Update

Council resolved on 29 April 2024 to investigate the most appropriate and feasible options for the redevelopment of the Cross Street Car park, following the formal withdrawal of the Consortium of Pallas Group, Assembly Funds Management and Fortis from the redevelopment project. Read the Council resolution on page 200 of the 29 April meeting minutes. This will include looking at the opportunity for the site to provide affordable housing for the community.

Mayor of Woollahra, Richard Shields said that whilst the Council is disappointed a commercial agreement with the Consortium has not been reached, there is a strong commitment from Council to move ahead with the redevelopment of the site, as it will make a valuable contribution to the continued revitalisation of Double Bay.

“While I am disappointed with the result, I remain passionate about the return of a cinema to Double Bay. We have seen a complete rejuvenation of the Double Bay commercial centre in the last few years, and with the aim of delivering further significant long term benefits to local residents and visitors to the area, we look forward to undertaking a feasibility study to explore redevelopment options for the Cross Street Car Park site,” the Mayor said.

Project overview

Woollahra Council is planning to redevelop Cross Street Car Park, Double Bay as the existing car park is nearing the end of its life.

Located at 1 Cross St, the redevelopment site is well placed within the heart of the commercial centre adjacent to the five star InterContinental Hotel Double Bay, shops, restaurants, cafes, parks and the harbour foreshore. The location is also well served by public transport, with multiple bus routes stopping nearby as well as being within walking distance of Edgecliff Station.

This is a unique opportunity for us to replace the outdated public car park with a building that will provide significant long-term benefits to our community - delivered at no cost to ratepayers. It will stimulate commercial activity and enhance Double Bay as a shopping, arts and cultural destination while maintaining public car parking.

Council previously sought Expressions of Interest (EOI) from developers to form a Public Private Partnership with Council to redevelop the site and evaluated detailed proposals received from four shortlisted proponents. Proposals received were rigorously assessed against project vision and concept plan, delivery plan and commercial offer to Council. Unfortunately, the selected Consortium has now withdrawn from the project.

We're excited about the fantastic lifestyle, social and economic benefits redevelopment of the site can bring our community. We also recognise that there will be some stages of the project that will bring temporary disruption, like the closure of the existing car park during construction, and are working on strategies to minimise these impacts.

Community engagement will be an important part of successfully delivering this project. The planning process will involve extensive public exhibition and consultation at both Planning Proposal and DA stage.

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