Central Coast Quarter: Northern tower DA on exhibition with NSW Planning

The $150m Central Coast Quarter development is one step closer as the DA for the northern tower – to include 136 apartments and retail – comes on exhibition.

The first tower of the highly-anticipated $150m Central Coast Quarter development is up for public comment.

The State Significant development application (DA) for the mixed use northern tower to be built in front of the finance building, valued at $52m, is on exhibition with NSW Planning.

The latest application is the first “detailed” development application for the former Gosford Public School site at 26-30 Mann St, Gosford, with previous work over the past two years part of the concept planning stages.

The site of the northern tower which will front on to Baker St.

Artists impression of the northern tower of the Central Coast Quarter development.

The DA for the northern tower, lodged on behalf of St Hilliers Gosford Residential Pty Ltd, proposes construction of a 25 storey mixed use building including 621sq m of retail space retail and 136 apartments including 107 two bedroom apartments, 14 one bedroom and 14 three bedrooms apartments and one four bedroom apartment.

There will also be 183 carparking spaces with vehicle access from Baker Street as well as communal open space and publicly accessible areas through the site including stairs, walkways, public lift as well as public art and landscaping.

The developer indicates that the development will create 23 operational jobs and 269 construction jobs and be carried out in two stages. Stage one will be the tower and stage two the pedestrian links.

Artists impression of the ground floor view from Leagues Club Field.

Penthouse view from the top of the proposed northern tower.

Central Coast Quarter received concept approval in August 2020 for a three-tower development which has been hailed as a “hotel/entertainment destination”. It features hotel, residential accommodation and commercial premises to include restaurants, shops, bars and cafes. The towers will be built around a public plaza with connections to Mann St, Gosford Waterfront and Leagues Club Field.

However this initial concept approval came with conditions such as reducing the visual impact from Rumbalara Reserve and surrounding apartments and reducing the building envelope and overshadowing for users of Leagues Club Field.

The developer states that the northern tower DA’s building envelope has been significantly reduced from the concept planning phase.

The pedestrian link through the development.

“This reduction in bulk improves view sharing and visual impact outcomes,” the DA report states.

The report states the DA complies with state and local strategic planning policies and planning controls, offers high standards of architectural designs and has social and economic benefit.

“The project will catalyse the urban renewal of a key site in Gosford City Centre,” the report states.

“The site has been sitting vacant since the decommissioning of the Former Gosford Public School more than five years ago. This application will transform a currently dormant parcel of land, providing a positive redevelopment outcome.

Artists impression of the ground floor from Baker St.

“The tower will deliver high-quality residential dwellings in a convenient, accessible and naturally beautiful location. Future residents will be afforded the opportunity to live in a high-amenity location, with all the benefits of modern apartment living. The proposal provides a variety of apartment types to suit the needs and lifestyles of existing and future residents of Gosford.”

During the process, the developer has been on consultation with Central Coast Council, City of Gosford Design Advisory Panel, Transport for NSW, the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Heritage NSW, Ausgrid and surrounding residents, businesses and the local community. The development, if approved, is expected to start in January 2022.

The DA is on exhibition until October 18.