$808m development and 1200 apartments approved for Merrylands

AN $808 million development with up to 1200 apartments — including a rooftop swimming pool — will be towering over Merrylands’ centre, after plans were approved this week.

The development of 224-240 Pitt St will bring up to 365 units to the centre of the suburb. Stage one will be a three tower development, with the tallest reaching 20 storeys.

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CONSTRUCTION on an $808 million precinct is set to begin in Merrylands after plans for the 1200 apartments were approved this week.

The site at 228 Pitt St, opposite Stockland Mall, will see up to eight towers built, with the highest reaching 20 storeys.

Stage one, according to developer Dyldam, will be three towers with 365 apartments, where the empty Rositano Furniture store now stands.

Fayad Fayad, chief operating officer for Dyldam, said the plans have taken time due to designing changes, with the first application lodged in early 2015.

The highest building for the site will be 20 storeys, with the first three buildings totalling 365 units.

The Rositano furniture store will be demolished this month.

“We have spent a long time at the drawing board to optimise the experience of residents,” Mr Fayad said.

“Our philosophy has been to provide a place where people can live and play in a safe, quiet

and cohesive environment.”

The precinct, known as The Opera, will stretch across 2.5ha, with the first three building expected to cost $91,251,579.

A Dyldam representative confirmed that demolition of the current site will start this month, with applicants already signing up their interest in purchasing one of the apartments- with a starting price at $435,000.

Plus Architect has designed the initial works for the build, with construction set to be completed by 2023.

The designs also include 2500sq m of open spaces, including a courtyard.

The development was first lodged in 2015, with apartments currently on sale.

The announcement for construction comes after the council’s Merryland’s revitalisation project stalls.

Cumberland council put a hold on their plans to update the ageing city centre in June last year, calling the project “unfeasible”.

“The risks and challenges with the project include no adequate funding model and doubts surrounding the financial feasibility,” a report by the council stated.

“Council will progress the stormwater works and has already set aside $11 million in the proposed budget to do so.”

Stockland also announced its plans in 2016 to develop 542 apartments across five 11 to 17 storey towers on a 1.2ha site.

The construction will start on the 2.5ha block after demolition.