Gary Dempsey Developments has lodged plans for a nine-storey apartment project along Cottesloe’s popular Marine Parade strip.
Gary Dempsey Developments has lodged plans for a nine-storey apartment project along Cottesloe’s popular Marine Parade strip.
The project, located at 120 Marine Parade, plans to feature 16 apartments over eight levels, with the ninth floor occupied entirely by one penthouse.
Gary Dempsey Developments (GDD) has lodged a development application via the State Development Assessment Unit, which was established earlier this year to streamline projects as part of the state’s COVID economic stimulus measures.
The property group’s founder Gary Dempsey said the Marine Parade project was the culmination of years of planning and solidified the developer’s focus on prime waterfront locations.
That includes GDD’s Taskers living development in North Fremantle, with the final stage Siskas under construction, as well as its pipeline of beachfront sites in Scarborough.
Mr Dempsey said the Marine Parade project would be Cottesloe’s first large-scale property development in more than 10 years.
“It has been decades since we have seen quality developments of this kind considered in Cottesloe and certainly anecdotally we have been getting plenty of support from local residents who tell us the area is crying out for developments of this scale and calibre,” he said.
“We are aware of our position in terms of breaking new ground on the beachfront and we plan to deliver over and above in terms of what people expect for such an iconic location.
“We are a local company, employing only local people and consultants and we are ready to make a significant investment in the Perth market when we’re given the green light.
“Many developers look to architects over east and overseas however we wanted a firm that truly understood the nature of the location and the community and the design nuances required to respond to some conditions, like the Fremantle Doctor, which are uniquely Perth in nature.”
The project has been designed by local architecture practice Klopper & Davis Architects, with a focus on passive solar design principles and inclusion of materials that could reflect the natural environment.
Architect Sam Klopper said that included ceramic tiling and use of blue and green hues that mirrored the ocean.
In addition to the penthouse, 120 Marine Parade plans to feature two one-bedroom apartments, with the remainder three bedroom and three-bathroom apartments.
A ground floor commercial space has been earmarked for a café.
“Despite the limited exposure so far, we’ve already had strong interest from local residents looking to downsize from large family homes in the surrounding area and who are yet to find a development of this calibre in such a sought after location,” Mr Dempsey said.
“The demand is definitely there for high end, bespoke developments that take into account buyers’ needs and lifestyles which include a desire for privacy, with a limited number of apartments per floor, and space for things like surf skis and stand up paddle boards that are an integral part of the beach lifestyle.”
GDD anticipates launching sales for the project, which has an end value of $57 million, in March 2021.
Other potential projects in the pipeline for Cottesloe includes the $165 million proposal for the Ocean Beach Hotel site; a 10-storey redevelopment featuring a hotel and luxury apartments.
Down the road, Andrew Forrest has plans to revamp Cottesloe’s Indiana Restaurant via his property arm Fiveight, however the company will now have to additionally navigate the Cottesloe Council’s recent endorsement of the Heritage Council of WA’s plans to permanently protect the precinct (which also includes the beach and pylon).
The Town of Cottesloe is now working on its draft foreshore master plan, due to be unveiled before the end of the year.
