This aerial view shows the Macarthur on Northbourne site in relation to the rest of the inner north and the CBD. Photo: SLA.
The former Macarthur House site on Northbourne Avenue in Lyneham is being touted as the precinct’s next major destination – home to a potential mixed-use development of more than 400 dwellings.
The Suburban Land Agency has listed the 1.363 hectare site for sale by tender, despite the uncertain economic conditions due to the coronavirus lockdown.
It is being marketed as an opportunity to build a landmark development within minutes of the CBD and Dickson dining precincts, and with easy access to Canberra’s major universities.
The former home of a major ACT Government office block which has been demolished, the site on the corner of Macarthur and Northbourne avenues is located at a key stop on the light rail route and is part of the City Renewal Precinct.
Any development on the site will need to comply with the City and Gateway Urban Design Framework and is expected to contribute to the Northbourne corridor vision of a vibrant residential and business precinct served by cafes, restaurants, bars and boutiques.
Up to 424 dwellings and a range of commercial and community uses are permitted.
The successful tenderer will also have to comply with the Affordable Housing Scheme, which requires at least 50 dwellings be constructed and dispersed throughout the development.
Developers can build to 48 metres high on the site after changes made to the City and Gateway Urban Design Framework last year, confirmed with the approval of Amendment 91 that had been developed between the National Capital Authority and the ACT Government, and finalised in 2018.
Any proposal will be subject to both the Territory and National Capital plans, and tenderers are required to provide a Master Plan for the site.
JLL and Colliers International have been given the job of marketing the site.
Colliers International’s Shane Radnell said that although COVID-19 had cast a shadow over the economy, there was still strong interest in the Canberra residential market, especially units, and developers took a long-term view.
”Developers are looking a year down the track. They’re still very positive about the Canberra residential market,” he said.
”The economics of Canberra are still extremely strong, especially in the rental market.”
Mr Radnell said Colliers had recently sold four development sites in Gungahlin, Belconnen and Woden.
He said interstate interests would be targeted but local developers were expected to be in the running.
”The evidence has shown over the past couple of years that it is still local buyers that are certainly buoyant about the Canberra market,” Mr Radnell said.
He said that because of the site’s proximity to the CBD a developer may look to a build-to-rent option where the apartments are owned by the developer, often a through managed investment trust, and leased out to tenants.
”We’re seeing increased interest from national developers for build-to-rent product, and the rental market in Canberra is still extremely tight,” Mr Radnell said.
The site was initially to be sold as part of the Federal Government’s asset-recycling scheme, but missed the 30 June 2019 deadline.
The tender closes on 13 August.
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