First look exclusive: Billionaire Neilson family to develop new Redfern mixed-use building
The billionaire Neilson family has revealed plans to revitalize an old commercial strip in the heart of Redfern.
The plans, which will transform a row of industrial-style commercial spaces across 2-30 Vine Street and 32-34 Eveleigh Street, have been filed by a company tied to Paris Neilson, the daughter of billionaire arts patron Judith Neilson and investment banker Kerr Neilson, and her husband Todd Barcombe
They're proposing a new mixed-use building on the three-lot amalgamation, creating a 2,406 sqm, L-shaped site.
The $30 million sketch plans have been submitted as a State Significant Development to the NSW Government, given the estimated cost exceeds the $10 million requirement to be categorised as State Significant Development under Schedule 2 of the Planning Systems SEPP.
Because the proposed building does not exceed more than six levels from ground level, it did not require a competitive design process. Koichi Takada Architects won a limited architectural competition for the site in November 2023.
Their plans envision a part three-level, part six-level building with retail, commercial, and residential spaces above basement parking. Proposed are a total of 20 commercial spaces and two street-level retail tenancies.
A through-site pedestrian link will be created at the heart of the development, connecting Vine Street to Hudson Street. Partially open communal spaces will be created fronting Eveleigh Street to the east.
There are 23 apartments planned, 12 one-beds, nine two-beds, and two three-bedroom units.
The site is around 500 metres from Judith Neilson's famous White Rabbit Gallery in Chippendale.
Joel Robinson
Joel Robinson is the Editor in Chief at Apartments.com.au, where he leads the editorial team and oversees the country’s most comprehensive news coverage dedicated to the off the plan property market. With more than a decade of experience in residential real estate journalism, Joel brings deep insight into Australia’s evolving development landscape.
He holds a degree in Business Management with a major in Journalism from Leeds Beckett University in the UK, and has developed a particular expertise in off the plan apartment space. Joel’s editorial lens spans the full lifecycle of a project—from site acquisition and planning approvals through to new launches, construction completions, and final sell-out—delivering trusted, buyer-focused content that supports informed decision-making across the property journey
