect foil for lockdown blues.

Smell is one of our most powerful sense, though few of us give it much thought unless we discover an unwanted parcel left by the dog or that tuna casserole from three nights ago is well past its use by date. However, we can use our sense of smell to help calm our mind or invigorate it – whatever the mind’s need at any time, aromatherapy can work wonders. 

If you don’t already have one, invest in an oil burner and a few essential oils, or spoil yourself with a scented soy wax candle. Most of us have experienced the calming effect of lavender and rose, but there are so many other peace-inducing oils out there that we can let our nose take its pick, no pun intended! Rosewood, Ylang Ylang, Cedarwood, Vetiver, Camomile, Frankincense and Jasmine all have long been used to calm a busy anxious mind, and there are combination oils on offer that will have a number of these ingredients. All these oils are great to burn in the evening when we are trying to wind down, or if we are feeling particularly uptight during the day.

If you are in the mood for a joyful and uplifting aroma, you can’t go past the citrus family of oils, especially Orange, Lemon, Tangerine and Grapefruit. Peppermint, Myrrh, Basil, Rosemary, Lemongrass, and Sandalwood are also very uplifting. Most of these also assist with mental alertness and clarity. Bergamot is very good in the morning if we wake up a bit sluggish from too much Netflix. It helps fight tiredness and can provide us with an energising boost. 

Affirmations are hugely powerful, so now is a good time to look to the internet and find one or more affirmations that really resonate. Then either print them up or write them down and post them somewhere in your home where you will see them regularly. Say them to yourself whenever you are feeling overwhelmed or down, no matter how mechanical it may feel at first, because they really work.

Make a ‘sacred spot’ in your home where you can retreat and either just zone out to some beautiful music or use one of the myriad of tools we have at our disposal for calming the mind. If you’ve never tried meditation, now is the perfect time to start, and if you used to do it sometime, get back into it. There are many apps that offer guided meditations so shop around until you find what best works for you. Everyone needs mental time out to boost the mood, and there is no better way on earth to do this than meditation.

If you haven’t already, set up a spot in your house where you can exercise. Ideally it would be a different place to your ‘sacred spot’ as your subliminal brain is a powerful thing and quickly associates a particular spot with an activity you repeat there and recalibrates your mood accordingly. So, find a designated area that you return to each time you want to exercise. Think about putting a small chest there to house your weights, resistance bands, skipping rope, pilates ball, yoga mat or anything else you may need to get your blood, dopamine and endorphins pumping.

Also hugely important, if you have a balcony or an outdoor area, embrace any direct sunlight on as much skin as you dare. The Vitamin D in sunlight is a hugely effective mood booster and has the added benefit of boosting the immune system. And if you live near a park or green zone, make sure you take daily walks to get some sun, exercise and the positive mood boost of being out and about. 

Happily, there are some must-have mood-boosting items in the food department as well. Wonder why you crave chocolate, it improves emotional health if you have the dark variety and eat it in some moderation. Dark chocolate is rich in folates, as are green leafy vegetables, blueberries and camomile or lavender tea. Also look for magnesium rich foods – again our hero dark chocolate, avocado, nuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. So do your mood a favour and make a salad of spinach, avocado, seeds and nuts to have with your lunch, then round it off with a nice chuck of dark chocolate and a healthy handful of blueberries. Your mind will thank you for it. 

But most of all – hang in there. Make your home as beautiful and mood-boosting as you can, because your surrounds really affect how you feel. And remember, this will end and life will move on from this covid craziness. Meanwhile, keep on keeping on in the best way you know how.

 

Design Trends 2021

Apartment Living Chronicles Part 4

With home now so much more than just our base, we feel the time is ripe for applying some of 2021’s styling trends into the rooms where you are spending the majority of your life. If now isn’t the time to give your home a new lease of life, I don’t know when is. Not only will the addition of some new pieces revitalise your spaces, but the latest trends will create a sense of peaceful harmony that we all need at the moment. 

