Roche Group approved for Lilyfield mixed-use development
The Roche Group has secured approval for its mixed-use development in Lilyfield, marking a significant milestone for the prime site at 469-483 Balmain Road, opposite Callan Park.
The approved plans allow for the construction of 89 apartments, 6,000 sqm of flexible employment space, and 1,200 sqm dedicated to creative purposes on the 6,824 sqm site. Five per cent of the residential units will be allocated for affordable housing.
The development will include six residential buildings, comprising 22 studio apartments, 40 two-bedroom apartments, and 27 three-bedroom units.
The proposal also features the creation of a publicly accessible area, Bakers Square, situated behind the existing historic bakery building on the site.
The project aims to enhance the industrial employment offerings in the area, support the local artistic community, and introduce new urban living opportunities.
Designed by the architecture firm CHROFI, the development will blend residential and industrial spaces, fostering a community where people can live and work.
The design includes a 'Super Shed' and a 'Small Shed,' each carefully articulated to ensure good access to outlook, daylight, and ventilation.
These structures, along with the retained character buildings from the early 1900s, are intended to create a cohesive and vibrant precinct that connects new and old architecture.
The heritage impact statement prepared by NBRS notes that while the character buildings have undergone significant modifications over the years, they remain an important aspect of the site’s history.
The two-storey brick structures, originally constructed for the Pilchers Bakery Company, will be preserved as part of the development, maintaining a link to the area's industrial past.
With the approval now in place, the Roche Group's vision of a dynamic mixed-use precinct in Lilyfield is set to contribute to the ongoing revitalisation of the area.
