The historic and sprawling Bull & Bush Hotel will see the wrecking ball, after Council voted in favour of Sydney-based developer Dyldam’s plans to demolish it and build three residential towers.
The corner site of Windsor and Seven Hills Roads saw a hotel first built in 1810, known as The Lamb & The Lark. It was demolished in 1885 and the new Royal Hotel built in its place. In the 1930s this was similarly demolished, replaced with the current structure.
The single-level brick building was afforded heritage protection in The Hills LGA Local Environmental Plan 2012.
In May of 2015 Dyldam was announced as the new owner, purchasing the massive 9,250 m² site from long-term owner-operators Paul Irvin Hotels, holding a proposal for a Master Plan and Public Doman, including construction of around 200 units, that had been approved by Council in late 2014.
In April of this year Dyldam followed up on plans for the site, nominating around 3,200 m² of commercial space and 25,700 of residential space (260 units) plus intentions to retain and enhance the existing Bull & Bush Hotel, which occupies just 660 m² of the block.
Plans were amended again in August, and in October, the current proposal seeking over 6,042 m² of commercial and retail space, including a hotel or pub, 2,502 m² of community space, and 20,580 m² of residential (200 units).
This proposal would see the complete demolition of the Hotel, making way for three towers – two at 15 storeys, and one of eight storeys. Dyldam commissioned a heritage report through NBRS + Partners, which offered that the historic significance of the hotel lies in its cultural importance as a hotel, rather than the actual structure.
The Hills Council met on Tuesday (8 November) to vote on general matters, one of which behing Dyldam’s proposition. A motion to accept the proposal was put and carried six votes to three.
This will see an amendment to the Zoning, from R1 (General Residential) to B2 (Local Centre). The Local Environment Plan 2012 will also be amended to permit a floor space ratio of 3.2:1 (up from 1:1) and maximum height of 49 metres, subject to Council stipulations.
And the demolition of the current Bull & Bush.
