Work on the third and final stage of Billbergia’s $3 billion Rhodes Central development is all set to begin, with the precinct taking shape as a vibrant, connected urban village, guided by a carefully staged masterplan that is transforming the heart of the Rhodes peninsula.

Over a period of nearly 20 years, the precinct, master planned by SJB in 2005, has evolved from a former industrial site into a high-density, mixed-use community. The first stage, completed in 2022, laid the groundwork with two residential towers housing 550 apartments above a 12,000sqm retail and commercial centre, and also introduced new pedestrian connections between Walker and Marquet Streets. A landscaped public plaza that acts as the precinct’s ‘front door’ established a clear civic focus, while a rooftop heliostat redirects sunlight into the Mary Street public realm, improving comfort and reducing overshadowing.

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Building on this foundation, the second stage has now delivered the Rhodes Recreation Centre alongside the Oasis and Peake residential towers, adding a further 670 apartments to the precinct. Located within walking distance to the Rhodes train station, the Rhodes Recreation Centre has been designed as a prominent local landmark and social anchor, providing a range of spaces that support wellbeing, inclusion and everyday community use.

The third stage will complete the masterplan with the delivery of Cascade, a 39-storey mixed-use tower at 23–25 Marquet Street, providing 360 new homes, including affordable and multi-generational housing. SJB’s design, selected through a design excellence competition, features a landscaped podium, more than 2,000 square metres of publicly accessible open space, and an activated ground plane with retail and alfresco dining. New laneways and plazas will complete the pedestrian network established in earlier stages, forming the final link across the precinct. It is scheduled for completion in 2030.

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The Rhodes Recreation Centre, which opened last month, was delivered through a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) between Billbergia and the City of Canada Bay, embedding social infrastructure directly into the development for the long-term benefit for the community.

“The Recreation Centre is the product of true collaboration between developer, architect and council – a model where social infrastructure is embedded, not bolted on,” says SJB Partner and Master Plan Lead, John Pradel.

Inside, the Recreation Centre accommodates both high-performance sport and community activity, with facilities including indoor courts, a gymnasium, fitness spaces, flexible community rooms, childcare and a crèche. At ground level, laneways and plazas extend the public domain, while lifting the residential elements above street level has enabled new north–south and east–west pedestrian connections, making Rhodes Central part of people’s daily journeys through the peninsula.

A consistent material palette unifies the development. Vertical concrete blades, sculptural cut-outs and acid-washed concrete define the podium, supported by red brick and weathered steel chosen for their durability and civic character. Together, these materials provide a strong, grounding presence at street level, while the residential towers above adopt a lighter expression to maintain visual continuity.

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“Through a VPA with Canada Bay Council, we’ve created a pathway to unlock additional housing supply while delivering significant, lasting community infrastructure. It’s a clear demonstration of how thoughtful public and private partnerships can shape vibrant, liveable neighbourhoods,” says Saul Moran, Development Director – Planning and Design at Billbergia.

“Building a community starts with thoughtful design. It’s not just about delivering homes, but about creating places that support the area. At Rhodes Central, we’ve created spaces that support this vision – it’s social infrastructure that says: you belong here,” adds SJB Partner and Design Lead, Emily Wombwell.

Photography: Tom Roe (Supplied)

Architecture News & Editorial Desk

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