Aston by Peet in Craigieburn.

To some residents, estate living means a small townhouse development within 20km of the CBD.

To others, it’s a huge masterplanned community where there could be tens of thousands of residents and a choice of schools, shops, community centres and sporting facilities within the estate.

What’s right for one buyer, might not suit another and it’s important to remember that when it comes to estate living there is no right or wrong: it’s what suits you that matters most.

A TALE OF TWO DEVELOPMENTS

The Address estate by Stockland.Source:News Corp Australia

Developer Stockland is primarily known for its large masterplanned communities, but it has also developed a number of boutique-living communities.

The Address, at Point Cook, for example, is one of its smaller developments, with 486 lots.

“These boutique projects tend to focus on a formal design and a high standard of architecture,” Stockland regional manager Jason Shaw said.

“They often feature an outstanding park or large green open space, and Stockland is also careful to locate them close to schools, shops, public transport and employment opportunities.”

At the other end of the scale is Stockland’s Cloverton project, in Kalkallo, which spans 30 years of development, and will eventually accommodate more than 11,000 homes and 30,000 people.

There are eight schools, a medical precinct, five major sports precincts and 130ha of parks and green space proposed for Cloverton.

“We were fortunate to acquire this holding because land holdings of that size (1100ha) are rare these days,” Mr Shaw said.

PETITE IS SWEET

Mr Shaw said competition was strong among smaller developments and the aim was “to try and do something to create a point of difference”.

“There needs to be a high standard of architecture to appeal to buyers so that quality is there,” Mr Shaw said.

“Developers will often engage an architect who acts as the masterplanner, overseeing all of the housing.”

Stockland also teams up with its building partners at all of its residential communities to offer a wide range of innovative home designs featuring the latest trends and designs.

Mr Shaw said that at boutique projects, Stockland spent a great deal of money on the community’s open space to ensure it was a signature area for all residents to enjoy.

He said one of the main appeals of smaller communities was they were often closer to the city.

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“These kinds of boutique developments tend to include medium-density living projects, such as apartments and townhouses, which are very popular with buyers wanting a low-maintenance lifestyle,” Mr Shaw said.

Peet chief executive Brendan Gore said because many of the smaller developments were closer to the CBD, it meant they were more expensive to buy into.

“As a result, they’re often more popular with upgraders and downsizers rather than first-home buyers,” Mr Gore said.

He said they also needed to “leverage off the existing amenities” in the surrounding area because there was rarely the space or the population to provide much in the way of on-site facilities.

According to Cedar Woods Victorian state manager Patrick Archer residents were drawn to the developer’s small communities — including Jackson Green at Clayton South and St. A at St Albans — because of the turnkey lifestyle.

“They like the fact that they move in and everything is completed and ready to go,” Mr Archer said. “They find that with many established houses, there are things they would like to change, but once they buy the house, it takes years to get around to. By buying a new home in one of our townhome estates, it’s all done.”

BIG CAN BE BETTER

Cloverton by Stockland in Kalkallo is an example of a large scale development.Source:News Corp Australia

There is no denying there are some clear advantages to buying in a large masterplanned community.

“They can be quite sprawling, but that actually suits some people,” Mr Archer said. “There can be many different stages or separate neighbourhoods and you don’t see the same people all the time. It can be a case of anonymity by scale, really.”

Scale also comes into play when it comes to amenities.

While the smaller communities couldn’t possibly support numerous schools, shops, childcare centres and playgrounds, the larger communities can be a one-stop shop for many residents.

Mr Gore said the large communities also had the village feel of boutique developments through the creation of various precincts.

“You often have one neighbourhood built around schools and public open spaces so there is a village atmosphere,” he said.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

Highlands estate by Stockland in Craigieburn.Source:Supplied

Mr Shaw said many residents in large developments upgraded or downsized within the community.

“Large communities allow residents to move through their life cycle in the one location,” he said. “You can have houses that start at around $300,000 and go right up to $1 million; there is generally a wide range of stock.

“As a family matures or the dynamics change, they can either upgrade or downsize within the community, and there can sometimes be three generations living in the one community.”

At Stockland’s Cloverton estate, for example, there is even a retirement village planned.

Mr Shaw also pointed out that larger developments allowed for long-term relationships and sponsorships to be formed with various community and sporting organisations.

At the Highlands community in Craigieburn, Stockland has joined forces with the AFL, Tennis Australia and the council to deliver a range of sporting facilities.

Mr Archer said whichever path you went down — whether it be a large development or a boutique one — amenities should be at the forefront of your mind.

Originally published as Sizing up your options