Iconic Scarborough redux

Three months after the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority rejected its $450 million Iconic Scarborough proposal, developer 3 Oceans Property has emerged with a set of revised plans that feature slimmer towers and a renewed focus on tourism. 

The MRA knocked back the mixed-use twin-tower project in December, saying the application comprised a significant overdevelopment of the site, with concerns over impacts on local traffic.

3 Oceans has since participated in a mediation process with the MRA, which is now under new leadership.

Managing director Dyno Zhang said the mediation had been collaborative, productive and rigorous.

The project’s public consultation received over 80 per cent community support last year, and revised plans were unveiled at the launch of a new public comment process on Saturday.

Mr Zhang said a comprehensive review of the project, which was designed by local firm Hillam Architects, comprised a complete analysis of all MRA concerns and a peer review by three highly experienced architects, including the involvement of a former NSW government architect.

“This contributed to a significant evolution of the proposal ensuring the development exceeds the test of exemplary architectural design and delivers an even higher level of public benefit,” Mr Zhang said.

“In response to the MRA’s original comments regarding overdevelopment of the site, it has always been clear that height was not considered the central issue but more so the scale and configuration of the podium and the base of the towers.

“These elements are substantially reduced in size and impact and the public uses within the base of the building have been reconfigured.

"The appearance of more slender towers sitting atop of, rather than blending in with the significantly scaled back podium is proposed, which also offers improved view corridors."

The west tower has maintained its height at 43 levels, with the east tower increasing from 35 to 37 levels, plus a roof garden.

However, the towers’ width has been substantially reduced, cutting the total number of apartments from 345 to 324, with 38 of these earmarked as affordable housing apartments.

Hotel accommodation has been cut from 159 to 148 rooms.

Subsequently, total site coverage has been clipped to 72 per cent, down from 80 per cent, together with overall car parking reduced from 834 to 750 bays.

3 Oceans has maintained its commitment for a three-level public observation deck, restaurant and exhibition space at the top of the west tower, while also including a greater focus on tourism with the addition of a WA Coastal Experience centre and a WA Market Hall showcasing the best of Western Australian produce.

The revised plans also feature 3,502 square metres of commercial space, 3,502sqm of retail spaced focused on a curated food and beverage offering, as well as a 2,509sqm convention centre. 

“The Scarborough community has made it clear they are ready for a significant transformation on this site,” Mr Zhang said.

“With new tourism, commercial and living options along with meeting places, public art and other attractions, Iconic Scarborough will deliver just that.

“3 Oceans would like to thank the strong community support the project has received and we look forward to delivering on our commitments for Scarborough. 

3 Oceans is encouraging public comment via https://www.mra.wa.gov.au/public-comments in the lead up to the MRA-LandCorp Board consideration of the project in April.