Developers are set to transform a quaint street in Kensington by demolishing three single-storey homes to make way for a $21.6 million high-rise apartment complex near a major transport hub.
Town planner Planning Ingenuity has unveiled plans for a new residential complex at 6-10 Bowral St, Kensington, which includes two high-rise towers of 10 and eight storeys. The development site, strategically positioned less than 300 metres from the Kensington Light Rail stop, benefits from its proximity to the University of NSW, Centennial Parklands, and Moore Park.
The proposed development, DA 208/2024, would bring 34 new apartments to the area, comprising a mix of one to four-bedroom layouts. Ground Ink architects, involved in the project, have highlighted the site’s prime location for significant development due to the recent introduction of the light rail corridor.
Context of the Development
This development initiative follows a series of major projects in Kensington and its surrounding suburbs.
Notably, last year, the Randwick Council approved a $52-million student housing project along Anzac Parade while construction commenced on TOGA’s $180-million mixed-use residential hub in the same suburb. These projects follow a controversial proposal by billionaire developer Harry Triguboff that faced community pushback in Zetland.
A previous proposal for a nine-storey building on the same site was rejected by the Land and Environmental Court in 2022, primarily due to concerns over the building’s height exceeding local limits by nearly 10 metres.
The current proposal, which suggests eight and ten storeys structures, aims to replace three Federation-style homes, which, while not heritage-listed, are part of a community with several protected buildings.
A heritage impact statement has been issued, noting potential conflicts between the new development’s scale and the surrounding area’s historical character.
Potential Impact and Benefits
The developers argue that the new towers would increase housing stock and offer substantial social benefits by providing diverse housing options close to essential services and public transport.
The project includes plans for 50 car parking spaces and a commercial site, enhancing the area’s accessibility and economic activity.
Approval of this project could significantly alter Kensington’s landscape and social fabric, marking another step in the suburb’s ongoing transformation driven by urban development and infrastructure enhancements.
Published 25-June-2024
