Expert Building Design in Elizabeth Bay

Elizabeth Bay is one of Sydney’s most exclusive harbourside suburbs, offering a unique blend of heritage apartment buildings, waterfront mansions, and modern high-rise residences. Known for its leafy streets, proximity to Potts Point’s vibrant lifestyle precinct, and direct access to Sydney Harbour, it appeals to both established families and professionals seeking luxury living.

At DMR Designs, we deliver bespoke building design in Elizabeth Bay that responds to its high-density setting and prestige character. Whether you’re renovating a heritage apartment, planning a new home on a narrow lot, or upgrading a harbourside property, our designs comply with City of Sydney Council controls while maximising lifestyle potential.

Our approach ensures every Elizabeth Bay project balances sophistication, comfort, and practicality, while respecting the suburb’s exclusive harbourside atmosphere.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Elizabeth Bay?

  • Waterfront Expertise: Designs that maximise harbour outlooks and natural light.

  • Luxury Living: High-end finishes and layouts for apartments, penthouses, and private homes.

  • Heritage Respect: Sensitive upgrades for Art Deco and interwar apartment buildings.

  • Space Optimisation: Smart layouts for compact lots and high-density blocks.

  • Council Knowledge: Navigating City of Sydney Council’s strict planning requirements.

Our Elizabeth Bay projects achieve a seamless integration of prestige and practicality.

Sydney Council Requirements for Building in Elizabeth Bay

 

  • Zoning types:

    • R1 General Residential

    • B4 Mixed Use

    Setbacks:

    • Front setbacks typically 1–4m depending on street character

    • Side and rear setbacks vary based on building type and lot width

    Typical lot sizes:

    • Detached homes: 150–300 sqm

    • Townhouse/duplex sites: 120–250 sqm

    Key constraints:

    • Height controls to protect harbour view corridors

    • Heritage restrictions on many interwar and Art Deco apartments

    • Limited on-street parking and high-density living considerations

    Utilities available:

    • Fully serviced with water, sewer, electricity, gas, and NBN

Designing in Elizabeth Bay requires balancing luxury and density while complying with stringent planning rules.

For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the Sydney Council website.

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Elizabeth Bay Project?

Whether it’s a Development Application (DA) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), we’ll guide you in finding the fastest and most compliant approval pathway—anywhere in New South Wales.

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you understand the difference:

DA (Development Application):

  • Needed for renovations or redevelopments of heritage apartments.

  • Required for larger-scale works or any variation from CDC controls.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for minor internal refurbishments and straightforward extensions.

  • Limited applicability due to density and heritage overlays.

Need help figuring out which route suits your site? We’ll assess your block and walk you through your options.

 

FAQs About Building Design in Elizabeth Bay

  • The suburb is dominated by Art Deco and mid-century apartment buildings, along with high-end modern apartments and select waterfront homes.

  • Yes, many properties are strata-titled apartments with shared services, plus strict height and heritage restrictions to protect the suburb’s character.

  • Absolutely. We design efficient layouts that make the most of compact floorplans, incorporating storage, natural light, and multi-functional spaces.

  • While we know the Sydney area well, we also work across many suburbs within the City of Sydney, including Redfern, Surry Hills, Ultimo, and more. Additionally, we are available for select projects up to 4 hours away from the City of Sydney Council area.

  • Cost depends on the scope of your project. We’ll walk you through pricing during your discovery call so you know exactly what to expect.

Ready to take the next step?

From inner-city terrace renovations to modern apartment designs, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. We’d love to hear about your Sydney project and how we can assist.

Our Building Design Services in Elizabeth Bay

We provide building design in Elizabeth Bay for apartments, penthouses, luxury homes, and heritage refurbishments. Whether it’s a full apartment reconfiguration, a contemporary waterfront extension, or a strata-compliant upgrade, we create tailored solutions that elevate living standards.

From design to approval, our Elizabeth Bay services ensure compliance, comfort, and prestige at every stage.

What to Expect: Our Building Design Timeline

A step-by-step look at how we take your project from concept to council approval and beyond.

Every project starts with a discovery call and ends with council-approved, build-ready plans.

Here’s how we make it easy from start to finish:

Step 1 - Discovery Call

  • Let’s chat! We’ll have a quick call to understand your project and see how we can help.

Step 2 -Site Visit & Consultation (5–7 days)

  • We’ll meet at your site (or virtually), take a closer look, and discuss your vision in detail.

Step 3 - Fee Proposal (2 days)

  • You’ll get a clear, no-surprises proposal with the scope, timeline, and costs.

Step 4 - Concept Design (4 weeks)

  • We’ll create initial design ideas and layouts tailored just for you.

Step 5 - Design Development & Expert Coordination (2 weeks)

  • We’ll fine-tune the design and collaborate with any needed specialists (engineer, energy consultant, town planner, geo tech engineer, bushfire, heritage consultant, etc).

Step 6 - Final Adjustments (1 week)

  • We’ll polish everything and prepare the final drawings for submission.

Step 7 - Submission for Approval

  • We handle the council or certifier submission, so you’re ready for the next steps.

Want the full breakdown?

View our detailed process here.

From Plans to Reality: See How It All Comes Together

Our Elizabeth Bay portfolio demonstrates how harbourside living can be elevated through smart design. From reimagined Art Deco apartments to contemporary homes with expansive glass walls, we create spaces that celebrate both location and lifestyle

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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With DMR Designs, your Elizabeth Bay project combines waterfront elegance with functionality and council compliance.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Elizabeth Bay?

We’re here to help you take the next step, whether you’re

starting fresh or upgrading your Sydney home.

We’d love to hear what you have in mind. Book a discovery call or send us a message, and we’ll be in touch within 48 hours.

Not based in Elizabeth Bay?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire City of Sydney. From Redfern and Surry Hills to Ultimo and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.