Landcom Plots Affordable BtR Tower for Chatswood Dive Site

Landcom’s  $152-million proposal for a build-to-rent project at the Chatswood dive site has gone on exhibition.

The 180 apartments across a 23-storey tower would be dedicated to essential workers. Homes NSW is currently undertaking work on clarifying a definition of that demographic, according to the application, but it should include “health workers, paramedics, teachers, police officers and firefighters”.

The tower proposes to use just 2789sq m of the total 18,854sq m site, formerly used for tunnelling works on the Chatswood-to-Tallawong Metro line.

Separately, a concept development application is under way for the broader mixed-use precinct, with the four FK-designed towers up to 26 storeys yielding 1500 homes.

A floor space ratio of 5.81:1 on the build-to-rent tower would yield 16,206sq m. Typologies would support long tenures, according to the proposal, and would include 31 studios, 74 one-bedroom, 64 two-bedroom and 11 three-bedroom apartments.

Five homes at ground level would be joined by commercial or retail tenancies, while residential floors in the four-storey podium and 19-storey tower would include either eight or nine apartments.

The site at 339 Mowbray Road, 569, 580 and 607 Pacific Highway, and 5-8 Bryson Street is about 7km north of the Sydney CBD. It is about 650km from the Chatswood and Artarmon stations.

▲ A concept development application for the remaining three towers is under way separately.

Earmarked by the previous Coalition government for a 1000-student primary school, the site was pivoted under the current Minns government to a housing use. It is the second project under the $450-million Essential Worker Build-to-Rent program, with a commitment to delivery by 2028.

Sydney Metro underground infrastructure is directly to the east of the proposed building and restrictions are imposed on surrounding development. Landcom is not proposing a basement for the build-to-rent project.

A heritage-listed 1870’s building, Mowbray House, is also on the dive site but outside of the Landcom build-to-rent lot. That building has been used as an educational facility and the Willoughby Council Chambers.

It is  now a Sydney Metro administrative office. A future community use is planned by Landcom.

In December 2025, Landcom won approval for the first project in the Essential Worker Build to Rent Program. It is a 21-storey, 220-apartment tower on the Camperdown dive site (used for Westconnex tunnelling), 500m from the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.