With the sustainability and practicality of large surface car parking in inner urban town centres called into question, Dickson Rothschild acted as urban designers, architects and planners for a development group seeking to purchase various sites in Five Dock and advocate for new planning controls that  facilitate good quality mixed-use development that catalyses the revitalisation of the Five Dock Town Centre.

The strategy proposed integrates heritage values and utilises two existing surface car parks to create high-quality infill development focusing on the pedestrian that also minimises disruption to locals during construction.  The town centre core proposal comprises an underground supermarket and basement public car parking with active retail, food hall and new pedestrian connections including laneway extensions and public arcades at ground level and medium-rise apartment living above.  A strong masonry base compliments the historic character of heritage items adjacent.  The edge site comprises a smaller infill shoptop housing development with significant public domain improvements. A more contemporary character responds to its transitional setting.

The proposal facilitates the achievement of the Council’s vision for a high-quality public domain while meeting strong demand for better shopping and living opportunities in the town centre.

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