Now it's 'Fonzie'n'Family Flats'

Monday 02 February 2007

Innovative design solutions to meet the State's population growth

Leading Queensland developer Devine Limited supports accommodation initiative such as 'Fonzie Flats' - studio apartments built above garages - to help meet the State's increasing population.

But the innovative developer has taken the concept even further with a design it calls a 'Fonzie'n'Family Flat'. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment, which is built over a garage, is officially named 'Beachport' and totals a spacious 114sqm.

A 'Fonzie Flat' is a euphuism for the type of unit occupied by 'The Fonz' above the Cunningham's garage in the TV series 'Happy Days'.

Devine's 'Beachport' is a sophisticated evolution, providing much more space and creature comforts. It has internal stairs from a single garage leading to secure, self-contained space. This comprises two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, living and dining area, laundry and a balcony.

A separate secure entry at ground level allows residents to access the stairs without having to open the garage door.

"Our 'Beachport' apartment would be perfect for 'The Fonz' if he ever got married and had a child," quipped Scott McIntosh, Devine's Queensland Manager of house and land.

Devine sold its four and only 'Beachport' apartments off-the-plan at its 'Edgewater' housing estate at Coomera within days of being launched last year, each for around $220,000. Not only are they a practical way to maximize space but they are attractive and visually unobtrusive.

"There is great demand for this sort of clever accommodation from working couples, small families and empty nesters," said Mr McIntosh. "We are about to release more 'Beachports' at our estates, and we know they will be popular."

Devine is working on other ways of making their housing communities more relevant to Queensland's changing family structure.

"Because household sizes are getting smaller we are offering a selection of low-maintenance house designs," said Mr McIntosh. "Likewise, empty nesters don't want to spend their weekends mowing lawns and cleaning pools when the kids have moved on, so we are providing a greater diversity of accommodation.

"We are continually looking at ways of designing accommodation with greater flexibility, and adding more community benefits into our estates."
Devine says this includes:

* A variety of dwelling types - single-level and double-storey houses, townhouses, duplex homes, triplex homes, terraces and apartments - so that younger and older people, singles and families can live in the same neighbourhood.
* A central community aerial which enables residents to watch free-to-air television, hook up to pay-TV and gain high-speed Internet access without needing an individual aerial.
* Boulevards, shaded by rows of trees, to modify traffic flow, creating an environment more suitable for pedestrians and bicycles.
* A communal recreational centre at the heart of the neighbourhood.

Information about Devine's Queensland communities is available on 13 24 66, or www.devine.com.au.

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Released by: Devine, 3 Westmoreland Blvd, Springwood, Queensland 4127
Contact: Scott McIntosh, Qld State Manager, on (07) 3380 2572, 0448 847 177
Richard Sterry, Qld Sales Manager, on (07) 3380 2576, 0400 654 584
Paul Nash, National GM Housing & Land, on (0439) 730 424
Prepared by: Barry Hyland of PR Plus, Level 1, 272 Pacific Hwy, Crows Nest 2065 on
Ph: (02) 9439 9191, Fax: (02) 9439 9190. pluspr@ozemail.com.au