Mirvac gets top reception at former Nine TV station site, once known as the home of television

Once known for its star power when Kerry Packer owned the television network, the project on the former studio property is fast becoming a top apartment precinct.

When listed property group Mirvac splashed out almost $250m for the site famed as the “home of television” – as the former Channel 9 studios in Sydney were known – few could have guessed the developer’s plans would come to fruition so quickly.

It finalised the purchase just before the pandemic struck, and then reworked the existing residential scheme to bring its own touches to the project. This meant less density, a new community pavilion and the latest sustainability features became key features – helping to win over surrounding residents and prospective buyers.

The NINE by Mirvac residential estate in Willoughby is now rising on Sydney’s north shore, with the developer just topping out the second stage of the $790m up-market precinct, which will be completed in early 2024.

Mirvac has topped out of the second stage of its $790m NINE by Mirvac residential community in Willoughby

The stage will comprise a further 214 luxury units across five residential buildings, alongside the community pavilion. The latest towers, on the 3.2-hectare site of the former television studios, are part of an overall development of 442 apartments across ten buildings.

The project is one of few to go ahead amid soaring building costs, higher interest rates and smaller builders and developers running into strife.

Mirvac general manager, residential development, NSW, Toby Long, cited the importance of going with a quality developer at a time of industry uncertainty, and urged consumers to look at new developer ratings.

“Given our best-in-class 5-star iCIRT rating, buyers can be assured they are getting an industry-leading quality product,” he said.

Inside NINE in Willoughby.

The project is just under 50 per cent sold overall, with the first stage about 70 per cent sold. The units have been bought by local downsizers and young families, drawn by the design quality and landscaped surroundings.

Prices are rising, but Mirvac is most keen on making a lasting community.

“We’ve now created a whole lot of social fabric which wasn’t there before – it’s all about curating the place, which is something that Mirvac always strives to do really well,” Mirvac chief executive Campbell Hanan said.

Mr Hanan said Australians were starting to embrace more apartment living, and they were a good alternative for both mortgage holders and downsizers.

“I think Australia is only just starting to really get that embrace of apartment living, which you see everywhere else in the world,” he said.

The five buildings in the second stage range from four to nine storeys and comprise a mix of one, two and three-bedroom units, including penthouses with sweeping district views. The buildings are by the award- winning Mirvac Design Team in collaboration with architects CHROFI.

The new look residential property NINE in Willoughby.

The buildings across the whole site have three distinct styles and all offer individual features. The open space introduced by Mirvac can accommodate everything from yoga to community events.

The apartments are fully electric ready and come with EV chargers in the basement car park. Solar power cells are on rooftops and the buildings are ready for the next generation's environmental demands.

Buyers are taking to the concept. “It might not be the fundamental thing that they’re looking for. But it certainly helps close the deal,” Mr Long said.