North Sydney set for $121 million hotel and commercial skyscraper above heritage Firehouse Hotel
Developer Billbergia has lodged plans for a $121 million, 35-storey hotel and commercial tower in North Sydney, using air space above the heritage-listed Firehouse Hotel.
The 1076-square-metre amalgamated site at 86-88 Walker Street will be a new neighbour to other major developments, including Dexus’ 34-level 100 Mount Street and Winten Property Group’s 39-storey 1 Denison Street, of which Nine Entertainment Co will be the anchor tenant.
While 86 Walker Street is occupied by the former North Sydney Fire Station, now operating as a pub, a vacant nine-storey commercial building is located at number 88, which will be razed to make way for the skyscraper.
A three-party agreement is in place between the developer Billbergia, Marprop Real Estate Partners, which owns 88 Walker Street, and publican Mark Barry, who has held the Firehouse Hotel for 17 years.
The project will become part of the commercial development hub on Walker Street, North Sydney. Image: Fitzpatrick + Partners
The building will be cantilevered over the Firehouse Hotel from level five upwards and the rear of the pub has been proposed for demolition to expand the public domain on Little Spring Street and to complement neighbouring major developments.
“(The development will) respect the heritage significance of the Firehouse Hotel whilst utilising the air space above in a manner commensurate (with) the strategic importance of the North Sydney CBD,” planning documents wrote.
The project will include 224 hotels rooms across 14 levels, or more than 10,000 square metres, as well as five levels of associated facilities such as an executive lounge, gym, sky lobby and a restaurant. Hotel rooms are expected to have harbour and city views.
Commercial offices will account for the eight levels above that, taking up 5411 square metres, and a rooftop bar will top off the tower.
The rear of the building will aim to activate Little Spring Street. Image: Fitzpatrick + Partners
A through-site link will connect Walker and Little Spring Streets on the ground level, while an adjacent café will “activate this part of the site” as a response to North Sydney Council’s Laneway Network initiative.
No car parking spaces have been proposed but 137 bike parking spaces are included in the plans.
The Firehouse Hotel will continue its operations alongside the development.
The building at 88 Walker Street had development approval from 2015 for a hotel conversion on its own, though no actions were taken to make it happen. Prior to that in 2008, it was part of a separate project approval for a 34-storey hotel on the site.
The office tower at 88 Walker Street when it was sold for more than $19 million in 2017, and below with the neighbouring Firestation Hotel at 86 Walker Street. Photos: Supplied
The development will bring the gross floor area up for the existing buildings at 86 and 88 Walker from 4169 square metres to more than 16,000 square metres.
Marprop acquired 88 Walker Street for more than $19 million in mid 2017.
The firm has been on the move in North Sydney, acquiring nearby 157 Walker Street for about $80 million in March 2018.
