Norwest Business Park [BUILDINGS U/C!!!]

[rondeez]

Norwest is a 377ha world standard business park in Sydney, Australia with 221ha of business sites. Major corporations like IBM, ResMed, BASF, C&W Optus, Sigma Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Australia, Schneider Electrics and Woolworths Limited have all made Norwest their home.
Norwest also offers an International Hotel, two shopping centres, 30ha of lakes and parkland and 122ha of the Bella Vista executive residential estates.

http://www.norwestbusinesspark.com.au/cybo/images/home_spread.jpg

http://www.norwestbusinesspark.com.au/cybo/images/home_boulevard.jpg

The newer buildings being built are of even better standard. Ill try to find more/take more pics later. In the meantime here are some renders i found on a real estate site...

http://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/pimages/2579735182_1.jpg
http://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/pimages/2580746599_2.jpg
http://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/pimages/2580745720_2.jpg
http://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/pimages/2580738252_2.jpg

... most of these are nearly complete and are pretty much how they appear on the renderings.

http://www.norwestbusinesspark.com.au
http://www.commercialrealestate.com.au

[Brizer]

Looks like Sydney is getting another sub-CBD, regional centre, or whatever the term is.
Aren't they planning a railway line through this centre...one day?

[MILIUX]

where is norwest?

[James Saito]

Hmmm... I'm not a big fan of business park type development.
It's very spacious with huge car parks, it's too car dependant.
I hope they will keep the density high around the proposed station area.

http://www.norwestbusinesspark.com.au/cybo/images/concept_spread2.jpg

[hornetfig]

the North-West rail link will pass by should it ever be built...

[CULWULLA]

eeeii!!! groundscraper business parks! mortal ememy of the skyscraper!

[christarrant]

stack them all on top of each other into one big tower and stick it on top of Central Station

[Avatar]

At least they are mirrored but i wish this type of development had never been approved.

[gazmo]

In answer to Matixvolta's question NorWest is North West of the CBD around the Baulkham Hills/Castle Hill district.

Access to the park is from Windsor Road and Old Windsor Road and has boomed with the M2 extention to Seven Hills.

I have clients over there and my old boss lives in Bella Vista. It's a bit of city-slab-horror if you ask me.

The buy-line "World-Class Business Park" is a bit off the mark because up until 6 months ago Telstra had provisioned a sub-exchange to the area and through it's "pair-gain" system effectively prevented the entire business park and the suburb of Bella Vista from getting ADSL broadband services.

Some of my clients moved out of the park for this reason and only through some major pressure being brought to bear on Telstra did they upgrade the telephone exchange and enable ADSL services from ~Feb/March this year.

Back is 1996/97 the only building on the park was the massive Singpore Airlines data center - now it is lost in mass of other groundscraper developments.

[Muse]

Something creepy about this.

Castle Hill and the Bible Belt with its Amway, Tupperwear and Avon cultures inherited from the U.S..

Although obviously car dependent, it would be nice to see the North-West link be implemented. Just think, NorWest Station :no:

[gazmo]

Oh and I forgot to mention - HillSong is located n the park too - across the road from the shopping center and ice scating ring.

Something creepy about this.

Castle Hill and the Bible Belt with its Amway, Tupperwear and Avon cultures inherited from the U.S..

Although obviously car dependent, it would be nice to see the North-West link be implemented. Just think, NorWest Station :no:

[below-0]

far out! (literally)

hahas, the person I used to know from that area was a hillsong go'er and very car dependent.

[Mike_]

yeah.. Norwest is really gonna need a train line. It already causes huge traffic problems for Windsor/Old Windsor road due to the magnitude of the development combined with 'Legoland' (the masses of project homes clusters of Parklea, Valentines Park, Kellyville etc.) which places a pretty high demand on the infrastructure.

tbh, the area surrounding Norwest is a planning and architectural catastrophe.

[rondeez]

far out! (literally)

hahas, the person I used to know from that area was a hillsong go'er and very car dependent.

HAHA well i guess without a trainline most people in the Hills District are car dependent.

