Currently under construction in Gosford NSW, St Hillers invited three of the country’s top architects to compete for the chance to bring to life their vision for the final piece of the Central Coast Quarter’s integrated mixed-use precinct. Evaluating the design schemes, an independent panel of judges nominated a stunning coastal concept from leading design practices DKO and Furtado Sullivan as the most successful and appropriate response to the brief’s design, planning and commercial objectives.
Noted for its elegant take on the project, the winning concept presents two towers set alongside a central public pavilion that will activate the area with retail and hospitality venues.
With a vision for the Central Coast Quarter to become a landmark in Gosford, DKO and Furtado Sullivan designed a collection of buildings that speak to context and culture while maximising livability, work and leisure. The jury commended the proposal’s response to ‘Connection to Country’, which set the framework for the built-form response, as well as the continued engagement and consultation with local Indigenous groups.
Development Director for St Hilliers, Justyn Ng, hailed the competition as a success, praising DKO and Furtado Sullivan for their design concept that connects Central Coast Quarter to Gosford’s built and natural environment. “The sophisticated design by DKO and Furtado Sullivan is perfect for the eastern and southern portions of the Central Coast Quarter project,” Mr. Ng said.
“This is the first time a design competition has run under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Gosford City Centre) 2018 and the outcome will set a new standard for design excellence in the CBD.” “There was a huge focus on integration among the submissions, with the winning design going to great lengths to incorporate the recently transformed League Club Field and food and beverage outlets seamlessly.”
Mr. Ng said “it was a milestone to unveil the design for the final stages of the Central Coast Quarter project, particularly following the success of its first stage which was also
“We have had an incredible reception to the first stage of Central Coast Quarter; with over 95 per cent of apartments now sold. The completed value of this tower will exceed $115 million” he said. “We look forward to delivering an equally sophisticated design for the final release, which we are confident will attract significant interest from people who recognise Central Coast Quarter for its location and quality.”
DKO Director, Nicholas Byrne said the team was thrilled to collaborate with a developer such as St Hilliers on the final stages of what is destined to become a legacy project.
“This was a huge opportunity for the practice to work on a large-scale multi-staged development in the rapidly growing Central Coast region. We hope the series of buildings and spaces in the precinct will create a unique place for the City of Gosford, reflecting the broader landscape and respecting Country,” he said.
Furtado Sullivan is an architecture practice with a growing reputation for creating world-class mixed-use precincts in Europe and Australia.
Urban design and public realm
The winning team’s vision to create a ‘permeable precinct’ considered the site’s prime location and history by using the large Port Jackson Fig tree as a ‘marker’ to welcome locals and visitors.
The central pavilion is the ‘jewel’ of the precinct, designed to feel open and welcoming while providing breakout spaces to encourage creative operators to curate a range of diverse experiences.
“One of the greatest aspects of this design was the pavilion structure on the street corner, connecting the three buildings. It has the potential to be iconic for the coast,” Mr Ng says.
Retail Podium
A selection of finely curated retail and commercial spaces connect the laneways from Mann Street to Baker Street. Across three cascading terraces, Central Coast Quarter’s Pavillion is set to host an array of outdoor dining and function spaces, inviting the community to enjoy luxury hospitality at their doorstep.
Southern Tower
Home to over 100 apartments enjoying direct valley, parkland, and waterway views, the residential tower features a unique ‘scallop’ design of the balconies, delivering an elegant yet playful façade.
Eastern Tower
The eastern tower consists of an 18-storey commercial building above the terraced public realm; designed to offer flexibility, as well as a vibrant, active and easily accessible space, the eastern tower, alongside the Stage 1 building, ‘The Waterfront’, will form a diverse and cohesive precinct.
The design is currently in development for the Development Application (DA) expected to be lodged by the end of 2022.
The design jury comprised Government Architect NSW Director Design Governance Paulo Macchia FRAIA (Chair), Atlas Urban Design & Strategy Principal Paul Walter, CHROFI Founding Partner John Choi and Central Coast Council Centre’s Planning and Urban Design Section Manager Jared Phillips.
