Apartment tower adds to Scarborough skyline

A 17-storey apartment tower valued at $60 million is the latest development in a list of projects approved for the Scarborough Redevelopment Area.

The DevelopmentWA board approved investment firm Property Blue's proposal to build an apartment development at 291 West Coast Highway in Scarborough at its meeting last week.

To be named Brighton Apartments, the development comprises 76 apartments and communal amenities on the ground floor including a fitness centre, pool lounge, dining space, wine room, sauna and a steam room.

The development has an estimated value of $60 million, according to the DevelopmentWA meeting minutes.

“The proposed development is generally consistent with the planning framework for the area and will revitalise underutilised land consistent with the design intent for the Gateway West precinct,” DevelopmentWA said.

“It will provide for an appropriate sense of arrival into Scarborough, with a unique and high-quality development reflective of the coastal character of the area, which through its design minimises impacts on neighbours and its surrounds.”

A 17-unit complex on the site, known as Sandpiper, will be demolished to make way for the 17-storey apartment building.

The developer has also committed to a minimum 15 per cent affordable housing with 12 apartments to be sold to the Department of Communities.

The DevelopmentWA board imposed conditions to the approval, including public art contribution from the developer and that the project must be substantially commenced within four years.

Brighton Apartments is the latest in a string of high-rise projects proposed and approved for the Scarborough Redevelopment Area, which is under the control of DevelopmentWA.

Sentinel Property Group received development approval for a 24-storey mixed-use tower, valued at $68 million, on the corner of West Coast Highway and Manning Street in early 2021.

In June 2021, Woolworths Group received approval to build two towers of 29 and 12 storeys at the White Sands Tavern site along West Coast Highway, with an estimated cost of $120 million.

The DevelopmentWA board approved QS Developments’ application for a 18-storey apartment building, a 12-storey hotel and five-storey mixed use development at 22-26 Brighton Road in February.

The development, dubbed Sirius Residences, comprises 103 apartments across three lots between West Coast Highway and Hastings Street.

International developer 3 Oceans previously lodged a proposal for a three-tower build, the tallest at 46 storeys, at the corner of Scarborough Beach Road, West Coast Highway and Filburn Street.

However, the $450 million application was withdrawn early last year.

DevelopmentWA plans to transfer control of the area back to City of Stirling in a process called “normalisation”.