Development of Parramatta Square continues to progress with Parramatta City Council and Alfasi Property Developments lodging Development Applications with the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP).

Additionally, the Council is set to launch a design excellence competition for two more commercial towers to be built in the area.

This latest development is Stage Three of the square refresh, located at 153 Macquarie St.

Designed by FJMT, it will include state-of-the-art, A-grade office and community facilities, including a new library, community meeting rooms and Council chambers.

Plans that have been lodged show a 16-level, 22,000sqm commercial tower to be developed by Alfasi, with a separate podium building to be developed by Parramatta City Council for its new civic building and library.

In all, the redevelopment will have 7000sm of public facilities, opening out onto the public domain.

Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr John Chedid says he expects the application for Stage Three to be approved later this year, with construction beginning in early 2014.

“We’re confident we will be able to deliver these state-of-the-art facilities to the Parramatta community by late 2015,” Chedid says.

“Our residents, workers and visitors can look forward to vibrant and contemporary spaces and high quality amenity.

“As part of Council’s $1.6 billion to $2 billion Parramatta Square development, Stage Three will contribute to helping the City realise its potential and bring economic, social and environmental benefits to Parramatta, Western Sydney and Greater Sydney,” he says.

“As the design evolves, Council will be going out to the local community to seek their input on how these new public facilities should look, feel and be used.”

Parramatta Square is the Council’s landmark urban renewal development, set across three-hectares of Council-owned space and real estate in the heart of Parramatta CBD.

Once complete, it will include public space, corporate centres, retail and dining options, new Council facilities, and strong connections to the Parramatta transport interchange.

Later this month, a design competition will commence for the two remaining commercial towers, with gross floor area of up to 130,000sqm.

It will seek expressions of interest from international and national architectural firms, from which four will be selected to prepare designs.

Additionally, design excellence competitions for the remaining projects – the public domain and Stage Four – will commence later this year.

Already in progress are the first two stages, with Das for both lodged earlier this year.

Leighton Properties will be developer for 169 Macquarie St – the DA is expected to be approved this year – with construction expected to begin by the end of the year and completed by late 2015.

A 90-storey mixed-use tower on the corner of Church and Darcy Streets is also expected to be approved later this year.

Stage Three of Parramatta Square forms part of the Councils’ program to revitalise its public assets, including a new operations centre in Rydalmere and a Discovery Centre by the river.

“The renewal of our public assets reflects Council’s commitment to delivering quality and efficient customer service to the community, operational efficiencies and facilities that will allow for expansion to meet the needs of our growing population,” Chedid says.

Stage Three of the Parramatta Square development includes:

a library
community meeting, activity rooms and senior leisure and learning
customer contact centre for general, visitor and business information and development services
foyer to include café, concierge wireless lounge area and self-help services
technology or innovation centre
council chambers
council administration.

Lisa Rapley

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