Third.i Reveals Curvy Shoptop for Rushcutters Bay

Prolific Sydney developer Third.i has lodged plans for an eight-storey shoptop project at Rushcutters Bay. 

If approved by the City of Sydney Council, the Woods Bagot-designed building would sit on a site at 51-57 Bayswater Road in the inner-east harbourside suburb.

Third.i’s plans comprise two retail tenancies at ground level fronting Bayswater Road and 12 three-bedroom apartments on top.

In addition to landscaping works at ground and roof level, Third.i is planning communal and private open spaces. 

“The proposed development provides … high-quality ‘family friendly’ residential apartments which will regenerate a tired site and provide for future residents of the Rushcutters Bay community,” the development application lodged in April said. 

The retail offering “will contribute to the small-scale, fine-grain commercial character of the area” it said.

The site is 1.5km east of the Sydney CBD and 200m from the Kings Cross entertainment precinct in an established medium-density residential area. 

It adjoins a small-scale hostel and a nine-storey residential flat, The Wardleigh, and is occupied by an ageing multi-storey shoptop development [pictured above] that “no longer exhibits design excellence or responds to modern standards of residential amenity”.

The three upper levels of the proposed developed would have setbacks to mitigate visual bulk and allow private and communal open terraces.

The apartments range in size from 121sq m to the 198sq m penthouse, and are split across levels five and six. 

The penthouses would have private rooftop terraces over 100sq m with recreation areas and pools.

Many eastern Sydney suburbs have experienced extensive developer interest, particularly towards the luxury end, with the likes of Toohey Miller and Fortis securing projects at Elizabeth Bay, and multi-level apartments recently approved for Potts Point.

Rushcutters Bay until now has been relatively quiet, dominated as it is by Rushcutters Bay Park, and is home to the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, host of the annual Sydney to Hobart race. According to realestate.com.au, the median cost for a two-bedroom unit in the suburb is $1.6 million.