Sydney’s inner west is set for another major transformation, with developer Billbergia revealing the final stage of its $3 billion Rhodes Central masterplan, a precinct almost 20 years in the making.
The third and last stage, lodged as a State Significant Development Application, marks the culmination of one of Australia’s largest and most ambitious urban renewal projects. Located at 23–25 Marquet Street, the final piece of the puzzle centres on Cascade, a 39-level residential tower delivering 361 new apartments, new public space, and a major expansion of retail and dining.
If delivered as proposed, Rhodes Central will become home to more than 3,500 residents across five towers, supported by community infrastructure, shopping, dining and one of Sydney’s most significant new public domains.
A Two-Decade Redevelopment Now Near Completion
The Rhodes peninsula has undergone one of Sydney’s most dramatic evolutions, shifting from heavy industry to one of the city’s most connected and liveable urban communities.
Billbergia’s masterplan has been central to that change.
- Stage One delivered 568 homes and the award-winning Rhodes Central shopping centre.
- Stage Two added 673 apartments built atop the $85 million Rhodes Recreation Centre, a facility delivered under a Voluntary Planning Agreement with the City of Canada Bay, opened by Mayor Michael Megna in late 2025.
The Recreation Centre now provides a gym, early learning centre, indoor courts, a gymnastics space and commercial tenancies, creating a civic heart for the growing population.
With Stage Three now progressing to approval, Billbergia says the vision for an integrated, community-scaled town centre is within reach.
“We’re now a step closer to realising our vision for Rhodes Central,” said Saul Moran, Development Director – Planning and Design at Billbergia. “With brand new retail and more public open space, this final stage embodies our commitment to creating connected communities and delivering housing diversity amid Sydney’s housing crisis.”
Stage Three: Cascade Tower and a New Public Realm
At the centre of the final stage is Cascade, a slender 39-storey residential tower comprising:
- 361 apartments
- 72 affordable dwellings
- A mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom layouts
- A two-storey penthouse “skyhouse”
- Rooftop gardens, BBQ areas and viewing decks with panoramic outlooks from the Blue Mountains to the CBD
The tower sits above a four-storey podium and has been designed as three distinct vertical forms, creating a signature silhouette on the Rhodes skyline.
Alongside the tower, Stage Three will deliver:
- An additional 1,200 sqm of new retail space
- An expanded 2,000 sqm public domain
- An open-air restaurant precinct and alfresco dining plaza
- Interactive water features and public art
- A community stage and kiosk for events and placemaking initiatives
The retail and public realm expansion will integrate directly with the existing 13,000-sqm Rhodes Central shopping centre, improving pedestrian connections and adding 10 per cent more retail footprint to the precinct.
A New Benchmark for Transport-Oriented Urban Living
Rhodes Central is often pointed to as a model for future transport-oriented development in New South Wales. The masterplan connects thousands of residents to Rhodes Station, shopping, social spaces, and community facilities within a highly walkable environment.
Once complete, the project will deliver more than 25,000 sqm of publicly accessible amenity, including:
- Rhodes Central shopping centre
- Rhodes Recreation Centre
- Commercial office space
- Shared podium rooftops connecting all five towers
“Rhodes has evolved over two decades from a former industrial site into a connected, thriving community,” said John Pradel, Partner and Masterplan Lead at SJB. “Each stage has built on the last, adding not just housing, but the civic and social spaces that make a place truly liveable.”
SJB — who first conceived the masterplan in 2005 — won the 2024 design competition for the final stage, in collaboration with Land and Form. Their design emphasises multi-generational living, social connection and environmental performance.
Design and Sustainability at the Forefront
Cascade’s architecture leans heavily on sustainability and modern urban principles. The tower will incorporate:
- On-site solar generation
- High-performance HVAC systems
- Tiered planters and native rooftop landscaping
- Optimised glazing for energy efficiency
- Water recycling for on-site reuse
SJB says the project responds to shifting population needs, acknowledging the growth in multi-generational households and demand for flexible apartment configurations.
“Cascade’s design offers a variety of living typologies that cater to a diverse range of existing and emerging demographics,” said Emily Wombwell, Director and Design Lead at SJB. “The proposal aims to improve social and environmental connections by creating a safe and welcoming landscape for existing and future communities of Rhodes.”
Construction Timeline and Next Steps
A State Significant Development Application has now been lodged with the NSW Government. Demolition on the site is already complete, with excavation expected to begin in early 2026. Completion is anticipated in 2030, marking the full realisation of the $3 billion precinct.
For Sydney, the timing is significant. With the state grappling with housing shortages, affordability issues and pressure on infrastructure, Rhodes Central demonstrates what long-term, high-density masterplanning can achieve when built around connection, amenity and livability.
As NSW pushes forward with ambitious planning reforms — including the Housing Pattern Book and accelerated approvals — Rhodes Central stands as an example of what a fully integrated, transport-connected community can look like when private development and civic outcomes align.
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