$20 million apartments, offices proposed for High St Penrith

A multimillion-dollar residential and commercial complex is planned to stand alongside a heritage-listed building on a western Sydney main street.

A $20 million, two-block apartment and office development has been proposed for Penrith’s High St alongside landmarks Morris House and St Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church.

The applicant, Trustee For Stimson & Baker Unit Trust, proposes 29 apartments, 410sq m of retail space and 2441sq m worth of commercial offices spaced over five levels at 342-348 High St.

The proposal is a modified update on original plans for 45 apartments and 696sq m of commercial units on the site.

Renders of the planned development as seen from High St.

The two-block commercial and residential proposal.

Off-street parking is planned for 87 cars with 35 residential spaces, four visitor spaces, 47 commercial lots and a designated car wash bay space in a two-level carpark.

An artist’s impression of proposed development as would be seen from the church.

According to the application’s traffic report, the projected “nett increase” in traffic activity caused by the development “would not have any unacceptable traffic implications in terms of road network capacity”.

The vintage Morris House was constructed in 1879 and used as a bank for the Commercial Banking Co until solicitor John Cram purchased it in 1935, earning the title Cram Place.

Penrith Council purchased it in 1980 with plans for demolition but community groups and the Heritage Council protested, saving the building crumbling in 1981.

In 1990, the building was sold to solicitors Craig Morris and Co in 1990.