Tim Willing testing new ground with New York-inspired luxury apartment development in Mount Lawley

A dearth of downsizer opportunities in the inner north is due in part to untested price ranges in the area’s established suburbs, according to the developer who is literally testing new ground. Developer Tim Willing said there were relatively few sites in the area that were ripe for redevelopment, but to make matters more difficult, the potential price range for luxury apartments was largely untested. Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony for West Residences in Mt Lawley on Tuesday, the founder of Willing Property said the lack of evidence had scared some luxury developers off from touching the inner northern suburbs of Mt Lawley, Coolbinia, Menora, and the Northbridge edge of Perth. But Mr Willing — who grew up in Mt Lawley and remains a resident there — said he knew the streets of his hometown well enough to proceed. “There is no evidence that anyone would want to buy apartments here — it’s characterised by traditional homes on large leafy blocks,” he said. “It took me a lot of convincing — of my backers, bankers, valuers and so on — and it came down to a gut feeling. “There was a huge leap of faith.” He said his luxury apartment development at Field Street in Mt Lawley showed the area could draw in luxury apartment buyers. West Residences, which was influenced by New York’s Flatiron building, seeks to build on this success. The development is set on a triangular site along the train line and will feature 29 apartments. He expects most buyers will be aged over 55 and currently living within a 5km radius. “I have a lifelong love for Mt Lawley,” he said. “I want to provide the opportunity for people to stay in an area they love, as well as give others the chance to move in and create family memories like the ones I’ve been fortunate enough to make.” He said the family’s building company, Willing Build, would carry out construction, further ensuring quality control and timely progress. Housing Minister John Carey, who attended the event, said the project received nearly $300,000 — from the Cook Government’s $80 million Infrastructure Development Fund — to do headworks. “The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have deeply impacted the viability and delivery of density developments, including supply chain challenges, skilled labour and cost escalations,” Mr Willing said. “These challenges are widely recognised and acknowledged by the industry.”