A major $400 million mixed-use development featuring twin towers has been proposed for Parramatta's central business district, with plans currently on display through the New South Wales government's major projects planning portal. The ambitious project, designed by architectural firm SJB in collaboration with Land and Form, aims to create high-rise rental housing above a hotel podium with ground-floor retail spaces.
The development is strategically located on a vacant lot at 2 Fitzwilliam Street, directly across from Parramatta's main train station and bus interchange. Urban Property Group, the developer behind the project, selected SJB's design through a competitive design excellence process that involved three competing firms. The selection came after the project secured first-stage development consent in April of last year.
The original proposal has undergone significant changes since its initial conception. Initially, the plan called for one apartment tower and one office tower built above an office podium. However, after being selected for the NSW government's State Significant Rezoning Program—an initiative launched in September 2024 to accelerate housing delivery and contribute to National Housing Accord targets—the scheme was substantially revised to better address housing needs.
The current design features two towers reaching impressive heights of 48 stories and 40 stories respectively, housing more than 700 build-to-rent apartments. This shift from the original office component to residential accommodation, combined with hotel facilities, reflects the growing demand for rental housing in the area. The podium level will accommodate a 217-room hotel along with ground-floor retail and dining spaces, creating a vibrant mixed-use environment.
A distinctive architectural feature of the development is the diagonal, cross-block pedestrian link that runs through the podium. This design element serves multiple purposes: it echoes the visual break between the towers above, continues the axis line from the train station entrance across the street, and creates an intuitive pathway for pedestrians. Below ground, a five-story basement will provide car parking facilities to serve the various components of the development.
According to SJB's official description, the proposal represents "a critical piece of urban fabric to Parramatta's fast-changing CBD." The firm's website elaborates on their design philosophy, stating that the project "facilitates intuitive connections and public respite with a strong sense of belonging and resilience." The architects emphasize that their podium design responds thoughtfully to natural movement patterns throughout the public domain, considering the flow of people, wind, and water.
The design team has focused on creating an organic form that guides people intuitively through the space while maintaining human-scale proportions and adapting to the site's natural topography. This approach reflects contemporary urban planning principles that prioritize pedestrian experience and environmental responsiveness in high-density developments.
The project represents a significant addition to Parramatta's rapidly evolving skyline and urban landscape. As part of the State Significant Rezoning Program's fast-track process, the development is positioned to contribute meaningfully to addressing housing shortages while providing essential hotel and retail services to the growing CBD. The current state significant development application is available for public viewing online, allowing community members and stakeholders to review the detailed proposals and provide feedback during the exhibition period.
