Property developer Mulpha Australia has won development approval for the first timber commercial building as part of its $3 billion Norwest masterplan in Sydney’s west.
The $53 million development, known as The Bond, was initially rejected by Sydney Central Planning late last year.
The developer lodged an appeal against the decision to reject the 7-storey building, which will now be located on the corners of Elizabeth Macarthur Drive and Norbrik Drive, adjacent to the heritage-listed Bella Vista Farm.
The Fitzpatrick & Partners-designed timber building will comprise ground floor retail, a co- working lobby space, along with six floors of commercial office space and a childcare facility for 110 capacity.
The Norwest City scheme is intended to realise a smart cities concept.
The developer purchased the 377-hectare site, located 35km from the Sydney CBD, in the 1990s.
Mulpha Developments executive general manager Tim Spencer says Norwest is home to entrepreneurial start-ups and listed companies, including Woolworths Group, ResMed, Subaru, Westpac, Capital Finance and Norwest Private Hospital.
“As Sydney’s population and economic centre moves west, our vision is to create a highly desirable work and lifestyle destination.”
Spencer said Norwest is targeted for business growth with a planning proposal under assessment by council.
“The multi-billion investments in the Sydney Metro and Western Sydney Airport, one of the largest projects in Australian history, will put Norwest at the heart of Australia’s economic future.
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Mulpha Norwest is a fully owned subsidiary of Mulpha Australia, which buys, develops and manages a range of property investments including Hayman Island, Intercontinental Hotel Sydney and Sanctuary Cove Resort.
Mulpha is Malaysia’s largest real estate investor and developer in Australia.
The Bond building, which will be located in the commercial precinct Circa, will be connected by on-demand shuttle buses to the new Metro stations at Norwest and Bella Vista.