Expert Building Design in St Leonards

St Leonards is a vibrant urban centre on Sydney’s lower north shore, known for its high-rise apartments, modern offices, and convenient transport connections. With hospitals, schools, dining precincts, and rapid CBD access, it’s a sought-after location for professionals and families alike.

DMR Designs delivers customised building solutions in St Leonards that balance urban density with liveability, ensuring full compliance with North Sydney Council planning regulations.

We proudly create designs in St Leonards that combine practicality, sustainability, and modern appeal.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in St Leonards?

  • Urban Expertise: Designs that work within high-density zoning and mixed-use environments.

  • Modern Lifestyle: Spaces maximised for comfort, function, and natural light.

  • Compliance Focus: In-depth knowledge of council height, FSR, and setback controls.

  • Sustainability: Energy-efficient designs suited to apartment living and urban growth.

  • Flexible Solutions: From compact homes to larger residential or mixed-use developments.

Our St Leonards designs are innovative, practical, and tailored to meet council and community expectations.

North Sydney Council Requirements for Building in St Leonards

 

  • Zoning types

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • R3 Medium Density Residential

    • B4 Mixed Use

    • B3 Commercial Core

  • Setbacks

    • Residential front setbacks generally 4–6 m

    • Mixed-use setbacks vary depending on height and streetscape

  • Typical lot sizes

    • Residential sites: 250–600 m²

    • Larger mixed-use/commercial sites: variable, often 1,000 m²+

  • Key constraints

    • Height and FSR controls due to high-density zoning

    • Overshadowing and solar access requirements for apartments

    • Streetscape integration with existing and planned high-rise developments

  • Utilities available

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

Designing in St Leonards requires expert navigation of high-density controls and mixed-use planning.

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

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

North Sydney projects may follow either a Development Application (DA) or Complying Development Certificate (CDC) process depending on site factors and project scale.

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

DA (Development Application):

  • Required for high-rise apartments, mixed-use, or projects seeking variation from CDC controls.

  • Essential for sites affected by overshadowing, traffic, or heritage considerations.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for smaller-scale renovations, compliant single dwellings, or duplexes.

  • Provides faster approval when projects meet strict zoning and design controls.

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, in mixed-use and high-density zones, subject to strict FSR and height controls.

  • Absolutely—its strong transport links and business hubs make it ideal for rental and resale.

  • Modern, sustainable designs that maximise space, light, and integration with urban streetscapes.

  • While we know the North Sydney area well, we also work across many suburbs within the North Sydney Council area, including Crows Nest, Kirribilli, Neutral Bay, and more. Additionally, we are available for select projects up to 4 hours away from the North 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 modern 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 North Sydney project and how we can assist.

Our Building Design Services in St Leonards

We specialise in designs for apartments, townhouses, and mixed-use buildings, ensuring compliance with North Sydney Council requirements.
From concept through approval, we deliver designs that enhance both lifestyle and long-term value.

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 projects that bring together innovation, compliance, and modern living.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Building in St Leonards requires expertise in high-density planning—exactly what we provide.

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 NORTH 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 St Leonards?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire North Sydney Council area. From Crows Nest and Kirribilli to Neutral Bay and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.