DCA gives green-light to a new proposal for Darwin’s Chinatown site

There has been a new twist in the 20-year battle to build on a prominent Darwin CBD block, with a developer cautiously welcoming the move. Read the latest approvals.

Development on the empty Chinatown site in Mitchell St has moved a step closer with a key building approval.

The Development Consent Authority approved a proposal by Darwin company Olive Cook PL for a 14-storey mixed-use commercial development with three-levels of basement parking at the 68 Mitchell St site.

This publication reported in November another application had been lodged for the site.

Olive Cook director Simon Peters welcomed the decision but said more approvals needed to be granted before construction work could begin.

“I’m happy it’s got through this stage but we’re still working through finer details of the site,” Mr Peters said.

The Development Consent Authority has approved a new building design at the old Chinatown site on Mitchell Street. Picture: Supplied

“I’m like everybody else, the site has been like it for a long-time, it’s an eyesore on a great site and I’d love to see something happen there.”

The block was first earmarked for development more than 20 years ago when City of Darwin gifted the land to the developers of a proposed Chinatown in the heart of the CBD.

The project never went ahead and the site has become one of the city’s oldest vacant blocks.

Approving the Olive Cook development, the DCA said the proposal had “high architectural development”.

“The building aligns with the broader intent of Zone CB in providing high architectural development,” the DCA said.

“It presents well to the street frontage in terms of pedestrian amenity and activation, particularly Mitchell Street frontage.

“The design includes awnings to Mitchell Street and Mott Court frontages and a publicly accessible pedestrian plaza through the site with landscaping and open terraces that create an attractive outdoor public space in the development.

Chinatown Darwin hole photographed in March 2022. Picture: Supplied

“The building façade along the Mitchell St and Mott Crt frontages is predominantly glass with vertical and horizontal sunshades.

“The open‐plan offices on the upper levels provide open views of the street and harbour views.

“The assessment has found that the proposal will contribute to the overall mix of uses in Darwin City and is not inconsistent with the Central Darwin Area Plan and zone purpose.”

The development includes a ground-level lobby, two commercial tenancies and a plaza linking to the paved pedestrian access from Peel Street.

Twelve storeys of office space will rise above the mezzanine.

City of Darwin has been charging Olive Cook PL $5300 a month rent for the exterior fence that surrounds the 68 Mitchell St site.

Including the latest proposal, since 2007 there have been seven development applications for the 68 Mitchell St site.