Canberra BtR Scheme Plans to Bring the Backyard Back

Tri-state developer Hindmarsh is aiming to bring the backyard back to Canberra’s Woden town centre with a $114.4-million two-tower build-to-rent scheme.

The 16-storey development of 326 apartments would offer 26,800sq m of gross floor area on a 6063sq m block on the corner of Callam and Wilbow streets in the central Woden locale of Phillip. The floor area would be split between a 16-storey northern tower and a 12-storey southern one.

Project documents submitted for public comment, which closes on April 24, show that the southern tower would have a roof garden and communal parkland on the ground floor that together would offer “a green respite from high-density living”.

“The aim of the landscape design is to create a ‘backyard’ for residents to take ownership of,” according to the documents.

Proposed by the Housing Australia Future Fund, the project would comprise a mix of one-to-three bedroom and studio units of 50sq m to 92 square metres.

Hindmarsh state development manager (ACT) Mia Dragila told The Urban Developer the project’s community spaces were intergral to the build-to-rent proposal.

“The project provides generous shared outdoor spaces that reinterpret the Australian backyard in a multi-unit context,” she said.

“Landscaped communal open space is provided at the ground plane and on rooftop levels, encouraging informal interaction, recreation and passive surveillance.

“The project will provide much needed long-term affordable housing in the Woden town centre; a strategic location, conveniently located within close proximity to employment hubs, retail, public transport, and recreation facilities—all within walking distance.”

▲ Hindmarsh’s roof garden aims to bring a touch of the Aussie backyard to Canberra’s Woden town centre.

Dragila said landscaped green space to the south of the site would be readily accessible to residents and the public, contributing to the broader public realm.

“These landscape spaces will also aid in grounding the tower in a soft green foundation,” she said.

“Central to the design response is the integration of social infrastructure to support long-term community outcomes.

“Communal spaces are deliberately distributed throughout the buildings, extending apartment living and fostering social connection.”

Designed by Sydney-based architects Studio SC, the development, which abuts the concreted Yarralumla Creek, would comprise 50 per cent affordable housing and 25 per cent social housing.

The social housing would be operated by Housing Choices Australia and the affordable and market housing components by Assemble.

The scheme would include 186 car spaces, four charging points and 124 bicycle spaces .

Across Wilbow Street from the site is the recently completed 419-apartment, 16-storey Woden Green development, also developed by Hindmarsh.

Hindmarsh has offices in Adelaide, Canberra and Sydney.