Mandarin Centre Chatswood: 158 units, supermarket planned in 30 storey redevelopment

A new supermarket, shops, units and children’s play areas on outdoor podiums are among features of a new plan to redevelop the Mandarin Centre in two separate skyscrapers.

Before and after: Concept plans show what the existing Mandarin Centre (left) could look like if the development is approved (right)

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The Chatswood skyline is set to continue rising under plans to expand one of the region’s largest shopping centres into two skyscrapers with more than 150 units, a supermarket and a childcare centre.

The Mandarin Centre on Albert Ave has released new plans to turn the five-storey building into a 30-storey development in a move the company said would ensure it could remain competitive with the nearby Westfield and Chatswood Chase shopping centres.

Plans lodged by owners Mandarin Developments and Blue Papaya show one of the towers would have 158 units and a childcare, while another tower would be designated as office and commercial space.

The development would stand up to 30 storeys tall.

The proposal shows the residential tower would stand 101m tall and would stand three storeys above the adjacent Sebel apartment building and 16 storeys above the Sage building.

Plans show some unit owners at the Sebel building would lose their views towards the CBD, with studies also showing the building would cast shadows over Chatswood Park.

The plans stated the project would support 1664 jobs once up and running – a 66 per cent increase on the existing shopping centre.

A spokesman for The Mandarin Centre, which is currently Chatswood’s third largest retail centre behind Westfield and Chase Chase, said the expansion would include new public malls for shoppers, a metro style supermarket, and new pedestrian walkways to Chatswood Station.

The development would become one of the tallest buildings in the Chatswood CBD.

There would also be upgrades to shops within the existing centre which currently has three levels of retail space and Hoyts cinema.

Mandarin Developments and Blue Papaya said the expansion “ensure that the centre remains competitive” with Westfield as well as Chatswood Chase, which also has approved plans to expand the retail hub with two new levels of shops and a cinema.

“The proposal will deliver a much needed upgrade to the Mandarin retail shopping centre, providing new employment opportunities within a refreshed retail offering,” the plans stated.

Two towers would front on to Albert Ave.

“The proposal will provide significant commercial office floor space consistent with the objectives of the CBD strategy and North District Plan which aims to protect and grow the commercial core of Chatswood.”

Four per cent of units would be offered to renters at affordable rates while the childcare centre would include outdoor play areas on a podium overlooking the streets of Chatswood.

There would be 546 carparks while traffic studies estimate up to 71 extra car movements would be added to the local road network in peak hour periods.

A view of the building, highlighted in blue, from Chatswood Oval.

The proposal comes after earlier plans for the tower in 2016 were met with opposition from Willoughby Council due to concerns including noncompliance with the Draft Chatswood CBD Planning and Urban Strategy which has recommended a limit of new housing in the CBD in a move to promote employment space.

Mandarin Developments and Blue Papaya, in the latest plans, argued 70 per cent of floor space would be dedicated for retail and commercial and the development therefore would create an “acceptable balance” between employment and residential land uses.

The plans are currently on exhibition for public feedback until November 18.