[finn]

I was out there yesterday - I saw the first two renderings posted by rondeez topped out and pretty much externally complete - very impressive! :)

There were heaps of cranes around the place, and the massive massive Woolworths HQ (92,000sqm) is also well advanced! Seriously, the craneage is pretty substantial (for where it is in the middle of cow paddocks and project homes) and you can see it from all over the Hills District urban release areas, as I discovered in driving around to Homeworld 4 (world's largest display home village), Beaumont Hills, The Outlook, Newbury etc etc.

Meanwhile, next door to the business park the residential release of Bella Vista Waters is chugging along, featuring very expensive looking McMansions.

[rondeez]

I was out there yesterday - I saw the first two renderings posted by rondeez topped out and pretty much externally complete - very impressive! :)

There were heaps of cranes around the place, and the massive massive Woolworths HQ (92,000sqm) is also well advanced! Seriously, the craneage is pretty substantial (for where it is in the middle of cow paddocks and project homes) and you can see it from all over the Hills District urban release areas, as I discovered in driving around to Homeworld 4 (world's largest display home village), Beaumont Hills, The Outlook, Newbury etc etc.

Meanwhile, next door to the business park the residential release of Bella Vista Waters is chugging along, featuring very expensive looking McMansions.

Good to see someone who knows what they're talking about and actually gets out and about in the big city of ours.

[Brizer]

I passed through a couple of months ago and was quite unnerved by it all! It feels like some weird, Pleasantville, alternate universe nightmare to me, though on the surface, much of it is Very Nice.
"Hillsong" is a word that is taking on a whole new meaning signifying some over the edge, fundamentalist Christian, quasi American Dream, retro 1950s as-it-never-was experiment by some-one with a macabre sense of humour.
I couldn't get back to the real city/real world fast enough.

[finn]

^^Oh, the "real city" is surprisingly close by...just head down Sunnyholt Rd to Blacktown, as I did yesterday after the Norwest tour, and welcome to the real world of western Sydney! ;) Personally I like the reality more than pleasantville, although it's cool to check out both sides of the coin. :yes:

On that note, the Westpoint Blacktown expansion is looking mighty big!!

[hornetfig]

It already causes huge traffic problems for Windsor/Old Windsor road due to the magnitude of the development combined with 'Legoland' (the masses of project homes clusters of Parklea, Valentines Park, Kellyville etc.) which places a pretty high demand on the infrastructure.

There is also a direct feeder from the M7 to Norwest Boulevarde under construction and its intersection with Old Windor Road has scope for grade separation

[AG]

Crane driver injured when rig topples
18:08 AEDT Sun Nov 21 2004


A crane driver and members of the public were hurt when a 200-tonne rig collapsed on a construction site in north-western Sydney.

The 70-metre mobile crane was being used to remove another crane from the site at the Norwest Business Park, in Castle Hill, at about 10am Sunday (AEDT) when both toppled over.

Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) spokesman Tim Volmer said the experienced crane driver, Lenny Leadbrook, had a broken arm, leg injuries and a serious laceration caused by broken glass.

A group of passers-by were treated for cuts and bruises from flying debris.

The commercial building under construction was extensively damaged and the $2.5 million crane was destroyed.

Mr Volmer said it was still unknown what had caused the accident.

Mechanical failure or unstable ground were most likely at fault, he said.

"It's really too early to know what occurred here but we're going to be investigating," he said.

Mr Volmer said safety must be paramount when using cranes.

"Cranes are deadly when something goes wrong because you've got tonnes of steel coming down across the site and if you hit someone you pretty much guarantee they're going to be killed," he said.

Mr Leadbrook was in a stable condition in Baulkham Hills Hospital, the union said.

[finn]

^^Yeah, just saw that on the news. The rig that collapsed was dismantling the crane constructing this building:

http://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/pimages/2579735182_1.jpg

So luckily most of the crane fell in the lake, although it caused alot of damage to the building under construction apparently.

[Maxtor]

Is this the huge building noticeable from a few places?

