Crows Nest: First look at new development plans for Falcon St shopping strip

Shopkeepers in Crows Nest are facing an uncertain future after plans to bulldoze their businesses to make way for a new multi storey unit complex were released. See the proposal.

Concept art for the development for the Crows Nest town centre, which would demolish four business to build apartments over shops. Picture: 21 Falcon

Shopkeepers in Crows Nest are facing an uncertain future after plans to bulldoze their businesses to make way for a new multi storey unit complex were released.

Four properties at 17-25 Falcon St would be redeveloped into a six storey shop-town housing project as part of the planning proposal lodged to North Sydney Council last week.

Plans show the redevelopment would include a new ground level commercial space, five levels of units with 23 apartments and a communal rooftop garden.

The site is currently home to popular Spanish restaurant Lola Cocina, offices and organic food supermarket Unique Wholefood.

Developer 21 Falcon stated the project would provide new apartments in an “accessible and sought-after location” and address housing demand on the lower north shore.

A concept plan of the development.

But the release of plans has taken business owners at the site by surprise including Lola Cocina – which has operated for the last six years and was unaware of the proposal.

The North Shore Times has spoken to two other business owners at the site, who asked not to be named, and were also unaware of the development.

The site is home to businesses including Unique Wholefood.

Lola Cocina is also located at the site.

Plans to North Sydney Council show the development would have 45 carparking spaces, new trees planted along Falcon St and vertical gardens on the upper levels of the building

Developer 21 Falcon, in its plans, said the project would be in line with the changing character of Crows Nest.

A photo outlining the development site.

“The development will contribute to the renewal of Crows Nest with the provision of a new shop top housing development within easy access to the Crows Nest Metro station,” 21 Falcon states.

“It makes efficient use of existing infrastructure and services, using existing developed land so as to avoid the consumption of land for housing and associated urban development.

“It will also provide jobs within proximity to housing and social infrastructure such as schools, community facilities, open space and public spaces, supporting the notion of a 30 minute city.”

The development is the latest high rise plan for the Crows Nest and St Leonards precinct which has been earmarked for more than 6000 new units over the coming decade.

The North Shore Times contacted the director of 21 Falcon Pty Ltd for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

The plan is currently under assessment by North Sydney Council.