First look: Omaya plots next phase of Sydney apartment growth with 40-storey Burwood tower

Sydney developer Omaya is continuing to grow its residential development portfolio, lodging plans for a 40-storey apartment tower in Burwood as the family-owned group prepares to unlock a substantial pipeline across Sydney’s inner west.

The developer, which recently launched Maybelle Homebush and has construction underway, is now progressing plans for 8-12 George Street, Burwood, where it is seeking approval for a 112-apartment mixed-use tower designed by DKO Architecture.

The project represents another step in Omaya’s expansion into larger-scale apartment development, ahead of what could become a significantly larger pipeline around the neighbouring Strathfield transport precinct.

The family behind Omaya has spent the best part of two decades quietly accumulating more than two hectares of land around the Strathfield TOD precinct. The amalgamated holdings now have the potential to accommodate more than 1,000 apartments across a number of future development sites.

The strategy puts Omaya in an increasingly rare position in Sydney’s inner west, having assembled its landholdings well before the latest round of government-led density and transport-oriented planning changes.

Its more immediate focus, however, is Burwood.

Omaya's 8-12 George Street proposal has been lodged as a State Significant Development Application alongside a concurrent planning proposal. The near-800 sqm site currently contains two single-storey dwellings and sits within walking distance of Burwood Station and the suburb's established retail and commercial core.

DKO's plans envisage a slender 40-storey shop-top housing tower above seven basement levels, comprising 112 apartments as well as retail and commercial space within the podium and a restaurant on Level Four.

The apartment mix comprises 36 one-bedroom apartments, 40 two-bedroom apartments, 34 three-bedroom apartments and two four-bedroom residences. The upper reaches of the building have been reserved for larger residences, including four "Sky Homes", while communal resident spaces have been positioned on levels 25 and 36.

The Level 25 amenity includes an indoor multipurpose space opening to a north-facing outdoor terrace, while Level 36 has been designed as a more social recreation level with a tea house, dining areas, table tennis and chess spaces.

At street level, DKO has sought to activate George Street with a cafe, separate residential and commercial entries and an outdoor dining area. The podium has been shaped around pedestrian movement and a potential future through-site connection opposite the development.

The proposal comes as Burwood continues its rapid shift toward higher-density residential development.

The George Street site sits around 500 metres from Burwood Station and will also benefit from the future Sydney Metro West station at Burwood North, strengthening the case for greater density across the wider precinct.

Subject to securing approvals, Omaya is targeting a market launch for the Burwood project next year.

It would follow Maybelle Homebush, Omaya's recently launched and now under-construction apartment development. That has 229 apartments a short walk from the train station.