Local Putney couple, Scott Spanton and his wife, Catherine, fell in love with Putney as soon as they moved there eight years ago, relocating from Hunters Hill, buying the original Putney homestead – one of, if not the oldest homes in the area.
“We fell in love with the whole village. We love the history and the people. It’s a little Italian village,” Scott said.
“We’re a blended family of six kids so we needed a big house but now most of our kids have moved out so we wanted to downsize to a lifestyle apartment, something on the water. Our current home has huge six-metre-high ceilings, and it just doesn’t exist in new build houses but it does at the Halvorsen,” he commented.
The couple has purchased an enormous, three-bedroom 182sqm corner apartment on the top floor of the soon to be historically restored Halvorsen Boatshed at Putney Wharf, featuring 5.5-metre-high soaring ceilings with exposed original timber beams.
Surrounded by sweeping water views
Uniquely, the property features sweeping water views from all bedrooms and living areas to the east and south-east – a key element which was hugely appealing to the couple who plan to make Putney Wharf their home for the foreseeable future.
“The Halvorsen [Boatshed] is irreplaceable. It is utterly unique and heritage listed. They just don’t make or approve sites over the water like this anymore. It’s a one of a kind. The historical element also adds to the uniqueness of the site. The mix of the new and the old – it pays credit to and celebrates the historical elements without trying to hide them,” Scott says.
The couple says the main features that sealed the deal for them was the generosity of the space and the great floorplan design – all apartments in the Halvorsen are three and four-bedroom apartments aimed at owner-occupiers.
“145sqm internal is quite big for a three-bedder, Scott highlights. “The blend of the old and new was very important to us. The layout flowed very well with generous living spaces and great sized bedrooms. The kitchen was very cool; we cook a lot and love to cook so that was important. We chose the light interior scheme which features stunning stone and marble in the kitchen and bathrooms.
A marina berth – an excellent investment
As part of their purchase, the couple also secured one of the largest sized marina berths, able to accommodate an 18-metre boat which Scott says they see as a good investment for the future.
“We investigated it a bit and were told 12m-15m berths are more readily available in Sydney Harbour but the 60-foot berths are particularly hard to come by. “
“If we ever do sell at some point in the future, we’ll sell the berth and apartment together. We see it as a great package.”
Was buying off the plan a concern?
“When we knew Abadeen and PERIFA were developing the site, we were confident it was going to be something special. We’re very aware of their individual past projects. They’re very experienced and trusted developers in this space,” he said.
“We looked at relocating to another existing house in Putney and none had the combination of what we were looking for. Putney Wharf was the only apartment project we would ever consider buying off the plan purely because of its unique offering. A 1.6-hectare site that goes out over the water – you won’t get a chance at this again.
“Once completed and people can touch and feel the apartments people will lose their minds but they won’t be able to buy; it will be too late. Our thinking was to pay up now or we will regret it later.”
What impact will Putney Wharf Residences have on the local area?
“Speaking with mates in the area, we think this is going to add half a million [dollars] to everyone’s houses in Putney straight away. There is such a buzz in the community about it and there’s already a knockdown house being sold up the road for over $5m which is already promoting its proximity to the future Putney Wharf. It’s a very big positive to the local area. It’s low rise, very respectful to the location and sympathetic to its waterfront surroundings and built with the highest standard of finishes. They are even retaining the big fig trees on the site, which we love,” he added.
“Before we moved to Putney, we didn’t realise all of what Putney offered. It is a bit of a hidden treasure. We didn’t know there was the train, ferry, bus and two major shopping centres right on our doorstop as well as the local shops in the village. The parks and waterfront are great for families with young kids whilst all this convenient transport and infrastructure empowers the teenage kids to get out and about with their friends – far greater facilities than we ever had at Hunters Hill or Gladesville. Although we do need a great restaurant and maybe a wine bar in the area and we’re hoping Putney Wharf will bring these.
“We eat out a lot so yes we’re looking forward to the waterfront dining which will be on our doorstep at Putney Wharf. There’s no communal pools, saunas or spas or other features that we really don’t use which helps to keep the maintenance costs and strata levies under control somewhat,” he said.
Overwhelming demand on launch weekend
Launching to market last Saturday, Putney Wharf Residences achieved a resounding sales result securing $140 million in apartment sales on the first weekend of launch of sales – the bulk sold in the first two hours. Stage One comprising 34 apartments is expected to sell out in coming days.
CBRE Residential Project’s Senior Director Tim Rees confirmed this was an expected result due to the uniqueness of the project, the prime waterfront location and the overwhelming level of interest with over 3000 registrations for interest received in the lead up to launch of sales with local downsizers not wanting to miss out on securing an outstanding waterfront, lifestyle purchase.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime purchase, and with only 67 residences available, these properties will not last long.”
“We also saw remarkably strong interest in the marina berths with multiple berths selling with apartments to boat owners. Berths are in short supply in Sydney Harbour and in particular luxury apartments with their own private marina. It was clear the project had piqued the interest of Sydney’s boating community,” Mr Rees said.
Being developed in joint venture between leading property developers, Abadeen Group and PERIFA along with their partners Phoenix Property Investors and Mitsubishi Estate Asia, the precinct offers a mix of 67 luxury apartments and townhouses complemented by sophisticated waterfront dining and retail along with a 36-berth marina.
Boasting a 300-metre waterfrontage housing the historic former Halvorsen’s Boatshed, Putney Wharf Residences will offer a premium, lifestyle-oriented, mixed-use wharf precinct, inspired by Sydney’s other popular heritage wharfs including Woolloomooloo and Walsh Bay.
Properties are priced starting from approximately $3.9 million for three-bedroom apartments and from approximately $4.35 million for a four-bedroom terrace.
Construction is due to commence in Q1 2025 with the project expected to be completed by 2027.
To register for stage two sales at Putney Wharf Residences please visit www.putneywharf.com.au or call CBRE Residential Projects on 1800 572 020.
Enquire today to book your VIP appointment in the Display Gallery located at 20 Waterview Street, Putney.
