Burnt out Balmain Leagues Club demolished for $285m revamp

After two decades of financial struggles, legal battles and dumped proposals, the site of an old Sydney leagues club is finally being demolished.

After two decades of financial struggles, legal battles and dumped proposals the Balmain Leagues Club site is finally being demolished.

The dilapidated West Tigers Leagues Club in Rozelle has been earmarked for a $285 million, 16-storey development housing 227 new apartments, with work to clear the site set to wrap up in the coming weeks.

Identified as a state-significant development the proposal is currently being reviewed by the NSW Planning Department.

Balmain Leagues club demolition begins on Victoria Rd. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Demolition was halted early last year when the developer of the site, Heworth Holdings Group, applied to increase the height and density of the project under the state government’s new affordable housing policy despite a 12-storey project having already been approved.

Inner West Mayor, Darcy Byrne welcomed the demolition of the site but remains outspoken on the delays that have plagued the project for years.

An artists impression of the proposed 16-storey complex currently in front of the NSW Planning Department.

“I’m not going to give the owner, Heworth, a round of applause because this dangerous eyesore should have been knocked down years ago,” he said.

“It’s beyond ridiculous that the saga over this site is still being dragged out when there is an approved 12-storey, mixed-use development that could have been built before now.”

Heworth defended the revamped plans, touting 59 additional affordable housing apartments likely to be included as part of the development.

Demolition of the burnt out shell of the former Leagues Club began in October last year. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Several local business owners raised concerns about increased traffic congestion, an issue that tanked previous proposals for high density residential projects at the site.

But for Anthony Challinor, owner of Velofix, a bicycle store in Rozelle, the development is an exciting prospect.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty around it, but I think if something goes in it will be a positive thing for the area,” he said.

“I just want to see something happen, it’s been empty for years … it’s an eyesore.”

This sentiment was reaffirmed by several local residents in the area, who were also keen to see the back of the burnt out Leagues Club.