Developers flock to Blacktown CBD amid ‘perfect storm’

Dozens of multimillion-dollar proposals have been lodged within walking distance of Westpoint, as developers look to buy into the council’s plans to transform Blacktown.

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STAGGERING sums of money are flowing into Blacktown CBD as cashed-up developers look to buy into the suburb’s transformation.

In total 30 development applications or proposals for residential buildings worth more than $10 million have been lodged in the suburb of Blacktown alone, according to development tracker Cordell Connect.

Although not all will go ahead, several are deemed “likely” or have been given the green light, including two 18- and 20-storey towers holding 275 units worth a combined $80 million on Second Ave.

A snapshot of development applications in the Blacktown CBD. Picture: Cordell Connect

Most are within walking distance of Westpoint and the train station, with First, Second and Third avenues shaping up as a development hot-bed.

Mehris Group has more than 500 apartments planned for Blacktown, including a 22-storey, $23,500,000 tower at 26 Second Ave.

Inspire Blacktown, a 20 storey residential tower being built on Second Avenue, Blacktown. Picture: Supplied

Vision Blacktown, a 18 storey development set for Third Ave, Blacktown. Picture: Villa & Villa Architects/Algorry Zappia and Associates

A seven storey apartment block proposed for 66 Kildare Rd Blacktown. Picture: Gus Fares Architects

Marketing director Anthony Aoun said developers saw opportunity in Blacktown, which was “standing on its own legs” with a council keen to welcome change.

“When a developer does research on an area they look at things like infrastructure and what the government is doing,” he said. “Developers can’t change a suburb on their own. I think what happens with some suburbs is they get a little bit of prejudice.

“It was the same in Redfern and Marrickville, now it’s like ‘Of course you’d live there’. Blacktown is going through one of those periods.”

Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali and Anthony Aoun from Mehris at the launch of Inspire Blacktown, a 20 storey tower set for Second Ave. Picture: Supplied

Sleepy streets including Oxford, Allawah and Carinya streets have also been the target of several multimillion-dollar proposals. One Allawah St proposal would see two six-storey buildings worth $19,900,000 create 86 new units.

Mayor Stephen Bali MP said Blacktown was experiencing a “perfect storm” of development: “With jobs, tourism, reasonably affordable homes plus our vision for the CBD, you’ve got major business moving into Blacktown,” he said. “There’s so many things going for us that hits the right spot.”

POSSIBLE PROJECTS:

— 8-10, Allawah St, two x six storey buildings with 86 units, $19,900,000

— 10-14 Third Ave, 18 storey, 143 apartments, five levels of basement parking, 230 vehicles. $42,720,000

— 16 Third Ave, 18 storey, 80 units, $19,700,000

— 9-17, Second Ave, 18 storey, 57 units, $21,275,000 (part of $85 million development with 11-17 Second Ave, 18 storey, 227 units, 4 levels basement parking with 470 spaces, $63,823,000 — awaiting approval)

— 8-10 Allawah St, six storey, 86 units, $19,900,000

— 13 Goron St/6-8 Peter St, six storey, 53 units, $14,026,000

— 2-8 Second Ave/7 First Ave, 20 storey, 275 units, $80,120,000

— 125 Main St, 11 storey, 153 units, $43,968,000

— 39-43 Kildare Rd, six storey, 70 units, $17,298,000

— 26 Second Ave, 23 storey, 90 apartments, $24,544,000

— 18-24 Allawah St, 6/7 storey, 134 units, $36.0007,000

— 3-9 Clifton St, seven storey, 76 units, $20,384,000