Crows Nest: Plan for 470 rental units, key worker housing, in three towers above Metro station

In a potential boost to rental accommodation and key worker housing, plans for a three-tower ‘build-to-rent’ development above a Sydney Metro station — with 470-plus apartments — have been released.

An artist's impression of three proposed multistorey 'build to rent' and affordable housing apartment blocks to be built over the Crows Nest Metro station. Picture: Woods Bagot

Plans for three multistorey apartment blocks proposed to be built over a new Sydney Metro rail station, to provide homes for renters and key frontline workers, have been released.

The so-called $233m ‘build to rent’ development would go up above, and next to, the recently opened Crows Nest Metro station, offering a total of 474 units for lease.

At least 56 apartments in the “Hume Place” development would be set aside as “affordable housing” for key public workers including nurses, police officers and ambulance paramedics.

The developer, the Third.i Group, has made an application to get State Significant Development planing approval from the state government for the site, bounded by the Pacific Highway, Hume St, Oxley St, and Clarke Lane, in the heart of Crows Nest.

Manly of the upper level units would have panoramic views over Sydney Harbour.

An artist's impression of three proposed multistorey 'build to rent' and affordable housing apartment blocks. Picture: Woods Bagot

The site previously had approval for one commercial office building prior to the new planning application being lodged by Third.i.

Documents lodged with the application, which is now on public exhibition until August 4, show that two of the towers will be about 26 storeys.

An artist's impression of three proposed towers that would sit on a four-storey podium with shops, eateries and a gym. Picture: Woods Bagot

The third tower, set aside for the key worker housing, will reach 15 storeys. All the towers would sit on a four-level podium where shops, eateries, the building lobbys and a gym would be located.

There will be room set aside in the podium for parking 316 bicycles.

If the proposal gets planning go ahead, towers 1 and 2 would have a total of 418 apartments that would be available for rent only.

Tower 1 would have a rooftop bar.

The third tower would have 56 affordable housing apartments, made up of studio, 1, 2 and 3 bed units, as well as rooftop communal amenities.

The apartment blocks would be built over the Crows Nest Metro station.

In the application documents a planning consultant for Third-i pointed out that the build to rent units and affordable housing for frontline community workers, would “assist in alleviating the pressure of the current housing affordability crisis in NSW, which is a common goal and objective across several federal and state government initiatives”.

“(It) will deliver important social and economic benefits to the community by contributing to housing diversity and stability for the increasing population,” the consultant stated.

Head of Acquisitions at Third.i Group, Florian Callion, said the SSD aplication was “ all about responding to the real housing needs of Sydney”.

“By delivering around 500 Build-to-Rent apartments directly above the new Crows Nest Metro Station, we’re creating a future-focused housing solution that offers flexibility, security and professional management for renters.

“ Our application also includes around 60 additional apartments dedicated to affordable housing for key and essential workers; the people who keep our health care running but are being priced out of it.

“We are proud to have put forward a proposal that will help build a more inclusive and connected community right in the heart of the Lower North Shore.

“This site is one of the only residential projects in Sydney directly above a metro station. That level of connectivity to world-class amenity is rare, which makes the site ideal for the future residents who will eventually call Hume Place home.”