Downsizers will be able to enjoy a beautiful regional ‘sea change’, yet still stay close to the Sydney and Wollongong city centres, at a unique new master-planned community.
Legacy Property is developing The Works on an 18 hectare site at Corrimal in Wollongong’s northern suburbs.
From 1902 to 2014, the site was used as the Corrimal Coke Works, which prepared coking coal to power the Illawarra region’s famous steelworks.
The Works is located alongside Corrimal train station, which services the South Coast railway line between Sydney and Wollongong.
It’s also just 500m from the Corrimal shopping centre, with its flourishing cafe and restaurant scene, and a level 1.2km walk or bike ride to the suburb’s pretty beach and rock pool.
Now the site is being transformed into a sustainable and vibrant new neighbourhood, which is being specifically developed with downsizers in mind through large apartment sizes, on-site facilities and generous open spaces.
Unique project
Legacy Property senior project director Steve Ball says the community has been designed to have a low-density and spacious feel.
“It’s not every day that you get to plan such a large site, with a rich history and heritage in a lovely coastal location,” Steve said.
“I would like to think that what we are doing here is pretty special.”
Half of site will be open space
When fully developed, a total of 550 new apartments - across 11 buildings - will be constructed at The Works.
Around half the site will be set aside for open space, including the Southern Park which will feature a children’s nature play area, half basketball court and community gardens. There will also be a Village Green with leisure spaces, playground equipment, picnic areas and lawn space.
Sustainability will be a key focus, with the project to become the Wollongong council area’s first 5 Star Green Star rated community.
This will be achieved through extensive tree planting and natural area upgrades alongside Towradgi Creek, which runs through the site. It will also involve the delivery of community gardens, active transport pathways, water sensitive design measures and the use of recycled and responsibly sourced building materials.
FIND OUT MORE: See The Works’ sustainability features
In addition, many of the original heritage features of the Coke Works will be retained and celebrated, including the original 1912 brick chimney (a local landmark), the former Power House building and part of the coke oven.
These features will be best viewed at the future Heritage Plaza. which will also include neighbourhood shops and a hospitality precinct.
FIND OUT MORE: Learn about the site’s history and heritage here
About the apartments
Legacy Property’s Steve Ball said apartments are now for sale off-the-plan in two four-storey buildings in the project’s first stage.
One bedroom apartments start at $600,000, with two bedroom apartments starting at $895,000 and three bedrooms at $1.3 million.
One advantage of purchasing off-the-plan is that buyers will be able to influence their future interiors by choosing from a lighter or warmer colour scheme.
“Compared to what you’d find in a stock standard apartment project, our floor spaces are spacious which means they are attractive to downsizers but also families,” Steve said.
“You’re talking three bedroom apartments on average being greater than 120 square metres and four bedders greater than 140-160 square metres.
“These types of large floor plates, and the number of over-sized apartments on offer, is quite unusual for this region.
“We’ve also got a strong focus on high-quality interiors, including floor-to-ceiling window frames with district or escarpment views, air-conditioning, engineered timber floorboards and deluxe kitchen layouts and appliances.”
FIND OUT MORE: See the apartments on offer at The Works
Steve Ball says that, as the project is developed over the next six-eight years, he expects a friendly multi-generational community will form, with a focus on owner occupiers.
Legacy Property will be implementing a community development plan including events and social groups, and a community group to help guide the sustainability initiatives.
“We’re getting a lot of interest from people who want to sea change to the beautiful Illawarra, who will also be able to put money in their pocket when they sell their current house and leave maintenance hassles behind,” he said.
“These buyers are keen to downsize but less keen on the large exit fees and the potential for losing capital growth that comes with a retirement village.
“Our larger apartment floor sizes also opens up the possibility of working from home.”
Legacy Property is an established Sydney-based development firm, with a proven track record delivering great places and great results across a range of greenfield and infill projects.
Find out more
A display centre for The Works is currently open at the 237 Princes Highway Corrimal, between 10am-4pm Monday to Friday, Saturday between 10am-2pm, Sunday between 9am-1pm or by appointment.
To make an appointment, or to further discuss the project, call 1800 827 003 or fill out the online form at this page. Alternatively, explore The Works website.
This sponsored content has been prepared by Downsizing.com.au on behalf of Legacy Property.
