Parramatta’s West Village at Church St calls for more cafes, restaurants
It shares a name with a trendy New York neighbourhood and now this $165 million development is gearing up to be a mecca for foodies in western Sydney.
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It shares a name with a trendy New York neighbourhood and the $165 million West Village development in Parramatta hopes to attract cool bars and cafes in a bid to become western Sydney’s next dining hotspot.
The newly-opened 40-storey, 398-unit development at 88 Church St sits on the southern side of the main drag, away from Eat St where the light rail construction has thrown businesses into disarray.
One soon-to-be-revealed restaurant has snapped up a premises on the ground level of developer EcoWorld International’s complex and agent Knight Frank has called on more culinary types and retailers to get the 1450sq m space buzzing.
Agent Mark Litwin said apart from Westfield shopping centre, Parramatta retail was traditionally concentrated in the Centenary Square (formerly Church Street Mall), but many retailers were shifting south.
“Many of the retailers in this strip are seeking to relocate to avoid the significant disruption from the light rail construction for the next few years,” he said.
The site would also include a laneway for alfresco dining and a leafy courtyard while the tower’s residents will have access to a communal rooftop garden and barbecue facilities.
As well as a foodie magnet, developers are hoping to attract shoppers with retail premises, ranging between 50sq m to 180sq m, up for lease or sale.
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Western Sydney Business Chamber executive director David Borger welcomed the development as a chance to inject more energy into Church St.
“Other than great little cafes like Circa, the southern side of Parramatta has always been the more challenging side and EcoWorld is a really significant piece of architecture,’’ he said.
“They’ve created these amazing retail spaces and they’ve thought seriously about creating generous retail spaces.’’
That includes double height ceilings, courtyards and enough retail space for it to become a precinct, Mr Borger said.
“I think if they get the mix right, it’s a chance to balance up with Church St north.’’