The aftermath of the pandemic in the luxury off-the-plan apartment market

The pandemic has accelerated trends towards community-focused living, with buyers placing greater importance on apartment developments that offer social interaction, health and wellness, outdoor living, and walkability. From sprawling landscaped spaces to vibrant social hubs, developers have crafted their off-the-plan apartment developments to nurture interactions and foster a sense of camaraderie among its residents.

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the dynamics of apartment living have shifted. As Australians grappled with the challenges of isolation and social distancing, the significance of fostering connections within residential spaces became more evident than ever. This shift in perspective has prompted developers to reimagine urban living with a renewed focus on community.

Enter BASK Bokarina in the Sunshine Coast’s pristine Bokarina Beach and Chevron One Residences in the Gold Coast’s world-renowned Surfers Paradise – two exquisite examples of luxury off-the-plan apartment developments that epitomise this evolving trend.

Through insightful commentary from the minds behind these projects, we uncover the inspiration, innovation, and dedication driving the evolution of modern urban living.

The aftermath of the pandemic

Developers Bensons Property Group and Gardner Vaughan Group have both observed the shifting change in buyer needs and wants after the pandemic, curating their developments to cater to these requirements.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of creating resilient, adaptable, and health-conscious communities,” said Mark Nelson, General Manager of Sales & Marketing at Bensons Property Group – the developer of Chevron One Residences.

“At Chevron One, we addressed this by prioritising both private and open spaces.

“Our apartments feature expansive Queenslander-sized private balconies to enjoy the inspiring view lines while minimising close contact indoors.

“Additionally, recognising the vital importance of health at this time, we developed a 2,000 sqm residents-only area known as Club One, dedicated to health and wellness.

“Our aim was to provide residents with a safe, enjoyable, and enriching living space with convenience at their fingertips.”

Gardner Vaughan Group, the developer behind BASK Bokarina, approached the design and conceptualisation of their Bokarina Beach project in a similar way.

“Given the high demand on apartment living and working-from-home requirements due to Covid, we have taken a considered approach to ensuring our community spaces are conducive to catering for more people, but more importantly, more break out areas,” said Sam Gardner, Sales Director of Gardner Vaughan Group.

“Therefore, we have a northern recreational space that houses the pool area and a southern recreational area with two designated BBQ spaces to enjoy on those hot summer evenings.”

Resident amenity

Both BASK Bokarina and Chevron One Residences feature a wide range of resident-only amenities, catering to buyers’ preferences for a community feel in their homes.

“In BASK, we have designed a recreational/pool space on the northern side of Stage 2, with plenty of relaxed seating to enjoy those hot summer days around the pool, as well as the inclusion of a designated yoga space, a children’s playground area, and a full BBQ recreation space for larger gatherings,” Sam said to A&D.

“There is also a fire pit area for toasting those marshmallows in wintertime.

“On the southern side, we have included two more recreational break-out spaces with BBQs to cater for resident events both day and night.  

“Of course, all of the spaces are surrounded by lush landscaped gardens with the inclusion of a residents’ vege and herb garden.”

Over in Chevron One Residences, residents have exclusive access to 2,000 sqm of health and wellness amenities. The project team recognises the importance of social connections, deliberately integrating these features and amenities to promote a sense of community.

“Club One is our half-acre residents-only space dedicated to health and wellbeing,” explained Mark to A&D.

“In addition to fitness facilities, Club One also includes areas for social engagement, relaxation, and community events, providing residents with a central hub for building relationships and engaging in shared activities.”

Connected locations 

While on-site amenities encourage social interactions within the development, the well-connected addresses of these projects further this sense of community.

Located in the Gold Coast’s exclusive Chevron Island, known for its vibrant village atmosphere, Chevron One Residences sits moments from boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants. This charming pedestrian-friendly setting encourages residents to explore their surroundings, including the Home Of The Arts (HOTA), interact with local businesses, and engage in community events.

“Chevron Island regularly hosts community events and festivals that bring residents together, such as a street party each July, regular markets, art exhibitions, and live music performances,” said Luke Thornley, Sales Manager at Bensons Property Group.

“These events provide opportunities for residents to socialise, celebrate, and connect with one another, enhancing the sense of community and belonging on the island.”

BASK Bokarina is located within Stockland’s renowned Bokarina masterplanned community, placing residents steps from premium amenities and the idyllic Bokarina Beach. What’s more, the 135-apartment development will be grounded by nine retail spaces.

Gardner Vaughan Group takes a considered approach to ensuring that their communities are built from the onset with their very first event, The Property Introduction Event.

“We invite our buyers to experience their first apartment walk-through and a morning or afternoon tea to get to know not only us better, but to meet their new neighbours,” Sam said.

“This event is the first of many that we will host on an ongoing basis, where we encourage the development community to engage with each other.  

“This has been extremely beneficial and successful in previous developments, and we find that some of the community members organise a social committee and they are off and running, organising regular monthly events, such as cocktail-making nights, pizza nights, and cooking events onsite in the function spaces.”

So, what do buyers think?

Diamantina, a buyer in one of Gardner Vaughan Group’s apartment developments, expressed their contentment with life in the building.

“The neighbours are fantastic and we love the regular community gatherings,” they said.

“We’re the envy of our friends!”

This is reflected in the sales for BASK Bokarina’s first stage, ‘Mydas,’ which, according to Sam, are going extremely well.

Construction is due to commence in June this year with two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences still available. Two-bedders are priced from $949,000. Find out more about BASK here.

On the other hand, Chevron One Residences buyers have been loving the project’s location.

“Our recent local buyers have all voiced that they were attracted to Chevron One because of its island lifestyle which fosters a strong sense of community,” said Luke.

“They appreciate the vibrant atmosphere of Chevron Island, its connection to the HOTA, and our large Club One facilities, which offer the charm of village living while maintaining proximity to Surfers Paradise and the wider Gold Coast area.”

Bensons Property Group has observed an uptick in sales over the last three months due to strong demand from the local market. Construction is in full swing, with two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences still available. Two-bedders are priced from $1,875,000. Find out more here.

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