Inside the two-bedroom Darling Harbour apartments in the NewLife development

As one of Australia’s largest architectural practices, Architectus brings a wealth of international experience to their multi-award-winning projects.

Located at 495 Harris Street, the multi-layered building steps down from nine-storeys along Harris Street to six levels facing Bulwara Lane, providing 200 apartments, with a range of single-storey one, two and three-bedroom apartments, two-level terrace apartments and penthouses.

A limited selection of two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments are still on offer in the NewLife Darling Harbour project, with 79 sqm of internal space and 13 sqm balconies, from $1,485,000.

“The building’s eye-catching, multi-layered form creates an outstanding place to live, to experience, and to glimpse from its many surrounding environments. Flanked by historic Victorian terraces, we created a lively group of buildings set around the courtyard rather than one amorphous structure to better integrate with the surrounds,” said Brendan Randles, Principal, Architectus. 

From room to room, wide-format Oak floors ground the interiors in nature, while textured timbers and stone finishes create layers of tactile, organic luxury.

These considered apartments open themselves to Sydney, uniting under-stated modern lines with the drama of the great harbour city.

Light, air and a flow of private indoor-outdoor space add a special dimension to these residences. Open layouts work to maximise the city, harbour, and garden vistas, drawing them inside the home.

Residences enjoy versatile winter gardens, alfresco balconies or sweeping terraces, while many apartments capture northern aspects, with sliding or fixed perforated screens providing privacy and shelter when needed.

“Spacious, wide-fronted apartments and sprawling roof-garden penthouses create a rich residential landscape,” Randles added.

New Life’s materials, lighting and detailing explore a return to comfort for contemporary inner city living.

Layers of subtle tonal colour and texture reflect a refined and uncomplicated modern signature.

Kitchens are designed with form and function in mind, catering to generous or intimate entertaining to suit every occasion. Rich, full-height cabinets offer space, while clean-edged chrome tap-ware and fittings add glimmers of polish and reflection.

A portrait of repose, New Life’s spa-like bathrooms offer a composed space in which to unwind, with frameless glass showers and seamless ambient lighting expanding the sense of space. Open shelves and vanity tops are made up of marble or Caesarstone and storage is cleverly mirrored and concealed, while still providing ample space. 

High-end Miele appliances feature in the kitchens, complemented with spacious island benches or galley kitchens. A flowing sea of grey travertine-look tiles set clean lines and a graceful tonal palette, giving the spaces a very inviting quality.

The development also includes work by renowned international artist Hang Xia, who was selected to activate the new laneway at NewLife Darling Harbour. Titled Memory Tree, Xia transforms and becomes the heart of the laneway with an intricately designed and kinetically-lit, eight metre-high ‘tree’,inspired by Xia's childhood love of early animations like the Transformers series.