This property is ready to move into now! Please note this is independent editorial content written by a PropertyMash Journalist. While we try to ensure all information is as accurate as possible, please double check with the developer or real estate agent directly before making a purchasing decision. The information contained within this article may be incorrect or out of date.
Alto Strada is a complete apartment development located in Lutwyche priced between $400,000 – $730,000 for two and three-bedroom apartments. Designed specifically for downsizers, Alto Strada includes features like extra storage and larger than average floor plans. The apartments range in size from 100m2 to 204m2 and include two or three secure car spaces as standard. Approximately half of the apartments are already sold and the development is due for completion in two months time.
Alto Strada is a project by Graczyk Thomson and is targetted primarily towards downsizers, with a current ratio of about 75% downsizers and 25% first-home buyers purchasing apartments in the complex. Alto Strada is pet-friendly and each unit has well above average storage space. While the complex had no pool, this helps to keep body corporate fees low and maximises the amount of space for the apartments themselves. The average size of an apartment in Alto Strada is 120m2 with a few of the multi-storey three bedrooms reaching over 200 square metres in size. Located at 26 High Street, Lutwyche, the complex is one street back from Lutwyche Road.
The remaining units are all two-bedrooms priced between $545,000 and $630,000. Out of the 12 apartments still remaining for sale, some are a single storey and some are two storey with an internal staircase. All apartments feature two bathrooms and a walk-in (or walk-through) wardrobe in the large main bedroom. As well as being perfect for downsizers who utilise the second bedroom for either extra storage or a spare bedroom for visiting guests, the floor plans and location of Alto Strada are also great for young professionals who work in the CBD.
Features include stone benchtops and pendant lights in the kitchen, full air-conditioning, full-size baths and separate powder room. Bathrooms are finished in elegant shades of white ceramic tiles and stone bench tops, mirror cupboards and quality tap fittings.
Alto Strada living space. Image courtesy of developers.
We love…
But remember that…
The proximity to the CBD and Lutwyche City is one of the key highlights of the Alto Strada apartments. The development is situated 7.5km from the CBD and 6.5km from Westfield Chermside. A trip to the airport only takes 15 minutes, thanks to the M7 Airportlink toll road, entrance to which is only a few minutes down Lutwyche Road.
Lutwyche City shopping centre, situated just 450m down the road from Alto Strada, is scheduled to undergo a $40 million re-development within the next year to boost the value of the centre. The new refurbishment consists of a new Woolworths (to complement the Coles and Aldi already there), a new childcare centre, health care services, office space and retail spaces.
Buses run frequently along Lutwyche Road with Wooloowin Train Station only 2km away, making public transport an easy option. There isn’t much street parking on High Street, but the ample secure car parking for residents as well as seven dedicated visitor parks should mean your guests don’t find parking difficult.
Schools in the area include Kedron State High School and Wooloowin State School. Australian Catholic University and Queensland University of Technology campuses are also both within a 10km radius of Alto Strada.
To read more about Lutwyche, check out our Suburb Profile.
Location of Alto Strada, Lutwyche
The rooftop of Alto Strada has been utilised for a lovely communal area with landscaping, BBQ and space to relax and enjoy. From the balcony, there are views of the city to the south and lovely urban views looking out towards Kedron Brook from the other direction. While not overly spacious, the communal rooftop space will be a lovely area to pull up a chair and watch the sun go down with a glass of wine.
The secure underground car park spans out over four levels, with a minimum of two spaces each with an elevator going from the carpark to the main residential floors. The top four bigger apartments are allocated three parking spaces each, and there are a few additional resident spaces too which are yet to be allocated to a particular apartment. The secure carpark also includes a number of car-sized storage units for the apartments.
There is no pool or onsite management at Alto Strada.
Every apartment in Alto Strada is spaciously designed, with large floor plans of between 100m2 – 208m2. As well as a balcony from every apartment, the bottom floor also offers private courtyards. The total external area of these four units are between 33 and 63 square metres and are probably big enough for a small to medium sized dog to enjoy some outdoor play time. The living spaces of the lower floor apartments have 3m ceilings, dropping to 2.7m throughout the remainder of the home (and throughout the higher level apartments).
Alto Strada Courtyard. Image courtesy of developers.
The apartments all have an open-plan layout with walk-in wardrobes, an internal laundry and a study desk. The air conditioning is ducted throughout, with the converters placed on the balcony (designed to be out-of-the-way as much as possible, however this could create some background noise). To give residents that extra peace of mind, security and privacy, all rooms have security screened doors and blinds. The large balcony doors allow plenty of light and airflow through to the main living areas.
In the two-bedroom apartments, there is very clearly a master bedroom and a second bedroom, with the second bedroom being much smaller but still proportioned nicely to create a nice guest space. Looking to the second floor and upwards, the balconies are an average of about 18m2, which is quite small relative to the size of the apartments, but fairly standard for two-bedroom apartments. A few of the apartments towards the back of the building are also spaced out over two levels, with the living space and kitchen downstairs and bedrooms upstairs connected by an indoor carpeted staircase.
The floor plans of all apartments in Alto Strada area targetted towards downsizers and first home buyers, rather than investors. All apartments have good sized kitchens and living spaces which open up onto the balcony. In a few of the apartments, there is dual access to the balcony from the main bedroom as well.
The entire development is fitted out with a neutral colour scheme of white and grey pebble. Those who purchased earlier in the development were able to select wood or tiled flooring for the main living areas, however, this now comes standard with tiles for the apartments that are still available. The kitchen features pendant lighting, reconstituted stone benchtops (a product similar to Ceasarstone) and tiled splashbacks complete with stainless steel tapware and appliances.
The bathrooms are undeniably stylish, with clear glass screens, oak cabinets and chrome fittings. Some of the apartments offers a full-length bathtub as well as a shower and some only have a shower. Floor-to-ceiling tiles also come standard in all main bathrooms as well as ensuites.
Lutwyche is an ideal investment location with potential returns expected to grow even more over the next few years. With such close proximity to the city, Lutwyche has had a very strong property performance over the last financial year. The average median weekly rental price for a three-bedroom apartment in Lutwyche is around $500, which is what investors can expect from a two-bedroom at Alto Strada.
Around Lutwyche and the neighbouring suburb of Wooloowin, there are over 30 different residential apartments developments which have either been completed within the last year or are currently under (or about to commence) construction. This may mean there is a bit of construction going on nearby, but will also hopefully provide a boost to the services available as they are drawn to the area as a result of these new developments and growing population. Neighbouring projects that have recently been completed include Vantage on the corner of Isedale St and Lutwyche Road and Twenty One, which is also on High Street.
The body corporate fees at Alto Strada are $2,200 per year, which is much lower than the average for the area.
Alto Strada is being developed by GF Build in conjunction with Graczyk Thompson. GF Build is a Queensland owned and operated firm offering architecture, building and design. Over the last seven years, GF Build has been responsible for over 100 units in inner-Brisbane. Graczyk Thompson is not only part of the development team, but also responsible for the sale of the apartments.
We would love to hear your thoughts on this project.
Have you visited this project recently, or perhaps you live nearby or bought in a neighbouring building? Tell us what you love about this project, or perhaps what you don't.