Gosford high-rise development: Hope restored as tower plans progress
Cranes across the Gosford skyline are making a return with many of the CBD’s high-rise plans ready to ascend. Here are some of the bold new buildings coming.
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Gosford high-rise developments are on the move again following the lull during the pandemic.
It seemed things stopped moving in Gosford and the sudden sale of two major development sites, including the former Kibbleplex site and Archibald site, made many wonder if development confidence was at its lowest.
However things have been moving over the past few months with the sale of the Archibald site to a Sydney based developer. The former Kibbleplex site remains on the market with hopes a cashed-up developer will swoop soon.
Construction is also set to begin on the first tower of the Central Coast Quarter development which has been hailed a “tourism/entertainment” destination for Gosford.
Here’s an update of Gosford’s high-rise hopes and which ones are ready to ascend.
CENTRAL COAST QUARTER
Construction is set to start on the first tower of the Central Coast Quarter project.
The $115m northern tower, known as “The Waterfront”, was given final approval in April by NSW Planning.
The 25 storey tower includes 136 apartments and 621 sqm of ground-floor retail space.
It is one of three towers to be built by St Hilliers on the 8884 sqm site of the former Gosford Public school.
St Hilliers Development Director Justyn Ng says the project was significant for the local area, expected to create 105 construction jobs and 21 operational jobs when complete.
“We are delighted with this approval as it enables us to make an important contribution to Gosford with high-quality housing, many new job opportunities and some great improvements to the local area for the benefit of the whole community,” he said.
The apartments have been in high demand with the penthouse selling off the plan for $3.2m.
The Central Coast Quarter received concept approval in August 2020 for three towers and was hailed as a “hotel/entertainment destination”. The plans include 295 residential apartments, with potential for a 183-room hotel at a later stage along with commercial and retail space. St Hilliers hopes to complete the project by 2025.
ARCHIBALD SITE – MANN ST
When the Archibald site hit the market earlier this year, hopes of the approved $400m two tower development at the site faded.
However it didn’t taker long for Sydney based developer ALAND to snap up the prime development site at 108-118 Mann St.
ALAND has revealed plans to turn soil later this year on the approved project and were currently carrying project review.
Whether it remains The Archibald or takes on a new name/design is another question.
The Archibald 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.
OLD FUNERAL PARLOUR SITE
The $45m tower development for the corner of Mann St and Georgiana Terrace is back in the spotlight with changes lodged to modernise the development.
Developers of the old Creighton Funeral Parlour site have lodged amended plans with Central Coast Council eight years after the development was approved.
The tower is still 19 storeys high, however changes include dropping from 132 to 128 apartments, a 0.69m increase in the building height to allow for structural changes to the podium and tower and improvements to the design.
They have also increased the retail space, decreased the commercial space and made changes to the heritage listed funeral parlour building which will be retained as part of the redevelopment.
The plans, which also include two basement carparks, aim to create a “mixed-use place” with apartments, restaurants and retail outlets open day and night.
HENRY PARRY DRIVE
Gosford’s longest running, undeveloped hole in the ground is well and truly taking shape.
The site at 86 John Whiteway Drive is being transformed into the $60m Sapphire development with 97 apartments spread across three towers, along with a pool and gymnasium.
Latest updates reveal that the luxury development is on track for completion at the end of the year.
The site has been plagued by failed developments over the years. The most recent was in May 2018 when previous owners Gosford Property Developments indicated plans for the highly-anticipated Waterview Apartments would not go ahead due to financial issues.
Many people who bought off the plan for Waterview have hung on and hope to be rewarded with Sapphire.
TAFE PLANS
Negotiations are ongoing for the sale of the old Gosford council building to be turned into a high-rise TAFE Campus and housing.
The plans are to transform the old eyesore into a state-of-the-art vertical TAFE campus along with housing options including affordable housing.
Central Coast Council has confirmed it is still in talks with the State Government and Landcom for a sale price on the iconic premises on Mann St.
“Contract negotiations with TAFE and Landcom are continuing with an agreement to extend the target completion date to December 2022,” a spokeswoman told the Express.
Once the deal is done, Landcom will take over the site and get to work.
Landcom chief executive officer John Brogden said Gosford CBD was desperately in need of an upgrade.
Mr Brogden said demolition of the old council building was a possibility. He said they hope to be “on-site” within 12 months and have people buying investment properties off the plan within three years.
HORIZON – MANN ST
We’re not far off seeing cranes in the sky for the 20-storey Horizon development on Mann St.
Plans for 321-331 Mann St include two high rise towers over a podium base with 184 apartments, commercial space, basement carparking and communal space with pool.
The plans were approved by the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel in 2020.
The $133m development will be built in two stages, with stage one the first tower and commercial premises.
The expected finishing date is the third quarter of 2024, with a display suits located in Terrigal.
GOSFORD LEAGUES CLUB
It was 2019 when Central Coast Leagues Club revealed plans for two giant towers as part of the club’s $450m redevelopment.
The club is still working on the plans which will include a new state of the art facility including an alfresco dining precinct, hotel accommodation and improved pedestrian access to Gosford and the waterfront.
It is predicted to generate 1500 direct construction jobs and up to 400 permanent jobs.
When plans were announced, club chairman Peter James OAM said the club was keen to “cement out future”.
“Central Coast Leagues has been a centre point to life on the Coast for more than 60 years. We’re a familiar, much loved gathering place. Built by locals, for locals,” he said.
”Rich history inevitably comes with some challenges. And in our case the challenge is a building that no longer reflects the range or quality of experiences we need to offer our patrons. Every journey starts with a single step, and this masterplan is the Club’s first on a journey towards a truly modern, welcoming and fun future at Central Coast Leagues.”
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