Tall & Urban News

A new Sydney metro station will be built at Pyrmont, according to the final strategy for Pyrmont and Ultimo announced by the New South Wales government.

The Pyrmont strategy could also clear the way for The Star’s luxury hotel and apartment tower development plans in the prime inner Sydney precinct.

Under the strategy, a 110-meter tower on the northern end of the Star’s Pyrmont site is permitted, on the condition it is a six-star hotel. The southern end of the site allows for a maximum 140-meter building height, according to the final strategy released by Planning Minister Rob Stokes.

The strategy notes a maximum height of 60 meters to remain in place for all other development types.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian launched the Pyrmont planning review after the late-2019 rejection of The Star’s AU$529 million (US$403 million) hotel and apartment tower for being beyond the maximum height limit.

The group had initially sought approval for the construction of a 237-meter tower, in an area zoned for a maximum height of 28 meters, which would have comprised a six-star Ritz-Carlton hotel and 204 residential apartments.

Under Friday's final strategy, Harbourside building heights would reach 170 meters.

And at Blackwattle Bay, the strategy outlines building heights of between 120 and 156 meters.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance also confirmed approval had been given to the metro station development at Pyrmont on Friday, as part of the mega AU$20-billion (US$15.2 billion)-plus Metro West project.

The green light will see the station form part of the rail line connecting Sydney CBD and Parramatta, which Constance says would provide an 18-minute train journey between Parramatta and Pyrmont.

Stokes described the final strategy for Pyrmont and Ultimo as envisaging a “global entertainment and cultural hub” with “enhanced streetscapes, parklands and open space” in a statement.

Stokes also said the final Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy gives “more certainty” regarding the future of Sydney CBD’s western gateway.

When contacted, Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the city would take time to consider the state government’s plan for the Pyrmont Peninsula’s future.

“But on the surface, it’s a mixed bag,” she said.

“The commitment to a metro station at Pyrmont and the return of Wentworth Park to people as high-quality parkland are welcome, but it is disappointing to see the government remain committed to the Star’s 140-meter and 110-meter towers,” Moore said.

“If the Star pushes ahead with these towers, we will consider its design closely and demand the government ensure no overshadowing of residential properties or public spaces.”

Moore added that better transport connections through the metro station is great news for the area.

“But these are necessary to serve the current community, and should not be used as an excuse to increase residential density any further.”

Following Friday’s final strategy announcement, a spokesperson for The Star said that the Pyrmont project could inject a potential investment of up to AU$1 billion (US$760 million) in the precinct with the gateway to the CBD now “hopefully” able to “realize its full potential.”

“Our proposed developments, subject to planning, could deliver two hotels and create around 2,000 jobs,” the Star spokesperson said.

“We look forward to continued government engagement with the aim of delivering their vision for the area.”

The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment will now prepare master plans for the Pyrmont Peninsula’s seven sub-precincts—Pirrama, Darling Island, Blackwattle Bay, Tumbalong Park, Wentworth Park, Pyrmont Village and Ultimo.

For more on this story, go to The Urban Developer.