Freecity Secures Approval for Three-tower, 548-home Rental Precinct at Rouse Hill Metro

Freecity, Australia’s leader in premium volumetric modular construction, has received development approval for its three-tower, mixed-use development at 2-30 Tempus Street, Rouse Hill: marking a significant milestone in the delivery of much-needed rental housing in North West Sydney.

Lodged as a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) and approved by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure following extensive consultation, the project will deliver 548 new rental homes – comprising 332 Build-to-Rent (BtR) apartments and 216 co-living studios – alongside commercial, retail and wellness spaces.

Positioned directly opposite the Rouse Hill Metro station and adjacent to the Rouse Hill Town Centre, the development will serve as a gateway landmark for the precinct. The project supports housing diversity, economic growth and community vitality in one of Sydney’s fastest-growing corridors, responding to the NSW Government’s Transport Oriented Development (TOD) agenda and the urgent need for diverse, well-located housing across greater Sydney.

Key project features include: 

• Three towers of 11, 18 and 23 storeys rising above a three-storey mixed-use podium
• Two residential towers (18 and 23 storeys) containing 332 x BTR units ranging from studio, one, two and three-bedroom layouts, including a flexible mix designed for a range of household types
• 11 storey building containing 216 co-living studio apartments offering affordable, community-focused rental living
• A Two-and-a-half level (podium combines retail, commercial and wellness space with an activated ground-floor precinct open to the wider community.
• Residents will benefit from a curated range of lifestyle amenities including food and beverage outlets, wellness facilities, communal spaces and a rooftop bar and kitchen.
• Two-and-a-half level basement accommodating 129 car spaces
• Bike storage facilities for a total of 182 bicycles
• Target ratings of 5 Star Green Star Residential Building, 5 Star NABERS, and WELL for Residential Certification

Designed by Architectus, the development is inspired by the concept of a modern urban village: a vibrant destination where people naturally gather, share and connect. A lively, community-centred ground floor anchors social interaction, while a landscaped central courtyard serves as a communal town square, linking the three towers with outdoor spaces and nature.

The project will utilise Volumetric Modular Construction (VMC), which involves building modular living units in a controlled factory environment in parallel with on-site works.

This approach cuts delivery timelines, reduces waste, improves on-site safety and produces a consistently higher quality product than traditional construction, making it an effective solution to address Sydney’s housing supply challenge at scale.

Edward Li, Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer of Freecity Group, said: Receiving approval for Tempus Street is a proud moment for the Freecity team and an important step forward for housing in North West Sydney. This development delivers something the market genuinely needs which is a diverse mix of rental options, from co-living studios for young professionals to spacious Build-to-Rent apartments for families, all within walking distance of the Rouse Hill Metro.

Freecity now has transit-oriented development projects underway across more than half a dozen locations in Sydney. By anchoring mixed-use, build-to-rent communities around Metro stations, we’re building the kind of well-connected, liveable neighbourhoods that Sydney’s growing population needs.”

Michael Romano, Executive Director of Development, added: “By building with Volumetric Modular Construction, we can deliver these 548 homes faster, more sustainably and to a consistently high standard than traditional construction methods allow. Sydney is facing a genuine housing supply crisis, and VMC is one of the most powerful tools we have to address it at scale. Tempus Street is a key part of Freecity’s broader pipeline of more than 6,000 new homes across Sydney, each one designed to meet the city’s growing need for high-quality, well-located rental housing” 

Marko Damic, Principal at Architectus, added: “Rouse Hill allowed us to test a contemporary mixed‑use model where architecture, landscape, and modular construction work as one system. The project is a finely calibrated ‘family’ of build‑to‑rent, co‑living, retail and commercial uses, assembled via a modular approach.”

“Prefabricated apartment modules give us precision and consistency while still allowing for some variety in the façade and public realm, with amenities shared across the precinct.”

Further news stories here:

Freecity receives DA for BTR and co-living scheme – BTR News Australia

Rouse Hill Metro: 548 homes approved | Daily Telegraph (requires a subscription)

Published 15 June 2026