Cutting right through Dickson and leading to Civic, light rail is at the heart of Dickson’s revitalisation. Photo: Art Group.
It feels like Dickson has been under construction for years. The suburb’s makeover is most visible with the shiny new Coles supermarket, but the new residential developments are upping the vibe with new residents adding to the revitalisation.
Swanky new buildings like Mulberry and Kashmir from Canberra developer Art Group have changed the face of the suburb, with two more, Calypso and Vermillion, on the way.
“Art Group is contributing to the development of the whole area, and once Calypso and Vermillion are finished, the Dickson precinct will be complete,” Art Group sales director Rita Feng says.
The complete revitalisation includes landscaped green spaces, bike paths, dog paths, new shops, cafes and restaurants.
“We are creating a real community here. Lots of investment has been put into the shopping areas, like the new Coles, and there is a lot of new infrastructure like the widening of roads and, of course, the light rail,” Rita says.
A lot of that community spirit comes from the use of smaller, low-rise buildings, rather than a single high-rise, which would be incongruent with the suburb’s character.
“When you have a few smaller buildings, centred around a communal space, you can really create something. What we didn’t want was a bunch of smaller apartments all crammed together,” Rita says.
Common spaces include gardens and fountains, while the buildings themselves will have plenty of exciting amenities. Vermillion alone has a rooftop garden with a barbecue, a workspace and a gym with a yoga studio, a shared EV charger and more than 40 visitor parking spots.
The public transport, accommodation, restaurant scene, public space and shopping in the new Dickson make it ideal for young professionals seeking proximity to the city.
But the developments are aimed at a broad target market.
“There are a lot of different floor plans on offer. Some of the buildings have two-storey townhouses with private courtyards, in addition to one, two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses,” Rita says.
“What we wanted to do was invite people to the Inner North area. Young people, families, downsizers – there’s something for everyone in the new Dickson.”
Dickson College, Emmaus Christian School, Daramalan College and Blue Gum Preschool are all within walking distance.
Vermillion’s allure for first home buyers is significant, with two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments, two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments, and larger three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments with two car spaces.
“There is a lot here for a first home buyer. The best of Canberra is on your doorstep, and there are a lot of government departments and private firms close by,” Rita says.
Braddon is within cycling distance, the city is accessible by light rail and the much-loved green spaces of Mount Ainslie and Mount Majura are accessible by walking trails.
Ninety per cent of offerings in Calypso are already sold and apartments in Vermillion are on the market, creating an opportunity to be part of the new Dickson.
Vermillion is expected to be complete around April of next year.
Its ideal position on Northbourne Avenue gives it great access to the city as well as educational institutions such as the Australian National University, the Australian Catholic University and the University of Canberra.
“Art Group is very proud to be central to the new lifestyle possible in Dickson, and it’s a very special opportunity to create a way of living that suits everyone. From the individual apartments to the communal spaces, to the buildings and their amenities, everything has been done to the highest possible standard,” Rita says.
Though it’s been a long time in the making, Dickson is on the cusp of being a real centre in the Inner North, with residential developments bringing new blood to the area and commercial and transport infrastructure giving people places to go and ways to get there.
It’s an exciting time to live in Dickson.
