Hare Krishna temple North Sydney: Plans revealed for $18m multistorey redevelopment

A Sydney Hare Krishna organisation is set to splash more than $18 million on the major redevelopment of a four-decade old temple on the lower north shore.

A concept image of the $18 million redevelopment.

A Sydney Hare Krishna organisation is set to splash more than $18m on a major redevelopment of a four-decade old temple on the lower north shore.

Development plans released by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness have revealed the religious temple opposite St Leonards Park in North Sydney is set to be rebuilt from the ground up as part of a multistorey revamp.

The $18.2m development will include creating a new temple hall and prominent dome along with facilities such as an altar, deity worship rooms and a boarding house for clergy members.

The development will also have a function room and a kitchen to cater for food preparation of residents and to prepare meals to distribute for charity.

Other elements of the four storey development include a gallery and meeting room area for cultural awareness and faith-based educational activities, basement carparking areas and landscaping works.

A photo of the current site.

The temple is operated by the Hindu faith-based International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and its congregation of volunteers.

According to the plans, the redevelopment would “future-proof” the temple by providing a “fit-for-purpose and iconic building”.

“The proposal is commensurate with the anticipated intensification of development in the area (resulting in an increase) of younger generations of the Hindu faith diaspora becoming active in the congregation’s activities,” the plans stated.

The temple has operated for four decades.

The ISKCON society has operated in Sydney for over half a century with the first temple opening in Potts Point in 1970, followed by North Sydney which was established in 1984.

Plans stated that the development would address current space limits at the North Sydney site which resulted in programs often held outdoors and at off-site venues.

“The redevelopment will also provide residents and visitors of the temple with additional, new amenities and spaces that the current facility does not include such as a dedicated women’s private space, children’s activity room, yoga hall, multimedia rooms and small library,” the plans stated.

ISKCON said its aimed to include integrating spiritual knowledge to society and bringing members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.

Its charitable efforts include assisting those in need by distributing free vegetarian food.

The proposal has been lodged with North Sydney Council and is currently under assessment.