Expert Building Design in St Leonards

St Leonards is a thriving urban hub known for its mix of high-rise apartments, commercial precincts, and proximity to key health and education facilities. With its excellent transport links, vibrant dining scene, and easy access to the Sydney CBD, it appeals to both professionals and families seeking convenience and connectivity.

DMR Designs offers tailored building solutions in St Leonards that complement the suburb’s modern, high-density character while ensuring compliance with City of Willoughby Council planning regulations.

We proudly serve St Leonards with designs that combine efficiency, style, and functionality for a diverse community.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in St Leonards?

  • Space-Smart Layouts: Designs optimised for urban living and compact sites.

  • Contemporary Appeal: Sleek, modern designs suited to St Leonards’ evolving skyline.

  • Planning Expertise: In-depth knowledge of City of Willoughby’s development requirements.

  • Sustainable Practices: Eco-friendly solutions for energy-efficient living.

  • Versatile Designs: Tailored to suit professionals, families, and mixed-use developments.

Our St Leonards designs deliver a perfect blend of style, practicality, and compliance.

City of Willoughby Council Requirements for Building in St Leonards

 

  • Zoning types

    • R4 High Density Residential

    • B4 Mixed Use

  • Setbacks

    • Front setbacks typically 0–4.5 m for high-density or mixed-use zones

    • Side and rear setbacks vary by height and building type

  • Typical lot sizes

    • High-density residential: Variable depending on floor space ratio

    • Mixed-use: Determined by zoning and design controls

  • Key constraints

    • Height controls to protect view corridors

    • Overshadowing limits on neighbouring properties

    • Requirements for active street frontages in mixed-use zones

  • Utilities available

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

Building in St Leonards demands designs that work seamlessly within a dense, urban framework.

For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the City of Willoughby Council website.

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your St Leonards 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 high-rise developments, mixed-use projects, or variations to CDC standards.

  • Necessary for sites with unique design constraints or heritage overlays.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for small-scale renovations or compliant apartment fit-outs.

  • Offers faster approval for straightforward projects meeting all standards.

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 St Leonards

  • Yes—Willoughby Council enforces height controls based on zoning and location to protect view corridors.

  • Yes—active street frontages and pedestrian-friendly designs are often required.

  • In some mixed-use zones, this is possible with council approval.

  • While we know the Willoughby area well, we also work across many suburbs within the City of Willoughby, including Chatswood, Castlecrag, Willoughby East, and more. Additionally, we are available for select projects up to 4 hours away from the City of Willoughby 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 contemporary urban designs to specialized compliance plans, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

We’d love to hear about your Willoughby project and how we can assist.

Our Building Design Services in St Leonards

We provide customised designs for apartments, mixed-use developments, and urban housing that suit St Leonards’ vibrant, high-density character.
From planning to approval, we ensure every project is both stylish and compliant.

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 St Leonards portfolio featuring innovative urban designs that balance liveability with city energy.

Portfolio

⇨

Home Designs

⇨

In St Leonards, success means maximising space without sacrificing comfort—exactly what we deliver.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in St Leonards?

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

starting fresh or upgrading your Willoughby 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 St Leonards?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire City of Willoughby area. From Chatswood and Castlecrag to Willoughby East and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.