The advantages of boutique blocks

Smaller apartment blocks focus on the finishes and fringe benefits.

There's something elegant about the word boutique, the way the letters form, the way it rolls off the tongue. Perhaps the French origin makes it sound confident, assured, stylish. Even when used to describe a block of flats, it sounds select and desirable.

Developers, agents and architects define a boutique block as one with a small number of apartments - less than 20 is the consensus.

Design is considered fundamental.

"When you build fewer apartments into a block, there's more scope to get the design right," says Tory Tompson of Consolo Property, developer of The Caledonian in Rushcutters Bay (pictured). "The more units squeezed into a development, the more the individual design is compromised - it's inevitable."

Architect Ian Moore, designer of Kings Lane apartments in East Sydney and Frangipani at Bondi Beach, says a developer's attitude to the quality of construction is crucial. "No matter how good the design is, if a developer cuts corners, the quality will suffer and you can't then call it a boutique property."

With boutique blocks the emphasis is on the apartments, not the standard drawcards that larger complexes boast - swimming pools, gymnasiums, large communal gardens or a full-time concierge - and this keeps strata levies low.

"A concierge or full-time caretaker adds a five-figure salary to a building's running costs," says Alistair Dunn, of Dunns Strata Consulting in Milsons Point.

On the home front, smaller blocks have a more personal feel. Jan Forster, developer of Industria at Leichhardt, says: "People feel safer in a smaller block because you know all your neighbours and there aren't as many strangers [visitors] coming and going past your door and this gives a greater sense of ownership."

Double Bay agent Judy Savage of Charles & Stuart adds that boutique blocks tend to attract owner-occupiers who take better care of their buildings. "And a well cared-for building simply holds its value better," she says.

ADVANTAGES OF BOUTIQUE BLOCKS

· Low strata levies

· Fewer residents in the block

· Fewer visitors on common property

· Better maintained block as residents take a personal interest

· Often better design and finishes

· Property may hold its value better over time

Source:SMH