GURNERT & Qualitas submit plans for $450m build-to-rent precinct

4 August 2022

Multi-billion-dollar developer GURNER™ and leading Australian alternative real estate investment manager Qualitas have submitted plans for their first Build to Rent development in Sydney, at 12 Hassall Street Parramatta, that will add $450million to their rapidly expanding GQ BTR portfolio.

The 2,049sqm site is being submitted for 385 apartments across a diverse product mix ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments, and is being designed by internationally renowned architecture and interior design practice, PTW after a competitive design competition that was reviewed by the NSW Design Integrity Unit.

The building’s form has been imagined as a striking 61-storey tower with a 15 metre-high ‘crown’ sitting proudly atop the Parramatta skyline.

The building has been designed with an inviting ground floor plane that opens into a welcoming resident lobby framed by approximately 4,000sqm of commercial and retail NLA over four levels, alongside a café and co-working space.

Throughout the building, a substantial focus on luxury resident amenities and services will allow the GQ platform to deliver its signature amenity experience that will be unrivalled in Parramatta.

These amenities include a health and wellness sanctuary, gym, indoor lap pool and an expansive, sky-high rooftop pool and deck complete with sunken lounges on level 61.

The project is the first Build to Rent development assessed as a State Significant Development (SSD) application under the NSW Government’s Rapid Assessment Framework.

GURNER™ founder and director, Tim Gurner said “ The past three years have seen a period of rapid growth and expansion for our development business across the eastern seaboard of Australia as we look to capitalise on a range of opportunities in the Build to Rent space across the country.

“ This will be our first Build to Rent asset in New South Wales and the third in our fully-funded seed portfolio. We are astutely focused on NSW into the future and our aim is to grow a similar sized portfolio and team to our Melbourne office within the next 5 years.

“ This project will be a new beacon for Parramatta and bring a new level of luxury and exceptional service to the rental market that is unmatched throughout Sydney.

“ NSW is in critical need of quality rental stock, so we are confident in the Build to Rent model as a means of delivering this urgent stock to one of Australia’s most powerful rental markets,” Gurner said.