Landmark Newcastle CBD development opportunity opposite NUspace campus up for sale

Newcastle, Australia – A significant mixed-use development opportunity in the heart of Newcastle's CBD, adjacent to the University of Newcastle's NUspace campus, has been launched to the market, offering developers the chance to secure one of the city's most prominent consolidated landholdings.  

The site at 6-8 & 14 Auckland Street and 431-435 Hunter Street comprises a substantial 3,397sqm holding across four titles with frontages to Hunter, Auckland and King Streets. 
Positioned within Newcastle's thriving Civic Precinct, the property benefits from MU1 Mixed Use zoning and occupies a strategic location within walking distance of Civic Park, Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle Art Gallery, with Civic Light Rail and the Newcastle Interchange within walking distance.

The site currently incorporates approximately 3,192sqm of net lettable area across four commercial buildings, providing valuable holding income while purchasers progress their future development plans.  

A concept scheme prepared for the property envisages a 17-storey mixed-use development comprising approximately 24,291sq m of gross floor area, including 248 apartments, 1,085sq m of ground floor retail space, 1,612sq m of commercial accommodation and integrated affordable housing.  The proposal targets a floor space ratio of 7.15:1 and a building height of 60.8 metres, subject to planning approvals.  

The property is being offered for sale via an Expressions of Interest campaign run by Knight Frank agents Brent Sinclair and Blake Phelps.

Mr Sinclair said opportunities of this scale and prominence within Newcastle's CBD were becoming increasingly difficult to secure.

"Large consolidated CBD development sites are exceptionally rare, particularly those with three street frontages and a location directly opposite one of the city's most significant educational institutions,” he said.

"Newcastle continues to undergo substantial transformation driven by population growth, infrastructure investment and increasing demand for residential accommodation within the city centre, making this one of the most compelling development opportunities to come to market in recent years.

"The site's scale, zoning and planning flexibility provide developers with a genuine opportunity to create a landmark mixed-use project within a precinct that is already benefiting from significant government and private sector investment.

"The site currently generates more than $300,000 per annum in passing income, offering purchasers valuable holding income while progressing planning approvals.” 

Mr Phelps said the property's position opposite the University's city campus was expected to be a major drawcard for buyers.

"The NUspace campus has become a focal point for Newcastle's education, innovation and knowledge economy, bringing thousands of students, academics and professionals into the CBD every day.

"The property's location at the intersection of education, commercial, retail and civic infrastructure places it at the centre of Newcastle's ongoing evolution as a major regional capital."

Mr Phelps said broader economic and demographic trends continued to support the city's long-term growth outlook.

"The Hunter Region is Australia's largest regional economy, with a population exceeding 800,000 people and a gross regional product of approximately $99 billion.

"Greater Newcastle's population is forecast to grow from more than 600,000 residents to almost 774,000 by 2041, while Newcastle's city centre population is forecast to more than double over the same period.

"Coupled with major infrastructure projects including airport expansion, transport investment and healthcare development, these trends continue to reinforce developer confidence in Newcastle's CBD and apartment market."

The Expressions of Interest campaign for 6-8 & 14 Auckland Street and 431-435 Hunter Street, Newcastle will close at 3pm (AEDT) on Wednesday, 25 November 2026. 

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For further information, please contact:
Vanessa De Groot – Marketing & Communications, Knight Frank
Vanessa.degroot@au.knightfrank.com +61 410 460211

Notes to Editors
Knight Frank LLP is the leading independent global property consultancy. Headquartered in London, the Knight Frank network has 600+ offices across more than 50 territories and more than 20,000 people. The Group advises clients ranging from individual owners and buyers to major developers, investors, and corporate tenants. For further information about the Firm, please visit www.knightfrank.com.