Following gateway determination for their mixed-use apartment and retail development in Waterloo earlier this month, Woollworths has secured another approval.

This one is in <a href="/developments/neutral-bay-nsw-2089">Neutral Bay</a>, where they received&nbsp;overwhelming support from the Sydney North Regional Planning Panel.

The approval allows Woolworths to proceed with plans to transform the existing site on Rangers Road into a "30-minute city."&nbsp;

The approved proposal will replace the existing Woolworths supermarket and include a new, full-line state-of-the-art supermarket, up to 70 apartments, 1,500 sqm of specialty retail and restaurants, and 2,400 sqm of commercial and medical space set amid new green spaces landscaped by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/nsw/woolworths-receive-determination-approval-for-mixed-use-waterloo-development">Woolworths receive determination approval for mixed-use Waterloo development</a>

<img alt="Woolworths Group to redevelop Neutral Bay site with residential apartments " data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/screen_shot_2022-05-27_at_10.55.52_am.png?VersionId=cYTWp1KiTX0_1r.ju5bYO2IgMF3ce8iJ" />

The development aims to provide residential housing, employment spaces, retail convenience, and public areas, all within proximity to public transport and existing infrastructure.

The retail areas, particularly around the 1,100 sqm public plaza, will be double-height to enhance visibility and engagement with the public domain.

<img alt="Woolworths Group to redevelop Neutral Bay site with residential apartments " data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-05-27_at_11.31.25_am.png" />

The architectural design, developed by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/koichi-takada-architects">Koichi Takada Architects</a>, also incorporates distinct forms to break down the building mass to ensure solar access to neighbouring residential properties and create articulation between the podium and upper floors.&nbsp;

The project emphasises the integration of architecture and nature, featuring substantial planters, water fountains, and rooftop communal spaces with amenities such as a plunge pool, seating, and barbecue facilities.

<img alt="Woolworths Group to redevelop Neutral Bay site with residential apartments " data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-05-27_at_11.32.09_am.png" />

Community benefits are also a key feature of the project, with plans for a retail-activated pedestrian link connecting to the public plaza and upgraded streetscapes integrated with local bus stops.

Woolworths Group envisions the development as a significant community hub providing a desirable place to live, work, shop, and gather, anchored by a state-of-the-art supermarket.

Woolworths Group envisions the development as a significant community hub providing a desirable place to live, work, shop, and gather, anchored by a state-of-the-art supermarket

Urban Editorial

Woolworths continues approval spree with Neutral Bay gateway determination

Woolworths Group's proposal for a mixed-use development in Waterloo is taking a significant step forward with its recent determination approval.

Their development arm Fabcot <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/nsw/woolworths-venture-into-apartment-projects-starting-in-sydneys-waterloo">moved into the residential development sector</a> around three years ago, signalling their intent first in Waterloo, before revealing more projects in Neutral Bay and Rose Bay.

The planning proposal for their site at 923-935 Bourke Street, <a href="/developments/waterloo-nsw-2017">Waterloo</a>, which garnered unanimous support from the Central <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/sydney-nsw">Sydney</a> Planning Committee (CSPC) and the City of Sydney Council in late 2023, was officially gazetted in March 2024.

Concept plans have been put together by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/bates-smart" target="">Bates Smart</a> for the development, which will see apartments sit above a new Woolworths Metro, with some dedicated to affordable housing for key workers. At this stage, all images are concept plans.

<img alt="Woolworths Group receive determination approval for Waterloo mixed-use" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e44d1932-f8e0-4395-adad-d65f1f6f6795" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/woolworths-waterloo-design-features.jpg?VersionId=E.VxfkxoBcjztrMcRxIO1gx2sEnmnYqG" />

Waterloo and its neighbouring suburbs have witnessed substantial population growth in recent years, with projections indicating an influx of approximately 40,000 new residents by 2036.

Despite this growth, the area remains underserved by full-line supermarkets, making Woolworths' mixed-use development a significant addition to address a 9000-sqm undersupply of supermarket floor space in the area.

Once completed, the development is expected to become a vibrant local hub offering not only a full-line Woolworths supermarket but a range of amenities, including 2000 sqm of commercial space, 1500 sqm of specialty retail, dining options, landscaped open areas, and 120 architecturally designed apartments.&nbsp;

A Design Excellence Competition was conducted to select the project's architect, with the winner to be announced in June 2024.

