18 November 2021

Nightfall 'top-out' signals move to completion and sell-out of Republic Precinct

| Karyn Starmer
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Republic Precinct

The ‘topping out’ ceremony at Nightfall signals the completion of the Republic Precinct, the largest residential development in Canberra. Photo: Geocon.

Canberra’s largest-ever residential development, the Republic Precinct, is one step closer to completion after three-and-a-half years of construction in Belconnen.

Already home to some 3000 residents in its existing four towers at Dusk, Republic and High Society, a ‘topping out’ ceremony on the Nightfall building on Wednesday (17 November) closes the book on the Republic Precinct.

‘Topping out’ traditionally marks the completion of the structure of a building and is often accompanied by placing a tree on the roof of the structure. The tree placed atop Nightfall stands at a height almost as impressive as the building, nearly 7 metres.

Tree on top of building

The ‘topping out’ ceremony included the traditional placement of a tree atop the Nightfall building. Photo: Geocon.

Located on the corner of Eastern Valley Way and Cameron Avenue in Belconnen, Nightfall is the third and final stage at Republic Precinct, consisting of 334 one and two-bedroom apartments and 17 commercial spaces.

Republic Precinct has proven to be popular with buyers – fewer than 100 of the 1200 apartments in the entire development remain.

Republic Precinct buildings

Architects Fender Katsalidis designed Republic Precinct’s impressive façades. Photo: Geocon.

“Topping out Nightfall, the final piece of the Republic Precinct, has been one of the proudest moments for me since I began Geocon back in 2007,” Geocon Managing Director Nick Georgalis said.

“The Republic Precinct is the largest residential development ever undertaken in Canberra and has presented a huge opportunity not only for me, but for the 1000s of subbies and staff who have also helped bring it to life.”

The Republic Precinct’s five award-winning buildings, with their impressive façades, are set to be iconic structures. Nick said Nightfall’s connection to the greater Republic Precinct, and Belconnen more broadly, has been achieved.

Republic Precinct

Republic Precinct has proven to be popular with buyers – fewer than 100 of the 1200 apartments in the entire development remain. Photo: Geocon.

“One of the key objectives when we began this development was to make life easier for people who live in the precinct and we have certainly achieved that vision,” he said.

“People living in all five buildings have access to a supermarket, hotel, restaurants and cafes as an extension of their home. Across the road, they are also able to access schools, Lake Ginninderra, two hospitals, the University of Canberra and Westfield Belconnen.

“From a design context, the architects, Fender Katsalidis, have nailed the façade which is independent of the other four buildings while fitting seamlessly to the end-product,” Nick said.

“Inside are some of the most functional and appealing layouts on offer to the Canberra market, which have led to record sales over the last three months, leaving only a handful of apartments left for sale in Nightfall.

“With the project still several months away from completion, of the 1200 apartments we started with in the Republic Precinct, fewer than 100 remain on the market. With the return of international students in 2022 and migration also on the rise, we don’t see the market cooling over the next 12 months.”

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