Apartments to be built on flour power

A historic flour mill in Pyrmont will be transformed into a luxury apartment block.

Private developer Ceerose has submitted a development application to the City of Sydney to convert the former Edwin Davey & Sons Flour Mills into 136 contemporary units.

The Development Manager of Ceerose, Daniel McNamara, said the company’s director Edward Doueihi purchased the site in late 2010.

“We spoke to Council and a number of other authorities – RailCorp, the local landcare groups [and] community action groups before we purchased the site.”

Ceerose held an architectural competition for the site and shortlisted three designs.

The development application was submitted in late 2011.

The company expects to receive a response by June.

Mr McNamara said Ceerose has invited community groups to be involved with the design competition of the site, and has consulted them on the planning of the site development.

“We’ve done everything possible to keep as much of the community involved as part of the project,” he said.

“We’ve met with numerous members, such as the Pyrmont Action Group, Pyrmont Ultimo Landcare group.”

“We’ve been in constant contact with those local community groups, right down to responding to some local blogs,” Mr McNarama said, referring to the Penultimo blog.

Mary Mortimer from the Pyrmont Ultimo Landcare group said the group is happy with the extent of consultation so far.

“They are consulting with the community. Whenever we have a question for the planner, he has been available to answer our questions,” she said.

“We were involved in the consultation about the design of the building.”

A spokesperson for the City of Sydney did not confirm when the application would be approved.

“The City cannot comment on development applications while they are under consideration,” he said.

The flour mill ceased production in 1996 and the building was demolished in 2000, leaving only the facade of the mill.

A Melbourne developer purchased and obtained approval for a commercial building on the site but ultimately did not proceed with the development.

The $95 million project will provide high-end apartments on the 3,100 sq m site.

Construction is slated to commence in September.

The flour mill is located near the Western entrance of the Anzac Bridge.

By Jeff Li