It’s no secret that Sydney’s house prices are bonkers.
Our current housing crisis has become so dire that the NSW government is looking at out-of-the-box solutions to build more homes.
One idea that’s been floated?
Living at the shops.
Scentre Group, the owner of Warringah Mall, is actively pursuing rezoning approvals from the NSW government to construct thousands of new homes at the mall.
So, the Great Australian Dream? It’s no longer a quarter acre block but an apartment at the shops. At least you’d never run out of milk.
Council has already approved a plan to add 1,350 homes to the Brookvale area as part of a separate initiative. Potential future Town Square with water feature and view up Dale St. Image: Northern Beaches Council
Scentre Group owns and operates 37 Westfield shopping centres in Australia. Many of these centres are strategically located in close proximity to where the majority of the population lives. Their total assets under management are valued at $50.2 billion.
The proposed development at Warringah Mall is part of a broader plan by Scentre Group to integrate residential spaces within its existing retail precincts.
According to Scentre Group’s 2024 Annual Report, their key ambition is “to grow the business by becoming essential to people, their communities and the businesses that interact with them.”
Warringah Mall. Image: Scentre Group
“We engaged with state and federal governments on planning policy and reforms, legislation and infrastructure initiatives that impact our destinations.
“Our portfolio of destinations incorporates more than 670 hectares of land holdings which are strategically located in and around existing civic and transport hubs – places where densification is occurring. These substantial land holdings have the potential to be part of addressing residential supply issues in Australia and New Zealand.”
Beyond Warringah Mall, Scentre is also in advanced stages of rezoning approvals for a site adjacent to Westfield Tuggerah on the Central Coast, with potential for 2,100 homes. The company has already secured approvals for large scale residential development at Westfield Hornsby and Belconnen in Canberra, and is exploring further opportunities at Parramatta, Eastgardens, and Kotara.
Potential future Town Square in Brookvale, as viewed from Pittwater Rd. Image: Northern Beaches Council
It’s worth noting that the idea of adding housing near Warringah Mall isn’t new. The Northern Beaches Council has been actively planning this for some time.
In 2023, the council approved the Brookvale Structure Plan. The plan which adjoins the Warringah Mall precinct, is set to see significant development over the next 15 years. This plan outlines the construction of over 1,350 new homes, with a focus on affordable housing, and the creation of 900 new jobs. The plan includes a new town centre, green spaces, and improved transport links. With Brookie’s housing growth underway, Scentre’s Warringah Mall plan to build apartments at the mall smartly capitalises on the suburb’s development.
Let’s just hope there’s a plan to fix the bus crisis before the thousands of new residents move in.
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