Coronation’s Charlie Parker build-to-rent apartments open at Harris Park

A cinema, swimming pool, private dining rooms and gym – an attractive apartment complex near Parramatta has been designed to give occupants luxury along with long-term rental security.

Coronation Property's head of urban transformation Aras Labutis by the swimming pool at the Charlie Parker development.

A cinema, swimming pool, private dining rooms, a gym an office space – a bougie apartment complex near Parramatta has been designed to give occupants security amid a housing affordability crisis – and a side of luxury.

The 123 units in the 24-storey Charlie Parker complex at Harris Park have been deemed the most significant development for renters in Parramatta with long-term security on leases and attractive communal facilities.

Developers Coronation Property’s plans for the building were first discussed in 2014 and a decade later, the first occupants of the furnished art deco-inspired block will move into their homes from May 1.

Rents start from $540 for a studio apartment and reach $1500 for a three-bedroom unit, and tenants can share facilities which also include a wellness room.

Exclusive leasing company, Urban Rest, rents out the apartments and levels three to 10 have already been snapped up.

The Charlie Parker unit complex at Harris Park, on the fringe of the Parramatta CBD.

The swimming pool is one of the shared drawcards at the apartment complex.

Many light-flooded units with floor to ceiling windows have sweeping views across local landmarks and further east to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and city skyline.

At the official opening ceremony on Wednesday, Property Council’s western Sydney director Ross Grove said tenants living in build-to-rent accommodation had the opportunity to save.

“The longevity of rental tenure in a build-to-rent market actually enables renters to accumulate the pool of savings they need to put down a deposit to pursue the Australian dream if that is their wish,’’ he said.

“Built-to-rent is not an alternative to ownership, it’s actually an enabler to ownership.’’

FJC studio head of interiors Lina Sjorgren and principal Johnathan Redman at Charlie Parker.

While build-to-rent homes are not deemed affordable housing, they are designed to give tenants the chance to sign short or long-term leases without being at the mercy of landlords.

“Everyone has a horror story rental like the washing machine doesn’t get fixed …,’’
Coronation’s head of urban transformation Aras Labutis said.

“It’s very much a turnkey solution for renters who have been struggling to find a home – especially for local health workers who are struggling to live near where they work.’’

Architects FJC designed the building which principal Johnathan Redman said the exterior provided a contrast to the concrete and glass buildings of Parramatta.

FJC head of interiors Lina Sjorgren decked out homes with MCM House furniture after she wanted to find “something that is high-quality but accessible for renters … but is not plain white”.

Coronation and its subsidiary company Nation also runs the recently-opened Mason and Main project at Merrylands, which is NSW’s largest build-to-rent projects.

It aims to have 1500 rental-only homes across Sydney by next year or 2026.

Originally published as Coronation’s Charlie Parker build-to-rent apartments open at Harris Park