Charas Constructions

The Planning Studio assisted our client Charas Constructions in obtaining development approval for a new co-living development in Coogee through a Section 34 Conciliation Conference in the Land and Environment Court. The new development, designed by Mark Shapiro Architects will deliver high-quality, much needed, housing diversity through the provision of a 4-5 storey co-living development with 20 rooms over two buildings, as well as basement parking, landscaping and communal internal and external communal facilities.

In reaching agreement, the application was supported by two Clause 4.6 Variations for building height, and, importantly, the minimum lot size control introduced to the Housing SEPP for co-living. In the judgement the Commissioner noted that she was “satisfied, for the reasons outlined in the written request, that it is unreasonable and unnecessary to comply with the minimum lot size control in the circumstances of this case as the objectives of the standard are met, notwithstanding the non-compliance. Further, I am satisfied that the grounds advanced in the written request are sufficient environmental planning grounds to justify contravening the development standard.

The parties agree, and I accept, that the proposed development is in the public interest because it is consistent with the objectives of the Minimum Lot Size standard and the objectives for development within the R3 Medium Density Residential zone for the reasons detailed in the written request.”

[image source: Base 3D Artist Impressions]

JDH Capital

The Planning Studio managed the design competition for the redevelopment of the Stamford Hotel at 93-97 Macquarie Street, Sydney in 2023. The brief asked competitors to design a high quality mixed-use commercial and residential development that connected public space and repurposed the adjacent heritage-listed Health Department building.

TPS worked closely with City of Sydney, our client JDH Capital, Dedico Development Services and the five architectural firms who submitted proposals. Each design was well-considered, thoughtful, and embraced the heritage and context of Macquarie Street. BVN Architecture’s proposal was selected as the winning design by the Jury.

TPS was pleased to have recently lodged a Detailed DA with Council that will see BVN’s design reinvigorate the Stamford Hotel site in a manner sensitive to its heritage and historical importance, with non-residential uses within the state-listed Health Building, whilst also delivering 69 high-quality residential dwellings in the CBD. We look forward to working with the City of Sydney and our client team to progress this high-quality development within the nationally important Macquarie Street special character area.

[image source: BVN Architecture]

Rozelle Grand

The Planning Studio successfully assisted our client to obtain approval for a comprehensive modification to the former Balmain Leagues Club site.

The modification will enable the earlier 2020 development consent to operate functionally so that the development can move into the construction phase – including demolition of the dilapidated former leagues club building.

This development will act as a catalyst for the Rozelle community offering a new public plaza, local food and beverage, a supermarket, and a new club facility for West Tigers. It will also provide local office spaces, a community space for Council, and 147 high-quality residential units.

The Planning Studio is also assisting West Tigers Club to prepare and submit their application for fit-out and use of the new club as part of the wider development.

[image source: Scott Carver]

Iglu Student Accommodation

The Planning Studio, working with our client Iglu Student Accommodation finalised the design competition for their site within the Kensington and Kingsford corridor in Randwick Council in early 2022.

The design brief asked architects to develop ‘innovative and creative design solutions’ for the site that aligned to the vision and opportunities for co-living and mixed-use development around UNSW.

We then worked with our client Iglu, the competition winner Bates Smart and the wider consultant team to progress the development application for a mixed use development with ground and first-floor retail and recreation spaces and 286 student accommodation rooms. The application was lodged in the last quarter of 2022 and was unanimously supported by the Sydney East Planning Panel in September 2023.

We were particularly pleased that the Sydney Eastern Planning Panel supported Iglu’s intended ground-floor outcome, which prioritised street activation and non-residential uses, whilst minimising parking, given the site’s excellent access to public transport, UNSW, and the surrounding local centre.

We have significant experience managing design competitions in and around Sydney, including in the City of Sydney, Randwick and Parramatta Council areas.

[image source: Bates Smart]

Tricon Management Group

The Planning Studio assisted in obtaining development consent for a Clause 4.55(2) Modification to deliver Sydney’s first ‘pencil tower’ hotel at 410 Pitt Street, Haymarket designed by Durbach Block Jaggers.

The Planning Studio prepared the modification on behalf of Tricon Management Group and liaised with Council to enable its approval. The site’s unique features required certain aspects of the design, and building infrastructure to be amended to enable construction, whilst still retaining the ‘design excellence’ requirements from the original approval.

The consultant team developed a considered plan to manage wind loads by introducing a concrete house tuned sloshing damper on the roof.

Once completed, the hotel will be 33 storeys, 110m in height and 6.4m wide. The design will also include a flying balcony, which will form part of a penthouse duplex suite, with artwork and sculptural elements embedded throughout the development and within the rooms.

[image source: Durbach BlockJaggers]

TR Faversham

The Planning Studio successfully obtained consent from Inner West Council Local Planning Panel for a new mixed-use development in Marrickville with ground-floor specialised retail and hi-tech light industrial warehouses with units on the three levels above.

