QIC lodges plan for $560m mixed-use precinct in Sydney’s northwest

A development application (DA) for a new $560 million mixed-used lifestyle precinct in Sydney’s Castle Hill has been lodged by QIC (Queensland Investment Corporation), which plans to create a 200-room hotel, three-level retail offering and 12-storey tower as part of its transformational masterplan for the region.

Dubbed ‘The Village’, the project comprises a retail space that will house more than 70 new retail brands, a 200-plus room hotel designed by global architects Woods Bagot, and the first A-grade commercial building to exist in the area.

The grand plan marks the next development phase for Castle Towers – a shopping complex in Castle Hill which already boasts an existing roster of more than 300 retailers.

The future hotel and office building are forecast to draw more than 2,000 combined workers daily, while an additional 200-plus jobs are expected to be created during the construction phase.

The news comes almost a month after the government-owned firm lodged a separate DA to create a $750 million 40-storey subtropical tower in the Brisbane CBD, situated opposite the Albert Street Cross River Rail (CRR) station.  

“The evolution of Castle Towers into a vibrant, multifaceted urban hub is an example of how we’re bringing QIC’s town centre vision to life," QIC Investment general manager Matthew James said.

With roughly 40,000 residents, Castle Hill is located 34km from Sydney’s CBD and is split between the local government areas (LGA) of The Hills Shire – the council which QIC lodged its application with – and Hornsby Shire.

"This is a bold new chapter for Castle Hill, which will deliver exciting new ways to live, work and play; drawing new audiences and delivering inspiration for future generations,” James added.

According to QIC, the future hotel will capture views across the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area and include premium event facilities and new hospitality venues.

QIC’s multi-phase plan for the site will also see a new 12-storey A-grade commercial building erected that has been designed by global architecture firm BVN.

A live entertainment venue, rooftop garden and greenery-filled public spaces will also feature, contributing to a vision that QIC believes will usher in a bold new era at Castle Hill and reimagine the role of suburban retail centres across the country.

The proposed precinct to will also benefit from direct access to the Sydney Metro line.

"Castle Hill is home to a growing and prosperous community and is increasingly sought-after as a place to reside,” James said.

“Our long-term masterplan for Castle Towers responds to this need and looks to seamlessly integrate additional sustainability-led developments over coming years that will become exemplars of urban living and design.”