The Living Company’s build-to-rent business has received development consent for its State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Marrickville Timberyards — a transformative $1.5 billion precinct set to become one of the largest and most ambitious rental housing developments in Australia.
Located just six kilometres from Sydney’s CBD, the 2.2‑hectare site in Marrickville’s inner west will be reimagined as a connected, people‑focused neighbourhood blending housing, work, creativity, and green space.
Previously inaccessible to the public, the site will now form the foundation for a new national benchmark in precinct‑scale residential living.
The approved masterplan comprises 1,166 purpose‑built rental homes across seven architecturally distinct buildings.
The development offers a diverse range of studio, one‑, two‑, three‑ and four‑bedroom single and double‑storey apartments designed with long‑term renting in mind.
At its core, Marrickville Timberyards will provide 10,200 square metres of public open space, activated by high‑street retail, co‑working areas, and communal amenities, creating a dynamic mixed‑use destination.
A defining element of the project is its deep connection to local identity.
Long-term partnerships with Marrickville’s makers, creatives, and artists will be embedded throughout construction and operation.
A 225‑square‑metre creative hub will host a future artist‑in‑residence program, while curated opportunities for public art installations will showcase local talent and celebrate the district’s unique cultural heritage.
The approach aims to ensure the precinct feels “familiar, welcoming and distinctly Marrickville”.
Sustainability and forward‑thinking mobility are central to the masterplan’s design.
The precinct will offer 100 per cent EV charging capability, 50 per cent e‑bike charging, and 726 bicycle parking spaces.
A fully integrated car‑share scheme — operated directly by The Living Company — will provide approximately 10 electric vehicles exclusively for residents.
Marrickville Timberyards is targeting a 4-Star Green Star rating and 7.5-Star NatHERS, underscoring its commitment to environmentally responsible and energy‑efficient living.
Providing well‑located and affordable housing remains a core focus for the organisation.
The Living Company’s founder and joint CEO, Stephen Gaitanos, said:
“Marrickville Timberyards represents a novel and necessary opportunity to deliver high-quality, long-term rental housing at true precinct scale – without compromising on design, sustainability or community.
“This approval allows us to unlock a site that has been closed off for decades and return it to the people of Marrickville as a vibrant, inclusive and future-ready neighbourhood.”
Backed by long‑term investment partners Bouwinvest, APG and NPS, The Living Company is leveraging the success of Marrickville Timberyards to expand its national build‑to‑rent portfolio.
The firm has outlined a growth pipeline targeting the delivery of 10,000 rental homes by 2035.
Demolition on the Marrickville site is scheduled to commence in February 2026.
Construction will proceed in stages, with approximately 661 dwellings expected to open in late 2028 and a further 513 to be completed by mid‑2029.
Once finished, the precinct will stand as a flagship example of how sustainable design, placemaking, and community integration can reshape urban rental living in Australia.
