Robby Ingham: Oxford St vision for Paddington Cambrian Buildings
Fashion designer and chicken empire heir Robby Ingham is looking to give Paddington “a twist and an opportunity”, with his bold vision to turn five terraces, on a site that’s more than 130 years old, into the new heart of retail on Oxford St. VIEW THE PLANS HERE
Wentworth Courier
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When retailer and chicken empire heir Robby Ingham went back to the drawing he did so in style with ambitious new $10 million plans for the five shopfronts he owns on Oxford St.
Mr Ingham had his $3.6 million plans to redevelop two of the shopfronts deferred by council last year.
He withdrew that application and has come back with a vision encompassing all five of the shops he owns from 432 to 440 Oxford St.
One of the stores would be turned into a “through site link” which will lead shoppers into an internal courtyard, open only during business hours, where they can enjoy the ambience and patronise a further five stores or commercial offices.
The three storey plans propose two storeys of apartments to be constructed on top of the retail ground level.
The site dates back to 1887 and is collectively known as the Cambrian Buildings.
Mr Ingham, who has been trying to get a DA approved since 2016, said believed his development was just what Paddington needed.
“It’s about a whole lot of things. Not just ringing back Oxford St retail but bringing in the kind of residency that is probably lacking in the area of smaller, middle level apartments,” Mr Ingham said.
“My experience of 30 plus years in retail and what I’ve seen around the world and where I’ve seen things work says this is about asking how do we bring people back in to Paddington?
“It’s about trying to give Paddington a twist and an opportunity.”
Mr Ingham said Paddington already had some absolute “gems” in terms of retail and he would be looking to further contribute to that by finding tenants with a village vibe.
“I’m absolutely dying to get this done because I think Paddington needs it,” he said.
“I’m looking for community retailers like food providers, bakers, florists maybe a really good homewares store or hairdresser – people you might come to regularly or even one or twice a week.
“I’ve listened to the residents I’ve heard their concerns and I hope this proposal has answered them.”
Standing at 10.5m tall on its lift overrun, the proposal breaches the Development Control Plan 9.5m height limit.
The site is in the Paddington Heritage Conservation Area and a report by Urbis heritage director Stephen Davies found that the proposal “would respect or enhance the heritage significance”.
“The proposal seeks to remove the existing, intrusive shopfronts and reinstate an interpretation of the traditional shopfront,” Mr Davies wrote.
Mr Ingham, a former fashion designer, spent decades building his brand on Oxford St, before closing up his self-titled shop in 2016.
Do you know more? Email emily.macdonald@news.com.au