Evolution of an Icon
The Vision
A new lifestyle precinct proposed in the heart of Double Bay
The proposed redevelopment of 33 Cross Street, currently the InterContinental Hotel Double Bay, is an opportunity to deliver an iconic lifestyle precinct that enhances the vibrancy and sophisticated appeal of the Double Bay Village. The proposed mixed-use development, designed with the community in mind, will offer:
-
a high-end retail and dining precinct
-
landscaped open courtyard
-
new pedestrian links
-
upgrades to surrounding public domain
-
commercial office suites
-
cinemas
-
community spaces
-
a new luxury boutique hotel
-
a health and wellness centre, and
-
limited collection of residences.
The proposal has been thoughtfully designed to create a place of connection and timeless quality for the people of Double Bay – a space where the community feels proud, connected and at home.
Evening visualisation of Cross St streetscape with the proposed redevelopment at 33 Cross St, Double Bay
The Proposal
A Development Application was lodged with Woollahra Municipal Council in November 2024.
Drawing inspiration from world-leading lifestyle and mixed-use precincts, the proposal aims to create a premium destination precinct, supporting the iconic cosmopolitan lifestyle of Double Bay. Thoughtfully designed by award winning Australian Architectural firm COX Architecture with landscape by Dangar Barin Smith, it will redefine how people experience and enjoy this iconic cosmopolitan neighbourhood.
The proposed development will seek to demolish the existing outdated, single use hotel to ground floor, retaining the existing basement, delivering an iconic, sustainable mixed-use lifestyle destination for visitors and the community.
The new ground floor will offer high-end retail along Cross Street, a dining precinct, 345sqm landscaped open courtyard, cinemas and community spaces accessed via a public walkway connecting Cross Street to Galbraith Walkway, Beach Street and Double Bay Beach.
The community space will offer three boutique cinemas. Designed to serve the neighbourhood, these versatile theatre spaces will be perfect for cinema screenings, performances, shows, and gatherings.
Complemented by an iconic pavilion-style foyer, this space is ideal for dining, community events, and private functions, enhancing the cultural vibrancy of the area.
A new boutique 5-star 39 luxury room hotel set across three levels is also proposed. Facing Cross Street it will embody the charm and sophistication of Double Bay. With a dedicated Hotel lobby off Cross Street to enhance guest arrival experience, the hotel provides a variety of generously sized rooms catering to diverse lifestyles.
A new health and wellness sanctuary will offer treatment pools, saunas, steam rooms, and wellness rooms for hotel guests, building occupants and the wider community.
In the central heart of the proposed building is a grand atrium that will feature public art installations and an architecturally designed spiral staircase, leading visitors to the first level where fifteen premium grade commercial office suites are located.
The proposal also includes a collection of twenty-nine generously sized one, two, three and four-bedroom residences thoughtfully designed to accommodate different lifestyle needs.
Finally, the proposed building features an architectural green roof which will conceal lift over-runs concealed whilst all plant equipment will be relocated to the basement giving the building an aesthetically clean, minimalist appearance, especially from elevated views from nearby escarpments.
Daytime visualisation of Cross St streetscape with the proposed redevelopment at 33 Cross St, Double Bay
Why This Proposal?
33 Cross Street has long been a landmark within the community. Since its original construction thirty-three years ago in 1991, the site has undergone multiple changes in ownership operational models and revitalisation attempts.
Most notably was the development approval in 2011 for the demolition of the existing hotel for an eight-storey mixed-use building (including mezzanine level) containing a cinema and retail precinct, and seventy-eight apartments, which did not proceed.
At the time of the original building’s approval and construction, Double Bay and the Cross Street Precinct was largely characterised by low-scale single and two-storey commercial and retail buildings.
Since then, the Double Bay Village has undergone substantial transformation in terms of vibrancy and built form, with many 5 and 6 storey buildings in the heart of the village.
This proposal complements this contemporary setting, and offers more community benefit than the original 2011 approved Development application.
Aligning to the Double Bay
Planning Strategy
Within this cosmopolitan setting, the proposal supports Woollahra Council’s planning vision and objectives outlined in the Double Bay Centre Planning and Urban Design Strategy (Double Bay Strategy) to deliver a stylish ‘bayside village’, create a permeable and well-connected precinct, establish a vibrant community precinct, respect the rich architecture, and deliver green and resilient buildings.This includes:
-
The proposed public domain and open spaces on ground floor and generous 345sqm landscaped courtyard plaza.
-
1,000sqm of the ground floor dedicated to public spaces—46% of the total building area
-
91% of the ground floor accessible to the public
The new retail tenancies, pedestrian link and hotel lobby along Cross Street will replace the existing vehicle-dominated porte-cochere and recessed building entrance with thoughtfully designed pedestrian access, and enhanced activation, creating a more inviting and vibrant streetscape.
Visualisation of the proposed publicly accessible courtyard open space, pedestrian through site link, cinema entry and pavilion
Contact us
We are committed to keeping the community informed about plans for the site through each stage of the planning process.
If you have any questions, please contact the team on:
Phone
1800 244 863
For media enquiries, please contact Urbaine
Phone
0418 748 892
