FO50

Harry has Parramatta HOT

18 January 2018

Harry Triguboff, spurred by growing excitement over the fast-paced transformation of Parramatta into Sydney’s second CBD, is planning twin riverfront towers in an exercise that might see buildings he completed 13 years ago demolished.

His Meriton group in 2005 completed five buildings of up to fourteen floors at 180 George Street and today they are part of the Meriton Suites serviced apartments portfolio.

Mr Triguboff yesterday said the development pulse had picked up considerably at Parramatta and the 7978sqm site was ‘clearly under-utilised’.
“You could call what we are planning ‘an early regeneration exercise’ and it’ll may well be a forerunner of others involving properties in our   portfolio.”
“The site is situated in the most vibrant part of Parramatta, surrounded by office towers and a variety of upmarket retail and dining outlets.
“We want to activate the riverfront in the area where the rivercats arrive by including alfresco dining, many shops, a 1500sqm supermarket and a childcare centre.”

The towers being mooted by Meriton could see one go to 65 storeys. One building will be residential and the other one will have a Meriton Suites component, with both buildings crowned by penthouse apartments.
“The site will have views all the way to Sydney.
“Our buildings will potentially be the tallest towers in Parramatta and we will add many other facilities here,’ said Mr Triguboff.

A design competition has been run, with Woods Bagot coming out on top with buildings that would be linked by a four-level podium.
Mr Triguboff said Meriton had been involved in long and earnest consultation with the Parramatta City Council over its proposal.

Meriton has been developing at Parramatta since 1973 and its latest project, the dual-tower Altitude, was completed in 2017 on a former David Jones store site in Church Street. One of those towers is a Meriton Suites property.

Mr Triguboff said Meriton was something of a pioneer among the ‘big players’ at Parramatta.
“Today they’ve all discovered Parramatta and want a slice of the action in what’s evolving as Sydney’s second CBD hub.
“That’s great as it adds to the suburb’s vibe and it’s attraction to people who want to buy apartments.”

Meriton completed its first development on the 180 George Street site in 2005 and its 202 apartments, initially rented, and later were converted to serviced apartments.
The site overlooks Parramatta River and is adjacent to Parramatta Wharf.