Crows Nest, St Leonards are booming with another five major developments

The lower north shore looks set for a mini CBD with multiple developments in the works for Crows Nest, St Leonards. See the latest five proposals set to transform the suburbs.

The construction boom in St Leonards and Crows Nest shows no sign of slowing with new units, offices and affordable housing apartments planned in the suburbs.

A string of high-rise plans have recently been lodged to North Sydney Council to turn low-rise buildings in the town centres into new unit complexes and offices to meet the region’s population growth and the jobs required to support the increased density.

A concept plan of the Crows Nest Metro development.

Some of the biggest projects are in line with recent zoning and height changes supported by the St Leonards Crows Nest 2036 Plan that aims to create 6680 new homes and 16,500 jobs across the two suburbs over the next 15 years.

The North Shore Times takes a look at five of the recently lodged projects that are set to transform the postcodes:

48 CHANDOS STREET

The affordable housing development is being assessed by Willoughby Council.

Women fleeing domestic violence will be able to access affordable housing under plans for $3 million development at 48 Chandos St.

The existing building on the corner of Mitchell St will be repurposed into 30 affordable housing units – the largest development of its type in the suburb.

St George Community Housing has already come on board the project after identifying the suburb as a “hotspot for vulnerable households”.

“The site will deliver new community housing dwellings with a focus on older women, and women experiencing domestic violence,” the plans stated.

“There is a significant demand for social housing for women experiencing domestic violence and research has demonstrated that stable housing is critical in improving outcomes for women after leaving a violent partner.”

If approved, the project would also include shops and retail areas on the ground floor.

The development would remain as social and affordable housing for at least 25 years and also include new open space and communal areas.

CROWS NEST METRO

A concept plan of the new Crows Nest Metro tower.

Community feedback has opened on new plans for an office tower over the Crows Nest Metro Station.

The $25.1 million project is among three high-rise projects proposed over the new station and would stand nine storeys tall, providing about 3100 square metres of office space.

Concept plans show the project would also includes pedestrian links, shops and rooftop terraces for office workers.

The building will face the intersection of Clarke and Hume Sts which is currently being used as a construction support site for the new public transport project.

There would be no carparking spaces, but there would be 28 bays for commuters to park their bikes.

The Department of Planning said the building would create up to 190 jobs once completed.

“Additional commercial uses in this location will strengthen the Crows Nest and St Leonards precinct’s role in an internationally competitive Sydney,” the plans stated.

50-56 ATCHISON STREET

A concept plan of the Atchison St development.

The high-rise transformation of Atchison St is set to see another multistorey addition with plans for a 16 storey tower near the corner of Oxley St.

Developer group Epic Leisure has released a proposal to turn offices at 50-56 Atchison St into a commercial and housing development with 65 units along with three levels of shops and retail areas.

The plans also include a pedestrian site link to Atchison Lane and landscaping works on Atchison St.

“The proposed development will stimulate job growth, business activity, street front activation, outdoor dining opportunities and enhance the public domain,” the plans stated.

The project is among a series of high-rise plans earmarked for the street including an 11 storey tower at 23-35 Atchison St.

63-89 CHANDOS STREET

A concept plan of the development.

A 57-unit complex with a rooftop garden has been earmarked for 63-89 Chandos St.

Plans by developer TWT Global show existing buildings at the site will be transformed into a 12 storey building with new apartments with rooftop communal gardens.

The $32.3 million development will also include ground floor shops and 42 carparking spaces.

Plans stated the development would increase the supply and units in the local area.

“The site is very well serviced by public transport and is in proximity to public transport hubs including St Leonards train station, the Metro Station and bus interchange,” it stated.

The proposal is currently being considered by North Sydney Council.

270-272 PACIFIC HIGHWAY

A concept plan of what the building would look like from the Willoughby Rd shopping strip.

Existing offices near the five-ways intersection in Crows Nest would be turned into a new 13 storey tower under the latest development planned for the Pacific Hwy.

A planning proposal lodged to North Sydney Council shows two five storey commercial buildings at 270-272 Pacific Hwy would be bulldozed for the project that would include new commercial spaces and basement carparking.

Developer Silvernight said the new complex had potential to include allied health uses due to the site’s proximity to Royal North Shore Hospital and could “strengthen the local economy“ by “stimulating the retail village” in Crows Nest.

If approved, the building would stand 59m tall – more than tripling the current 16m limit.