Gurner Again Reworks Sydney Debut as Sekisui Refiles Melrose Park

Changes to The Gurner Group’s Sydney debut and Sekisui House’s Melrose Park apartment plans are being sought as the developers refine their focus on buyer demands and amenity. Sekisui House has filed amendments for its Parramatta site at 82-84 Wharf Road, Melrose Park, and 29 Hughes Avenue, Ermington. The developer was approved for a 6-to-10-storey double-tower project of 368 apartments in 2024 , but construction has not yet begun, according to the application. While one modification proposal is already being considered by the City of Parramatta, the latest seeks to make more noticeable amendments. The changes are a result of structural and mechanical design work that was undertaken “to satisfy the requirements of the National Construction Code”, the modification application said. This has “resulted in [subsequent] changes to the internal layout of basement areas, the access driveway and residential levels”. But Sekisui House had also been doing its homework on potential buyers, it said. As a result of feedback from purchasers, it wants to increase the size of bedrooms and reduce bathroom and bedroom storage areas, amend the internal layout of apartments and change balcony configurations and external facades. The subject site is Site F within the Melrose Park North Precinct, “an important renewal precinct located east of the Parramatta CBD”. ▲ A rendering of The Gurner Group ’ s Kent Street project. Meanwhile, the latest round of amendments for Gurner’s Sydney project are now on exhibition after the project was approved this year . The latest round is the eighth set of modifications for the $800-million project, and the fourth since it was acquired by the Melbourne-based developer in 2023. A Stage 1 concept plan was approved for the site in 2015, but with that about to lapse, in 2020, former owners Barana Group submitted another concept plan, and then a detailed DA in 2020—and seven subsequent modifications. Gurner acquired the site at 189-197 Kent Street, the final freehold land title site in the Barangaroo precinct, from the group in 2023 for $200 million. Development consent was finally granted by the City of Sydney in February of 2025, allowing Gurner to demolish the 1960s ADC Building on the site. It has now progressed “to the next level of detail”, according to the development application lodged with the council, resulting in design changes. The latest amendments propose the reconfiguration of the basement and lower ground levels, residential entry foyers and gym and wellness centre. Apartments will also be modified on four different levels, and there will be amendments to communal open spaces as well as the facades. Apartment numbers drop by one from the previous modification, to 90 units. Gurner also wants to relocate the pool, lounge, bar and terrace from Level 22 to Level 23. It explained that the changes will improve residential amenity compared with the approved development, “specifically in relation to larger rooms, enhancements to communal facilities, access to views, better ventilation and solar access and connection to the neighbourhood”.

Gurner Again Reworks Sydney Debut as Sekisui Refiles Melrose Park

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Gurner Again Reworks Sydney Debut as Sekisui Refiles Melrose Park

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