Willoughby Grounds: A leafy oasis in Sydney's Lower North Shore

Nestled in one of Sydney's most established neighbourhoods, Willoughby Grounds is rewriting the rules for Lower North Shore apartment living. Developed by First Quadrant Properties in partnership with Qualitas, this isn't your typical high-rise development - think low-rise buildings, expansive green spaces, and apartments that feel more like private homes than cookie-cutter units.

Architecture by Architecture Urbaneia, who've created a masterplan that respects its leafy surroundings rather than dominating them. Interiors by DKO bringing that polished, residential feel throughout. What you end up with are generous apartments that open onto private balconies, surrounded by mature trees and thoughtful landscaping.

Minutes from Chatswood's shopping and train connections yet nestled in a neighbourhood with tree-lined streets, local schools and a community feel that's increasingly hard to find.

Our team had the opportunity to work closely with First Quadrant and Qualitas with a simple brief: furnish two display apartments to compliment the quality finishing while showcasing to buyers what living at Willoughby Grounds would genuinely feel like. The catch? They needed everything in two months and budget constraints meant sourcing luxurious pieces through retail was out of the question.

Through our made to order model, we selected each piece, coordinating production, direct import, delivery and professional assembly to meet the timelines and managed costs to fall well under retail alternatives.

The spaces came together beautifully. We went with a palette that complements the natural surroundings—warm neutrals, organic textures, sculptural furniture with soft curves. The outdoor areas got just as much attention as the interiors, with lounges and dining settings that turn those balconies into genuine living spaces. When those floor-to-ceiling doors slide open, you get that seamless indoor-outdoor flow that buyers on the North Shore are actively looking for.

Lower costs do not always result in cheaper furniture or compromising quality. It simply requires efficient project planning and reducing unnecessary layers to meet objectives.

We engage prior to completion and produce only what’s required directly with our manufacturing partners. This eliminate the need for expensive retail stores, storage, additional middlemen inflating costs at every step and the premium price for poor schedule management. For First Quadrant, that meant getting made to order, high-quality furniture at a price point that made sense for a display budget.

The pieces we delivered are exactly what you’d expect in a premium development. Higher quality, bespoke, attention to detail and considered design without the traditional markup structure that can blow out fit-out budgets.

A smarter way to work, especially for boutique developers who want to create impressive presentations without sacrificing their financial discipline. For Willoughby Grounds, the end result speaks for itself - display apartments that genuinely reflect the quality of the development delivered at a fraction of the retail equivalent.

Seeking to fit out your next project? We’d love to chat. Get in touch with our team.

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