Final approval given to $1.2bn Victoria Cross Station project in NSW

The development of a new $1.2 billion commercial tower above the future Victoria Cross Station in North Sydney, New South Wales has been given the green light as part of the third tranche of projects covered by the State Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program.

The approval of the Victoria Cross over station development is the final go-signal for the broader Victoria Cross integrated station development that will incorporate a new 42-storey tower, Victoria Cross metro station as well as various public spaces.

The Victoria Cross integrated station development is going to be delivered by Lendlease, with the company securing the contract in December 2018. You can read more about it here.

“The approval of the Victoria Cross tower signals an important milestone for the larger Victoria Cross development, which is in line with Lendlease’s strategy to delivery and support infrastructure projects that create better social and economic outcomes.

“Lendlease looks forward to working in partnership with the NSW Government, Sydney Metro and North Sydney City Council to deliver the next phase of our shared vision for a vibrant, connected North Sydney,” Lendlease Managing Director – Development Matthew Mears said.

The entire Victoria Cross integrated station development will include:

• Two station entrances including a northern entrance opening to Miller and McLaren streets, and a southern entrance with pedestrian access to Miller and Denison streets
• A commercial building above the station’s southern entrance
• Station concourse and platforms beneath Miller Street
• Sustainable, high-quality commercial and retail hub in the heart of Northern Sydney
• Enhancement of pedestrian infrastructure around the station, as well as new bike parking at the northern entrance, and new kiss and ride bays on McLaren Street opposite the northern entrance
• Improvements to the public domain

“The integrated station development at the new Victoria Cross Metro Station will double the available public open space near the tower and create a continuous ‘civic green spine’ along Miller Street, with landscaped terraces, outdoor dining, casual seating areas and pedestrian paths.

“North Sydney is already a strong commercial hub for Greater Sydney and this project will provide a much-needed boost, injecting $315 million into the economy and creating between 400-600 construction jobs to deliver the over station development,” Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said.

Artist impression (source: Lendlease)

The new Victoria Cross tower will be able to accommodate up to 7,000 office workers across a 56,000-SQM space for office and retail use, with the integrated station development providing better connectivity for the growing community in this part of the city.

“This tower will provide space for more than 4,000 office workers on top of a world-class public transport system, which is not only transforming our city’s public transport network, it’s transforming the areas around it,” Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said.

The Victoria Cross over station development is anticipated to create thousands of on-site jobs over the life of the project.

The development will have a three-year construction phase which is set to commence in early 2021.

“Now more than ever it’s vital we continue to deliver projects that create employment opportunities and contribute to rebuilding the economy,” Mr Mears said.

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Source: Lendlease (1, 2); Transport for NSW; The Urban Developer; Inside Construction