Powerhouse of Design

Paynter Dixon famously pioneered the design and construct (D and C) system in Australia during the 1940s. According to Nick Healey, General Manager of Design, this revolutionary approach was the catalyst for nurturing in-house expertise on an unprecedented scale.

“This was the first time that an Australian company managed the design process from beginning to the end,” says Nick.

In the capacity of head contractor, the company now oversaw project delivery, from design concept and documentation to development consent, with the physical build representing the final piece of the jigsaw.

“As a result, our business required architects, design managers, engineers, project managers, commercial estimators, and experts in civil and mechanical engineering,” says Nick.

With all facets of project delivery under one contract – creating a single point of responsibility – Paynter Dixon established a benchmark for carrying design intent along the critical path to built form. 

Furthermore, all expertise was now brought to the table at concept design, with subcontractors and external consultants operating in the same team environment and invested in a quality outcome.

Today, this expertise is supporting clients on their path to achieving strategic goals into the future, from refurbishing existing venues, through to multi-staged capital works and business diversification. Planning is vital to mapping out the pathway of property development and tackling the dimensions of risk from the outset.

“Our master planning expertise underpins the process and breaks down the sequence of manageable steps in the development life cycle,” says Andrew Neagle, Paynter Dixon Strategic and Development Lead – Hospitality.

“We work closely with the client to resolve how the development can be sustainably financed. This involves cost analysis, staging development to stay within budget and the client’s risk appetite, and how to introduce revenue streams and maximise cash flow while progressing through development.”

Case study: Castle Hill RSL Group

• Aquatic and fitness centre in 2003
• State 1 redevelopment of Castle Hill RSL (CHRSL)
• Stage 2 construction of CHRSL’s eastern wing
• CHRSL’s major refurbishment in 2015
• Club Parramatta new venue and multi-level car park in 2019 and 2023
• New car park for CHRSL – current

“Paynter Dixon has been instrumental to our strategic development over the past two decades, stretching back to 2000,” says David O’Neil, CHRG Group.

The population growth of northwest Sydney has shaped CHRG’s commitment to operating a diverse range of dynamic places for people to connect.

“We always have the desire to be relevant, so we’ve adapted our business, our décor, our design and projects to become relevant to the local communities we’re actually serving,” says David.

Fitness & Aquatic Centre unlocked site potential

Mater planning unlocked the potential of the Castle Hill RSL site, starting with the Fitness & Aquatic Centre (CHFAC). One of the largest and most popular centres of its kind in Australia, CHFAC, says David, “allowed us to do stage one, two and three of the Castle Hill development overt the next 10 years”.

“Strategic master planning is an absolute imperative on a site of this nature and the type of business we have,” he says.

“Capital works are expensive, but it’s about making sure the money is being spent in the right areas, and to see how everything fits from council and state planning approvals.”

Club Parramatta introduced a new identity

Replacing the former RSL venue on site, Club Parramatta not only delivered a new venue – but a new identity as well.

“We rebranded from Parramatta RSL to Club Parramatta because we wanted to deliver a Club that was welcoming to an emerging, diverse community,” says Andy Abey, CHRG Chief Operating Officer.

“We wanted a Club that was open to everybody, where you could have mums with their prams, and the workforce from the Parramatta CBD, football fanatics, and older members who just want a place where they feel safe and secure. Club Parramatta has done that and so much more.”

To this end, Paynter Dixon embedded flexibility in the design of indoor and outdoor spaces.

“Any project that has a vision needs to have a project partner that shares that vision,” says Andy.

New car park to offer green space

Looking ahead, Paynter Dixon is currently supporting CHRG on the delivery of a new state-of-the-art, 850-space car park for CHRSL Club.

The multi-level structure will feature a landscape element that wraps around from the Club, largely concealing the car park while offering a terraced green space for public amenity.

“The car park will blend beautifully with the environment and is in keeping with the greenness of the Hills Shire,” says David.

Design has innovatively responded to safety as well. Notably, all electric car charging stations are to be centrally located on the top outdoor level, strategically positioned to optimise fire management in event of an emergency.

Collaboration is paramount. 

“When you’re delivering a project with Paynter Dixon, you’re delivering a project with an extension of your team,” says Andy.

Start a conversation today by contacting Andrew Neagle – [email protected]