Arcadia recently worked with a consortium of developers, including Charter Hall and Leightons, on a Planning Proposal to rezone adjacent commercial properties to enable mixed use development at Friedlander Place and 472-494 Pacific Highway, St Leonards.
With commercial properties currently in over supply in St Leonards, in part due to increased competition from nearby North Ryde and Chatswood, the masterplan offered an opportunity to revitalise an ageing precinct, as well as delivering homes closer to the city. Arcadia’s designs successfully demonstrated how the rezoning would improve public domain activation, circulation space and provide considerable public benefits. In November, 2014, Lane Cove Council voted in favour of rezoning the area.
Arcadia’s plans took a currently underutilised and tired public space and transformed it into a vibrant new hub of local community activity. The landscape design illustrates the potential for enhanced pedestrian laneway connections to Christie Street and Nicholson Street, and the consolidation of a significant new area of public open space in a clearly visible, accessible and north-facing destination, which is currently lacking on Pacific Highway. Active café and retail frontages, public art, accessible water play, moveable seating elements, and an outdoor cinema will provide a range of exciting opportunities for active and passive engagement.
Arcadia also worked with Leightons on the landscape design concept for the accompanying major new proposed mixed residential and retail development of 472-494 Pacific Highway. The Lobby area for the development will seek to establish a seamless connection to the adjacent Friedlander Place, with a significant new public plaza inspired by the local Lane Cove native bush and coastal cliff narrative. The plaza will integrate the residential tower lobbies with active cafe and retail frontages for improved social connection to St Leonards.
Arcadia’s design concept for the development features Sky Gardens on the upper residential tower levels, which will offer a range of outdoor areas which can be utilised by residents in a variety of ways. A private resident garden will also be included on level 1.
In June, Leightons sold the site to Mirvac for $121million. With plans to include 7,500 sq m of commercial space, in addition to residential units, Arcadia is currently working with Mirvac as it takes the site through a section 96 application.
Please find links for specific project details – Friedlander Place and 472-494 Pacific Highway.
