The $250 million Riverside Tower will offer 41 storeys of premium grade apartments and public facilities with never-to-be-built-out views of Parramatta River, surrounding parklands and the CBD.
Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Cr John Chedid, said the proposed development involves major upgrades to more than 4,400 sqm of public domain and foreshore land and new pedestrian links and cycle paths for Parramatta's growing community.
"The Parramatta River is our greatest natural resource - ours is the only CBD within Sydney that is located on the riverfront," Cr Chedid said.
"As Parramatta continues to expand, access to the river and surrounding foreshore will be critical to the city's recreational and cultural future. We are pleased to be working with LIDIS and Dockside Group who share our vision of refocusing Parramatta's CBD towards the river.
"This project will transform the old Lennox Bridge car park site into a world-class riverfront precinct, creating more than 700 jobs during the construction phase and ongoing economic activity after the project's completion.
"The centrepiece of the Riverside Tower is the Discovery Centre which will replace the CBD's existing Visitor and Heritage Centre and deliver a spectacular entertainment and dining experience that befits the geographical heart of Sydney.
"The Council owned and managed Discovery Centre will provide new business opportunities for tourism operators and hospitality and accommodation providers, along with the adjoining Conference Centre. Operated by Dockside Group, the Conference Centre is set to house the CBD's largest function space with 1,000 guest capacity in its pillar-less ballroom."
Both the Discovery and Conference Centre are registered with the Green Building Council of Australia.
LIDIS Executive Chairman Dennis Lidis said he is delighted to be working with Parramatta City Council on what will be a landmark feature of Sydney.
"It is an exciting opportunity to be working together with Council to achieve their vision of a world-class riverfront precinct in Parramatta. This is a unique site in the geographical heart of Sydney that will provide a new cultural and entertainment destination for everyone to enjoy," he said.
The City of Parramatta is implementing plans that will transform and rejuvenate the CBD and riverbank areas.
These projects will help realise Parramatta's potential and bring economic, social and environmental benefits to Parramatta, Western Sydney and Greater Sydney.
Pending development approval, construction is expected to start this year.
Public exhibition of the development application is set to commence on 16 April and the community is encouraged to view the plans for Riverside Tower online at www.revitaliseparramatta.com<http://www.revitaliseparramatta.com/> or by visiting the information centre at Shop 2, 333 Church Street, Parramatta between the times and dates advertised on the website.
