DASCO’s placemaking prowess on show as Waterloo and Epping precincts come to life

Sydney builder-developer DASCO has steadily built a reputation for delivering design-led residential communities over the last three decades. Over the past three years, however, the company has entered a significant growth phase. It now has around 1,000 apartments in its own development pipeline, while continuing to build projects for other major developers.

Its portfolio spans a diverse range of locations: Epping in Sydney’s north-west, Waterloo on the inner-city fringe, and St Leonards in the booming Lower North Shore market.

A common thread across DASCO’s projects is a strong emphasis on amenity and place-making. The group is carving out a reputation as a developer focused on creating genuine communities, whether through curated retail and hospitality offerings or extensive private resident facilities.

DASCO made a decisive statement in 2023 when it acquired a prime 1.7-hectare Waterloo site from Melbourne-based Dahua Group. The new precinct, Danks St District, is being delivered in a similar vein to TOGA’s Surry Hills Village, conceived as a destination for both residents and the broader community. The vision is to inject new energy into Waterloo, a suburb that has historically lacked diverse food and beverage offerings. DASCO believes its carefully integrated hospitality spaces will further revitalise the area and strengthen its identity as a lifestyle destination.

Danks St District will comprise six new residential buildings delivering 347 apartments. As part of the project, DASCO will also restore two heritage-listed structures: the 1922 Pumping Station and the 1935 Valve House, preserving a tangible link to the suburb’s industrial past.

The new buildings, designed by Bates Smart, MHNDU, Fieldwork and Turner Studio, will vary in scale and density, from a 21 storeys tower with terraces adjoining a new park, to a boutique seven-storey plaza building.

The first release, Bourke Street Residences, will offer a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, designed by MHNDU in collaboration with Melbourne-based landscape architect Fieldwork. The sculpted building draws inspiration from the site’s natural qualities and heritage elements, blending old and new in a refined contemporary expression. Residents will have access to private amenities including a rooftop garden with city views, a sheltered barbecue area, an outdoor gym and a soundproofed music room. 

A laneway-style dining precinct, Bourke Street Eatery, will offer a vibrant mix of cafes, wine bars, and eateries, mirroring the area's contemporary food scene. Running alongside it, Washer’s Lane will introduce an eclectic mix of boutiques and artisanal vendors, providing a platform for local creatives and entrepreneurs to showcase their work in a modern, walkable setting. At the centre of the 1.7-hectare masterplan is Danks Street Square, a public plaza framed by contemporary architecture and lush landscaping. The space is designed to host regular events, weekend markets, and community gatherings, creating a strong sense of connection among residents and visitors alike.

In north west Sydney, DASCO recently launched its Epping development, Senso, a 479-apartment project spread across five buildings on a more than 10,000 sqm Beecroft Road site, adjacent to the new Epping Town Centre and just a five-minute walk from Epping Metro Station.

The architectural brief to Turner Studio was to create a community where residents are immersed in a “paradise for the senses”. The result is a landscape-led, amenity-rich precinct unlike anything previously delivered in Epping.

Apartments have been tailored to the owner-occupier market, featuring generous floorplans, premium materials and optional upgrades such as integrated refrigeration, bespoke joinery and motorised blinds.

Senso will include resort-style communal amenities, including two rooftop pools, an outdoor cinema, wellness club, sensory walk and observation deck, along with multiple barbecue and outdoor entertaining areas across several levels. More than 800 sqm of ground-floor retail is planned, likely to be activated by hospitality operators.

DASCO will bring its latest major project to market later this year. In late 2025, the company acquired a prime St Leonards site opposite Newlands Park, where it is planning across three buildings.