BaptistCare Wins Approval for $2.5bn Mac Park Precinct
BaptistCare has won concept approval for its $2.5-billion precinct in Macquarie Park, clearing the way for almost 2000 new homes in Sydney’s northwest after a re-think in response to submissions.
The project will deliver 12 buildings up to 24 storeys, with a mix of senior living, student co-living, market and affordable apartments, alongside retail and commercial.
The 63,871sq m site will now host 198,259sq m of gross floor area—up from 187,134sq m under the original proposal.
The floor space ratio of 3.1:1 is lower than the permitted 3.25:1, which incorporates provisions for affordable and seniors housing.
Significant amendments to building envelopes were made in response to submissions, with a shift to taller and more slender towers.
A school was removed from the BVN-masterplanned precinct and public open space has increased to about 11,000sq m, including the newly added Kikkiya Park.
The project at 157 Balaclava Road is about 13km north-west of the Sydney CBD, and directly adjoins Macquarie University, as well as the Macquarie Rise project at Morling College.
A number of senior living facilities are currently at the site, which BaptistCare acquired as cattle pastures in 1962, but the approved mixed-use precinct will blend living types across its 1874 homes.
It is part of a broader shift in senior living towards vertical retirement villages embedded within mixed-use precincts.
A number of mega-projects have progressed in Macquarie Park in the past decade, due largely to improved transport links (including the Metro line) and Transport Oriented Development pathway.
Legacy and Billbergia are among key players, securing Macquarie Park’s “best site” at 15-21 Cottonwood Crescent (also known as 88 Waterloo Road). The two-tower project there would reach 60 and 52 storeys, hosting 858 apartments.
Across the road at 14-16 Cottonwood Crescent, Legacy is also advancing a 21-storey, 126-apartment scheme with a $119-million price tag.
