Royal Far West’s Aurora residential development in Manly has reached its highest structural point.
Delivered by global contractor Multiplex, the topping out of the waterfront development signals the transition from structural works to façade completion and internal fit-out.
Located at 19–21 South Steyne, Aurora will comprise 58 premium apartments, including one, two and three-bedroom residences as well as penthouses.
The project spans a 6,398 square metre site and is arranged across three buildings of two, five and eight storeys.
Designed by architects Glenn Murcutt and Angelo Candalepas, the development integrates complex architectural forms with a coastal-sensitive design approach.
Aurora forms a key component of the broader Royal Far West Neighbourhood, a mixed-use precinct that combines residential, retail, commercial and community-focused facilities.
The project also includes 20 upgraded accommodation rooms for rural children and their families accessing Royal Far West’s health services, ensuring the organisation can continue operating on site throughout construction.
The development has been carefully staged to allow Royal Far West to remain fully operational, adding a layer of logistical complexity to construction activities.
This has required detailed coordination between contractors, consultants and stakeholders, particularly given the constraints of the active healthcare environment and the site’s coastal location.
From an engineering perspective, the project has presented several technical challenges.
One of the most significant has been the construction of a hydrostatic basement on a site with a high water table.
To enable excavation, 14 deep dewatering wells were installed, removing more than 922 megalitres of water over 329 days.
This process lowered groundwater levels to at least two metres below the excavation zone, ensuring safe and stable construction conditions.
The scale of the build is reflected in the materials used, including more than 13,000 cubic metres of concrete and over 270 precast panels.
The buildings feature extensive off-form concrete with complex geometries, including three prominent cantilevered stepped forms along the eastern façade.
These elements required precision engineering and careful sequencing during installation.
Aurora’s façade system further highlights the project’s technical sophistication.
It incorporates a combination of glass reinforced concrete, load-bearing and non-load-bearing precast panels, glazed ceramic tiles and architecturally distinctive window systems.
The inclusion of tilted window designs and intricate geometries required detailed façade engineering and the development of multiple full-scale prototypes to ensure performance and constructability.
The residential offering is designed to maximise its coastal setting, with ocean views, refined interiors and shared rooftop amenities.
Private resident access from South Steyne has also been integrated into the design to enhance amenity and privacy.
Beyond its architectural and engineering features, the project plays a strategic role in supporting Royal Far West’s long-term sustainability.
Proceeds from apartment sales will fund the expansion of paediatric and allied health services for children in rural and remote communities, aligning the development with a broader social infrastructure objective.
With the structure now complete, the next phase will focus on façade installation, interior works and landscaping.
The full Royal Far West Neighbourhood precinct is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2026, positioning Aurora as both a residential development and a key enabler of ongoing healthcare delivery.
