Traders In Purple has lodged a development application for the renewal of St Andrew’s Anglican Church Lane Cove, unlocking land in a premium location for the provision of much needed new housing, and church and community facilities.

In partnership with Sydney Anglican Property and Sustainable Development Group, Traders In Purple proposes 47 premium apartments, a 400-plus seat auditorium for ministry and community use and the adaptive reuse of the original 1924-built parish church.

Located opposite The Canopy retail centre and just minutes walk from the Lane Cove Village high street, the proposal stands to benefit from new mid-rise planning reforms, designed to encourage and incentivise development close to town centres and established infrastructure.

Local community groups have already expressed interest in hiring the auditorium which has been designed as an adaptable space suitable for worship, performance, recitals, events and meetings, adding to the cultural and creative life of the community.

The heritage-listed items on site will undergo sensitive adaptive renewal, retaining its façade and part of the structure to serve as a meeting place and portal to the contemporary auditorium and ministry spaces, linking old and new.

Designed for an owner-occupier market of downsizers, families and executives seeking a comfortable low-maintenance lifestyle, the spacious two and three bedroom apartments have been meticulously designed to allow a comfortable indoor-outdoor lifestyle. The articulation of the building allows many apartments to enjoy dual access, enhancing outlooks and cross flow ventilation.

Residential and church functions are separated across the 3,763sqm site, with the pedestrian entry to the church on Rosenthal Avenue and residential entry on leafy Finlayson Street.

Perimeter landscaping and greening of the façade lends a soft edge to the building reinforcing the connection to nature, characteristic of Lane Cove.

A striking new entry to the church and community spaces and a brick colonnade offers a welcoming façade, while the organically curved form of the corner residential building has been designed to contribute to the place making of the precinct.

The Lane Cove renewal is Traders In Purple’s second partnership with Sydney Anglican Property, and consistent with the first, in a prime urban location with a need for more diverse age and family friendly housing.

The group’s expertise in sensitive urban renewal involving heritage buildings was recognised in 2021, winning the UDIA National Award for Excellence for “The Abbey” in Cronulla, an adaptive reuse of a Uniting Church and Sunday School Hall into luxury residences.

Traders In Purple CEO Brett Robinson said Lane Cove faced the same housing pressures and constraints as other long-established Sydney suburbs.

“Lane Cove is a highly desirable suburb so it’s no surprise that those who have lived here for many years want to remain, provided they can find housing appropriate to their needs,” said Mr Robinson.

“This development also ticks all the boxes for families seeking a low maintenance lifestyle close to good schools, sporting fields, recreational facilities and established shopping.

“Providing age and family friendly apartments is a sensible response to address housing supply shortages and make better use of land in a location that already has essential transport, infrastructure and amenity.”

Sydney Anglican Property CEO Ross Jones said the renewal of the St Andrews Church site at Lane Cove was an excellent example of SAP’s Urban Renewal Program in practice.

“We are looking to use our existing property resources to serve the communities we are a part of, while also ensuring our local churches have the facilities they need for future generations,” said Mr Jones.

“If approved, the plans for this site mean Lane Cove will not only have access to increased housing supply, but also a publicly available, state-of-the-art auditorium right in the centre of town.

“We have already received calls from local organisations in the performing arts, music, theatre and dance, who are desperately in need of a high quality auditorium to perform their work.

“St Andrew’s has been an integral part of Lane Cove for many years, serving and ministering to the needs of the local community for generations. This project will allow the church to continue to do so for years to come.

“Together with Traders In Purple we have worked closely with council, parishioners and community groups to ensure the project delivers the best possible outcome for Lane Cove.”