Is time up for Chatswood’s Mandarin Centre? This developer thinks so

Twenty-eight storeys of apartments will sit on top of a redesigned Mandarin Centre, under a $1.2 billion proposal put forward to redevelop the Chatswood shopping centre.

What happened: Property group Metis has lodged a State Significant Development application for the mall, sitting on Albert Avenue, which would involve knocking down the current Mandarin Centre and bringing 325 apartments to the Chatswood CBD. 

• A housing development in Greater Sydney can apply to be considered a State Significant Development if its value is greater than $75 million.

• The State Significant Development process is designed to streamline and speed up the approval of new housing, by transferring decision making from the local council to the Department of Planning.

Mandarin Centre: While foot traffic may be greater in the neighbouring Westfield and recently renovated Chatswood Chase, the Mandarin Centre has maintained many retail businesses through the years — including a cinema and bowling alley — as well as a food court renowned for its affordable options.

Site history: The Mandarin Centre was constructed on Albert Avenue in the 1990s. Previously, a church had occupied the lot since the 1920s, built in the classical style for adherents of Christian Science.

The 32 storey redevelopment, priced at over $1.2 billion, would maintain retail space on the bottom four floors of the tower. Five percent of the housing built will be dedicated as affordable, in perpetuity. Not sure what that means? Read our explainer of affordable housing here.

Contracted for the design of the tower is American architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, who previously designed Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.