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Maitland Levee

Maitland Levee / Maitland, Australia

The historic High Street Precinct at the heart of Maitland has been in decline for the past decade due to competition from suburban shopping malls. Our masterplan utilised urbanism strategies to revive the local economy by repositioning Central Maitland as a leisure based retail activity centre supported by a night time local produce & wine economy. As project team leader we were commissioned to implement our regeneration plan to convert the former outdoor pedestrian Mall into a new High Street, a wifi connected shared zone & active public realm.

A new Riverwalk located on the flood embankment and a River Link public building were also designed to reconnect the precinct to the adjacent Hunter River. The design juxtaposes an elegant, high tech public domain with the grand heritage fabric. Planned with embedded flexibility for future change, parking spaces can be shuffled and swapped for outdoor dining as retail tenancies change. LED street lighting allows the entire street mood to be instantly changed to support a diverse calendar of events and festivals.

Site Area

2 ha

Services

  • Competition
  • Planning Control Amendments

Collaborators

  • The Choi Ropiha Fighera Unit Trust
  • Northrop Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd
  • City Plan Services MBMpl Pty Ltd
  • Morris Goding Access Consulting
  • ETHOS URBAN
  • Alluvium Consulting Australia Landscape Solutions
  • STEINTEC

Awards

  • 2013 Urban Design Award - Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) NSW
  • 2016 Place Project Award (Commendation) - Place Leaders Awards
  • 2017 Civic Landscape Architecture - Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) NSW
  • 2017 Great Place Award (Commendation) - Planning Institute of Australia
  • 2019 Jury Award - Newcastle Architecture Awards - Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) NSW
  • 2019 International Architecture Award - The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design
  • 2019 NSW Architecture Medallion, Civic Realm - Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) NSW
  • 2019 NSW Sulman Medal for Public Architecture - Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) NSW
  • 2019 Lloyd Rees Award - Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) NSW
  • 2019 Blacket Prize, City of Sydney Lord Mayors Prize - Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) NSW
  • 2019 Built Project Award, City & Regional - Australian Urban Design Awards
  • 2019 National Public Architecture Award - Australian Institute of Architects (AIA)
  • 2019 Walter Burley Griffin National Award, Urban Design - Australian Institute of Architects (AIA)
Black and white portrait of Adrian McGregor, a middle-aged man with short, curly hair wearing a dark blazer over a V-neck shirt. He is facing the camera and smiling slightly against a plain background.
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A lively street scene with people walking along a tree-lined sidewalk and cars driving on the road. Historic buildings, including a large, ornate two-story structure with balconies, line the street in Maitland. Streetlights and clear blue skies add to the pleasant atmosphere by the levee.
A bustling outdoor shopping street in Maitland with people walking, some holding children. Tall, stylish light posts and greenery line the street alongside various shops and restaurants. The sky is clear, making it a perfect sunny day by the levee.
A lively pedestrian shopping street in Maitland features trees and modern benches surrounded by greenery. Stores, including a clothing store named Noni B, line both sides of the Levee. Several people are walking, browsing, and relaxing in the pleasant, sunny environment.
A lively outdoor shopping street in Maitland features modern storefronts, trees in circular planters, and patio umbrellas shading tables with people dining. A yellow car is parked by the levee, while pedestrians stroll along the brick-paved walkway under a clear blue sky.
A well-lit, cobblestone street in Maitland, lined with trees and benches at dusk. Retail shops with large windows displaying clothing are on the left, and cars are parked along the side. A few pedestrians are walking along the levee, creating a calm, inviting atmosphere.
A person rides a bike past a building with a sign that reads "Newcastle Permanent" near the Levee in Maitland. The building has large glass windows and an ATM. Greenery and trees line the cobblestone pathway in front, while signs on a neighboring shop advertise loans and cheques.
A bustling outdoor plaza at night, with people dining at brightly lit restaurants and walking along the pathway. Benches and trees are scattered around the area, with lights twinkling from the restaurant on the right side. The lively scene could easily be from a charming spot in Maitland.
A lively, bustling street scene at night, lined with illuminated buildings and shops. Crowds of people are seen walking and gathering. A prominent building on the right, reminiscent of Maitland's classical architecture, stands tall. Near the center, a lit sign reads "Hello DARKNESS.
A vibrant street scene at night with people gathered near food trucks and outdoor seating areas on Maitland Levee. The street is illuminated with bright lights and various shops and cafes are visible. A sign for "Dressed on High" hangs prominently in the foreground.
A bustling Maitland street at night with numerous people walking and sitting on benches. The street is lined with shops and restaurants, some with outdoor seating. Bright lights and lanterns illuminate the area, giving it a lively atmosphere. A wooden structure is prominently visible by the levee.
A group of people walking on a brick walkway along the levee in Maitland.
New High street for Maitland in event mode
A modern building with a wooden overhang and large glass windows stands under a partly cloudy sky in Maitland. People gather in the open area, some shaded by large geometric sculptures and umbrellas. The scene showcases a vibrant, community-oriented space enhanced by the nearby Levee and contemporary architecture.
Maitland levee river link building
A lively street market with people walking and shopping along Maitland. Stalls with striped awnings sell various goods, set against a backdrop of modern and vintage architecture. A banner reading "Northampton" hangs from a Levee, while trees line the street under a sunny sky.
New High street for Maitland in event mode
A detailed architectural site plan of a riverside development in Maitland. The image shows buildings, pathways, green spaces, and trees alongside a river with a protective levee. Roads intersect the area with designated parking and landscaped areas throughout.
A modern building with a large, open wooden structure and an overhanging roof stands in an urban area. Surrounding it are older brick buildings. People are visible in a grassy area near the levee in the foreground under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A modern, open-air public pavilion in Maitland stands illuminated against the evening sky, framed by older, adjacent buildings. The structure features a flat roof, wooden slats, and large beams, creating a spacious and inviting atmosphere along the historic levee.

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