Fears St Vincent’s College renovation plans will impact property prices, harbour views

Initial plans to build a three-storey building as part of major renovations at elite St Vincent’s School have already rankled residents, who fear reduced property values from the loss of harbour views.

A photo showing current views from St Vincents school taken from its 2023 Draft Masterplan.

Plans for a major upgrade at an elite inner city private school have already raised the ire of neighbouring homeowners, who fear their property values will be impacted by the build.

Private Catholic girls school St Vincent’s College unveiled a draft masterplan in 2022 outlining its vision to upgrade its sports facilities and maximise use of available space for communal student activities like school assemblies.

The school is home to several heritage buildings which have significant development restrictions, including the Garcia Building, meaning there are limited options for expansion.

Plans for a new multipurpose two to three storey hall and sports building at the corner of Challis Ave and Victoria St is set to accommodate 1000 people, along with a larger indoor pool and new water polo pool facility, as well as new music learning rooms.

An outdoor garden and outdoor communal “green roof” space will be built on the new building, the masterplan states.

St Vincent’s College draft masterplan: an artists impression on the planned renovations. Picture: St Vincent’s College.

Existing harbour views seen from St Vincent’s College. Picture: St Vincent’s College.

The plans have not yet been submitted to the City of Sydney, however the school has already brought in high profile consultancy firm SEC Newgate to facilitate community consultation.

Resident Mike, who did not wish to share his last name, lives at Rockwell Cres next to the school and said the “huge building” was “almost on top of the residences in the street”.

The heritage-listed Garcia Building will be thoughtfully refurbished as part of the upgrade.

Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said he believed opposition would subside.

“I think they’re over excited,” he said of concerned residents. “I will lose my view of the green at the back. But no one will lose their views of the fireworks. I will miss my view”.

At a public forum on Tuesday, St Vincent’s College principal Anne Fry said suggestions by residents the school use the development process as an opportunity to build new community facilities, such as a lift at McElhone stairs, would be considered.

“Whatever we could do to support that in terms of moral authority and encouragement and supporting the value proposition of how students and staff would benefit from it,” Ms Fry said.

The view from 8 Rockwell Ln next to St Vincent’s College. The new building will reduce harbour views by 50 per cent.

St Vincent's College principal Anne Fry, pictured with students.

However, she said the use of school facilities by residents would not be considered as part of the project.

Carole Ferrier, convener of 2011 Residents Association, said the school could reduce opposition to the project by advocating for community projects.

“If something can be just given back to the neighbourhood that could allay some of the objections that are going to come in,” Ms Ferrier said.

The school’s urban planner Chris McGillick, associate director of planning at Ethos Urban, said concerns about the impact on property values weren’t “a consideration of a development application”.

“It may well be that there could be some impact but I couldn’t comment on that,” he said.