First look exclusive: Level 33 reveal $500 million WIN Grand, Wollongong development
Wollongong developer Level 33 has revealed what it intends to do with its recently acquired WIN Grand development.
Level 33, led by Eddy Haddad, bought the 13,088 sqm megasite for a reported $70 million from media veteran and billionaire Bruce Gordon earlier this year. Now Level 33 has submitted a $500 million, State Significant development application for three residential towers, between eight and 40 levels, a commercial office building, and a hotel. There will also be extensive retail on the ground and podium levels, entertainment facilities, and a wellness centre.
A total of 578 apartments have been proposed, of which around 100 will be designated affordable housing under the infill affordable housing bonus scheme.
The original scheme, for the entire city block that borders Crown, Keira, Burelli, and Atchison streets, was approved in December 2022, but Level 33 has now refined the original vision, appointing a new design team, to rework the site’s development approach.
Their key objectives for the site were to:
• Rationalise the proposed retail uses to ensure the provision is compatible with and enhances the retail primacy of Crown Street and aligns with current market trends and needs analysis.
• Update residential mix to meet local housing needs in Wollongong.
• Enhance the pedestrian experience around and through the site to improve permeability and movement to and from the Train Station and Crown Street Mall.
• Implementing a staged approach to ensure longer-term leases remain operational during site development.
• Incorporated a hotel component into the architectural proposal to enhance the overall design and functionality
Located within Wollongong’s central business district, WIN Grand is well-positioned, just 280 metres from Wollongong Train Station and adjacent to Wollongong Central Shopping Centre.
The project aims to enhance pedestrian movement between the train station, Crown Street Mall, and the surrounding areas through a central plaza, while also maintaining the historic facade of buildings on the site.
"Level 33 have appointed a new design team to review the existing development consent and take a fresh approach to the site," the developer noted in the application.
"This fresh approach seeks to refine what has been approved and identify opportunities for additional market and affordable housing using the infill affordable bonus, and in doing so maximising the sites highly accessible location in Wollongong.
"Redevelopment of the site will act as a catalyst for improving this part of Wollongong and stimulating broader renewal of the town centre."
The design maximises solar access for private and public spaces and takes care to avoid overshadowing MacCabe Park, less than 50 meters away.
WIN Grand is expected to stimulate economic growth in Wollongong, acting as a catalyst for the broader renewal of the town centre. The proposal also reflects Level 33’s strategy of delivering mixed-use developments that cater to both the residential and commercial sectors. The developer’s previous projects in Wollongong, such as Easterly Wollongong and Skye Towers, demonstrate its familiarity with the local market.
