An artist’s impression of the Linq Stage 3 development in Belconnen, viewed from College Street. Image: Fender Katsalidis.
A development application for another big apartment project in the Belconnen Town Centre has been lodged, hot on the heels of a DA for JW Land’s massive 435-unit Lathlain Street project.
The third and final stage of Evri Group’s Linq precinct on College Street (Block 16 Section 45) will deliver around 300 apartments to the town centre across two stepped towers of 13 and 21 storeys, 12 metres apart.
The east tower will rise eight storeys before stepping back from College Street, and the west will rise 12 storeys.
The original density has been reduced from 346 apartments to “support a more liveable and efficient design”, with fewer units per floor and shorter building facades to lessen visual impact and maximise the amount of sunlight it will receive.
A mix of studios and one and two-bedroom apartments are proposed – 55 studios, 131 one-beds and 124 two-beds, as well as lobbies and a building management office.
The $93 million development has been designed to integrate seamlessly with the other two Linq stages.
“Its stepped building forms and 6-metre setbacks respect the massing of adjacent sites, such as Linq Stage 1 to the south, ensuring solar access, privacy, and minimal overshadowing while delivering high-quality housing in an area set to see substantial population growth,” the DA prepared by Knight Frank says.
A view of the northern side of the proposed development showing resident amenities and terraces.
Resident amenities will include a health and fitness space, a recreation and dining pavilion on the northern side, co-working space, flexible use space, and evening activation space.
Outside, a central resident lawn with built-in furniture, a courtyard, and a multipurpose laneway are proposed, as well as a linear garden along the western boundary, offering shaded pedestrian pathways and greenery. More plantings have also been included for the College Street frontage.
The DA says a smaller basement footprint will mean more room for deep-rooted planting and retained mature trees, with a focus on native and locally adapted species.
The sloping terrain will be exploited for terrace gardens.
The landscaping is designed to mitigate the urban heat island effect in the warmer months, while seasonal water features and integrated rain gardens that collect roof and surface run-off are aimed at improving stormwater quality and reducing reliance on potable water.
Other sustainability features include rooftop gardens and solar arrays for electricity generation.
The project will sit on four levels of basement parking, totalling 393 vehicle spaces for residents, office staff and visitors, including 331 EV-capable and eight accessible spaces.
It proposes 15 motorcycle spaces, 343 bicycle spaces, and showers and lockers in end-of-trip facilities.
Access will be from College Street, at the southwest corner of the block.
The DA’s traffic report expects the development to generate about 106 vehicle trips during the morning peak hour and 105 trips during the evening peak hour on a typical weekday.
The development has been designed to integrate seamlessly with the other two Linq stages.
An early learning centre and surface carpark will make way for the project.
Comment on the DA can be made until 5 May.
