Developer Hindmarsh has lodged plans for what would be the southside's tallest residential development yet - a 445-unit complex rising 26 storeys above the heart of Woden.
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But the scale of the Phillip development won't be as significant as once envisaged, with the developer agreeing to slash the number of apartments and lowering proposed building heights after the community rejected an earlier proposal.
Hindmarsh is seeking permission from the ACT Planning and Land Authority for a complex which would include a 25 and a 26-storey tower, a 12-storey building and row of townhouses at the corner of Easty Street and Wilbow Street.
The $132 million project would include four levels of carparking and ground floor commercial tenancies, according to plans lodged with the authority.
If approved, the complex's signature 84.5 metre-high towers would be the tallest residential buildings south of the lake, inching above Geocon's planned 82 metre-high Grand Central Towers.
Hindmarsh last year put forward even more ambitious plans for the corner block, proposing 710 apartments across two 27-storey towers, an 11-storey building and a nine-storey block.
The Woden Valley Community Council objected to the proposal, fearing the high-rise buildings would cast a shadow over the precinct.
The developer agreed to strip back the project, slicing two storeys from the complex's twin towers and removing 265 units.
The community council's chair, Fiona Carrick, said while she appreciated the concessions, the complex remained unsuitable for the area.
Ms Carrick said the plans to build the 26 and 25-storey towers appeared to be at odds with planning rules for the precinct, which allowed only one 24-storey "marker" building at designated sites.
"We don't mind development, and we really do appreciate that the developer has done proper consultation, but we would like to see buildings with lesser bulk and scale," Ms Carrick said.
Hindmarsh's ACT state development manager, Greg Smith, said the proposal complied with planning rules and did not represent an "overdevelopment" of the site.
Mr Smith said the twin towers would rise up from the same podium, meaning they were considered to be one building under the territory plan.
"We have done extensive consultation," Mr Smith said. "We have been open and honest with the community and we have modified the design to lessen the impact."
Apartments were scheduled to go on sale in October, Mr Smith said. Construction could start in April, subject to planning approvals.
Consultation on the proposal is open until July 19.