[Mike_]

There is also a direct feeder from the M7 to Norwest Boulevarde under construction and its intersection with Old Windor Road has scope for grade separation

really? i thought the M7 passed right over Old Windsor (just after Seven Hills rd. intersection) and towards Quakers Hill round the back of Parklea.. Although i could see where it would divert (across the back of ResMed)

traffic was banked from Norwest Boulevarde/OW intersection all the way to S. Hills road even after 6pm today.. unbelievable.. and its only gonna get worse..

[hornetfig]

really? i thought the M7 passed right over Old Windsor (just after Seven Hills rd. intersection) and towards Quakers Hill round the back of Parklea.. Although i could see where it would divert (across the back of ResMed)

Other direction, feeder runs from M7 EB-Norwest Boulevarde and Norwest Boulevarde-M7 WB. Traffic coming from the east/city along the M2 will need to exit at either of the Old Windsor Road exits.

[ParraMan]

There is also a direct feeder from the M7 to Norwest Boulevarde under construction and its intersection with Old Windor Road has scope for grade separation

And there will be grade separation- the RTA has allocated funding for this project over the next two years (not too sure which way the separation will work though?)

And as much as I would prefer to have this large scale development occurring in city centres- particularly nearby Parramatta, Norwest does have a pleasant feel to it, and of course is home to some very expensive residential real estate. The precinct around the proposed railway station is home to the tallest buildings in Norwest, aswell as the shopping centre (an extension is planned to double its size), and of course the mighty "Hillsong" the largest church in Australia... Most of the developments in this area have underground car parking and very little surface carparking, althoughg it is particularly noticeable around Hillsong and the Markettown.

The "Singapore Airlines" data cantre (was actually Cathay Pacific...) is now IBM.

It has always been a very nice side trip to take to have a look at this amazing development. Will be inyteresting to see how it turns out in the future!

[Muse]

ParraMan

In regard to your 2nd paragraph above, in the first sentence, referring to "Norwest does have a pleasant feel to it" lol as on the first page of this thread, testuser calls it "Pleasantville" :lol:

Now if you want to see a real freak-out "Pleasantville", take a drive around Quakers Hill if you dare, just north-west of Blacktown.

[Mike_]

ParraMan

In regard to your 2nd paragraph above, in the first sentence, referring to "Norwest does have a pleasant feel to it" lol as on the first page of this thread, testuser calls it "Pleasantville" http://www.sayhey.co.uk/invboard/html/emoticons/laugh.gif

Now if you want to see a real freak-out "Pleasantville", take a drive around Quakers Hill if you dare, just north-west of Blacktown.

Quakers Hill is a nice..ish place :sleepy:

btw.. what is a "Grade Separation"?

[rondeez]

Crossing the border [Old Windsor Road] from Blacktown into Baulkham Hills and vice versa you really see the difference.

Glenwood [Blacktown] where all the new houses look the same and the terrain is flat.. into Bella Vista Waters [Architecture designed homes] with its more hilly terrain.

Would you consider Baulkham hills to be Western Sydney or part of North Central Sydney?

[Mike_]

Crossing the border [Old Windsor Road] from Blacktown into Baulkham Hills and vice versa you really see the difference.

Glenwood [Blacktown] where all the new houses look the same and the terrain is flat.. into Bella Vista Waters [Architecture designed homes] with its more hilly terrain.

Would you consider Baulkham hills to be Western Sydney or part of North Central Sydney?

I agree, the difference between the two sides of OWR is very apparent. The Baulkham Hills side is very established (they have "trees") and is quite a tranquil area.. Parklea, Glenwood etc. are aesthetic disaster zones.. a sea of identical structures..

Bella Vista is a little better.. although navigation of the suburb is a nightmare

Baulko is definently North Central/North West Sydney.. i'd classify it along with Pennant Hills, Castle Hill, Carlingford.. ie. 'Hills District'. Western Sydney i'd say would be Prospect, Blacktown, Seven Hills, Quakers Hill.. although im not too sure about Kings Langley.. its very close to Blacktown but reminds me more of Baulko..

