Six-storey commercial building could replace old shopfronts on Crown Street, in Darlinghurst
Four historic buildings in Sydney’s Darlinghurst could be transformed into a six-storey commercial complex in a project worth $12.5 million.
Property developer Freehold Capital, led by Luke Calpis, has proposed to knock down three Victorian terraces at 251-255 Crown Street, currently used as retail space, to make way for the development.
The adjoining building at number 249 will be retained but partially demolished and integrated with the rest of the development as part of the ground-floor retail. An internal open-air courtyard will connect the two parts.
The view of the proposed development from Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. Image: SJB Architects
“The new building at 251-255 Crown Street provides the interwar building at 249 Crown Street with important ‘breathing space’, allowing it to retain its own identity within the streetscape,” planning documents wrote.
“The retention of open air space above the 249 Crown Street building ensures that the building is not overwhelmed in its context or dominated by the new building.”
None of the buildings are heritage-listed.
The rear part of number 255 has been the home of The Record Store, one of Sydney’s most popular vinyl record shops, for 15 years.
Co-owner of The Record Store Stephan Gyory, who also managed the BPM store at the same shop since 1999, confirmed he would have to move out when the time comes.
“I have to uproot my business; I have been here 20 years. We will be looking for a location, but only when we get notice,” he said.
The row of properties as they are now. Photo: Google Maps
Mr Gyory added that many of the older buildings in Darlinghurst “have lots of character”, including 249 Crown Street, which was a funeral parlour rebuilt in the 1930s by funeral director Thomas Dixon in an interwar ecclesiastical style.
The 664-square-metre site has frontages on Crown Street, Goulburn Street and Arnold Lane. The retail space entrance will be on Crown Street and the commercial lobby will be accessible from Goulburn Street.
The five storeys above will contain commercial office premises and a rooftop terrace, while a basement will have 14 car parking spaces, bringing the total gross floor area to 2324 square metres.
The proposed building, which has been designed by SJB Architects, will include a double-height ocular opening on the Crown Street façade, as well as plant features.
If approved, it will be Freehold Capital’s first foray into commercial property, as more developers turn away from residential projects in the slowing off-the-plan apartment market.
Boutique office development sites have been hot property in inner city suburbs. A three-storey Darlinghurst commercial building sold for $13.75 million in March and will be refurbished for office and retail use.
The former headquarters of Fratelli Fresh and the Danks Street markets in Waterloo sold for more than $25 million in June, with the new owners also expected to revamp the premises for boutique offices.
Mr Calpis declined to comment on the development application.
