Plans for $31m Co-Living PBSA in Sydney CBD Revealed

Co-living continues to gather pace in Sydney as two new projects are revealed. At Chippendale, a commercial conversion scheme would turn a 19th-century warehouse block at 19-21 Buckland Street into a co-living project. The $23-million project filed with the City of Sydney proposes a ground-floor retail space with 2628sq m of co-living space across 63 rooms above. This follows a similar built form to a previous proposal for a commercial building for the site that was approved in 2023. It planned to adaptively reuse the warehouse, which is not heritage-listed itself but neighbours heritage properties. The developer, HB&amp;B Property, reworked those commercial plans into co-living, in response to “shifts in office market demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic and technological advancements”, its development application said. The proposals retain the facade of the two-storey warehouse building but proposes internal changes, the demolitions of interior walls, floors, stairways and lifts, and the addition of three storeys. It also seeks to vary four development standards that prescribe a minimum lot size for co-living housing of no less than 800sq m—the Buckland Street site has a 702.9sq m area. ▲ A rendering of the proposed Chippendale co-living project. The proposed development adaptively reuses the warehouse to deliver “much needed housing on an underutilised site in a highly accessible and well serviced location”, HB&amp;B Property’s application by Gyde said. The Chippendale site is near tertiary institutions such as the Ultimo TAFE and the University of Technology Sydney. Students and young professionals are a dominant demographic of the area. The second co-living project is proposed for 269-271 Sussex Street in the city centre, and which also taps into that student demographic. The International Buddhist Association of Australia wants to demolish the four-storey brick building on the site, which is dwarfed by 13 and 14-storey buildings on either side of it, and replace it with a 14-storey co-living and education centre development. ▲ A rendering of the 14-storey infill co-living plans for the Sydney CBD. The project, designed by Environa Studio, would comprise 76 co-living rooms and communal spaces on three levels. A foyer space, office and exhibition space are proposed for the eastern side of the first floor and a communal study area, bathroom and kitchenette are proposed on the western side. The educational establishment would house the Nan Tien Institute (NTI), a private, not-for-profit, government-accredited higher education provider offering studies in the areas of Buddhist studies, health and wellbeing, within an environment that incorporates contemplative education. According to its application, NTI offers postgraduate programs in Buddhist studies, health and social wellbeing and mental health. The communal spaces would also be used for lectures, discussions and meditation, with study areas and office space for staff. The co-living sector in Sydney is firing up thanks to cheaper build costs due to smaller apartment footprints and appealing to a wide range of demographics. Co-living plans are in the works for developments across Greater Sydney, including a 12-storey Bayside project , Lateral’s submission for a $29-million Waterloo project and another at Pyrmont .

Residential
Clare Burnett
Thu 15 May 25

Plans for $31m Co-Living PBSA in Sydney CBD Revealed

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ResidentialClare BurnettThu 15 May 25

Plans for $31m Co-Living PBSA in Sydney CBD Revealed

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Thu 15 May 25