Lifestyle-focused buyers seeking affordability and connectivity are increasingly turning to Norwest in Greater Sydney’s Hills District.
Located approximately 35km northwest of Sydney’s CBD, Norwest has evolved in recent years from a business hub to a viable lifestyle area.
With easy access to the city via the Sydney Metro, Norwest is proving popular with all types of buyers – from first home buyers looking for an affordable entry point to young professionals, families, downsizers and investors.
For many, the appeal lies in the security of purchasing a complete, thriving, master-planned community – with amenities, streetscapes and green spaces already in place – rather than waiting years for a new project to take shape.
The Orchards’ latest release – ZESTE – offers modern residential apartments in an attractive natural environment, coupled with the benefits of an existing, established neighbourhood.
Why Norwest is gaining traction with lifestyle-oriented buyers
Located in the heart of Norwest, ZESTE is the fifth and final phase of The Orchards – a master-planned community surrounded by natural green spaces and parkland, and adjacent to one of Australia’s best golf courses, The Castle Hill Country Club.
The project, developed by Sekisui House Australia, will deliver 1,300 apartments across multiple phases.
Once completed, residents will enjoy a 1.4 hectare public park, an outdoor cinema, playgrounds, green spaces, an outdoor lagoon pool (delivered as part of ZESTE), an indoor swimming pool and fitness centre, and a community centre.
This final phase – consisting of 209 apartments spread over two buildings – marks the end of a ten-year vision and is expected to be completed in early 2028.
Importantly, much of the community – including key amenities – has already been completed, meaning buyers can now move into earlier phases while securing their desired apartment in ZESTE.
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From lifestyle benefits to apartment design
In addition to location and lifestyle, buyers are also attracted by ZESTE’s design philosophy, which focuses on larger spaces, lots of light and flexibility.
Sekisui House Australia sales manager David Lee said one of the design elements that sets ZESTE apart is its larger format floor plans.
Designed by award-winning architect Rothe Lowman, each home integrates natural light and greenery, reflecting Sekisui House’s global philosophy of creating harmony between people, homes and nature.
The apartments range in size from MAX with one bedroom and MAX with one bedroom (a multi-purpose space) to MAX with four bedrooms (available from April 2026).
The MAX option – typically 3 meters by 3 meters – is ideal for people who work from home, want a media room or want to create a play area for the kids.
Mr Lee said many buyers were downsizers who were getting rid of acreage and needed more space, while first-home buyers and owner-occupiers also appreciated the opportunity to personalize the extra space.
“ZESTE is on average approximately 20 percent larger internally than previous phases,” Mr Lee said.
“(With) this phase, which we haven’t had before, we’ve essentially added the MAX space to all series – one, two, three and four bedrooms.
“Especially now that a lot of the downsizers are coming from big homes in the Hills area… they’re moving in from a very large house, a very large acreage, and they want that space.”
ZESTE homes have multifunctional, bright spaces.
What a completed community really looks like
In addition to the larger floor plans, another major attraction is the opportunity to locate in a completed master plan area with existing parks, trails and active community spaces.
Phases 1 and 2 of The Orchards were sold out, while phases 3 and 4 were also highly sought after.
Mr Lee said buying into a complete community removed much of the uncertainty buyers face when purchasing early-stage projects.
“The fact that we have already delivered three phases gives people certainty and assurance that the developer, Sekisui House, will deliver what they say they will deliver, and on time,” he said.
For both investors and owner-occupiers, previous publications have shown strong rental demand and value growth.
“In Phase 2, a number of two-bedroom buyers bought off the plan for $900,000 and within two years some of those owners ended up selling for $1.4 million,” Mr Lee said, illustrating how early buyers in a completed community have taken advantage of historical market trends.
“The metro is the biggest attraction and value proposition compared to other suburbs.”
The Orchards is a planned district with a built-in established community.
A house that fits the next chapter
ZESTE introduces a new concept for The Orchards – the Sky Home Collection.
These cross-ventilated, extra-large two and three-bedroom MAX apartments have a north-facing orientation, with the main entrance through an exclusive, secure passageway rather than a traditional lobby.
There are no neighbors to the front, ensuring privacy, while open plan lounge and dining areas connect seamlessly to generous north-facing balconies.
“It’s like a house with a terrace, but on one level, in the sky,” Mr Lee said.
“ZESTE sky homes fit perfectly with the transition from a large family home to a sky home.
“We launched last month. I would say 40 percent of purchases were Sky Homes because it is a unique product.”
While popular with downsizers, the Sky Home Collection is also suitable for couples and small families who want the feel of a home without the maintenance, as well as investors attracted to its rarity and rental potential.
The Sky Home Collection is a rare opportunity for large-scale homes with the convenience of an apartment.
Why now is the time to buy
The first construction release of 135 apartments generated revenues of more than $31 million.
With prices starting in the low $700,000s for a one-bedroom apartment, demand is expected to remain strong.
“Since we launched ZESTE, buyers who went to earlier stages have also bought the later stages – we have some multiple purchases,” Mr Lee said.
“They see the value proposition of buying early, getting the apartment of their choice, their aspect of choice, their floor plan.”
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