A major residential development designed to expand rental housing supply in Sydney’s north-west has secured planning approval, clearing the way for the construction of a three-tower mixed-use precinct in Rouse Hill.

Designed by Architectus for Freecity, Australia's leader in premium volumetric modular construction, the development is located at 2-30 Tempus Street, opposite the Rouse Hill Metro station and adjacent to Rouse Hill Town Centre.

Lodged as a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) and approved by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, the project will deliver 548 rental homes across build-to-rent housing and co-living accommodation alongside a range of retail, commercial and wellness facilities within a single integrated precinct.

Positioned in one of Sydney's fastest-growing corridors, the development responds to the NSW Government's TOD program and the urgent need for diverse, well-located housing across greater Sydney.

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Plans include three buildings rising 11, 18 and 23 storeys above a shared mixed-use podium. The two taller towers will accommodate 332 build-to-rent apartments, offering a mix of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom homes designed to cater to a range of household types.

A separate 11-storey building will house 216 co-living studios aimed at renters seeking more affordable and community-oriented accommodation options.

The podium levels will incorporate retail, commercial and wellness spaces, with the activated ground floor open to both residents and the broader community. Residents will also have access to a curated range of shared lifestyle amenities, including communal gathering areas, food and beverage offerings, wellness facilities and rooftop hospitality spaces.

Parking for 129 vehicles and storage facilities for 182 bicycles are also included in the approved plans.

Architectus’ design draws inspiration from the concept of a contemporary urban village. Central to the design is a landscaped courtyard intended to function as a communal town square linking the three towers and encouraging interaction and connection among residents.

The project will utilise Volumetric Modular Construction (VMC), a process that involves manufacturing residential modules in a factory environment before transporting them to the site for installation. This method enables significant portions of the building process to occur simultaneously with site works, reducing construction timeframes, minimising waste, improving safety and ensuring consistent quality.

“Rouse Hill allowed us to test a contemporary mixed‑use model where architecture, landscape, and modular construction work as one system. The project is a finely calibrated ‘family’ of build‑to‑rent, co‑living, retail and commercial uses, assembled via a modular approach,” says Marko Damic, Principal at Architectus.

“Prefabricated apartment modules give us precision and consistency while still allowing for some variety in the facade and public realm, with amenities shared across the precinct.”

Environmental performance has been prioritised, with the project targeting 5 Star Green Star Residential Building accreditation, a 5 Star NABERS rating and WELL for Residential Certification.

“This development delivers something the market genuinely needs, which is a diverse mix of rental options, from co-living studios for young professionals to spacious build-to-rent apartments for families, all within walking distance of the Rouse Hill Metro,” says Edward Li, Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer of Freecity Group.

“Freecity now has transit-oriented development projects underway across more than half a dozen locations in Sydney. By anchoring mixed-use, build-to-rent communities around Metro stations, we're building the kind of well-connected, liveable neighbourhoods that Sydney's growing population needs.”

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