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The Sydney suburb of Parramatta could be in store for an 83-storey residential tower after the winners of a design competition at 197 Church Street were announced earlier this summer. Spanish architect Rafael De La-Hoz is teaming up with local practice Group GSA to build the project, which is being led by Holdmark Property Group.
To be constructed at the corner of Macquarie and Church Streets, the 650-apartment development's design takes inspiration from Eucalyptus bark by implementing a pattern of oval shapes to maximize views for residents. This aesthetic is meant to represent the region's civic and natural history.
The facade of the two-storey shopping emporium that currently exists on the site will be retained, continuing to anchor the intersection. The central location of the 266-metre Holdmark Tower puts it within close proximity to a number of key amenities and services, including the retail hub and open space of Centenary Square.
With the design chosen, the project will need to obtain approval from the State Planning Department followed by general development application approval. A potential hurdle the development will need to overcome is shadowing. With skyscrapers sprouting throughout the central business district, many pedestrians are literally being left in the dark. As the adjacent square is a popular public asset in the city, the project's potential to cast large shadows on the space could prove to be a stumbling block for the development.
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