<img alt="Waterloo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="35748dce-8d01-4020-b6bb-b665347a3a90" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screen%20Shot%202024-05-08%20at%2010.25.36%20am.png?VersionId=FxYZGw2Gh8YkjACuDTitcPt8Eklbydsv" />

The project also encompasses pedestrianised through-site links, retention of over 80 per cent of existing street trees and provision of 10 per cent affordable housing.

In addition to meeting the housing and retail needs of the community, the development will exceed BASIX requirements and support the City of Sydney’s Net Zero 2026 initiatives.&nbsp;

The strategic location of the mixed-use development, being a 10-minute walk to public transport including Green Square Train Station and Waterloo Metro Station, along with its proximity to parks, cafes, and other local attractions, makes it an increasingly desirable and accessible area to residents and visitors alike.

The development is expected to become a vibrant local hub offering a full-line Woolworths, 2000 sqm of commercial space, 1500 sqm of specialty retail, dining options and 120 apartments. 

Woolworths receive determination approval for mixed-use Waterloo development

The ASX-listed Woolworths Group, has lodged plans for a mixed-use redevelopment across Rangers Road in Neutral Bay.

The supermarket giant's development arm, Fabcot, has submitted the&nbsp;plans to reinvigorate the already existing retail space, along with an activated pedestrian laneway and plaza, as well as residential apartments.

The project&nbsp;will provide a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, starting from 65 sqm for the one-beds to the largest offering at 398 sqm, all adjoining to landscaped balconies.

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="1116" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-05-27_at_11.31.25_am.png" width="1578" /> 
Artist Impression, Central Plaza View. Credit:&nbsp;Ivolve Studios

Designed by renowned Sydney-based architects, Koichi Takada, the $6 million project will be visually connected to Military Road, with open corners to Rangers Road and a large open entry plaza.

The building form has been broken into distinct forms to break down the mass and create articulation between the podium, and upper floors.

The public plaza design plays an integral role in the precinct, with a highly active retail and dining, office and residential space existing throughout new green spaces, designed by Arcadia, as well as community facilities.

“The principal design approach was to create an intrinsic relationship between architecture and nature while promoting a variety of retail activation, integrated outdoor seating, and good pedestrian connectivity from Rangers Road to Yeo Street,” Koichi Takada Architects noted in their design application.

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="1120" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-05-27_at_11.31.43_am.png" width="1580" /> 
Artist Impression, Yeo Street Facade. Credit: Ivolve Studios

“The public plaza combines substantial planters to promote canopy trees growth as well as water fountains to promote children’s play.”

The architectural design incorporates façade planters to the setback and terrace floors, with a residential communal open space allocated on the rooftop with a plunge pool, seating, and barbecue facilities.

The feature façade concept integrates modular planters on slabs to provide both the commercial and residential residents a connection to landscape.

The perimeter retail to the plaza expresses a double height volume to enhance the layers of activation both at the ground floor and level one, with the site link visually connecting the plaza to Yeo Street, activating the side streets, while the anchor tenant, Woolworths, will ensure constant foot traffic across the ground floor.

The outdoor dining space will be covered and protected by the feature awning, allowing the spill out of retail and cafe tenants to engage with the public domain, while providing a protected path of travel for pedestrians.

The feature awning is supported with organic columns reminiscent of the branches of a tree, with greenery spilling over the awning effectively continuing the landscape character from the public domain up onto the building façade.

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="1118" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-05-27_at_11.32.09_am.png" width="1582" /> 
Artist Impression, View of Plaza. Credit: Ivolve Studios

“Inspired by the naturally occurring landscape character of Neutral Bay, the design integrates public activation with a natural and refined aesthetic, providing an activated, unique and integrated public domain.”

“The gentle curves of the sandstone gully’s and Angophora Trees that have existed in Neutral Bay’s natural context, inspired an architectural language that is organic, curved, and sophisticated. The natural facade ties into Neutral Bay’s past and aims to invigorate Rangers Road with community facilities and public domain activation.”

The high-quality retail with a focus on food and beverage offerings, activating the precinct with community amenity during both the night and day. &nbsp;

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