New North Parramatta apartments to plug gap in affordable housing

A carwash facility and a car mechanics in the heart of North Parramatta is set to make way for a new apartment development, committed to helping solve the current shortfall of affordable housing in the area.

The new project at 132 Victoria Road, on the border of North Parramatta and Parramatta, will bring 45 apartments to the small suburb of just 12,000 people, with over half part of the affordable housing initiative.

North Parramatta has a tight unit market. As of March 31, just 13 units were for sale in Parramatta, while over the 12 months to March 31, asking rents for units increased by 15.8 per cent.

A render of the proposed plans at 132 Victoria Road. Image credit: JS Architects

A Social Impact Assessment by Urbanism Planning & Development said it was these stats that suggests that there may be a lack of affordable rental housing in North Parramatta given that the suburb has a higher portion of loan person households than Parramatta LGA but a limited supply of affordable rental accomodation.

"The most significant indicator of continuing unaffordability is that despite a -4.6 per cent decrease in the median value of houses in North Parramatta over the past 12 months there has been a 15.8 per cent increase in the asking rents for units and a five per cent increase in asking rents for houses over the same period," the report noted.

"Although broader economic factors including inflation and rising interest rates are causing a correction in median house and unit prices locally, the rental market is experiencing strong rental demand and rental price growth. This continue to increase housing stress for renters in North Parramatta."

The 45 apartments, designed by JS Architects, are split into three one-bedroom units (seven per cent), 24 two-beds (53 per cent), and 18 three-bedders (40 per cent). 27 of the apartments will be reserved for affordable housing.

There will be three retail spaces on the ground floor, fronting both Victoria Road and Gaggin Street, as well as a communal rooftop terrace with playground and dining areas.

A render of the proposed plans at 132 Victoria Road. Image credit: JS Architects

Landscaping is a key feature in the project.

Landscape architect Naddi Designs said that as the Parramatta LGA undergoes significant transformations with Parramatta highlighting itself as the second city of Sydney, it is key that developments such as this contribute positively to the landscape character of the area.

"The vision for 132 Victoria Road seeks to deliver a range of landscape opportunities and enhance the development's synergy with its current and future context," Naddi Designs noted in their Landscape Proposal report.

"The planting selection has considered areas of the subject site including the street frontage, western ,eastern and northern landscapes, areas of shade and the rooftop terrace for best practice in design.

"The final landscape character of the site will further accentuate the unique architectural forms, unlock unique opportunities and experience for users, and create an attractive outcome the the areas and the street front."

Fast Facts

• Address: 132 Victoria Street, North Parramatta
• Site area: 2025 sqm
• Apartments: 45
• Three x one-bedroom apartments
• 24 x two-bedroom apartments
• 18 x three-bedroom apartments
• Three retail spaces with a combined 742 sqm
• Resident car spaces: 89