Design trends in the Sunshine Coast’s off-the-plan apartments

From coveted must-haves to delightful niceties, design trends that define the Sunshine Coast’s off-the-plan residences paint a vivid picture of how design has become synonymous with the region’s forward march into the future.

The Sunshine Coast, a haven with over 100 kilometres of unspoiled coastline, a vibrant beachside culture, and thriving communities, has always been a magnet for those in search of paradise. Its allure is mirrored in its property market, with homes in the area experiencing robust price growth over the past four years.

As the population grows, fuelled by the desire for its idyllic lifestyle, the Sunshine Coast is evolving. This evolution is not just in the physical landscape but also in the aspirations of its residents, which are vividly reflected in what they look for in off-the-plan (OTP) apartments.

We spoke to one of the Sunshine Coast’s seasoned real estate experts, John Stamp from Belle Property Maroochydore, to unveil the design evolution in off-the-plan apartments and offer insights into the shifting demands of discerning buyers.

Current trends

When asked about the current trends in off-the-plan design across the Sunny Coast’s OTP apartments, John Stamp, Principal of Belle Property Maroochydore, has observed that the market is responding to a huge demand for owner-occupier apartments in premium locations.

“The design of new developments has refocused on catering to these clients,” John said to A&D.

“Areas that were dominated by small floorplan holiday apartments are now the focus of permanent residents with a buying capacity framed by large home sales in desirable suburbs.

“With the shift to owner-occupier dominance of the marketplace, we see an awareness of long-term costs.

“This results in a desirability for streamlining facilities with a focus on quality and serviceability.

“We also see a desire for usable storage, more car parking, and security.

“Balcony size is very important, and aspects are a key selling point.”

Must-haves in off-the-plan apartments

Building off of those design trends, it is clear that buyers are prioritising space in their residences. This has fast become a must-have instead of a nice-to-have design aspect, and John affirms this.

“Some of the specific features and design elements buyers are prioritising are large master bedrooms with room for a king-sized bed, large balconies with room for both outdoor dining and lounge to fit comfortably, and a minimum two car parking spaces with some larger apartment buyers seeking up to four secure carparks,” he said.

“Storage security is also a priority,” he continued.

“Another trend is towards larger wardrobe sizes and air conditioning throughout the entirety of apartments and not just the main bed and living areas.

“Buyers are attracted to practical living area designs with a focus on entertaining.”

In addition to space within the home, purchasers seek space in the form of quality amenities within the development. With the rise in the work-from-home lifestyle spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, WFH spaces have quickly become must-haves instead of just “nice to have.”

“A zone for working from home within apartments is becoming a must-have,” John said.

“We are seeing these work-from-home options in even the smallest of apartments now.

“Buyers want to be able to operate outside the office professionally, and Covid times have helped them understand the type of space they need.

“A laptop on the kitchen bench will not cut it anymore.”

The importance of lifestyle and community

With the Sunshine Coast known for its idyllic lifestyle, it’s no wonder buyers want this way of life close to home.

“We are increasingly seeing the building’s walk score being important,” said John.

“Immediate access to cafes, restaurants, and the water are hugely popular.”

John and his team at Belle Property Maroochydore have observed that buyers have become very particular not just about a lifestyle address but also about lifestyle amenities. For example, buyers who live near the surf want well-thought-out, secure surf craft storage. When it comes to pools, buyers want this amenity to feel like a resort instead of an afterthought addition.

“Buyers care who their neighbours are and want a level of quality that flows throughout a building; gone are the days of Penthouses sitting atop cheap rental accommodation.

“The OTP market is maturing on the Sunshine Coast, and we are seeing consistency in engagement similar to hubs such as Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.”

The biggest OTP sale in the Sunshine Coast

For John, the largest OTP sale he and his team conducted was for a ‘Volare’ sky home in the ‘B I A N C O’ development on Bulcock Street in Caloundra. The residence was purchased for over $4 million, with several $3 million-plus sales in the same development.

“The attraction to this development has been driven by some surprising factors,” John said.

“Value for money is a huge factor here, as is the unique nature of the beachside position.

“Similar properties offered elsewhere with the same level of finish, aspect, and size are much more expensive.

“As the extraordinary revitalisation of Caloundra continues, you will see the calibre of new properties reflect this development, and the values of neighbouring projects rise accordingly.

“The luxury on offer in Caloundra, for now, is surprisingly good value.”

Looking ahead… 

The Sunshine Coast has matured. As the region continues to grow and buyers evolve with it, John anticipates that the area will undergo the same progression seen in other markets throughout the country as they matured.

“There will be more ambitious projects, larger variance of product on offer, and more specialised offerings,” John said to A&D.

“We will see buildings delivered with 50+ apartments with average sale prices above $2.5million.

“I foresee a market where repeat clients become the norm for off-the-plan sales and the owner-occupier saturation increasing in the most desirable areas.

“We will see that the only way to access these coveted locations will be through off-the-plan sales and ownership hold durations become longer.”

In recent years, the Sunshine Coast’s off-the-plan model has become better understood, with the quality of product and businesses delivering these products refining and improving.

John and his team at Belle Property Maroochydore have recently worked on highly successful project outcomes, focusing on the Caloundra to Maroochydore zone. Their success has given us insight into the high demand of buyers looking for an off-the-plan residence, with exponentially more positive engagement throughout projects being seen now than what the team saw three or four years ago.

“The outlook is very bright,” John concluded.

For more off-the-plan property, real estate news, and lifestyle, click here.

Header image of BIANCO Caloundra.