Developers of the 30,000 square metre "Dickson on Northbourne" precinct have unveiled their first plans for the $40 million site.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Art Group presented early plans for a 300-apartment complex with ground floor commercial space, proposed for the southern end of the strip, at the North Canberra Community Council meeting on Tuesday.
A public plaza would run through the centre of the complex, which would connect Northbourne Avenue and Dooring Street.
Karuah Street would be removed under the plan, while the building would reach 25 metres on the Northbourne side, with fewer levels opening on to Dooring Street.
About 60 per cent of the apartments in the building would have two bedrooms, with some one and three-bedroom units available.
The apartments would be built on the eastern and western sides of the building, with north-west or north-east facing balconies and windows to maximise access to sunlight.
The complex would be the first of five stages in the development of the Northbourne on Dickson land, renamed under The Art Group as Soho.
Project director Brett Smith estimated the first stage, which is yet to be submitted to the government in a development application, would cost about $80 million in delivery.
Attendees at the North Canberra Community Council meeting asked about the effect shade would have on buildings behind the complex, as well as traffic levels along Dooring Street.
The complex car park entrance would need to be based off Northbourne under government plans to encourage the area as a "flowing boulevard", with the proposal to instead have it situated on Dooring Street.
The overall Dickson on Northbourne parcel was sold off in August last year.
It included 500 metres of Northbourne Avenue frontage, the Karuah flats and Dickson Towers.
Parts of the area are subject to heritage protection and will remain in place as the new developments are built in the coming years.
The community council meeting was part of initial consultation to be included in a development application.
Residents near the site have also been advised through letterbox drops.
The Art Group hoped to have a development application for the project lodged by June.
