St Leonards v Parramatta: The Battle to Become the BTR Capital of Sydney

Written by

Charbel Abousleiman

Urban Planning Lawyer & Buyers Agent

27/02/2024

Home Apartments (formerly Grocon) are behind a transformative vision for a BTR project at 524 – 542 Pacific Highway in St Leonards.

This initiative, set against the backdrop of the Telstra Exchange site, epitomises a progressive approach to urban living, melding residential, commercial and communal spaces with the existing urban fabric. The project emerges as a beacon of innovation, reflecting a deep understanding of the evolving demands for housing diversity and the strategic imperatives of urban renewal.

Envisioned to rise as a 42-storey landmark, the development proposes a sophisticated mix of 272 BTR units, alongside curated commercial and retail spaces, comprising:

21,472m2 of BTR housing across 34-storeys,
3840m2 of non-residential space with an 8-storey podium, including ground level retail and short-stay accommodation,
721m2 of key worker housing across level 1 (i.e. 10 dwellings), and
2014m2 of community amenities.

Existing Telstra Exchange

This architectural endeavour is not merely about constructing a building – it’s about creating a sustainable ecosystem that fosters community, connectivity and convenience. The inclusion of key worker housing further amplifies the project’s commitment to social equity, ensuring that essential service providers have access to quality, affordable housing within the community they serve.

To facilitate the project, amendments to the Lane Cove LEP are being sought concurrently via a state-led rezoning from B3 Commercial Core to B4 Mixed Use and to increase the building height from 72 metres to 155 metres. The site has a complicated planning history with various planning proposals being lodged over the years.

Existing on the site are 8 separate lots across a total 1671m2 of land. The site is currently occupied by the Telstra Telephone Exchange on the eastern portion of the site, which is a critical piece of telecommunication infrastructure.

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