Expert Building Design in Rozelle

Rozelle is a vibrant Inner West suburb located on Rozelle Bay, prized for its mix of converted warehouses, Victorian terraces, and contemporary apartments. Close to the city and neighbouring Balmain and Lilyfield, Rozelle offers excellent cafés, parks, and waterfront amenity that attract families, professionals, and creatives.

DMR Designs delivers building solutions in Rozelle that respond to its industrial-to-residential character, harbour-edge lifestyle, and Inner West Council planning requirements.

We proudly serve Rozelle with designs that combine heritage respect, modern living, and practical functionality.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Rozelle?

  • Contextual Layouts: Homes designed to suit Rozelle’s mix of terraces, warehouses and infill sites.

  • Streetscape Sensitivity: Designs that complement the suburb’s waterfront and village character.

  • Council Expertise: Skilled navigation of Inner West Council heritage, contamination and zoning considerations.

  • Sustainable Solutions: Energy-efficient layouts for compact urban sites and waterfront properties.

  • Flexible Spaces: Tailored for families, downsizers, and inner-city professionals.

Our Rozelle designs strike the balance between urban convenience, harbour-edge character, and council compliance.

Inner West Council Requirements for Building in Rozelle

 

  • Zoning types

    • R1 General Residential

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • R3 Medium Density Residential

    • IN2 Light Industrial / Mixed use pockets in former industrial precincts

  • Setbacks

    • Front setbacks generally follow neighbouring streetscape patterns

    • Side and rear setbacks vary by lot size and development type; infill sites may have reduced setbacks

  • Typical lot sizes

    • Terraces and cottages: 120m² – 300m²

    • Detached and warehouse-conversion sites: 250m² – 600m²

    • Medium-density redevelopment sites: 600m²+

  • Key constraints

    • Heritage conservation overlays in selected streets and waterfront edges

    • Remediation/contamination considerations on former industrial sites

    • Height and bulk controls to protect harbour outlooks and neighbourhood scale

  • Utilities available

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

Building in Rozelle requires designs that respond to heritage, site contamination history, and waterfront planning controls while delivering modern liveability.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Rozelle 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):

  • Typically required for conversions, major extensions, developments on remediated industrial land, or proposals within heritage overlays.

  • Necessary where variations to standards or site remediation are involved.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for single dwellings, extensions, or compliant duplexes on straightforward, uncontaminated lots.

  • Faster approval when the proposal fully meets council and state codes.

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 Rozelle

  • Yes — warehouse conversions are common, but they usually require a DA to address heritage, structural changes, and any remediation needs.

  • Waterfront sites have stricter controls (views, height, environmental protections), so careful design and council consultation are essential.

  • Some former industrial pockets may need site investigations and remediation; an early geotechnical/environmental review is recommended.

  • While we know the Inner West area well, we also work across many suburbs within the Inner West Council area, including Newtown, Marrickville, Leichhardt, and more. Additionally, we are available for select projects up to 4 hours away from the Inner West 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 terrace renovations to specialized compliance plans, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. We’d love to hear about your Inner West project and how we can assist.

Our Building Design Services in Rozelle

We offer customised designs for warehouse conversions, terrace renovations, new homes, duplexes, and medium-density projects that respond to Rozelle’s unique character and planning framework.

From concept sketches to DA/CDC submissions and approvals, we manage the technical and regulatory process so your project runs smoothly.

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

Explore our Rozelle portfolio to see how we balance heritage, remediation needs, harbour-edge living, and modern design.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Building in Rozelle calls for local knowledge and technical rigour—exactly what DMR Designs provides.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Rozelle?

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

starting fresh or upgrading your Inner West 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 Rozelle?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire Inner West Council area. From Newtown and Marrickville to Leichhardt and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.