Council Greenlights 236 New Homes in Stage Two of ALAND’s $800M Merrylands Masterplanned Development
Cumberland City Council has given developer and builder ALAND approval to begin work on Amber, the second stage of The Gladstone Village, a major component of its $800 million mixed-use development in Merrylands. This stage will bring much-needed housing to Western Sydney, including potential affordable apartments for key workers.
Negotiations are ongoing to designate the entire 21-storey tower, consisting of 236 apartments, for affordable housing under the federal government’s Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF). If successful, these units will be offered at lower rental rates for essential workers, easing the housing crisis and supporting the local economy.
Dr. Andrew Charlton MP, Federal Member for Parramatta, highlighted the critical role of developments like The Gladstone Village in addressing the growing housing needs of Western Sydney.
“This project will help meet the demand for affordable and appropriate housing, especially for key workers, given its proximity to Westmead Hospital, other essential services, and its direct access to Merrylands train station,” he said.
“Projects like this are vital for meeting housing targets. Being just minutes from Parramatta, Sydney’s second CBD, plays a crucial role in supporting the region’s ongoing economic growth,” he added.
Amber will feature 31 one-bedroom, 186 two-bedroom, and 19 three-bedroom apartments. The tower will include a residents-only rooftop space, a children’s playground, and three retail spaces on the ground floor. The rooftop terrace will offer amenities like an outdoor cinema, barbecue areas and a community vegetable garden.
Upon completion, The Gladstone Village will transform a 2.5-hectare site into a vibrant urban precinct, featuring over 1,000 residential apartments spread across seven buildings. This development is strategically located near essential transport links and shopping convenience.
The first stage of The Gladstone Village, Quartz, was completed last month and has officially sold out its 363 apartments, with most apartments snapped up by first-home buyers and investors.
ALAND Founder and Owner, Andrew Hrsto expressed his excitement about the project’s progress and its positive impact on the local community.
“This project plays a key role in the transformation of Merrylands. ALAND is committed to creating a best-in-class development that adds significant value to the broader community and addresses the need for more affordable housing,” he said.
“With the inclusion of planned roads and cycleways, improved walkable connections and bustling streetscapes, The Gladstone Village will become a dynamic public space for people of all ages. This precinct will also feature 4,300sqm of retail space and over an acre of parkland and civic spaces, including the largest public park in the Merrylands town centre.”
“The Gladstone Village is designed to create a vibrant neighbourhood, fostering community growth and providing new opportunities for both business and social interaction,” Mr Hrsto added.
The retail spaces in Amber are expected to attract alfresco dining operators, complementing the precinct’s active urban spaces and tree-lined boulevards.
ALAND’s Head of Development, Anas Rahhal noted that the Amber apartments would exceed the expectations of today’s market, with high-quality finishes and spacious designs.
“We’ve created floorplans that emphasise expansive living areas and workspaces to cater to modern urban living,” he said.
Construction for Stage Two is scheduled to begin in Q3 2024 and is expected to be completed by Q4 2025. Plans for Stage Three, which include three buildings with 303 apartments and four food and beverage outlets, have already been submitted to Council.
For more information on The Gladstone Village, visit: https://www.thegladstonevillage.com.au/
ALAND is an award-winning, Australian-owned family business and one of Sydney’s largest and leading private development and construction groups. For over 20 years ALAND has delivered exceptional quality at an affordable price to Greater Western Sydney and the Central Coast of New South Wales. ALAND invests significant amounts of time and expertise in researching the market, ensuring that each location is hand-picked for growth and income potential.
For more information visit aland.com.au and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.