Plus Architecture has won a design competition for a two-tower development at 711 Hunter Street in Newcastle’s West End, which will become the city’s tallest.
Standing at 90 metres high, the development will accommodate up to 250 dwellings and 1,500 square metres of commercial floor space.
The competition for the significant development site was held by the City of Newcastle together with property developers St Hilliers and The Spotlight Property Group, with the winner selected via an independent jury process under the governance of the City of Newcastle and the NSW Government Architect’s Office. The jury praised the design’s “meeting place” concept, which positions the ground plane of the development as a public domain to facilitate and encourage people to meet. The jury also supported the visual link between National Park Street and the Army Drill Hall, as well as the warm tonal palette and horizontal staked layers.
711 Hunter Street by Plus Architecture.
Plus Architecture director Sumedh Kataria said the project had the potential to change the face of the city.
“Our vision for this project is about creating a place that reflects the heart and soul of the city – past, future,” he said. “Plus Architecture’s winning design concept is intended to deliver a development that celebrates its connection with place and country, adds to the richness of the urban fabric within which it sits and embraces its role as a key contributor to the city’s future identity.”
St Hilliers Property project director Paul Smith said, “The quality of architectural design presented by Plus Architecture is really impressive and we look forward to further refining the design by incorporating the jury’s recommendations before proceeding to the next phase.”
“With a development of this significance, we will work closely with Plus Architecture to set sustainability targets and quality design outcomes during the more detailed development application phase, including a focus on thermal comfort, energy, waste and water.”
711 Hunter Street by Plus Architecture.
Newcastle’s West End is currently undergoing something of a development boom, with some major private developments in the works, and both state and local government agencies relocating their offices the area. Newscastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes lent her support to the development.
“Newcastle’s city skyline is set to be further transformed when this significant redevelopment in the West End comes to life,” she said.
The developers expect to lodge a development application mid-2022.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
