The old Roche pharmaceutical site at Cromer set for $44m revamp
It once was the place where Valium, Berocca and Pantene shampoo was made, but the old Roche pharmaceuticals site at Cromer is set for $44m revamp.
Manly
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The iconic former headquarters of pharmaceutical giant Roche is set to be transformed as part of a proposed $44 million redevelopment.
Plans for the prime industrial site at Cromer to be made into a multi-level industrial park are open for public comment.
Developers, Sydney-based EG Funds Management, wants to build 11 warehouse/distribution units as well as a self-storage facility and commercial office space on the land bordered by Inman, South Creek and Orlando roads and Campbell Ave.
Parts of the old Roche Products distribution and manufacturing facility, which EG bought in September 2017 for $55 million, are heritage-listed including the hexagonal landmark five-storey tower, but the plan calls for the demolition of at least seven buildings on the 7ha site.
Roche began making and distributing its products, including the anxiety drug Valium, soluble vitamin Berocca as well as Pantene shampoo and conditioners, from Cromer in 1964 on what was once land used for market gardens.
There was also a laboratory on the site for creating potential new products from marine plants and animals.
Manufacturing on the site finished in 2007, leaving about 50 per cent of the buildings vacant.
One public submission to the NSW Planning department’s Sydney North Planning Panel complains about the potential for increased truck traffic coming from the now vacant site and damage to nature strips near the round-a-bout at the corner of South Creek Rd and Campbell Ave.
The developers are planning to provide 231 parking spaces on the site while the existing heritage listed buildings are proposed to be converted into offices and a cafe.
A document attached to the development application suggests that the site could potentially generate 164 and 175 vehicle trips in the AM and PM peak hours respectively — about 40 per cent less vehicles than used the site in the past.
EG’s associate director of capital transactions, Sean Fleming, said in a statement the development would capitalise on the high level of demand for quality industrial accommodation on the northern beaches.
Mr Fleming predicted that its proximity to infrastructure such as the B-line bus route, Northern Beaches Hospital and the proposed Beaches Link Tunnel would improve its value.
Plans for the proposed industrial park are open for public submissions until February 1.