Norman Estates will partner with Sekisui House to build a golf and sports complex at Gledswood Hills near Campbeltown. In announcing the golf project, Greg Norman is setting what may be the new normal for golf estate developments worldwide.
Mr Norman, from Magnetic Island in Queensland, became the Great White Shark during his six years as the world’s number one golfer, winning two British Opens and losing a playoff for the Masters.
He turned the Shark tag into a worldwide brand that is instantly recognizable.
He is a household name In the USA and Britain. Now he has decided to begin planning his return to Australia in “four or five years” and Gledswood Hills may be just start of a new dynasty in booming Grater Sydney and surrounds.
The $300M upscale housing estate in south-western Sydney is being developed by Sekisui House with the 18 hole championship course and nine hole golf course designed by Norman’s company and is the first Norman Estates project in Australia.
Sekisui House Australia general manager Craig D’Costa said in a media interview Norman Estates was part of the premium Hermitage section of the 250ha subdivision and it would include 190 freestanding homes and terraces.
Mr D’Costa said Sekisui House had been developing Gledswood Hills, parts of which used to be the well-known El Caballo Blanco Andalusian theme park, since 2012.
It has sold 1300 lots and has capacity for 1200 more. Demand is high across the development, with an auction of 26 lots in the Lakeside precinct attracting ‘bullish’ bidding.
Prices started at $1.35m for a four-bedroom design which is now the average price of homes in Sydney.
Mr D’Costa said Sekisui House had been talking on and off with Mr Norman, for a long time about collaborating on a residential development.
“It’s been six years in the planning since we first connected on the golf course development,” Mr D’Costa said.
“Greg has a long-term commitment to sustainability and innovation across his businesses, as does Sekisui House, so there was a natural synergy of branding and development philosophy.
“We had continual involvement with Greg’s development team and we’ve hosted Greg in Japan, taking him through some of our projects as well as one of our largest manufacturing facilities in Tokyo.
“It’s very authentic. My team and myself have sat in Greg’s Florida office, talking over architectural plans and details.”
Norman Estates will be a community title development with residents paying quarterly levies for precinct maintenance and access to a central clubhouse with residential lounge, tennis court, pool, gym and spa.
“There’s no gates on but it has been uniquely designed in that passers-by don’t necessarily want to drive through. It’s basically an island among golf courses. It’s a very unique design, Mr D’Costa told media.
“We’re finding people are looking to invest in smaller communities that have a regimented maintenance regime and upkeep.”
The mostly four and five-bedroom homes will be built using Sekisui’s Shawood construction system across 60 different floor plans on the 17ha site.
SOURCES: Sekisui House, Nine, AFR
