$11-Million Redevelopment Approved for Crown Street, Surry Hills

A major redevelopment worth nearly $11 million has been approved for 598-610 Crown Street in Surry Hills, marking a significant step forward in transforming the area with new retail and commercial spaces.

Redevelopment Plans

The redevelopment (D/2023/902), designed by PTW Architects, will see the demolition of existing buildings at 598-602 Crown Street and partial demolition of the structures at 604-610 Crown Street. These sites will be replaced with a three-storey commercial development that combines modern architecture with respect for the area’s unique character.

The ground floor will feature six separate retail tenancies, while the upper levels will be dedicated to open-plan commercial offices. Additionally, the site will retain a central Jacaranda tree, which will be incorporated into a new outdoor courtyard area.

Crown Street Surry Hills — *Photo Credit: D/2023/902/City Of Sydney*

This proposal exceeded the local building height restriction of 12 metres, with the new structure reaching a maximum height of 13.57 metres. Despite this, the variation was granted due to the proposal’s minimal impact on surrounding properties and its alignment with the broader goals for the neighbourhood’s growth.

Local Impact and Heritage Considerations

Surry Hills has seen significant revitalisation over the past few years, and Crown Street has become the centre of this transformation. The addition of popular hospitality venues, such as Oakberry and Shuk, has contributed to the street’s growing reputation as a vibrant, trendy strip.

This new development continues that trend, with local residents and businesses seeing it as part of the area’s larger evolution. Community members say the changes represent a “new era” for Surry Hills.

However, the redevelopment also aims to preserve the area’s historical character. The project retains key heritage elements, such as the facade and internal structures of the 604-610 Crown Street buildings, contributing to the heritage conservation area.

Extensive consultation between developers, heritage consultants, and the community led to multiple design revisions. These changes addressed concerns related to overshadowing, heritage impacts, and construction disruptions to ensure the project fits within the local conservation guidelines.

*Photo Credit: D/2023/902/City Of Sydney*

Community and Environmental Focus

The new commercial precinct is part of a broader plan to make Surry Hills a greener and more sustainable neighbourhood. The building will include environmentally friendly features such as rooftop solar panels, water-efficient systems, and bike storage facilities. These initiatives align with the City of Sydney’s sustainability goals, which aim to reduce the area’s carbon footprint and promote eco-friendly transportation options.

Public spaces will also be improved as part of the project. The outdoor courtyard, centred around the preserved Jacaranda tree, will offer a communal area for both visitors and workers in the precinct. The design balances modern commerce and maintaining the natural elements that make Crown Street a lively, pedestrian-friendly area.

This redevelopment represents the latest step in Crown Street’s ongoing transformation.

Published 9-Oct-2024