INDI SYDNEY
Build-to-Rent is a new asset class in Australia that demands a different way of thinking about residential buildings. At Indi Sydney, the first BtR tower in the CBD, the project team delivered beautiful apartments – but the ambition went further with a residential community designed to endure for decades.
Designed by Bates Smart, Indi Sydney sits above Gadigal Station in the heart of the city. At Indi, residents can personalise their space – art on the walls, pets included – while the building provides the rest: rooftop terraces, shared kitchens, co-working lounges and wellness zones designed for city living.
At a glance
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ClientOxford Properties Group, Investa
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ServicesCertainty
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sectorResidential
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LocationSydney, Australia
The rent test
RLB worked closely with Investa and the design team to test assumptions around cost, durability and amenity provision. Because BtR is still emerging in Australia, many decisions required careful judgement about long-term performance as well as immediate feasibility.
Build-to-Rent brings a different mindset to the value equation. When we are creating a residential building to be held for the long-term, that changes how we think about durability, materials and the value of shared spaces.Oliver Nichols, Director, RLB
Supply constraints were a real pressure at the time. But with BtR we must think beyond what can be sourced today. If we’re installing hundreds of a product – whether stove tops or taps – will they still be available in 10 years when they need replacing? And what will the item cost then?Vicky Seretis, Associate, RLB
As the project progressed, RLB’s team refined design decisions through value engineering, balancing cost pressures with long-term operational performance and the unique requirements of a BtR asset.
Collective living reshapes residential design
A mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments is supported by three levels of shared amenity including co-working spaces, wellness facilities and rooftop social areas.
The design prioritises shared spaces – lounges, kitchens, wellness areas and terraces – creating a residential experience centred on community.
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234
apartments
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5Star
Green Star Design & As Built rating
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3levels
shared amenity
Green leases on life
Sustainability is built into the experience at Indi, with 7-star NatHERS apartments and a 5 Star Green Star Design & As Built rating supporting low-carbon living in the heart of the city – reflecting the long-term stewardship expected of BtR assets.
Designing for decades of operation
Indi Sydney is at the forefront of a shift underway in Australia’s residential market. BtR replaces short-term sales cycles with long-term ownership, demanding clear commercial thinking and careful collaboration across every stage of delivery. For RLB, the project illustrates the value of independent advice grounded in practical realism: bringing truth to feasibility decisions; building trust across the project team and contributing to a building that will perform long into the future.
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