Lane Cove Council started building The Canopy in September 2017. The Canopy is located on the old Rosenthal Avenue Car Park site. The Supermarket level will open in mid-June 2020 and the rest of the development will open after COVID 19 restrictions are lifted.
The Canopy Lane Cove Precinct
The Canopy has been a construction site for nearly three years. The Canopy Playground and ALDI will open on 13th June 2020 and 17th June 2020 respectively. Coles will open on 8th July 2020.
It was always planned to open The Canopy’s car parking section first and then finish construction and open the entire Precinct in mid-June 2020.
There have been some challenges during construction. There were 93 days of inclement weather including several big storms such as the November 2018 flood and the massive downpour in February 2020.
Lane Cove Council’s April 2020 meeting will be held online on Monday 20th April. Lane Cove Councillors will meet via video conference. A briefing paper on The Canopy has been prepared, and it includes the following statements:
“…there have been significant challenges from the weather and sheer scale the project. It is a credit to the builder ADCO, Project Manager AECOM and the Council staff involved that the project will be delivered on time and on budget.”
“… over 250,000 tonnes of excavated material has been removed from the site, 145 x 8 metre long concrete piles were installed along the boundary retaining walls, which above ground now feature 584 square metres of Sydney sandstone. One hundred thirty-seven trees and 3,985 smaller plants/shrubs have been secured to create the park while work has commenced on laying over 50,000 pavers. This is the largest construction project undertaken by a Sydney Council during this time…”
Staggered Opening
Preliminary- Car Parking Levels P2, P3 and P4 Opened
The Canopy Car Park opened on 6th December 2019. Levels P2, P3 and P4 opened with around 400 spaces. The car park has 14 accessible parking spaces, and dedicated spaces for seniors, parents with prams, car-sharing and electric vehicle charging.
Stage 1 – Supermarkets Will Be Open
Aldi will open on 17th June 2020 and Coles 8th July 2020. Infrastructure such as the pedestrian bridge over Rosenthal Avenue and all car park levels will be ready for the public and Birdwood Lane and Plaza connections will be paved and open on 13 June 2020.
Stage 2 – Park and Playground Will Open after Public Health Orders Revoked
The Outdoor Area comprising the park, children’s playground, performance stage and green will not open until the Public Health Orders have been revoked and the public are permitted to use those areas.
Stage 3 – The Canopy Eat Street Opening Delayed
Stage 3 will see ‘Eat Street’ open when economic conditions permit. The Lane Cove Council briefing note states:
“…this decision was made in consultation with the proposed tenants of the restaurants to delay commencement of the fit-outs of the park level speciality retail given the economic impacts of COVID-19. A best-case scenario would see the restaurants open in time for the Christmas trading period.”
“It is disappointing that the current COVID-19 situation will impact on opening the whole site simultaneously as originally envisaged, but The Canopy will ultimately provide an exciting new addition to the Lane Cove Village.”
The Development is described on the Canopy Website as:
“.. set to become Lane Cove’s premier fine dining food and beverage destination conveniently located within the busy Lane Cove village amongst the active high street commercial and retail Precinct.
The Canopy offers a unique environment for the community and retailers to converge within a purpose-built facility that provides convenience and atmosphere for day and night trading and activities. Overlooking the manicured open green space, The Canopy offers an abundance of light and functional casual and formal dining options, with the added bonus of park activities for all ages and a purpose-built stage for entertainment and events.”
When Will the Offical Opening Ceremony Be Held?
The opening of the supermarket section of The Canopy will be low key due to COV1D 19 restrictions. Both Coles and Aldi will need to put in place procedures to ensure they comply with the Public Health Orders social distancing rules. This will be in stark contrast to the Lane Cove Market Square opening. Do you remember when Lane Cove Market Square Opened just over ten years ago? There was a grand opening ceremony and Woolworths had opening specials.
An official opening ceremony will be held for the full Precinct once the Public Health Orders are revoked.
Coles Lane Cove
A Coles Supermarket Spokesman told ITC the following:
.
“Our new Coles supermarket at Lane Cove Park will offer more choice, great value and enhanced shopping experience for residents in the North Shore.
Our customers are increasingly looking for convenient, healthy, pre-packed meal solutions. Our new Lane Cove Park supermarket will feature an expanded convenience range with ready-made meals, snacks and drinks, a market-style fresh produce hall, and an improved store look and feel.
The new store is scheduled to open mid-June and represents a multimillion-dollar investment in the North Shore.”
Why is the Development Called The Canopy?
The Canopy was chosen after a public vote. Read more here.
Will Other Specialty Shops be Located in The Canopy?
Coles and Aldi are the anchor tenants. There will be restaurants located on the top level of the Canopy.
What else will be on the top level?
The Lane Cove Council has promised a vibrant public domain that will provide much-needed open space in the heart of Lane Cove village. Features will include a BBQ/picnic area, performance stage and children’s play areas.
What will happen on the old Coles Site?
The old Coles site will be redeveloped by a private developer and will include shops and apartments and more public car parking. Read more here.
Be a Lane Cove Legend
To make sure you don’t miss Lane Cove info sign up to our newsletter. It comes out every Wednesday Night at 7.30 pm and includes a wrap up of everything posted on our Facebook site in the previous week.
Did you know that In the Cove has an Instagram page? Yes, we do, and we feature pictures from our roving reporters and our ITC team that do not appear on our Facebook page. Follow us on @inthecove
