Urban Property Group has officially commenced construction on Keira Place, a major mixed-use residential precinct set to transform the heart of Wollongong’s central business district.
Classified as a State Significant Development, Keira Place will deliver new housing supply, affordable homes and inclusive living options within close proximity to Wollongong’s CBD, coastline, transport corridors, hospital and education precincts.
The project represents one of the most substantial residential undertakings in the Illawarra region in recent years.
Stage 1, now under construction, will deliver 150 apartments across two residential buildings.
The stage includes 27 affordable housing apartments and 18 specialist disability accommodation dwellings, alongside activated ground-floor retail and commercial space.
Keira Place has been designed by Cox Architecture, with interiors delivered by DKO.
The design philosophy centres on liveability and long-term performance, incorporating landscaped shared spaces, generous apartment layouts and a pedestrian-friendly streetscape along Smith Street.
The project prioritises both urban activation at street level and quality residential amenity above.
Future residents will benefit from landscaped podium areas, communal rooftop amenities with views toward Mount Keira and the Wollongong skyline, and ground-level retail designed to support day-to-day living.
The streetscape treatment along Smith Street is intended to enhance the public realm and contribute to the ongoing activation of Wollongong’s city centre.
Urban Property Group Co-CEO Patrick Elias said the groundbreaking represented a significant milestone for Wollongong and reflected the company’s long-term commitment to regional cities across Australia.
Elias emphasised that the project was focused on translating planning approvals into tangible housing outcomes, delivering a diverse mix of homes in a well-located, amenity-rich setting while setting a high benchmark for quality, durability and consumer protection.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully noted that Keira Place exemplified the type of well-located, mixed-use development that aligns with the NSW government’s promise to increase housing supply in accessible, services-rich areas across the state.
Planning is progressing for Stage 2 of the Keira Place precinct, which will further expand housing options within the Wollongong CBD, subject to planning approval.
Urban Property Group has indicated its long-term commitment to the precinct, with the full buildout of Keira Place expected to deliver a significant and enduring contribution to housing supply in the Illawarra region.
