A new Australian record has been set with the $26 million sale of an off the plan penthouse in the Opera Residences in Sydney.

The four bedroom apartment has been bought by an undisclosed buyer, together with the two three-bedroom apartments below for $31 million in a total package worth $57 million. It has been reported that the buyer is a local woman who has purchased the two other apartments for her children.

The properties were sold by CBRE Residential Director Tim Rees who said the demand has been "unprecedented"

"Opera Residences inhabits Sydney’s, if not Australia’s, rarest land," said Rees. "The launch of Opera Residences will be unrivalled and unlike any other — something the market has not seen for more than 20 years since the opening of Bennelong Apartments."

Construction of the luxury development in Circular Quay, which will have 104 apartments, will start in April, and completion is due in December 2019.

The project is a partnership between Macrolink and Landream. Based in Beijing, this is Macrolink's first project in Australia. Landream is also building a luxury development at 600 Collins St in Melbourne designed by the star architect Zaha Hadid. The architects behind the Opera Residences is Tzannes and Crone Partners.   

The first five levels of the Opera Residences were intended for serviced apartment use, according to the original development approval for the building, but the current developer is now formalising an agreement with the City of Sydney to make it entirely residential.

The previous apartment record was held by the $25 million penthouse in the Australia 108 development in Melbourne, which is yet to be completed. 

See also:

New Gold Coast record

Australia's most expensive apartment 

James Packer's mansion sold for record $70M