The top 10 for Sekisui Houses’ first apartment project in Brisbane. Generally regarded as being the project by which many others are judged, here’s an insight into how this multi awarded development evolved.

1. When was the site acquired?
Sekisui House acquired 100% of the West Village project in May 2016, with preliminary approval granted by the State Government in November 2016.

2. How long did it take to get approval?
It took close to seven months to receive preliminary approval for the project.

3. When was the first sod turned?
The first sod was turned in August 2016. Construction commenced on Stage 1 residential in early 2017 and was completed in August 2018, delivering 322 apartments and two town homes.

4. How big will the project be?
West Village is a 2.6-hectare heritage renewal development being established by Sekisui House Australia in Brisbane’s West End. Located in a prime position just one kilometre from the Brisbane CBD, the mixed-use, high-density project will ultimately deliver up to 1,200 residences along with up to 20,000sqm of commercial, a 14,000sqm retail precinct, and just under 1ha of open parklands and heritage laneways.

This $1 billion community will also feature a 4,500 sqm full line Woolworths supermarket, further supported by 35 bespoke food and lifestyle providores. There will also be a Goodlife Health Club, childcare centre, medical centre, a 450-space public car park, the Metro Arts cultural precinct, green common spaces, and a range of dedicated office spaces.

5. What makes West Village special/unique?
At the heart of the billion-dollar precinct are the heritage listed former Peters Ice Cream factories, established in the 1920’s. These industrial icons were in operation for almost 70 years and represent a valued part of Brisbane's history. In order to create a living heritage village, our team have worked to preserve and repurpose these buildings, so they can continue to be cherished and admired for many years to come. Outside of merging contemporary and beautiful heritage aesthetics, the village has been crafted to create a sense of community and belonging.

A world-leading development in terms of environmental sustainability, West Village has achieved the highest possible rating for master planned precincts in Australia, a Six Star Green Star – Communities certification from the Green Building Council of Australia.

6. What is the lowest price apartment that has been sold?

Our lowest price apartment sold for $395,000 in Stage 1.

7. What is the most expensive apartment sold?

Our most expensive apartment sold for $1,712,205 in Stage 2.

8. How has this project been influenced by the community?

In the design phase, West Village met with local community and trader groups to discuss issues of concern for the project, as well as broader challenges that West Village could help to address. Many recognised the opportunities West Village presented in terms of providing a catalyst for investment in the area, delivering much needed public parking and growing daytime trade.

Following the consultations, the West Village team implemented a number of solutions, including creating an accessible precinct that embraces Boundary Street, organising a free children’s art space, high quality landscaping and widening the Boundary Street footpath, organising an economic assessment and benefit report, and hosting large-scale events to attract a Brisbane-wide audience.

9. How has this project influenced community?

From the outset of the project, West Village has challenged the norms of traditional urban development, inviting visitors into the site right throughout construction. The development’s marketing and sales strategy is structured around a vision of “The Village Life”, which invites audiences to picture their lifestyle at West Village.

This commitment to lifestyle has inspired the creation of new environments and experiences aimed at developing a unique sense of place and community. Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to take part in West Village’s year-round calendar of activations, which includes:

· Major events such as the Brisbane Ice Cream Festival;

· Market days;

· Evening events and entertainment;

· Art exhibitions;

· Exercise classes and wellness events;

· Children’s activities;

· Small group workshops.

A key goal of West Village’s restoration of the heritage site has been to invite local residents to share in West Village’s ‘Living History’. This has been enacted through the creation of the Brisbane Ice Cream Festival, an annual event that invites locals to the sample ice cream from a range of local producers who have gathered together within the old ice cream factory, while learning about the history of the West Village site.

Participating in the Brisbane Open House annual event for the past two years has been another a critical component of the broader community engagement offering. More than 2,000 members of the community have visited the factories each year and experienced their compelling heritage story and restoration.

More recently, Sekisui House Australia has partnered with the State Library of Queensland to initiate a Place Making Fellowship – an opportunity for researchers, writers, historians and creatives to receive funding to access resources in order to thoroughly research Queensland’s heritage sites, including the Peters Ice Cream Factory.

10. Has West Village won any awards?

We have proudly won more than 11 renowned industry awards over the past two years and have been nominated as a finalist for an additional 20 awards. The team have received accolades from the UDIA, Property Council of Australia, the Urban Developer, the Planning Institute of Australia, and the Brisbane City Council, to name a few.

· 2018 National Trust of Australia (Qld) Heritage Awards - Interpretation and Promotion - Highly Commended

· 2018 UDIA Qld - Awards of Excellence - Retail Commercial Public Use - Finalist

· 2018 UDIA Qld - Awards of Excellence - Marketing Excellence - Finalist

· 2018 Your Investment Property - Property Investor Awards - Property Developer - Finalist

· 2018 Your Investment Property - Property Investor Awards - Property Stylist - Finalist

· 2018 Brisbane Marketing - Lord Mayor's Business Awards- Yurika - Finalist

· 2018 Brisbane Marketing - Lord Mayor's Business Awards - Digital Adoption - Finalist

· 2018 HIA - Qld Housing Awards - Women in Building and Construction - Finalist

· 2018 The Urban Developer - Excellence in Marketing - Winner

· 2018 Property Council of Australia - Qld Retail Property of the Year- Boutique - Excellence in Design - Finalist

· 2018 Property Council of Australia - Qld Retail Property of the Year - Boutique - Excellence in Presentation - Finalist

· 2018 Australian Event Awards - Best Achievement - Marketing, Communication, Sponsorship - Finalist

· 2018 IPA (Asia Pacific) – Development - Development Marketing - Finalist

· 2018 IPA (Asia Pacific) – Development - Development Website - Finalist

· 2019 Australian Institute of Landscape Design - National Landscape Architecture Awards - Civic Landscape - Winner

· 2019 Urban Taskforce Australia - Development Excellence Awards - Urban Renewal - Winner

· 2019 Australian Marketing Institute - Awards for Marketing Excellence - Social Media Marketing - Queensland Winner

· 2019 UDIA - Awards for Excellence - Urban Renewal - Winner

· 2019 UDIA - Awards for Excellence - High Density - Finalist

· 2019 UDIA - Awards for Excellence - Parks and Recreation - Winner

· 2019 UDIA - Awards for Excellence – Marketing - Winner

· 2019 UDIA - Awards for Excellence - President's Award - Winner

· 2019 Brisbane City Council - Lord Mayors Business Awards - Yurika Award for Sustainability - Finalist

· 2019 Banksia Foundation - Banksia Sustainability Awards - Large Business - Finalist

· 2019 National Trust - Queensland Heritage Awards - Heritage Landscape - Highly Commended

· 2019 Architecture & Design - Sustainable Building Awards - Landscape & Biophilia - Finalist

· 2019 Architecture & Design - Sustainable Building Awards - Multiple Dwelling - Finalist

· 2019 Architecture & Design - Sustainable Building Awards - Women in Sustainability - Winner

· 2019 The Urban Developer - Best New Communal Space - Winner

· 2019 The Urban Developer - Excellence in Commercial Innovation - Finalist

· 2019 Planning Institute of Australia - Queensland Awards for Planning Excellence - The Great Place - Finalist

· 2019 Australian Institute of Landscape Design - WEEF Qld State Lighting Award - Winner (Qld)

West Village : A vertical master planned village

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