Aleisha Dawson, Property Journalist
Inside the penthouse at Highlife Property Group’s Blonde at Bilinga.
Size still beats a spa as apartment buyers refuse to sacrifice a well-proportioned layout for even the most lavish communal wellness facilities.
It’s a shift developers are increasingly factoring into design briefs, as buyer appetite for “wow factor” amenities gives way to demand for practical, everyday living space.
The trend is playing out across the Gold Coast and northern NSW, where a new wave of boutique apartment projects is being built around liveability rather than just luxury extras.
“Buyers want a well-proportioned home that works for their lifestyle, and we’re not seeing them readily compromise on that in exchange for amenities,” said Highlife Property Group co-founder Elyse George George.
“At the same time, there is an expectation that a premium apartment building will offer wellness facilities and inviting communal spaces.”
Mrs George and her husband James are the founders of Gold Coast developer-builder Highlife Property Group.
Their projects include Ayla in Mermaid Beach and Blonde in Bilinga, with Sabi House in Byron Bay marking their first move into commercial property.
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James and Elyse George, the husband-and-wife founders of Gold Coast developer-builder Highlife Property Group.
Sabi House by Highlife Property Group.
Mrs George said buyers wanted an apartment that could support their everyday lifestyle.
“We’re seeing buyers move away from finishes that won’t stand the test of time, design choices that prioritise aesthetics over practicality, and layouts that don’t support the way they live day to day,” Mrs George said.
“On the other hand, buyers are willing to pay a premium for A-grade sites, exceptional views and boutique buildings with fewer residences, smaller body corporate committees and a strong owner-occupier community.
“We believe this reflects a more considered approach to apartment living.”
Ayla is a boutique collection of eight residences at Mermaid Beach.
Ayla is a boutique collection of eight residences at Mermaid Beach.
Mrs George said buyers wanted versatility — spaces that could serve more than one purpose and adapt as their needs change.
“Buyers are drawn to wellness amenities they can picture using as part of their everyday routine, and that feel like a natural extension of their desired lifestyle,” she said.
The couple also said a wellness space also needed to be inviting.
“A facility with little character, tucked away with limited sunshine or natural light and no views, for example, is far less inviting than one that feels luxurious and is thoughtfully positioned to embrace beautiful outlooks and a sense of connection to its surroundings,” Mrs George said.
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