Development application lodged for 270m tower on George St
Detailed plans have emerged over Sydney’s tallest residential tower set to be built on George St, a site where families once feared to tread.
Central Sydney
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It was once dubbed the ‘street of fear’ ruled by gangs and alcohol-fuelled violence where families would venture with trepidation after dark.
But George St’s rejuvenation has taken another step forward with a development application for a 270m tower at the site of Event Cinemas — complete with a 130-space childcare centre — lodged this month.
Coombes Property Group has lodged the $692 million application with the City of Sydney, after it and partner Mirvac came to a voluntary planning agreement for the skyscraper at 505 George St that will be one-metre shorter than Crown’s Barangaroo development.
At 80-storeys it would be Sydney’s tallest residential tower and the city’s third-highest structure behind the 271m Crown Casino and 305m Sydney Tower.
“The proposed development will significantly improve the urban context of George St and contribute to its revitalisation and pedestrianisation, bringing together council’s commitment to public domain improvements, the State Government’s commitment to the CBD and South East Light Rail, and the proponent’s vision to realise a world-class retail precinct and addition of a timeless and elegant building to the Sydney skyline,” planning documents state.
Detailed plans have revealed the make up of the tower, which would hold 507 apartments over 70 storeys, with a publicly accessible bar and restaurant at level 80.
Under the plan some of the apartments would be used as serviced apartments for a period of 20 years.
There would be a five-level podium including the childcare centre and community meeting facility — to both be run by the council under the planning agreement — public rest rooms, 6743sq m of retail space a boutique cinema and food and beverage offerings.
All structures between 505 and 523 George St would be demolished for the development, which would have eight levels of basement carparking.
The proposal was first floated in 2014, when it originally comprised of two 150m towers.
However, after consultation with the council it was decided a single taller tower would have less impacts on the surrounding area in terms of overshadowing and view disruption of nearby buildings.
The project would “significantly improve” the urban context of George St, contributing to its standing as a place of “global standing”, according to planning documents.
“The proposed development will provide a timeless and elegant addition to the Sydney skyline, with a single, slender tower form that provides a high level of amenity for its occupants and the occupants of surrounding buildings,” it states.
It might not be the only new tower to spring up from the cinema site, as Event Hospitality and Entertainment has submitted a planning proposal for a 150m building right next door — which also proposes seven cinemas.
That project is awaiting approval.
