Proposed residential community promises sweet life at old Darrell Lea site in Kogarah
A residential development will replace the old Darrell Lea factory site in Kogarah. File photo: Lisa McMahon

Proposed residential community promises sweet life at old Darrell Lea site in Kogarah

The sale of the former Darrell Lea factory site in Kogarah has paved the way for a proposed new residential community.

Sydney-based developer JQZ has acquired the 3.3-hectare site at 152-206 Rocky Point Road, 15 kilometres from the Sydney CBD, from Land & Portfolio Pty Ltd – a Lea family company.

The sale price has not been disclosed but is believed to be around $80 million. The first residents are expected to move into the 550 apartments and 18 townhouses at the development, known as Ramsgate Park, in late 2019.

Darrell Lea, which was established in 1927, occupied the site for several decades.

An artist's impression of the proposed development at the former Darrell Lea factory site in Kogarah. Image: Supplied An artist’s impression of the proposed development at the former Darrell Lea factory site in Kogarah. Image: Supplied

In 2012, when Darrell Lea was placed into administration, the Brisbane-based Quinn family, of VIP Pet Foods, bought and restructured the company.

The factory was closed in 2014 and the family moved the Darrell Lea manufacturing business to Ingleburn, on Sydney’s south-west fringe.

Since then the factory site has been vacant.

JQZ founder and chief executive Jian Qiu Zhang says the site is ideal for a master-planned, mixed-use community.  According to the Commercial Real Estate listing, 20,093 square metres of commercial space is in the proposed masterplan with building heights up to 33 metres possible.

“Choosing the site is the most important decision we make as a development company. Convenience for our buyers and the lifestyle offering is paramount to us and this location fits the bill,” Mr Zhang says.

The site, zoned Residential R4 High Density, is within three kilometres of Hurstville and Kogarah, which is home to the head office of St George Bank. The office is undergoing a renovation which, once complete, is expected to result in 3000 jobs on the site.

The proposed new development at Kogarah. Image: Supplied The proposed new development at Kogarah. Image: Supplied

Construction will be undertaken by JQZ’s in-house building service and is scheduled to begin in January 2017.

The new community is expected to attract first home buyers, families, local downsizers and investors.

There are four primary schools and six high schools within 3.5 kilometres of the site. The Sydney TAFE NSW St George College is one kilometre away.

A tour of the Darrell Lea factory in Kogarah by Klark Quinn whose family now owns the company. Photograph shows liquorice being made. 19th September 2012. Photo by Tamara Dean Liquorice rolls off the production line at the Darrell Lea factory in Kogarah in 2012. Photo: Tamara Dean

The site is within two kilometres of both the Kogarah and Carlton train stations, which provide access to Sydney CBD, North Hurstville, Sutherland, Cronulla and Bondi Junction via the Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra lines.

The Rockdale Plaza shopping centre is within three kilometres and Westfield Hurstville is within four kilometres.

St George Public Hospital, one of Sydney’s biggest hospitals, and St George Private Hospital are 1.5 kilometres away.

Botany Bay’s Ramsgate Beach is also one kilometre from the site and Georges River is on the southern side. It is also centrally positioned between Claydon Reserve, Leo Smith Reserve and Scarborough Park.

Get a weekly roundup of the latest news from Commercial Real Estate, delivered straight to your inbox!

By signing up, you agree to Domain’s Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use. You may opt out at any time.