10-06-2025
Going up: new project hoped to breathe life into former Spotlight site
A MAJOR $118.9 million development is proposed to breathe new life into a dilapidated corner of the city's CBD.
The former Spotlight building and run-down car park in Newcastle West are set to be transformed into two towers housing 260 new apartments and street-front retail if the proposal wins approval.
Designed by Stewart Architecture and spearheaded by developer 711 Hunter Street Pty Limited, the ambitious project replaces previous plans for the site.
St Hilliers and Spotlight Group secured development approval in October 2023 for two 26-storey apartment towers on the site after winning development approval for a 257-unit development marketed as West Village, but put the land up for sale the following month.
In 2024, the Newcastle Herald reported that development and construction firm Bloc had purchased the site as part of a joint venture.
If approved, the new proposal would deliver a four-story podium built with two residential towers rising above, one at 14 storeys and the other at 31 storeys.
In total, the development would deliver 87 one-bedroom, 80 two-bedroom and 93 three-bedroom units along with seven ground-floor retail tenancies.
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) lodged with the City of Newcastle said the underutilised site contains buildings in a "state of disrepair" that are "inconsistent with the desired future character" of the CBD.
"The proposal will contribute to the revitalisation of the Newcastle city centre," the statement said.
It went on to say the site has "excellent" access to essential services, education, jobs, open space and community facilities and "will provide public benefit by delivering diverse housing and retail opportunities, activating the site and contributing to the amenity of the public domain".
The proposed design was developed in consultation with the council and the Newcastle Urban Design Review Panel.
The plans include 363 carparks hidden within the podium levels, with access via Little King Street to the south.
Upstairs, a communal space including a 'tranquil garden', seating areas, two plunge pools and a regular pool, a children's play area, a barbecue spot, space for a residential library or common room, an outdoor gym and shade structures would be available to residents.
A pocket park would be open to the public along National Park Street, complete with a featured artwork or mural.
The development application will be determined by the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel.
Public submissions on the proposal are open until July 1 at 5pm on the City of Newcastle's website.
A MAJOR $118.9 million development is proposed to breathe new life into a dilapidated corner of the city's CBD.
The former Spotlight building and run-down car park in Newcastle West are set to be transformed into two towers housing 260 new apartments and street-front retail if the proposal wins approval.
Designed by Stewart Architecture and spearheaded by developer 711 Hunter Street Pty Limited, the ambitious project replaces previous plans for the site.
St Hilliers and Spotlight Group secured development approval in October 2023 for two 26-storey apartment towers on the site after winning development approval for a 257-unit development marketed as West Village, but put the land up for sale the following month.
In 2024, the Newcastle Herald reported that development and construction firm Bloc had purchased the site as part of a joint venture.
If approved, the new proposal would deliver a four-story podium built with two residential towers rising above, one at 14 storeys and the other at 31 storeys.
In total, the development would deliver 87 one-bedroom, 80 two-bedroom and 93 three-bedroom units along with seven ground-floor retail tenancies.
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) lodged with the City of Newcastle said the underutilised site contains buildings in a "state of disrepair" that are "inconsistent with the desired future character" of the CBD.
"The proposal will contribute to the revitalisation of the Newcastle city centre," the statement said.
It went on to say the site has "excellent" access to essential services, education, jobs, open space and community facilities and "will provide public benefit by delivering diverse housing and retail opportunities, activating the site and contributing to the amenity of the public domain".
The proposed design was developed in consultation with the council and the Newcastle Urban Design Review Panel.
The plans include 363 carparks hidden within the podium levels, with access via Little King Street to the south.
Upstairs, a communal space including a 'tranquil garden', seating areas, two plunge pools and a regular pool, a children's play area, a barbecue spot, space for a residential library or common room, an outdoor gym and shade structures would be available to residents.
A pocket park would be open to the public along National Park Street, complete with a featured artwork or mural.
The development application will be determined by the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel.
Public submissions on the proposal are open until July 1 at 5pm on the City of Newcastle's website.
