The Meriton juggernaut adds to Parramatta's population surge
Parramatta's position as the nation's most dynamic satellite city continues to be underscored by an almost continuous flow of developments into the Greater Western Sydney locale.
Latest to the development surge is the nation's largest apartment developer, Meriton. Last week the outfit lodged plans valued at $228 million for their George Street site in the western reaches of Parramatta's CBD.
Called for are two towers of 210 and 186 metres that would, in addition to a Meriton serviced apartment component, the project will pump hundreds of new apartments into Parramatta. The CBD's expanding housing stock is expected to balloon form a 2017 figure of 6,108 to a projected 2036 dwelling count of 15,474.
Such is the popularity of Parramatta that the Urban.com.au Project Database for the suburb has expanded rapidly to include thousands of planned and under construction apartments, particularly within Parramatta's CBD.
The move to planning for 180 George Street will see the 7,978 square metre site currently controlled by the Meriton developed to its maximum potential. Earlier this year Meriton foreshadowed the redevelopment, announcing that Woods Bagot was successful in a design competition for the site.
At present five buildings across 180 George Street span up to fourteen levels and are held by the developer within its Meriton Suites serviced apartments portfolio.
Council note the delivery of 767 residential apartments as proposed, spread across the taller tower and the upper levels of the secondary tower. The 767 dwellings are loosely broken down into 486 apartments within the taller north tower, 131 apartments in the south tower, 12 podium level apartments and 142 apartments inserted across existing buildings onsite.
Meriton last year completed Altitude, its most recent Parramatta development at 330 Church Street which consists of dual towers holding approximately 375 apartments 254 serviced apartments.
The lockstep between population surge and a rapidly evolving skyline is evident when assessing Parramatta's major current apartment developments. 180 George Street aside, the 200 metre 8 Phillip Street includes 300 plus apartments, South Quarter encompasses 700 plus apartments, West Village almost 400, Solstice 175 and The Lennox with 440 apartments.
Of the above West Village and The Lennox are at construction.
It is through the next wave of residential towers that will continue to underpin Parramatta's explosive growth. 197 Church Street, 87 Church Street, 12 Hassell Street, 2 O'Connell Street and Westfield Parramatta Tower stand out as potentially sizeable towers capable of hosting major development in coming years.