Expert Building Design in Central

Central is the vibrant hub surrounding Sydney’s Central Station, characterised by high-density apartments, student accommodation, and commercial developments. Its prime location connects residents to transport, universities, and the city’s key business and cultural precincts, making building design in Central a strategic and highly sought-after service.

At DMR Designs, we provide customised Central building design solutions that cater to high-density urban living. Our projects include modern apartments, townhouses, and mixed-use developments, all designed to comply fully with City of Sydney Council regulations while enhancing the local streetscape and functional urban experience.

We focus on building design in Central that maximises space, light, and liveability, ensuring practical, stylish, and compliant solutions for residents, students, and professionals in this bustling inner-city hub.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Central?

  • High-Density Expertise: Optimised designs for apartments and student accommodations.

  • Urban Efficiency: Smart layouts for compact lots and mixed-use sites.

  • Sustainable Living: Eco-friendly solutions to meet modern energy and design standards.

  • Council Compliance: Knowledgeable guidance through City of Sydney Council planning requirements.

  • Connectivity Focus: Designs that enhance access to transport and local amenities.

Your Central building design will combine functionality, style, and compliance in a high-density urban setting.

Sydney Council Requirements for Building in Central

 

  • Zoning types:

    • R1 General Residential

    • B4 Mixed Use

  • Setbacks:

    • Front setbacks typically 1–4m depending on street context

    • Side and rear setbacks vary with lot width and building type

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Apartments: 200–500 sqm

    • Townhouses/duplex sites: 150–300 sqm

  • Key constraints:

    • Height limits vary (3–6 storeys depending on location)

    • Noise and overshadowing considerations due to high-density urban setting

    • Heritage overlays in older building areas

  • Utilities available:

    • Fully serviced with water, sewer, electricity, gas, and NBN

Building in Central requires designs that maximise liveability while adhering to strict urban planning requirements.

For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the Sydney Council website.

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Central Project?

Whether it’s a Development Application (DA) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), we’ll guide you in finding the fastest and most compliant approval pathway—anywhere in New South Wales.

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you understand the difference:

DA (Development Application):

  • Required for multi-dwelling developments, high-density apartments, or heritage sites.

  • Essential for projects that exceed standard council controls.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for single dwellings, duplexes, or compliant townhouse developments.

  • Limited applicability due to high-density and mixed-use constraints.

Need help figuring out which route suits your site? We’ll assess your block and walk you through your options.

 

FAQs About Building Design in Central

  • Modern apartments, student accommodations, and compact townhouses dominate the area.

  • Yes, setbacks, height limits, and noise considerations are key planning controls.

  • Yes, we specialise in maximising compact sites and designing functional apartments and townhouses.

  • While we know the Sydney area well, we also work across many suburbs within the City of Sydney, including Redfern, Surry Hills, Ultimo, and more. Additionally, we are available for select projects up to 4 hours away from the City of Sydney Council area.

  • Cost depends on the scope of your project. We’ll walk you through pricing during your discovery call so you know exactly what to expect.

Ready to take the next step?

From inner-city terrace renovations to modern apartment designs, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. We’d love to hear about your Sydney project and how we can assist.

Our Building Design Services in Central

We provide professional building design in Central, including apartments, townhouses, and mixed-use projects. Our designs prioritise efficiency, style, and compliance.

Our Central building design services ensure every project delivers functionality, liveability, and adherence to council standards.

What to Expect: Our Building Design Timeline

A step-by-step look at how we take your project from concept to council approval and beyond.

Every project starts with a discovery call and ends with council-approved, build-ready plans.

Here’s how we make it easy from start to finish:

Step 1 - Discovery Call

  • Let’s chat! We’ll have a quick call to understand your project and see how we can help.

Step 2 -Site Visit & Consultation (5–7 days)

  • We’ll meet at your site (or virtually), take a closer look, and discuss your vision in detail.

Step 3 - Fee Proposal (2 days)

  • You’ll get a clear, no-surprises proposal with the scope, timeline, and costs.

Step 4 - Concept Design (4 weeks)

  • We’ll create initial design ideas and layouts tailored just for you.

Step 5 - Design Development & Expert Coordination (2 weeks)

  • We’ll fine-tune the design and collaborate with any needed specialists (engineer, energy consultant, town planner, geo tech engineer, bushfire, heritage consultant, etc).

Step 6 - Final Adjustments (1 week)

  • We’ll polish everything and prepare the final drawings for submission.

Step 7 - Submission for Approval

  • We handle the council or certifier submission, so you’re ready for the next steps.

Want the full breakdown?

View our detailed process here.

From Plans to Reality: See How It All Comes Together

Our Central projects showcase how high-density apartments and townhouses can be designed for optimal space, light, and functionality.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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With DMR Designs, your Central building design will deliver practical, modern, and compliant urban living solutions.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Central?

We’re here to help you take the next step, whether you’re

starting fresh or upgrading your Sydney home.

We’d love to hear what you have in mind. Book a discovery call or send us a message, and we’ll be in touch within 48 hours.

Not based in Central?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire City of Sydney. From Redfern and Surry Hills to Ultimo and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.