DA lodged for build-to-rent-building at Pitt Street south metro station

Oxford Properties Group (‘Oxford’), a leading global real estate investor, developer and manager, announced it has lodged its Development Application (‘DA’) for its 39 storey, build-to-rent residential building, marking a major milestone for the Sydney Metro Pitt Street over station development.

The building represents the first large scale build-to-rent project in Sydney’s CBD, and is part of Oxford’s wider development plans that also include a 39-storey office building at the Pitt Street north metro station entrance. The build-to-rent project marks the first step in Oxford’s strategy to create, over time, a leading multifamily platform in Australia, with a focus on Sydney and Melbourne.

Key features of the south building revealed in the DA include:

• More than 20,000 sqm of gross floor area including residential accommodation and a publicly accessible restaurant;
• 234 apartments with a range of dwelling sizes and types from one to three-bedroom apartments, all with balconies or terraces;
• Three floors of resident amenities including a 20m pool with health and wellness facilities, resident lounge providing space to relax or work from home; and,
• Multiple communal outdoor terraces including a dedicated resident rooftop dining room.

“We are excited to share our detailed plans for Pitt Street south building with the public for the first time. We have been working closely with our delivery partners and the project’s world-class consultant team, including leading Australian architects Bates Smart, to develop plans for a transformational project that will set the bar for purpose- built rental in Sydney’s CBD. The quality of apartments and extensive amenities will create an unmatched experience for residents,” commented Nellie O’Keeffe, Project Director for Pitt Street over station development at Oxford Properties.

“In line with Sydney Metro’s vision of forming a vibrant hub that will shape the city’s future, the wider Pitt Street project will deliver an enhanced midtown precinct incorporating office, retail and residential with a seamless transfer to public transport. The proposed design for a premium build-to-rent development will elevate this precinct as a landmark project and create a strong sense of place. The successful lodgement of the south building DA is progress towards our timeline to begin construction.”

As detailed within the DA, the design of the south building seeks to create a singular elegant and cohesive form, which brings together the Metro station, retail, residential and amenity uses. Philip Vivian, Director of Bates Smart, commented, “The south building has been designed to strengthen midtown’s historic brick character. Its clustered form reflects the scale of nearby buildings, while the podium sensitively steps to integrate with the historic context. Precast masonry facades reinterpret the colouration of the variegated brickwork of the surrounding buildings. The facade creates a midtown feel, with solidity providing privacy and environmental performance for residents. It’s architecture that is sympathetic to historic and present-day Sydney, and it enhances the city’s urban fabric.”

Residents of the south building will benefit from Oxford’s institutional ownership that provide longer, more flexible lease terms, security of tenure and homes that are cared for by real estate management professionals.

“At Oxford, we are committed to combining global best practices and the knowledge of our on-the-ground team to deliver projects that positively impact our communities through job creation and that create a vibrant sense of place. Pitt Street metro station is a landmark project for the city and, as the first purpose-built build-to-rent building in the CBD, the south building serves as a major step forward for the residential market in Sydney,” commented Alec Harper, Head of Australia at Oxford Properties.

“The residential market in Australia has been evolving in response to housing affordability, population growth and changing demographic sentiment to home ownership. This is driving demand for professionally managed rental residential accommodation in urban centres. Build-to-rent offers a more affordable and flexible solution than homeownership for many Australians but, through surety of tenure, allows residents to put down long-term roots. As our first project in Australia as lead developer since entering the market in December 2018, it demonstrates our commitment to creating a leading multifamily platform in Australia with a focus on our core markets of Sydney and Melbourne.”

Oxford’s plans for the south building draw on its global experience and track record of delivering landmark projects around the world. Oxford currently owns over 12,000 rental residential apartments globally. It is currently developing build-to-rent communities across London, New York, Toronto, Boston and Washington D.C.

Construction on the south building is expected to begin in 2021 and scheduled to complete in 2023 with Metro services beginning in 2024. During construction, Oxford anticipates that around 350 jobs will be created through the construction of the south building over a 24-month period.

Pitt Street Project Background

Oxford Properties was named lead developer and equity investor for the office and build-to-rent residential buildings above the new Pitt Street metro station, announced by Sydney Metro in September 2019. Oxford’s consortium partners CPB Contractors are responsible for delivery of the station. Oxford is also working closely with Investa Property Group, which it has engaged as Co-Development Manager to assist in delivering the project.

Collectively, the Pitt Street north and south buildings will deliver approximately 65,000 sqm of new space and create a vibrant new commercial and residential hub around Pitt Street, between Park Street and Bathurst Street.

Oxford plans to lodge the DA for the north building, a 39-storey premium office tower and retail plaza on the corner of Pitt and Park Street, in July this year.