Sydney North Planning Panel has given the go-ahead to the renewal of St Andrew’s Anglican Church Lane Cove that will deliver 48 premium apartments and a performance and meeting space for ministry and community use, including a 418 seat auditorium.

National property and construction group Traders In Purple in partnership with Sydney Anglican Property and Sustainable Development Group won the approval with the endorsement of Lane Cove Council.

The prime 3,763sqm site, opposite The Canopy retail centre and just minutes’ walk from the Lane Cove Village high street, will deliver new homes for local families and downsizers and contribute to the cultural life of the community.

The existing parish church, built in 1924, will be retained and sensitively adapted into a meeting place and portal to the new contemporary auditorium and ministry spaces, linking old and new.

Traders In Purple CEO Brett Robinson said redevelopment of the site had been enthusiastically supported by many members of the local community.

“The proposal we took to Lane Cove Council deliberately responded to the community’s need for more diverse housing and cultural space,” said Mr Robinson. “There is a demand for high quality well-designed premium apartments for locals wanting to downsize in their neighbourhood and those wanting to raise their family in a highly desirable suburb without the burden of a high maintenance house and yard.

“It was very clear to us that the local community is also in need of a larger performance space, and we look forward to providing the community with a fantastic new venue that will support the cultural richness of Lane Cove.”

Sydney Anglican Property (SAP) CEO Ross Jones said he was thrilled to receive the news of an approval.

“This is fantastic news for both Lane Cove and for the local church,” Mr Jones said.

“While the provision of new housing and state-of-the art community facilities are really important features, at SAP we also want to see gospel ministry continuing to flourish in the heart of the Lane Cove community. This project will allow that to happen.

“It’s been encouraging to work with parishioners as well as local community groups to deliver something that will meet their needs for years to come. It’s a real win-win.

“Traders in Purple, along with all our project partners, have been outstanding to work with and have driven an excellent outcome. We can’t wait to see this new facility up and running!”

The development is proposed to offer 48 spacious and well-appointed two and three bedroom apartments, many of which will enjoy dual aspect, enhancing outlooks and cross flow ventilation.

Residential and church functions will be separated, with the pedestrian entry to the church and community space on Rosenthal Avenue and residential entry on leafy Finlayson Street. Fifty dedicated church car parking spaces will be provided where none currently exist.

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.

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