Why Coastal Developments Are Winning Over Perth Downsizers
A strong theme runs through almost every project covered here. Buyers who already know and love the coast are looking to stay in the area, but they want a home that asks less of them.
One sales agent working on a Sorrento project said local downsizers are driving much of the interest. They love the lifestyle and community they already know, but want greater ease and less maintenance.
A developer and selling agent on another project said much the same thing. Many buyers want to stay close to the community where they raised their families, while still enjoying space, quality and privacy.
This is why the latest developments lean so heavily on lock-and-leave living and shared amenities. Instead of maintaining a large garden, a pool and a big house, owners get a gym, a heated pool, a sauna and private dining spaces on the same site.
The Appeal of Lock-and-Leave Living
Lock-and-leave homes suit people who travel, split their time between locations or simply want weekends to themselves. There is no lawn to mow and no pool to clean.
For many downsizers, the goal is not to give up space or quality. It is to keep both while shedding the upkeep.
Tightly Held Locations
Beachfront land is limited, so developments like these are few and far between, and opportunities to buy apartments of this calibre are rare. That scarcity is a big part of why buyers see these projects as a lifestyle investment as well as a home.
Five Coastal Developments at a Glance
Here is a quick comparison of the five developments, based on details reported on 27 September 2026.
| Project | Suburb | Scale | Price Guide | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ora Sorrento | Sorrento | Beachfront, multi-level residences | $1.995m to $7.5m | Estimated completion October 2026; 85 per cent sold |
| Ocean Grand | City Beach | 264 residences | From $1.79m to more than $10m | Retail, dining and wellness precinct planned |
| West Village | Karrinyup | 253 apartments | From $1.49m to $4.45m | Under construction; 70 per cent sold |
| The Dunes | Scarborough | East and West towers | From $910,000 | Above-ground construction began August 2026 |
| The Warnham | Cottesloe | Eight residences | Private viewings; price not published | Completed; last four-bedroom residence available |
Ora Sorrento: Barefoot Luxury on the Beachfront
Ora Sorrento is a beachfront project by Megara, brought to life by PACT Construction. It offers panoramic beach views from every level.
The architecture and interiors come from award-winning architects MJA Studio. Organic forms, natural materials and coastal views are woven throughout the design, drawing on the Sorrento shoreline for inspiration.
What Is Left to Buy
The final residences are now selling, and 85 per cent have already sold. The remaining collection includes spacious two and three-bedroom residences across multiple levels. There is also a limited selection of three and four-bedroom penthouses.
The sales agent said the residences were designed around the concept of “barefoot luxury”. Apartments are shown by private appointment.
Resort-Style Amenities
Residents get a long list of shared facilities, which the sales agent said allow people to relax, stay active and socialise without leaving home. These include:
- A heated swimming pool with ocean views and cabanas
- A gym and yoga studio
- A sauna and steam room
- A residents’ lounge and private dining spaces
- A wine cellar
- A putting green and Bocce court
Location and Dining
Sorrento Beach sits directly opposite, ideal for a morning swim or coastal walk. Local cafes and restaurants, Hillarys Boat Harbour and the Flora Terrace precinct are all nearby.
Kailis Hospitality Group, which runs the luxury seaside diner Gibney in Cottesloe, has been secured as the food and beverage operator. It will bring a premium steakhouse and a seaside bar to the ground floor.
Among the newest developments on the coast, Ora Sorrento carries a price range of $1.995m to $7.5m, with completion estimated for October 2026.
Ocean Grand City Beach: A Holiday at Home
Buyers wanting a holiday-at-home feeling every day may find it at Ocean Grand in City Beach. A total of 264 residences will offer sweeping views of the leafy surrounds and the Indian Ocean.
The award-winning interiors team at MJA Studio designed the collection. It includes two, three and four-bedroom apartments as well as exclusive penthouses.