When choosing something new, focus on instilling balance and calm into your spaces. Almost all the world’s leading styling trendsetters are tending closer to the organic, sculptured and subtle than ever before. Colours are warm, soothing, natural and gentle on the eye – beige and bisque are no longer boring, the softest shell pinks and sage greens make the heart sing and the occasional forest green and charcoal grey can be introduced to create depth. 

Mindful shopping is very much 2021, with designers recommending buying local, organic and sustainable materials where possible. And bring the outside in with indoor plants that will soften and lighten the atmosphere in any room and boost its oxygen content. Even if you don’t have a large budget, it is amazing the difference a few well-placed plants and some new sculptural homewares can make to your space. 

Soft, subtle paint colour is featuring on walls, with skirtings, cornices and door and window frames in a crisp white or exposed timber. Brush Box with its pinkish hue, and the blonde shades of Ash and Oak timber are featuring heavily in the best designers’ repertoires as are natural stone and blown glass. Heavy, natural textures in furnishing are being used to up the organic factor. Wallpaper is making a comeback, especially of the textured, botanical or impressionist varieties. 

Furniture pieces appear sculpted and create incidental works of art in the home. Curved wood is design of the day, along with tan leather and anything that looks as though it could integrate into a landscape with ease. Vintage and antique pieces are being employed to add character, particularly Mid Century Modern. These pieces also avoid the over designed look where everything is new. 

So give your home a warm, soft, relaxing lift by introducing some of these ideas into your space. 

The apartment precinct - The future of apartment living

Apartment Living Chronicles Part 3

It is expected that Australia’s population will expand to more than 35 million citizens by 2050, with a large percentage of its inhabitants living in urban centers. The existing infrastructure and public utilities that were set up to accommodate an urban density model of 8 to 15 detached dwellings per hectare are now largely unsustainable. 

However, the advent of the apartment to replace detached houses has tended to bring with it certain setbacks of their own. They have tended to eat into public space, been heavy consumers of energy and offered lonely, characterless corridors as the only common areas.  And this is not to mention their aesthetic value or lack thereof on our urban landscape. So, what does the future of apartment living look like, and will we remedy the errors of the past?

Progressive architects are looking to design spaces that not only provide dwellings, but also create community infrastructure in sustainable, medium density developments that embrace and nurture the social aspect of community. Rather than limiting their design to purely residential, many cutting edge architects are developing vibrant precincts within apartment complexes for both residents and the public to enjoy. This type of urban development has long been seen in Europe, where communities seem to have the social and leisure aspects of life down pat. So, it is almost inevitable that Australia’s largest cities adopt this successful urban design for the future.

Never has the home and its relationship to community been more important than in the current climate. The best upcoming developments not only provide homes, but also contribute positively to our cities in a sustainable way. Private foyers are becoming public spaces and provide infrastructure and services often lacking in the local community. This not only serves the community at large, but also residents. Additionally, it creates a sense of vibrancy and a buzz of activity for the people living in the apartments connected to these precincts. This supports residents’ wellbeing and creates spaces where neighbours can connect with each other. 

Precincts allow residents a village way of life that reduces carbon emissions and means they are able to live small and shop local. The on-hand convenience of having a trendy restaurant, café or boutique shop a lift ride away, means residents have more time up their sleeve. And the best apartment precincts are close to transport corridors, shops and services. Ideally, precincts have their own green space that not only beautifies the immediate area, but also offers a readily accessible space for leisure and recreation. 

Cramer have an exciting collection of apartments for sale by developers TOGA, who have really embraced the precinct concept for living and incorporated it into their outstanding apartments, retail and green spaces. Here is a selection of our fantastic listings in Surry Hills Village and Wicks Place on the Park in Marrickville, two of Sydney’s most creative, cool and cosmopolitan suburbs.

Why the Sydney property market remains strong

On the surface, it seems to defy logic that the Sydney property market is remaining so strong during one of the major global crises in living memory. However, you don’t have to go digging too deeply to see why property still stacks up as being your best bet, whether this involves investing in or owning your own property.

