Marrickville Megaproject Flashes Push for More Affordable Housing

A proposal for the state’s largest build-to-rent development in Sydney’s inner west has drawn rare community support—not for its size, but for the promise it hasn’t yet delivered: more affordable housing.

Developer Rent to Live Co, backed by the founders of student housing giant Scape, has submitted plans to transform over two hectares of industrial land in Marrickville into a high-density precinct of seven residential towers, containing 1188 rental units and over 10,000 square metres of public space.

Unlike conventional developments, all dwellings would remain under the developer’s ownership and be leased at market rates. The mix includes 589 co-living units, 83 studios, 201 one-bedroom, 275 two-bedroom and 40 three-bedroom apartments. Just 10 per cent of homes are earmarked as affordable housing, a move that qualifies the developer for additional building height under state planning incentives.

Demands from locals

But locals say that’s not enough.

“We want something to happen here; we want more houses for people,” said nearby resident and development industry worker Rachmat Djajadikarta. “But we just don’t think this is the right way to do it, nor is it the right housing mix.”

Residents are calling for at least 20 per cent affordable housing, managed by a community housing provider, and more homes suitable for families.

The site, just minutes from the future Marrickville Metro station, is designed to be a car-light community. However, building height concessions due to flight path restrictions have shifted taller towers to the site’s edges, casting long shadows over neighbouring homes. Some residences could receive as little as 30 minutes of sunlight in winter.

“It’s not an orderly transition for higher density and lower density,” said Djajadikarta. “This is where the council chucks up a stink.”

Site development manager Jonathan Combley defended the plan, saying the location is ideal and the mix of apartment sizes was chosen based on projected demand. “There is a strong emerging need for young professionals to have a place to stay in inner Sydney where it’s very unaffordable,” he said.

The $50 million-plus proposal is now being assessed by the NSW Planning Department, bypassing Inner West Council. While the council has described it as a “positive addition,” it raised concerns about solar access, parking, height, and noise.