Gosford: Sydney developer ALAND lodges amended plans to slash parking, hotel rooms for Archibald towers

The redevelopment of the old Union Hotel site in the heart of Gosford is one of the most critical for the CBD’s revitalisation. Here’s everything you need to know about the new owner’s plans.

No sooner has Sydney-based developer ALAND purchased the stalled Archibald site in the heart of Gosford has it lodged amended plans to put its own stamp on the ambitious project.

ALAND has lodged an amended development application (DA) for the 5,654sq m site on the corner of Mann and Donnison streets — the fourth amended DA since the project was first approved by the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) in May 2015.

Under the new DA, ALAND proposes to slash the project’s overly-abundant parking by 202 car spaces by removing two basement levels, as well as trim the number of hotel rooms by 37 while increasing the number of residential apartments by 34.

ALAND has lodged amended plans for The Archibald development at the corner of Mann and Donnison streets, Gosford. An artist's impression of the street view looking back across the intersection. Picture: supplied

In its DA, ALAND states the development is “fundamentally” the same as what has already been approved in the building’s overall footprint, height, floor-space-ration and setbacks.

Instead it aims to “introduce a series of changes to improve the scheme and also ensure that ‘buildability’ matters are factored in as they are progressing works on site”.

“Hence the changes proposed are relatively minor and do not impact on the ‘big picture’ matters considered under the prior approvals for the site and the changes are largely adjusting the hotel/residential mix to reflect input from a hotel operator on the most suitable configuration of the hotel,” the DA states.

“In addition rationalisation of the ground floor and the proposed food and beverage offering (pub) has also occurred. The reduction in parking removes a previous significant ‘oversupply’ of parking within the development proposal noting it was unclear why the prior (modification) sought such an excess of parking.”

ALAND has lodged amended plans for The Archibald development at the corner of Mann and Donnison streets, Gosford. An artist's impression of one of the units. Picture: supplied

The project with twin-towers up to 26 storeys high was first approved for a hotel with 134 rooms, one basement and three above ground parking levels for 476 spaces and 276 residential units.

In subsequent approvals the project’s parking was bumped up to as many as 910 spaces across three basement levels, 167 hotel rooms and 289 residential units.

This iteration sees the parking paired back to 708 spaces — still significantly more than the minimum required under the existing planning controls — along with 130 hotels rooms and 323 apartments.

An artist’s impression of the rooftop bar as part of the approved Archibald development plans. Picture: supplied.

Under the new plans the pub will also be expanded to include a gaming room.

ALAND’s senior development manager Eugen Bandas said careful consideration was given to maintain the design integrity of the original proposal while “significantly improving the constructability and functionality of the development”.

ALAND’s head of development Ryan Lane said anyone interested in the development could stop in at the company’s display suite at 144 Mann St from mid-September.

“We believe the current proposal will set a new standard for affordable luxury in the region and we look forward to bringing the project to life over the coming months,” he said.

“Market sentiment and feedback from the local community and council has been largely positive. We have received over 150 registrations of interest prior to the launch of our display suite.”

ALAND hopes to start building before Christmas. Picture: Sue Graham

ALAND CEO George Tadrosse meanwhile said since purchasing the project in June the company was very excited to see it move forward.

“With local council support, we are looking at erecting cranes and commencing works before Christmas,” he said.

The site was previously owned by developer Peter Zhu and dubbed “Mariners Plaza” before it was approved by the JRPP in 2015 under a consortium headed by Macarthur Projects.

Hailed as “Gosford’s most significant transformation” the site was cleared — including the heritage Union Hotel — in 2020 before it was purchased for an undisclosed sum by ALAND in June of this year.