Cinema to return to Double Bay
Published on 20 April 2022
Cinema to return to Double Bay in redevelopment of Cross Street Car Park
A new cinema complex, retail and community space, offices, residential apartments and car park will replace the Cross Street Car Park in Double Bay in new plans announced by Woollahra Council.
The new design proposal, developed in response to longstanding community demand to bring a cinema back to Double Bay, will see the outdated public car park replaced with a mixed-use building delivered at no financial cost to Council or ratepayers.
The project is a partnership between Council, Pallas Group, Assembly Funds Management and Fortis, and will involve the demolition of the existing 380-space car park and replacement with a new structure which will include:
- A new multi-screen cinema complex.
- Retail space of 1,860m2 (approx), with the potential inclusion of a supermarket
- New office space of 3,150m2 (approx.)
- 4,000m2 (approx.) of residential space, including an estimated 18 apartments
- Dedicated community space, including replacement of the existing early childhood centre
- A new 380-space basement public car park, plus additional parking for cinema, retail, commercial and residential tenants.
Craig Swift-McNair, General Manager of Woollahra Council, said the proposal will enhance the Double Bay centre’s social, cultural and commercial life and affirms the Council’s ongoing commitment to revitalising the area.
"This is a great result for the community, and will complement the significant improvements to Double Bay delivered in recent years by Council, including an award-winning library, the highly-successful Kiaora Place redevelopment and ongoing revitalisation of the commercial precinct, which has been a major focus for Council," Mr Swift-McNair said.
"Importantly, the project will be delivered at no cost to Council or ratepayers, while adding valuable new assets which will provide long term benefit to the community."
Ed Eve, Associate Director, Fortis said, "Fortis and Assembly Funds Management are proud to have been appointed by Woollahra Council as the preferred partner for the Cross Street Car Park redevelopment project in Double Bay, after an extensive and competitive detailed tender process,"
"The redevelopment of the Cross Street site represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rejuvenate the precinct, and positively impact the Double Bay centre. We look forward to working closely with the Council and the local community over the coming weeks and months to deliver a vibrant cultural and retail precinct in the next few years."
The planning process will involve extensive public exhibition and community consultation at both Planning Proposal and DA stage. Following the planning proposal and DA approval, it is anticipated a three-year construction phase will commence in 2024/25.