23°C | Wednesday December 4, 2024 
29 November 2024
Aqualand has lodged a State Significant Development Application with the New South Wales Government, seeking approval for what is described as North Sydney’s first build-to-rent development. The proposed project would replace the commercial building at 146 Arthur Street with a 46-storey mixed-use tower offering 390 rental apartments alongside retail and commercial spaces.
According to the application, the development is designed by Woods Bagot and would feature a three-storey podium using locally sourced bricks to align with the scale of nearby buildings. The podium would include retail areas, landscaped internal laneways, and connections to Doris Fitton Park. Plans also include a landscaped terrace for residents above the building’s lobby.
The proposed tower would integrate various amenities across multiple levels, including co-working spaces, a gym, a cinema room, and wellness facilities such as a pool and spa. The residential apartments would span levels two to 44, with four “Sky Gardens” positioned at intervals along the eastern façade, aiming to provide access to outdoor spaces and harbour views.
The façade is described as incorporating recycled materials, including terracotta and sandstone. Ventilation systems are also highlighted as part of the energy-efficient design. The top of the tower would feature a terrace with six bookable lounges, including kitchens, offering additional communal spaces for residents.
In a statement attributed to Aqualand’s Group Managing Director Jin Lin, the company indicated that the project reflects its ongoing commitment to North Sydney. Lin described the area as a viable alternative to Sydney’s central business district, noting shifting trends in commercial tenancy and the growing demand for professionally managed rental housing.
The company’s application also referenced its previous developments in the area, including the AURA and BLUE projects, and flagged future plans for additional mixed-use developments nearby.
The SSDA describes the proposal as contributing to North Sydney’s ongoing redevelopment and its emergence as a more vibrant commercial and residential hub.