Aland Takes Up Twin-Tower Approved Gosford Site

Sydney-based developer Aland has snapped up a prime mixed-use Gosford property that has approval for a twin-tower apartment and hotel complex.

It has been a three-year wait for development of the 5656sq m site on Mann Street in the heart of downtown Gosford, with approval for 289 apartments, a 167-key hotel, a gymnasium, conference facilities, a sky bar on the 28th floor and a ground-floor pub.

Approval was given in 2019 for the $400-million project, known as The Archibald, but although the original buildings were demolished, construction never began.

“We’re delighted to have secured the property and look forward to taking the plans for the project forward to deliver a fantastic new addition to the Gosford skyline,” Aland chief George Tadrosse said.

He confirmed the deal was done via an expression-of-interest-process run by Colliers International, although no one at Aland would be drawn on the purchase price.

“We have an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the city, and we’re excited to get this project under way,” he said.

Aland head of development Ryan Lane said that depending upon pre-sales they expected construction to start in the fourth quarter of this year. He confirmed they would largely stick to the Dickson Rothschild architectural design, approved in 2019

“Aesthetically we are very happy with the approved design and we will only be looking to make minor design changes to support ‘best practice improvements’ targeted at constructability, liveability, and functionality,” Lane said.

▲ The towers will front Mann, Donnison and Baker streets in the heart of the fast-growing Central Coast city.

With frontages on Mann, Donnison and Baker streets, the Gosford property is in the heart of the fast-growing central coast city.

Gosford has continued to attract people from Sydney seeking cheaper housing and that’s bolstered planned development, both in the city of about 178,000, as well as Newcastle, about 90km north.

The NSW government this month pledged to match federal funding, bringing to about $1 billion the amount promised for the Gosford-to-Sydney fast-rail link. Under the plan, rail travel between the two cities will be cut to 25 minutes.

“It’s a sensational site right in the heart of Gosford, which is increasingly being seen as a key regional location,” Tadrosse said.

Sales within The Archibald, named after Archibald Acheson, the second Earl of Gosford, are likely to begin in the next couple of months.