Wellness Facilities
Every residence will have access to extensive wellness facilities. The list includes:
- A spa and a state-of-the-art sauna
- A fully equipped gym
- A yoga and pilates studio
- A golf simulator
- A private concierge
Plans also include a resort-style pool with private cabanas, alfresco dining areas, private dining rooms and lounges. These let residents spend time with family and friends without the upkeep of a larger home.
A Retail and Dining Precinct
The ground level will have a vibrant retail and dining precinct. Planned tenants include cafes, restaurants, a wine bar and a boutique supermarket, along with health and medical facilities.
The managing director of the developer and selling agent said this complete lifestyle offering is resonating with buyers. Many want to stay close to the community they have raised their families in, with less maintenance and more time to enjoy life.
Prices start from $1.79m and run to more than $10m.
West Village Karrinyup: Ocean Views at Scale
West Village in Karrinyup is a collection of 253 luxury apartments. It will offer more than 2,500sqm of resort-style amenities and landscaped gardens.
Residents could wake up to panoramic ocean views over North Beach and Trigg. Some apartments also offer lake and Perth city views.
Construction and Sales Progress
Multiplex was recently revealed as the builder of the long-awaited project, and construction is under way. The developer’s website states that 70 per cent of residences are already sold. Every one-bedroom apartment has been snapped up.
That kind of sales momentum shows how strongly buyers are responding to new coastal developments, even before completion.
Amenities and Surroundings
The tower will be surrounded by restaurants, cafes, gourmet grocers, luxury shops and cinemas. It adds to the nearby East Village, a $75m project offering 94 residences.
Amenities include a pool, steam room, sauna, outdoor shower and gymnasium. The developer describes the project as a new calibre of luxury residential living.
Location Advantages
The site is close to Lake Karrinyup Country Club and Hamersley Golf Course. It is a three-minute drive from Trigg Beach and 15 minutes from the CBD.
Prices range from $1.49m to $4.45m, which makes West Village the most accessible entry point among the five developments in this guide.
The Dunes Scarborough: Direct Beach Access
The Dunes will offer residents direct beach access at the northern end of the Scarborough foreshore. Views stretch across the ocean from Rottnest to Fremantle.
Hillam Architects designed the curved facade and a palette of natural textures. The look mirrors the rolling forms of the dunes and the changing rhythms of the sea.
The Developer and the Towers
Award-winning company Edge Visionary Living is behind the two apartment towers, dubbed East and West. Buyers can choose from one, two and three-bedroom apartments as well as exclusive penthouses. All have views of the Indian Ocean and surrounding nature reserves.
Edge Visionary Living’s other projects include the riverfront developments Lumiere South Perth and Riviere Residences in Applecross.
Awards and Sales Evidence
The Dunes was awarded Best Waterfront Development in Australia at the 2025 PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards. This followed the July 2024 sale of one of the sub-penthouses for $7.75m.
Construction commenced above ground in August 2026, with 190 piles now installed.
Lifestyle and Practical Inclusions
Apartments will offer access to resort-style leisure spaces. They are within walking distance of Scarborough’s restaurants, village shopping, sunset markets and public transport. Practical inclusions such as surfboard and bike storage suit the beachside lifestyle.
| Apartment Type | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| One bedroom | $910,000 |
| Two bedroom | $1.32m |
| Three bedroom | $2.36m |
The Warnham Cottesloe: A Rare Waterline Residence
The Warnham sits on Cottesloe’s iconic foreshore, just metres from the Indiana Teahouse on Marine Parade. Residence 1 could be one of Perth’s most idyllic apartments on the market right now.
It is part of an $85m, five-storey complex that has been in progress since 2023. The project comprises six apartments, two penthouses and lower-ground hospitality.
Residence 1 Features
The selling agent described Residence 1 as a rare chance to secure a full-sized luxury beachfront home. It has more than 27 metres of ocean frontage and sweeping views of the beach, Cottesloe groyne, the iconic pylon and Rottnest Island.
