This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
DEVELOPER Heworth has received approval for its amendments of the former Balmain Leagues Club in Sydney’s Rozelle, which will see fewer and bigger apartments and an improved retail plaza.
The site, located on the prominent corner site of Victoria Road, Darling and Waterloo Streets was originally approved for a $400 million project with 167 apartments across three towers, with all buildings connected above a shared retail and commercial podium. The amendments to the scheme, submitted to the Inner West Council in December last year, seek to reduce the number of apartments from 167 to 149 and change the apartment mix, increasing the number of two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments.
Heworth head of property, Chris Walsh said the “larger size floor plates and premium interior architecture, fixtures and fittings, will appeal to discerning local owner-occupiers, particularly downsizers”.
“A key focus of our development is a new village square, public plaza and major retail and hospitality podium connected by a series of laneways. It’s going to significantly contribute to Rozelle and become a major community meeting place and destination,” he said.
The site has had a difficult history in recent times, having spent more than 10 years sitting derelict – and being set on fire last year – and Heworth had to deal with the NSW government planning to use the site for dirt dumping for the Western Harbour Tunnel project.
The commercial area will include a new Wests Ashfield Leagues Club.
Heworth has worked closely with architecture practice, Scott Carver to improve the overall design scheme.
“I’d like to thank Carl Scully and his fellow Panel members for their positive and encouraging determination, as well as Council staff for their prompt but considered assessment,” Walsh said.
Early site works are now underway with demolition planned to commence later in 2023. Project completion is due by 2026.
