Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – colloquially known as the ‘Winter Blues’ – is a mood altering condition caused by a lack of natural light and sunshine. Symptoms of SAD include a tendency to oversleep and overeat, a lack of energy, pessimism and depression.
Living in poorly designed apartments without solar access has contributed to the symptoms of SAD in Sydney, which originally were only experienced in countries with long, dark winters. But a breakthrough development at Sydney Olympic Park has overcome the problem.
The spectacular-looking Boomerang (pictured) on Olympic Boulevard is believed to be the tallest residential building in Australia designed with 100 percent solar access to all its apartments.
Every apartment at Boomerang has a North or North East orientation. This ensures that each apartment achieves sunshine throughout the year and, in particular, during the winter solstice – the shortest day of the year.
Modelling by architects Bates Smart shows that each of the 229 apartments will achieve a minimum of three hours of natural light a day.
Developer Ecove says the building also embraces a multi-level Six Green Star commercial office, above which will soar a 32-storey tower.
“This building will be an environmental triumph because every apartment will have a north or north-east view and gain 100% solar access,” said Marketing Manager of Ecove, Sue Ballesty.
Boomerang is the first apartment building on Olympic Boulevard, the most iconic thoroughfare at Sydney Olympic Park. It was here 16 years ago where millions gathered as the world watched Sydney dazzle. Ecove’s corner site is within 400 metres of the Olympic Stadium and overlooks the new training ground and facilities for the GWS Giants AFL club. Apartments are expected to be launched in mid-May. Ecove’s is synonymous with Sydney Olympic Park, which became a suburb in 2009.
Its fourth residential tower, One Australia Avenue, rises 123 metres above sea level, making it the tallest apartment building in the inner west. The curvaceous tower mimics the elliptical shape of the iconic nearby stadia, and marks the eye-catching eastern entry to Sydney Olympic Park.
The 30-storey building has added a further 320 apartments and 17 retail/commercial suites to Sydney Olympic Park, which is now home to around 2,000 residents.
Ecove’s fifth and final building on Australia Avenue, Opal Tower, began construction earlier this year. It will soar to 36 levels and comprise 392 apartments.
Ecove lists three factors which have fuelled the strong residential demand at Sydney Olympic Park:
- 1. Location – nowhere else in Sydney has such sporting, entertainment and recreational facilities ‘on the doorstep’.
- 2. A large permanent workforce – many of whom want to live close to work; and
- 3. Handy public transport – access to rail, road, bus and ferry.
“Rather than the post-Olympics ‘hangover’ some doomsayers predicted, Sydney Olympic Park now has a residential ‘heart’ with a strong communal spirit,” said Ballesty.
“Purchasers in our buildings have come from all parts of Sydney and been a broad mix of investors, owner-occupiers, workers from the many local businesses, first home buyers, small family groups and downsizers.
“The influx of residents has made Sydney Olympic Park into a fully functioning suburb. There is a real sense of community here, and residents appreciate the benefits of living in the sporting and entertainment heartland of Sydney.”
The focus on residential development at Sydney Olympic Park began in 2009 when Ecove commenced construction of its initial tower. Each of its subsequent glass-walled buildings maintain a complementary streamlined shape, with apartments arranged to maximise sunlight and views. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow residents to capture the expansive vistas – north to Olympic Boulevard, east to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and CBD, Bicentennial Park and Lake Belvedere.
“Sydney Olympic Park stretches over 640 hectares of which 450-hectares are public space and parkland . . . that’s the equivalent of 1,000 football fields,” said Ballesty.
“This provides a healthy outdoor lifestyle akin to a country town yet we are just 12 kilometres from the CBD and well connected to most parts of Sydney.”
It’s not surprising that Sydney Olympic Park is forecast to swell to 14,000 residents by 2030.
The Boomerang Tower showroom at 1 Australia Avenue Sydney Olympic Park will open shortly.