Novus, a leading Australian developer of purpose-designed and built rental accommodation, has moved forward with their second build-to-rent (BTR) development in Chatswood on Sydney’s Lower North Shore, with the lodging of a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for the project.

Designed by Fender Katsalidis (FK), the proposed Novus on Victoria is a $163-million BTR shop-top housing development comprising of 260 apartments across 46 storeys and includes over 1,000sqm of dedicated resident amenity space, retail offerings and residential lobby areas on ground and first levels, and three levels of basement, which will incorporate carparking, loading facilities and plant.

Located at 410–416 Victoria Avenue on a 1,050sqm site in the heart of Chatswood CBD, the BTR tower fronts Victoria Avenue, Victor Street and Post Office Lane, with ground floor activation to be maximised to the three street frontages through innovative design solutions.

Novus on Victoria will offer studios as well as 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments to improve housing diversity in the Willoughby area and cater for a range of households. Future residents will have access to a dedicated wellness podium level featuring a gym, pool, sauna, steam, ice plunge, outdoor terrace and pet park; a mid-rise outdoor BBQ terrace and sporting area; and penthouse level amenities made up of resident lounges, co-working spaces and private dining, all offering stunning views across Sydney and beyond.

Aligned with the NSW Government’s strategic approach for true transit-oriented development, residents will enjoy excellent transport connections, with the property situated on the doorstep of the Chatswood Transport Interchange, providing direct access to high frequency train, metro, and bus services. Neighbours include Westfield, the Concourse Arts Precinct, several open spaces and schools, along with Novus on Albert, currently under assessment via the same SSDA pathway.

FK’s design, which focusses on building a vertical community, features a dedicated lobby concierge for residents, a ‘Wellness Level’ above, a sheltered and semi-enclosed dog park on Level 23 with grassy lawns and sand pits, as well as an informal social space for residents, leisure amenities including lounge and dining spaces for residents, and a dedicated amenity to work from home in a focused space on the 43rd level.

“We see Novus on Victoria as an opportunity to leverage the great connectivity, vibrancy and life of the Chatswood CBD, whilst offering much needed housing options,” says FK partner Craig Baudin.

“This development demonstrates how we can sustainably transform our cities without compromising on great placemaking and creating unique residential experiences. We have an opportunity to create a highly liveable vertical community right in the heart of the Chatswood CBD.”

The project will incorporate a range of environmental and sustainability initiatives including both BASIX and NatHERS targets.

Novus on Victoria is Novus’ second BTR development in Chatswood, following the Rothelowman-designed Novus on Albert project, which will deliver 198 apartments across 27 storeys, and also comes with the promise of wellbeing, convenience and exceptional service for residents.

The SSD application for Novus on Victoria is currently on public exhibition until 2nd June 2025.

Renders credit: Flooer (Source: FK Australia)

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