Image: Hotel CBD / Facebook
A contentious Merivale development of a 24-hour ‘mega-venue’ entertainment complex planned for York, King and Clarence streets has been approved in principle by the City of Sydney.
Hospitality giant Merivale will transform five heritage-listed city centre buildings into an expansive precinct featuring several bars and clubs, as well as two restaurants, a gym and spa, a courtyard and hotel accommodation.
The Hotel CBD, a well-frequented pub owned by the company, is on the site.
Late last year, holdout residents and other locals lodged a raft of objections to the proposal. One submission, filed on behalf of multiple tenants, claimed that Merivale had “not acted in good faith” in the process, and that a proposed rooftop bar would hinder residents’ privacy whilst creating noise.
Author Jerry Chen also argued for its rejection “given the proposed displacement of residents from current residential lots and the impact this will have on the existing housing supply.”
There were 80 residents living at 104-118 Clarence Street, Chen wrote.
Councillors approve of new Merivale development
Commenting to the City Hub, Deputy Lord Mayor Jess Miller endorsed the plan. “This vision for the future of the heritage buildings in the approved Merivale concept plan presents a huge win for the city,” she said.
“We know that the architectural design team on the project has a proven track record of preserving and incorporating our most grand historic buildings in the CBD into vibrant new spaces for nightlife, eating and drinking in the city.”
“The location is perfect for vibrancy, and the preservation of five beautiful buildings is just the kind of adaptive use we want to see.”
Councillor Yvonne Weldon concurred. “The development will be a significant new addition to Sydney’s nightlife and cultural landscape. It’s located within an existing late night management precinct which allows 24-hour trading.”
“This part of the city has transformed into a nightlife hotspot through initiatives like the YCK [York, Clarence and Kent street] Laneways and its designation as a Purple Flag precinct.”
“It’s great to see adaptive reuse of the existing buildings. The proposal has also satisfied requirements concerning heritage preservation, noise mitigation and traffic management.”
However, Weldon said that she is “less enthusiastic about the loss of residential apartments” and is “sympathetic to residents who are being forced to move.”
“Offsetting this loss, Council have just approved an Ultimo Pyrmont Planning Proposal which will create up to 4,000 new homes.”
“And Merivale will be required to contribute more than $400,000 as part of our affordable housing scheme.”
Further assessment needed for project to advance
A City of Sydney spokesperson said that the approved application “was a concept application for the use, capacity and hours of the venue as well as some initial building works.”
“Further development applications, providing more detail, will need to be lodged and assessed before the start of any additional works or business operation.”
The spokesperson added that a “number of key issues” were considered before the application was approved, including the heritage of the buildings and the use now intended for them. Merivale “submitted a number of strategies to address these issues, including traffic, waste, noise and conservation management plans.”
These will be used to guide future development applications required for the site.
“Overall, the development will result in positive heritage outcomes and will be a positive contribution to Sydney’s nighttime economy.”
In order to commence with construction, the spokesperson stressed, a developer “must meet several requirements that are designed to mitigate any potential issues, as a condition of City of Sydney approval.”
You May Also Like
