Higher aim for Leederville apartments

A developer is planning to upsize an already approved apartment block in Leederville, potentially adding four storeys on to a $17 million eight-storey structure.

A Joint Development Assessment Panel approved an eight-storey building comprising 52 apartments to be built on 194-200 Carr Place in March 2020.

The project, dubbed Locale, is being developed by Claremont-based company Hanrise Pty Ltd and managed by Encon with architectural designs by Whitehaus.

Earlier this month, the Locale project team submitted a new application to build a 12-storey building on the site which has been estimated to cost $35 million.

The new proposed development comprises 76 apartments across the ground to the eleventh floor, a community pocket park, and a 118-bay carpark across the ground, mezzanine, first and second floors.

In September 2021, the City of Vincent council endorsed a Draft Leederville Precinct Structure Plan and is awaiting determination by the Western Australian Planning Commission.

A development report, prepared by Taylor Burrell Barnett on behalf of Hanrise, said the project team sought approval for a 12-storey development that would be permissible under the draft structure plan.

“The proposed building height exceeds the permissible height of four storeys under the current framework, but is contemplated under the Draft Leederville Precinct Structure Plan which proposes a range of heights from 10 to 14 storeys," the report said.

“The draft framework may be given due regard, but discretion is still required against the current framework.

"Whilst the documents may not be considered ‘seriously entertained’ at the time of preparing this report, it can be observed that increased height along Carr Place has generally been supported by the community and the council."

A comparison from the approved design in 2020 (left) and the updated proposal (right). Images: Whitehaus via City of Vincent document

Taylor Burrell Barnett's report said the updated design was segmented into three buildings to reduce the perceived building bulk.

The updated design will be subject to another decision by the JDAP, with the city having recently released the proposal as part of the community consultation period.

“Although this proposal has a similar design to the previously approved development, this proposal is a new application and it is not seeking to amend the previous approval,” the city’s website said.

Bo Wang, of Applecross, is listed as Hanrise’s sole director on Australian Securities and Investment Commission documents.