SJB win design for Billbergia's Rhodes mixed-use development

Sydney-based developers, Billbergia and architects SJB will once again team up, forming part of the RHODES East Master Plan.

Billbergia and SJB previously collaborated on the transformation of RHODES from an industrial peninsula into a fully regenerated suburb, in a bid by the State Government to transform obsolete industrial lands on the shores of the Parramatta River adjacent to Homebush Bay Olympic Park.

Master planned in 2005 by SJB, the first stages of work wrapped up this year, with Billbergia and SJB now taking to 25-27 Leeds Street to expand on the long-term regeneration of the greater RHODES area.

Managing Director, John Kinsella said the project will breathe new life into the Parramatta River foreshore, making it not only greener and more attractive but more accessible as well. 

“The project will deliver 6,000 sqm of public open space, including a retail and dining precinct and will open up the waterfront promenade with an interactive river edge for the community to enjoy,” Kinsella.

Unique designs by a collaborative team of SJB and Land Form Studio were chosen from a design competition, with a jury comprising representatives from City of Canada Bay Council, NSW Government Architect’s and Nation Architects.

SJB’s Director, Nick Hatzi said the group had a long-running connection with RHODES, having completed the first Master Plan for the regeneration of the suburb in 2005. 

“We’ve delivered many mixed-use buildings in the area including most recently RHODES Central by Billbergia which forms the retail heart of the suburb,” Hatzi said.

“Our proposal for Leeds Street opens up new connections to the water and reflects SJB’s approach to permeable and civic-centric mixed-use development.” 

“Being the first development under the master plan - we hope this precinct sets a high benchmark for the incoming community,” he added. 

A collection of varying scaled buildings will be constructed across the site, with a defined podium of a singular material and lighter-coloured concrete forms. 

Land and Form Director, Ro Iyer said the public domain will embrace the unique geographical setting and confluence of where the Parramatta River meets RHODES. 

“The foreshore design represents this transition from natural to urban, creating an iconic destination that looks to restore and enhance important ecological assets and allow people to actively engage with the Parramatta River, setting a high-quality precedent for the RHODES East Precinct,” Iyer said. 

At the site’s juncture, there are a number of key interfaces - the foreshore to the north, the historic bridge to the west, the transitioning industrial context to the east, and a proposed public school and grounds to the south. 

Building layouts are optimised towards the views and orientated for solar access, with internal facing courtyard apartments also receiving glimpses through the building gaps towards the river ensuring at least 85 percent of the apartments have desired outlooks.

“This project will reimagine the RHODES waterfront and forms a critical piece in the NSW Government's rejuvenation of the Parramatta River waterfront from Sydney Opera House to Parramatta Park,” said Kinsella.