Parramatta. Towers in Parramatta Swuare

Lord Mayor Lorraine Wearne will announce today, at the annual State of the City Address, the first two buildings in its 3-hectare Parramatta Square area, formerly known as Civic Place. Grimshaw and Architectus are expected to lodge DAs in a few months and, once approved, council will seek development and finance partners. Grimshaw’s winning design is a 65-storey mixed-use tower on the Hungry Jack’s site on the corner of Church and Darcy streets. Architectus designed a 27,000-square-metre office tower on the corner of Macquarie and Smith Streets.

Parramatta. Heritage building for sale

Endrim, one of North Parramatta’s oldest buildings, in North Parramatta, is on the market and expected to fetch $2.5 million. The heritage-listed building, built in 1851, and containing the legal practice of Lewarne & Goldsmith, is on a 3700-square metre site, on the corner of Sorrell and Harold streets. The legal firm is expected to locate next door.

Parramatta. 334-seat restaurant approved

Parramatta City Council has approved a 334-seat Bondi Pizza Bar&Grill outlet, at 320 Church Street, in the heart of the CBD “eat street” precinct. The restaurant will contain 198 seats on the ground floor, 80 in a mezzanine area, and 58 in an outdoor eating area. Council resolved, over council officers’ recommendation, that the owners pay an annual approval fee of $40,000, for the 4-car space lost with the construction the outdoor dining area, which must be built at the their cost. The $40,000 represents lost revenue from parking fees in the four spaces.

Parramatta. Roof top gardens

Parramatta City Council will prepare a report outlining the costs and incentives required to encourage the installation of rooftop gardens on high-rise apartment buildings and smaller unit blocks.