Because the views are unobstructed by trees, the owners will enjoy a rare waterline outlook.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Level | Two |
| Living space | 260sqm with ocean-facing balconies |
| Bedrooms and bathrooms | Four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a powder room |
| Parking and storage | Four secure car bays and a large storeroom |
| Architect | Felipe de Soto of Space Collective Architects |
| Builder | Greenbuilt WA |
The combination of four secure car bays and a large storeroom is described as exceptionally rare on Marine Parade.
Design and Finishes
A floor-to-ceiling window in the dining area showcases the ocean views. A full-height picture window in the living area overlooks the beach and the netted swimming lagoon.
Finishes include wide-plank oak flooring, natural marble and a premium Gaggenau 400 Series kitchen. The building carries a Spanish tiled facade, and every one of its eight residences is architecturally designed.
Awards and Availability
Built by Greenbuilt WA, the project was a winner at the 2026 Master Builders WA Building Excellence Awards. Residence 1 is the last remaining four-bedroom apartment. Private viewings are available.
Unlike the larger towers in this guide, The Warnham shows how boutique developments can deliver rarity, and why smaller developments often sell out quietly. With only eight residences, it appeals to buyers who want exclusivity over amenity.
What These Developments Have in Common
Although the five developments differ in size and style, several features repeat across them. Understanding these patterns helps buyers compare developments side by side.
Award-Winning Design Teams
Architects and builders with strong reputations feature across the board. MJA Studio worked on two of the projects, and the Warnham won at the Master Builders WA Building Excellence Awards.
Resort-Style Facilities
Pools, saunas, gyms and private dining spaces are the norm. Some developments go further with golf simulators, wine cellars and putting greens.
Strong Early Sales
Sales figures reported for several of these developments are telling:
| Project | Sales Progress |
|---|---|
| Ora Sorrento | 85 per cent sold |
| West Village | 70 per cent sold, all one-bedroom apartments gone |
| The Warnham | Last four-bedroom residence remaining |
| The Dunes | Sub-penthouse sold for $7.75m in July 2024 |
Prime Coastal Positions
Each of these developments sits close to the water, and several have direct beach access or are within a short walk of it. That location is the one feature that cannot be replicated, which is why scarcity underpins the pricing.
What to Weigh Up Before Buying Into New Developments
Buying into new developments is different from buying an established home. A few practical questions are worth asking early.
Off-the-Plan or Completed?
Some of these developments are complete or close to it, while other developments are still under construction. Off-the-plan buyers commit before they can walk through the finished home, so it pays to review the plans, finishes and contract conditions closely.
Running Costs and Shared Facilities
Resort-style amenities are a drawcard, but they usually come with strata levies to maintain them. Compare the facilities you will use against the ongoing costs.
Timing and Market Conditions
Completion dates can shift, and market conditions may change between signing and settlement. Speak to your finance broker and legal adviser before committing.
Your Existing Home
For many downsizers, buying a new apartment goes hand in hand with selling the family home. Coordinating the timing, and understanding what your current property is worth, can make the transition much smoother.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these coastal developments is the most affordable?
Based on the price ranges reported, The Dunes in Scarborough starts lowest at $910,000 for a one-bedroom apartment. West Village in Karrinyup starts at $1.49m, and Ocean Grand in City Beach from $1.79m.
Are these developments ready to move into?
It varies. Ora Sorrento has an estimated completion of October 2026, West Village and The Dunes are under construction, and The Warnham has already been built and won an award in 2026.
Who is buying into these developments?
Sales agents report strong interest from local downsizers. These buyers want to stay in the coastal communities they know, but in a lower-maintenance home.
Where can I find the most exclusive option?
The Warnham in Cottesloe has only eight residences in total. Its Residence 1 is the last remaining four-bedroom apartment.
Talk to Holdsworth Real Estate
If these coastal developments have you thinking about downsizing, the first step is knowing what your current home is worth. Holdsworth Real Estate can provide an up-to-date appraisal so you can plan your move with confidence.
Thinking about buying, selling or simply understanding where the Perth market is heading? Contact the Holdsworth team today to talk through your options.
