Kurraba Residences Is Redefining Luxury Harbourside Living

Set to become a notable architectural icon, the new Sydney project – Kurraba Residences at the tip of the headland in Kurraba Point – offers a front row seat to the action with 180-degree views that wander across the CBD, Opera House, Bridge and beyond, and which form a heady entree to what is a once in a generation build.

A powerful alignment of nature, architecture and interiors, Kurraba Residences rests between Neutral Bay and Shell Cove, encompassing just 24 designer addresses spanning 2- and 3- bedrooms inclusive of an ultimate 4-bedroom, 4.5 bath penthouse.

Custom cabinetry and wide aspects of the harbour.

Brought together by a tantalising trio – SJB architects, Mathieson Architects and landscapers Dangar Barin Smith – the exclusive Thirdi Group project proves a curved wonder that sits within the ’20s narrative of nearby properties, a tasteful nod to heritage as seen in the exterior use of shapely brickwork.

Each residence boasts a sense of style, space and elevated living, with finishes that include solid limestone and marble, alongside touches of bronze and fine ash timbers, with design that seamlessly melds the indoors to alfresco terraces.

Kitchens are fitted with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, with Grigio Argento marble workspaces boasting fluted detailing and custom fireplaces that align in the use of the finish.

Bedrooms feature commodious and functional wardrobes (with the option of customised cabinetry), while bathrooms and ensuites have carved marble basins, Vola tapware and custom stone baths alongside bronze adornments.

Luscious private gardens come grafted to several apartments, while others offer the use of a shared rooftop garden with views across the harbour. Elsewhere, landscaped grounds spill to the neighbouring Kurraba Reserve which borders the water’s edge and where heritage figs and slender palms line the shore.

The literal crown of Kurraba Residences is the 430sqm, two-storey penthouse. Serviced by private lift, the interiors echo the themes of other residences while limestone floors, coffered ceilings and skylights lighten the second story that’s accessed via a bespoke, stonework staircase.

The penthouse also boasts custom wine cellar, expansive garden terrace – the outdoor area measuring 250sqm – and private infinity pool framed by spectacular city and harbour views.

The main bathroom also takes in the aforementioned vistas and includes circular marble vanities and carved marble baths that complement an oculus skylight. Further, a second living area and private study forms a removed and private sanctuary.

Each residence has private parking and access to a temperature and humidity-controlled cellar as well as a communal lounge space and concierge services.

Fluted marble details adorn the kitchen.

Kurraba Residences sit 10 minutes from the Sydney CBD by car (or ferry from nearby Kurraba Point Wharf). The acclaimed Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Neutral Bay shopping precinct and Balmoral Beach are all within nearby and easy access.

The project will officially launch on November 7, with building to be completed in Q4 2022.

Sales and enquiries via CBRE Residential on 1800 656 874.

Kurrabaresidences.com.au

Greenwich, Connecticut, is in New England (just barely), but that doesn’t mean it’s a quaint, sleepy small town with covered bridges and white churches on the green.

It’s leafy, certainly, but it’s also a luxury-minded power centre close to New York City, with many celebrity residents (director Ron Howard, singer Diana Ross, actor Meryl Streep and, at one time, Australia’s own Mel Gibson).

The main shopping street, Greenwich Avenue, is home to brand stores such as Hermès, Kate Spade, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Tiffany & Co.

And Greenwich, particularly in the “back country” north of the Merritt Parkway, is host to some of the most exclusive real estate in the world.

The average price for a single-family home in the second quarter of 2025 was USD $3.25 million (AUD $4.9 million). But that’s merely an entry point, buying a smaller home in one of the town’s less desirable neighbourhoods.

What does USD $43 million (AUD $66 million) buy in Greenwich?

Last autumn’s most expensive listing offered a 1,068-square-metre waterfront home with eight bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, plus “Gatsby-like lawns”, a gym, games room, party room, wine cellar, fruit orchard, pool and spa. The front and side porches have heated floors.

Prefer something more traditional and secluded? For USD $33 million (AUD $50 million), buyers could close on an 11,760-square-metre Georgian manor on 3.2 hectares, featuring eight fireplaces, an elevator, and a dumbwaiter.

The first floor features a three-storey cascading chandelier. For bibliophiles, there’s a two-storey mahogany library. If bocce is more your pace, a similar USD $25 million compound on 7.5 hectares, built for a liquor magnate in 2009, may appeal. Fourteen bathrooms should suffice.

