Urban Digest

Castle Hill’s Tallest Residential Tower Proposed in Metro Precinct

March 6, 2026

Aerial dusk render of a proposed 40-storey residential tower at the corner of Old Castle Hill Road and McMullen Avenue in Castle Hill.

A 40-storey residential tower proposed near Castle Hill Metro Station could become the tallest apartment building in the suburb, as Sydney’s push for higher-density housing around transport hubs continues.

Plans lodged with the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure seek approval for a 371-apartment development at 16–20 Old Castle Hill Road, about 250 metres from Castle Hill Metro Station. The proposal includes 42 affordable housing units, representing 15 per cent of the development, to be managed by a community housing provider for 15 years.

The project, submitted by Urban Property Group as State Significant Development (SSD-85238209), is currently on public exhibition following fast-tracking through the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority. If approved, the tower would establish a new height benchmark in the Castle Hill town centre precinct and add significant housing supply near one of the Sydney Metro’s key stations.

A Landmark Development Near the Metro

The development site occupies 3,180 square metres across four lots at the corner of Old Castle Hill Road and McMullen Avenue. It currently contains two detached houses and vegetation on a sloping block within walking distance of Castle Hill’s major retail and transport infrastructure.

Plans propose a single 40-storey residential tower containing 371 apartments, including 42 affordable dwellings, along with one ground-floor retail tenancy and communal open spaces for residents. Six levels of basement parking would provide 387 car spaces and 160 bicycle spaces.

The proposal also includes public domain upgrades, including a new entry plaza at the corner of Old Castle Hill Road and McMullen Avenue, landscaping works and a network of internal pedestrian connections across the site. Planning documents say the site’s proximity to transport and services makes it suitable for higher-density housing, with Castle Hill Metro Station, the bus interchange and Castle Towers shopping centre all within walking distance.

Height Signals Changing Skyline

Castle Hill’s skyline has gradually intensified since the opening of the Sydney Metro Northwest line in 2019, which triggered a wave of redevelopment across the town centre. However, the proposed tower would exceed the height of most recent developments in the precinct, where approvals have generally ranged from around 13 to 25 storeys.

The design incorporates setbacks and articulation intended to reduce visual bulk while maintaining solar access to surrounding public spaces, including Arthur Whitling Park. Planning documents describe the surrounding area as transitioning from low-density housing toward higher-density residential buildings near the metro station.

Several major residential and mixed-use projects are also under construction or proposed nearby as part of the broader transformation of the Castle Hill strategic centre.

Fast-Tracked Through Housing Delivery Authority

The development is progressing under the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority pathway, which aims to accelerate planning approvals for large housing projects. The site was formally declared State Significant Development in May 2025 following an expression-of-interest process.

The application is accompanied by a concurrent rezoning proposal that would amend planning controls under The Hills Local Environmental Plan to allow a floor space ratio of 12.31:1 on the site. An earlier concept for the site using the infill affordable housing bonus pathway was withdrawn after planning requirements were issued for the current State Significant Development process.

As part of the design process, the scheme underwent two sessions with the State Design Review Panel, which ultimately supported the revised design. A separate early works application (SSD-86460458) has also been lodged for site preparation works including bulk excavation and remediation, which must be approved before main construction can proceed.

Assessment Now Underway

The development application is currently on public exhibition, with submissions from the community and government agencies to be considered as part of the assessment process. The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure will determine the application following review of submissions, technical studies and agency feedback.

If approved, the project would mark a significant step in the ongoing transformation of Castle Hill’s town centre into a higher-density, transit-oriented precinct.