A MAJOR $118.9 million development is proposed to breathe new life into a dilapidated corner of the city's CBD.
The former Spotlight building and run-down car park in Newcastle West are set to be transformed into two towers housing 260 new apartments and street-front retail if the proposal wins approval.
Designed by Stewart Architecture and spearheaded by developer 711 Hunter Street Pty Limited, the ambitious project replaces previous plans for the site.
St Hilliers and Spotlight Group secured development approval in October 2023 for two 26-storey apartment towers on the site after winning development approval for a 257-unit development marketed as West Village, but put the land up for sale the following month.
In 2024, the Newcastle Herald reported that development and construction firm Bloc had purchased the site as part of a joint venture.
If approved, the new proposal would deliver a four-story podium built with two residential towers rising above, one at 14 storeys and the other at 31 storeys.
In total, the development would deliver 87 one-bedroom, 80 two-bedroom and 93 three-bedroom units along with seven ground-floor retail tenancies.
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) lodged with the City of Newcastle said the underutilised site contains buildings in a "state of disrepair" that are "inconsistent with the desired future character" of the CBD.
"The proposal will contribute to the revitalisation of the Newcastle city centre," the statement said.
It went on to say the site has "excellent" access to essential services, education, jobs, open space and community facilities and "will provide public benefit by delivering diverse housing and retail opportunities, activating the site and contributing to the amenity of the public domain".
The proposed design was developed in consultation with the council and the Newcastle Urban Design Review Panel.
The plans include 363 carparks hidden within the podium levels, with access via Little King Street to the south.
Upstairs, a communal space including a 'tranquil garden', seating areas, two plunge pools and a regular pool, a children's play area, a barbecue spot, space for a residential library or common room, an outdoor gym and shade structures would be available to residents.
A pocket park would be open to the public along National Park Street, complete with a featured artwork or mural.
The development application will be determined by the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel.
Public submissions on the proposal are open until July 1 at 5pm on the City of Newcastle's website.
A MAJOR $118.9 million development is proposed to breathe new life into a dilapidated corner of the city's CBD.
The former Spotlight building and run-down car park in Newcastle West are set to be transformed into two towers housing 260 new apartments and street-front retail if the proposal wins approval.
Designed by Stewart Architecture and spearheaded by developer 711 Hunter Street Pty Limited, the ambitious project replaces previous plans for the site.
St Hilliers and Spotlight Group secured development approval in October 2023 for two 26-storey apartment towers on the site after winning development approval for a 257-unit development marketed as West Village, but put the land up for sale the following month.
In 2024, the Newcastle Herald reported that development and construction firm Bloc had purchased the site as part of a joint venture.
If approved, the new proposal would deliver a four-story podium built with two residential towers rising above, one at 14 storeys and the other at 31 storeys.
In total, the development would deliver 87 one-bedroom, 80 two-bedroom and 93 three-bedroom units along with seven ground-floor retail tenancies.
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) lodged with the City of Newcastle said the underutilised site contains buildings in a "state of disrepair" that are "inconsistent with the desired future character" of the CBD.
"The proposal will contribute to the revitalisation of the Newcastle city centre," the statement said.
It went on to say the site has "excellent" access to essential services, education, jobs, open space and community facilities and "will provide public benefit by delivering diverse housing and retail opportunities, activating the site and contributing to the amenity of the public domain".
The proposed design was developed in consultation with the council and the Newcastle Urban Design Review Panel.
The plans include 363 carparks hidden within the podium levels, with access via Little King Street to the south.
Upstairs, a communal space including a 'tranquil garden', seating areas, two plunge pools and a regular pool, a children's play area, a barbecue spot, space for a residential library or common room, an outdoor gym and shade structures would be available to residents.
A pocket park would be open to the public along National Park Street, complete with a featured artwork or mural.
The development application will be determined by the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel.
Public submissions on the proposal are open until July 1 at 5pm on the City of Newcastle's website.
