Honeysuckle - Call for Proposals

An opportunity to join an impressive line-up in Newcastle’s emerging harbourside CBD is now available. Honeysuckle Development Corporation has called for proposals to develop two sites for commercial and/or mixed use as part of Honeysuckle—one of Australia’s largest urban redevelopment projects.

Lot 22 and Lot 230 are located in Honeysuckle’s Cottage Creek Precinct and are excellent commercial/mixed use development opportunities. Both are vacant, level sites adjacent to the harbour and CBD. The development of these sites could produce around 20,000m2 of A-grade offices, shops, apartments or other CBD uses.

The objective is to facilitate development which has real economic and social benefits for the Hunter Region community. The Corporation is seeking development proposals which create public assets such as car park spaces and public art as well as energy efficient buildings with innovative architecture. The challenge is for developers to create the first building in Newcastle with a 4.5 star, or more, energy rating.

The availablity of A-grade office space is also a competitive edge in attracting or keeping firms in Newcastle’s CBD. PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sparke Helmore, Hunter Water and NIB are just some of the companies which have identified the advantages of being located in this emerging harbourside CBD.

This is part of Honeysuckle’s staged release of land. The last site release in the Cottage Creek Precinct was in 2004 and strong interest is expected in Lot 22 and 230, particularly as these are some of the last vacant, level sites available in the CBD so close to the harbour.

Proposals can be lodged to develop one or both sites. Development proposals must be lodged by 3.00pm 12 June 2007 in accordance with the Call for Proposals document. A Design Review Panel and Evaluation Panel will consider each proposal with the winning proposal is expected to be announced in July 2007. The winning proposal will then be lodged, by the proponent, as a development application with the consent authority.

Call for Proposals Flyer

Call for Proposal Flyer - view/download PDF (1,535 kb)

Call for Proposals Document

A Call for Proposals document, and other relevant information and images, can be obtained on CD and as hard copy by emailing salli.ward@honeysuckle.nsw.gov.au

Commercial/Mixed Use Development Site

Wickham Waterfront

DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION LODGED

A development application is currently being assesed by Newcastle City Council for the develpoment by Buildev Group, of a commercial and retail building at Honeysuckle on Newcastle Harbour, which will raise the bar in environmentally sustainable design. Proposals for the site in Honeysuckle’s Marina Precinct, next to the Fish Coop on Hannell Street were lodged with Honeysuckle Development Corporation in June 2006 and the winning proposal selected in September.

The winning proposal, lodged by Buildev Group, is for the development of the Honeysuckle Waterfront Centre (now called The Glass House), a commercial office building with shops or cafés at ground level. The Corporation entered into a contract with Buildev for the sale and development of the land.

Development proposals for this site were required to comply with a checklist of environmental and energy efficiency measures, above the current government regulations. The winning development proposal met all the mandatory items on this checklist. It will set new standards for commercial development including minimising energy use in lighting, air conditioning, water usage and building.

This building will become the workplace of an estimated 125 people with Buildev Group creating its national head office in the building. This means even more activity in this gateway harbourside location. It will create yet another reason for people to visit Newcastle’s CBD and possibly increase the city’s working population.

This winning proposal improves the existing public space by including dynamic elements such as a timber viewing deck in the shape of a ship hull and using maritime materials. The design reflects the maritime and industrial themes of its unique location and is to be viewed from all sides with frontages to Hannell Street, the harbour and the promenade.

Buildev Group has a strong link with the Hunter and with the Honeysuckle project, facilitating the $20 million Sparke Helmore Building and PricewaterhouseCoopers Centre on Honeysuckle Drive.

Artist Impression of Honeysuckle Waterfront Centre (now called The Glass House)

Artist Impression - view/download PDF ( 268 kb)

Media Release: Minister Sartor

Media Release - view/download PDF ( 33 kb)

Call for Proposals Flyer

Call for Proposal Flyer - view/download PDF (531 kb)

Call for Proposals Document

Call for Proposals Document - view/download PDF (345 kb)

Long-Term Use
Honeysuckle Railway Workshops

A new museum for Newcastle

The Corporation has finalised negotiations with Newcastle City Council to enable Council to purchase three iconic heritage buildings in this harbourside location in the heart of Newcastle. The railway workshops are a community asset and an integral part of Newcastle’s civic and cultural heart. The Corporation called for proposals that respectfully adapted the buildings and increased the number of people being drawn to this area. The preference was for the community to be able to access these buildings for cultural or educational use. The railway workshops are adjacent to a foreshore promenade and public space, 4½-star hotel, cafes and restaurants, offices and apartments and in walking distance to the theatre, art gallery, library, Council administration centre, university facilities and commercial headquarters.

The Corporation was impressed with Council's proposal to create a new cultural facility incorporating a museum. The proposals were assessed on financial viability, community access and use, design and maintenance.

Available online documentation:
Flyer - view/download PDF (392kb)
Call for Proposal Document - view/download PDF (300kb)