b'EXPLORE King of the CastleKING OFTHE CASTLEWith approvals in for a number of new projects or redevelopment of existing sites, rapidly growing Castle Hill in Sydneys northwest is set to become a lifestyledestination and business hub in its own right.WORDS Bruce Nelson PHOTOS VariousCASTLE HILL IS COMING OF AGE, and nothingtoallowforcommunitygroupsandnewThe suburbs largest shopping centre, Castle says it more than the amount of activity eitherdevelopment to sit side-by-side. Towers, provides a variety of retail needs and in planning or already underway in the Hillswill form part of the suburbs new skyline.District suburb. StradlingtheHornsbyandTheHillsshires, While the older Castle Mall, opened in 1979, Castle Hill was originally home to the Bidjigalstillservesasashoppingdestination,the Planning changes that will allow hundreds of homes to be replaced by towers of up to 20people who occupied all of the land to theslightlyyoungerCastleTowersisaboutto storeys have been given the green light by Theimmediate west of Sydney prior to colonisation. undergoamajorrenovationbyitsowners, Hills Shire Council as part of the Castle HillQueensland Investment Corporation.Early European settlement was led by Governor North masterplan. Phillip in the late 1700s, with the establishmentItwillincludethreeresidentialtowers,two hotelsandanofficebuildingatoptheretail The$1billionredevelopmentoftheCastleof a government farm called Castle Hill lendingpodium, as well as an entertainment and leisure Towersshoppingcentre,whichincludesaits name to the area. precinct, transforming it into one of Australias pedestrianlinkandopen-airretailprecinctmost prominent urban shopping centres.surrounding the soon-to-be-completed SydneyToday, its home to around 40,000 people with Metro station, has been approved by the NSWnewandexistingneighbourhoodsboastingThe masterplan, led by architects the Buchan Government Planning Panel. qualityhomessurroundedbyopenspaces,GroupincollaborationwithDutchfirm UNStudio and London-based Universal Design And most recently, the Castle Hill Showgroundparks and bushland in a safe and welcomingStudio,includesaheritagediningprecinct, precincthasundergoneamasterplanningenvironment, offering a bright future alternativearound the historic Castle Hill Public School, processtodeterminethesitesfutureuseto Sydney CBD just 30 kilometres away. and open-air retail space.URBANDRIVER19'