The project will deliver high-quality, well-designed commercial and industrial units that will appeal to a range of different businesses from manufacturing, creative, technology and supply chain. The ground-floor will promote diverse uses such as local markets, food and drink premises and specialised retail.

The development will also deliver a new public link from Faversham Street to Victoria Road and pedestrian connection to Wicks Park.

[image source: Place Studio]

Sage by Moran

The Planning Studio has been assisting Sage by Moran to deliver a new bespoke seniors living development opposite Cronulla Beach. The development will deliver 37 new luxury seniors living apartments, with ground-floor retail and amenities for residents on level 1 and a rooftop pool and BBQ.

The Planning Studio is continuing to assist the client to progress Section 4.55 modifications and also aided in negotiating a Section 34 Agreement with Council through the Land and Environment Court.

[image source: Scott Carver]

BANG Architecture

The Planning Studio worked with BANG Architecture and our client to obtain approval from the Waverley Local Planning Panel for a new commercial development with a café on the ground-floor and three levels of office space above.

The elegant design will enliven the streetscape with its warm and natural materials and encourage new local office facilities close to residential uses in Bondi.

[image source: BANG Architecture]

Tricon Management Group

The Planning Studio obtained approval for new shop-top housing developments in St Leonards and Marrickville, both with ground-floor retail and up to 40 dwellings per development.

These dwellings will be retained for at least 25 years for older women facing homelessness and escaping domestic violence as part of a program the client has contracted with the NSW Government and St George Community Housing to deliver.

In both applications, The Planning Studio was able to successfully secure variations to the building height control under Clause 4.6 of the LEPs.

[image source: Nordon Jago]

Eastview Australia

The Planning Studio along with EM BE CE Architects have successfully secured approval on behalf of our client, Eastview Australia for a high-quality, infill mixed-use development on Military Road, Neutral Bay. We worked with the design team, our client and Council to successfully obtain a Section 34 conciliation outcome through the NSW Land and Environment Court.

The final approval enables a 5-storey mixed use development providing 19 new apartments, communal roof space and 2 ground floor retail spaces.

The proposal demonstrates an excellent example of a responsive, well-designed building, providing residential uses in a highly accessible location, and retail uses that will contribute to the activation of the Neutral Bay village centre. The Planning Studio also prepared a Clause 4.6 Variation Request for building height, which highlighted that exceedance of height on this important corner site was in the public interest and “is compatible with future development as well as the scale, density and character of the area”.

[image source: EMBECE]

BANG Architecture

The Planning Studio worked closely with BANG Architecture to obtain development consent from the Waverley LPP on behalf of our client for a shop top housing development containing ground-floor retail, café uses and 14 residential dwellings. The scheme was approved with a variation to the height control under Clause 4.6 and will provide high-quality new mixed use development in the heart of Bondi.

[image source: BANG Architecture]

Rebel Property / Braxton Capital

The Planning Studio assisted our clients in the approval of a multi-dwelling housing development in Lane Cove North. The proposal will see the construction of 10 attached townhouses that include a shared basement with 10 individual double garages, and is a perfect example of the housing diversity urgently needed in places close to infrastructure and jobs.

The Planning Studio assisted with the DA by preparing a Statement of Environmental Effects and a Clause 4.6 Variation Request for FSR, while also liaising with Lane Cove Council regarding post lodgement RFIs.

PopovBass's design will bring high-quality, diverse housing into the area that maximises space and amenity while also contributing to the overall street character.

[image source: Popov Bass]

EM BE CE

At The Planning Studio, we support projects across NSW that actively seek to provide diverse housing opportunities to suit people’s changing needs and lifestyles. On this project we worked with our client and EM BE CE on a diverse housing project in the Central Coast.

The Planning Studio secured development approval for 5 contemporary terraces under a build-to-rent model through the Land and Environment Court. Our client was interested in the 'missing middle' typology to provide medium density, high-quality housing in West Gosford. We’re looking forward to seeing EM BE CE’s contemporary interpretation of the terrace form to reimagine this site, which will contribute to housing diversity for families living on the Central Coast.

The Planning Studio provided statutory planning services including preparation of the SEE, a Clause 4.6 Variation Request and acting as an expert in the Land and Environment Court.

[image source: EM BE CE]

RFA Architects

The Planning Studio obtained development consent from the Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel in late 2022 to develop the site for a boutique ‘shop top housing’ development in Manly Vale.

The proposal will redevelop the currently run-down site into ground-floor retail with 9 high-quality residential dwellings.

The Planning Panel was able to successfully obtain a Clause 4.6 Variation Request to amend the maximum building height control for the development.

The Planning Studio has also prepared a Section 4.55 modification DA, which is in the process of being assessed by Council.

[image source: Architectural Images]