The construction program at The Waterfront, Shell Cove has been able to remain on track despite the COVID-19 pandemic, developers say.
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On Friday, the site team celebrated the Aqua apartment building reaching its highest structural point with a topping out ceremony.
The building will feature 45 apartments over three levels, which have all sold out.
Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba was present for the ceremony, which entailed a tree being lifted into place by crane to the roof of the Aqua building.
"It's a testament to the team that, despite the pandemic, the construction program at The Waterfront, Shell Cove has been able to remain on track," she said.
Simone Dyer, development director Shell Cove for Frasers Property Australia said due for completion on schedule in the second quarter of 2021, the Aqua building incorporates The Waterfront restaurant and dining precinct on the ground level.
She said this would be in conjunction with the completion of the boat harbour and marina.
Typically, the completion of a building structure is marked by a ceremonial tree placed on top of the structure with a team celebration like a low-key barbecue to follow.
Due to social distancing, the topping out ceremony was done differently on Friday, with the event centred around the transfer of the tree to the rooftop level, and no gathering afterwards.
Ms Dyer said COVID-19 isn't the only reason the topping out event was tweaked to be a "distanced celebration" at Aqua, minus the typical barbecue gathering afterwards.
"The multi-angled architectural element that is the roof also presented a few challenges so, for safety reasons as well as COVID-19 considerations, we thought this was the most appropriate way to mark the occasion," she said.
"Everyone on-site understands the situation and as a team we are grateful we can still celebrate this high point for the project.
"With the structure now complete, work begins on the internal fitout and services of the building as well as the faade and landscape works for the public domain."
The Waterfront, Shell Cove is a Shellharbour City Council development with Frasers Property Australia.