Architectural Services in South Sydney | Planshop

At Planshop, we provide architectural design, drafting, town planning, project management and on-site architectural presence for homeowners across South Sydney, from the Green Square renewal precinct and Zetland apartments to Alexandria warehouse conversions and Mascot family homes.

Led by Nominated Architect Martin Taylor with 20+ years of experience, we work on apartment renovations, warehouse and former-industrial conversions, semi and terrace reconfigurations and contemporary new builds across the City of Sydney and Bayside council areas.

Our integrated design-to-construction model means an architect-led team takes your project from first sketch through to final inspection, with daily focus and on-site attendance throughout the build.

Architectural Design and Construction in South Sydney

South Sydney is one of the fastest-changing parts of the city. The Green Square urban renewal area, a 278-hectare precinct covering Zetland, Waterloo, Beaconsfield, parts of Alexandria and parts of Rosebery, is one of the largest urban renewal projects in Australia. Former industrial land has been rezoned to mixed-use, and the precinct now holds the largest housing stock in the City of Sydney local government area. In Zetland, around 91% of private dwellings are apartments, and the median resident age is just 30.

This is a young, dual-income, design-aware population. Many residents are first-home buyers and investors who bought new apartments off the plan, alongside a growing number of young families weighing whether to renovate and stay or move to a larger home nearby. Beyond the apartment towers, suburbs like Alexandria, Beaconsfield and Rosebery retain pockets of warehouse, semi and former-industrial stock that convert well into characterful family homes.

Most South Sydney projects fall into one of three categories: apartment renovations and reconfigurations in Green Square, Zetland, Waterloo and Mascot, warehouse and former-industrial conversions in Alexandria and Rosebery, or semi and freestanding-home renovations across the older pockets of the area. Each demands a different planning approach and different on-site coordination. This is the work Planshop specialises in. See examples of our apartment and conversion work in Our Work.

Why South Sydney Homeowners Choose Planshop

Class 2 apartment and strata expertise

Most South Sydney homes are apartments, which means renovation work sits under the NSW Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020. This classifies multi-unit residential buildings as Class 2 and requires registered practitioners for design and compliance declarations. We prepare documentation that meets DBP Act requirements, coordinates with your owners corporation, satisfies strata by-laws, and protects you from compliance issues at resale, which matters in an area where apartments turn over frequently.

Transparent, stage-based pricing

South Sydney homeowners research thoroughly and compare quotes. We respond to that with a transparent, stage-based fee approach rather than a single opaque percentage. You see what each stage costs, you decide where to invest, and you keep control of the budget. Our ‘GET A QUOTE’ service sets this out clearly from the start.

An integrated in-house team

Architect, drafting, town planning and project management all sit within one practice. There is no handover between consultants, no gaps in the documentation, and no finger-pointing when a detail needs resolving. You speak to one team for the entire project, with one clear process from concept to completion. See our full range of services.

Local knowledge of South Sydney building stock

New-build apartments in Green Square. Converted warehouses in Alexandria. Federation and interwar semis in Mascot and Rosebery. The technical issues and council expectations differ across each. We bring direct experience of all of these building types and the two councils, City of Sydney and Bayside, that assess them.

Our Services for South Sydney Projects

Architectural Design

Concept through to construction documentation for apartment renovations, warehouse conversions, semi reconfigurations and contemporary new builds across South Sydney. Our designs make the most of compact apartment floor plans, bring light and storage into reconfigured spaces, and respond to the way young South Sydney households actually live and work from home.

Architectural Drafting

Construction-ready drawings prepared to NCC, BASIX and Design and Building Practitioners Act standards, with the level of detail City of Sydney and Bayside assessors and owners corporations expect. We produce drawings that builders can price accurately and Class 2 certifiers can sign off on, reducing variations and rework during construction.

Town Planning

Statement of Environmental Effects, change-of-use applications for warehouse conversions, BASIX certificates, and Clause 4.6 variation requests when development standards need negotiating. We prepare the planning case upfront so applications move through assessment without unnecessary requests for additional information.

Project Management

Coordination of structural engineers, certifiers, acoustic engineers, strata committees, surveyors and builders from the design phase through to handover. One project manager, one schedule, one budget tracked across the full project lifecycle.

On-Site Architectural Presence

This is what sets Planshop apart. We can be on site throughout construction, not on a fortnightly inspection schedule, but as part of the build team. Using BIMx, we coordinate live with builders and trades on the model itself, resolving detail questions immediately rather than letting them become defects, strata complaints or compliance issues at sign-off.

Working with South Sydney Councils

South Sydney spans two council areas. The Green Square renewal core, including Zetland, Waterloo, Beaconsfield and most of Alexandria and Rosebery, sits within the City of Sydney. Mascot, Botany, Eastlakes and the southern part of Rosebery sit within Bayside Council. Each assesses applications under its own LEP and DCP, and a well-prepared application reflects which council is involved.