With money in the bank earning negligible interest, and the share markets being unpredictable and usually only beneficial in the long term, property is becoming the place that so many of us are choosing to park our cash. In Sydney, property has been steadily going up in value for well over a decade now, and the capital gains to be had in property have far exceeded those to be found in any bank. Placing our dollars in hard assets not only fights inflation, it also gives us the reassurance of something tangible during these changing times and most importantly, provides us with a place to live. And when purchased as an investment, return on investment through rent is generally far more attractive than other forms.

Another major driver of the hot property market, also involving interest rates, is the historically low cost of borrowing money. We are able to borrow more now than ever, largely due to the fact that our interest rate will vary somewhere between 1% and 3%, which was previously unheard of. The fact that interest rates have remained low or even further decreased over the last decade stems from the global financial crisis of 2008. And the RBA and banks all indicate rates will remain low in the foreseeable future. All this gives us confidence that rates will remain at all-time lows for the foreseeable future, increasing our buying power which in turn generates property market activity. 

One of the chief reasons the RBA are reluctant to raise interest rates is because owning your own property gives us a sense of wealth, which generates spending both elsewhere in the economy and within our own home. We tend to purchase more things when we own our own place compared to when we rent, and we are prone to want to upgrade our property with far more regularity than in previous generations, and spending more the next time round as we move up the property ladder. The flow on effects of all this include increases in property values, a decline in unemployment, a steadier rate of inflation and more discretionary spending - all good for the economy. 

Now 18 months into this pandemic, our homes have increasingly become our places of work as well. This change of use has a number of ramifications. We are becoming more insular in our way of life, and home is often now where we work, exercise and periodically home-school our children. These extra purposes ideally require extra space, and many of our homes just aren’t user friendly enough. This has created incredible demand and is fuelling the property market as we seek more multi-purpose properties.

With so many of us now working remotely from home, it is imperative that we have a work-dedicated area. This change of use repercussion is that we are now able to write off a percentage of expenses associated with our home as work-related. When paying off a mortgage, every little saving counts, and every dollar saved in income tax when working from home contributes to greater mortgage serviceability potential and can allow us to upgrade to a more suitable home. 

There has also been a big drive towards off-the-plan property that is brand new, intelligently designed and move in ready. Not having to contend with a fixer-upper and having a beautifully designed new property that is move-in ready is proving highly attractive. And off-the-plan has the added benefit of allowing us to plan, prepare and save more while only requiring a 10% deposit. So if you are looking to either purchase your first home, move up the property ladder or invest in a rental property, here are some of the great properties Cramer currently has available.

Smarter home spaces – How to organise and use your space intelligently

Apartment Living Chronicles Part 2

To optimise space in our apartment, we need to first create order out of what can range from organised chaos to utter mayhem! We need to seek ways to use our space in the most intelligent manner possible as this will translate into a greater sense of space and home harmony. And there is no time like the present – thanks to covid and our current enforced homebound state when we are spending almost every hour of our life in our own home.

The less stuff you have, the bigger your space will feel. The greatest way towards a well-ordered and above all beautiful home is to start with a pre-spring clean. Keep an eye out for things we rarely use that are simply just taking up space. A good rule of thumb for the exercise of culling our excess, is if you haven’t used it in a year, toss it out. To make the task less daunting, start by going through a couple or drawers, a cupboard or a wardrobe each day. Set the intention to be realistic – will you really ever wear that bridesmaid’s dress again? Do you really need eight vases and two sets of cutlery? You will be surprised at how you hardly use or wear, and anything that is in good order can usually be donated to your local church, St Vinnies or Smith Family. 

Once you have removed the excess (and I know how hard this can be as sentimental value can have great power over us), we need to find space saving and storage solutions to allow our homes to shine in all their clutter-free glory. A smart place to start is when looking at furniture, opt for dual purpose or adaptable size pieces. When looking for an ottoman or even a bed, if you are short on storage then get one with storage drawers underneath. Need side tables – try nesting tables as you can pull them out as needed. A daybed can be a chillout couch for you or a bed for guests. 

