Melrose Park vision starts to take shape
Historically, Melrose Park was an industrial and pharmaceutical manufacturing hub.
Today, the 55-hectare area is undergoing a major urban renewal. The vision for the new Melrose Park is taking shape, with recent plans outlining what the suburb will look like a decade from now.
Redevelopment planning for Melrose Park began in 2016, and the area was rezoned in 2022 following the council’s endorsement of the Parramatta Employment Lands Strategy.
Deicorp, in partnership with PAYCE, has recently launched the first tranche of apartments within their extensive landholding.
Melrose Central, designed by Turner Studio, will consist of six buildings atop a five-level podium. This development will include a 30,000 sqm shopping centre anchored by a Coles supermarket, along with several specialty stores, health and wellness facilities, and various retail and hospitality venues.
Sekisui House Australia has $5 billion committed to redeveloping Melrose Park.
This year, they submitted plans for stages five and six of their master plan, which will ultimately add 5,500 homes to Melrose Park.
In addition, they are developing Melrose Park Village, featuring business workspaces, wellness facilities, and a large internal private park.
Last month, Holdmark unveiled its plans for what is being called Melrose Park South. They have filed a State Significant Development Application for 82 Hughes Avenue, Ermington, which will introduce over 1,300 apartments on a 5.2-hectare site.
This proposal is part of a broader renewal strategy for the Melrose Park area, which has been designated as a key growth precinct within the Parramatta local government area.
At least 15 percent of the 1,377 proposed apartments will be allocated for affordable housing, which amounts to just over 200 units. Of the 1,377 apartments, 70 percent will have two bedrooms, 20 percent will be one-bedroom units, and 10 percent will have three bedrooms.
Holdmark has commissioned COX Architecture to design the project, which will also include a new waterfront park.
In their Urban Design Report, COX Architecture highlighted that transforming Sydney’s industrial precincts into new residential, retail, and commercial spaces reflects changes in Australia’s economy. This shift underscores the need for high-amenity residential developments to address Sydney’s housing demand.
"Land use needs in Sydney have evolved significantly, with many existing industrial areas no longer suitable or viable for industrial operations," COX Architecture noted.
"Melrose Park is one such area that has seen a decline in recent years due to the restructuring of the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, which is increasingly relocating offshore or to larger industrial parks.
"As the industrial and pharmaceutical base shifts to alternative urban uses, Melrose Park’s location on the Parramatta River, halfway between the CBD and Parramatta, combined with the availability of large contiguous sites, makes it an ideal candidate for urban renewal."
COX Architecture stated that the introduction of a new light rail corridor, featuring three light rail stops providing direct service to Melrose Park, will significantly enhance movement and accessibility to and from the precinct.
The proposal will undergo review by a State Design Review Panel, as mandated by the Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure.
There will be two separate State Significant Development Applications (SSDAs) submitted: one for Melrose Park West and another for Melrose Park East.