[zulu69]

Yeah i live about 2 mins drive from Norwest (i live in Castle Hill). I really dont like the development though at all. And yes Bella vista is very pleasant almost too peasant..but its great area for families. As for Hillsong, dont get me started that place freaks the hell out of me, honestly.

As for being car dependent, hell yes (like we have a choice!). We have a car per family member and theres 6 in my family. But with the m2 im in the city in 20mins with no traffic so its really the best of both worlds, my cosy Castle Hill and the busy city.

BTW i was thinking of taking some pics of the new highrise for the Castle Hill library. It actually very well built and has a great desing. Only if i can get my butt out and takes some pics......if anyone wants to beat me to it your more than welcome;)

[Muse]

Courtesy of CULWULLA:



Here's some new bldgs U/C at Norwest:

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/2741/5212741mm1179474713.jpg

Nexus
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/9194/5249194mm1179474701.jpg

Lexington Drive
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/7722/5257722mm1179474596.jpg

[Brendan]

This is great. I remember a few years ago basically the only building there was Skycity. I love the facade of Skycity.

[CULWULLA]

north ryde
optus macquarie park
may18
10storey/40m Avaya tower

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/227/508760681_207fb077f3_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/208/508733606_88e4a56a0d.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/508728994_63566829f1.jpg?v=0

[James Saito]

^^
Cool pics, but wrong thread?

[CULWULLA]

story in todays fin rev about how Norwest business park has won a major global award in buisness park category. anyone got story?

[LanceDriver]

what, for best location and great access via public transport?

[Muse]

Article from this weekend's Sydney Morning Herald (http://www.smh.com.au/news/business/data-storage-walk-in-the-park/2007/06/29/1182624170329.html) 30/06 - 01/07/07

Data storage walk in the park

Carolyn Cummins Commercial Property Editor

RELOCATING back office administration has taken on more urgency as businesses get weighed down by having to keep records, both hard copy and electronically.

The threat of fires, theft and terrorism has also heightened a company's awareness of having back-up copies.

To accommodate the volume of data companies are now leasing in business parks and secure, high-tech warehouses.

Norwest Business Park, amongst others, are seeing an increase in demand for such services.

Peter Gray, general manager Norwest Land, said that if groups developed these facilities on the outskirts of the CBD, land wouldn't be as plentiful or cost effective and the sites would be much riskier, in terms of security.

He said unless businesses duplicated operations many could experience major revenue loss per hour of downtime or suffer a significant data loss and never reopen.

Yet, he said, a large proportion of companies lack a comprehensive continuity plan.

According to industry analysts, disaster recovery and business continuity is a market segments that will continually expand.

The market segment is growing rapidly as organisations are increasingly aware of their obligations due to regulatory requirements and good corporate governance.

Mr Gray said Norwest Business Park, located in Sydney's north west, has been identified by several businesses as one location for their data and disaster recovery centres.

"Over $750 million has been invested by groups such as Enterprise Data Corporation, Cathay Pacific, Optus Singtel, NEMMCO, as well as the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Commonwealth Bank which have developed or are developing disaster and recovery centres within the estate," Mr Gray said.

"There are two distinct types of recovery centres the estate accommodates - one being the processing centre (a replica of an organisation's CBD data server) with the other being the data recovery facility - which include office accommodation.

"The 377-hectare corporate campus is jointly owned by FKP and the Malaysian-owned Mulpha Group."

Enterprise Data Corporation recently bought a 1.6 hectare parcel of land at Norwest to develop a business continuity and disaster recovery centre for clients. Jude Jacobs, a director of EDC, said the moment a disruption occurred, companies could continue operations seamlessly at EDC's purpose-built recovery facility at Norwest, which he said was outside the "CBD radius of risk".

Meanwhile, Mr Gray said that the proposed Balmoral Road Transit Centre announced during the week by Norwest Land will also help businesses relocating to the area.

The transit centre proposes to integrate a comprehensive urban centre with a bus and rail interchange, part of the North West Rail Link.

