Sydney Metro is moving into the construction phase of a major over-station development at Crows Nest after the first of three towers was approved by the NSW government.

The nine-storey tower is the smallest in the development, which gained concept approval in early 2021 for the corner of Clarke and Hume streets, with a maximum floor space of 3100 square metres.

The other towers at 477 to 521 Pacific Highway are a 21-storey commercial office building and a 17-storey residential building.

They form part of the new Sydney Metro underground station, which is expected to be ready for trains on the Metro North West Line from Sydney to Rouse Hill in 2024 and eventually to the Western Sydney Airport line.

The approved tower, Building C, was designed by Woods Bagot and will have office space on levels two to eight, and end-of-trip facilities on the ground floor as well as a lobby which was approved as part of the station.

Sydney Metro has worked with the community to best integrate station development, and deliver stations and buildings that are thriving, welcoming hubs for everyone to enjoy, according to the application.

“The NSW government identified that stations on the Sydney Metro City and Southwest project could be better integrated with the communities and public spaces around them,” the application said.

“This included the construction of buildings on top of these stations and commercial, residential, tourist and visitor accommodation and social infrastructure.”

Development around Sydney’s lower north shore is ramping up with plans for a $150-million residential development in Crows Nest lodged this month by Lindsay Bennelong Developments.

Developers Futuro Capital also want to capitalise on the greater 2036 Crows Nest plans, lodging an application for a 24-storey mixed-use tower with apartments, set to be the tallest in the suburb.

Works along Sydney’s train lines are among the top 10 national infrastructure projects with major milestones passed at Pitt Street, Pyrmont and Hunter Street stations.