First look: Holdmark plans another 1,000 new apartments in Melrose Park masterplan

Developer Holdmark Group has revealed plans for its site within the ongoing redevelopment of Melrose Park.

Holdmark, who last year filed for 1,300 apartments on half of their 9.4-hectare site, has filed another State Significant Development Application (SSDA) on the remaining 4.2 hectares at the south-east part of the wider 55-hectare community that is being established by several major developers.

The plans are for another 1,029 apartments, taking Holdmark's pipeline within Melrose Park to around 2,400 apartments.

The SSDA is one of the state’s largest ever affordable housing applications, with just under 400 of the 2,400 proposed apartments set aside for key workers across the well-connected waterfront location that will be well served with the future Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 to run through Melrose Park.

Holdmark’s contribution to Affordable Housing is significant, given it equates to around 25 per cent of the NSW Government’s commitment to the delivery of 1,535 new Affordable Homes by 2029 under the National Housing Accord Future Fund.

Holdmark CEO, Sarkis Nassif told Apartments.com.au the plans for Melrose Park signalled the family company’s strong commitment to delivering quality homes that will make a difference for decades.

“When we plan and deliver new precincts, we become part of the community," Nassif said.

"It’s a natural progression then to provide opportunities for access to high-quality, housing integrated in beautifully designed places for every need across our community.”

A trio of architects have been commissioned to deliver the three buildings; Fuse Architects, fjcStudio, and FK Australia.

Fuse Architects designed two of the buildings that will home 533 apartments. The design incorporates terraced podiums and courtyard spaces that respond to the site’s topography and views. A strong emphasis is placed on biophilic design and connection to nature, with terraced edges, green roofs, and integration of water-sensitive urban design features such as rain gardens and bioretention zones.

Key features include:

• 533 apartments across two buildings. The apartment mix includes 103 one-bedroom units, 380 two-bedroom units, and 50 three-bedroom units.
• A central landscaped courtyard acts as a community heart.
• Podium terraces offering private outdoor spaces and fostering connections to the adjacent mangrove foreshore.
• A dual façade strategy combining solid earthy materials with metallic veils to respond to changing light and enhance the building’s dynamic presence.
• Strong integration of water-sensitive design through rain gardens and bioretention systems, helping to support local ecology and manage site water flows.

FK Australia, formerly Fender Katsalidis, designed three of the buildings that will have 260 apartments. Their design introduces a broken massing strategy to improve permeability and visual connectivity between open spaces.

The design aims to create a village-like atmosphere through active ground-floor edges, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian-friendly thoroughfares.

Key features include:

• 260 apartments across three buildings. This block offers 49 one-bedroom apartments, 164 two-bedroom apartments, and 23 three-bedroom apartments.
• Extensive communal open space (approx. 2,533 sqm), designed at a single accessible level to encourage interaction.
• An open-air through-site link that enhances pedestrian movement from Wharf Road into park areas (OS1).
• Podium-level landscaping and active street edges to foster a village-like atmosphere

FJC Studio designed four buildings, including a signature taller “feature” building oriented towards the river. The architecture employs a refined material palette of brick, sandstone-toned precast panels, and bronze metalwork, offering a warm, contemporary aesthetic that integrates with the river edge and adjacent green corridors.

Key features include:

• 236 apartments across four buildings. The proposed mix consists of 53 one-bedroom apartments, 160 two-bedroom apartments, and 23 three-bedroom apartments.
• Communal rooftop terraces and landscaped podium gardens provide residents with high-quality outdoor amenities and views across the Parramatta River.
• Integration with the new public open spaces (OS2), reinforcing pedestrian connections and linking with the waterfront park.
• Enhanced setbacks and modulated facades to maintain privacy and create a welcoming street frontage along Wharf Road and Waratah Street.

The new application will join Holdmark's other application on the desks of the NSW Government. The plans for 1,300 apartments, designed by Cox Architecture, will also include a new waterfront park.

In their Urban Design Report, Cox Architecture highlighted that transforming Sydney’s industrial precincts into new residential, retail, and commercial spaces reflects changes in Australia’s economy. This shift underscores the need for high-amenity residential developments to address Sydney’s housing demand.

"Land use needs in Sydney have evolved significantly, with many existing industrial areas no longer suitable or viable for industrial operations," Cox Architecture noted.

"Melrose Park is one such area that has seen a decline in recent years due to the restructuring of the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, which is increasingly relocating offshore or to larger industrial parks.

"As the industrial and pharmaceutical base shifts to alternative urban uses, Melrose Park’s location on the Parramatta River, halfway between the CBD and Parramatta, combined with the availability of large contiguous sites, makes it an ideal candidate for urban renewal."

The Melrose Park Masterplan

Holdmark's plans are part of the wider urban renewal of Melrose Park, once an industrial and pharmaceutical manufacturing hub.

Redevelopment planning for Melrose Park began in 2016, and the area was rezoned in 2022 following the council’s endorsement of the Parramatta Employment Lands Strategy.

The regeneration of the 55-hectare site is well underway, with the likes of Deicorp, joint venture partners PAYCE, and Sekisui House Australia, all contributing to what is, in essence, creating a new suburb with a new town centre with extensive retail and childcare, a new Melrose Park school, and thousands of apartments.

Sekisui House Australia recently launched their latest stage of their part of Melrose Park. Dawn, 368 apartments that will be strategically positioned on a new park, is the fifth stage of the masterplan for Sekisui.

Deicorp and PAYCE are progressing with their development, Melrose Central, six new buildings atop a five-level podium. It will include a 30,000 sqm shopping centre anchored by a Coles supermarket, along with several specialty stores, health and wellness facilities, and various retail and hospitality venues.