Newcastle launches architectural design competition

An exciting opportunity awaits inspired architects, with City of Newcastle together with property developers St Hilliers and The Spotlight Property Group launching a design competition for the redevelopment of 711 Hunter Street in the city's revitalised West-end.

The competition brief requires two towers in the design, approximately 90 metres high, with up to 250 dwellings and 1,500 square metres of commercial floor space, at an estimated construction cost of $100 million.

City of Newcastle Manager Regulatory, Planning and Assessment Michelle Bisson said the design competition signals that Newcastle is entering a new phase with developer confidence in the city reaching an all-time high.

“Newcastle is coming of age by transforming into a modern metropolitan city, with significant redevelopment occurring, particularly in the West-end,” Ms Bisson said.

“This prominent site, which was the former Spotlight and Anaconda building, extends from Hunter Street to King Street along the northern side of National Park Street, and is the perfect place to drive design excellence.

"The design competition is seeking innovative design entries by bringing the best creative talent to the fore, to imagine a landmark building and place that will stand the test of time.”

The design competition is being run by an independent jury process under the governance of City of Newcastle and the NSW Government Architect's Office. Consultants Urbis are administering the design competition on behalf of property developers St Hilliers and The Spotlight Property Group.

The winning design will be chosen by the independent jury at the close of the competition in December, and a Development Application for the site is expected to be lodged by St Hilliers and The Spotlight Property Group in 2022.

St Hilliers Property Project Director Paul Smith said this design competition is a great way to build design excitement and interest for this high-profile project.

“Ongoing revitalisation is transforming Newcastle's West-end so we see it as a perfect time to launch the design competition for this development,” Mr Smith said.

“We look forward to reviewing the innovative proposals as a result of the competition process and delivering Newcastle a development that is a symbol of design excellence.”