Deicorp Lifts Cover on Hills Showgrounds’ Biggest Stage

Deicorp has unveiled plans for the biggest precinct in its 1620-home development next to the Hills Showground metro station.

There are 873 apartments across five buildings of up to 16-storeys planned for the project’s east site at 3 Andalusian Way, Castle Hill, 34km north-west of the Sydney CBD.

The plans could be a taste of what could be to come for future metro precincts around Sydney.

The Showground Station Priority Precinct was announced nearly 10 years ago for development around the new station on the north-west line. 

The NSW Government and Sydney Metro are now looking at precincts around the metro west lines with significant rezonings, planning and over-station developments under way.

A further two stations could be added to the pipeline just west of Sydney—Olympic Park and Rosehill Gardens. 

Wentworth Properties, Billbergia, Abacus and the Australian Turf Club are pressuring the NSW Government to make it a reality.

The developers have created plans for Rosehill-Camelia precinct that include 45,000 homes and a 350m-long beach on the banks of the Parramatta River.

Meanwhile, on the north-west line, Deicorp is well advanced with the development of its 3.2ha site. 

The east precinct plans replace the former Baulkham Hills Shire Council headquarters, which was demolished in anticipation of the development.

▲ A render of the east precinct in the background, Doran Drive Precinct ghost render, Hills Showground metro station and part of the west precinct land.

The Group GSA designed buildings A, B and C in the precinct while Turner was behind buildings D and E, both with the help of architect Robert Nation AM.

“The immediate area is rapidly transforming from a former established low density residential area, into a high density transport oriented precinct,” the report by Sutherland & Associates Planning said. 

The Hills Showground Metro Station opened in 2019 and the precinct gained concept approval in January, 2021. The western portion of the development will have 307 apartments. 

In November last year, the first tower cranes were installed on the middle landholding called Doran Drive Precinct comprising 431 apartments.

There will also be a three-level, 10,935sqm retail podium that will sit beneath four 20-level residential towers, and a public plaza linking the metro station with the rest of the precinct.

Deicorp was appointed by Landcom and Sydney Metro to develop the precinct and plans for the stage, dubbed East Showgrounds, are currently on exhibition.

Deicorp executive manager Rob Furolo said there was a growing interest from buyers for station-side aparments.

“This latest DA adds to the extensive pipeline of approved or currently under assessment applications that Deicorp has, which now stands at 3945 apartments,” Furolo said.

“Across our currently under construction projects, we are seeing strengthening buyer interest, with inquiries growing, and sales continuing to be positive.

“In February, we sold 106 apartments, which shows the underlying demand from buyers for apartments close to major transport stations.”