45-57 Parramatta Road, Annandale is a high-rise, mixed-use housing solution for Sydney’s Inner West. At eight storeys, 127 rooms and 3,200-square-metres of floor space, this co-living and diverse housing development caters to students, key workers, and young urban professionals. With direct transport links at its front door, the site is located centrally to University of Sydney’s Camperdown Campus, TAFE Annandale, and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
The building’s Parramatta Road frontage preserves the site’s historical roots—including heritage-listed shopfront structures—while introducing modern living elements into its façade. At the back, a north-facing communal area is abundant with greenery and shared amenity fit for its youthful occupants. A ground floor revitalisation details a vibrant retail and eatery destination, repositioning a once-dormant residential block as an activated community hub along one of Greater Sydney’s busiest, most controversial main roads.
The project has been submitted for DA in August 2024 with Inner West Council. DesignInc delivered integrated architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design for 45-57 Parramatta Road, Annandale.
Heritage-led destination
Along the South Façade, heritage-listed shopfront structures are retained, integrated, and given new purpose. Al fresco dining is proposed for the shopfront rear, a ‘Spice Alley’ that creates equal-parts economic opportunity for food vendors and a unique social flavour for residents, their guests and passers-by. Dark and light brick balance the site’s historical references with a contemporary design, while metal window frames and breeze blocks further enhance the aesthetic and functionality of the building. Interventions assist in managing the noise generated by the thousands of private, public and active commuters using Parramatta Road.
A community backyard
Inspired by access to the outdoors, biophilic design drives a series of community living spaces throughout the building, a contrasting feature to the urban Parramatta Road frontage. Carved-out balconies carry the site’s landscape up the building wall and across residents’ private balconies and shared spaces—driving aesthetic and environmental value of the site.
The ground floor features a basketball court, bike parking, communal areas, and retail spaces, maximising floorspace efficiency and amenity. With its performative landscape, a sandstone amphitheatre/gathering space acts as a flood zone when required by using natural gradients and carefully selected vegetation to capture and divert stormwater safely.
Sustainable to its core
Sustainability is a core aspect of the design, with a focus on cross-ventilation, daylight access, and communal outdoor spaces. Building form features a central void which provides natural cross-ventilation for the entire site, keeping dwellings at a comfortable temperature all year round. The development provides nearly four times the required outdoor area, and includes significant deep-soil landscaping for tree planting. The design prioritises greener transport solutions—minimising vehicle access, encouraging bicycle use, and providing direct links to public transport on Parramatta Road.
Glenroy Library has been awarded a commendation in the 2024 Library Design Awards by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). This recognition is a testament to the innovative design and community-centric approach of Glenroy Community Hub, which houses Australia’s first Passive House-certified library and community building.
