Coronation Doubles BTR Yield at St Peters Precinct 75 Site

Coronation Doubles BTR Yield at St Peters Precinct 75 Site

August 25, 2025

Rendered street-level view of Precinct 75 in St Peters, showing retained brick buildings, pedestrians, a sky bridge, and new Nation-branded BTR tower.

A revised plan for the Precinct 75 site in St Peters will nearly double the number of dwellings originally approved in 2023. The amended State Significant Development (SSD) application, submitted under the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) pathway, increases residential dwellings from 206 to 471 and significantly reconfigures two key buildings.

Located at 67 Mary Street, the project builds on DA/2021/0800, which the Land and Environment Court approved in March 2023. That original DA permitted 206 build-to-rent (BTR) apartments, commercial/light industrial space, and public domain upgrades. Coronation Property, through its BTR platform Nation, is already constructing the project. The company plans to deliver the updated scheme by July 2027 to align with the National Housing Accord’s housing targets.

Major Design Changes from the Original Approval

The amended SSD maintains the approved site layout but introduces key alterations. Buildings 6 and 7, originally approved for non-residential use, will now feature BTR apartments in a mixed-use format. Buildings C and 8 will each gain two extra storeys, boosting residential capacity. Coronation will demolish and reconstruct Building 2, which was previously set to be retained, due to structural issues.

These revisions add 4,842 square metres of gross floor area—an increase of 15 percent—while reducing commercial use. Buildings A, B and 1, along with The Lawn and other open spaces, remain unchanged. Cox Architecture reworked the design to blend heritage elements with contemporary structures. The updated building heights comply with aviation safety limits.

Reason for the Change in Use

Coronation shifted Buildings 6 and 7 from commercial/light industrial to residential use to meet several objectives. The site’s location—500 metres from St Peters Station—makes it suitable for more housing. Market analysis also showed low demand for large-scale commercial uses in this location.

During consultation, Inner West Council did not object to a residential-led outcome. The change also allows Coronation’s BTR platform to achieve greater operational efficiency. The design reconfiguration improved setbacks, created a larger public Mews space, and enhanced daylight and ventilation for future residents.

Proposed massing by COX

Boost to Housing Diversity and Affordability

Unlike the original DA, the revised proposal includes 16 affordable dwellings. Evolve Housing, a registered Community Housing Provider, will manage these units. The overall dwelling mix has broadened to include studios and one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. This layout supports a mix of short-term and long-term renters.

Communal amenities have also been improved. New podium and rooftop spaces offer better access to shared facilities. Coronation adjusted internal layouts to improve airflow, daylight and accessibility.

Expanded Public Realm and Community Infrastructure

Coronation retained and upgraded the public domain elements approved under the original DA. The Mews, located between Buildings 6 and 7, will become larger and more accessible. Makers Way will remain the precinct’s central pedestrian link. The Council Artist Studio continues as part of the updated plan. The Lawn, The Bark Park and The Grove will stay unchanged.

These upgrades aim to support the site’s legacy as a creative precinct while enhancing connectivity and community access.

Artist impression by COX

Sustainability Upgrades from Original Design

The revised SSD improves significantly on the original DA’s sustainability measures. Coronation now targets a 7.8-star average NatHERS rating across all dwellings. New passive design features, double glazing and rooftop solar will lower heating and cooling needs.

Common areas will draw power from solar PV systems. Materials from demolished buildings, such as asphalt and bricks, will be reused in construction. In total, the project will retain 10 percent of existing built form.

Increased Economic Contribution

The revised project increases its economic impact over the original scheme. Coronation estimates the SSD will create 270 ongoing operational jobs, compared to 230 under the initial DA. Economic modelling projects an annual contribution of $61.7 million once the site becomes operational.

Coronation will also preserve some commercial spaces, allowing creative and light-industrial tenants to continue operating in the precinct.

New Planning Controls and Stakeholder Feedback

To support the updated scheme, Coronation is pursuing a concurrent rezoning. The proposed changes include raising the maximum height from 29 metres to RL 51, increasing FSR from 2.15:1 to 2.42:1, and removing a cap that limited residential GFA to 50 percent.

Ethos Urban consulted widely on behalf of Coronation. Most stakeholders supported increased housing, although some raised concerns about scale and traffic. The team addressed these issues by widening setbacks in Buildings 6 and 7 and expanding public open space in The Mews.