Revealed: the biggest development projects changing Chatswood

The Chatswood construction boom shows no sign of slowing with hundreds of new units, offices and shopping precincts planned. These are the nine projects set to transform the suburb.

UPDATED

Chatswood’s high-rise construction boom shows no signs of slowing with hundreds of new units earmarked in the CBD – prompting a plan to breathe new life along the Pacific Hwy corridor and make the area more inviting.

New trees, footpaths, street furniture and bike lines are among the proposals in the works to improve the amenity of the highway through Chatswood’s CBD amid concerns the thoroughfare has become “the Parramatta Rd of the north shore”.

Willoughby councillors have supported making a section of the highway between Fullers Rd and Mowbray Rd, which is passed by an average of 59,000 vehicles each day, a priority section of the upgrades.

Willoughby Council is planning to make Chatswood more inviting.

The proposal is partly aimed at addressing the surge in population from high-rise developments currently under construction or planned in Chatswood.

The developments include a string of projects along the Pacific Hwy including a 90m tower at 629-639 Pacific Hwy and the $153 million redevelopment of Chatswood Primary and High Schools.

Councillor Lynne Saville said the upgrades would improve the amenity for the influx of residents already living in the area as well as future population growth.

There are also plans for a 3.3km shared path along the eastern side of the Pacific Hwy between Mowbray Rd and Herbert St.

The plan would address the high-rise construction boom in the CBD.

“We have thousands of people and school students walking along that section of highway without protection of awnings and trees and a number of people have commented on how hideous it looks – it’s uncoordinated and at the moment it’s a bit of a dog’s breakfast,” she said.

“If you’re driving on the Pacific Hwy you’d be discouraged from entering Chatswood – the aim is to make Chatswood look more inviting and also encourage more people to walk.”

The plans come after the release of Willoughby Council’s Chatswood CBD Planning and Urban Design Strategy which encourages increased building heights in several areas outside the existing CBD boundary including along the Pacific Hwy.

The council said development proposals fronting the Pacific Hwy would also “contribute to a significant portion of streetscape and pathway improvement works over time.”

THE NINE PROJECTS SET TO SHAPE CHATSWOOD

UPDATED ON JUNE 18, 2021

853 Pacific Highway: Four properties in Chatswood would be demolished to make way for the suburb’s next skyscraper – but the proposal has already hit a hurdle from council planners.

Developer 853 Pacific Highway Pty Ltd has proposed to amalgamate unit buildings at 849 to 859 Pacific Hwy and 2 Wilson St as part of plans for new a 90m tower as the CBD’s high rise boom pushes further into surrounding streets.

The development would stand 27 storeys tall and would include 190 units on top of two levels of commercial space, 272 basement carparks and landscaping works.

An artist's impression of the proposed tower

Plans to Willoughby Council show the development would also involve acquiring a section of land from Transport for NSW set aside for future road widening works on the Pacific Hwy.

In a letter to the council, the developer said the acquisition of the land would facilitate a larger floor space ratio in order for the project to meet planning requirements.But the acquisition has proved a sticking point for the council with a report this week finding the proposal was “inconsistent” with planning strategies for the CBD that requires no change to road widening requirements.

The council said the proposal would also represented a “departure from the current planning controls” and therefore could not be supported.853 Pacific Highway Pty Ltd has lodged a rezoning review of the decision – meaning the proposal will now be determined by the Department of Planning.

In its plans to the council, the developer said the project was in line with the Chatswood CBD Planning and Urban Design Strategy to 2036 which will allow height limits on the site to increase to 90m – more than three times above than the current 24m cap.

The plans said the project would also address housing demand in the local area and improve the amenity of the streetscape.

“It will provide numerous public benefits to the community (and) revitalise the current Pacific Highway stretch,” the plans stated.

Chatswood RSL: Plans have been approved for a $158 million redevelopment of Chatswood RSL Club that will include a 22-storey tower on Victoria Ave.

A concept plan of the Chatswood RSL redevelopment

Features of the project include a new club with function, dining, entertainment and bar areas, 18 levels of commercial space and a public plaza.

629-639 Pacific Hwy: Plans have been released for a 27 storey tower with 81-units on the existing site of PayLess Tyre and Breaks site opposite Nissan Chatswood.

A concept plan of the 90m tower on the Pacific Hwy.

The tower would dwarf surrounding businesses and would stand 90m tall – 70m above the existing 20m height limit.

Chatswood Primary and High Schools: The Department of Planning has given the green light for a $153 million redevelopment of Chatswood public and high schools in a move to cater for more than 700 new students and address overcrowding.

A concept plan of the Chatswood Primary School redevelopment

The developments will include 29 new classrooms at Chatswood Public School on the Pacific Hwy and 42 at the nearby high school. Construction works are due for completion by 2023.

A concept plan of the development at 815 Pacific Hwy.

815 Pacific Highway: Planning is underway for a 143m storey commercial office tower at 815 Pacific Hwy and 15 Help St that would include a 36 storey building with shops, 33 levels of offices, and 327 basement carparks. If approved, the building would become the third tallest in the town centre – just shy of the 170m tall Metro Grand and 155m Metro Spire towers near Chatswood Station.

A concept plan of the Mandarin Centre redevelopment.

Chatswood Mandarin Centre: Plans have been released to add 150 units, a supermarket and a childcare centre across two separate skyscrapers in a major redevelopment of the Chatswood Mandarin Centre. Developers said the expansion “ensure that the centre remains competitive” with Westfield as well as Chatswood Chase.

A concept plan of the development on Bowen St.

Bowen St: Twelve blocks of land southwest of the town centre would be amalgamated and rezoned into high density residential under plans for an eight storey building on the corner of Bowen St and Moriarty Rd. The $68 million development would include 187 units across two separate buildings along with 269 underground carparks, recreational areas and rooftop communal gardens.

A site plan of the development at Ellis St

Ellis Street: A 15 storey building has been planned at 3 Ellis St with 23 units, basement parking and landscaping works. If approved the 52-year-old building at the site, comprising nine units, would be demolished.

A concept plan of the development in Victoria Ave.

Victoria Ave: Plans were released last year for an 18 storey hotel with more than 150 rooms on a site bordering Victoria Ave and Brown St. Plans show the $123 million project would be built across three separate towers and would also include offices, cafes, restaurants, bars and a public plaza.