FINAL STAGES OF EAST END DEVELOPMENT IN NEWCASTLE CBD APPROVED

A part of Newcastle's CBD that has fallen into disrepair, the formerly-bustling mall is set to receive a revamp as part of the East End development. The East End will provide a mixed-use development for the revitalisation of the Newcastle East End precinct, with residential, commercial and retail uses as well as enhanced public spaces and through-site links.

Approved by an independent planning panel after outcry from business owners to bring life back to the Hunter Mall strip, the final stage of the East End development will be the "beating heart" of Newcastle, its billionaire backer has declared after winning an appeal to move forward with the project.

"This development will be the beating heart of the East End, and a community meeting place for all Newcastle to come and enjoy for generations to come," said Iris Capital founder and chief executive Sam Arnaout.

On the ground plane where Hunter Street meets Market Street, a new Italian-style plaza will invite the community to pass through, seek shelter, or meet up. As Morgan and Laing Streets hum with fine grain activity, East End will also bring Hunter Street to life with new shops and a lively outdoor dining precinct.

Mr Arnaout said the development would be a "breath of fresh air" for what had become a "derelict part of town". He said it would be another step towards Newcastle's aspiration to become a global city.

Hunter Street Mall business owners have rallied behind the development, saying they would have been forced to shut up shop had revitalisation not gone ahead, due to low patronage and rising anti-social behaviour.

Streetscape works have already begun on Hunter Street between Perkins and Brown Streets, as a key pedestrian and cyclist entry point to the East End Village. The streetscape will be improved with new trees and landscaping, realigning the road from Brown Street, including relocating and upgrading underground services.

Daracon have been awarded a tender to start works in another section of the Hunter Street Mall on the next multi-million dollar stage of the East End Village revitalisation project. These works will revitalise the streetscape on Hunter Street between Thorn and Wolfe Streets, and on Wolfe Street between King and Scott Streets.

The residential development will progress in 4 stages across several city blocks. Stage one comprises 3 towers - Fabric House, P&K and Washington House - each with its own distinct design and direction. Each building will provide ground level retail, carparking and residential apartments with basement carparking whilst retaining the heritage facades.