Henderson Park official opening marks the completion of NINE by Mirvac
The transformation of the former Channel Nine broadcast studios at Willoughby is now complete with the opening of Henderson Park, the centrepiece of 6,500 square meters of open green space.
Named after Brian Henderson, Channel Nine newsreader for an outstanding 45 years, Henderson Park honours the legend of television and heritage of the broadcast studios.
Native trees and shrubs connect Henderson Park to the numerous open spaces including the Parabol Playground, which repurposes the iconic Channel Nine transmission tower as the centrepiece play tower in homage to the site’s unique history.
Working closely with architects Mirvac Design and CHROFI, McGregor Coxall’s landscape vision for NINE by Mirvac draws from the local environment, weaving greenery between buildings to create an authentic landscape that celebrates the site’s context, habitat, and geology.
Drawing inspiration from the gorges and escarpments found in the Sydney Basin, the landscape showcases the natural beauty of Sydney’s sandstone, integrating its distinctive layering into level changes and creating a coastal aesthetic for the residential setting.
Mirvac’s vision for the NINE community was to redefine sustainable, community-focused living on Sydney’s Lower North Shore. The site’s natural features and architecture presented a unique opportunity to showcase local sandstone and indigenous ecology, lending a rich authenticity to the landscape.
McGregor Coxall was drawn to NINE by Mirvac for the opportunity to innovatively design a landscape for a residential project that sets new standards for environmentally conscious communities.
The landscape design pays homage to the local environment with a selection of materials, plants, and design elements that reflect its locality. Planting and species selection ensured a balance between openness and intimacy throughout the spaces including parks, gardens, a lawn for active play, sheltered barbeques, and playground. To support local ecology, a vibrant mix of greenery contributes to biodiversity while also creating a widespread canopy and undergrowth that offers immense shading to mitigate heat. A water management strategy harnesses rainfall runoff to passively irrigate landscaped areas, creating dynamic spaces that change with the seasons.
Drawing inspiration from the unique features of the surrounding Willoughby area is reflective of the amazing local natural resources with native vegetation, historic geological formations, and vital wildlife habitats. Design reflects these elements and celebrates the character of the area.
Key to NINE’s masterplan is the incorporation of publicly open green spaces. Henderson Park and surrounding spaces serve as safe play areas for children, serene retreats for adults, and gathering spots for community.
All Imagery by Mirvac.