North Shore $154m Apartment Play Tests Zoning Limits

A $154-million apartment play in Sydney’s Upper North Shore is taking density into a pocket long defined by detached homes and garden setbacks.

The nine-storey State Significant build, now at the end of its public exhibition period, would replace three houses at 24–28 Middle Harbour Road, Lindfield.

From the 4757sq m site, 94 units—20 affordable, 32 build-to-rent and 42 market—would rise along with shared amenities, landscaping and basement parking.

Zoned for low-density residential use under the Ku-ring-gai Local Environmental Plan, the site does not permit multi-storey apartment buildings.

MHR Lindfield Investments Pty Ltd—registered in February this year—is seeking approval under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021.

By including 20 affordable homes and 32 build-to-rent apartments within walking distance of public transport, the developer qualifies to override local zoning controls.

Valued at $154.4 million, the proposal exceeds the $75-million threshold for State Significant Development assessment.

▲ DKO rendering of the nine-storey residential Lindfield scheme.

The development application was first lodged in March of 2024, triggering the State Significant Development assessment pathway.

Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements were issued in April and the application went on public exhibition on June 3.

Designed by DKO, the building would include a swimming pool, gym, sauna and communal kitchen, plus three levels of basement parking for 190 vehicles.

One of the properties to be demolished—28 Middle Harbour Road—is a modified Inter-War house within the Trafalgar Avenue Heritage Conservation Area.

A heritage impact assessment found the property no longer contributes meaningfully to the streetscape due to past alterations.

Design responses, such as facade articulation, material choice and upper-level setbacks, were introduced to address the heritage context.

The site is about 500m from Lindfield Station.

The proposal is now under assessment by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.