A ten-storey office and retail building will soon tower over Surry Hills, promising new jobs and boosting the local economy. Still, some residents are worried about the impact on their neighbourhood.
The City of Sydney has given the green light to the final development plans for the site at 232-240 Elizabeth Street, which sits within the Surry Hills Tech Centre. The project aims to create a workspace for around 280 office workers and 21 retail staff, potentially attracting big companies with its promise of lower rents.
Growing Pains for a Creative Hub
The developers believe the project will help strengthen Sydney’s creative industries. The City of Sydney agrees, stating that the increased commercial space is perfect for the major digital and creative businesses already in the area. However, some locals have faced pushback on the development.
Concerns raised during the planning process include the loss of sunlight due to the building’s height, worries about privacy, obstructed city views, and the potential impact on nearby heritage buildings. One submission to the council argued that the plans didn’t fully consider how the new development would affect the amount of sunlight reaching surrounding streets.
A Changing Landscape
The site currently houses five low-rise buildings containing shops and a hostel. These will be demolished for the new structure, featuring a laneway connecting Reservoir Street with Foster Lane. This project is the latest in a series of developments transforming the area.
Nearby, tech giant Atlassian is constructing its tower, and design plans for a new Canva headquarters were recently revealed. Stasia, the developer behind the Elizabeth Street project, has a growing portfolio of properties in and around the Sydney CBD, including completed projects like Foveaux HQ, now home to software company Safety Culture.
Published Date 31-December-2024