Gateway to Growth: North Sydney’s Next-Gen Urban Landscape

Written by

Charbel Abousleiman

Urban Planning Lawyer & Buyers Agent

22/04/2024

Sydney Metro’s site adjacent to the Victoria Cross metro wins after being issued gateway approval by the NSW Planning Department.

Sydney Metro purchased 52 McLaren Street in North Sydney in 2017 from the Uniting Church for $162.5 million. Significant investment has been made by the NSW Government in proximity to the site, including the new Sydney Metro Victoria Cross Station, of which the entrance is located adjacent to the site.

Historically, the site was occupied by a residential aged care facility. Since purchasing the land, Sydney Metro commissioned GHD as a multi-disciplinary technical adviser to upzone the site. Soon-to-be adopted planning controls on the site will see the height limit increase from 110 metres to 156 metres and a maximum FSR of 5.3:1 applying to the site. This includes a minimum non-residential FSR of 1:1.

These fresh controls envisage two buildings with mixed uses ranging from 8 – 24 storeys and a unified podium. The 24-storey building will be located on the southern end of the site, with the 8-storey building on the northern end of the site. Residential uses will be located on levels 3 – 23, with commercial uses on levels 1 – 2. Retail floorspace, a 900 sqm childcare and a through-site link to Elliott Street are also proposed.

The vacant site occupied by Sydney Metro

On completion, the transport-oriented development will include over 13,000 sqm of residential floor area, including the following apartment mix:

21 x studio apartments,
63 x 1-bedroom apartments,
62 x 2-bedroom apartments, and
26 x 3-bedroom apartments.

A voluntary planning agreement has been offered by Sydney Metro, including an affordable housing provision comprising a maximum of 5% residential floor area to be managed by a community housing provider for a minimum of 10 years.

The opening of the Victoria Cross Metro Station will attract an ever-increasing population to North Sydney, as it becomes more accessible than ever. With connections to Barangaroo in 3 minutes, Martin Place in 5 minutes and Central Station in 9 minutes, North Sydney will become one of the most desirable locations in Sydney.

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