Billbergia Reveals Revamped Plans for Final Rhodes Central Tower

Billbergia has revealed fresh plans for the final stage of its $3-billion Rhodes Central precinct, including a 39-storey mixed-use tower. Above a four-storey podium, the Cascade building’s three towers would include 361 homes in a mix of typologies from one to four bedrooms, with an estimated gross realisation value of about $700 million. The project at 23-25 Marquet Street, about 10km west of the Sydney CBD, would include an affordable housing component of 72 apartments. A two-level penthouse is also planned, alongside a communal rooftop garden with views from the CBD to the Blue Mountains. Gross floor area of about 37,000sq m would factor into a floor space ratio of 7.72:1. Billbergia development director Saul Moran told The Urban Developer that the housing mix would allow “families with grandparents, parents and grandchildren to all live together in one home, yet with a degree of independence”. “We like to think we offer something for everyone and a diverse mix of floorplans helps us ensure an inclusive multi-generational community.” Non-residential space would include a retail component of 1200sq m, as well as 2000sq m of public space, an open-air dining court and an upmarket restaurant. Moran said that the focus "is on place-making and to really create a highly-liveable destination, we are activating the precinct with vibrant facilities – which is critical in high-density communities”. “In addition to dedicated communal facilities for residents like cinemas, study rooms, barbecue areas, steam room, spas and a pool, the project is well connected to public transport, with access to convenience retail and community facilities. “I think it demonstrates that convenience and liveability underwrite Rhodes Central’s design.” According to Moran, the industry at large has been improving residential communal facilities, but the scale and emphasis on amenity is a unique proposition for Rhodes Central and for Billbergia. The site has been cleared and excavation is planned to begin early in 2026. A 2030 completion date is targeted. ▲ The building’s three forms sit above a four-storey podium, with rooftop views to the CBD and Blue Mountains. An earlier vision for the site at 23-29 Marquet Street was included in a scoping report lodged in February 2024, with a 42-storey building yielding 270 apartments (the largest of which were three-bedroom). In July that year, plans were amended to swap three levels of commercial space with serviced apartments. Over time, according to Moran, the final stage has been given careful consideration, with massing, daylight, and views all becoming priorities for design. Another design excellence competition was held in September 2024, with SJB emerging the winner. The architectural firm has been involved with the project since 2005. SJB partner and masterplan lead John Pradel told The Urban Developer that the design philosophy has shifted from “a collection of sites”, to “a long-term urban vision, where each stage enables the next”. The Rhodes Central masterplan has been under development for two decades. The first stage, at 14 Walker Street, was completed in 2022 and delivered a 13,000sq m shopping centre and 568 apartments. The second stage, at 34-36 Walker Street, added the $85-million Rhodes Recreation Centre under a Voluntary Planning Agreement with the City of Canada Bay alongside another 673 units and reached completion this year. When complete, the precinct will comprise five towers with 1600 homes for about 3500 residents, as well as 25,000sq m of non-residential space. ▲ Design allows pedestrian flow through, rather than around, the precinct’s elements, according to Pradel. “What we’re seeing on the ground is that apartments here are not just investor stock; they’re genuinely lived-in, owner-occupied homes,” Pradel said. “Families who started in smaller units are choosing to stay on the peninsula and move into larger apartments as their needs change, which is still relatively rare in Sydney’s apartment market.” SJB’s response was to design buildings with flexibility in mind, which includes “[L]ayouts that can adapt over time, apartments that can comfortably accommodate multiple generations under one roof, and communal spaces that support everything from childcare to sport to informal gatherings. “The aim is to allow people to grow into, rather than out of, Rhodes,” Pradel said. Billbergia has been prolific in the area, with a six-tower precinct at nearby 25-27 Leeds Street approved in October this year. In August, a concept masterplan for a nine-tower precinct at the neighbouring Leeds Street Precinct site was released. Also in the vicinity is Billbergia’s planned 37-storey “vertical forest” tower at 9-13 Blaxland Street , placed on the HDA fast-track in February this year .

Billbergia Reveals Revamped Plans for Final Rhodes Central Tower

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