Development application submitted for one of Parramatta's tallest towers

Development application submitted for one of Parramatta's tallest towers
Jennifer DukeDecember 7, 2020

Riverside Tower will be a $250 million precinct development on Parramatta’s riverfront, and the largest multi-function event centre outside of Sydney’s CBD, provided the development application goes through as planned. It will also likely take its place as one of the tallest towers in Parramatta.

It appears the new tower, to see residential apartments across 37 storeys, may also take the spot of 'tallest' residential tower in Parramatta - a title currently held by the at-present under-construction V by Crown. Suggestions that V by Crown would soon lose the title had been heard by Property Observer for some time. Meriton's as-yet unbuilt Altitude West, "coming soon" at 330 Church Street, at a suggested 53 levels (far surpassing Altitude East at 30 storeys) is also in the running for the tallest title. With completion for Altitude suggested for 2016, and entire project completion for Riverside Tower for 2017, it'll be a race as to who holds the title and shapes Parramatta's skyline first.

The DA, submitted to Parramatta City Council last week, has requested approval for 413 residential apartments, entertainment facilities, cafes, restaurants and a visitor/exhibition facility ‘Discovery Centre’.

The project, set to be a public/private partnership between PCC, LIDIS and Dockside Group, will complement a number of significant buildings in the Parramatta area, which has been going from strength-to-strength.

The riverfront location will see a number of exciting residential features, including 37 of the 41 storeys containing apartments with river views, that are said to never be built out. The homes include studios to three-bedroom residences, sky-homes and penthouses, with first sales anticipated this year.

Project completion is expected for 2017, with the apartments boasting access to a lap pool, gym, spa, sauna facilities, enclosed sun terrace, terraced gardens, BBQ facilities and lounge spaces.

“Riverside Tower will play a significant role in supporting Council’s commitment to growth and the evolution of Parramatta as a thriving centre for business, leisure and living,” explains official material of the development.

It is located between Lennox Bridge at Church Street to the East and Bernie Banton Bridge (Marsden Street) and is expected to bring 720 direct and 1,400 indirect jobs, with the Conference Centre expected to add $20 million a year to the local economy.

Discovery Centre is registered with the Green Building Council of Australia.

The City of Parramatta appears to be very much behind the proposal, with Lord Mayor of Parramatta John Chedid explaining that the proposal involves major upgrades to more than 4,400 square metres of public domain and foreshore land.

“As Parramatta continues to expand, access to the river and surrounding foreshore will be critical to the city’s recreational and cultural future. We are pleased to be working with LIDIS and Dockside Group who share our vision of refocusing Parramatta’s CBD towards the river,” said Chedid.

“The centrepiece of the Riverside Tower is the Discovery Centre which will replace the CBD’s existing Visitor and Heritage Centre and deliver a spectacular entertainment and dining experience that befits the geographical heart of Sydney.”

The Council will own and manage the Discovery Centre.

  • Construction partner: Hutchinson Builders

  • Lead architect, landscape architect, urban designer and interior designer: Johnson Pilton Walker

  • Project developer: LIDIS

  • Venue managers: Dockside Group

It appears it will be a busy time for Parramatta, with tallest residential offering, 29-storey V by Crown, seeing a significant number of sales as it undergoes construction.

Jennifer Duke

Jennifer Duke was a property writer at Property Observer

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