"We are acting on this opportunity now. We don't want to wait until after the Castle Hill to Rouse Hill section of the North West Rail Link is operational in 2017 to begin to plan for the community that may greet the train," Mr Gray said.

"Recently, Baulkham Hills Shire Council backed the project, resolving to prepare and exhibit a draft Local Environmental Plan amendment. This step will put the plan before the community."

The Baulkham Hills Mayor, Tony Hay, said the north-west needed real impetus to begin creating new integrated communities and the transit centre "fitted the bill perfectly".

Mr Gray said that the transit centre would be a benchmark project and "a reference for all future development" in the north-west and Sydney's other green-field zones.

"One of the critical aspects of the project is the planned north-west rail line, which will pass through the 15 hectare development site," Mr Gray said.

"A railway station, the Burns Road Station, sits in the middle of the site. Under state government planning policies, the second leg of the north-west rail link - west of Castle Hill to Rouse Hill - is scheduled to be ready by 2017.

"It would inject massive confidence into all development projects along the proposed rail corridor if a key community like this was to proceed at this early stage", Mr Gray said.

[papervagina]

"outside the 'CBD radius of risk'"? Aren't they worried about a new breed of terrorists who despise business parks? All that wasted space and the resources wasted by people having to get there in their cars - only capitalist infidel pigs would ever dream up such a stupid idea.

Norwest would be a great target if you were that way inclined - you'd be able to wipe out a whole suburb of awful houses at the same time!

[Brendan]

Fantastic business park, definitely. I love the way the green grass adds contrast to the blue glass of the offices and the blue of the lake, definitely a beautiful place.

I'll be working in Norwest Business Park in two weeks, can't wait! :)

[Muse]

Check out Stage 2 www.lexingtoncorporate.com.au

[Dyllip]

The Norwest Final Land Release is right behind my house.

It will have a lake and commercial buildings surrounding a small shopping centre and a Large private hospital

[Dyllip]

www.circasydney.com.au

[roofromoz]

Some pics I took in March this year...

http://home.graffiti.net/roofromoz:graffiti.net/features_bellavista02.JPG
Home makers centre

http://home.graffiti.net/roofromoz:graffiti.net/features_bellavista03.JPG
Lexington Drive

http://home.graffiti.net/roofromoz:graffiti.net/features_bellavista04.JPG
Norwest Market Town

http://home.graffiti.net/roofromoz:graffiti.net/features_bellavista05.JPG
Hillsong Church

http://home.graffiti.net/roofromoz:graffiti.net/features_bellavista06.JPG
Norwest Boulevard - Market Town is on the right

http://home.graffiti.net/roofromoz:graffiti.net/features_bellavista07.JPG
Brookhollow Drive - one of the first stages (circa mid 90's)

http://home.graffiti.net/roofromoz:graffiti.net/features_bellavista08.JPG
Lake in the centre of the business park

http://home.graffiti.net/roofromoz:graffiti.net/features_bellavista10.JPG
This is one of the final stages of Norwest - don't know the name of the street, it's to the south near the M7.

http://home.graffiti.net/roofromoz:graffiti.net/features_bellavista12.JPG
Norwest Boulevard, at the Old Windsor Road grade seperated interchange. This comes off the M7 (the other way), and is the main southern entrance into Norwest Business Park.

[lawson18]

looks like a very quiet campus

[papervagina]

Happenin'.

[roofromoz]

looks like a very quiet campus

They were taken on a Saturday, so it's not a true indication of the activity within Norwest.

I went through there a few weeks ago on a weekday, and obviously a lot more was happening.

[finn]

They were taken on a Saturday, so it's not a true indication of the activity within Norwest.

I went through there a few weeks ago on a weekday, and obviously a lot more was happening.

But Sunday is probably Norwest's busiest time because that's when Hillsong is in session! ;)

[roofromoz]

Yeah, the church and market town are definitely a happening place when Hillsong is in operation. Norwest is smack bang in the middle of what has been called Australia's "bible belt" (i.e. north west Sydney).