First look: Holdmark submits Sydney's latest Transport Oriented Development at Macquarie Park
Transport Oriented Developments have taken a hold of the Sydney development market in recent months, particularly since the opening of the extended Sydney Metro line.
Third.i is building Hume Place above Crows Nest Metro, while Mirvac and John Holland have revealed their future plans for Waterloo Quarter.
Holdmark is the latest to look to the ToD, which the government says "encourages sustainable and mixed-use development around transport and aims to create vibrant and walkable communities."
They have proposed three structures in Macquarie Park, on a 12,720 sqm site at 2-4 Giffnock Avenue, strategically located near the Macquarie Park Metro station, Macquarie Centre, and Macquarie University.
The proposal includes just under 600 apartments, with 10 per cent allocated as affordable housing.
The development will also incorporate retail spaces, including a supermarket, and essential infrastructure such as open space and road networks.
The site has been rezoned to allow for mixed-use development, with a maximum incentive height of 130 meters.
The development plan includes two slender residential towers and a smaller building above a shared podium. It aims to deliver a built form that reflects the evolving urban character of Macquarie Park while providing active ground-level uses and green spaces.
"Holdmark's proposal aligns with the precinct's goals of creating walkable, vibrant neighbourhoods with enhanced connectivity," the State Significant Development Application noted.
Studio SC, formerly Scott Carver, has handled the preliminary designs for the towers.
The precinct is one of six accelerated housing areas designated by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, aiming to boost housing supply near major transport hubs while retaining job opportunities and improving public amenities.
"NSW needs more housing supply," the NSW Government says.
"We have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to shape the Six Cities Region’s city planning around Sydney’s new world-class metro system and leverage existing rail stations to serve generations to come.
"By building more housing near the metro and rail stations, we can enable more people to live close to transport, jobs, services, night life and amenities.
"The Transport Oriented Development (TOD) Program will create sustainable and connected cities now and for future generations."
