Gosford: Exclusive first pictures of Rumbalara Residences as Central Coast’s only ‘six-star’ apartment complex takes shape

With its figure-eight pool, private wine cellar, day spa, cinema and manicured gardens, the only thing more impressive than the sheer scale of the Central Coast’s only six-star apartment complex is the view.

The Central Coast’s first and only “six star” resort-style residential complex is nearing completion, and the only thing more impressive than its sheer size and opulence is the breathtaking views.

The scaffolding is coming down on the first of five buildings that make up the 188-unit apartment complex, Rumbalara Residences, overlooking Gosford off John Whiteway Drive.

The $250m master planned estate is billed as the region’s only “six-star” development project and features a list of decadent “amenities” more akin to a luxury resort than a residential unit complex.

Nestled in and around the former Gosford sandstone quarry on the edge of Rumbalara Reserve, the state significant project is fast becoming its own “mini-city” as an army of up to 150 tradies swarm across the site in the hope of having its first residents move in before Christmas.

Rumbalara Residences is owned and backed by private investment group Alceon and being built in partnership with leading construction company Deicorp.

All hands on deck: the figure-eight pool, expansive deck and planter boxes of the central entertainment podiums are starting to take shape. Picture: Sue Graham

At its heart is 1000sq m of manicured podiums, pool deck, outdoor fire pits, putting greens and a ”club house” boasting on site concierge, private cinema, dining room, gym, day spa, residents’ bar, sports bar, private wine cellar and tasting room, work from home hot desks and virtual golf simulator.

Before the project even got off the ground an estimated 80,000 cubic metres of crushed sandstone was removed from the site and used as fill for the new Western Sydney airport, a new solar farm at Jilliby and the new Sydney Gateway Project.

On top of the world: the view over Brisbane Water and Gosford from one of the balconies of the project. Picture: Sue Graham

A further 2672 tonnes of reinforced steel was used for the shell of the five buildings, each named after a unique view in the adjacent Rumbalara Reserve.

Alceon development director Todd Campling said with the scaffolding coming down, the project had reached an important milestone.

“This is a significant milestone for us as it gives residents an idea of what it will look like once finished, with its quiet elegance and beautiful architecture cementing its place as one of the most luxurious and sought-after apartment complexes the area has ever seen,” he said.

“The architects and designers have prominently used sandstone, timbers, colours and tones to blend the apartments in a nod to their surrounding former sandstone quarry site and bushland.”

Alceon sales director Joyce Nguyen in one of the finished apartments at Rumbalara Residences. Picture: Sue Graham

While the size and scale of the development is significant, the layout of the design sees it sink in and blend into the Gosford escarpment, which in turn gives its mix of one to four-bedroom apartments breathtaking views over the waterfront out to Point Frederick, East Gosford and beyond as far as Lion Island.

“Buyers see Rumbalara as being strong value for money compared to what they could get in Sydney,” Mr Campling said.

“A lot of developments do tokenistic amenities. This is very much what you would find in your top resorts.

Even the scale model of the complex is impressive. Picture: Tom Antcliff Photography

“But it’s designed very much with the view of creating a community.”

Mr Campling said the development was on track to be about 90 per cent owner-occupied with everyone from first home buyers, to downsizers and families acquiring units.

“Alceon is well on track to delivering what we said we would, with Rumbalara on schedule for completion by the end of the year and residents expected to be able to move in before Christmas,” he said.