Apartment plan for vacant Northbridge lot

A parcel of land next to Ellington Jazz Club has been earmarked for a four-storey apartment development.

The 480 square metre site at 195 Beaufort Street, Northbridge, has been vacant for about 20 years.

The adjacent site to the south is occupied by the former Chinese Laundry and Dye Works, a locally heritage-listed place constructed in 1896 and now occupied by the Ellington Jazz Club.

It was acquired by Mum Resources for $920,000 in October 2022, which was reported to be the first time the site was put on the market in more than 100 years.

An Australian Securities and Investments Commission document shows Mum Resources is owned by Chuanli Mu, from Northbridge.

The proposed development comprises eight apartments across the upper levels and two commercial ground floor tenancies including an office and cafe.

“The cafe will function as a boutique ‘hole-in-the-wall’ premises, offering an intimate and welcoming space for patrons with a glazed active frontage to the street,” the development application reads.

“A total of eight resident car bays (one per dwelling) are provided within a secure parking area with access obtained from Little Parry Street.

“Given the inner-city location and high level of access by walking, cycling and public transport, none of the on-site car bays will be available for customers of the commercial tenancies.”

The proposed development comprises eight apartments and two commercial tenancies. Image: Rechitects Architects via City of Vincent documents

Estimated to cost $2.4 million to construct, a decision on the the project will be made by the Metro Inner-North Joint Development Assessment Panel.

The site is within the City of Vincent’s jurisdiction, with the city to provide its report and recommendation to the JDAP before its meeting.

The proposal is out for public comment on the city’s website until March 12.