The Greenwich market is strong, but not without challenges.

“The big problem is that there’s no inventory,” said Evangela Brock, an agent with Douglas Elliman. “It’s extremely low at all price points.”

In November, just 15 properties under USD $1 million (AUD $1.52 million) were listed without contracts, compared with 23 above USD $10 million (AUD $15.2 million). Of those, six had contracts pending. Greenwich has more than 17,000 single-family homes.

Kanebridge Quarterly toured two mid-priced houses in Greenwich. “You don’t lose money in Greenwich real estate,” said Beth MacGillivray, a realtor with the Higgins Group. “This is the hot spot.”

MacGillivray opened the door to a 733.9-square-metre Georgian colonial in the Sherwood Farms Association development her family built in 2005. The house was expected to sell for about USD $5 million (AUD $7,743,535).

The six-bedroom, four-level house is move-in ready, with staged furniture showing its potential and many of the amenities that buyers in this range expect.

Visitors enter through a two-storey foyer with a marble floor. A circular staircase leads to an airy living room with double-height ceilings.

There’s a main bedroom with his-and-hers bathrooms, a cherry-panelled library with cigar-smoke venting, five fireplaces, and a state-of-the-art kitchen with a breakfast nook by Greenwich-based designer Christopher Peacock.

Most rooms have huge walk-in wardrobes. Even the laundry room has granite countertops. Custom millwork, cabinetry and fixtures are evident throughout.

The drawbacks? A smaller yard and no pool. Still, refugees from the city would marvel at the abundant interior space.

Not far away, an entirely different house was on the market for USD $2.66 million.

The imposing 696.7-square-metre, nine-bedroom, seven-bath Georgian/Federal home on Shady Lane in the Glenville neighbourhood was built in 1900. Its good bones and inherent grandeur were apparent, as was a clear need for updating.

“It’s a good project for someone,” said realtor Kaori Higgins. “It needs the right buyer, someone who is looking to return it to its stately original condition.”

Given the hot market, some buyers may be tempted to tear it down and build anew.

But the house is filled with charming period details, including hand-built stone fireplaces, reading nooks, pocket doors, leaded windows and beautiful original millwork.

The second floor offers a vast veranda with views of Long Island Sound and a built-in swimming pool.

The drawbacks? Bathrooms that were awkwardly redesigned in the 1970s, unsightly flooring on the upper levels, and crumbling exterior elements.

Higgins noted that a nearby sister property, fully renovated, sold for USD $11 million (AUD $17 million). Any buyer of Shady Lane’s faded elegance would need both imagination and deep pockets.

For contrast, Kanebridge Quarterly left Greenwich for nearby Fairfield’s upscale Greenfield Hill neighbourhood to visit Lion’s Gate, a 595 square metre Tudor Revival home built as a modest dwelling in the 1920s but extensively expanded and remodelled in 2000.

With three acres of land, a guest cottage, an artist’s studio and a pool house, the asking price is USD $3.3 million (AUD $5 million). Like the Sherwood home, Lion’s Gate is flawlessly move-in ready, with designer touches throughout.

The entire second floor was added during the renovation and features parquet flooring, a massive main suite, arched doorways and 2.74-metre ceilings.

Many rooms include walk-in wardrobes, extensive carved millwork and built-ins. The wood-panelled library (on the site of the former stable) is warm and inviting.

The expansive kitchen includes a window seat with a hand-painted ceiling, a wine cooler and a butler’s pantry.

Realtor Lorelei Atwood said Fairfield faces the same inventory shortage as Greenwich.

“Demand is growing as more New York-based executives are being told they have to report to the office,” she said. “Fairfield has always been a commuter town.”

Why is this home USD $3.3 million (AUD $5 million), and the Sherwood property around USD $5 million (AUD $7,743,535)?

Location. Greenfield Hill is lovely, but Greenwich real estate occupies a rarefied class of its own.

Note: Thanks to realtor Sherri Steeneck for chaperoning.

This story appeared in the Autumn issue of Kanebridge Quarterly, which you can buy here.

Kurraba Residences Is Redefining Luxury Harbourside Living

A new architectural icon on Sydney harbour.

A haven for hedge-fund titans and Hollywood grandees, Greenwich is one of the world’s most expensive residential enclaves, where eye-watering prices meet unapologetic grandeur.