Common DA challenges in South Sydney include:

• Class 2 building requirements: most South Sydney homes are apartments, so renovation work must be designed, certified and built by registered practitioners under the NSW Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020. Documentation requirements are more demanding than for standalone houses.
• Strata and owners corporation approvals: renovation work affecting common property requires owners corporation consent in addition to any council approval. Major renovations typically need a special resolution at a general meeting.
• Change-of-use applications: warehouse and former-industrial conversions in Alexandria, Rosebery and Beaconsfield require change-of-use approvals alongside the design application.
• Dual-council boundaries: some suburbs, including Rosebery, are split between City of Sydney and Bayside Council. Confirming the correct consent authority is the first step in any application.
• Acoustic and waterproofing compliance: apartment renovations must meet AS 3740 waterproofing and BCA acoustic separation standards, with certificates required at handover.

We prepare every application knowing which council assesses it and how, which avoids the most common cause of delay, that is, applications that get sent back for additional information.

Common Project Types in South Sydney

• Apartment renovations and reconfigurations: in Green Square, Zetland, Waterloo and Mascot, including nursery and home-office conversions, kitchen upgrades, storage and acoustic improvements.
• Warehouse and former-industrial conversions: adaptive re-use of industrial buildings in Alexandria, Rosebery and Beaconsfield into residential lofts and family homes.
• Semi and terrace renovations: reconfiguring and extending older semis and terraces in Mascot, Rosebery and Alexandria for growing families.
• Freestanding home renovations: interwar and post-war homes in Mascot and Botany, opening living areas and adding contemporary extensions.
• Strata common property upgrades: lobby, common area and facade improvements for owners corporations across the precinct’s apartment stock.
• Investment property improvements: value-adding renovations for the area’s significant investor-owner segment.

Browse Our Work for completed examples across these project types.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need council approval to renovate my Green Square or Zetland apartment?

Not always. Many internal apartment renovations qualify as exempt development if you are not altering external walls, structure, or extending plumbing beyond existing points. Cosmetic work such as paint, flooring and fixtures generally does not require council approval but may still require owners corporation consent. Anything affecting structure, waterproofing, acoustic separation, fire ratings or external appearance typically requires a development application or Complying Development Certificate, plus strata approval. We assess the approval pathway at the first consultation.

Which council covers my South Sydney property?

It depends on the suburb and sometimes the street. The Green Square renewal core, including Zetland, Waterloo, Beaconsfield and most of Alexandria, sits within the City of Sydney. Mascot, Botany and Eastlakes sit within Bayside Council. Rosebery is split between the two, divided roughly along Gardeners Road. Confirming the correct consent authority is the first step in any application, and we do this as part of our initial property review.

What is Class 2 certification and does it apply to my renovation?

Class 2 under the National Construction Code refers to multi-unit residential buildings, including apartments and strata complexes. The NSW Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 requires that design, construction and compliance work on Class 2 buildings be performed by registered practitioners, with design compliance declarations lodged at key stages. Since most South Sydney homes are apartments, your architect, builder and certifier must all be appropriately registered, and the documentation requirements are more demanding than for standalone houses.

What does it cost to renovate an apartment or home in South Sydney?

Construction costs for South Sydney apartment renovations typically run from $4,500 to $7,500 per square metre as of 2026, depending on finish level, strata access constraints and the level of acoustic and waterproofing work required. Warehouse conversions and freestanding-home renovations vary more widely with scope. Architect, drafting and planning fees on a typical $150,000 to $600,000 project traditionally sit at around 10 to 12% of construction cost when delivered as an integrated service with on-site roles through construction included.

We however base our fees on a stage-based approach to be highly competitive and challenge the above, adding transparency and client optioneering to target your investment exactly where you need it. Use our ‘GET A QUOTE’ service to find out more.

Can Planshop convert a warehouse or industrial building into a home?

Yes. Warehouse and former-industrial conversion is one of our core South Sydney service areas, particularly in Alexandria, Rosebery and Beaconsfield where former industrial stock is being adapted into residential and mixed-use spaces. These projects require a change-of-use application alongside the design, and careful attention to fire, acoustic, accessibility and structural compliance. We manage the planning, design and compliance pathway as one integrated process.

What is on-site architectural presence and why does it matter?

On-site architectural presence means the architect remains involved through construction rather than simply handing the project to a builder after approval. For apartment and conversion work this matters because compliance, acoustic performance and finish quality are determined by decisions made during the build. At Planshop, Martin Taylor and the team can be on site throughout construction, coordinating with trades and resolving issues as they arise, which protects both the design and your position at resale.

Get Started

If you’re planning an apartment renovation, warehouse conversion or home renovation in South Sydney, the first step is a consultation with Martin Taylor. We’ll review your property, confirm which council and controls apply, and outline a realistic scope, timeframe and budget before any drawings are produced. Get in touch with Planshop to arrange your initial consultation, or read more about our architectural design services and on-site architectural presence.