$107m West Perth hotel, apartment plan

A plan to transform the former City Motors site into a $107 million hotel and apartment complex has been lodged with the City of Vincent.

APPL Group, the property and investment company linked to the family behind former car dealer Automotive Holdings Group (AHG), is planning a major development in the Pickle District in West Perth.

The development comprises six buildings on the corner of Golding Street and Old Aberdeen Place and will include 61 co-living apartments, 32 residential apartments, a 120-room hotel, as well as office and commercial components.

The buildings vary from one to seven storeys, with the tallest being the hotel.

The Old Pickle Factory on Golding Street will be retained as part of the redevelopment, while the surrounding existing buildings will be demolished.

APPL Group owns the land of several former AHG dealerships around Perth.

Sydney Charles Wheatley founded AHG in 1952 and the City Motors dealership was one of the first the family set up.

AHG was acquired by Eagers Automotive in 2019.  

Mr Wheatley’s granddaughter Michelle Prater is an executive chair of APPL and a non-executive director of Eagers Automotive, as well as a former AHG director.

The proposed development. 

Ms Prater said the development, dubbed Sydney Charles Quarter, felt very personal to the family. 

“We have put a lot of consideration into the development and the history of the site is acknowledged throughout," she said. 

"We are incorporating historical elements of the property from many of the reincarnations of this site. 

"For instance, you will see a nod to its automotive past with artwork and recycled building components strategically integrated throughout the development.” 

Ms Prater said the urban village concept via the project they are creating was not seen before in Perth. 

“In stage one, we are bringing together nearly all of the housing options – from short term to co-living and build to rent as well as creating commercial spaces including shops, gyms, commercial office and food and beverage – all designed to support each other and create a strong sense of connection and community," she said. 

“This development is going to be something really special, not only for those who live, work or stay there, but also bringing the desperately needed range of amenities to the greater local community."

Architecture firm Cameron Chisholm Nicol designed the development.

The application is open for comment until September 14.

APPL Group hopes to commence construction on the site in mid-2024, with a view to completion in mid-2026.