Design Consortium breaks ground for Rs. 4 bn JAT Astera in Thalawathugoda

Design Consortium International (DCIL), one of Sri Lanka's leading architectural and building consultancy firms, has broken ground on another flagship residential development, the Rs. 4 billion JAT Astera Residencies project in Thalawathugoda.

Managing Director, Design Consortium, Migara Alwis, said piling work commenced last week by Sincon Piling, marking the start of construction on the 12-storey luxury apartment complex.

The development will comprise 104 apartments and six penthouses, offering premium resort-style living in a tranquil setting overlooking uninterrupted paddy fields.

"The design provides every bedroom with its own private balcony, allowing each residence, starting from just under 1,200 sq. ft., to open outwards and maximise both space and panoramic views while delivering state-of-the-art living," Alwis said.

A key highlight of the project is its rooftop, spanning more than 14,000 sq. ft., designed as a landscaped communal space rather than a conventional amenity deck. Facilities include a rooftop garden with open green spaces, a calisthenics and movement area, an amphitheatre, an entertainment zone, and dedicated spaces for residents to sit, walk, and relax.

The development will also feature a swimming pool, a fully equipped gymnasium with a sauna, a children's playground, a temperature-controlled garbage disposal room with a separate garbage lift, 100% backup power through a 630 KVA generator, comprehensive CCTV coverage in all common areas, 24-hour security, smoke alarm systems, and rainwater harvesting, with rainwater collected in a basement storage tank.

Founded in 1987 by veteran architect Dr. Prof. Lakshman Alwis, Design Consortium International provides fully integrated design solutions spanning architecture, structural engineering, quantity surveying, and urban development planning. Over the past four decades, the firm has delivered numerous landmark commercial, residential, hospitality, and mixed-use developments across Sri Lanka.

Developed by JAT Living, Astera Residencies will offer a mix of two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments, with penthouses and residences starting from Rs. 49 million upwards.

Picture: Managing Director, Design Consortium, Migara Alwis, at the groundbreaking and an image of JAT Astera Residencies