Newcastle Shoptop Proposal Stepped Down

Plans have been filed to downsize a Newcastle apartment project in response to market demand.

The Empire Developments Partnership is planning a shoptop residential development at 643 Hunter Street, Newcastle West, and first filed plans in 2022. In October, 2023, the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel approved the development for 106 units and 172 carparking spaces.

The proposed modifications by ADW Johnson amalgamate the number of apartments on levels 12 to 18 “to respond to market demand and diversify the mix of apartment types within the area”. 

The changes reduce apartment numbers from 106 to 95 and also partly enclose balcony and terrace areas “to improve usability and amenity of areas of private recreation”. 

The address was the site of the Empire Hotel, demolished nearly 15 years ago by the state government after it fell into disrepair, and a number of attempts to turn the site into apartments have fallen flat. 

The site was last sold in 2018 for $9.3 million, according to CoreLogic’s RP Data. 

▲ A render of the proposed Hunter Street apartment building.

And it is far from the only disused site in Newcastle earmarked for development. 

The City of Newcastle plans to demolish Queens Wharf with site investigations under way for the redevelopment of the vacant site west of the CBD.

The harbourside site comprises two buildings, including a public promenade and a Transport for NSW-owned ferry wharf. It was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1988 and at the time had an estimated life of 25 years.

The council wants to develop the site in two stages and as separate buildings. 

A fire in 2020 rendered the building unusable and the site is now vacant. 

▲ A tower within the Queens Wharf precinct was demolished in 2018.

The City of Newcastle, however, made it clear that it would not be selling the site for redevelopment and the lease for the Queens Wharf Hotel within the precinct does not expire until 2033, so will be allowed to continue to trade for another eight years.

“The City of Newcastle has on a number of occasions ruled out the option of selling any part of the site and this remains its position,” the council said. 

Further due diligence will be undertaken in 2025, to be followed by an expressions-of-interest process for a development partner and then community consultation.