Traders in Purple and Sydney Anglican Property greenlit for Lane Cove project

Sydney North Planning Panel has given the go-ahead to the renewal of St Andrew’s Anglican Church in Lane Cove.

National property and construction group Traders In Purple, in partnership with Sydney Anglican Property and Sustainable Development Group, won the approval with the endorsement of Lane Cove Council for 48 apartments and a performance and meeting space for ministry and community use, including a 418-seat auditorium.  

The prime 3,763 sqm site, opposite The Canopy retail centre and just a minute’s walk from the Lane Cove Village high street, will deliver new homes for local families and downsizers and contribute to the cultural life of the community. 

The existing parish church, built in 1924, will be retained and sensitively adapted into a meeting place and portal to the new contemporary auditorium and ministry spaces, linking old and new. 

Traders In Purple CEO Brett Robinson said redevelopment of the site had been enthusiastically supported by many members of the local community. 

“The proposal we took to Lane Cove Council deliberately responded to the community’s need for more diverse housing and cultural space,” said Robinson.

“There is a demand for high-quality, well-designed, premium apartments for locals wanting to downsize in their neighbourhood and those wanting to raise their family in a highly desirable suburb without the burden of a high-maintenance house and yard. 

“It was very clear to us that the local community is also in need of a larger performance space, and we look  forward to providing the community with a fantastic new venue that will support the cultural richness of Lane Cove.” 

Sydney Anglican Property (SAP) CEO Ross Jones said he was thrilled to receive the news of the approval.

"This is fantastic news for both Lane Cove and for the local church,” Jones said. 

"While the provision of new housing and state-of-the-art community facilities are really important features, at  SAP we also want to see gospel ministry continuing to flourish in the heart of the Lane Cove community. This project will allow that to happen."

The development is proposed to offer 48 two and three-bedroom apartments, many of which will enjoy dual aspect, enhancing outlooks and cross-flow ventilation. 

The Lane Cove renewal is Traders In Purple’s second partnership with Sydney Anglican Property, and,  consistent with the first, in a prime urban location with a need for more diverse age and family-friendly housing. They previously won the UDIA National Award for Excellence for The Abbey in Cronulla, an adaptive reuse of a Uniting Church and Sunday School Hall into luxury residences.