Mulpha’s ambitious zero-carbon residential development at Norwest Quarter in the Hills marked a major milestone in the construction of its first apartment tower.  This milestone was complemented by Mulpha’s recent achievement of a strong iCIRT rating of 4/5.

The iCIRT star-rating is an independent construction industry ratings tool created by data analytics house Equifax, developed in consultation with the NSW Government, which assesses building professionals and firms against six criteria – capability, conduct, character, capacity, capital, and counterparties.

Mulpha Australia underwent iCIRT’s rigorous and independent review on a group-wide basis and has achieved a 4/5-star rating.  iCIRT states a 3-gold star rating or higher indicates a trustworthy business that demonstrates the characteristics to honour its commitments and fix issues as they arise. 

Mulpha’s iCIRT rating indicates off-the-plan purchasers can buy a Mulpha apartment with confidence that Mulpha has the capability and willingness to deliver reliable, quality buildings that meet expectations.

Mulpha executives and building partners marked the milestone with a topping out ceremony held on the top floor of Lacebark, the first apartment building in Mulpha’s Norwest Quarter. Lacebark is due for completion in the second half of 2025, with more than half the apartments already sold.

Designed by Smart Design Studio and selling off the plan, Lacebark will comprise 81 generously sized one-, two- and three-bedroom premium apartments and three-bedroom penthouses, all with spacious balconies for entertaining and a choice of lake, golf course, Blue Mountains or landscape views.  There are two levels of convenient shops, restaurants and cafes, a resident-only lounge, complete with swimming pool and sundeck, day-beds, a beautiful garden and BBQs.

An enormous open plaza linking Lacebark to Banksia, the second apartment building in the first stage of Norwest Quarter, will feature a wild play forest with misting, timber walkways, forts, slides, decked areas and seating.

Mulpha Head of Developments, Tim Spencer, said: “We are thrilled to celebrate this significant milestone for Lacebark with our top-tier partners, including Parkview Constructions, architects Smart Design Studio, environmental sustainability firm Finding Infinity, landscaping architect Aspect and urban designers Terroir. All our partners are delivering new benchmarks in sustainable design and construction.

“We are also delighted that Mulpha has received a strong iCIRT rating of 4/5, reflecting our commitment to delivering quality apartment buildings that far exceed minimum code requirements, while setting new benchmarks in lifestyle design, community-focused wellness, sustainability and harmony with the natural environment.”

“This is great for off-the-plan buyers and investors, giving them confidence that what they have bought will be delivered,” Tim Spencer said.

Norwest Quarter development is the first zero-carbon precinct in the Hills and one of the most ambitious in Australia in its sustainability initiatives and design principles. 

The first stage of Norwest Quarter will deliver 181 net zero apartments powered by 100 per cent renewable electric energy that will consume 50 per cent less electricity from the grid, as confirmed after modelling done by Environmental consultancy Finding Infinity. 

Norwest Quarter apartments have achieved a NatHERS rating of 8.1, putting them in the top 10 per cent of NSW and well above the Hills average of 6.6**.

Apartment buildings in Norwest Quarter will feature rooftop solar panels and high-performance, centralised air-conditioning, high efficiency lighting and appliances, electric hot water, and induction cooktops. 

The Norwest Quarter environment has also been designed to minimise the urban heat island effect through substantial replanting of the natural landscape.  Other sustainable community initiatives aim to promote nature and biodiversity of local flora and fauna, including communal gardens, productive beehives for enhanced pollination, worm farms, composting and natural landscapes.

When complete, the Norwest Quarter masterplan will transform over 3.8 hectares of land into a vibrant village for over 2,000 residents who will live amongst 26,000m² of green open space. Encompassed within the landscape will be nine residential towers containing 864 apartments, and up to 6,000m² of space provided for cafes, restaurants, neighbourhood shops and childcare facilities. 

Norwest Quarter is located within 9 minutes walking distance of the Norwest Metro Station and the emerging Norwest town centre as well as extensive parklands, pathways, and cycleways.