Gosford development: Mann Street’s The Archibald site sold

One of the two major development sites in Gosford that recently went up for sale has sold signalling new hope for a “landmark” development.

There are renewed hopes that The Archibald development – or something similar – could go ahead in Gosford.

The development site at 108-118 Mann St has been sold by Colliers Real Estate.

The agency has confirmed that the sale recently went ahead however were unable to release information regarding the sale price or new owners.

The Archibald was hailed as “Gosford’s most significant transformation”.

The current site on the corner of Mann St and Donnison St in Gosford.

The site hit the market earlier this year alongside the former Kibbleplex site on Donnison St, signalling the potential end for two major tower-style developments – with a combined value of $745m – planned to fill the city’s skyline and breathe life into Gosford.

The Archibald — a $400m development for Macarthur Projects — was hailed as “Gosford’s most significant transformation” when it was announced in 2019 and had approval for two towers with 289 apartments and 167 hotel suites as well as a world class rooftop bar, restaurants and shops.

The development was worth $400m.

The recent sale could see the new owners pick up where the old owners left off or lodge new plans with demolition works already conducted at the site.

When the site initially hit the market, it was described as “one of the last remaining mixed use DA Approved development opportunities offering scale, located within the heart of central Gosford”.

Gosford Erina Business Chamber president Rod Dever said the Mann St site “just needed the right developers with dollars ready and backers in place to develop their project”.

He said 80 per cent of apartments sold had for stage one of The Archibald.

The former Kibbleplex site, which had an approved five tower development – is yet to sell.

The former Kibbleplex site is still for sale with expressions of interest closing on March 24.

The $345m “Gosford Alive” project planned for the site, previously owned by The Lederer Group, has been in the wings for more than 10 years. It received conditional approval in 2020 for five towers with more than 700 apartments along with commercial spaces.

The recent sale of The Archibald site comes as Central Coast Quarter’s $115m Northern Tower has officially been approved.

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment has formally approved 136 apartments over 25 storeys and 621 sqm of ground-floor retail space at the former Gosford Public School site.

The Northern Tower, to be known as The Waterfront, is one of three to be constructed on the vacant 8884 sqm site.

St Hilliers Development Director Justyn Ng says the project was significant for the local area and would generate 105 construction jobs and 21 operational jobs when complete.