Coronation Property announces Bates Smart Winner of the Design Excellence Competition for the Erskineville Village Buildings F & I

Coronation Property

Coronation Property, a leader in innovative urban development, proudly announced Bates Smart, a leading Australian architectural firm, as the winner of the City of Sydney Council’s Design Excellence Competition for Buildings F & I of the Erskineville Village project. This award is a significant milestone in Coronation’s ambitious $1.5 billion urban renewal project, which is set to transform a former industrial site into an aspirational new lifestyle destination for inner-city Sydney.

Located just 4km from Sydney’s CBD, adjacent to the evolving precincts of Alexandria and Waterloo, the Erskineville Village project at 155 Mitchell Road is poised to rejuvenate the area. The grand vision encompasses approximately 1,000 Build-to-Rent (BTR) residences, complemented by extensive retail, the future 7,500sqm ‘McPherson Park’, as well as ‘Kooka Walk’ a 20-metre-wide pedestrian-friendly walk way that weaves throughout the precinct.

The selection of Bates Smart as the winner of Buildings F & I of the precinct followed a rigorous competition overseen by a panel of distinguished industry experts. Attracting three highly respected Australian architectural firms, it was the insightful feedback from the design excellence jury, coupled with a detailed evaluation process, that ultimately led to Bates Smarts’ innovative and neighbourhood-led design being chosen.

The innovative vision for Buildings F & I reimagines the existing industrial land into two dynamic BTR buildings that will house over 360 premium 1-, 2- & 3-bedroom residences, complete with extensive amenities to be enjoyed by its residents. These include diverse communal spaces, large landscaped outdoor retreats complete with kitchen and BBQ facilities, an outdoor cinema and bar, along with a yoga studio, sauna, pool and various workspaces.

Coronation has allocated the entirety of the Erskineville Village to BTR residences, with the exception of six Torrens Title Terraces housed in Building D. The BTR residences will be managed by Coronation’s newly established subsidiary, ‘Nation’, which is also gearing up to launch two new projects – Mason & Main in Merrylands and Charlie Parker in Parramatta City -in early 2024, securing the firm as NSW’s largest BTR operator.

Joseph Nahas, Managing Director of Coronation, expressed excitement over the Group’s first collaboration with Bates Smart, known for their comprehensive approach to combining architecture, urban, and interior design.

“We are thrilled to partner with Bates Smart on their winning design, which captures the essence of Erskineville while transforming it into a contemporary, inviting space for living, shopping, working, socialising, or simply enjoying the surroundings,” Mr. Nahas said.

“It’s rare to find a development of this size that offers an opportunity to balance high-end, design-led BTR residences with retail, green space, and culture all in one location. We are particularly pleased that the appointed team, renowned and award-winning, comprises local Australian architects who bring a deep understanding and passion for our neighbourhoods.

“As we move forward with the Erskineville Village project, our goal is to rejuvenate this site into a dynamic destination that will not only enhance the lives of its residents and visitors but also contribute positively to the wider community. This comes at a critical time, as we strive to provide affordable rental solutions in the midst of Sydney’s intensifying housing crisis.”

Matthew Allen, Director at Bates Smart, highlighted the design approach, focusing on contextually responsive buildings that reflect the local landscape and heritage.

“Our aim is to craft a contextually responsive collection of buildings that weave together interpretations of country, industrial heritage and established built character,” Mr. Allen said.

“In this urban setting, we have embraced solidity, with embossed precast concrete panels used as a civic canvas to tell stories of country. Colour has been used carefully with masonry tones recalling colours of the indigenous landscape. The angled geometry of the building forms is interpreted in finer scale details such as balconies and sun shading.”

In addition to Bates Smart, Erskineville Village involves other leading Australian architects, including Andrew Burns Architecture for Building D and Silvester Fuller for Building E. The design competition for Buildings G & H is still underway, with an announcement expected soon.

The entire Erskineville precinct is slated for completion by 2026.

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About Coronation Property Group

Australian-owned and operated, Coronation Property is a vertically integrated property group, specialising in innovative developments including luxury mixed-use residential precincts, retail, commercial, build-to-rent and hotels.

With placemaking at its core, the company brings a fresh perspective to urban precincts – combining deep local knowledge with decades-long industry experience to unlock value for individuals, places, and communities.

/Public Release.