New high-rise development slated for Gungahlin

A development application for a 170-unit mixed-use complex has been lodged with the ACT Planning and Land Authority.

It’s the latest in string of high-rise towers set to change Gungahlin’s skyline.

Plans for two separate Gungahlin Town Centre developments were unveiled last month: a 26-storey, 300-unit development with a rooftop restaurant, and a 14-storey, 145-unit complex to be built around a 300-year-old eucalyptus tree.

The latest DA was lodged with ACTPLA by POD Projects Group, proposing “an upmarket, mixed-use development” with a combination of ground-floor commercial space and about 170 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

The 2163-square-metre site is vacant and bounded by Gribble Street and Anthony Rolfe Avenue.

The design by Stewart Architects features two towers rising above a podium. According to the DA, the tallest tower be will 18 storeys with the smaller tower to stand between eight and 14 storeys.

Progress on the light rail has spurred apartment sales in Gungahlin, according to POD Projects Group managing director Paul O’Donnell.

He said apartments in the town centre had sold at a rate of one unit per day over the last 18 months.

“It’s the fastest growing town centre in Canberra, but up until now it’s been existing residents and local investors [buying in the area],” Mr O’Donnell said.

“With the approval of the light rail, you’ll find a lot of interstate investors looking to invest where there’s a lot of infrastructure occurring.”

Construction of three high-rise developments, comprising a total of more than 800 dwellings, commenced this year. The first two to be released, eight-storey Uptown and 12-storey Mezzo, have almost sold out.

Gungahlin’s tallest development, the 22-storey Infinity Towers, is being released in stages and when completed will house 426 apartments.

One-third of Infinity’s first release sold before the project officially hit the market.

Mr O’Donnell said the Gungahlin region was expecting 30,000 new residents over the next 10 years.

“The population is growing faster in Gungahlin than anywhere else in Canberra,” Mr O’Donnell said.

“From a sales point-of-view it’s the most sought-after town centre in Canberra.”