Renshaw St, Cranebrook: Vacant development site enters new chapter with updated plans

An embattled development site north of Penrith, originally earmarked for a servo, multiple restaurants and day care centre, is about to enter a new chapter.

Plans for the development at 1 Renshaw Rd, Cranebrook with the new gym building highlighted. Picture: Richmond and Ross

An embattled development site north of Penrith is about to enter a new chapter, with the developers behind the $8m project one step closer to bringing their vision to life.

The 1.49ha site at 1 Renshaw St, Cranebrook, has sat empty since it was bought by developers in July 2021.

Property data states the block was bought by BW Cranebrook Pty Ltd and BW Cranebrook 2 Pty Ltd for $12.25m.

The property was originally earmarked for an $8m multi-use development, including a 100-place childcare centre, swim school, service station, car wash and Taco Bell, Hungry Jacks and El Jannah restaurants, by Sydney developers Isaac Property Developments.

The developers have recently approached council with another tweak to the plans: to replace the swim school building with a gym, as well as associated signage.

The gym would be a Rileys Gym, which is marketed as Australia’s first 24-hour gym.

The site at 1 Renshaw St, Cranebrook, has remained untouched since it was bought in 2021. Picture: Elizabeth Neil

The Rileys Gym proposed for 1 Renshaw St, Cranebrook. Picture: Richmond and Ross

A litany of delays has plagued the development since its conception, starting with an appeal in the NSW Land and Environment Court between the owners of the property and Penrith Council over the council’s refusal to approve the project in 2022.

BW Cranebrook Pty Ltd and BW Cranebrook 2 Pty Ltd eventually won this in 2023 and the project was court approved.

Shortly after the planned Taco Bell restaurant was swapped for fellow Mexican chain Guzman Y Gomez in May 2023.

Issac Property Developments declined to comment.