An artist’s impression of Geocon’s 220 Northbourne project from the inside. Images: Cox Architecture.
Canberra property giant Geocon is describing its new $170 million, 558-unit development proposal for a prominent Northbourne Avenue site as a pedestrian-friendly urban village.
Geocon has moved quickly since acquiring the site from Evri Group in March, submitting a development application for four buildings ranging from four to 14 storeys tall on the 10,663 square metre site on the corner with Wakefield Avenue in Braddon.
Evri had approved plans for two build-to-rent complexes and a commercial building for 220 Northbourne Avenue, but Geocon has pivoted to an all-for-sale project that will also deliver a mix of small-scale commercial spaces at ground level, a series of integrated public and communal spaces, including a central plaza, landscaped courtyards and green rooftop gardens.
The site plan shows a long, six to nine storey rectangular building on the southern side of the cleared block, and irregular-shaped buildings fronting Northbourne Avenue (14 storeys) and Wakefield Avenue (up to nine storeys), and one 14 storey building on the rear eastern side near Lowanna Street, set around the landscaped communal spaces and pedestrian thoroughfares with plantings of large shade trees.
The rear building near Lowanna Street encroaches slightly on the 6-metre setback at the southern end for functional reasons.
The DA says this is to ensure appropriate building separation, public realm activation, and permeability across the site from level 1 and above only, and to allow for greater floorplate adaptability and layout flexibility.
The 558 apartments will include a mix of studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom homes. Most will be either one-bedroom (320) or two-bedroom (197) apartments, plus 41 larger three-bedroom homes.
“The vision for 220 Northbourne Avenue is to establish a thriving, pedestrian-friendly urban village that embodies environmental and social sustainability while delivering high-quality urban design for its residents, visitors and the broader Canberra community,” the DA prepared by Knight Frank says.
A pedestrian link runs diagonally from the corner of Northbourne Avenue and Wakefield Avenue to Lowanna Street, while an east-west laneway connects Northbourne Avenue to Lowanna Street.
A view of the proposal from Lowanna Street. Pedestrian permeability is a feature of the plans.
The landscape plan includes a public plaza at the prominent Northbourne-Wakefield intersection, a generous central resident lawn, and shaded seating areas.
Amenities, including a pool, gym, flexible use spaces, co-working areas, and resident dining and recreation pavilions, will be open day and night.
There are landscaped terraces on levels five and seven of the Wakefield Avenue building and a rooftop garden on the Northbourne end of the southern building.
The complex sits on four basement levels providing 659 spaces for residents, 69 spaces for residential visitors and 11 spaces for commercial employees.
Of these, 56 are accessible/adaptable and 108 are tandem, while 36 motorcycle spaces are also provided.
For bike riders, there will be 567 residential storage lockers throughout the four basement levels, while commercial bicycle parking is provided within the secure parking compound on the ground floor of the Lowanna Street building alongside four showers and changing facilities. Horizontal bike racks in the central courtyard will be available for visitors and customers.
Access to the basement area will be from Wakefield Street and via a ramp at the internal road in the south of the site connecting Northbourne Avenue and Lowanna Street.
The development will generate 191 vehicles per hour in the morning peak and 217 in the evening, which is less than the previously approved proposal, according to the DA’s traffic report.
Geocon Managing Director Nick Georgalis told Region in March that the company had focused on town centres and transport routes for several years.
“We find that property in these areas plays a significant role in value and lifestyle,” he said.
“220 Northbourne is one of those projects. It sits on a key intersection and really is the gateway to the CBD.”
CEO Damon Smith said then that the acquisition highlighted Geocon’s dedication to creating vibrant communities across the capital.
“220 Northbourne offers a great opportunity to deliver much-needed housing options along the light rail corridor,” he said.
“The decision to remove the build-to-rent aspect of the project was not easy; however, our team are experts in delivering quality projects and we believe the outcome will be beneficial to the Canberra community and market.”
Comments on the DA are open until 13 June.
