Gosford development: Sydney developers ALAND reveal plans for The Archibald site

The new owners of the Archibald site in Mann St Gosford have been announced, revealing their plans to turn soil by the end of this year.

A Sydney-based developer has bought The Archibald site in Gosford.

The Express can reveal that ALAND has settled contracts on the landmark site at 108-118 Mann St with plans to start construction this year.

The 5656 sqm site hit the market earlier this year with agents Colliers International describing it as one of the coast’s most significant and sought-after DA-approved sites.

The Archibald — a $400m development for Macarthur Projects — was approved in 2019 and hailed as “Gosford’s most significant transformation”. It included two towers, up to 26 storeys high, with 289 apartments, sky bar, ground floor pub as well as 167 hotel suites with facilities such as an infinity pool, gym and conference hall.

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

Artists impression of The Archibald released in 2019, as new owners ALAND take over the project.

Locals were shocked when the site emerged on the market however industry experts saw the writing on the wall and said Gosford needed “the right developers with dollars ready”.

ALAND chief executive officer George Tadrosse has confirmed the sale has been finalised after an expression of interest process.

“It’s a sensational site right in the heart of Gosford, which is increasingly being seen as a key regional location,” Mr Tadrosse said.

“We’re delighted to have secured the property and look forward to taking the plans for the project forward to deliver a fantastic new addition to the Gosford skyline.

The Archibald was hailed as the development to “transform” Gosford.

The Archibald included a world class “sky bar”.

“Subject to planning, we are looking at launching the project sales in spring and starting construction this year.”

Mr Tadrosse said while the next step was a comprehensive project review, he expected that “bringing the development to life” would happen quickly.

“We have an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the city and we’re excited to get this project underway,” he said.

Construction on The Archibald started in early 2020 when the old hotel was demolished.

ALAND's Paramount on Parkes development for Parramatta.

The site became well known for the wrong reasons on August 19 2020 when a wall of scaffolding several metres high collapsed during demolition works crushing eight cars and one ute. A woman was miraculously the only person injured, taken to hospital with minor injuries after being hit by a steel pole.

ALAND is an Australian-owned family business, described as “one of Sydney’s largest and leading private groups working within development, construction, finance and property management”.

They were established in 2002 and have built more than 30 developments across the Sydney region with current projects including The Hoxton in Liverpool, Paramount on Parkes in Parramatta and The Gladstone Village in Merrylands.

Artist impression of five tower development approved at the old Kibbleplex Shopping Centre site. This site remains up for sale.

Meanwhile the former Kibbleplex site in Gosford, at 136-146 Donnison St, remains on the market also through Colliers real estate.

The site, formerly owned by The Lederer Group, has approval for the $345m “Gosford Alive” project to include more than 700 apartments along with commercial spaces.