If you like to entertain, extendable dining tables are the way to go as they don’t take up as much space for the everyday but come to the party when you need them. And beware of oversized pieces of furniture as they will dwarf your space, however where you cannot go wide you can go high. A tall armoire looks gorgeous, has a small floorplate and holds a lot. If you are in a studio, a Murphy bed is the way to go. It slots up in its cupboard against the wall by day, giving you loads more room to move, and pulls down by night.

Final tips for organising your space, create spaces to put things away once they have been used. If your memory is not the best, write an alphabetical list outlining where you have stored things, such as Medical files: Second shelf in the armoire; Winter tights: Bottom drawer of the guest bedroom; Wrapping paper: Top shelf of linen cupboard. As the seasons change, review you wardrobe and pass on anything you no longer wish to keep, then swap out winter clothes for summer by putting heavy clothing in the spare bedroom wardrobe. Swap winter tights out for bikinis/speedos. Remember that a clean house is a happier, lighter, far more pleasant place to live so keep on top of housework and you will find even your mind feels less cluttered. And most importantly, only buy things you absolutely love and always think quality over quantity.

If you need some more inspiration and information on organising your home, get one of The Home Edit’s fantastic books 

Beat the blues with green and surround yourself with plants

Apartment Living Chronicles Part 1

If you are feeling a bit blue this winter, with the short days and covid wreaking havoc in our lives, then you are certainly not alone. Never before has our home environment been so critical to our mental health, so here are some sure-fire ways to beat the blues with nature’s most healing and regenerative organism - plants.

Constantly seeing and being around plants has been proven in a multitude of studies to help people feel calmer and more relaxed, thus decreasing levels of anxiety. Having plants in our lives also helps improve memory and attention span by 20 percent and can increase concentration. Other benefits include reducing depression and increasing creativity, self-esteem and overall quality of life, so there is every reason to invest in some plants for your home. And on top of this that they produce oxygen and remove carbon dioxide, which is all the more important in winter and lockdown when we are spending so much time indoors.

Specifically, researchers have found that people who surround themselves with plant life and other forms of natural beauty, both indoors and out, experience emotional and mental health benefits that have a positive impact on their social, psychological, physical, cognitive, environmental, and spiritual well-being.

Balconies are the more obvious places to introduce plants into our apartment, but don’t neglect to have them indoors also. There are so many varieties that thrive inside and many that are far easier to keep happy than even the least green thumbed of us might think. Mother-in-law’s Tongue and Devil’s Ivy are great plants to start with, as are Zanzibar Gem, Dragon Tree, Maidenhair Fern, Zebra Plant, Lucky Bamboo, Boston Fern, Long-leaf Fig and indoor varieties of Succulent.

Gorgeous indoor flowering plants include Orchid, Cyclamen, Flamingo Lily, African Violet and Peace Lily. Larger plants can serve as dramatic sculptural statements. Banana trees, Fiddle-leaf Fig, Rubber Plant, Lady Palm, Monstera Deliciosa, Olive Tree, Chinese Fan Palm, Cornstalk Dracaena, Bird of Paradise, Dwarf Date Palm and Weeping Fig are all striking varieties to have inside our homes.

And simply buying yourself fresh flowers – not just for family and friends - brings seasonal joy and colour into your home and supports your local florist.  Many bunches of flowers will last for a week, so ask your florist which varieties will last the longest and spoil yourself. If the florist doesn’t provide a little sachet of flower food, you can easily make your own by adding a good squeeze of lemon juice, a teaspoon of sugar and half a teaspoon of bleach to the water in your vase. 

