Metro completion boosts demand for unique forest community

Located in the northwest Sydney suburb of West Pennant Hills alongside Australia’s only metropolitan forest, the collection of nature-inspired houses and apartments is just 800 metres and walking distance from Cherrybrook Metro Station.

The City and Southwest Metro line adds stations at Victoria Cross in North Sydney, and Martin Place and Pitt Street in the CBD to the timetable, broadening the options for city-based workers.

Mirvac’s General Manager - Residential Development, NSW & QLD, Warwick Bible, said completion of the Metro had been a factor for many purchasers in the first release of homes at Highforest.

“It is a unique proposition to have a forest for your backyard yet to be so close to a key transport node connecting work, study and leisure options,” said Mr Bible.

“For those people who work in North Sydney and the CBD, the extension of the Metro makes West Pennant Hills even more attractive, something we anticipated in the planning and design of Highforest.

“West Pennant Hills is dominated by executive style family homes on large lots. It is a highly desirable suburb but with limited housing diversity, a hard one to break into for first home buyers, downsizers and those wanting a low-maintenance lifestyle in this unique forest environment.

“We are addressing these gaps in the market by offering a broad range of housing types and sizes at Highforest. It is important that we continue to offer Sydney buyers a suite of housing options that are close to transport links, city employment and education opportunities, complemented by a high level of amenity.”

The prospect of a seamless Metro journey from Cherrybrook to Barangaroo led West Pennant Hills local, Dan Carr to change his plans to move closer to his city workplace and instead buy his first home at Highforest.

He currently takes the Metro from Cherrybrook to Chatswood where he changes to a train, alighting at Wynyard. The trip takes about 45 minutes. When the City and Southwest Metro opens, his journey time will be reduced to 30 minutes.

“I love West Pennant Hills, all the trees and being out of the thick of CBD life,” says Dan, who works in finance. “But I had in my mind that I wanted to get closer to the city and work for the convenience.

“With the new Metro, that has all changed. Being able to get into the city very quickly means I can stay where I like living.”

Dan’s older brother Harry, who works in the family real estate business, also bought an apartment at Highforest, with a third brother hoping to buy in the next release of homes.

The brothers have all taken advice from their parents, that good transport connections add value to real estate when it comes to resale.

“Having the Metro is a consideration for future potential buyers, but it is also one of the closest points to the motorway,” says Dan. “The fact there are few apartments in the area, and none other than Highforest situated away from main roads, is another factor I considered.”

After the first release of Highforest by Mirvac, 75% of houses and apartments were sold.

The Mirvac designed and built homes are being sold off the plan with construction already underway. On completion, Highforest will include 165 houses and 249 treehouse inspired apartments in four buildings, confined to the footprint of the IBM office buildings and carpark that were previously on the site.