Paul Blackburne’s $300 million proposal to redevelop a site on Stirling Highway into a 245-apartment development has been given the green light.
Paul Blackburne’s $300 million proposal to redevelop a site on Stirling Highway into a 245-apartment development has been given the green light.
Mr Blackburne told Business News the Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP) had today approved Blackburne Property Group's plans for a 1.57-hectare site located at the intersection of Stirling Highway and 1 Airlie Street.
The project will be one of the largest developments in the Western Suburbs area's history.
In a statement issued to media this afternoon the company said it welcomed the decision, the result of an extensive process involving leaders from a range of fields including consultation with the area’s existing residents and the Town of Claremont.
“Everyone at Blackburne has worked extremely hard to create a landmark project that will revitalise the local area and provide outstanding lifestyle opportunities for current and future Claremont residents,” the group said.
“Today’s result means we look forward to creating another iconic development and removing the derelict Sundowner Hostel, which has long been a blight on the local landscape.
“We truly believe this project will deliver significantly improved amenity for future and existing residents, and benefit the community through our decision to create significant public resident access area parkland and facilities.”
Demolition of the existing derelict low and high-rise buildings on the 1.57 hectare site will progress, with the group set to launch marketing in the next few weeks.
The group said it expected to start construction early next year with completion in 2023.
When discussing the development at the meeting earlier today, Blackburne said JDAP panellists commented on The Grove’s architectural excellence and that it was a benchmark for other developments with commentary including:
“The provision of large open spaces provides a positive design outcome. Height, privacy and overlooking have all been adequately addressed in the design."
“It is often hard to know how designs can be improved, given the many constraints they face. This is an outstanding development, especially given the SDRP’s support."
“Residents’ concerns have been readily addressed given the way the tower is configured and setback substantially.”
Comments were also made in reference to The Grove’s open green spaces and its availability to the community - the plans doubling the green open space currently available on site, with landscaped gardens comprising 10,000 square metres (68 per cent) of the land.
Blackburne plans to open a new $1 million display suite located next to the site soon and has said it is “confident of selling most of the residences by the end of the year,” based off its success at ONE Subiaco.
The group acquired the site last September, wanting to create a vibrant, sustainable all-ages community, rejuvenating the historic gateway into Claremont.
In the statement issued today, the group stressed the importance of the land holding as a unique landmark site.
“There are only a small number of these sites along the length of Stirling Highway, so it’s absolutely critical that they are used to provide a good number of residences to meet strong local demand to right size in these areas,” it said.
“Plus they must deliver community benefit, in our case parkland, café etc. in an area that has none of these amenities.”
The project proposes five buildings along the Airlie St (northern) and Stirling Hwy (eastern) boundaries, housing 245 apartments, with the majority of residences below five-storeys. This design choice, the company said, was to connect residents to the streetscape and park.
The remainder of apartments will reside in a 16-storey and an 11-storey building, which the developer said had access to views across Cottesloe Beach, the Swan River and Perth city skyline.
