Chatswood: ‘The Queen’ shopping hub proposed for Victoria Ave retail, unit complex

A new shopping hub could soon be coming to Chatswood as part of a multimillion dollar proposal for two prominent CBD sites. See the plans:

A new shopping hub could soon be coming to Chatswood as part of a multimillion dollar proposal for two prominent CBD sites.

After years of planning works, developer UT 282 Pty Ltd has lodged a $45 million development application to transform offices and shops at 282-284 Victoria Ave into a new retail and unit complex.

The proposal would have three levels of shops and commercial space including a retail arcade and eight main tenancies.

There would be a further three levels of units with 12 apartments, a communal rooftop for residents of the building and basement carparking with 79 spaces.

A concept plan of the retail development,

Concept images show the complex would be known as ‘The Queen’ and would also have street murals on the outside of the building.

The proposal is also the latest in a long-running development saga for the site which had UT 282 lodging a successful Land and Environment Court challenge against Willoughby Council’s rejection of separate plans for a six-storey building on the site in 2020.

In the following year, another planning proposal was also lodged aiming to turn the site into a 20 storey building but those plans also hit opposition from the council due to height limit concerns.

The development would be located opposite Chatswood Chase.

In the latest plans, UT 282 said the proposal was compatible with the desired future character of the area.

“The proposed development will add to the existing housing stock in the locality, providing improved residential accommodation in a highly accessible location,” the plans stated.

“Furthermore, the proposal will maximise employment-generating floor space on the site, creating long term jobs and enhancing the vitality and viability of Chatswood’s CBD.

“This will have positive social impacts.”

The proposal adds to a growing list of new retail and shopping centres currently planned in the suburb including the redevelopment of Chatswood Chase – located directly opposite the site.

A photo of the buildings which would be redeveloped.

There is also a new Woolworths under construction in Smith St and new retail areas proposed within the redevelopment of the Mandarin Centre.

If approved, the majority of the existing building would be retained with works centred on replacing outer facades, internal sections and basement car park areas.

Shead Property Chatswood Leasing agent Damon Zhang, who is the current leasing agent for the building, said existing businesses were expected to be able to remain for at least the short term future.

“The process for a DA takes a long time – it’s a long journey, we’re not quite sure how long it could take or if they get approval or not,” he said.

“There are businesses there at the moment because they were tenants before they launched the DA they’ll be able to finish the existing lease.”

The proposal is currently under assessment by Willoughby Council.