Daiwa House Australia and EG Developments have completed one of Sydney’s most anticipated urban renewal projects, the ‘Flour Mill of Summer Hill’.
Encompassing 2.4 hectares, the $340 million master-planned community has transformed the former Allied Mills industrial site into 360 contemporary apartments and terraces, across 11 separate buildings, surrounded by landscaped communal gardens, retail and commercial spaces.
Designed by HASSELL, the site’s heritage was reflected on the external character of the new structures, in addition to using the Mungo Scott building’s existing galvanised steel, off-form concrete, weathered timber, brick materials and detailing to give a contemporary twist to the industrial buildings.
The architecture firm has stated that each apartment was designed to ‘bring the outside in’, with balconies and windows carefully placed to provide an interesting outlook from every aspect, while maximising natural light and airflow.
The four-stage project was delivered over a five year period, with the first two stages having been inhabited since mid-2017 and the final stage completed in February 2019.
Daiwa House Australia Director Hidero Eto said a key objective of the project was to not just maintain the site’s heritage, but to celebrate it.
“The Flour Mill of Summer Hill has provided a foundation for a new, dynamic and contemporary Inner West neighbourhood, where old meets new,” said Mr Eto.
“It doesn’t hide the site’s history, but celebrates it, and we’ve honoured the retained heritage by giving residents the unique opportunity to actually live and work in it.”
“Also, the broader community can actively engage with the site by utilising the central Mungo Scott Plaza, which will contain cafes and other curated retail, and the community Harvest Park, which features a playground, BBQ and plenty of established shady tree canopies,” he commented.
The park, children’s play area and plaza are now fully accessible to residents and the local community with curated retail, boutique food and beverage operators, and office spaces to follow in the coming months.
