Balaclava Rd, Macquarie Park: BaptistCare unveils $1.9b plans for ‘vertical village’ town centre

Plans with a whopping price tag of almost $2 billion have been unveiled for a ‘vertical village’ in Ryde that will see a new school, housing and 20,000 jobs. See the full plans here.

$1.9b plans have been unveiled to construct a ‘vertical village’ in Ryde. Picture: BVN Architecture

Ryde could become home to a “modern vertical village” after plans valued at $1.9 billion for a new school, build-to-rent apartments and seniors housing were unveiled.

BaptistCare has revealed plans for the 6.4ha site at 157 Balaclava Rd, Macquarie Park which includes provisions for student housing, parks, retail and affordable housing.

The state significant development application seeks concept approval for the entire site, with construction planned to take place over four stages starting in 2025.

Stage 1 will see the demolition of retirement village Willandra Village and residential care facility Cooinda Court.

This will mean the relocation of more than 150 residents to redevelop the site into a “vertical village” consisting of a 96-bed residential care facility and 149 independent living units.

The creation of the vertical village will commence over four stages, beginning in 2025. Picture: BVN Architecture

The development will include a range of community spaces including open plazas, ground floor retail and parks. Picture: BVN Architecture

A planner from the project said the redevelopment in Stage 1 would also include the construction of communal areas for residents including a wellbeing and allied health facility, restaurant, hairdresser and hydrotherapy pool.

“Importantly, (the remainder of) the site will continue to function as a working, operational aged care environment throughout Stage 1,” the planner said.

“No short to medium-term plans have been made for Dorothy Henderson Lodge or Shalom Centre.

“Accordingly, the amount of development on site at any one time will need to be carefully managed to minimise any significant disruption to these facilities.”

Plans are centred around high-quality open space and a central street which ebbs and flows with different activities and attractions. Picture: BVN Architecture

Ground floor retail tenancies may include cafes, restaurants and a supermarket. Picture: BVN Architecture

Stage 2 will include the construction of an educational facility, additional seniors housing, build-to-rent and retail.

Stage 3 will see the development of a mixed use and residential building, while Stage 4 will complete the project with the construction of student accommodation and additional mixed use and residential buildings.

With an estimated capital investment value of $1.978 billion, the proposal will support 6600 construction workers per year and create 1540 operational jobs, generating more than 20,000 over 20 years.

The planner said the masterplan design concept was focused on delivering a seamlessly integrated community of seniors, student and build-to-rent housing with complimentary education, retail, commercial and allied health land uses.

“The urban design of the Masterplan will strategically locate these land uses across the site, where they will be linked by existing and future vehicle and pedestrian connections,” the planner said.

Open spaces have been integrated to improve visual and physical connections between the buildings and the university. Picture: Arterra

Connected walkways and cycling routes will be included within the development. Picture: BVN Architecture

“Connected walking and cycling routes will intertwine the precinct and provide connections to the wider public domain and transport networks, providing various north-south and east-west connections.”

Overall the project will see up to 7650 new homes including a 16-storey student accommodation with 474 individual units, 565 private residential dwellings across six buildings and the construction of a five-storey vertical school accommodating 1000 children.

A public domain concept has also been prepared to ensure the provision of natural open space that embraces existing landscape by creating attractive and versatile parks that accommodate pedestrian and cyclist movements.

As part of the $1.9b plans, the buildings will range from five to 19 storeys in height. Picture: BVN Architecture

Throughout the project, BaptistCare has undertaken community engagement meetings including a drop-in session with the residents of retirement living Willandra Village in July 2022.

Residents expressed a strong desire to return to the vertical village upon completion and expressed interest in the concept of ‘intergenerational living’ with the inclusion of a new school.

“I like the idea of intergenerational. The only problem is, I will be 94 when it’s finished!” one resident said.

“The location of the village is key. So many of us (residents) would like to come back!” another resident commented.

BaptistCare is currently seeking submissions from the public to respond to any issues raised regarding the development proposal.

Plans are on exhibition on the Major Projects NSW website until February 10, 2023.