It is proposed to redevelop the Mandarin Centre.The Planning Proposal seeks to allow shop top housing to occur on the site.
The development standards for the site requested in the Planning Proposal are:
- An increase in the maximum height limit from 27m to RL181.95 (89.95m). The height is similar to the Sebel building at 31-37 Victor Street, Chatswood.
- Increase the permissible Floor Space Ratio from 2.5:1 to 11.15:1 (the existing building was approved at 4.6:1)
The indicative concept plans and report accompanying the Planning Proposal indicate hat this would allow 13,829sqm of leasable retail/commercial floor space and 23,512sqm of residential floor space (244 units). The development would comprise a podium building with 6 storeys above ground level (generally matching the existing Mandarin entre podium and the adjoining Westfield podium) upon which sit two separate towers – a western tower having a height of 11 storeys plus plant (next to the Sage building) and an eastern tower with a height of 23 storeys plus plant (next to the Sebel/ Council building). The retail/commercial floor space is shown in the indicative concept plans to include a supermarket in the below ground level, 3 levels of specialty retail and one level of
“Entertainment” use(s).
The Planning Proposal documentation advises the intention to provide 4% of the residential floor space as affordable housing.
The applicant has also submitted a letter agreeing to enter into a Voluntary Planning
Agreement with Council to provide:
i) a 3m wide road dedication to Council along Albert Ave to enable adequate traffic
access to and from the site;
ii) a publicly accessible landscaped open space area connecting with the interchange
public open space terrace precinct and;
iii) the provision of a two metre building setback at the ground level of the proposed
development along the full length of the Victor St frontage of the site providing an active street frontage with a widened public footpath and street planting.
The applicant‟s justification for the proposed amendments is on the basis that the existing
Mandarin Centre is not functioning effectively as a shopping centre and needs to be rejuvenated. The accompanying economic study argues that there is sufficient retail demand in the Chatswood CBD to support the redevelopment of the existing Mandarin shopping centre podium and the adjoining Westfield podium) upon which sit two separate towers – a western tower having a height of 11 storeys plus plant (next to the Sage building) and an eastern tower with a height of 23 storeys plus plant (next to the Sebel/ Council building). The retail/commercial floor space is shown in the indicative concept plans to include a supermarket in the below ground level, 3 levels of specialty retail and one level of “Entertainment” use(s).
The Planning Proposal documentation advises the intention to provide 4% of the residential floor space as affordable housing.
The applicant has also submitted a letter agreeing to enter into a Voluntary Planning
Agreement with Council to provide:
i) a 3m wide road dedication to Council along Albert Ave to enable adequate traffic
access to and from the site;
ii) a publicly accessible landscaped open space area connecting with the interchange
public open space terrace precinct and;
iii) the provision of a two metre building setback at the ground level of the proposed
development along the full length of the Victor St frontage of the site providing an
active street frontage with a widened public footpath and street planting.
The applicant‟s justification for the proposed amendments is on the basis that the existing
Mandarin Centre is not functioning effectively as a shopping centre and needs to be
rejuvenated. The accompanying economic study argues that there is sufficient retail demand in the Chatswood CBD to support the redevelopment of the existing Mandarin shopping centre.
Chatswood West Ward History 
Taking a long term strategic look at Chatswood CBD needs, the lack of expansion capability at the station Interchange. must take a very high priority. Railway Street and Victoria Avenue West are already near gridlock with bus stands in the open,overflowing from the Interchange.
An attractive solution would be to convert the ground floor of the Mandarin Centre into a multi-bay bus station. uses from the west would turn off the Pacific Highway at Albert Avenue instead at Brown Street, and enter the Mandarin ground floor by turning left at the Mandarin west wall. Alternatively buses might be able to turn left at the Orchard Road traffic light ad then right into the Mandarin Ground floor. I envisage several parallel bus bays facing individual exits to the east into Victor Street. Existing traffic lights would control the entry of the buses into Albert Avenue.
Access from the station to the buses for pedestrians would be south along the station Concourse, past the tower entry and through the Orchard Road dead end in the CMPS building.The new buus waiting stands would e under shelter, and e route from the station could be covered. Existing podium gardens and memorial rose garden could be enjoyed by those with a few moments of spare time between connections.
The already mostly upper storey shops could simply be raised one floor level. Having greatly increased passing pedestrian traffic to buses should minimise or reverse the side street disadvantage that has contributed to he past Mandarin difficulty to achieve break even numbers of customers.
Is Willoughby getting enough, and appropriate benefits from the Mandarin site? It is one of the few sites near the station that would accommodate modern first grade large single floor level offices like North Sydney is re-developing by site consolidation.
Are the Mandarin advisors about demand for office space in Chatswood only considering the existing stock of office buildings,which are tired, small floor plate, limited parking?
Should Council fritter away this opportunity to get modern premium office space in the area set aside by strategic planning, and in defiance of the State Metro Strategy for more office jobs in Chatswood? If not here , where else will these office jobs be located?
Regards
Jim McCredie