Brisbane-based investor Cedar Pacific has lodged a development application (DA) for a Build to Rent scheme comprising 306 apartments across three buildings on a former Turner site in Canberra.
The proposals relate to a 7,070 sqm site at Block 3 Section 57, on the corner of Northbourne Avenue and Condamine and Forbes streets, which Cedar Pacific acquired for $30m in July 2024.
The application seeks approval for three buildings ranging from eight to nine storeys, delivering a mix of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments.
Cedar Pacific operates through its subsidiary Cedar Holdings, which has developed and managed co-living, Build to Rent and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) housing for global investors.
According to planning documents prepared by Canberra Town Planning, the development would deliver 306 apartments, comprising 93 studios, 130 one-bedroom units, 71 two-bedroom units and 12 dual-key three-bedroom units.
Ceiling heights across the scheme would be set at 2.7 metres. Apartments would range from 40 sqm for studios to between 53 and 61 sqm for one-bedroom units, 70.9 to 94 sqm for two-bedroom units and 98.5 sqm for three-bedroom apartments. A two-storey studio unit of 54.6 sqm is also proposed.
Ground-floor apartments would be provided with private courtyards, while upper-level units would include balconies. The buildings would be arranged around a central landscaped courtyard, with an east–west pedestrian and green corridor connecting both sides of the site.
The application states that the buildings would be constructed using cross-laminated timber and target a 5-star Green Star rating. Sustainability measures outlined in the application include rooftop solar panels, cross-ventilated apartments, rainwater harvesting, a high-performance building envelope and an electric vehicle car share fleet.
Amenities would include co-working areas, a gym, resident lounges, rooftop gardens, a cinema and bicycle parking. A single-level basement would provide 189 car parking spaces, with a further two visitor spaces provided at ground level.
Vehicular access for residents, visitors and deliveries would be taken from Forbes Street via a driveway at the western end of the site. Service and waste vehicles would also enter from Forbes Street, exiting via a left-turn-only connection onto Northbourne Avenue, controlled by a boom gate and restricted to authorised vehicles.
