Friedlander Place

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Friedlander Place has taken a once forgotten piece of the urban fabric, transforming it into a community centerpiece. With the CBD of St Leonards undergoing rapid change due to the new Crows Nest Metro station and increase in high density development, this new public space is a key piece in linking the new and existing precincts. Not only does it provide connections for residents and workers, but it has also become a destination where people linger over a coffee, pick up groceries, walk their dogs while children enjoy the urban play space or active recreation in outdoor gym.

With an open interface to Pacific Highway, a previously underutilised and tired public space has been transformed into a vibrant new hub of local community activity with active café and retail frontages.  A children’s playground, public art, accessible water play, seating elements, fitness equipment and ping pong table provide a range of exciting opportunities for active and passive engagement.

The playground, designed in collaboration with Tilt, was inspired by the leaf curling spider, a regular inhabitant of North Shore gardens and bush.

Using the way the leaf curling spider places a leaf at the centre of its web to hide in, the playground allows adventurous children to climb high into the dark protective ‘leaf’ of this play space, using their imagination as they climb across the webbing to reach the slide.

Crafted with high-quality materials, the bespoke playground, shade elements and gym equipment have been fabricated by Tilt for inclusion in Friedlander Place, creating new opportunities for play and discovery in the CBD of St Leonards.