Downsizing reimagined: how this Sydney couple turned one family home into two apartments

Developer Ellipse Property has launched the campaign for Lily Lane, Stage Two of its landmark Carrington Place masterplan in Sydney’s North-West. 

Coming on the back of the sales success of the masterplan’s first stage with 85% sold, Lily Lane will bring over 200 new apartments plus new retail to the growing precinct.

Granger McGregor, and his wife Judy thought they would downsize in about 10 years when their two teenage kids were in their 20s. 

When the building is complete in mid-2026, Granger and Judy will live in one apartment, while directly below them, their daughter (now aged 16) and son (now aged 18) will live eventually independently in their own unit.

The couple decided to fast-track their plans and buy two separate two-bedroom apartments off-the-plan in Castle Hill- a decision that will unlock future flexibility for the whole family.

“We decided to bring our plans forward and the whole family is so excited to be moving into our brand-new apartments, 

"Housing affordability is so low that we know the kids would have been living with us well into their 20s, maybe even later, 

"This way they can do that independently, yet with the comfort of having us so close by,” he explained.

According to Ellipse Property, several local families have bought multiple apartments within the development, trying to beat a rising market and lock in future housing for their family.

“This is definitely a new trend we are starting to see,

"Parents are acting now to secure multiple properties,

"When the kids eventually do move out, the apartments can be kept as investments or sold,” said Puja Khanna, associate director of design, marketing and sales at Ellipse Property.

Just 99 units are available in Stage Two’s first release and are tipped to attract families, downsizers and first homebuyers to Sydney’s popular Hills District.

Located at 32 Carrington Road in Castle Hill and designed by award-winning architects PTW, Lily Lane will offer a total of 213 units over two elegant 12-storey towers.

Lily Lane’s apartments feature generous floorplans and clever storage with optional study and multi-purpose rooms. 

The Hills Showground Metro Station is just a two-minute walk away, offering fast connectivity to Sydney’s CBD, North Sydney, Chatswood, Macquarie Park and Norwest Business Park.

According to Blake Schulze, national director of residential at Colliers, the strong sales momentum seen in Atrium highlights the appetite for premium, oversized apartments with seamless access to transport and amenities.

“Demand for over-sized apartments in the Hills District remains exceptionally strong, and this has been reflected in Atrium’s sales to date,

"We’ve seen particularly high interest from families seeking spacious layouts, strong transport connections and easy access to everyday amenities, 

“It highlights the project’s broad appeal from young professionals to downsizers, all seeking space, design quality and convenience - with some even securing two apartments within the project,” said Blake.

According to Nigel Farquhar, head of development at Ellipse Property, this new stage has been conceived as the welcoming ‘gateway’ to the broader Carrington Place precinct.

“Each stage of Carrington Place has been curated to create a vibrant and cohesive urban village, 

"Stage Two continues this vision, combining landscape-led design with striking architecture and new retail, 

"This next release will activate the precinct and create an elevated lifestyle for residents,” said Nigel.

Carrington Place is currently being constructed by award-winning iCIRT-rated builder Decode Group. 

The official launch for stage two is slated for February 2026, but buyers have the opportunity to register their interest early. 

It will deliver more than 800 new homes across five stages, with the entire masterplan to complete in 2032.

For more off-the-plan property news, click here.