NEWS: Design-Led Compact Living Now Approved at Precinct 75
City Starter apartments designed by COX Architecture have been approved at Precinct 75 in Sydney’s inner west, as part of Coronation Property’s build-to-rent redevelopment of the former Taubmans Paint factory site.
The compact homes of approximately 30 square metres form part of Coronation’s broader City Starter and City Stayer typology, being delivered across Nation’s build-to-rent communities. The approval at Precinct 75 marks the first delivery of the typology.
Endorsed by the NSW Government Architect at Precinct 75, the City Starter apartments demonstrate how compact living can deliver comfort, functionality and quality, particularly when supported by generous precinct-scale amenities.
“Our design for the City Starter at Precinct 75 brings architecture and interior design together to support everyday living,” said Felipe Miranda, Director, COX and design lead for Precinct 75. “The intent is to expand who gets to live close to jobs, culture and community, without compromising on long-term stability”.
“We started with the sofa and table, and designed outwards to reflect how someone genuinely lives,” said Brooke Lloyd, Director and Interiors Lead at COX. “When every element is resolved from the inside out, a compact home can feel intentional and complete.”
Each apartment will be leased fully furnished to preserve design integrity. Despite their compact size, each home includes a full kitchen, in-unit laundry, built-in bike storage and thoughtful storage to ensure everyday functionality without compromise.
The interiors draw on the industrial character of the site, combining birch plywood, soft tones and premium layered finishes with exposed concrete and brickwork.
“Designing compact spaces only works when private and shared spaces are conceived as a complete ecosystem.” said Brooke. “The amenity beyond the apartment is essential in making a smaller private space feel complete.”
City Starter residents will have access to extensive shared amenities including a rooftop pool, landscaped terraces, private dining spaces and a podcast studio – supporting a broader definition of home that extends beyond the apartment.
“City Starter and City Stayer apartments respond to the way Sydney is changing,” said Joe Nahas, Managing Director of Coronation Property. “With more people choosing to live alone and prioritising location, flexibility and community, this model allows us to pair well‑designed apartments with generous shared amenity and professional management.
“Precinct 75 sets the benchmark for how this approach can expand housing choice while supporting long‑term liveability.”
“The approval signals a broader opportunity to rethink how design can meaningfully accelerate housing supply,” said Felipe Miranda.
“As Sydney faces growing supply pressures, we need to unlock new housing options without lowering standards, and the City Starter is an example of how good design can achieve this.”
