Bloc has been unveiled as the builder of the $130 million Verve residences by Miller Property Corporation.

At a special function for buyers last week, it was also announced work would begin within two months. 

“We're ready to rock and roll,” developer Warwick Miller said. “We’re looking at a completion date of mid- 2019.” 

Mr Miller said council permitted taller buildings in the west end because there were fewer heritage constraints and they did not affect the view from the cathedral.

Once complete, the development on King Street will feature 197 units and a new boardwalk canal link to Hunter Street. 

Two smaller blocks of five and eight storeys will look in to a central podium, with retail and commercial space at street level. 

Bloc is based in Canberra but has recently finished the Edition apartments at Honeysuckle and is about to embark on another project at Wickham. 

Managing director Andrew Redwin said the Verve’s height and views would make it a unique part of Newcastle’s skyline. 

“This is higher than what we’re used to building but the height is not hard,” he said. “The hard bit is actually coming out of the ground.” 

Buyers Steve and Carmel Tremble were at the announcement and said they were thrilled a date was now locked in. 

“We were one of the first ones to purchase back last July,” Mr Tremble said.

“We’ll be very happy to see it come out of the ground and it will really give us something to look forward to. We can start to sell our own property and get ready to move in.” 

The couple have spent their entire married lives in Maryland but decided to have a complete lifestyle change for their retirement. 

They have purchased a three-bedroom apartment on the 11^th floor so they can have their grandchildren and friends from outside Newcastle to stay. 

“We liked the idea this was in a flat area and also the Newcastle interchange, it’s very handy to that,” Mr Tremble said. 

“We also wanted the two car spaces which are hard to come by,” Ms Tremble added.