Deicorp has begun work on its Showground Pavilions development at Castle Hill that will deliver 873 homes across five buildings.
The development within the Hills Showground Station Precinct includes 44 affordable homes, a 3500sq m public park and communal spaces featuring landscaped courtyards and recreational facilities.
The apartments are in a mix of 136 one, 527 two, and 210 three-bedroom units.
Planning approval was granted by the Department of Planning and Environment in February.
Deicorp founder Fouad Deiri said the project was part of a continued commitment to building connected communities along the Sydney Metro line.
“Showground Pavilions is an ... example of how smart, transit-oriented development can help address Sydney’s growing housing demand while creating places people are proud to call home,” Deiri said.
Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne said the shire was one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, “with our population projected to reach 328,000 by 2041”.
“This rapid growth presented significant challenges, particularly amid a national housing crisis,” she said. “That’s why developments like the Pavilions were critical to addressing these challenges.”
The project forms part of the broader Hills Showground Station Precinct, an urban renewal initiative led by Landcom and Sydney Metro.
Deicorp will develop 1300 homes in total the East and Village precincts of the precinct and create more than $2 billion in economic impact, according to the developer.
The Precinct East project is expected to generate more than 5000 construction jobs and deliver upwards of $200 million to government through contributions and taxes.
Meanwhile, Anglicare has submitted a Concept Master Plan and Stage 1 Development Application for the redevelopment of its Castle Hill site.
The organisation has operated seniors living and residential care services for more than 65 years from the site.
The proposal comprises 595 independent living units across one, two and three-bedroom configurations, as well as two residential care facilities of 105 beds in total.
The redevelopment will be staged over 15 to 20 years to minimise disruption to residents and operations.
The site, 9km north of Parramatta and 1km east of Castle Hill Metro Station, is on the boundary of the Hornsby and The Hills council areas.
According to the masterplan document, the redevelopment would create “vibrant, community-oriented neighbourhoods with low and midrise buildings clustered around village cores”.
It also said the seniors living market faced significant growth pressure, with the population aged 65 to 84 years expected to increase by 47 per cent by 2036, and the number of those aged 85 years and above projected to grow by 85 per cent.
Hornsby Shire Council plans to accommodate 14,879 additional homes, with particular focus on housing diversity and seniors accommodation.
Both developments can contribute to the shire’s desire to transform Castle Hill from a low-density residential area into a high-density, transport-oriented precinct after the 2019 opening of Hills Showground Metro Station.
