Castle Towers

Futurecity was appointed by Australian retail corporation QIC in 2016 to develop a cultural vision and concept for the redevelopment of the Castle Towers shopping centre in Sydney’s Castle Hill. 

Futurecity’s work was commissioned at an early stage in the redevelopment to inform QIC’s brief for site architects. The strategy proposed concepts for Place Character and Principles at Castle Towers, and a cultural map that suggested both local and expanded connections that positioned Castle Towers at the centre of a vibrant network of pathways and routes across greater Sydney. The cultural vision promoted the Castle Towers development as an opportunity to truly enhance, engage and connect with surrounding communities. 

Futurecity worked closely with QIC and the wider product strategy team to develop a culture-led vision for the site that emphasised opportunities for exhibition, performance and experience-driven retail. Futurecity proposed ways in which the development could act as a catalyst for a re-imagined retail experience and a new concept of the suburban town centre in response to transport upgrades in the area that provided a shift away from car culture in the suburbs. The team undertook a cultural audit of the surrounding area to identify potential cultural partners for the site and recommended ways in which cultural, creative and community infrastructure and programming could help create a new retail destination. 

Image © The Buchan Group