Roche Group submit plans for impressive Lilyfield mixed-use development

The Roche Group is trying again for its prime Lilyfield site on the fringe of Rozelle opposite Callan Park.

The Double Bay-based developer has submitted plans for a mixed-use development on their large 6,824 sqm site at 469-483 Balmain Road. They're seeking to build 89 apartments, 6,000 sqm of flexible employment space, and 1,200 sqm reserved for creative purposes.

Five percent of the apartments will be reserved for affordable housing.

Part of the application is to develop a publicly accessible square named Bakers Square behind the old bakery building.

The Urban Design Report prepared by architecture firm Chrofi said the vision of the project is to radically improve the industrial employment offer, revitalise and develop the existing local artistic community within the site, and to establish new opportunities for urban living in Sydney.

"The proposal will feature a dynamic and unique precinct that leverages the interaction of new and old buildings while combining a variety of employment and residential uses on a large and currently underutilised site in single ownership.

"At the core of this new community will be a vibrant mix of artists, start-ups, independent market traders, creative industries, and residents that enjoy an urban lifestyle."

They said the outcome will be an engaging blend of residential and industrial spaces that fosters a community where people can live, work and recreate in close proximity.

There are six residential buildings proposed, which will home 22 studio apartments, 40 two-bedroom apartments, and 27 three-bedroom units.

Clockwise from bottom left; Residential buildings A & B; Residential buildings A & B; Residential building C; Residential buildings D,E and F. Image credit: Chrofi

Chrofi described buildings A and B as "two-of-a-kind designed to be seen in composition with the Super Shed."

"These two buildings are detailed in steel to reference industrial materiality."

The Super Shed is the part of the refinement of the initial proposal, which has been amended since the Roche Groiup initially submitted plans back in 2016.

"The design now features a ‘Super Shed’ and a ‘Small Shed’ to compliment the retained Character Buildings with each building being carefully articulated to ensure all tenancies have good access to outlook, daylight, and ventilation," Chrofi noted in their submission.

"The Super Shed provides large floor plates over three levels interconnected with a central atrium. This organising spine provides access and egress if spaces are subdivided into smaller tenancies in the future, while at the same time, giving the building a campus feel that will contribute a collegiate culture for tenants within the building and broader precinct.

"The Small Shed and retained Character Buildings each provide floor space over 2-levels providing a range of spaces for smaller scale businesses. These buildings are grouped and connected by bridges to further promote a precinct/campus sensibility to the Proposal."

The 1,314 sqm of public domain space. Image credit: Chrofi

Part of the development will be keeping the buildings that were built in the early 1900's for the Pilchers Bakery Company. There were identified by the Inner West Council as 'character buildings'.

"The character buildings represent the earliest construction phase and comprise two-storeyed face brickwork structures with timber framed interiors and trussed gabled roofs," a heritage impact statement by NBRS stated.

It added however that much of the physical fabric is heavily modified from its original configuration and the site shows evidence of several periods of unrelated growth and redevelopment.