0°C | Sunday February 1, 2026 
2 December 2025
A proposed skyscraper at 378-398 Pacific Highway, Crows Nest has been approved by the NSW state government. Developer Freecity plans to partially demolish the existing structures on the site to make construction of a 40-storey mixed use development containing 178 residential apartments, commercial uses in the three storey podium and six basement levels.
The plans include a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom layouts including 10 percent affordable housing, 40 car spaces and 227 bicycle spaces. Level 20 will contain residential amenities featuring native landscaping, viewing terraces, outdoor dining and recreation areas.
Plans were adapted following feedback, which included 10 submissions from public agencies, council and 8 from the community. Of these, seven objected, one supported, and 10 made comments. Key concerns included: Building scale/design, overshadowing/solar access, traffic/parking, associated infrastructure, privacy/views, adverse community and character impacts, and construction impacts.
In response plans were amended to reduce the overall height by 3.3m, a solid acoustic screen with a minimum height of 1.8m will be implemented during construction and a 2.5m tall windbreak was included on Level 20 in the updated plans. All other concerns were deemed to be addressed in existing plans.
The development is another majority residential project aimed to increase state wide housing supply, especially through transit orientated development. This planning initiative from the NSW state government identified St Leonards and Crows Nest as a prime location for these types of developments due to the suburbs proximity to the new Crows Nest Metro Station and existing St Leonards Rail Station.