Newcastle-based property developer GWH has revealed comprehensive plans for a $43 million mixed-use apartment tower at 20 Denison Street in Newcastle West, marking a significant transformation for a site that has remained dormant for six years.
From Vacant Lot to Vibrant Precinct
The development site, which GWH acquired at the beginning of 2025, had previously received approval for a 20-storey building back in 2019 under former owner Newcastle Diamond Pty Ltd. However, the property sat unused until the recent purchase.
GWH director Jonathan Craig explained that the company is proposing substantial modifications to the originally approved design. The building height would increase from 65.2 metres to 86.2 metres, adding five additional storeys to create a 25-level tower featuring 94 apartments instead of the initially planned 74.
Enhanced Design and Community Features
According to Mr Craig, the updated design responds to contemporary market expectations. "The original DA was old, and the market expects more in terms of current design, layout, finishes and fixtures," he stated.
The revised proposal includes significant improvements to the building's facade and introduces new communal areas. The development will feature 130 car parking spaces and 94 bicycle parking spaces, addressing the growing demand for alternative transport options in the urban area.
The ground floor will host a cafe to activate street-level interaction, with residential apartments occupying the levels above. This mixed-use approach aligns with GWH's strategy of creating vibrant, integrated communities rather than standalone residential towers.
Creating a Denison Street Precinct
The 20 Denison Street project represents just one component of GWH's broader vision for the Newcastle West area. The developer has been strategically acquiring properties in the vicinity, including the adjacent lot at 8 Denison Street and the former Cambridge Hotel.
Mr Craig emphasised the strategic advantage of developing adjoining towers. "Having adjoining towers at 8 and 20 Denison to work together as a larger project was a good outcome," he noted.
The neighbouring development, known as Elements Apartments, will rise 21 storeys with 72 apartments. Combined with the 20 Denison Street project, the two towers will deliver between 180 and 200 apartments, creating a substantial residential community in the heart of Newcastle West.
Newcastle's Shifting CBD Dynamics
Mr Craig pointed to the area's strategic advantages, highlighting its excellent transport links, proximity to supermarkets, and access to the harbour. "The CBD of Newcastle is moving west, and you can see that with the other towers that are under construction," he observed.
The developer's vision extends beyond individual buildings to creating an integrated precinct. "We are taking it as an opportunity to create a whole precinct from Wood Street to Denison Street, with a number of sites that we've acquired and towers we are proposing," Mr Craig explained.
All GWH residential properties will incorporate ground-floor activation through cafes, restaurants, shops, retail outlets, or offices, ensuring vibrant street-level experiences throughout the developing precinct.
Development Timeline and Site History
GWH aims to commence construction at both Denison Street locations from early January 2026, moving quickly to transform the long-vacant site into a dynamic residential and commercial hub.
The property's recent history reveals an interesting trajectory. In 2023, the site was listed as a mortgagee sale for $8 million. According to CoreLogic data, after the lot sold for more than $8 million in 2023, it changed hands again for $6.9 million in November 2024, before GWH's acquisition in early 2025.
This development represents another significant step in Newcastle West's ongoing transformation from industrial area to vibrant urban centre, continuing the city's westward expansion and creating new residential opportunities in one of Newcastle's most dynamic growth corridors.