But don’t just limit your plant interactions when only at home, find your nearest park and set up a walking regime there and back each day, whenever possible. Not only will this help clear your head and give you a healthy dose of Vitamin D from the sunlight, being around trees boosts our wellbeing, encourages socialisation and even makes us kinder! And exciting new research suggests that trees can boost our immunity due to the oxygen and aromatic compounds they release. So don’t delay, lift your mood and improve your health and wellbeing by making plants and trees your new best friends.

BREAKING NEWS: Federal government releases 30,000 new grants for First Home Buyers

If you’ve been dreaming of buying your first home, the latest Australian Federal Government incentives may be the help you need to make it a reality. As of the 1st of July, 2021, the government has introduced 30,000 new places for its First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, New Home Guarantee and Family Home Guarantee. 

Some 10,000 additional places have been released under the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme for the 2021-2022 financial year. The scheme supports eligible first home buyers purchase an established home or a new home sooner with a deposit of as little as 5 per cent. The price cap for Sydney properties eligible for this scheme is now $800,000, up from last financial year’s cap of $700,000. 

The Family Home Guarantee is a new grant announced in the 2021-2022 Federal Budget to support eligible single parents with at least one dependent child. There will be 10,000 Family Home Guarantees made available over four financial years from 1 July 2021 to buy a new or existing home with a deposit of as little as 2 per cent. The Sydney price cap for this grant is $800,000.

The New Home Guarantee, announced in October 2020, is specifically for eligible first home buyers building or buying a new home with a deposit of as little as 5 per cent. This scheme has been extended under the 2021-2022 Federal Budget with 10,000 new places available from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022. The price cap for the New Home Guarantee is $950,000. 

Applications for the three schemes can be made through participating lenders or mortgage providers so speak to your bank to see if you are eligible and start to make your first home dream a reality.

The Revitalisation of the City of Sydney: Part 3

The Ultimate Harbour City Staycation 

With covid confining us to our own shores, more and more of us are discovering the wealth of attractions in our own backyard. And few backyards are more accessible than the Sydney CBD. Fast becoming a recreation destination, there is much to discover in our largest city center. With the decentralization of the workplace that has been brought about by the pandemic, Sydney’s heart is transforming as so many 9 to 5 CBD workers relocate their workplace and resign their suit in favour of the home office, at least for part of the working week. 

This shift in purpose from a Central Business District means that the City of Sydney is opening up as a recreation destination and, increasingly, as a fantastic place to reside. If you have never considered the City of Sydney in your google property search, then planning a staycation in this vibrant and highly cultured center may just sway you in its favour. Some of the country’s best and most lavish hotels are located in our city’s heart. There is also a myriad of 5-star properties to suit any budget – Choose from QT Sydney, The Darling, Shangri-La, Sofitel and the InterContinental - or really splash out at Crown Towers Sydney or Park Hyatt. Then take your pick from the finest dining restaurants our city offers – for some ideas see Part 2 of this series. 

To make the most of your weekend away in our state’s capital, be sure to enjoy some of Sydney’s multitude of cultural pursuits during your stay. Sydney’s world-renowned theatres and dance companies are opening their doors with renewed energy. Check out the latest shows at the Opera House , Sydney Dance Company or Bangarra  and book a fun night out with a play at Roslyn Packer, Sydney Lyric, or Sydney Theatre. And with Vivid coming up from the 6th to the 28th of August, there’s never been a better time to book your weekend away.

And a weekend away is just the start. Living in the CBD ensures there will never be a dull moment. Like all the world’s great cities, the energy and vibrancy of the CBD will be fully reactivated once international travel starts up again and happy tourists return to our shores. The Sydney CBD is generally Australia’s first tourist stop for a reason. Not only is it beautiful, but the ever-expanding abundance of cultural and recreational diversions are virtually unparalleled in the Southern Hemisphere. So don’t delay, book a long weekend away and try before you buy. And why not book an inspection at one of these extraordinary apartments while you’re at it!

Learn more about available CBD properties here. 

