Penrith: Old council chambers in heart of CBD set for revamp

The old Penrith Council Chambers will undergo a huge redevelopment, with the council announcing a winning design.

The old Penrith Council Chambers will get a facelift after Penrith Council announced the winning design for the site on the corner of Henry St and Station St.

Global architecture firm Woods Bagot produced the winning design for the redevelopment, known as 131 Henry St, following assessment from a judging panel of independent industry experts.

The proposed design features 8000 sqm of commercial space, ground floor retail, and on-site parking while incorporating best-practice principles of environmentally sustainable design.

Woods Bagot principal Jason Fraser said the scheme for 131 Henry St was focused on both community and workplace to create a building that benefits the public while delivering a workplace for the future.

The winning design of 131 Henry St courtesy of architects Woods Bagot.

“This building is fundamentally different from commercial buildings of the past,” he said.

“It will offer a diverse range of experiences where people can work one day in a garden in the sun, the next at a quiet indoor location and the following at a rooftop overlooking the park.

“Reinforcing its place in civic life by providing a multitude of public uses, green space will flow through the site and connect it with City Park, creating a heart to the civic and education precinct.”

Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown said the design offered an innovative solution that responded to the future urban character of the Penrith CBD.

“We are thrilled to start working with Woods Bagot to deliver a highly advanced workplace at 131 Henry St which will feature a sustainable design, and activated public and retail spaces,” she said.

The old Council Chambers across the road from Westfield Penrith will soon get a massive facelift. Picture: Google

“The redevelopment of 131 Henry St will see the benchmark for future city developments and be the catalyst for the revitalisation of the CBD alongside City Park and the transformation of Soper Pl.

“(The project) will not only help address the limited supply of A-grade commercial space in Penrith, it will also strengthen Penrith’s role as an employment and service cluster within western Sydney.”

131 Henry St was the home of Penrith Council from 1958 until 1993.