Urban Digest

Chatswood’s $117m BTR Tower Approved After IPC Review

July 20, 2025

Street-level view of a proposed Build-to-Rent residential tower in Chatswood, featuring a layered red-brick and white breeze-block façade with integrated greenery and pedestrians walking along the footpath.

A new Build-to-Rent tower has been approved at the southern edge of Chatswood’s CBD. This marks a major change in the area’s shift to high-density, mixed-use development. The $117.2 million project will deliver 198 rental apartments and set a benchmark for professionally managed rental housing in Sydney.

Location and Site Overview

The approved project, called Novus on Albert, is located at 763-769 Pacific Highway. It will transform an underused site near Chatswood Transport Interchange into a 27-storey residential tower. Plans include ground-floor retail, three basement car park levels, and shared spaces such as a rooftop lounge, pool, gym, and coworking areas.

The site sits at a key entry point to the Chatswood CBD, making it a strategic location for increased density. The tower will help define the skyline as the centre transitions to a more vertical urban form.

Most of the development cost—about 78 per cent—will go toward the residential component. The rest includes retail, amenities, and infrastructure upgrades.

Artist impression by Rothelowman

Expanding the Build-to-Rent Sector

This development adds to the Build-to-Rent (BTR) market in Sydney. Unlike strata projects, BTR buildings remain under single ownership. They offer longer leases, secure tenure, and on-site management.

The developer, Novus Trusco 1 Pty Ltd, chose this model to increase rental supply and improve affordability. They also aim to provide stable housing managed to a high standard.

In addition, the project supports key planning policies. These include the National Housing Accord 2022, Housing 2041, the North District Plan, and Willoughby’s Local Strategic Planning Statement. It helps meet the NSW Government’s goal to deliver 377,000 well-located homes in five years.

The BTR approach is gaining traction in Australia. It offers institutional investors a long-term revenue stream, while also addressing shortfalls in traditional rental supply.

Design Excellence Through Competition

A Design Excellence Competition was held in 2023. Three architecture firms submitted proposals. Rothelowman’s design won for its strong planning, high amenity, and compatibility with the site.

Key features include a layered podium, rooftop terraces, and a mix of materials that reflect the changing local skyline. Additionally, the design meets sustainability goals using passive design and efficient systems. It also includes quality landscaping.

The proposal includes strong pedestrian connections along Pacific Highway and Albert Lane. It activates the street with retail frontages and improves safety through passive surveillance and lighting.

The Government Architect NSW and the Willoughby Design Integrity Panel reviewed and supported the design. In line with the “Designing with Country” framework, it also reflects Aboriginal cultural values.

Heritage and Community Response

The site includes the ‘Old Fire Station’ (Item I238), a local heritage item. This building will be demolished. Willoughby City Council opposed its removal, as well as the proposed height, setbacks, and waste servicing via Albert Lane.

To respond, the applicant adjusted the podium design, upgraded landscaping, and introduced a heritage interpretation strategy. Heritage NSW supported these measures. Therefore, the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) accepted them as appropriate.

The applicant also prepared a photographic archival record and incorporated interpretation elements into the lobby design, including plaques and historic references.

Seventeen public submissions were received. Most focused on overshadowing, traffic, and visual impact. However, the proposal met planning controls for sunlight, privacy, noise, and traffic. Moreover, no government agencies objected.

Concerns about traffic and waste were addressed through a loading dock and swept path analysis. Waste collection from Albert Lane will be managed with conditions to protect pedestrian safety and minimise disruption.

IPC Approval and Conditions

The IPC approved the project in July 2025. They determined that it met state housing goals and suited its central location.

The Commission found the height and scale acceptable in the Chatswood CBD context. They supported the heritage and waste solutions. Furthermore, they confirmed the design achieved high quality.

Approval conditions included heritage documentation, a site waste plan, and environmental checks. The design panel will remain involved to ensure design quality is maintained during construction.

The IPC also required remediation of potential site contamination, the use of CPTED principles, and confirmation that overshadowing impacts would not exceed acceptable levels.