The Revitalisation of the City of Sydney: Part 2

Australia’s new mecca for wining and dining

Over the years, our harbour city has been the home of some of the country’s most high-end restaurants and bars. Culinary institutions Tetsuya, Bennelong, Bentley, Machiavelli, Rockpool, Quay and Aria remain some of the finest hatted restaurants in the world. But hot on the tails of these renowned eateries are a bevy of fantastic new restaurants created to cater for the swing back to our city center as the place to wine and dine.

Woodcut, from the duo behind The Bridge Room, is a dazzling new restaurant with a revolutionary drawcard. It consists of four separate kitchens that each harness a different element – steam, fire, smoke and ice. Try everything from the finest caviar to raw kingfish to 270-day aged Black Market T-bone – you won’t be disappointed!

A' Mare impresses, offering the theatre of a Michelin-starred meal with divine harbour views across to Balmain. Your pesto is pounded tableside, a gelato cart and sommelier roam the room.  With lavish décor inspired by Italy’s finest palazzos, this is Sydney’s answer to a glamourous Italian food experience.

Situated in Australia’s first bank, Seta is an ambitious, opulent, hatted Italian restaurant featuring Venetian-style bite sized snacks, 30 varieties of raw fish and a 3m high wine fridge. Choose from the main dining room, crudo bar or chef’s table, and with an executive chef who ran a Michelin-starred Italian restaurant, Seta has to be at the top of your restaurant hitlist.

Other extraordinary newcomers to the Sydney city dining scene include Nobu (the much-anticipated Sydney partner for this Japanese institution), the stunning reinvention of Alpha (beloved Greek cuisine), Monopole (with its extraordinary wine list), Restaurant Leo (where everything is made in-house), Esteban (with recipes inspired from Mayan, Aztec, Spanish, Portuguese and Afro-Caribbean cuisines), Merrivale’s reopened Uccello and Nobu & Yoshii’s Omakase. 

And if you are after an aperitif to kick off the night, or a fine drop to round it off, check out The Baxter Inn for a whisky revolution, PS40 (embracing cocktail experimentation with a vengeance), Old Mate’s Place (its rooftop location soars amid the CBD skyline), the intimate Bulletin Place, 1970s inspired Double Deuce Lounge and Sammy Junior with its espresso and cocktail bars.

In addition to these exciting new venues, outdoor dining is being trialed in the City of Sydney, in an effort to create an al fresco dining environment similar to that which exists in Europe. This will result in an increase in green space and public space, and a decrease in office density creating a far more attractive residential environment than in the past. In light of these burgeoning attractions and the de-commercialisation of the City of Sydney, livability is soaring exponentially. So, why not explore the idea of living in Australia’s most cosmopolitan heart, in one of its most glamourous apartments.

Learn more about available CBD properties here. 

Live the high life: Discover Sydney's most desirable apartments

Seeking to live a more cosmopolitan life in the cultural hub of one of the world's favourite city centres? Then don't miss out on this final opportunity to secure one of Sydney’s most luxurious and desirable apartments, in some of the city's most sought after buildings.

With our harbour city fast transforming from a Central Business District into more of a mecca for residences and recreation, due to the impact covid has had on where we work, Sydney City is becoming far more exciting and extremely liveable. Not only is there a vibrant world-class luxury shopping, café, restaurant and bar scene, most of Sydney’s cultural icons are located within easy walking distance of these glamorous apartments. 

The attractions of our prized city are as many and varied as there are days in a year, so you will never be short of ideas to stimulate, educate, socialize, shop and dine. Added to this, the recent announcement of the state government’s commitment to spend an additional $20million, to the already $200million CBD Revitalisation Strategy, there has never been a better time to buy.

If you're ready to live the cosmopolitan life and make the move into one of our harbour city's finest apartments, then don't hesitate to contact Emma and the Cramer team to find out more, you can also view all current listings on the Cramer Property website.

To learn more about these incredible city apartments contact:
Emma Chappell; emma@cramerproperty.com | 0404 769 509
Christian Lush; cl@cramerproperty.com | 0435 725 221