The NSW government has approved the Northern Precinct tower in the Waterloo Metro Quarter over-station development after its proposed use was changed from residential to commercial and its height was reduced by more than 26 metres.
Designed by Woods Bagot, the northern tower is one of four towers proposed as part of the $900 million metro development. A 25-storey student accommodation tower and nine-storey social housing tower designed by Bates Smart, which make up the Southern Precinct, were approved in late July, while the central 24-storey residential tower by Hassell and Aileen Sage Architects is still under consideration.
The approved norther tower’s form is broken into four quadrants that range from nine to fifteen storeys, with a through-site link and atria cutting though the building horizontally and vertically allowing visual interactions between the different sections of the building and the public realm.
The original concept approval for the development allowed for a 29-storey residential tower in the northern precinct, but that was changed to a 17-storey commercial tower in an amended concept development application approved in June. That was further reduced to the final 15-storeys in response to submissions on the detailed design development application, approved on 23 September.
The Northern Precinct tower in the Waterloo Metro Quarter OSD by Woods Bagot.
Characterized by an eclectic mix of materials, the tower design aims to respond to the industrial warehouse character of historical Wellington. It will deliver 34,150 square metres of commercial space and 588 square metres of retail space at podium level, integrated with the metro station.
The development application also includes the provision of publicly accessible open space, with landscape architecture by Aspect Studios. This includes Raglan Plaza to the north, a walkway from Raglan Street to Cope Street Plaza and extended footpaths along Botany Road and Raglan Street.
The planning department found that the proposal achieved design excellence and was appropriate for the urban context. It noted that the reduced scale lessened overshadowing impacts, and would mean there was no overshadowing of Alexandria Park.
The entire over-station development is scheduled for completion in 2024, to coincide with the opening of the Sydney Metro City and Southwest line.
