A $330-million three-tower proposal for Sydney’s north-west that will lean into a potentially revolutionary building method has been revealed. Freecity Group has filed a State Significant Development Application for the development on a site opposite Rouse Hill Metro station. The proposed Tempus Street development, 32km north-west of Sydney, comprises 551 residential units across three towers of 11, 18, and 23 storeys. Its 551 homes would include 216 co-living apartments and 335 dual-key build-to-rent units. Between 15,000sq m and 20,000sq m of commercial and retail space is also planned within a three-level podium. Freecity chief strategy officer Steven Mann says the development “reflects Freecity’s commitment to rethinking what urban living can be”. Freecity’s proposal comes as interest in the region ramps up, including the GPT Group breaking ground on a $200-million expansion of the adjacent Rouse Hill Town Centre that will add 218 apartments and more than 50 new retail, dining and leisure options. Its 18-month construction program is scheduled for completion by late 2026, creating more than 400 new retail jobs. Rouse Hill is now home to a little under 8000 people. The Hills Shire Council has a population of 192,400, while the broader Hills Shire Council is preparing for nearly 329,000 residents by 2041—71 per cent growth across the entire local government area over 15 years. ▲ Rendering of the proposed Tempus Street development of three towers above a commercial podium, designed by Architectus. Freecity plans to use Volumetric Modular Construction (VMC), building the basement and podium onsite while simultaneously producing apartment modules in factories. This will cut construction time and remove weather delays from the equation, the developer says, as it continues to bet big on factory-built construction methods. “VMC is an innovative housing solution that improves building quality and reduces construction time and cost,” Mann tells The Urban Developer . “It is a true circular economy approach that reduces waste, enables reuse, is energy efficient and has low impact on sites.” Freecity is already looking to prove the concept with a $300-million purpose-built student accommodation project at Macquarie Park that, at 20 storeys, will be Australia’s tallest VMC building. Mann argues the industry needs to stop “starting from scratch” with every project, citing research that shows modular construction can deliver 42 per cent faster build times and cut onsite waste by 80 per cent compared with traditional methods. ▲ Rendering of dining and retail spaces within the podium level. The Rouse Hill project is across two distinct market segments. Co-living units would target young professionals and couples wanting compact homes with shared facilities such as laundries, lounges and co-working spaces. The build-to-rent apartments range from studios to three-bedroom units with dual-key layouts that work for families sharing across generations. “A substantial portion of residents in the area are aged 20 to 39, which is significantly higher than state and national averages,” he says. “This cohort commonly represents students and young professionals in single and group households, who are ideally suited to the build-to-rent and co-living typology.” Freecity’s demographic analysis reveals significant housing supply mismatches in the area, the developer says. “The regional catchment is dominated by separate houses at 85.4 per cent, with a very limited provision of units or apartments at just 5.7 per cent,” Mann says. Low vacancy rates of 1.94 per cent compared with Greater Sydney’s 1.4 per cent highlight demand pressures. Strategic positioning within 400m of the new Rouse Hill Hospital adds another dimension, “providing housing for key workers to support the NSW Government’s $700-million investment in this essential health infrastructure”, Mann says. Freecity is chasing a 5 Star Green Star Residential Building rating, 5 Star NABERS rating for energy and water efficiency, and WELL for Residential Certification. ▲ Freecity chief strategy officer Steven Mann and a rendering of the Macquarie Park PBSA. Two basement levels would provide 120 car spaces and a loading dock accessed via White Hart Drive. The Tempus Street development underwent community consultation in March, and resident feedback helped shape the final application. Architectus designed the project around a modern urban village concept, with an aim to “create a destination that captures the spirit of the historic marketplace—a vibrant space where people naturally gather, share and connect”. “A lively, community-centred ground floor fosters social interaction and a sense of belonging, anchored by a landscaped central courtyard that serves as a communal ‘town square ’  linking buildings with outdoor spaces and nature.” The community focus goes beyond typical apartment amenities, with cultural recognition also featuring prominently. Communal amenity spaces are designed to “allow residents and visitors to engage in informal gathering, health and wellbeing activities, passive and casual recreation, and active play areas for children” with designs that “respectfully acknowledge the rich cultural heritage of the Dharug people who are the traditional custodians of the land”. The transit hub location also delivers practical benefits that address broader urban planning challenges. “Residents can live within 30 minutes of their workplace and enjoy local amenities, decreasing commute times and reducing traffic congestion,” Mann says. ▲ The metro line will connect Tempus Street residents to central Sydney within 30 minutes. Freecity says it has big plans beyond Rouse Hill with a 6000-home pipeline across six projects. They include four VMC-specific applications of up to 4000 homes covering student accommodation, build-to-rent and co-living sectors. Mann says Freecity’s bet on mixing co-living and build-to-rent in a transit hub will capture the changing way people want to live in Sydney’s expanding northwest. “By expanding our investment in build-to-hold residential communities, anchored by mixed-use developments near Metro stations, Freecity continues to drive progress with transit-oriented projects now in over half a dozen locations in Sydney.”
