Balmain Leagues Club Development Moves Ahead

Plans unveiling the $135 million Balmain Leagues Club proposal to bring the Balmain Tigers back to their Rozelle home have been released.

Chinese-backed property developer Heworth lodged the development application for the $135 million project last month, on the 152 Victoria road site, despite the possibility the NSW government is looking to compulsorily acquire the site for a major infrastructure project.

The project, which will include a designated component for affordable housing, will also include a residential component of 173 apartments.

Designed by Architects Scott Carver, the centrepiece of the site will be the Balmain Tigers home, a new 2200sq m club.

Scott Carver director Doug Southwell said the project, called “Rozelle Laneways”, will offer a variety of uses ranging from retail, food offers, collaborative and commercial space, affordable and private dwellings to be anchored by the club.

“The project encourages interaction between public space, communal and private. A sharing of experience as the mix of offers will support the local businesses,” he said.

A new town square is included in the design, providing an outdoor venue for the community.

Southwell describes the project as prioritising the “built form to Victoria Road”.

“Whilst this does unashamedly provide amazing views and amenity for the residents; it allows the scale of the project to step down from the bustle of Victoria Road, to a three storey form on Waterloo Street, responding to the context of the fine grain neighbourhood.”

The lower level of the proposed development will include a simple palette complementing the existing buildings along the Darling Street conservation zone.

Heworth settled on the $75 million acquisition site last month, thanks to the financial backing of its Malaysia’s Mulpha on the Rozelle deal.

Desane Properties has been fighting the state of NSW compulsory acquisition of its Rozelle site at 68-72 Lilyfield Road since 2016. ASX-listed Desane has maintained its property was worth more than $100 million due to its development potential after originally being offered $20 million compensation.

Images courtesy of Scott Carver.