New plans have been submitted for the redevelopment of the former Macarthur House site on Northbourne Avenue, including 424 residential dwellings and a 10-storey office building.
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Canberra developer Art Group has submitted a development application detailing the proposal.
Bordered by Macarthur Avenue, Northbourne Avenue and Wattle Street in Lyneham, the site was formerly home to government offices which were demolished in 2018.
The ACT government sold the 13,633-square-metre block to Art Group in 2021 for $19 million.
The developer has proposed a $156 million mixed-use precinct that would comprise five buildings ranging in height up to 10 storeys. These will be built above two levels of basement carparking and centred around a primary public space, Macarthur Plaza.
Among the proposed public amenities is a supermarket, cafe and specialty shops. A small community cinema and gallery are also in the plans, supported by restaurants and bars.
The residential component will include a range of dwelling types from studios through to three-bedroom dwellings. Prices will start at $425,000 for a studio unit.
The complex will also include 50 affordable, two-bedroom dwellings as per the Suburban Land Agency requirements.
While the commercial and residential components will be integrated, residents will have private designated spaces, including a central indoor pool and gardens.
Designed by Stewart Architecture, the mixed-use precinct aims to deliver a "pedestrian destination" for Canberra's inner north.
Marcus Graham, practice principal at Stewart Architecture, said the Macarthur precinct will be a "vibrant space, day and night".
"The master planning integrates all driveways and parking underground so that the entire site precinct is a pedestrian and cyclist space," he said.
"The buildings wrap the perimeter of the site to form a large central plaza of canopy trees and activated by retail and hospitality spaces. Each of the five buildings is of different design and character to ensure appropriate response to each streetscape."
Art Group development manager Gabe Szivek told The Canberra Times the commercial spaces will appeal to a range of tenants.
"The commercial building will be a cross-laminated timber building which is designed for either a government or private tenancy that requires an A-grade tenancy," he said.
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The proposed development has been split into two applications: one for the early works such as basement excavation and the other for the above-ground elements. The latter is still open for public representations until May 4.
Community consultation sessions were held in early 2021 and included questions from the public around noise, traffic and parking impacts, concerns around construction management and tree removal.
Art Group have confirmed an intention to begin construction in 2023 with completion slated for 2025.
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