Work to Begin Soon on $2.3-Billion Erskineville Village Project

A once-industrial corner of Erskineville is about to change in a big way, as Coronation Property prepares to build more than 1,000 new rental homes on a five-hectare site near Sydney’s Inner West. The $2.3-billion project, called Erskineville Village, will turn the area into a new community hub, complete with housing, public green spaces and shared amenities designed to bring neighbours together.



Approved by the City of Sydney, the project includes 1,075 rental apartments, with 169 set aside for affordable housing. The design will feature open-air kitchens, gardens, an outdoor cinema, and communal workspaces. 

A new public park — McPherson Park — will offer about 7,500 square metres of green space, while street-level cafés, shops, and small businesses will form part of the village atmosphere.

The site, located at the former Ashmore estate along 155 Mitchell Road and just 4km from the CBD, is one of the last undeveloped land parcels of its size in the city. The location connects closely to nearby tech and creative hubs in Alexandria and Waterloo, helping balance housing supply near key employment areas. 

Erskinville
Photo Credit: Erskinvlle Community

Coronation Property purchased the site in 2022 for $315 million from developer Greenland Golden Horse. It later revealed plans to transform it into a purpose-built rental precinct that aligns with Sydney’s housing and urban renewal goals.

Design firms Bates Smart and BVN will lead the project’s architecture after winning the city’s design excellence competition. The firms’ approach focuses on sustainable construction, walkability, and community-centred design — features expected to reshape how residents experience high-density living. According to the developers, the project will be built in stages and is on track for completion by late 2027.

Photo Credit: Erskinvlle Community

Coronation’s managing director Joe Nahas has said the project reflects the company’s ongoing mission to transform underutilised city spaces into liveable neighbourhoods that balance housing with public benefit. The developer’s build-to-rent arm, Nation, will manage the residential component, ensuring consistent standards and tenant services across the community.



This marks one of Sydney’s largest build-to-rent (BtR) initiatives to date — a model where developments are designed specifically for renters rather than individual sale. The approach aims to improve long-term rental stability and access to well-maintained homes at a time when housing demand continues to rise.

Published 27-Oct-2025

Telstra to Sell Part of Redfern Exchange in $20-M Deal

Telstra is set to partially decommission and sell part of its Redfern Telephone Exchange, offering a significant inner-city redevelopment opportunity. The 7-storey building at 103-109 George Street, sitting on a 1,260-square-metre block, is expected to fetch around $20 million through an international expressions of interest campaign.



Telstra has been gradually selling off commercial properties in recent years, including its 16-storey Sydney CBD building, which was sold to Charter Hall for $281 million in 2020. The company has also been divesting smaller suburban telephone exchanges as it modernises its telecommunications infrastructure.

Redfern Exchange
Photo Credit: Network Architectural

The Redfern Exchange sale follows this trend, with Telstra opting for a sale-and-leaseback arrangement, allowing it to continue operations while transferring essential infrastructure to an adjacent building.

Redfern Exchange: Site Details and Redevelopment Potential

The Redfern Telephone Exchange at 103-109 George Street is a 7-storey, 4,000-square-metre building with protected 360-degree views, thanks to heritage restrictions on surrounding properties. The site is currently zoned E1 Local Centre, allowing for a range of redevelopment options (STCA), including:

  • Residential housing
  • Student accommodation
  • Co-living spaces
  • Traditional office spaces
  • Medical developments

According to Knight Frank’s Will Brassil, the property’s current building envelope exceeds planning codes, making it a high-value asset for developers looking to capitalise on its existing structure and zoning flexibility.

Market Demand: Offshore Investors Show Interest

There has been renewed demand for inner-city development sites, particularly among offshore investors. Knight Frank’s Andrew Harford stated that interest from Southeast Asian capital is growing, leading to strong competition with local buyers.

Mr Harford also pointed to Knight Frank’s Australian Horizon 2025 report, which suggests that now is an optimal time to invest in commercial property, with market recovery expected from mid-2025.

Telstra
Photo Credit: Network Architectural

What Happens Next?

The International Expressions of Interest campaign for the Redfern Exchange is expected to attract significant developer interest, given its prime location, existing infrastructure, and zoning flexibility. The sale is being managed by Knight Frank agents Will Brassil, Andrew Harford, and James Masselos, with advisory input from Charter Keck Cramer.



Once the sale and leaseback arrangement concludes, Telstra will fully decommission the site and finalise infrastructure relocation. The new owner will then seek approvals for redevelopment based on Sydney’s evolving property market demands.

Published 15-Feb-2025